14 Unique Ideas for the Ultimate 90s Theme Party (2025)

Are you looking for 90s theme party ideas that are actually good, not just the same few suggestions recycled again and again?

Whether you’re planning a birthday, hen party, team event or just a nostalgic get-together for the vibes, this guide is packed with clever, creative ideas that make your celebration unforgettable.

We’ve handpicked 16 unique, specific ideas that go way beyond the usual “wear a scrunchie and play Britney Spears”. You’ll find creative details, nostalgic food inspiration and fresh twists tailored for 2025. Because with the right mix of planning and personality, you can throw a 90s theme party that feels both nostalgic and brand new.

To make sure this isn’t just another copy-paste list, we researched everything from TikTok trends and Reddit threads to nostalgic Pinterest boards and viral Instagram posts. The result? Fresh ideas that real people are loving right now.

Whether you’re going for a chilled hangout, a dance-filled throwback night, or a full-on 90s immersion, this list has everything you need to make your event stand out.

Table of contents

• 90s food and drink ideas
• Decor inspiration
• Games and activities
• Outfit suggestions
• Common questions answered
• Why choose Peerspace to plan your 90s party

Snack like it’s 1995 with these 90s food and drink ideas

Relive the glory days of brightly coloured drinks, cereal snacks and Saturday morning sugar rushes. Or, give your guests a grown-up twist on nostalgic treats. Either way, these 90s-inspired food and drink ideas will hit the perfect balance of retro fun and modern flavour — no bland platters here!

1. 90s snack bar station

For a quick win that’s pure nostalgia, set up a self-serve snack bar filled with classic childhood favourites. Think Party Rings, Mini Cheddars, Wagon Wheels, Skips, Penguin bars, and Space Raiders — all those iconic lunchbox staples that defined the 90s.

Arrange everything in glass jars or bright bowls with old-school labels. The more colourful, the better.

Add a few nostalgic drinks like Ribena cartons, Sunny Delight, Capri-Sun pouches, and Tango bottles. If you want a grown-up twist, serve cocktails inspired by these flavours — like a Ribena spritz or a SunnyD mimosa.

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Pro tip: Taste and smell are the ultimate memory triggers. So a bite of a Jammy Dodger or a sip of Vimto could take your guests right back to the school canteen or a 90s sleepover.

Extra ideas for your snack bar:

• Drinks: Panda Pops, Lilt, Capri-Sun, Cherryade, J20s
• Salty snacks: Hula Hoops, Monster Munch, cheese straws, Twiglets, Wotsits
• Desserts: Angel Delight, Arctic Roll, Viennetta slices, Rice Krispie treats, mini doughnuts
• Sweets: Fruit Winders, Drumstick lollies, Refreshers, Dip Dabs, Push Pops, Wham bars, Smarties, Love Hearts

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2. Super-specific 90s dinner party

Want to take your 90s theme party to the next level? Give it a hyper-specific theme.

For example, throw a “Pecks with Becks” Beckham-inspired dinner as suggested by TikToker @sarahwoodgonzalez. Serve a British-style Sunday roast with all the trimmings, encourage guests to dress in iconic Posh Spice or David Beckham looks (think football shirts, adidas trackies and little black dresses), and play 90s Britpop hits like Spice Girls, Oasis, Blur and Take That.

The more focused your idea, the more cohesive and memorable your party will be.

Vibrant, retro 90s party decor ideas

To truly capture the 90s vibe, go bold. Think neon colours, lava lamps, inflatable furniture and glow sticks. Mix these with retro tech touches, like VHS tapes, old PlayStations and boomboxes, for an authentic throwback atmosphere.

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Pro Tip: Many Peerspace party venues come with blank walls, open layouts, or cool retro features (in fact, you can find vintage locations for rent here) that make them perfect canvases for your 90s-themed event. Picking a simple Peerspace venue as a “blank slate” might be the right move, as it lets you go all out with your chosen decor elements without worrying about clashing with the space.

