15 must-try bar theme nights that will set you apart – plus ready-to-customize templates

You know that bar theme nights can be a game-changer in an industry where competition only gets tougher. In fact, people don’t just want drinks; they want experiences worth posting about, moments that make them pick your bar over the one down the street. As Chris Brown, Proprietor of The Plough Grimsargh, puts it:

“Theme nights create a fantastic spirit and put your premises at the heart of the community. A successful theme night can have a long-reaching impact with repeat customers during quieter times and really puts you on the map of places to go.”

From nostalgic throwbacks to wild drink challenges, here are 15 bar theme night ideas that will keep your customers entertained and your business booming.

1. Guess that lyric – Karaoke night special

Guess That Lyric is the ultimate test of music memory and performance skills! The audience hums or sings a song’s melody using only “la la la,” while one brave contestant tries to guess the correct lyrics.

• The host picks a volunteer to guess the lyrics while the audience provides the melody.
• Groups take turns humming a song while one person from each team guesses.
• Mix two songs together and see if contestants can separate the lyrics.
• Show part of the lyrics on a screen with missing words and contestants must fill in the blanks.
• Challenge contestants to perform the lyrics dramatically for extra points.

Use karaoke night templates to attract more attendees and boost bar revenue on this fun night! Choose a template, add your karaoke night details and share on social media or through email campaigns directly!

2. Spin and Sip

Looking for unique bar entertainment ideas? Try spin and sip; a fun way to shake up your drink menu! Guests spin a wheel to reveal a surprise cocktail, adding excitement to their night.

• Add mystery categories like Sweet & Fruity, Strong & Boozy, or Spicy Surprise
• Have a dealer’s choice where the bartender makes a drink based on the guest’s vibe, outfit, or personality.
• Some spins come with a challenge, like dancing on the bar before claiming a drink.
• One section of the wheel can include super spicy shots or cocktails, like a jalapeño margarita or ghost pepper cocktail.

3. Conspiracy Theory Night

The Conspiracy Theory night brings humor to some of the most outlandish theories from decades past like the moon landing hoax, The Bermuda Triangle mystery, and the flat Earth theory. 

• Organize a conspiracy-themed trivia challenge where guests test their knowledge of the weirdest historical myths
• “Area 51 Alien Encounter” photo booth: Set up an eerie green-lit backdrop with alien props for guests to snap pictures.
• “Truth or Hoax?” challenge: Have guests guess whether bizarre “facts” are real or completely made up.
• Set up a black backdrop with a cardboard astronaut, flag, and studio lights to let guests “stage” their own moon landing.
• Leave cryptic clues around the bar for guests to decode throughout the night.
• Serve ultra-thin crust pizza as a nod to the “Earth is flat” idea.

4. Deja vu Night – Rewind 10 Years Night

This bar theme night steps into a time loop where everything feels strangely familiar! Déjà Vu Night brings back a past bar experience, down to the playlist, drink specials, and even staff outfits. 

• Play the biggest hits and viral songs from exactly 10 years ago.
• Feature drinks inspired by past pop culture trends (e.g., Twerk-tini or Ice Bucket Challenge Shot).
• Set up a “Memory Wall” where guests can write their favorite memories from that year.
• Offer a special discount for anyone who comes dressed in the fashion trends from that time.
• Have a throwback photo booth with props that were popular a decade ago like old-school smartphones, oversized Instagram/Twitter frames, CDs and cassette tapes, Vine quote speech bubbles, and printed magazine covers featuring pop culture icons.
• Host a trivia game focused on pop culture, movies, TV shows, and viral moments from exactly 10 years ago.

5. Titanic Night

Titanic Night brings guests back to the elegance and drama of the infamous voyage. The night can be a mix of nostalgia, themed cocktails, and interactive experiences that make customers feel like they’ve stepped onto the RMS Titanic, minus the iceberg.

• Serve elegant, vintage cocktails from 1912.
• Recreate dishes from the Titanic’s final first-class menu.
• Encourage guests to dress in early 1900s fashion or formal wear.
• Set up a photo station with a printed ship railing backdrop.
• Play period music for an authentic touch.
• Offer a “Dance with Jack” station with a DiCaprio cutout.

PosterMyWall offers a huge variety of nightclub flyer templates to make your event pop. Just pick a template, customize it with the easy drag-and-drop editor, and you’re all set to go! For a more immersive experience, use AI Image generator to generate vintage-style artwork for your flyers and social media posts, setting the perfect mood for your event.

6. High School Throwback Night

Take a trip down memory lane with a High School Throwback Night, one of the most nostalgic bar theme night ideas! Ask the guests to dress up as classic high school stereotypes; jocks, nerds, goths, or preps, while the DJ spins throwback hits. 

A “yearbook photographer” can snap pictures all night, making it an unforgettable event filled with laughs, memories, and a little friendly rivalry.

