It might be nice and sunny where you are right now, or you could be staring out of your window onto a gray, shapeless vista. But whatever climate you are currently experiencing, the idea of throwing a Miami Beach-themed party is always going to be a good one.
The south of Florida has always been a desirable location, but since the 1980s – when Miami Vice was in its heyday – the whole region has been synonymous with glamor and style, with a sun-tinged vibe. Even the NFL team wears brighter colors than the rest – no wonder the Miami Dolphins are a big favorite!
What better theme to choose if you are struggling to deal with the winter blues or even the stifling heat of your own city? No one seems to even sweat in Miami Beach!
Whether it is a special birthday, a wedding anniversary, or even if you just fancy throwing a party for your friends, Miami Beach is a great central idea to work around – and we have all the hints and tips to make your party go with a bang.
Glamor
You could go back to the 1950s version of Miami, when it was the sun and fun capital of the world, thanks to the likes of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and the rest of the Rat Pack partying with Marilyn Monroe. Or you could revisit those suits and T-shirt look of Miami Vice – or alternatively, bring things right up to date. Miami style seemingly never goes out of fashion.
One thing that has always remained a constant when it comes to Miami Beach is a sense of glamor. That means that your party invite has to include a strict dress code. You don’t want to go too formal here, but smart casual is ideal, with lightweight fabrics a must to really capture the Miami look.
Color
Another aspect of that smart casual Miami style that is absolutely necessary is including lots of color. That can be with the clothes that the partygoers wear, but it relates to the entire event. When you think of Miami Beach, you are instantly transported to bright colors and art deco stylings. That sounds like a theme to us!
Any pastel shades will do as a backdrop but Miami seems forever linked with aqua, orange and blue. Many of the local sports teams use them for their jerseys and uniforms and you can’t get away from that palate in Miami. Use those colors as a base for everything at your party and you cannot go far wrong.
Drinks
When it comes to drinks for a Miami party, our immediate thoughts turn to rum and champagne. Lean into the undeniably Latin flavor of Miami with a selection of rum cocktails – and keep the glamor up with enough bottles of champagne to keep the party going. Add an extra touch of zest and vibrancy to your drink offerings with a refreshing array of margarita cocktails, perfectly complementing the vibrant atmosphere of a Miami celebration.
Tropical juices are also a good idea – both for non-alcoholic alternatives and for mixing in with the rum and other liquor. Whatever drinks your friends or guests are going for, stay with a light and breezy attitude and go big on the cocktail umbrellas. Everything is beach-related in Miami and that should be the case for your party too.
Food
We just mentioned the Latin heritage of Miami and that is a great starting point when it comes to the food for your themed event. It depends on what kind of party you are planning, but small bites are a great way to keep everything going without everyone literally stopping to eat.
As well as using Cuban inspiration for your food – including those all-important chilies and spices – you should also think about fruit. Watermelon and other citrus fruit seem like a perfect fit (and can also be used with the drinks), while adding a touch of lime to almost anything is also quintessentially Miami.
Décor
When it comes to the look of your party, it is not difficult to instantly think of what makes Miami, Miami. We have already touched on the color palate of the city and region and that has to be the starting point. A good idea is to also use large, billowy sheets to evoke that all-important summer breeze effect.
You could also take generously from the art deco style of Miami and Miami Beach, in particular. Decorating in this style instantly adds a touch of glamor to the proceedings and will also make any Insta occasion just perfect. Mixing up the art deco of the 1920s with the modern glamour of the 2020s just seems right somehow.
Music
You could go for modern Miami hip hop music as a soundtrack for your party. But we suggest going for a more overall Latin vibe that covers all kinds of genres but with a Miami twang. Make sure that you spend some time on the playlist though. Miami Sound Machine is fine – but you want a more nuanced playlist to get the complete Miami sound right.
The old jazz and croonings of the Rat Pack era could be involved, especially if you are going for a more retro feel. But including the Buena Vista Social Club somewhere along the line is almost a prerequisite. That laid-back Cuban music will instantly create a mood that screams Miami Beach.
South Beach Style
Miami is known for a lot of things but a laid-back party attitude is definitely high up on the list. So using the place as a theme for your special event should make everything perfect. The colors and sounds can be recreated whatever your actual location is – and your guests should feel as if they have just walked in off the sands of the beach.
