The main objective of a party is to make sure everyone is having fun, including the host or the hostess. If you’re planning on throwing a party, you have to make sure your party is going to be a blast, both for you and your guests. You wouldn’t want half of your guest list falling asleep before you serve the booze, would you?

Believe it or not, the key to a rockin’ party isn’t expensive food or wine. True, the food should at the very least be appealing and edible—but food and drinks are just half of the package. You need to have great entertainment, and what better way to entertain a bunch of adults than to act like a bunch of kids playing dress-up?

Forget about those boring tea or dinner parties. You want a party that would be the topic of conversation for weeks, not a snoozefest. A costume party provides you and your guests with instant fabulous entertainment. Kick it up a notch by going for a unique and interesting party theme.

If you’re in need of zany and interesting party themes, this article can provide you just that. The following are our top ten adult costume party themes designed to ensure you and your guests have a great time.

1. Hollywood Glam Costume Party

Dressed to the nines, you emerge as your very own version of Humphrey Bogart or Grace Kelly. The Hollywood glam party gives you the perfect excuse to dress as your favorite Hollywood actor or actress.

Pile on the diamonds and wear a strapless pink dress, then wave your fan around as the Marilyn Monroe of your very own ball. Encourage your friends to come as their favorite Old Hollywood figure and enjoy the night sipping expensive martinis and reservoir glasses of absinthe.

2. Priests and Prostitutes Costume Party

The world’s obsession on saints and sinners seems to have translated to partying as well. Basically, all males must come dressed as priests—complete with the collar. All females will come dressed as, you guessed it, prostitutes!

If you’re throwing this naughty and glamorous party, just make sure you won’t offend your conservative guests. Wine glasses on Bibles might not be a great idea and could fall under the category of blasphemy, but it’s essentially your call.

Warning: this party is not for the religious or the conservative.

3. An Ode to History: Infamous Historical Figures Costume Party

We may never really figure out why people are obsessed with famous people in history, but this party is a fantastic way to pay tribute to history’s most renowned and tragic figures. For couples, the most common duo might be Bonnie and Clyde, but you’re sure to spot an Antony and Cleopatra in the party as well.

For women, the choices are plentiful. If “evil” is your middle name, then do come as Elizabeth Bathory. This is the best way to instill fear in the hearts of all the young maidens you do invite. You can also come as the great seductress, Mata Hari.

For men, you can woo hearts as Casanova or strike fear into the hearts of your political assailants as the mighty Napoleon Bonaparte.

4. Roaring 20s Costume Party

Of all the decades that have gone by in the 20th century, one of the most notoriously exciting decades would have to be the 20s. Fill your house or your venue of choice with women dressed as flappers and dapper gentlemen. Drink only the finest wines, scotch or whiskey and smoke with long filters as you immerse yourself in the decade filled with intrigue and notoriety.

5. Every Day is Halloween Costume Party

Come as your monster of choice as you create this new world filled with vampires, zombies, lycanthropes and witches. You and your lucky guests shouldn’t have to wait for Halloween to dress as your favorite night creatures. Serve your guests bloody meals, courtesy of red food coloring, or set your place up to resemble an actual haunted house or the underworld.

You can even throw a “scary movie” marathon: the first one to scream would have to plan the next party!

6. Stepford Wives/Pleasantville Costume Party

Just because you want excitement doesn’t mean you can’t dress nice and act polite. Everybody knows that the naughtiest people tend to hide beneath their well-mannered and courteous appearances. Dress nice and play naughty by setting up fun and deliciously kinky activities for you and your guests. Drink and be merry, but mind your p’s and q’s. Remember to say “please” and “thank you,” especially when addressing the bartender.

7. Blast from the Past: Retro Costume Party

People from the 60s and the 70s definitely knew how to throw artsy and wild parties. No illegal drugs please, but indulge all you want in good food, great booze and excellent company. Come in your Wild Child apparel and bring out the face paint. Bring bell bottoms and micro-minis back with this fabulous retro costume party.

8. Anime Costume Party

This is a lot like cosplay, minus all the other people you don’t know. Place the setting in a controlled environment and make sure everyone dresses up as their favorite anime characters. If you’re feeling a little more thematic, then you can pick a specific anime show like “Rurouni Kenshin,” also known as “Samurai X,” as your main theme.

Hold contests for “best costumes” and even “best swordfight demonstrations.” Just make sure nobody gets hurt. You wouldn’t want people to take their characters a little too far.

9. Pets-Only Costume Party

Pet lovers should enjoy this fun party. Come as your favorite pet. If you’re throwing a Dogs-Only Party, you can even encourage your guests to bring their well-behaved pooches. If it’s a general “Pets-Only” party, then you can go in a sexy and tight Cat Woman costume. Expect some furry bunnies and adorable puppies milling in and out of your party.

10. Star Wars vs. Star Trek Costume Party

The debate never ends. Find your team and inspire others to pick their sides as well. Dress up as your favorite Star Wars or Star Trek character, and decorate your venue with your outer space theme.

Encourage friendly competition by holding contests between the Star Wars group and the Trekkies. With the right food, drinks and entertainment, your party is guaranteed to be a smashing success.

Remember, in the adult world, you don’t need an excuse to throw a fabulous party. Let the good times roll with your amazing shindig!

A unique adult party, needs a unique and fun costume, especially if it’s Halloween. If you’ve run out of spooky tricks up your sleeve, here are some cool Halloween costume ideas you might want to try.