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Las Vegas has a unique appeal, unlike any other destination in the world. No matter where you’re from, the appeal of rolling up to a casino and being treated like royalty is almost universal. Sadly however, not everyone has the opportunity to take the time out of work to disappear into the sun and sands of the Mojave Desert. Fortunately, with a little bit of preparation, a bit of legwork and some gold old fashioned elbow grease, you can throw your very own Vegas themed party from the comfort of your own home. Here are some tips on hosting a casino night, and of the essentials you need when bringing the glamour of the Strip to your very own living room.
The invitations
Sending out the right invitations will go a long way to setting the atmosphere of your Vegas themed party. There are plenty of places online where you can download themed invitations, though if you want to go all out and design something unique and memorable, it sets an amazing precedent for what your guests will expect. Don’t forget to remind your guests that Casino de Mes Maison is a black tie kind of casino if you want people to show up, dressed to the nines.
The decorations
Décor is obviously important if you want to go all out and transform your living room into a Vegas casino. Try to get hold of a roll of green velvet cloth for the tables if you want that authentic feel, and where possible try to add little touches to the room which help immerse your guests in the gambling spirit. Reds and golds tend to add a regal feeling and a sense of ambiance to the scene, and if space allows you can even put down some scene setters or Vegas themed cut-outs to amuse your guests. Don’t go overboard though – this is a casino not Brighton pier.
The tables
A big part of any casino game (bar slots) involves sitting at the table to play. If you’re going for a real casino vibe, you’re going to need a different table for each game so space will be at a premium. If you’re expecting a large number of guests you may want to consider moving the casino out into the garden under a giant gazebo, in which case don’t forget to mow the lawn and sweep the path.
Either way, your guests will want somewhere to sit that doesn’t feel like your dining room table, which is why that green velvet cloth comes in so handy. If you can’t find green velvet, any casino themed table covers to transform your table will come in handy. Remember you’re looking for a suave and sophisticated setting for games of poker, blackjack, roulette and anything in-between.
The right equipment
No Vegas night is complete without the right equipment. If you’re going to do things properly your guests will be playing cards for chips, which means that you’re going to need lots of both. Do you have enough packets of fresh, unopened cards and do you have a designated dealer? Are your chips easily identifiable, or will you be reminding your guests that blue chips are worth twice as much as the yellow ones, which are a fifth the value of the black chips? Remember that if you want to your casino to feel realistic you’re going to have to use chips entirely – not cash. This means that you’re going to want to have a surplus of chips for when someone wants to break their £100 into smaller chips, or for when someone beats the house. Preparation is key here if you want the night to be a success.
The right food and drink
Remember that as the host you’re either the dealer or the one serving the drinks. When entertaining you want your guests to feel like they’re in Nevada, but without any of the extreme temperatures the Mojave is known for. That being said, you may not want to break out your finest tumblers for a party – particularly with all the washing up that will ensue. Paper plates and cups are a good start, especially if you can get your hands on casino themed ones, decorated to look like chips or playing cards.
In terms of the food and drink you’re serving, feel free to come up with your own concoctions – if restaurants and bars can rename famous drinks for their menu, you can too. A selection of mocktails and soft drinks with Vegas themed names always make for a fun night – for example, a Coke with a wedge of lemon could be called The Strip, or a lemonade with a splash of grenadine over crushed ice could be called a Royal Suit, or you could make a pun on the diamond suit. The more drinks you can come up with and the more names you can give them, the more immersive the party will be. Don’t forget to print the menu out once you’re done, as explaining that your ‘Double or Nothing’ is simply lime and tonic to 30 different people can get a bit tiring. As far as food goes, the same rules apply – just be careful about writing the word ‘chips’ anywhere on the menu!
If you find yourself stuck for ideas after all this, Ladbrokes has kindly has put together a series of infographics giving tips and advice on how to host the dream Vegas themed party from the comfort of your home. You can find the infographic here.
