The big 5-0 isn’t a regular birthday—it’s a milestone. You’ve lived half a century, and that’s something worth celebrating!
But how to plan the perfect party to mark the occasion? At Kindred, we’ve hosted all sorts of festivities, from intimate dinners to late-night dance affairs. And we can say that the best parties are those which truly reflect the person who is being celebrated.
Here’s 33 ideas to get you feeling inspired.
1. Disco fever
No matter which decade you’re born in, everyone loves a bit of disco. Hosting a disco-themed bash will not only have great music, but brilliant fashion, too.
2. Roaring 20s
Speaking of fashion: how about a roaring 20’s party (aka Great Gatsby theme)? There’s a reason this theme is so popular—it’s glamorous and elegant, which makes it fun for everyone to dress up and get into the spirit. Plus, your photos will look fabulous.
3. Through the decades party
Have your guests show up in an outfit inspired by their favourite era. Swinging 60s? 90s grunge? Y2K chic? Your party can be the place to celebrate the lot. For an extra bit of fun, you could have your guests add songs from their era onto a playlist that you’ll use on the night.
4. Murder mystery dinner
If theatre is more your thing, consider a murder mystery dinner. Your guests will each receive a character and backstory ahead of time—and on the day, you’ll all have to figure out who among you is the murderer.
5. Garden party
For those lucky enough to have a birthday in the warmer months, a garden party can be a brilliant idea. Set up bunting and some outdoor games, prepare some Pimm’s jugs and enjoy the sunshine.
6. Trivia night
We love a spot of trivia here at Kindred. To add a personal touch, why not base the questions on your life and the people in it? After all, your guests are there to celebrate you.
7. Private dinner
There’s really nothing like an elegant, intimate dinner with the people closest to you. Some restaurants offer private dining rooms—at Kindred, we have two gorgeous private dining spaces, the Butterwick Room and the Library. Get in touch with us for details on capacity.
8. Cheese and wine evening
We’ve personally never met anyone who doesn’t like a cheese and wine night. You could hire someone to provide the goods (they might also host a tasting session for you) or have each of your guests bring along a bottle. There’s also companies which provide gorgeous grazing boards for special occasions that might be worth a look. Our grazing boards are hugely popular here at Kindred—we’d be happy to prepare one for your celebration.
9. Picnic
It’s a classic for a reason! When the weather is good, you can’t beat being outside with great food, drinks and company. You might consider working with a caterer to sort out nibbles, so you won’t need to spend too much time in the kitchen preparing.
10. Whiskey tasting
If you’re a whiskey lover, you might decide to host a tasting to treat your guests to your favourite tipples. We’ve hosted whiskey tastings at Kindred before and they’ve gone down a treat—including for folks who thought they “weren’t whiskey people”.
11. Casino night
It’s chic, glamorous, and sophisticated—and lends itself perfectly to games and activities that anyone can get involved with. Whether you choose to rent out casino games or simply convert your desk into a poker table, your guests are sure to have a night to remember.
12. BBQ
A backyard BBQ is always a hit. And what’s more, it can be as involved or low-key as you like. Host it at home or rent out space in a venue—we’re no strangers to outdoor grilling here at Kindred.
13. Spa day
Sometimes, the best celebrations are those where you can put your feet up and have someone else take care of you. If that sounds like you, a spa day for your nearest and dearest could be a brilliant idea. Get a group of your favourite people together to enjoy seaweed wraps, massages, facials and more.
14. Roll out the red carpet
What better excuse is there to get dressed up than a 50th birthday? Have your guests come in their best Hollywood glam—and have a red carpet for them to walk when they arrive. You might even decide to rent a photographer, to really bring the vibe to life.
15. Wine tasting
There’s just something luxurious and wonderful about sipping wine, isn’t there? Especially if you’re doing it with your favourite people. You could hire someone to come to your house (or a venue of your choice) to host a tasting, or make a day of it and head out to a winery.
16. Cocktail making class
Making cocktails is just as much fun as drinking them—especially when you’re being taught by an expert in a beautiful venue. Our upstairs Salon bar has the ideal speakeasy vibe for a cocktail making masterclass, and we’d be happy to help you find the perfect teacher.
