Steampunk Party Ideas

Party Ideas: Steampunk

Steampunk has become a fashionable subculture recently. Everyone seems to find the fun in combining the luxuries of modern times with the thirst for adventure from the Victorian age. Many new technologies were developed in the 19th century, there were many advances in medicine, but most of all people knew how to have a good time. So why not tip your top hats and enjoy a Steampunk party?

Steampunk Invitation Ideas:

Gears, known to Steampunks as Cogs, have become the universal symbol of this subculture and are put on anything. This mostly stems from the appreciation for the 19th century ideal of inventing new things that improve the human experience, such as the steam train and industrial machines in factories. An invitation sent in the shape of a cog, or sealed with sealing wax with a cog imprint, would leave a lasting impression with the guests and seem formal.

Steampunk Costume Ideas:

Steampunk fashion is mostly composed of drab colors that resemble the clothing of people from the 19th century, but with more advanced technology added on. Brass, copper, or bronze are the most popular metallic colors. Of course, nobles and rich people would never wear such drab clothing, so bright colors are acceptable as long as they are accompanied by jewelry or lots of lace. All of this Steampunk clothing can be acquired cheaply by going around to thrift stores. Typical Steampunk accessories are pocket watches, canes, top hats, goggles, and anything with cogs. Here in Tampa, I am sure that the staff at Ravens & Rockers would be happy to help, though websites exist with this specialty. Steampunk boots are a great accessory, and Demonia makes several.

Ambiance and Dinner Setting Ideas for Steampunk Party:

Firstly, the table setup should be vaguely 19th century, so though candles add to atmosphere, some unusual form of lighting that could have been achieved through advances in steampunk science are also feasible, such as incorporating a brass chandelier with LED lights or electro-luminescent wire. The actual décor of the dining area should fit with the mood you are trying to portray: if it is nobility, a white tablecloth with proper table settings, and under each plate have a picture of a type of flower and its meaning in The Language of Flowers, which was a common method of communication for such people; if it is for a mad scientist, jumbled thrift store silverware and plates would reflect such a mind, and leave half-finished inventions on the table with uncertain uses. Otherwise, just include curios, or objects that seem unusual and may have an interesting story. Steampunk adventurers are known to bring back such objects from their travels. Some good examples of these would be old paintings and photographs, old maps, tesla coils and other scientific gear, a crystal ball, and other eccentricities. The same effect could be achieved by placing an item that does not look unusual under some ridiculously high security. For example, a book looks normal almost anywhere in the house. However, that same book placed on a velvet cushion, under glass, with blinking warning lights, a big sign that says “do not touch,” and finally all roped off, is going to arouse the curiosity of at least one guest.

Steampunk Food Ideas:

Lunches were often a garden tea party, which in Steampunk serves the purpose of providing more room for inventors to show off their latest flying machines without harming the property. Cakes or cupcakes decorated with cogs, top hats, goggles, or steam engine trains would be good for a more casual party. Pies were very popular, several recipes of which can be found within the old book “Enquire Within upon Everything,” which is a how-to guide for 19th century domestic living. Tea and coffee should definitely be available, and most Victorians drank wine, beer, whiskey, brandy, and some rum. This should provide you with enough to make some fascinating cocktails. Dinner parties often had a centerpiece of a fruit pyramid, with more exotic fruits wanted to show the riches of the host, and the menus were universally printed in French but included soups, venison, poultry, vegetables, oysters, and all the deserts listed above with the inclusion of the exotic fruits. For a sample menu, click here.

Steampunk Entertainment Ideas:

The Steampunk lifestyle is about wanting to explore the curious and wonderfully bizarre world around us, so any sort of old-looking and curious items could inspire people to talk about their history or perhaps their use. Inventors love to talk about their projects, collectors about their collections, adventurers about their adventures, and Steampunk Airship pirates about captured treasure. Everyone has a story to tell, and in a way this becomes a form of improvisational dinner theatre conversation, with everyone recounting exciting, fictional events their character witnessed. Having legitimate entertainers present was common, so any hired musician for the party should just pretend they were invited as a guest. After dinner, the guests go to the “parlour,” which was a room set up to entertain guests, a purpose filled today by the living room. The guests would end the night with parlour tricks, games, magic demonstrations, card games, and musical entertainment. This would be a great time to get a group photo with a daguerreotype, sort of an old camera, and make copies to give to guests in thanks for their participation.