On the final Sunday of every month, beyond the white double doors of Red River’s Swan Dive, swing dancers twirl in and out of each others’ arms as ladies clad in 20s garb sip classic cocktails and listen to old French tunes. Started by Angeliska Polachek and Amelia Raley, Vintage Vivant attracts serious costume enthusiasts to Swan Dive’s vintage-inspired interior, transporting guests to another era.

The Vivant hostesses, Polachek and Raley, came from a group of friends who explored their fascination with the past through vintage costume, and the ladies had been wanting to put together an event to celebrate this shared passion for sometime. But, Raley explains, “It was difficult to find a good place in Austin that had a big enough space that was also bright enough so everyone could admire each others’ costumes.” But when Swan Dive opened back in January, the Vivant gals immediately knew it was the perfect venue. Designed by Swan Dive co-owner Mickie Spencer of the East Side Show Room, the bar’s all white interior inspires the imagination with details like antique windows, tables, chairs and radiators, which line the stage, and lighting that Spencer made from old lamp parts, brass candleholders and white glass globes. “I wanted an old ballroom feel for dancers which is why I kept it mostly open in the middle. I chose to do all white and tones of gray as you see in an over exposed silent film (such as Vampyr or Ugetsu),” Spencer says. The result of her careful attention to detail is a new bar on Red River with an authentic old-timey feel. It was everything the Vivant girls were looking for, and they launched their first-ever Vintage Vivant night there, Paper Moon.

From the beginning, the night attracted die hards. “People want to know themes months and months ahead of time so that they can start crafting their costumes,” Raley says. Before July’s La Vie Parisienne! Love on the Left Bank, the hostesses posted outfit inspirations on their website (vintagevivant.com), told stories of Édith Piaf and Alice Prin and engaged a community of vintage fashionistas with their thorough research. June’s Great Depression theme had crafty folks sewing together their own potato sack dresses and challenging the thriftiest to spend less than $2 on their costumes. One attendee bought her entire wardrobe with $1.50. The parties bring together individuals who share a passion for the garb of the era, and attendees have become friends, staying in touch after the night is done.

Simply everyone, even Westen Borghesi (known as DJ Shorty Stump), the man responsible for the music, dresses in snazzy costumes inspired by the theme. Vivant enthusiasts spend weeks planning their costumes, watching movies related to the era, shopping for accessories and brainstorming costume ideas. Still, Vintage Vivant isn’t just for those who love dressing up; it’s also a scene for music adventurists who like to shimmy and bop their heads to unknown talents like the band Bold Daring True, who booked a number of shows after their performance. “We’re kind of this launching pad for unknown people,” Raley says. “We try really hard to dig up new talent and showcase it.”

September’s Carnival and Circus night on the 25th promises a host of alluring circus-themed acts and artsy costumes. But even if you’re not dressed like a bearded lady or lithe contortionist, Austin’s most casual crowd is welcome here; you just have to pay $10 if you’re in “deadly dull attire” and $7 if you turn it out.

For more information on the Vintage Vivant nights, visit vintagevivant.com.

Other Theme Nights We Love

The Highball Theme Nights

Ladies, pull out that blue eye shadow, press on those acrylics and throw on those leg warmers for the 80s Dance Parties at the Highball! And if the 80s isn’t your decade, Henri Mazza and Greg MacLennan of Action Pack have earned a reputation for their many interactive, themed events at the Alamo Drafthouses and The Highball, including a 90s Hip Hop Dance Party and an Ultimate Queen Party with strobe lights and all. Visit The Highball’s event calendar at thehighball.com for more info.

Second Sunday Sock Hop

In its fifth year, the Sock Hop continues to draw a young crowd to Shangri-La every second Sunday of the month for a night of anything-goes dancing driven by forgotten doo-wop, soul and funk spun by the SSSH DJs. Despite the lack of ventilation, kids donning 50s duds pack the Shang’s dance floor until they can’t take anymore, then they head out back to cool down, before doing it all over again.