17. Black-tie gala
If you can’t host a black-tie gala when you turn 50, then when can you? For bigger parties, you might consider hiring a gorgeously grand hall (our Hall can host up to 180 people). Have your guests don their finery and prepare themselves for a glitzy, elegant reception.
18. Hire a private chef
For those who prefer more intimate parties at home, why not hire a private chef to cook for you and your loved ones? They’ll be able to tailor the menu perfectly to your tastes and preferences. Plus, you won’t have to worry about getting home at the end of the night.
19. Masquerade ball
Find yourself a gorgeous venue that sets the tone (we’ve been known to host some wonderful balls here at Kindred) and invite your guests to don their finery—plus a mask. It’s a fun and elegant theme that offers just the right amount of theatricality.
20. Weekend getaway
Nip away for a short trip to the countryside, coast, or anywhere else you fancy. It’s a great way to make memories with your favourite people while experiencing something new.
21. Karaoke
Rent out a private karaoke room (or the entire bar) and have your guests celebrate your birthday by belting their hearts out. It’s good, silly fun—and not to mention the ultimate icebreaker.
22. Jazz night
Who doesn’t love jazz? Smooth, expressive and effortlessly cool, it’s a genre that’s stood the test of time. And it’s the perfect idea for a 50th birthday party. To get into the spirit, you could have your guests dress up in jazz age attire (1920s/1930s).
23. Chef’s table experience
If you’ve never sat at a chef’s table before, let this be your sign. It’s a unique experience where your table has a full, private view of the kitchen, so you can see the chefs hard at work. Usually, you’ll be treated to a bespoke tasting menu and will get to meet the head chef.
24. Yoga or meditation retreat
Get a group of your favourite people together and head to a relaxing retreat somewhere out in nature. And you don’t have to break the bank and travel abroad if you don’t want to: there’s plenty of brilliant options here in the UK.
25. Afternoon tea
Refined and relaxing, afternoon tea is a quintessential British classic. Who doesn’t love the selection of finger sandwiches, scones and mini desserts?
26. Rooftop bar
If you think the weather will behave, a rooftop bar is a brilliant shout (though many venues have covering if it does start to rain!). Soak up the views and the summer vibes, sipping on cocktails and enjoying your guests’ company.
27. Paint and sip
For those who love an activity. Paint and sip is exactly what it sounds like: you sip your drink and chat away, while painting your very own masterpiece. These events are run by a provider and you can arrange for them to come to a venue of your choice.
28. Go see a comedy show
As Londoners, we’re lucky to have such a brilliant comedy scene right here on our doorstep. Grab a bunch of your people and head to any of our city’s iconic venues for a night of belly laughs.
29. Hire a live band (or DJ)
Book a brilliant live music act and celebrate your 50th by busting a move on the dance floor. At Kindred, we have a dedicated late night menu full of comfort food classics, to fuel the revelry until the early hours. We’ve also got top-of-the-range AV capabilities to host singers, bands and DJs.
30. Pyjama party
There’s something comforting about a pyjama party, isn’t there? It sets a relaxed and informal vibe, so you and your guests can unwind and have fun. We suggest incorporating games or even a dance party—plus loads of excellent snacks.
31. (Gentle) comedy roast night
Feeling brave? Why not have your guests (gently and respectfully) roast you on your special day? It’s a creative way to break the ice and get everyone giggling. Roasts are supposed to be lighthearted and fun, with kind words folded in.
32. Festival theme
Bunting, sequin outfits and food trucks? Count us in. Festivals are a huge part of UK culture, and you can capture that sense of joy, creativity and escapism within your 50th birthday celebration.
33. A good ol’ knees-up
Sometimes, only a good old fashioned party—music, dancing, free-flowing drinks—will do. We’ve hosted many a party here at Kindred, and we know what makes a night one to remember.
Your birthday party venue
If there’s one thing we know at Kindred, it’s how to throw a brilliant party. As well as a stage and a top-of-the-range sound system, we’ve got Cellar, our brilliant Hammersmith restaurant and bar. Did we mention that there’s also a private bar on every floor of our building?
In other words: we’ve got everything needed for a night to remember.
Whether you’re looking to host a celebration for the ages or have a wonderfully intimate private dinner, we’ve got spaces to suit all manner of soirées.
We’d 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.
