It’s wedding season, which means it’s also pre wedding party season (or hens, kitchen teas and all kinds of fun celebrations!). So here’s six fun ideas I’ve found for a fun girl’s day out.
What did you do for your hens? I’d love to hear!
A Touch of Tea
Nothing says a girly afternoon out more than a beautiful high tea. Trays of scones with jam and cream, cupcakes and of course tea and champagne make for a civilized and beautiful celebration.
SYDNEY: The Tea Salon at Sydney Westfield offers a special “Bridesmaids High Tea” that not only combines a decadent high tea, but also a one on one shopping experience with fashion stylist Kash O’Hara (To make a booking ring 0411 166 623 or email [email protected] ) The high tea takes place in a private suite, with a style workshop, bubbles and of course The Tea Salon’s signature high tea.
MELBOURNE: Nothing beats the fifties vibe of classic Melbourne bar Madame Brussels. Enjoy curried egg sandwiches, cupcakes and scones with bubbles, and cocktails while sitting on the outdoor furniture, Astroturf and looking over the streets of Melbourne. Parasols a must.
ADELAIDE: Just Tickled Pink is every bit as girly as its name. Offering pink mocktails on arrival, followed by sweets, slices, chocolates, cupcakes, scones- the list goes on! Of course, it’s all accompanied by traditional afternoon tea.
A Glam Dinner
There is nothing quite like dressing up with a swipe of red lipstick and heels and heading out to an incredible dinner, especially surrounded by your favourite people. With so many restaurants offering private dining rooms, you can feel a touch of luxury and personalised service while enjoying a feast fit for a king (or queen).
BRISBANE: With so many flexible spaces to choose from, Spring can cater from 10 in a private space – to well….150! All with delicious food to choose from. A chef’s table, high tea and private cooking classes could turn this into a one stop shop for your guests.
SYDNEY: Pink Salt in Double Bay features chandeliers, a rosy pink feature wall and enough girlyness to keep you going for quite a while. Cocktails are plentiful, private parties can be catered for at the chef’s table or The Martini Bar.
MELBOURNE: Old favourite The Botanical offers a private chef’s table that can seat 20 guests while enjoying The Chefs Menu or A La Carte options with personalised service.
A Decadent Bar
Cellar Bar
I’m not much of a club person, but take me to a beautiful bar where I can catch up with my girlfriends and I’m a happy girl. Add a touch of privacy or luxe and I think it makes a fantastic option for the hens who want to have a fun evening out with a touch of specialness.
MELBOURNE: The new Cellar Bar under St Kilda’s Newmarket Hotel is all about the glam factor with red velvet, candlelight and a dance floor (the bathrooms are pretty incredible too if you ask me). The elegant table service of bar staff means you can stay relaxing on the velvet chairs or dance your heart out.
SYDNEY: The Victoria Room is always a winner for high tea, but also a winner for cocktail loving soirees. Using their bamboo curtains they can section off parts of their larger space for a little more privacy. The private Hunt Club can be booked exclusively if you have ten or more guests.
BRISBANE: Cloudland – This venue has always intrigued me with its different decor and when I found out there are private rooms, well let’s get started! From 4 guests and up each space has a different look and theme. Canape packages are available to keep you from starving or you can opt for a VIP party package with a cocktail, food and a beverage package.
Learn A Craft
Want to learn to make cocktails? Flower arranging? Cheese Tasting? I love the idea of learning something fun, that you might not normally do with your closest friends and family. There are an endless range of classes to choose from (there’s even life drawing if you’re so inclined!) and when catering for hens, most include champagne (always a bonus!).
MELBOURNE: Milk The Cow in St Kilda offers cheese tastings (and they pair it with wine, but of course) for hens groups. Learn about the virtues of cheese, the flavours and how they pair with wine. The venue is also available for exclusive hire, but regardless provides an elegant chic wine bar setting for groups.
SYDNEY: The Sapphire Lounge offers a range of cocktail making classes for groups starting at $49 per person. Learn the art of making the perfect cocktail- complete with balancing flavours and ingredients.
PERTH: Sweet Floral offers flower arranging classes for hens groups including all materials and blooms needed to create beautiful arrangements together.
A Pampered Party
A day of blissful pampering sounds like just the ticket for a relaxed hens occasion. Pedicures, manicures, massages and facials the choices sound as relaxing as you’re sure to feel!
SYDNEY: Spa Q, in the fab QT Hotel offers a blissful day spa that includes a restaurant and bar within the building (as well as the hotel). It could be the step off point for all of your hens fun! Massages, a relaxation lounge, steam and ice rooms and bubbles are all available for the ultimate in luxury.
PERTH: Endota is always a wonderful choice for pampering and they have locations all over Australia (including Perth). Group packages including bubbles and tailored treatments to your group of girlfriends is the kickstarter to a day of pampering.
MELBOURNE: The lovely Miss Fox is a beauty and day spa hub. From manicures and pedicures, makeup and hair to the day spa – a blissful place offering massage, facials, bathing, hair treatments and even body wraps and polishes.
Daggy Dancing
There is something to be said to dancing and belting out the words to a song you know every. single. word. to. Songs take me back to specific moments in my life and yelling out (or ahem, singing clearly) the lyrics to a classic tune from that high school disco, that road trip – releases endorphins. Endorphins make people happy and the best happy people are brides to be.
MELBOURNE: Club Retro is the go to for all your classics- playing 70’s, 80’s and 90’s classics with a light up dance floor, private areas and even a rooftop area.
PERTH: The Deen Hotel hosts various DJs every night and on Saturdays you can find retro in Zone 5 or on the main stage Friday nights. Their style? 80’s retro!
SYDNEY: The Retro – It’s got the whole kit and kaboodle for hens, but I’m most interested in their music selections! Two areas host everything from soul to dance. You can even book a hens party with an 80’s dance lesson included!
There are so many great hens ideas, I think the key is to look for great things you can do as a group, rather than something specifically targeted at brides to be. Other ideas I love include:
- Winery tours
- Weekends away at beautiful locations
- Dinner parties at home (catered of course! so nobody has to worry about slaving over the stove!)
- Karaoke
- A cruise on the water
Over to you – what are your favourite hens party ideas?
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