How to Throw a Disco Party

Wide lapels, Afros, and clingy dresses with strappy shoes, along with the best party music of all time. Set down that tequila sunrise and boogie.

Things You'll Need

• Dance Floors
• Bean Bags
• Lava Lamps
• Disco Music CDs

Instructions

1. Ask guests to dress in costume and bring some of their favorite disco music.

2. Set aside some space for, or rent, a dance floor. Dancing is key to a good disco party. (A lighted dance floor like the one in "Saturday Night Fever" would have you going down in history amongst your friends.)

3. Hang a mirrored ball from the ceiling in the center of the room, above the dance floor. Try making your own mirrored ball with old compact discs; see Related eHows for instructions. Position spotlights in the corners of the room so that they hit the mirrored ball at strategic angles.

4. Keep the dance floor well lit, but leave the rest of the party room relatively dim, occasionally breaking the darkness with lava lamps. Have some beanbags on the floor for cozy conversations.

5. When your guests arrive, greet them with a jive handshake and direct them toward refreshments and the dance floor. (If you don't know what a jive handshake is, pretend someone is asking you to slip them some skin, and go with that feeling.)

6. Provide great '70s drinks, such as the tequila sunrise, the Harvey Wallbanger and the piña colada. Have a jug of ice-cold Chablis on hand as well.

7. Put together some disco mixes in advance. The music should be up-tempo with a danceable beat.

8. Encourage group dances such as the hustle and the funky chicken.

Tips & Warnings

• Shag carpet and wood paneling will add to the authenticity of the event.

• Dance like you mean it.

• Remember that, although hippies and punks inhabited the '70s too, they weren't going to discos. Don't turn your friends away if they dress like that, but your party should be reminiscent of Studio 54, not Woodstock.