Back in the 1960’s and 1970’s there was a television show on called Playboy After Dark. It wasn’t on very long but a lot of people tuned in because you never know what you are going to get from the ultimate playboy Hugh Hefner. It turned out to be a sophisticated cocktail party where Hefner talked to various guests and everyone got to watch how Hugh Hefner held a party. It was nothing like what people were expecting, or hoping for, and that would probably explain why it did not last very long. But the show did help kick off a series of Playboy clubs all over the country that were all the rage in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Men would dress in casual but formal attire and be served by attractive girls in Playboy bunny costumes. It seemed like a great idea to men but to many women’s groups it was deemed offensive and after a lot of controversy the clubs shut down. But in the wake of the Playboy After Dark show and the Playboy clubs a new kind of party theme started to take off and now some people like to host a Playboy party at their own house and it is becoming quite popular. There are two ways you can go about it and just keep in mind that unless you are ready to pay big bucks you can forget about the waitresses in bunny costumes.

The first kind of Playboy party at home is a sort of a costume party where people come to your Playboy party at home dressed in outfits like the ones we see parodied on late night television that are so associated with Hugh Hefner. People will wear the slick and tight suits with the skinny tie and the shiny shoes or they will don the smoking jacket that Hugh Hefner made so famous. The ladies will usually wear throwback clothing to the 1960’s and put their hair up in a bouffant hairdo. There are plenty of cigarette holders being seen and a lot of martinis being served at the bar. Oh, I forgot to mention, you cannot do a Playboy party at home with a costume theme without setting the proper mood first. You need a bar of some sort and a bartender in the traditional white shirt with red vest. You need a baby grand piano with someone playing contemporary adult music from such artists as Perry Como and Frank Sinatra. There needs to be brandy snifters of mints and peanuts set out and there has to be a fireplace somewhere in the room. It is preferable that the fireplace be in the middle of the room but anywhere will do. Huge picture windows would be ideal and a view of a city from several stories up would help. Some people go so far as to rent hotel rooms to have their Playboy party at and it is worth the expense.

The other type of Playboy party at home is a contemporary party where people are asked to dress formal but a relaxed formal will do. Some hosts insist on ties and jackets for the men and party dresses for the ladies. The setting is essentially the same as the costume party and the atmosphere is very laid back. There is not loud screaming and yelling and anyone starting a commotion is asked to leave. A Playboy party at home is a sophisticated affair that is a big change from the kinds of parties that many people are already used to.