Don’t worry your honourable little head, though! We’ve got the ultimate list of ideas for a hen do that will have the bride-to-be clucking with eggcitement. (Apologies for all the fowl puns). So, without further ado, here’s a rundown of the best hen do ideas in London. You can thank us later…
1. Get the party started at a bottomless brunch
There’s nothing quite like a bottomless brunch, because it’s a place where you can get completely daytime-drunk and nobody bats a bloomin’ eyelid! There’s nothing quite like saying ‘bottoms up’ and knowing that you can continue to say it until it becomes ‘bosshomsupppp’. What better place for a hen do then? From ones hosted by drag queens to ones involving cooking classes, there’s something for everyone in our beloved capital. Check out our list of ‘em all here.
2. Test just how good your life-drawing skills are
Now if you’re looking to combine a bit of creativity with some drinks on a hen do, then you could do worse than having a go at a bit of life drawing. As a nude model takes centre stage in front of a huddle of budding artists, you’ll get the chance to practise your hand-eye coordination, improve your focus and develop your artistic skills – and have a good old laff while you’re at it too.
From wine-infused classes to more off-the-wall workshops with bucket loads of neon paint involved, there’s something for everyone here, so have a look at our roundup here and see which one ticks all the right boxes!
3. Amp up the action with a paintballing party
Who says the boys have to have all the fun?! Sometimes there’s nothing better than letting off some steam chasing some mates in a field with a gun stacked full of paint pellets – and hey, we’re not here to judge. From Cold War-themed nuclear bunkers packed full of high-adrenaline activities to wooded arenas offering bespoke fancy dress costumes, you can have a whole lot of fun in our capital shooting at each other on a hen do. We all love a healthy dose of competition right?
4. Have the ride of your life on a racetrack
Slightly less adrenaline-fuelled but still amping up the competitive side of things, why not take to four wheels and see who’s got the biggest need for speed among the hens? You’d certainly go down in the books for planning a hen do with a difference it has to be said.
From a mighty track which stretches to over a kilometre in length, to a fun, video game-themed interactive course close to the bars and restaurants of Shoreditch High Street, there’s plenty of scope for you and your gang to unleash your inner speed demons. Ready, set, go!
5. Unleash your inner warrior a la Boudica
Guaranteed to get the blood pumping, this one is not to be combined with drinking. We repeat – NO DRINKING! Well certainly before you’ve thrown your axe anyway… Situated in a railway arch in Vauxhall, South London, the simply-adorned Whistle Punks Urban Axe Throwing venue is London’s first axe-throwing centre.
Here, you and your fellow hens can get to grips with a mighty hand axe, send it whirling down the range, and hopefully bury it in the bullseye with a satisfying KERPLUNK. Instructors will be on hand if you need any help perfecting your skills – not to mention giving you a safety briefing too – and you’ll be competing against each other tournament-style to see who has the best throw. Loser gets the first bottle of vino in post-throwing?
6. Dance the night away at one of the capital’s best clubs
Now we couldn’t do a roundup of the best hen do ideas in London without mentioning this one. After all, what’s a hen do without busting a few moves to Queen Bey or Rih Rih?! It’s no secret that our beloved city plays host to some of the coolest nightclubs on the planet, from sweaty, rave-filled warehouses to long-established legends of the nightlife scene like Fabric.
One of our favourites is the brand-spanking-new, 15,000-capacity venue Drumsheds – based in an old Ikea in Tottenham. It’s absolutely gargantuan and has a killer lineup this year which includes Skepta, Gorgon City, Andy C, Major League Djz, Charlotte De Witte, The Hydra and Jamie Jones. Bring your dancing shoes!
7. Treat yourself to a little afternoon tea
From fluffy scones and warming cups of tea to salmon sarnies and flutes of bubbly, we like to think we’ve got the whole afternoon tea thing down here in London Town. If you’re really wanting to add a bit of class to your hen do plans, then this is probably your best bet.
From a celebratory afternoon Champagne tea at The Wolseley to ones themed to Sherlock Holmes, there’s a whole host of different ones for you to indulge in and treat yoself. After all, she’s only getting married the once, right?
8. Giddy on up with some cowboys at Moonshine Saloon
Sexy cowboys and cowgirls with added cocktails and immersive theatre – what’s not to love? Moonshine Saloon is for those who like their cocktails with a side of adventure. Saunter down the streets of Aldgate and Whitechapel, smuggle in your illicit moonshine (i.e. BYOB), and step behind the swinging doors for an hour and 45 minutes of a theatrical drinking experience like no other.
Enter into the Wild, Wild West and spend almost two hours side by side with live actors, who’ll welcome you into the illicit Moonshine empire. Roll the dice – quite literally – as you try your hand at a selection of dice and card games, or simply chat with the local guys and gals (and a shady sheriff too) who frequent this here spot. Cops your tickets here.
9. Imagine you’re in a girl band and try out some karaoke
Another one of the best hen do ideas in London here, nothing says a party like letting loose at karaoke. After all, drinking is actively encouraged, you can often hire your own booth, and let’s face it – no one cares if you can’t hold a tune.
