Turning 40 and want to throw a party to mark the occasion? We think that’s a wonderful idea. Forty trips around the sun is certainly something to celebrate!
And in London, you definitely won’t be short on options. You could host a late-night dance party, do a group activity, enjoy a day of pampering with your favourite people, and much more.
Whatever type of celebration suits you, here are 35 ideas to help get you inspired.
Activity-based party ideas
For those who just love an activity. We hear you: it’s a great way to bring people together while doing something a little bit different.
1. Cooking class
Ever wanted to learn how to make pasta? What about sushi, sourdough bread or mochi? The list goes on. Get your guests together for a fun class where you’ll make some delicious food, pick up some new skills and enjoy each other’s company.
2. Wine tasting
Sipping on wine with your favourite people? Yes, please! If you don’t fancy heading to a winery, you can hire a wine professional to host your tasting. They can come to your home or a venue of your choice—or you could simply have your guests each bring a different bottle.
3. Comedy night
London has one of the best comedy scenes in the world (we’re biased, but that’s what we think!). Book a show at any of our city’s iconic venues and get ready for a night of belly laughs.
4. Scavenger hunt
This idea takes a bit more effort to put together, but if it’s your cup of tea, it’s totally doable. And if you don’t want to plan it all yourself, you can buy scavenger hunt templates or even pre-set routes online.
5. Drag bingo
If we could describe drag bingo in one word, it would be: joy. With the music, costumes and charisma of the host, drag bingo (or drag brunch) is always a bright, fun and high-energy affair. Often, there’s a good dose of silliness thrown in for good measure, too.
6. Hire a fortune teller or tarot reader
For those looking for something a little bit different: hire a fortune teller or tarot reader to see into your guests’ futures. Remember: it’s all in good fun!
7. Weekend away
Sometimes, you just need to get out of the city. Grab your favourite people and plan a lovely weekend getaway: you could go camping, try a yoga or meditation retreat, or simply rent a beautiful property you can all enjoy together.
8. Mini golf and games
We love a good game of mini golf here at Kindred! And there’s plenty of venues in London that offer it alongside other games, like shuffleboard, laser tag and more.
9. Go see a show
We’re lucky to have such a brilliant theatre scene here in London. Whether you want to see a smaller, independent play or watch your favourite tunes be belted out on broadway, our city has you covered. And if you’re heading to the Hammersmith Apollo but fancy a pre-theatre snack and drink—we’re less than five minutes’ walk away.
10. Murder mystery party
When done well, a murder mystery party is a lot of fun. Your guests will all be given characters they’ll have to embody—and then figure out who among them is the murderer. We recommend having everyone come in costume, for that extra bit of theatrical flair.
11. Escape room
It isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but escape rooms are popular for a reason. You and your guests will have to work together against the clock to solve problems and break out of the room. And afterwards, you can raise a glass to celebrate.
12. Cocktail making class
Grab a shaker and a group of your favourite people, and make some delicious cocktails. Our upstairs bar, the Salon, is perfect for a cocktail making class—it’s got a hushed glamour, speakeasy sort of vibe.
13. Arcade games
If you’re turning 40 this decade, then we’re sure that you remember arcade games. You could throw your party in a dedicated arcade venue or hire individual games.
Low-key, more relaxed birthday party ideas
Because not every party needs to be a knees-up for the ages.
14. Game night
A bunch of board games with the best group of people? It sounds like a treat. You could host at your house or rent a venue. Our upstairs space, The Library, is the ideal setting for a board games night.
15. Throw a BBQ
There’s not much to dislike about a BBQ—if the British weather is behaving, that is. Have your guests snack, chat and raise a glass as you all enjoy the day together.
16. Spa day
For those who love being pampered. And what better day for it than your 40th birthday? Many spas in or around London offer day and group packages that include food and drink as well as treatments.
17. Garden party
Garden parties are quintessentially British and brilliant fun (if the weather is good). If you’re lucky enough to be born in a warmer month, this could be a great shout. We’ve hosted some lovely outdoor parties on our terrace here at Kindred, and we have covering in case it rains.
18. Pyjama party
Pyjama parties aren’t just for kids! They’re a fun way to relax and unwind with the people closest to you, while enjoying delicious snacks and playing games.
