Planning a hen do in London? The UK capital is an epic place to celebrate the wifey-to-be with a never-ending list of bars and restaurants and always something fun to do. We've rounded up the very best ideas to inspire your fun weekend with the hens. Whether you're looking for a glamorous night out in the city's swanky Mayfair area, or a classic bottomless brunch, you'll never be short of things to do in London.
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From sophisticated bars and restaurants to sporty activities, West End shows, spa days and more, boss your maid-of-honour duties and impress the bride with HELLO!'s round up of the best hen do activities in London...
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How we chose the best London hotspots for a hen do
- Fun-factor: Organising a hen party is tough, and you want to cater not only to the bride but a group of people with different interests and with different budgets. We've tried to include a real mix, and a lot of these options have been tried and tested by HELLO! staff.
- Affordable options: Not everyone can spend hundreds of pounds on their friend's hen do, as much as they'd like to. Hen parties can be notoriously expensive and the cost of living crisis is hitting us all.
- Transport links: London is the biggest city in the UK, we've only included suggestions that you can travel to with ease.
1. Bottomless brunch
If bottomless brunch isn't the ultimate way to get the celebrations started on your girly weekend, we don't know what is. London is home to several themed bottomless brunches such as the Asian tapas brunch at Inamo London, the iconic DreamBoys Show and bottomless brunch and even comedy brunches that have popped up around the city. We're a fan of Zebrano's Cabaret Show hosted by Vanity Von Glow (Soho's favourite diva). Team Bride on a budget? Wowcher has some amazing deals that includes a bottomless brunch with a drag and cabaret show, which is just £27.
Editor's Note:
If you're looking for an Instagrammable hotspot in London for a brunch, try Tonight Josephine. There are two venues to choose from; Waterloo. and Shoreditch.
2. Magic Mike Live
If you're after a steamy night sure to leave your bride swooning, we're sure she'll love Magic Mike Live at The Theatre at the Hippodrome Casino. You'll step into the world of Magic Mike’s mythical club and marvel as a group of extraordinary dancers perform a 360-degree dance and acrobatic spectacular in front of, behind, and above you. Make sure your bride-to-be is prepared to work up a sweat if she's invited on stage to join the cast - it's going to get steamy. OH, and Channing Tatum himself produced the show. Need we say more?
Editor's Note:
I've been to see this show in Las Vegas and in London, and they're both pretty much identical. You can't ask for a better show!
3. A gin masterclass
If your bride-to-be loves nothing more than a G&T, she won't be disappointed with the gin experiences on offer in London. Head to west London for a trip to The Distillery, the home of Portobello Road Gin, or book a visit to the City of London distillery, where you can try experiences including a gin tasting, gin competition, or even the gin lab experience, where you can design and distill your very own bottle of gin.
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4. Visit The Bridal Beauty Festival
The Bridal Beauty Festival is back and it's taking place on 24 September at The Langham hotel in London between 10-4pm. This is a great idea for a chilled day out for the bride and her besties and it's packed full of bridal inspiration, beauty treatments, pampering, masterclasses and demos. What's more, if the bride and her BFFs love a pampering you can get facials, manis, blow dries, makeovers and scent consultations from the likes of Charlotte Tilbury, PIXI, Bobbi Brown, FaceGym, Penhaligon's, Oskia, Caudalie and so many more brilliant brands. VIP tickets come with a £150 goodie bag packed full of gorgeous beauty treats. This is your one stop bridal shop.
Editor's Note:
I'm in the bridal party for the very first time next year and while the hen party planning is still underway, we're doing a small gathering to London to attend the Bridal Beauty Festival to get our friend excited for the fun that's going to go down next year. I've wangled an amazing discount and here it is for you HELLO! readers as well. Get 50% off the VIP tickets! Use VIPBRIDE to get your half price ticket.
