15 Retro Recipes For A 1970s-Themed Cocktail Party

The groovy vibes of the 1970s brought us disco, bell-bottoms, and some seriously iconic party snacks that still make mouths water today.

Hosting a retro-themed gathering means serving the foods that made everyone crowd around the appetizer table back in the day.

These classic recipes capture the fun, funky spirit of that unforgettable decade and will transport your guests straight back to the era of shag carpets and lava lamps

1. Deviled Eggs

Creamy yolk filling piped into perfectly halved egg whites made these a must-have at every 1970s gathering. Your guests will love the tangy mustard kick mixed with smooth mayo that creates that signature flavor.

Sprinkle paprika on top for that classic look everyone remembers. These bite-sized treats disappear faster than you can say disco ball!

2. Shrimp Cocktail

Plump, cold shrimp hanging over fancy glasses filled with zesty sauce screamed sophistication in the seventies. This elegant appetizer made everyone feel like they were dining at a five-star restaurant, even in someone’s living room.

The combination of tender seafood and tangy ketchup-based sauce remains timeless. Just saying, your guests will feel fancy holding those cocktail forks!

3. Classic Cheese Ball

Rolling cream cheese mixed with cheddar and spices into a perfect sphere, then coating it with crunchy nuts, was pure 1970s magic. Every hostess had her secret recipe, and guests would gather around this centerpiece like it held the mysteries of the universe.

Serve with an array of crackers for maximum nostalgia points!

4. Pigs In A Blanket

Tiny sausages wrapped in buttery dough turned snack time into a celebration. The smell alone could pull guests straight to the kitchen, noses leading the way to golden bites just out of the oven. Each roll cracked softly under the tooth, releasing a burst of savory comfort that vanished fast from trays.

Served warm with mustard for dipping, they proved simplicity always wins hearts – and disappears faster than hosts can refill the plate.

5. Rumaki

Bacon wrapping around water chestnuts and chicken liver created this exotic-sounding treat that dominated seventies party menus. The sweet-savory glaze made them irresistible, even to picky eaters who normally avoided anything adventurous.

Skewered on toothpicks, they looked as fancy as they tasted. Your guests will be amazed by this blast from the past!

6. Cheese Fondue

Cheese melted into liquid gold in a shared pot, sending out a rich, irresistible aroma that filled 1970s living rooms with excitement.

Fondue nights turned simple gatherings into events, each guest dipping bread cubes on long forks into bubbling bliss. Conversation flowed as easily as the cheese, laughter echoing between bites. The ritual felt intimate, fun, and a little indulgent. Few party trends brought people closer – or smelled quite so heavenly.

7. Quiche Lorraine

Cutting this French-inspired egg pie into tiny triangles transformed it into the perfect handheld party snack. Bacon, cheese, and custard baked in flaky pastry made guests feel sophisticated while munching away.

Serve these warm or at room temperature for maximum flexibility. They prove that brunch food belongs at evening gatherings too, especially groovy ones!

8. Stuffed Mushrooms

Hollowed-out mushroom caps became edible vessels for savory breadcrumb, garlic, and cheese mixtures that tasted like heaven. These earthy bites added a touch of elegance to any spread and made vegetables feel like a treat rather than a chore.

Bake until golden and bubbly for that perfect finish. Even mushroom skeptics become believers after one bite!

9. Swedish Meatballs

These tender, bite-sized meatballs swimming in rich, creamy gravy became the star of every seventies buffet table. Keeping them warm in a chafing dish while guests speared them with toothpicks was standard party protocol.

The savory-sweet sauce made them absolutely addictive. Warning: you might need to make a double batch because they vanish quickly!

10. Vol-Au-Vents

French puff pastry shells once brought a touch of Paris to American party spreads, buttery aroma announcing their arrival before a single bite. Flaky layers shattered delicately around creamy chicken or tuna salad, creating that perfect contrast of crunch and silk.

Guests adored their elegance, each bite-sized bowl turning simple fillings into haute cuisine. They might look fancy, but they’re proof that a little pastry can make any gathering feel effortlessly glamorous.

11. Seven-Layer Dip

Stacking refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, tomatoes, olives, and green onions created a rainbow of flavors in one dish. Each scoop with a tortilla chip delivered all seven layers in one glorious, messy bite.

The visual appeal made it a conversation starter before anyone even tasted it. Just saying, napkins are definitely required here!

12. French Onion Dip

Mixing sour cream with dried onion soup mix created the ultimate chip-dipping sensation that swept through seventies parties like wildfire. This two-ingredient wonder proved that simple recipes often taste the best and require minimal effort.

Serve with ridged chips for maximum dip-holding power. Your guests will keep coming back for just one more scoop!

13. Sausage Rolls

Wrapping seasoned sausage meat in flaky pastry and baking until golden created these handheld delights that needed no utensils. British influence brought these treats to American parties where they quickly earned permanent spots on appetizer menus.

Slice them into bite-sized pieces for easy munching. They’re basically the sophisticated cousin of pigs in a blanket!

14. Ambrosia Salad

Mixing canned fruit, miniature marshmallows, coconut flakes, and whipped cream created this heavenly dessert that graced every potluck table. The name means food of the gods, and seventies hosts took that seriously when assembling this colorful, sweet treat.

Chill before serving for maximum refreshment. It’s part salad, part dessert, all delicious confusion!

15. Watergate Salad

This mysteriously named green concoction combined pistachio pudding mix, canned pineapple, marshmallows, and whipped topping into something unexpectedly delicious. Born during the Watergate scandal era, this sweet salad became a cultural phenomenon that outlasted the political drama that inspired its name.

The bright green color makes it instantly recognizable and totally groovy!