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3. Retro technology as decor

Nothing screams 90s like a CRT telly showing The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air or SMTV Live. Use nostalgic tech to decorate:

• Stack VHS tapes or display them in a makeshift video shop corner
• Hang CDs from strings for a reflective light effect
• Scatter floppy disks as table confetti
• Set up an old stereo or boombox with mix CDs playing
• Use neon signs or blacklights for that ultimate rave-inspired look

Together, these create the perfect “friend’s house party in 1998” aesthetic.

4. 90s-style photo booth

Set up a DIY photo booth that feels straight out of your childhood. Use a bold backdrop featuring 90s-inspired patterns.

If you can, use Polaroid or Instax cameras so your guests can take home physical keepsakes. Just like snapping instant pics at a birthday in 1996.

Add props like inflatable mobiles, plastic microphones, fake Game Boys and butterfly clips.

5. “Weird S” decorations

Also known as the “Cool S”, “Universal S”, “Stüssy S”, “Super S”, “Pointy S” and “Graffiti S”, this symbol is a fascinating and ubiquitous feature of many childhoods. It’s appeared to varying degrees throughout North America, South America, Europe, Russia, Asia, and Australia, possibly dating back to the 1960s.

But were you aware that the origin of the symbol is unknown? According to Paul Cobley, a professor in language and media at Middlesex University in London, “The reason kids go through this is probably because it’s a Moebius strip . . . It can’t be drawn continuously, but it does have a perpetual flow.”

So why not incorporate this ubiquitous piece of childhood mystery into your party decor? One example is this neon “Weird S” beer pong table, but with some removable tape, it’s easy to add the symbol practically anywhere.

6. 90s posters as decor

Create a proper throwback vibe by plastering your walls with posters from the decade. You can find reprints or originals on sites like Etsy or vintage markets.

Choose a mix that suits your crowd — Spice Girls, Nirvana, Boyzone, East 17, The Simpsons or Friends. Or print your own fake Blockbuster signs, classic film posters or ads for long-lost brands like Woolworths.

Hands-on fun and classic games for your 90s party

A great 90s theme party is all about getting everyone involved. Interactive games keep energy high, encourage nostalgia and give guests something to laugh about.

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Pro tip: Encourage people to put away their smartphones for the evening. It’ll help create that genuine pre-digital atmosphere where everyone’s present and having fun.

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7. Mad Libs drinking game

Remember Mad Libs? Grab some vintage versions online or print your own from templates. Take turns filling in the blanks with the most ridiculous words possible.

Before reading each story aloud, set rules, like anyone who repeats a word or says something too modern (like “Instagram”) has to take a sip. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and incredibly nostalgic.

8. 90s karaoke

This one’s non-negotiable. Nothing says “90s party” like belting out the classics.

Hire a karaoke machine or book a Peerspace venue with karaoke equipment. Make a playlist of absolute bangers: “Wannabe”, “Smells Like Teen Spirit”, “No Scrubs”, “Wonderwall”, “Baby One More Time”, “Don’t Look Back in Anger”, “C’est La Vie”, and “Say You’ll Be There.”

Encourage guests to perform duets or group numbers, complete with dance routines and hairbrush microphones.

9. Make friendship bracelets and keychains

Set up a crafting station with beads, coloured thread, and plastic cords for making friendship bracelets or keychains — two must-haves from any 90s childhood.

It’s a relaxed way to chat and laugh between songs, and everyone gets a personalised keepsake to take home.

10. Play Twister

Few games capture 90s chaos quite like Twister. It’s simple to set up indoors or in the garden, needs no tech, and guarantees plenty of laughter.

Bonus: the bright primary colours fit perfectly with your 90s decor.

11. Play 90s video games

Dust off a Nintendo 64, PlayStation 1, or Sega Mega Drive and create a gaming corner.

Set up competitions in Mario Kart, GoldenEye 007, Tekken, or Crash Bandicoot. Watching your friends get hilariously competitive over pixelated graphics is the ultimate nostalgia trip.

Costume and outfit ideas for a 90s theme party

Encourage guests to go all-in on their looks. That’s half the fun. You’ll instantly set the tone when everyone arrives in 90s fashion.