5. Dinner with a view
Make the most of London's stunning sykline by treating the bride-to-be to a special dinner at one of the captial's iconic landmarks like The Shard, Sky Garden or Heron Tower. Not only are there some fabulous restaurants to choose from, such as Sushi Samba or Shangri-La, but you'll get to take in amazing panoramic views across the city while you eat. Take advantage of some of the great deals out there, like this visit to The View From The Shard and three-course champagne celebration dining at Marco Pierre White's London Steakhouse, with prices starting from £147 for two. To find out more, visit virginexperiencedays.co.uk
6. Immersive Great Gatsby
You read that right, Old Sport. The Great Gatsby is London's longest running immersive theatre show, and makes for a fabulous evening full of fun, thrills and charleston as you're transported to the roaring 20s and old school glamour of the jazz age. This dazzling experience is the perfect excuse to don your finest flapper dresses and dance the evening away at one of Jay Gatsby's infamous parties. Rather than sitting in an auditorium like you would a traditional show, you'll be encouraged to engage with the actors, take part in their tale and even sip cocktails at the bar whilst doing so. Don't get too caught up in the Champagne though - you don't want team bride to be kicked out before 8pm!
7. A cocktail masterclass
Learn some expert mixology skills and get a taste of your creations at a cocktail masterclass, which are available at many of the city's popular pubs and bars. Revolution, Dirty Martini, Tiger Tiger, and Be At One are just some of the places that offer cocktail classes, with your very own bartender to show you the ropes.
8. A spa day
Indulge in some pre-wedding pampering with a hen party spa day. Many London spas are now open, so you can relax with your fellow hens, and treat the bride-to-be to a luxurious beauty treatment or massage ahead of her wedding. Head to spabreaks.com to see an amazing selection of the best hen spa days and breaks. Or try Covent Garden's brand new luxury spa Aire Ancient Baths.
9. Pizza Making Hen Party
Get together for a memorable evening of dough tossing, Italian pizza making and delicious drinks at Bunga Bunga in Covent Garden. You get a welcome Aperol Spritz and fresh, authentic Italian antipasto, before getting hands-on throwing that dough. Bunga Bunga's experienced pizzaioli will share their family pizza recipe as you make Italian dough from scratch. Show off your dough tossing skills with a competition to determine the ultimate tossing champion. Dough-making is thirsty work, so you’ll have a dedicated cameriere to keep the drinks flowing as the party gets going.
Enjoy a famous Bunga pizza, accompanied by live entertainment from Mamma Bunga herself. Taking home a pizza-making kit, you’ll create your own Bunga-style pizza using fresh dough, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Perfect for experienced pizza aficiona-doughs or those only just scraping the crust. Sounds yummy - and fun!
10. A night at the theatre
Culture vultures will love the excuse to catch a West End show with their hens. There are some great deals about for you to enjoy. Why not treat your bride-to-be with tickets to see the Pretty Woman musical, all from just £89 per person.
11. Afternoon tea
Catch up and get excited for the big day over afternoon tea at one of the many hotels and restaurants across London – the only challenge will be narrowing it down to just one. Take your pick from themes including a Mad Hatter's Tea Party at The Sanderson or visit The Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason.
12. Life drawing
A hen party cliché for a good reason - it's hilarious and so much fun. Armed with charcoal and prosecco you can all try your hand at drawing a naked hunk. Visit thisiscluck.com to find out more.
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13. A dance class
Channel your inner Beyoncé or pop diva at a dance class, such as Seen on Screen's hen party packages. You could learn a routine choreographed especially for you by a celebrity instructor to perform at the big day, or even create your very own music video, with the workshop filmed and edited to showcase your moves. Visit seenonscreen.dance for more details and to book.
14. An escape room
Want to try something a bit different? Why not enjoy a challenging hour in a private escape room. The Demon Barber of Oxford Street hosted by No Escape takes you undercover on the historic street to find out exactly what makes Mrs Lovett's pies so special. To find out more, visit wowcher.co.uk.
15. A Group Manicure
Wouldn't it be lovely to have a glass of fizz and get your nails done with all your hen party girlies?! Well, you can at Rachel's Nails & Coffee - a gorgeous nail salon based in central London (Fitzrovia to be exact!).