From Angel to Camden, there’s pretty much no corner of the capital which doesn’t have karaoke. So, if you’re looking to channel your inner Whitney Houston, there’s absolutely no stopping you! Altogether now… “I wanna dance with somebody, I wanna feel the heat with somebody”… Heck, you can even join the UK’s largest karaoke party billed ‘Massaoke’ if you fancy one big old sing-a-long. Get a hold of your tickets here.
10. Take to the mighty River Thames aboard a boat
Ahoy there, matey! It wouldn’t be a hen do roundup without the mention of a booze cruise now would it? And luckily for you and your fellow hens, our beloved capital is full to the brim with them.
With departure dates all through the year, live DJs, drinks aplenty and plenty of space for a boogie, they promise a bloody good time, and London has everything from Bollywood-themed extravaganzas to a silent disco as you sail down the Thames. Plus, you’ll be able to soak up some pretty epic panoramic views as you go. If you can see straight of course…
11. Have a giggle at a comedy club
There’s nothing quite like having a good old belly laugh is there – particularly when you’ve got a gaggle of gals with you. So what’s a better plan for a hen do idea then going to a comedy club?
London Town is full to the brim of some of the best comedy clubs in the world – taking place everywhere from large arena-style venues to tiny pub basements – and for most of them, you can grab a ticket for under a tenner. Win, win. From comedy on the Thames to bottomless booze comedy in Vauxhall, there’s loads for the taking here, so see where takes your fancy!
12. Challenge your group of gals to some healthy competition
Now this one thoroughly deserves its spot on this roundup of the best hen do ideas in London. Feeding London’s enduring love affair with rooftop pop-ups, Roof East in Stratford has woven the magic of turning an east London multi-storey car park into a free-spirited playground.
There’s plenty on the roster here when it comes to games. Old favourites Sluggers are back with their batting cages, whilst the ever-popular Birdies crazy golf and East London Bowls Club are returning to the bill once more. Add in Giant Jenga and archery – not to mention loads of street food options and boozy bars – and you can see why this one’s on the list!
13. Find yourself lost in the world of Avora
If you’re looking to get transported to a new world with you and your fellow hens, then you really should look no further than Avora: New World Cocktail Experience. As the story here goes, you’ll rock up at ‘Roscorp Laboratories’, owned by a greedy CEO, and be briefed on a mission before you enter the magical world of Avora.
Donning a custom jumpsuit, you’ll head on in to this unique space and source ‘magical buds and secret elixir’s for three unique cocktails, all the while admiring the gorgeous greenery, and other-worldly attributes dotted about. As you get acclimatised, a moral dilemma will present itself: do you continue to support the plans of the billionaire, or rebel and protect this new planet? The choice is yours… get a hold of your tickets for this otherworldly, Hackney-based experience here.
14. Get saucy at a cabaret or burlesque club
Hooray, Cabaret! For those who love wacky shows, unusual performances and sparkling entertainment, London has an excellent selection of venues and clubs to watch cabaret in London. From drag performers to burlesque shows to entertaining comedy bits, get the girls together and enjoy everything from fire breathers and acrobats to burlesque performances and even erotic acts – oh I say!
A favourite of ours is The Phoenix Artist Club, which offers up an unforgettable cabaret show. Hidden away in an iconic West End theatre, London’s most theatrical members club is home to a variety of nightly shows. Get involved here.
15. Pamper yourself silly at a luxurious spa
Our penultimate addition to this roundup of the best hen do ideas in London is one for those looking for a bit more of a relaxed vibe. Pamper the bride-to-be silly with a whole gamut of treatments – from head massages and facials to salt-infused steams and pedicures – at some of the city’s biggest and best spas.
One of our top picks would be the five-star Landmark London, which sits just a stone’s throw from Marylebone and features a chlorine-free indoor pool, a Jacuzzi and sanarium and even a ‘Mediterranean by Candlelight’ massage which uses essential oils and crystals too. It’s the perfect way to celebrate your mate’s imminent marriage, we’d argue.
16. Boogie on down at a London musical festival
Music festivals are the perfect opportunity to get messy, dress outrageously and, probably least importantly at this point, watch some bloody great music. Luckily for us, London has bucket loads on the bill, like the fabulously flamboyant Elrow Town – which is described as ‘a town governed by fun, where everywhere you step is a dancefloor’ – and yearly staples like All Points East, City Splash, Field Day, Cross The Tracks and the poptastic Mighty Hoopla.
Just some of the acts confirmed for the 2024 season include Nelly Furtado, Andrea Boccelli, Young Fathers, Eve and Jessie Ware, so it’s gonna be a good’un – particularly with some hens in tow. We’ll see you in the field with all the glitter paint on!
So there you have it – a roundup of the best hen party ideas in London. From treating yourself to a spot of afternoon tea (oh darrrrrrling!) to dancing the night away at a raucous nightclub, our beloved capital is bound to satisfy whatever the bride-to-be is looking for. That’s all yolks!