• Hand out name tags with funny or classic superlatives like “Most Likely to Skip Work Tomorrow” or let guests create their own.
• Set up a backdrop with lockers, a school banner, or bleachers for the perfect “yearbook” shot.
• Play hits from the years when your guests were in high school. Take requests for nostalgic faves.
• Offer discounts to guests who wear their old letterman jackets or school colors.
• Serve classic high school cafeteria treats like pizza rolls, nachos, and tater tots.
• Set up a funny, designated “time-out” area where rule-breakers (or latecomers) must complete a silly dare before rejoining the fun.
• Give a prize to the best-dressed jock, nerd, goth, or prep—let the crowd vote!

7. Bartender Swap Night

If you are looking for creative bar game ideas, try “Behind the Bar: Guest Edition”, where guest bartenders from other venues take over for the night, bringing their unique flair and signature cocktails.

• Feature limited-time drinks inspired by the guest bartender’s home bar.
• Create a “battle of the bartenders” where guests vote for their favorite drinks.
• Add a mystery ingredient challenge, where your guest bartender crafts a surprise cocktail on the spot.
• Take it up a notch by replicating signature cocktails from well-known mixologists or focusing on a specific cocktail style
• Pair the event with a guest DJ or live music that matches the bartender’s energy or home bar style.
• Invite bartenders from different cities or countries to showcase signature drinks from their locale.
• If you regularly host guest bartenders, create a stamp card that rewards customers for trying drinks from different bartenders.

8. DIY Drink Night

Try this: let customers step behind the bar, without actually taking over! 

Guests start at the bar, where bartenders pour their chosen spirit, ensuring drinks stay balanced and legal. From there, they head to the mixer bar, stocked with a variety of juices, sodas, syrups, fresh herbs, and garnishes to craft their perfect cocktail.

To make the night even more fun, host a cocktail contest where guests can name and present their creations. A panel of judges (or the crowd) votes on the most creative or best-tasting drink, with a prize for the winner!

9. Passport Night

Take your guests on a world tour: one drink at a time! 

Organize bar theme nights, like a Passport Night where customers can sample international cocktails and small bites while collecting stamps in a fun, travel-themed booklet. The more stamps they earn, the closer they get to a special reward. Feature a new country each week or mix it up with a variety of global flavors in one night!

• Hand out mini “passports” where guests collect stamps for each international drink they try.
• Match each featured country with themed decorations and a playlist of popular songs from that region.
• Serve drinks like a Brazilian Caipirinha, a Mexican Paloma, or a French 75 with authentic appetizers.
• Have bartenders introduce each country’s featured drink with a fun fact about its origin.
• Set up a backdrop with iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower or Great Wall of China for fun social media moments.

10. Sip in the dark – Mystery drink roulette

Looking for unique bar specials ideas to shake up the night? Put your guests’ taste buds to the test with a blindfolded cocktail experience! 

In this exciting challenge, guests receive mystery drinks and try to guess the ingredients, spirit, or even the cocktail’s name. Add a competitive twist with prizes for correct guesses and keep the suspense going with surprise rounds!

• Start with easy-to-guess drinks and make each round harder. 
• Provide cards for guests to jot down their guesses before the big reveal.
• Make it more exciting with categories like “Tropical Escape,” “Classic Cocktails,” or “Sweet & Spicy.”
• Offer fun prizes like a free drink, bar tab discounts, or a spot on the “Sip in the Dark” Hall of Fame.
• Pair up guests so they can help each other guess the drink. The catch? They can only describe the taste without saying specific ingredients!
• Add a competitive edge by timing guests to see who can guess the most ingredients the fastest, adding a competitive edge.

11. Neon Nights

Neon Nights is all about bold colors, glowing cocktails, and a high-energy vibe that keeps guests talking. If you want a bar theme night that feels electric, this is it!

• Use LED ice cubes, tonic water (which glows under UV light), and neon-colored garnishes to make drinks stand out.
• Set up black lights, hand out glow sticks, and let guests use neon face paint for a full-on glowing experience.
• A fun twist! Guests spin a neon-lit wheel to get a surprise glowing drink.
• Keep the party going with upbeat music and a neon-lit dance floor to match the energy.

12. Golden Hour Night

Golden Hour is all about creating that dreamy, sun-kissed atmosphere with sunset-colored drinks and soft, ambient lighting. It’s the perfect theme for a relaxed yet stylish night out. It is perfect for guests who want a laid-back, Instagram-worthy night filled with good drinks and great vibes.

• Serve drinks with layered colors, like mango margaritas, or peach bellinis.
• Use amber bulbs, dim lighting, and fairy lights to create a cozy golden glow.
• Offer special discounts on select drinks and bites during the most magical time of the evening.
• Play smooth jazz, acoustic covers, or soft lo-fi beats to set the mood.

Promote it effortlessly with PosterMyWall’s happy hour templates! Choose from a wide variety of eye-catching designs, customize them with your event details, and share them instantly on social media or print them for in-bar promotions.

13. Heartbreak and hustle night

This night of contrasts is the ultimate clash of emotions where two sides of the bar channels two different energies. 

One side of the bar drips with emo energy: dim lighting, brooding cocktails, and all the songs you screamed in your room. The other side is a disco fever dream with funky lights, retro drinks, and dance-floor anthems. 

