Great Gatsby Casino Night Hire London
The most photographed party you’ll throw.
The twenties did glamour better than any decade before or since. Feathers, pearls, art deco gold, jazz in the air and everyone at a card table looking like they belonged there. A Gatsby-themed casino night is one of the most visually spectacular event formats we run, and one of the easiest to execute when the brief is right.
The Aesthetic
The visual language of a Gatsby casino night is specific: black and gold, geometric art deco patterns, feather centrepieces, heavy fabrics, dramatic lighting. The casino tables sit at the centre of the room, not tucked away in a corner as an afterthought, but as the main attraction, the focal point that every guest orients themselves around when they walk in.
Dress the room in layers. Start with the tables, black or dark green felt, gold trim where possible. Add centrepieces that read from a distance: tall feather arrangements, gold candelabras, art deco geometric frames. Then layer in the human element: period-appropriate cocktails, a jazz or big band soundtrack (a Spotify playlist does the job; a live quartet does it better), and guests who’ve taken the dress code seriously.
For cocktails, the twenties were the era of the Bee’s Knees, the Sidecar and the French 75. Brief your bar team. A printed cocktail menu on each table adds a small touch that guests notice and remember.
Dress Code
The dress code is non-negotiable, state it clearly on the invitation, enforce it at the door, and the atmosphere rewards you for it.
For women: flapper dresses (drop-waist, fringed, beaded), long gloves, feathered headbands, pearl necklaces layered to excess. T-bar heels. Statement jewellery. The more committed, the better.
For men: white tie or black tie, both correct. Alternatively: waistcoat and braces over a white shirt, newsboy cap, spats if anyone is feeling ambitious. Two-tone brogues. A pocket square. A sense of occasion.
The Gatsby aesthetic collapses if half the room arrives in modern clothing. Be clear in your communications: this is a themed event, the dress code is expected, and guests who make the effort are the ones who enjoy themselves most.
The Games
The 1920s gaming room had three classics, and all three are still in our fleet.
Roulette is the centrepiece. The roulette wheel existed long before the twenties, but it reached its glamour peak in that era, smoky rooms, dramatic flourishes, the ball clicking into place. Position it prominently. It’s period-authentic and visually irresistible.
Blackjack is the main card game of the evening. Fast, familiar, and accessible to guests who’ve never played before. The natural companion table to roulette.
Craps brings energy and spectacle unlike any other game. When a craps table gets going, the group gathered around it, the dice flying, the noise, it creates exactly the kind of electric atmosphere a Gatsby night needs. It’s a bold choice and consistently one of our most popular additions for larger events.
Personalised Fun Money in a 1920s Style
We design our fun money to look like proper casino currency, not novelty play money. For a Gatsby night, we can produce notes styled after 1920s dollar bills, ornate engraved borders, period typography, a design that feels of its era. Guests receive a bundle when they arrive and play throughout the evening.
At the end of the night, the notes have no cash value, it’s entertainment, not gambling, but guests pocket them as a keepsake from the evening. A small detail that the right guests will love.
If you want bespoke fun money design, your event name, a custom illustration, a specific colour, talk to us when you enquire. We’ll advise on options.
Choosing Your Collection
For smaller Gatsby parties (20–50 guests): The Classic collection gives you one centrepiece table, we’d recommend roulette, and the right amount of play for an intimate room.
For mid-size events (50–120 guests): The Signature or Grand collection, two to three tables, a proper casino floor feel, enough for all your guests to play simultaneously without waiting.
For a full Gatsby gala (120+ guests): The Straight Flush or The Royale. Multiple tables, full croupier team, a setup that commands a ballroom. These are the collections that photographs from the evening look like film stills.
Browse all collections and guest count ranges at our Collections page.
Planning a broader 1920s or speakeasy theme rather than specifically Gatsby? See our 1920s Casino Night page for more on the era’s games, styling and atmosphere.
FAQs
Is a Great Gatsby casino night the same as a 1920s casino night?
They overlap, but they’re not identical. A Gatsby night specifically evokes Fitzgerald’s novel, old-money glamour, art deco styling, champagne, pearls and tuxedos, a touch of cinematic restraint. A 1920s night is broader: speakeasies, flappers, jazz, prohibition cocktails, more colour. We run both; if you’re not sure which fits, talk to us about your venue and guest list and we’ll point you in the right direction.
What games suit a Gatsby evening best?
Roulette as the centrepiece (the visual drama photographs beautifully against deco styling), blackjack for volume, and baccarat if you want a card game that matches the elegance of the period. We can supply black-and-gold or art-deco-patterned table felt to match the look.
Can you supply themed décor or do we arrange it?
We supply the casino tables, croupiers, fun money and any branded fun-money or chip add-ons. Décor, drapes, deco signage, jazz band, lighting rig, dress code prompts at the door, is typically arranged by your event planner or the venue. We can recommend trusted partners if you need them.
What dress code should we set?
Black tie or cocktail with a 1920s lean is standard. Long beaded gowns, feather headbands and headpieces for women; black tie or dark three-piece suits for men. State the dress code clearly on the invitation; it sets the tone before guests arrive.
How many tables for a Gatsby gala?
For 120+ guests we recommend The Straight Flush (5 tables, up to 150 guests) or The Royale (6+ tables, bespoke). At gala scale the casino floor becomes a centrepiece of the room, multiple tables with full croupier team is what creates the “stepping into Casino Royale” effect rather than the “novelty table in the corner” effect.
Get a Quote for Your Gatsby Night
We run Great Gatsby casino nights for corporate events, private parties, charity galas and milestone celebrations across London and the Home Counties.
Call 020 3422 0717, email [email protected], or use the form below. Tell us your date, guest count and venue, we’ll come back to you with a recommendation and a price.