After-dinner entertainment usually consisted of gambling or the reciting of histories, poems, and other stories.
The gambling was either dice, which was like cards to the Romans or a game like our chess.
Technically, gambling with money was illegal but the rule was not strictly enforced.
The Romans could also win small paintings by Greek masters as prizes in a game.
As the guests ate, slaves reading poetry that was often written by the host entertaining them.
There was often music at a party, which consisted of singers accompanied by the flute or lyre, or solo instruments.
After the meal was finished the guests sat around with drinks talking and gambling. Sometimes they were entertained with a professional jester.
At less proper dinner parties there could be dancers, acrobats, and actors.
There were also tumblers, acrobats, and performing animals. The animals were so much the favorite of the people, that when the audience was bored the standard call was, "Bring on the bears."
At even less proper parties there could be chorus girls and men doing lewd dances or comics.
During the after-dinner entertainment the guests would occasionally be drunk and throw up or pass out. This left the slaves to make sure they got home.
No major arena sport or outdoor theater was possible at night because they did not have electricity.
There were many set times during the year to have parties such as birthdays which were celebrated a lot like ours. There were also random parties like there are today.
Bibliography:
Guhl, E., and W. Koner. The Romans: Their Life and Customs.
London: Studio Additions Ltd. 1994
Casson, Lionel. Daily Life In Ancient Rome. New York: American Heritage Publishing Co. Inc, 1975