• Alternate between emo and disco songs or set up separate DJ booths where guests can choose their vibe.
• Serve different drinks for emo fans and disco lovers.
• Offer comfort food (grilled cheese, fries) on the emo side and party snacks (fondue, shrimp cocktails) for the disco crowd.
• Encourage guests to dress in their best emo or disco looks: think fishnets and band tees vs. bell bottoms and sequins!
• Offer free entry or a free drink to those who fully embrace their side with themed outfits.
• At midnight, mix the two worlds with a surprise mashup of an emo ballad remixed into a disco beat.

Pick your side or bounce between both! A few contrasts you can explore:

• Melancholy vs. euphoria
• Black eyeliner vs. glitter
• Heartbreak anthems vs. feel-good disco beats
• Dark & moody cocktails vs. bright & bubbly drinks
• All-black attire vs. neon & sequins
• Sitting in the corner sulking vs. owning the dance floor
• Slow head nods vs. groovy dance moves

14. Michael Jackson Tribute Night

If you want a packed house and a night full of energy, a Michael Jackson Tribute Night is the way to go. People love the King of Pop, and this is your chance to bring his music, moves, and magic to life at your bar.

• Play an all-MJ playlist featuring his greatest hits.
• Host a Moonwalk contest with a prize for the best performance.
• Serve MJ-themed cocktails (e.g., Billie Jean Blue, Thriller Punch).
• Encourage guests to dress in MJ-inspired outfits; gloves and fedoras encouraged!
• Have a dance-off featuring Michael’s most iconic moves.

15. Forbidden songs night

Some songs are so catchy that we pretend to hate them, but deep down, we know every word. “Forbidden Songs Night” is all about embracing those guilty pleasures. Create a  playlist packed with songs that make people groan and sing along at the same time. 

Guests can vote for their favorite “forbidden” tracks in real time, and ask the DJ to ensure no one escapes the nostalgia.

Pop anthems that never die:

• Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
• Party in the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus
• I Want It That Way – Backstreet Boys
• Friday – Rebecca Black
• Barbie Girl – Aqua

Songs that instantly get stuck in your head:

• Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley
• Mambo No. 5 – Lou Bega
• Blue (Da Ba Dee) – Eiffel 65
• Macarena – Los Del Rio
• What Does the Fox Say? – Ylvis

Early 2000s bangers that you can’t escape:

1. Sk8er Boi – Avril Lavigne
2. Complicated – Avril Lavigne
3. All Star – Smash Mouth
4. Hey Ya! – OutKast
5. Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani

Let guests nominate and vote for their most-loved “bad” songs throughout the night. If a guest claims to “hate” a song but sings along anyway, ask them to take a fun challenge or sip a drink.

How to promote bar theme nights with PosterMyWall

A packed bar theme night starts with a strong promotion, and PosterMyWall gives you all the tools you need to make it happen. With our all-in-one marketing platform, you can:

• Create stunning visuals: Use customizable bar flyer and bar social media templates to design eye-catching promotions in minutes.
• Publish across multiple platforms: Share your designs directly to Instagram, Facebook, and more without leaving PosterMyWall.
• Schedule posts in advance: Plan ahead with social media scheduling and keep your audience engaged.
• Run email campaigns: Send targeted email promotions with exclusive discounts to boost attendance.

Wrap up the night right

Bar theme nights do more than entertain, they keep customers coming back. You know that growing your bar’s crowd (and revenue) means giving people more than just drinks. They want an experience worth sharing.

The best theme nights, whether it’s Emo vs. Disco, Passport Night, or a playlist packed with guilty pleasure songs, do exactly that. They create excitement, spark conversations, and turn a regular night out into something unforgettable. The more interactive, the better!

A great theme sets the vibe, but strong promotion packs the house. So let’s make it a night to remember! Try one of these theme ideas or create your own. Either way, your customers will love it, and your bar will reap the rewards.

Want even more ways to make your bar the go-to spot? Check out these resources for expert tips on bar promotions.

• Bar marketing collateral: 15 items to keep your bar top of mind
• 8 simple strategies to build winning bar loyalty programs
• 7 winning Instagram content marketing ideas for bars

FAQ

What is a bar theme night?

A bar theme night is a special event with a unique concept, decor, drinks, and entertainment to create a fun, immersive experience for guests. It helps attract new customers and boost engagement.

How do I select the right theme night for my audience?

Consider your crowd’s interests, past event performance, and trends. A good theme should match your bar’s vibe and give guests a reason to return.

How can I make my bar event stand out?

Focus on unique experiences, interactive elements, and great marketing. Use PosterMyWall social media templates and eye-catching flyers to build buzz before the event.

How do I measure my theme’s success?

Track attendance, bar sales, and social media engagement. Collect customer feedback and analyze repeat visits to see if the theme night is worth repeating.

Do I have to have theme nights at my bar?

No, but they help draw crowds, especially on slower nights. Even occasional theme nights can create excitement and keep your bar top of mind.

What do I do if my theme night doesn’t work out?

Assess what went wrong. Was it the theme, promotion, or timing? Gather feedback, make adjustments, and try a different concept that better fits your audience.