12. Dress up as yourselves from the 90s

This costume party idea comes courtesy of @host.in.your.home on TikTok. Ask guests to dig out an old childhood photo, like a school picture, family holiday snap or awkward teen moment and recreate the outfit in full.

You’ll end up with hilarious before-and-after shots and a wave of shared nostalgia. Take photos of everyone’s recreation and print them out as a souvenir booklet for later.

13. Dress up as a specific 90s subculture

Help guests narrow their ideas by picking from real 90s styles:

• Britpop: Adidas trainers, tracksuit tops, bucket hats, parkas
• 90s hip hop: Bucket hats, Timberland boots, and brands like Tommy Hilfiger
• Grunge: Flannel shirts, ripped jeans, Doc Martens
• Club kid/rave: Neon mesh, glow sticks, jelly bracelets, platform trainers
• Preppy: Blazers, pleated skirts, loafers
• Goth: Black lace, chokers, heavy eyeliner, leather jackets
• Skater: Oversized tees, Vans, beanies

This keeps everyone’s look cohesive while giving them creative freedom.

14. Dress as a cartoon character

A fun twist: have everyone come as their favourite 90s cartoon character.

Ideas include:

• The Rugrats crew
• Dexter’s Laboratory
• Powerpuff Girls
• Arthur
• The Wild Thornberrys
• The Magic School Bus

It’s playful, colourful, and works brilliantly for groups.

Your questions about 90s theme parties, answered

What are some creative 90s theme party ideas for women?

Instead of generic suggestions, focus on personalised details that feel nostalgic yet unexpected. Think makeover stations with glitter hair gel or a girl-band lip-sync battle. You can also lean into sleepover vibes with beanbags, popcorn and classic chick flick screenings, all in a room decked out in rainbow and holographic accents.

You could also host a “Girl Power” karaoke battle featuring Spice Girls, All Saints, and Destiny’s Child anthems.

What are some 90s theme party ideas for men?

Encourage them to lean into specific subcultures rather than basic flannel. Try Britpop lads or hip-hop streetwear with oversized denim and bucket hats.

Set up extras like a retro arcade corner for extra nostalgia.

How can I plan a 90s theme birthday party?

Birthdays are your chance to go big. Hire a DJ to spin throwback tracks, deck out your space in neon, and serve a Funfetti-inspired cake. Add trivia games or a “Guess That 90s TV Theme” round to keep everyone entertained.

What are some unique 90s theme graduation party ideas?

Mark the milestone with personal touches. Create a “Class of 199X” backdrop for photos, give out nostalgic party favours like slap bracelets, and make a memory wall with neon cards where guests can share messages.

What is the 90s theme style?

It’s bold, colourful, and full of personality. The decade’s style was about freedom, mixing preppy, grunge, glam and rave influences. The secret is confidence. Combine textures, patterns and accessories, and don’t worry if it clashes. That’s exactly what made the 90s unforgettable.

Why choose Peerspace for your 90s party

If you’re putting this much thought into your 90s theme party, you deserve a venue that matches your creativity.

Peerspace offers a huge range of unique, hireable venues designed for parties and events, from cool warehouse lofts to colourful studios and vintage lounges. You’ll find plenty of spaces across major UK cities where you can decorate freely and bring your vision to life.

Each listing includes detailed descriptions, photos and clear pricing, so you can book confidently without hidden surprises. Unlike accommodation platforms, you only pay for the hours you need — ideal for one-night events.

With thousands of vetted options, Peerspace makes it easy to find somewhere that fits your aesthetic, your guest list and your budget.

Keep the party planning momentum going

You’ve now got everything you need to throw a 90s theme party that your guests will talk about for years.

Next step: find your perfect venue. Whether you want a small, laid-back gathering or a full-scale retro rave, Peerspace has options ready for you.

When you’re ready to book, start browsing party venues near you on Peerspace. Because it’s never too soon to secure the perfect spot for your ultimate throwback celebration.