Back to the 80s at Bailey’s 18th, under a stretch tent in the garden.
18th Birthday Party Ideas: Venues, Music and the Extras That Make the Night
1. Pick a venue that suits the crowd
Most of the 18ths we play are in golf club function rooms, sports and social clubs, and at home. Over the last few years that has included Rickmansworth Golf Club, Richings Park Golf Club, Aylesbury Tennis & Squash Club, Amersham Town Football Club and the function room at Goals in Ruislip, as well as a stretch tent in a back garden in Chertsey.
When you look round a room, ask three questions: what time the music has to finish, where the DJ would set up, and whether there is space for a dance floor in front of the DJ. We bring all the sound, lighting and cabling, so all we need from the venue is a standard socket.
2. Put a giant 18 in the room
Our 4ft light-up numbers are made for milestone birthdays. A glowing 18 is where every group photo gets taken, and it leaves nobody in any doubt whose night it is. The numbers are colour-changing, so they can match the dress, the balloons or the theme. A light-up 18 is £100, and delivery, setup and collection is free with our disco or £25 if you book the numbers on their own. At Amersham Town Football Club the light-up 18 was the only thing booked from us, so they work just as well without a DJ.
3. Choose a theme, or keep it simple
A theme gives everyone something to dress up for. For Bailey’s 80s-themed 18th in Chertsey, the guests all arrived in 80s fancy dress and we brought our Bronze package (the disco, the light-up 18 and mood lighting) plus our 80s-themed DJ booth, TV visuals and Rubik’s cube lights. If you would rather skip a theme, the colour-changing numbers and the uplighting that comes with every disco can still be set to the birthday person’s favourite colour.
4. Let the birthday person build the playlist
An 18th crowd knows exactly what it likes: this week’s charts, dance, rap and R&B, plus the 2010s pop they grew up on. Before the party you get our online request form for the must-plays and the do-not-plays, and a link to share so friends can add songs in advance. You can see every request and you always have the final say. And every 18th, without fail, someone asks for the 80s classics.
You can read more about how we run the night on our 18th birthday DJ hire page.
5. Give people something to do off the dance floor
Not everyone dances all night, so it helps to have something else going on. A photo booth works well at an 18th: guests can visit as many times as they like, with prints to take home and the full digital gallery the next day. At Richings Park Golf Club this August, the Magic Mirror was the one extra booked for the 18th. Both of our booths are £350 for 3 hours, and our guide to the Magic Mirror vs the Selfie Pod explains which suits which room.
6. Plan the timings
We typically play from 7pm to midnight. Most 18ths start with food and catching up while the room fills, so the music starts at talking volume and builds from there. Use the planning form in our booking portal to tell us when the cake, speeches or any surprises are happening, and we will make the announcements and have the right song ready.
What does an 18th birthday party cost?
| What you’re booking | Price |
|---|---|
| Our disco, black or white setup, standard evening | £400 |
| Light-up 18 (two 4ft colour-changing numbers) | £100, plus £25 delivery if booked without the disco |
| Magic Mirror or Selfie Pod photo booth, 3 hours | £350 |
| Extra hour of music | £75 |
| Packages: disco with numbers, a booth or both | £500–£900 |
Most 18ths we play come in at £500–£750, and there is no travel charge anywhere in Buckinghamshire or Hertfordshire. Before you book anything, our short guide to the birthday party mistakes to avoid is worth five minutes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an 18th birthday party DJ cost?
Our disco is £400 for a standard evening in a black or white setup. Most 18ths we play come in at £500–£750 once the light-up 18 or a photo booth is added, and there is no travel charge anywhere in Buckinghamshire or Hertfordshire.
Where is a good place to hold an 18th birthday party?
Golf club function rooms, sports and social clubs, village halls and function rooms all work well, and so does home if you have the space. We have played 18ths at Rickmansworth Golf Club, Richings Park Golf Club, Aylesbury Tennis & Squash Club and Goals in Ruislip, and in a stretch tent in a back garden in Chertsey.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can once you have the venue, especially for Fridays and Saturdays. December is our busiest month, because Christmas parties take most of the weekend dates.
Can we just hire the light-up 18 without a DJ?
Yes. A light-up 18 is £100, plus £25 for delivery, setup and collection when it is booked on its own. With our disco, delivery is free.
Ready to plan the 18th?
Tell us the date, the venue and a little about the birthday person using our quote form, and we will reply within 24 hours. You can also check your date here in a few seconds, or see everything that comes with the disco on our 18th birthday DJ page.
