Everything You Need for a Top Gun Theme Party
Mary-Anne Desai
Contributor
"It's time for the big one," your Top Gun theme party! It's 1986, and Stinger has just called you to pack your bags as you and all your friends have been chosen to fight for your country and join the Naval Aviation department, aka Top Gun.
Today, you'll be taking notes from Pilot Pete and fighting for your place as the top fighter pilot. Since "it's going to take a lot more than fancy"…decor to create a fun experience, we can help. Take your event to new heights with these ideas that are perfect for a top gun themed birthday party.
Grab your wingman and get ready with these Top Gun party ideas…
Host at the Beach
Whether you're celebrating your birthday or an anniversary, there's nothing like being by the sea to start a new chapter. Like Maverick and his crew preparing for his first mission in Top Gun, you and your crew can have fun playing ball games, dancing, and watching the gorgeous sunset.
This open, seaside location is also ideal for large events, as you can invite as many friends and family members as you want! So grab those lounge chairs and enjoy the fresh air!
Hire a Bartender
Whether you're celebrating indoors or outdoors, hiring a mobile bar service can be a great way to keep your guests feeling refreshed and hydrated. If you're outdoors, you may find a truck setup where skilled bar staff can serve you all your favorite drinks from the comfort and luxury of a very cool van.
While indoors, you can hire a pop-up bar where professional bartenders can craft cocktails and serve wine, beer, and much more from a cute bar to match your theme and needs.
Pianist
Anyone who watches Top Gun knows that the piano sequence that the late Goose and Rooster create is out of this world. Whether you share happy tears or sing along, these moments are memorable and definitely worth investing in to make your party feel like movie magic.
Hire a professional pianist to perform various songs and genres, from pop and classical to country and jazz. These performers can also play a tune virtually, so you or your friends can enjoy this experience from anywhere.
Navy Attire
Don’t be no “Sticky Jockey,” join the crew and find your best navy costume. You can add a touch of imagination to your celebration by asking all your friends to dress up in their favorite outfits. You can also hand out white navy hats at the entrance of your event, so everyone looks alike.
If that's not enough, add the coolest pair of sunglasses that you can find. The person who seems too good to be true will be awarded the "lieutenant commander" title for the rest of the day!
DJ
Hire a DJ and get ready to take off those dance shoes because your Top Gun theme party won't be complete without your favorite songs. If you'd like to keep the movie alive, ask your music entertainer to play iconic hits from the film, like "Danger Zone" by Kenny Loggins, "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin and of course the "Top Gun Anthem" by Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Stevens.
Jukebox
It's not a party in the 80s without a Jukebox! With one of these, you can recreate the iconic scene of Pilot Pete and Charlotte Blackwood. To jog your memory, these love birds enjoy a legendary song from a tall Jukebox in the corner of their local restaurant. As it's pretty tricky to find these days, you may find yourself one to use as vintage decor.
Framed Decor
Big fans will never forget when Maverick entered the academy, looked at the wall, and saw old frenemy/best friend Ice as a proud commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Pictures are a standard piece of decor for this film, from the walls of the academy and the bar to Maverick's locker.
Create the same timeless element that Top Gun makes with some vintage photographs or filter current ones in black and white and create your very own framed decor.
Volleyball
There's nothing better than gathering your friends on the hot sand and enjoying some healthy competition with a quick game of volleyball. Aim of this sunny game: the first crew to get 25 points wins and will be crowned the Top Gun champions!
Pool
One game you and your friends can relive is a game of pool. In Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick (the sequel), naval pilots meet each other at their local bar and play a game of pool. To ensure your skills match up to all the legends, you can challenge your friends to a fun game. But don't worry; you don't have to play one-on-one, as you can turn up the heat and create a team of two.
More Top Gun Party Ideas: Food and Drinks
Classic Champagne Cocktail
This delicious drink is bubbly, sweet, and refreshing. Just like the naval aviators graduating from Top Gun and sharing a toast, you and your friends can do so too! To make one of these drinks, you'll need some lemon twist, concentrated bitters, and champagne; all topped up with a small sugar cube.
Fish Burgers
As you and your friends are flying so close to the deep blue sea and getting excited to be part of the Naval academy, why not add an equally exciting meal? A fish burger is the best combo of an American burger and fresh fish filets. If fish isn't your thing, regular burgers will be perfect!
Cheese Fries
Not even Pete can be a lieutenant on an empty stomach. Cheese frieds are a delicious appetizer that's great for those who love cheese and the mouthwatering goodness that fresh fries bring. And, who doesn't love that?
Beer
Beer day is here, and just in time for your Top Gun theme party. You may remember Goose and Maverick enjoying a nice brown bottle of beer before starting their first day in Top Gun training. This drink scene shows how much these pilots have together as they sing, laugh, and have each other's back til the very end. Like these hilarious pilots, you and your friends can get together and have a blast with some chilled beer.
Nachos
Easy to eat and filled with tons of flavor, nachos can be the go-to food at your party. Fresh ingredients like tomatoes, onions, jalapeño peppers, and beef, make this meal as tasty as ever. If you're vegetarian, add some beans to give it the texture it deserves.
Bourbon
As you land your plane and end your Top Gun theme party, take a moment to thank your friends for coming by sharing a glass of sweet or spicy bourbon. Whether you're drinking it straight or neat, this old American beverage can be a luxury at your Top Gun party. Create a classic bourbon cocktail called the Bourbon Sidecar By adding lemon juice and sweet orange cognac.
Find more theme party ideas here on The Bash.
