How to Throw the Ultimate 90’s Party at Home
Okay, real talk: If you’re looking for an excuse to relive the glory days of boy bands, butterfly clips, and MTV when it actually played music, a 90’s-themed party is the move. Trust me, I’m fully obsessed with the decade. Plus, throwing a 90’s party is basically an excuse to wear platform sneakers and scream-sing to NSYNC with your friends. What’s not to love?
If you’re ready to host the ultimate throwback party in your own apartment (or anywhere, really), here’s the full rundown on how to do it right—from décor and music to snacks and style. Let’s get into it!
Step 1: Nail the 90’s Aesthetic
First things first, the vibe. You can’t just throw on a playlist and call it a 90’s party—no, no. We’re going all in with the aesthetic. Think bright colors, funky patterns, and everything that makes you feel like you’re back in your childhood bedroom.
Posters Everywhere: You can’t do 90’s without posters. Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, Titanic movie posters…cover your walls with them. Bonus points if you include some throwback movie quotes or famous TV shows like Friends or Fresh Prince.
Inflatable Furniture: If you can get your hands on those iconic inflatable chairs or couches, do it. They’re honestly a vibe and scream “sleepover circa 1999.”
Neon and Glow: Think black lights, glow sticks, and lava lamps. The 90’s were all about that rave culture, so let’s bring it back.
Throwback Tech: Grab some old-school stuff like a boom box, a Game Boy, or even just some CD cases to scatter around. It’s all about setting that pre-smartphone mood.
If you have space, set up different "zones"—a dance floor with strobe lights, a chill corner with bean bag chairs, and maybe even a little photo booth area (more on that later).
Step 2: The Ultimate 90’s Playlist
Music makes the party, and the 90’s gave us everything from pop princesses to grunge kings. You need a playlist that covers all the major vibes.
Pop Queens: Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, TLC, Spice Girls. Play "…Baby One More Time" or "No Scrubs," and watch your friends lose their minds.
Boy Bands: You cannot have a 90’s party without NSYNC, Backstreet Boys, and 98 Degrees. Just trust me on this.
Hip-Hop & R&B: Don’t sleep on the 90’s hip-hop era. Think Tupac, Biggie, Missy Elliott, and Aaliyah. These tracks are non-negotiable.
Alt Rock & Grunge: For when the vibe shifts a little more moody (you know the part of the night), cue Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Green Day, and Blink-182.
If you want to be extra, make a playlist on Spotify and share it with your guests ahead of time. That way, they can pregame with some serious 90’s bangers.
Step 3: Dress the Part
This might be the best part of a 90’s party—getting everyone to go full-out on their outfits. Whether your friends go for a Clueless vibe or channel their inner Fresh Prince, it’s all about bringing back those iconic fashion moments.
Girls: Scrunchies, crop tops, chokers, platform sneakers, and butterfly clips. You could channel Cher from Clueless with a plaid mini skirt, or go for a grunge look with ripped jeans, combat boots, and a flannel.
Guys: Baggy jeans, flannel shirts, bucket hats, and oversized graphic tees. Channel a young Leo from Romeo + Juliet or go for the Fresh Prince vibes.
Unisex Accessories: Slap bracelets, jelly shoes, fanny packs, overalls (bonus if you wear them with one strap down like literally everyone in 1995).
Make sure to tell your guests to come dressed for the occasion, and maybe even throw in a little “Best Dressed” contest for extra motivation.
Step 4: 90’s Snacks & Drinks (Nostalgia in Every Bite)
This part is so underrated, but it can make the whole experience way more fun. Remember those snacks you begged your parents for at the grocery store? Well, they’re making a comeback at your party.
Snacks: Dunkaroos (if you can find them), Pizza Rolls, Bagel Bites, Lunchables (the pizza ones, duh), and 3D Doritos.
Candy: Ring Pops, Push Pops, Pop Rocks, and Airheads—anything that screams “I spent my allowance on this!”
Drinks: Capri Sun, SunnyD, Surge (yes, they brought it back!), and Crystal Pepsi. For the adults, mix up some neon-colored cocktails (you know, the kind that look like you found them at a middle school dance).
And for an Instagrammable touch, serve everything in retro Solo cups or even those iconic plastic cups with the blue and purple squiggle design.
Step 5: Games and Activities (Because You Can’t Just Dance All Night)
It’s not a 90’s party without some nostalgic games and activities. You need to give people options for when they’re taking a break from the dance floor.
Video Games: Hook up a Nintendo 64 or PlayStation. Play Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros., or Street Fighter and watch people get seriously competitive.
Board Games: Pull out Twister, Jenga, or Dream Phone for some classic fun.
DIY Photo Booth: Set up a corner with 90’s props like oversized cell phones, neon sunglasses, and fake beepers. Use a Polaroid camera (or even a disposable one) to capture those perfect throwback moments.
If you want to go all out, have a mini dance-off or a karaoke session featuring 90’s hits. It’ll be a major hit.
Step 6: Invitations & Party Favors
If you really want to set the mood, start with 90’s-style invitations. Go analog with paper invites (extra points if they look like a mixtape or a VHS case) or create a digital invite that mimics an old-school AIM chat window.
As for party favors, you can’t go wrong with handing out slap bracelets, temporary tattoos, or even mini Tamagotchis. It's the little details that’ll make your guests feel like they’ve stepped into a time machine.
Step 7: Extra Tips to Make It Lit
Create a Party Hashtag: Something like #90sVibesOnly or #ThrowbackPartyNYC. Your guests will love posting their outfits and throwback moments with a fun hashtag.
TV Show Marathon: Have Friends or Saved by the Bell playing in the background. Everyone loves a nostalgic TV moment, and it’ll make your place feel like a 90’s hangout.
Party Playlist on Repeat: Even if it’s just streaming in the background, your playlist should be going all night to keep the vibe alive.
The Bottom Line
If you want to throw a 90’s party that’ll have your friends talking for weeks, it’s all about the details. With the right décor, music, snacks, and throwback fashion, you can turn your apartment into the ultimate time capsule. So, put on your best scrunchie, blast some Britney, and let’s party like it’s 1999! 🎉
