Planning a lavish party or event to celebrate the arrival of summer in style? Then what better way to ensure it’s an unforgettable night than to make it casino themed, complete with a formal dress code, everyone’s favourite high-stakes games, and of course, plenty of champagne flowing throughout?
If you’re in need of a little inspiration, then look no further than iconic James Bond film, Casino Royale, where the protagonist is seen dressed up to the nines in black tie and playing a nail-biting game of no-limit Texas Hold’Em Poker in a bid to win the jackpot, and of course, the girl. And as expected, leading lady Vesper Lynd is also seen looking like a million dollars, with all the action unfolding in an opulent casino setting where it’s made quite clear that money is no object for anyone present.
The only limit to planning a casino themed party is your own imagination, and the more extravagant, the better. If you’re keen for your guests to be able to play roulette, baccarat and poker in a realistic setting that exudes the 1940s charm of times gone by, then you can make it a reality, and if you don’t want to hold the event at home then you might consider booking a casino hall with all the one-armed bandits, fruit machines, and poker tables you could need to ensure your guests have a fun time.
Unsure where to start with planning a show-stopping Casino Royale themed party to remember? Then look no further, because we’ve put together the ultimate guide to pulling off your own spectacular Bond-themed event, no expense spared.
Get a grip
Rule number one of hosting an event people will be talking about for years to come is ensuring everyone has a great time. If your guests are not getting into the spirit of the event or having a good time, then ultimately, it’s down to you – so, in order to make sure that they have an incredible experience throughout, you’ll need the right games, the right music, and the right alcohol flowing freely.
Taking some time to plan these out and envisage the atmosphere and vibe you’re hoping to create is a good way to get an idea of how things will look and feel on the night. Think about what kinds of games will get people chatting and keep the conversation flowing, and have staff circulating with drinks and canapes to bolster the mood throughout.
Plan for success
Thoughts of Casino Royale instantly conjure up memories of the film and are a reminder of just why the world adores this glamorous British secret agent to quite the extent they do. This should also be the effect your event has on attendees, so get planning well in advance to ensure you have plenty of time to get it just right.
There are a couple of key things that make a good James Bond-themed casino party. You’ll want to make it as authentic as possible and ensure it isn’t just a party, but an experience. A real life casino is the obvious choice of venue for this type of event, and if you can involve the casino staff, it’ll be even better – but there are also some great events companies out there who can help you bring the right ambience and set-up to another venue, or even into your home.
Traditional games like Pinochle and Hearts are bound to go down well, but to really ramp up the James Bond theme, you’ll want to make sure there’s a poker table involved. There are a number of poker games that are particularly suited to the James Bond theme – including, of course, Texas Hold’Em.
Add an air of luxury to the catering
Every good event features plenty of mouth-watering refreshments, and as well as being suitably decadent, making choices that give a nod to the overall theme can add to the fun. For example, rather than serving tortilla chips and salsa, why not make them ‘Casino Royale chips’ instead, in reference to the tokens used to place wagers during poker games?
Canapes are another great choice for an event such as this, as you can have staff also in black tie circulating with them to keep guests satiated without the need to interrupt games or conversations with a full sit-down meal. Drinks-wise, Bond’s favourite martini, ‘shaken, not stirred’, is certain to go down a treat, as well as oodles of expensive champagne. After all, a night at the casino is all about extravagance.
Create an authentic setting
Whether you’ve gone with a real casino setting or plan to recreate one in another venue, making your guests feel like they’ve stepped straight into the set of the Casino Royale movie is the key to setting the right tone from the start. Show-stopping chandeliers and gold detailing, with games tables strategically arranged throughout, will all help to create the theme, and asking guests to prepare a themed outfit or dress up to the nines just as players did in the film will all add to an authentic feel.
James Bond themed casino entertainment
Of course, the biggest draw of any casino-themed event is the entertainment, and choosing games that can be played by many players at once is a good way to keep things sociable. A roulette wheel is one of the biggest crowd-pleasers, and you can even hire in a professional croupier to keep things real.
To make your themed night more unique, you could even include a James Bond-themed quiz or a James Bond-themed bingo game. If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, head over to CasinoLuck for some examples of how to do it well.
Please gamble responsibly (18+ UK) – check age restrictions before participating