16. The Thames Hen Party Cruise
Give the bride a hen night to remember with a boat cruise down the Thames. You can take in landmarks including the London Eye, St Paul's Cathedral, Canary Wharf and the O2 Arena with a trip on Thames Hen Party Cruise.
17. The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience
Try the original escape room experience, The Crystal Maze, and bring the hit TV show to life. So much fun for hen parties, you and your friends will navigate your way through four different adventure zones to collect crystals and culminates with time in the infamous Crystal Dome.
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18. A silent disco tour
Dance your way around the city with a fun silent disco hen party walking tour. Expect party tunes with live commentary via headphones as you strut, shimmy and boogie around London's West End.
19. Quidditch games
Every Potterhead bride-to-be will love the chance to play a game of hen party Quidditch, with fancy dress welcome – and encouraged. Plan your activity with GoHen, a minimum of ten hens are required.
20. A pottery class
Get crafty with a pottery session where you can put your artistic talents to the test and make everything from a bowl to a plant pot or a ring dish – all while toasting the bride-to-be with a glass of wine. Head down to one of Class Bento's classes which are led by a talented clay sculptor, so don't fret if you're a beginner.
21. Street food
Foodies can't go wrong with an outing to one of the many street food markets and venues around London, which have now officially reopened. From a secret food tour of London Bridge to tasty food and cocktails at Street Feast, it's a great option for groups as an alternative to a sit-down meal.
22. Climb the O2
Daredevil hens will enjoy the unique opportunity to view London from up high. Get your gal pals together and climb London's 02. Either set off in the morning to earn those post-climb drinks or embark on a magical sunset adventure with your besties. Up at The O2 views will not disappoint!
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23. Mamma Mia! The Party
You might be in London, but it's never been easier to journey to the island of Skopelos as the O2 Arena transports you to the Greek island. Your bride-to-be is guaranteed to be the Dancing Queen as the three-course meal at Nikos Taverna turns into a fabulous disco at Mamma Mia! The Party. This theatre-come-dining immersive experience showcases the very best of ABBA's legendary music and a hilarious new story adapted by Sandi Toksvig. Perfect for bridal parties, you'll be taken from dinner to dancing and find yourself lost in a fabulous dream world for the night.
24. Ballie Ballerson
Looking for a quirky bar to take your hens to? London's famous ball pit bar Ballie Ballerson has probably been all over your Instagram and is the perfect solution for a larger group. They do a bottomless brunch, VIP tables, delicious pizzas and cocktails, and the bar turns into a dancefloor as the evening progresses. Check it out at ballieballerson.com.
25. Rooftop drinks
If the weather permits, you can't go wrong with drinks at one of the city's many rooftop bars. Head to Madison at St Paul's Cathedral for amazing city views, or try our pick of the best rooftop bars in London from Pergola to Bar Elba.
26. Jewellery-making class
Creative brides will love making their own jewellery with a mobile London hen do experience. With access to glass beads, Swarovski crystal beads and pearls, the entire hen party can walk away with their own beautiful handmade earrings or necklace, plus basic knowledge of jewellery-making techniques for future DIY efforts!
27. A helicopter ride
Even if you live in London, how much of the capital have you really seen? Thrillseeker brides-to-be will love taking a ride in a helicopter to see breathtaking views of the city – it'll certainly be a day to remember. Depending on how many friends and family members want to join the hen, you can book a range of deals for one or two people at a time to take to the skies from multiple locations.
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Why you should trust me
This article was a labour of love for me, and took so long to compile, and that's because I'm going to be a bridesmaid for the very first time in 2024 so I know exactly how stressful it is to search for fun hen party activities so I wanted it to be as helpful as possible. Also, because I've lived in London for 15 years, and I've been lucky enough to experience some amazing things as part of my job, I feel like I'm more than qualified to round up some fun hen-party worthy spots in the capital.