Become the Ultimate Host With These 10 Dinner Party Themes

Curate a night that is to die for by adding an element of mystery. Begin the night with a dress code modeled after "Clue"; when dinner finishes, dessert can be the first "clue" of the evening. This theme is perfect for the group who loves interactive games to top the evening.

Our take on French-themed dinner night — but better. Set the scene with the "Ratatouille" soundtrack in the background (it's just that good) and dazzle your pals with some of the recipes shown in the film. Bonus points if you dress as a chef. 

Perfect for the group that can never decide on what to eat. An “Around the World-” themed dinner party will allow everyone to enjoy all the best parts of the entire world. This theme may be more labor-intensive for the host, so make it a more collaborative event by turning it into a potluck where everyone brings their favorite cultural dish.

In honor of the "Bridgerton" spinoff "Queen Charlotte" hitting Netflix, and in honor of the highly anticipated season three of "Bridgerton," crack out the tea for this dinner party. Indulge in lavish pastries, your finest china and a fancy dress code to make the most of this dinner party. Your friends will be sure to have a dashing time at this soirée. 

Scale things down for this one and whip out the picnic blankets or checkered tablecloths. This dinner party is perfect for warmer evenings where fresh-squeezed lemonade, salads and light chicken dishes are appropriate. Add some sparkle by bringing out the fairy lights and doubling down on the sangria. This laid-back theme will also take some pressure off the host.

Can we ever get enough of this aesthetic? Survey says no. This is an ideal dinner party to host in the middle of summer when the days are long and hot and the evenings provide a cool breeze. Now is your time to shine as the Ina Garten of the friend group, which means having some fun with the cocktails and perhaps roasting up her infamous engagement chicken. 

For another collaborative theme, opt for a charcuterie night where everyone brings their own board to share with everyone. A little outside the traditional canon of what constitutes “dinner,” yes, but we encourage creativity. Perhaps everyone is assigned a themed board, whether it be all salty or all sweet. Either way, this is a chance for everyone to exhibit their creative side, and it will satiate all guests in attendance with the plethora of food.

For anyone who has ever watched “Gossip Girl,” IYKYK. Take a playful spin on themed dinner parties by hosting a Saints and Sinners get-together. Have a dress code where people can be one or the other, an angel or a devil. Mirror the plates you serve with this theme by alternating between light, vibrant dishes and dark, savory plates. Also, feel free to add a couple of games after the meal to get to know your friends even better. 

If there is one thing Sally Rooney is consistent about in her books (and in the TV adaptations of her books) it's throwing a good dinner party. You can make your own theme but add some elements from “Normal People,” or opt for the Croatia vibe that we witness in “Conversations With Friends.” All this means is that the ambiance, a surplus of wine and engaging “truth” games are your best friends in hosting this literary/TV-inspired event.

Now, you may not have the same views as this Instagram dinner party setup, but you can bring the Mediterranean to you with either Italian or Greek-inspired dishes (maybe both). You'll transport your guests to a Mediterranean island with the right amount of olive oil, citrus and blue dishware. This theme is a simple way to bring that group vacation you've been trying to work out for months to your home or backyard.