19. Fondue evening
It’s retro, but who can say no to cheese? Fondue is fun, cosy and communal, bringing people together without it feeling too forced or structured. Plus, did we mention the cheese part?
20. Private dinner party
Host an elegant, private dinner party in a beautiful space—like our Butterwick room, for instance, which has original features from the 1700s. It’s a wonderful way to spend quality time with a smaller group, so you can all really connect while enjoying some brilliant food.
21. Picnic
Everyone loves a picnic. Gather a basket full of your finest picky bits and choose a lovely location (bunting optional, but recommended). It’s a lovely way to spend an afternoon celebrating your birthday.
22. Personal cinema
Did you know that you can rent out small cinemas? Yep—and we can confirm that it’s a lot of fun. Plus, you won’t have to worry about disturbing any other guests, so you’re free to chat away.
23. Afternoon tea
For those who love feeling a little bit fancy. And if you can’t do that on your 40th birthday, when can you? Afternoon tea is elegant and sophisticated, but it can also be a relaxed affair.
Party ideas
Sometimes, only a party with music, a dancefloor, and/or late-night revelry will do.
24. Silent disco
In our experience, people tend to underestimate just how much fun a silent disco actually is. Usually, the songs played are crowd-pleasing classics, which makes everyone want to get moving.
25. Festival party
Evoke the escapism and whimsy of a festival by hosting your own festival-themed bash. Have your guests don their finest glitter, sequin and colourful outfits—and get ready to have some fun.
26. Casino night
This is a popular theme for a reason: it’s glitzy and glam, with plenty of fun games to play. You can rent all sorts of casino game tables, from roulette to poker. And if you really wanted to commit to the theme, you could even hire a card dealer.
27. Jazz night
If smooth, soulful and effortlessly cool vibes are your thing, consider having your birthday party at a jazz night. Jazz is uplifting without being stuffy, and is often enjoyed from a candlelit table with a few cocktails in hand.
28. Live band/DJ
Nothing compares to live music. Hire a band who will play tunes you like or have a DJ to keep everyone moving until the early hours. At Kindred, we have a stage and top-of-the-range AV capabilities in our downstairs Hall, making it perfect for live performances.
29. Retro theme
Everyone loves a bit of nostalgia. Whether you choose a specific decade—70s disco, 80s neon, 90s grunge—or let guests pick for themselves, retro parties always go down a treat.
30. Hire a party bus
A party on a bus? Sounds like a whole lot of fun. The party starts as soon as your guests board, with plenty of drinks, music and silly lighting. It’s basically like a moving nightclub, but without a queue at the bar.
31. Karaoke
Ring in your birthday by having your favourite people sing their hearts out. You can hire a private room in a karaoke bar or simply rent a karaoke machine.
32. White party
White parties feel upscale and stylish, without being too formal. It’s a simple idea but gives parties a dreamy, ethereal feel—and not to mention amazing photos.
33. Roaring 20s (aka Great Gatsby theme)
It’s probably the most popular birthday party theme out there, but we can certainly understand why. Dressing up in roaring 20s glam—silver, gold, tassels, gloves, feathers—feels deliciously decadent and over-the-top. It’s the perfect excuse to let your hair down.
34. Hollywood red carpet
Who says you need to be famous to get the red carpet treatment? Have your favourite people doll themselves up and get the celebrity treatment as they arrive to your party. You could hire an actual red carpet and even a photographer.
35. Winter wonderland
We Brits absolutely love Christmas time. So why not host a winter wonderland-themed birthday party? This is a great shout for people born in the colder months.
Your birthday party venue
When planning a party to remember, choosing the right venue is absolutely key. As well as having the right feel and backdrop, you want it to have all the right facilities: including delicious food, a well-stocked bar and excellent AV capabilities.
Kindred is a much-loved West London party venue that does it all. With spaces to suit all styles of celebrations, we’re perfectly equipped to host anything from an intimate dinner to a dance party. Did we mention that there’s a private bar on each floor of our building?
We’ve also got Cellar, our Hammersmith restaurant and bar, that has plenty of menu options: from canapés to plated meals, to late-night comfort classics.
Our friendly team would be delighted to bring your dream birthday party to life. Take a virtual tour of our building, browse our private hire brochure, or get in touch with our team to learn more.
