Pirate Theme Party for Adults: A Captain’s Guide to Hosting

Adults Love Pirate Parties, Too

If you love all things pirate, I have good news for you. You don’t have to wait for Halloween (or Gasparilla) to dress like a pirate. All you need for an excuse to look, talk, and drink like a pirate is a pirate theme party for adults! The reason I created Party Themes Galore was to share my ideas for fun themed parties that adults can enjoy. When I used to search for themed party ideas on the internet, most search results returned parties for kids or maybe themed birthday parties. Which is not what I was looking for. So I’m here to tell you that if you want a pirate theme party for adults, you’ve come to the right place! You can decorate your black heart out, serve up some delicious pirate poison, and bump up the tunes however you choose. Let’s get this pirate party started.

An old wooden skull and crossbones sign is nailed above another old wooden sign that reads 'Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here', welcoming guests to a pirate attraction in Shanghai Disneyland — Photo by Taha

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How to Throw a Pirate Theme Party for Adults

1. Turn Your Home Into a Pirates’ Ship

You know you’ve decorated successfully when someone walks in and immediately knows they’re at a pirate theme party for adults. To pull this off, think like a pirate: how would you light the space? Lots of candles would do well, and nice dim lighting. Pirates look more handsome in dim light, after all. What types of objects would be scattered around? Old rum bottles make for great pirate décor (and you get to enjoy the rum first!) as well as any old blue, green, or brown-coloured bottles.

An array of old rum and nautical-labeled wine bottles on top of a wood table makes great decor at a pirate theme party for adults

Nautical décor like fishnet hanging from the ceiling, seashells and starfish scattered around and gathered in clear containers, anchors (especially actual metal ones), compass roses, old maps, and any type of treasures also help to set the scene. Let acrylic gems overflow out of a ‘treasure box’, along with any other nautical items. Find any antique relics around your home that look like they could’ve weathered decades of salty air. You are the captain of your pirate party. Have fun with this!

Close up photo of a compass on top of an old map, fitting nautical decor for a pirate theme party for adults — Photo by Himesh Kumar Behera

Here are some pirate steals to help create the look:

2. Prepare Pirate-Worthy Food and Beverages

Three iced cocktails with black and gold skull and crossbones straws, proper drinks for a pirate theme party for adults — Photo by Sarah Pflug

Whether you provide all refreshments or whether you invite guests to bring a swindled dish to share, food is a great way to engage everyone in delicious pirate culture through their sense of taste! The number one drink to serve is, of course, rum. Serve it straight from the flask, pirate style. Mix it in delicious cocktails for metropolitan pirates (and for those who don’t want to catch another pirate’s hidden cold germs). For friends who don’t partake, provide tasty alternatives like root beer, ginger beer, and cream soda. Mix up mocktails with coconut water or coconut milk, pineapple juice and vanilla.

Close-up photo of label on 'The Kraken' rum bottle next to an empty glass, the quintessential libation at a pirate theme party for adults — Photo by Magnus Jonasson

Check out some of these tasty recipes to sate any pirate’s appetite:

Close-up photo of label on 'The Kraken' black spiced rum bottle, the classic drink of choice at a pirate theme party for adults — Photo by Nighthawk Shoots

3. Set the Mood with a Pirate Playlist

You obviously need some solid pirate music to host a pirate theme party for adults! For an adventurous soundtrack, play epic pirate music to keep everyone on their toes. For a raucous rock playlist, play high-energy pirate songs. If you want slightly more laid-back tunes, play pirate ballads and sea shanties. Or, if you want a background video as well, you could play any of the Pirates of the Caribbean films with the volume down low (unless you want to specifically have a movie party where everybody sits down to watch it together). Or you could play one of the movie soundtracks for thematic background music. Plenty of fun pirate music options!

