Decade theme nights in Toronto give you an excuse to wear your patchwork shorts without being called an aging hippie. Or they just give you an excuse to wear your patchwork shorts... In any case, escaping back to a time when the hair was a little bigger or the skirts a little fuller can help you forget those endless unread emails in your inbox. Especially if you channel a time when "inbox" was just a labeled folder on your desk. So break out those dancing shoes, round up the fellas, catch the fever or embrace your Girl Power (ugh), here is a list of decade nights around Toronto.

1950's

Goin' Steady at The Gladstone

Since premiering in July 2005, Goin' Steady has been one of the hippest parties around. With lots of '50s and '60 doo-wop and early rock and roll jams hits, Toronto's guys and dolls flock to the Gladstone Hotel to get down to the jam. Upcoming events are scheduled for April 9, May 27, and July 2 (check their Facebook page for additional announcements). Cover is usually $5 before 11 p.m.

1960's

Shake a Tail at Sneaky Dee's

Formerly at Clinton's Tavern, this 60's dance party has moved to Saturdays upstairs at Sneaky Dee's. With lots of retro pop, rock, soul, funk, and psyche records, you can (re)live the British Invasion you weren't actually alive to see and party rebelliously against everything conformist. Cover is $5, starts at 11 p.m.

1970's

Bowling at West Bowlerama

One of the best things about throwback events is when you actually get to experience the prices of old. Wednesday nights at West Bowlerama near Kipling and Dundas St. West tries to achieve that with its "70's Night," where games, fries, and hot dogs are $0.99 after 10 p.m. Plus, you get to bowl to all of those disco favourites (or else, wear your "Disco Sucks" t-shirt). Shoe rental is extra.

1980's

Manic Mondays at Dance Cave

Touting itself as the longest running retro 80's alternative night in Toronto, Manic Mondays is all about bad perms and grungy hits. Escape back to a time when Madonna wasn't totally and completely past her prime (I'm gonna get some flack for that one) and fuchsia leggings were as mainstream as Members Only jackets. No cover.

1990's

Reality Bytes at Augusta House

The first Saturday of the month is Reality Bytes at Augusta House where you can dance to all of your Discman favourites...without the irritating skipping! With a healthy mix of rock, grunge, hip-hop and terrible pop hits (S-Club, anyone?), Reality Bytes is an opportunity to bust out those chunky wedge heels. And then promptly put them away. No cover.

Photo by WilWheaton on Flickr.