The James Bond franchise has played host to several iconic scenes. Who could forget Sean Connery almost being cut in half by a laser? Pierce Brosnan diving off the top of a dam? Or any of Christoph Waltz's theatrics in Spectre? One of the most iconic scenes from the recent Bond films is the poker duel between Bond and Le Chiffre in Casino Royale. The tension is palpable in every shot, yet the set designer has done a great job of making you want to witness the spectacle. Now you can! Almost! Below are some key considerations to host your own Casino Royale-themed party.
Drinks
What Bond is probably best known for is his order at the bar - a medium-dry vodka martini shaken, not stirred. A version of that drink has shown up in almost every Bond film since the 60s. It's also been parodied since its utterance, from the Pink Panther to the entire Austin Powers film series! I've included a recipe for his 'Vesper Martini' below:
- 3 ounces gin
- 1 ounce vodka
- 1/2 ounce Lillet Blanc, or dry vermouth
- Lemon peel, for garnish
Of course, James Bond doesn't ONLY drink vodka martinis. The films are host to a number of delightful cocktail creations such as a Negroni, an Old Fashioned and a Mint Julep. Stock your liquor cabinets carefully before the party!
Attire
It's not all sharp suits and silky dresses, yet Bond is typically well-attired for any occasion. His go-to is the suit. No longer a requirement of the workplace, more and more wardrobes are bereft of this fashion statement. Suits add an air of competence and authority to any look, but requiring guests to wear one may be cost-prohibitive. Thankfully, there are some looser style guidelines you can follow.
Bond usually opts for muted colours and a lot of black-on-black. These choices help him blend into the background when conducting spy missions and will help you look the part. For the ladies, Bond Girl fashion has shifted and evolved throughout history. Evening gowns have been a constant in the franchise, nevertheless, all styles have been incorporated at some point! If the outfit is more on the glamorous side, all genders can show up in their James Bond best.
Poker Table
The centrepiece for any Casino Royale party should be the poker table. The setup of this integral part of the party is dependent on your budget. Will you rent out a poker table, with staff, to entertain your guests? Or will you go in the opposite direction and put a green tablecloth over the dining room table? The choice is yours!
Other casino games have played their part. A small collection of these dazzling treats are listed below:
- Chermin de fer: First seen in Dr. No, this French card game requires a total of six packs of cards! Along with the need for a kidney-shaped table, players must beat the banker's hand by having a higher point total than them. Similar in that sense to Blackjack.
- Sic bo: Making its appearance in 1974's The Man with the Golden Gun, this Chinese game literally translates to "precious dice". Found in most American casinos, the game is strictly one of chance.
- Roulette: Rounding off the selection is the classic Roulette game, which we see Daniel Craig playing in Skyfall. This one needs a whole roulette wheel, so probably best to hire that out!
Lighting and Decoration
An underrated part of setting up your own Casino Royale-themed party is the lighting and decoration aspects. Accent lighting should be used to draw attention to the poker table. Dimmer lights can be used to great effect to set the right mood. The venue should have that exclusive feel only reserved for high rollers. You wouldn't want the bright lights they used on set but make sure to have fun with it!
Any extras that can be dotted around the room are sure to add to the authenticity. A set of the rules for Texas Hold'em wouldn't go amiss. Name cards for each player can be dotted around the poker table. Your very own set of poker cards and chips is a necessity for the night - expect many an all-in! A poker card shuffler after each hand would be a must when you have enough players.
There are many factors that you must consider if you want to host your own Casino Royale-themed party. We haven't even covered the food! The drinks, what people are wearing, the poker table, lighting and decoration all need to be given some thought if you want to set the mood right. You too can play cards like the best of them soon enough!
P.S. I've added some rules for Texas Hold'em and some food ideas to get your mind spinning. A link to how they shot the iconic Casino Royale poker scene is also in the link area below.
