Didn’t score an invite to the pre- and post-parties for the 86th annual Academy Awards? Who needs ’em? We asked two of NYC’s leading party experts to style an Oscar soiree, taking cues from two of this year’s Best Picture nominees: “American Hustle” and “The Wolf of Wall Street.” Set in dueling wild decades (the free-spirited ’70s and the free-spending ’80s), both films offer big inspiration to break out the bubbly and bust a move. The best part? You can re-create all of the ideas at home. Here’s how:
The Swinging ’70s: ‘American Hustle’
The rich hues and glamorous fabrics seen in “American Hustle” make it an easy springboard for a bash, according to Alana Jones-Mann, a Brooklyn-based party planner. “People loved to entertain in the ’70s and they showed a lot of confidence through clothing,” she says. “Serve food that is representative of the time period and keep styling props handy that will help guests transform into character!”
Decor
Pick up a retro printed pillow or piece of fabric in rich hues to throw on the couch, where everyone will be congregating. Use china (or better yet, Chinet!) in deep greens and gold for serving food. As a finishing touch, print out a custom Oscars ballot for guests to cast their votes. (A printable version is available at alanajonesmann.com.)
What to wear
What to serve
For apps that can be prepared in advance, Jones-Mann chooses easy era favorites, such as cocktail meatballs and fondue.
Cocktail Meatballs: “The ’70s was all about sticking toothpicks in little bites, and the Crock-Pot was introduced during this time,” she says.
Heat 2 pounds pre-cooked frozen meatballs in oven as directed on package. Once cooked, place in your slow cooker. Mix together 40 ounces (1 bottle) barbecue sauce with 1 cup pineapple preserves, then pour evenly over meatballs. Heat on high for 2 hours (or until hot), stirring occasionally. Once hot, turn heat to low until ready to serve.
Fondue: “This quintessential ’70s party food is so fun for guests to dip things into,” says Jones-Mann. And it’s simple to make.
Simmer 1 cup dry white wine in fondue pot. Add ½ pound each shredded Swiss cheese and Gruyere, in ¼-pound increments, stirring until melted. Add 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour and mix until combined. When cheese is smooth, stir in a pinch each of nutmeg, dry mustard and white pepper. Serve with cubed French bread, assorted veggies and salami for dipping with skewers.
What to drink
The Sherman Suite: “Champagne will be poured during the awards, but pre show, it’s all about the signature cocktail,” says Jones-Mann. “There’s something about grapefruit and this clementine vodka that tastes very ’70s. It will immediately get guests in the mood.”
Lightly muddle 8 to 10 mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. Add 1 part Svedka clementine vodka, 1 part grapefruit juice, 1 part club soda and ½ part lemon juice. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. Add mint garnish and serve!
The Go-Go ’80s : ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’
“This film was one of my favorites in terms of fun and getting derailed,” says Omar Hernandez, owner of Omar’s La Ranita in the West Village, where he plays host to a constant stream of fabulous soirees, Vogue luncheons and book signings. “For our Oscar party, we are doing a twist and calling it ‘Wolf of Ninth Street.’ And you can be the wolf on your street. The idea is to party like the late ’80s and early ’90s. It was a time of freedom and spontaneity with over-the-top food, cocktails, sex, drugs and penny stocks. In this setting, it’s good to be greedy.”
Decor
To emulate the luxe look of the late ’80s, Hernandez suggests accenting the party space with velvet or leopard-print fabrics. Mirrors and reflective surfaces will add a dose of sexiness, he says. Then, fill a large bowl with white M&Ms, as a wink to the ubiquitous Quaaludes throughout the film. Rock candy nods at a certain other illegal substance.
What to wear
What to serve
Fried Sardines With Aioli Dipping Sauce: In homage to the eye-popping scene in which Jonah Hill’s character, Donnie Azoff, gulps down his employee’s pet goldfish, Hernandez recommends this quick fried-fish appetizer.
Use a pair of scissors to open the bellies of 12 sardines (or, if unavailable, whiting) and clean under running water. Dust the fish lightly in flour. Pan fry for three minutes until cooked through. Season with kosher salt immediately. For the aioli, combine 4 cups Kewpie mayonnaise, 4 teaspoons Aleppo chili flakes and 4 teaspoons lime juice. Serve with aioli.
Blini With Lobster, Caviar and Gold Leaf: Set 12 prepackaged cocktail blinis (mini-pancakes) in a single layer on a serving tray. Place a thumb-size piece of cooked lobster claw meat from your local fish market on each, top with a small spoonful of caviar and a tiny pinch of gold leaf (found in baking-supply stores).
Seared Beef With Black Truffle on Pommes Maxim: Thinly slice a peeled Idaho potato on a mandolin or cutting board, and punch out into 16 little discs using a cookie cutter. Then take two inverted cookie trays, top with parchment paper and brush with melted butter. Place the discs on top of one sheet and sandwich with the other. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes to crisp. In the meantime, cut a 1-inch-thick ribeye into four 4-by-2-inch blocks. Sear each for 45 seconds per side over a very hot pan. Slice into thin strips, curl and place on top of each pommes maxim. Season with salt and top with a small shaving of black truffle.
What to drink
The Benjamin: Combine 1 ounce kiwi purée with 2 ounces vodka, 1 ounce lime juice and ½ ounce lemongrass syrup. Shake in cocktail shaker with ice, then pour into coupe cocktail glasses.
Extended Party Playlist
The soundtracks to “American Hustle” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” are must-haves for any fan, but the track listings on each album only represent a selection of the music actually used in the film. If you’re looking for deluxe versions to accompany your themed Oscar party, look up these hidden treasures.
“The Wolf of Wall Street”
Lambert, Hendricks & Ross — “Cloudburst”
In the movie, this frenetic 1959 jazz cut provided the accompaniment for a brief shot of a stockbroker and his girl du jour going at it in a bathroom — but it deserves revisiting in a less seedy context.
Having used two Devo tracks in 1995’s “Casino,” Scorsese returned to the work of the new-wave pioneers for “Wolf of Wall Street” and pulled out this herky-jerky gem.
Ian Dury & the Blockheads — “Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick”
The cocky swagger of the Blockheads’ 1978 hit single suits the early rise of Jordan Belfort (Leonardo DiCaprio), and it’s also guaranteed to make any party rock.
Cypress Hill — “Insane in the Brain”
Another dance-floor mover — this one heard in the background of a giant house party being thrown by Belfort and his wasted buddies.
One of Scorsese’s few bum notes with song selection was this classic from Dave Grohl & Co., which overpowered the movie. But it’s still one of the band’s best songs.
“American Hustle”
David Bowie — “The Jean Genie”
One of the funniest moments in “American Hustle” is when Richie (Bradley Cooper) impersonates his straight-laced police captain (Louis CK) and it all goes down to the sound of Bowie at the height of his pomp.
The Temptations — “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”
It’s only heard briefly midway through “American Hustle,” but that famous bass line is more than enough to heighten the tension as the movie’s plot thickens.
Ella Fitzgerald — “It’s De-Lovely”
As romance blossoms for Irving (Christian Bale) early in the film, it’s given an added touch of hope through Ella’s glorious voice as she sings this Cole Porter track.
The allure of Jennifer Lawrence’s charming but slightly insane character Rosalyn is summed up perfectly with Santana’s sexy rhythms.
Fans of “The Sopranos” will know this 1972 ballad from when it was used in a scene featuring Tony Soprano driving, but it works just as well in “American Hustle.”
–Hardeep Phull