A man in a pirate costume stands on the mast of a ship filled with passengers in Thessaloniki, Greece — Photo by Elena Theodoridou

4. Add Pirate-Inspired Scents

To truly immerse your guests in a pirate’s life, light any of these scented candles to engage the evocative sense of smell:

A sign reading 'Treasure Cove' hangs from the mast of a shipwreck scene attraction — Photo by Karen Zhang

5. Plan Pirate Games or Activities

To prevent your pirate guests from drinking too much rum, looting your home, or getting into too much trouble, divert their energy to the brainier challenge of pirate-themed party games like these printable downloads:

6. Establish Guest Participation

Captain Jack Sparrow leaning on treasure chest in the sand with pistol, rope, and other props in Московская область, Россия - a guest of honor at a pirate theme party for adults — Photo by Sergey Semin

Guest participation is optional and involves how you’d like your guests to participate or contribute to your pirate party. For instance, you could invite your guests to come dressed in a pirate costume. While they may love the idea and go all out, there’s no need to purchase an actual costume – they could simply wear the most pirate-y things they own. Gaudy strands of pearls, large gold hoops, shiny buckled-belts, large black boots, do-rags, flamboyant jackets with high collars and many buttons.

Close-up photo of a gold skull and crossbones atop a black and gray drawn pattern — Photo by Jakob Rosen

You could request that guests bring a dish to share. As the host of a potluck-style party, always provide at least one large dish that is both tasty and filling (just in case others end up bringing things that are less tasty or less filling). Same goes for any type of participation: you set the bar, so make your costume (or whatever shared effort) count!

Close-up photo of a gold pirate medallion that reads 'Fly the Flag' - great decoration for a pirate theme party for adults — Photo by Jakob Rosen

Of course, always choose your guests mindfully and with their interests in mind. Prioritize friends who you know would most enjoy a pirate theme party for adults. But don’t shy away from others who may not necessarily be into pirate culture but would nonetheless enjoy a good party. You never know, you may turn them into a buccaneer after all!

Checklist of Items You Need

Two skulls and crossbones metal door knockers adorn rustic wooden doors, the perfect decor for a pirate theme party for adults — Photo by Alex Brinkman

These are the things you need for your pirate party:

Nautical/pirate-themed decorations
Rum. Lots of rum
Plenty of pirate-themed food and drinks
Pirate playlist/speakers
Pirate-inspired scented candles
Pirate games
Pirate costume (optional but required if inviting others to dress up)

A black Jolly Roger flag is hung on a flag pole and blows in the wind against a blue sky, the best way to welcome guests to your pirate theme party for adults from outside your home — Photo by Laura C

Steps to Prepare for Your Pirate Theme Party for Adults

1. First, confirm that people can come on any chosen date:

Choose party date/time, and preferably alternative date(s) as well
Choose guest list and establish minimum number of guests you’d like (to make it worth your effort)
Six weeks out, confirm guests’ interest in the party and availability on chosen party date(s)
If your preferred minimum number of guests confirm interest and availability, have them secure calendar date for your awesome pirate party!

Fish tank pirate decor: a skull wearing a pirate hat next to a treasure chest with gold medallions spilling out. Fitting decor for a pirate theme party for adults — Photo by Jadon Barnes

2. Then, proceed with the fun planning:

Schedule time on your calendar for each step of party prep as listed below (securing and/or making food/drinks, etc.)
Create invitations with all the details and send them out 4 weeks before the party
Order any party supplies and decorations 3 weeks out (so they arrive in time to prepare and set up)
Shop for any party supplies/decorations you don’t order online, as well as non-perishable food/drinks
In your planned time slots, acquire perishable food/drinks early enough in advance to prepare in time
In your planned time slots, set up decorations
In your planned time slots, prepare food/drinks (depending on how long things keep)

A 'Piratao' ship sails against a sunset sky — Photo by Brendon Becker

3. Day of Party (in your amply planned time slot):

Prepare any foods/drinks that are too fresh to do any earlier
Set up any quick/easy last-minute supplies and decorations (if not up already)
Prepare ambience (music/video, candles)
Get dressed in your favourite pirate party outfit
Once everything’s ready, take some time for any preferred self-care activities to get in a good head space if you aren’t already. As the host, you need to first take care of yourself before you can expect to give of your time, energy and space. Plus, nobody wants to be around a stressed or frazzled host. You want to feel positive, energized, and ready for a good time!

A pirate ship sails against a vivid sunset sky — Photo by Pixabay

Every part of the party planning process is meant to be enjoyable – from planning the playlist to decorating, pirate-style. When you put thought and care into party preparation while keeping a flexible mindset to roll with any unexpected changes, you can’t go wrong. At the end of the day, the goal is for you and your guests to have a good time no matter what details do or don’t pan out. So enjoy the process and rock an awesome pirate theme party for adults!