Many hen parties these days can be made up of pregnant guests, mums, grannies, aunts or younger guests who won't appreciate clubbing, bar hopping, endless shots and, em, “specialty” straws or even simply a bride who doesn't drink for various reasons. As a bridesmaid planning a hen, it's important to take into consideration your bride's wishes as well as those attending in order to plan the perfect hen night for all. It can be very frustrating when searching for Hen Party activities to do that don't include alcohol (and that aren't boring) so with that in mind we have came up with a big list of 14 Fab Alcohol Free Hen Party Ideas with options in both Ireland and the UK.
1. Spa Day
Surprise your bride with a Hen Party that is equal parts fun and equal parts relaxation. Perfect prep for a stressed bride-to-be filled with beauty treatments, massages, and plenty of R&R. There are tons of hen friendly spas all across Ireland and the UK who offer great pamper packages for hens.
- Ireland: Monart in Co. Wexford | White Horses Spa at Trump International in Co. Clare | The Spa at Galgorm in Co. Antrim | The G Hotel in Galway | Seafield in Gorey, Wexford (highy reccommended!)
- UK: Champneys | Cowley Manor in Gloucestershire | Cowshed Spa at Babington House in Somerset | The Berkeley Spa in London
2. Perfume Making Class
Would could be more girly than a perfume making class with your girls? After learning about the history behind perfume and the creative process, each guest then gets to create their own unique signature scent. A beautiful keepsake to remember the day.
- Ireland: Perfume Notes | The Hen Planner
- UK: Homemade London | The Perfume Studio London
3. Afternoon Tea
Beautiful china, yummy cake, and never ending tea - afternoon tea hen parties have become quite a popular hen party choice as it is suitable for everyone, even Granny!! Choose from the full afternoon tea treatment at a beautiful hotel, a beautiful vintage experience at tea rooms or in the comfort of your own home or hotel room with tea party extraordinaires Oh So Sweet Occasions who can travel to various locations in Ireland.
- Ireland: The Art Tea at The Merrion in Dublin | Primrose Cottage Cakes in Co. Wexford | Ruby Ellen's in Co. Louth
- UK: Prêt-à-Portea at The Berkeley, London | Sketch London | Charlie and the Chesterfield Afternoon Tea at The Chesterfield, London | BB Bakery Afternoon Tea Bus | Bettys Harrogate and York
4. Crafting Parties
Is your bride the ultimate DIY Queen? Then she will love getting hands on with an Arts and Crafts filled weekend. Choose from fascinator or french knicker making to flower arranging and pottery painting and even learn how to make your own wedding bunting in craft studios all across Ireland and the UK. Everyone from the bride’s besties, to her auntie and her mum will be able to get involved and have a giggle whilst making something fun.
- Ireland: The Craft Lounge in Dublin | The Pottery Shed in Co. Kilkenny | Handcrafted Hens | Oh Me, Oh My DIY | Fascinator workshops at Roundwood House
- UK: Ministry of Craft in Manchester | Drink Shop Do | Homemade London | Make Do Menders
5. Cookery School and Baking Classes
Learn some cooking secrets, baking tips or sushi tricks from the pros with a cookery or baking class. Then of course you get to eat everything!
- Ireland: Ballyknocken Cookery School in Co. Wicklow | Ballymaloe Cookery School in Co. Cork | Cloughjordan House Cookery School in Co. Tipperary | The Cake Cafe in Dublin | Cooks Academy in Dublin
- UK: The Underground Cookery School in London | Konditor and Cook | The Cotswold Chef in Gloucestershire | Brighton Cookery School in Brighton
6. Chocolate Making Workshop
What bride and her best gal pals wouldn't want to spend an evening making and eating chocolates!? You will be in complete chocolate heaven learning the tricks of the trade and tasting goodies that your girls won't even miss the alcohol.
- Ireland: Chocolate Heaven Co. Kerry | The Chocolate Warehouse in Dublin | The Chocolate Garden of Ireland in Co. Carlow
- UK: My Chocolate | Paul A Young London | William Curley London | Paxton Chocolate London
7. Mocktail Masterclass
Many cocktail making classes will offer their classes alcohol free but still full of delicious flavour. The perfect experience to enjoy giggles and chats as well as master some tasty new non-alcoholic cocktail recipes.
- Ireland: Cocktail Making Classes | The VCC
- UK: Mixology | Revolution Bars Cocktail Masterclass | Cocktail Shaker Boys
8. Go to a Concert or West End Show
Is there a better hen party idea than catching a West End show, a beautiful ballet or a concert of one of your favourite artists? There are a huge range of performances to choose from throughout the year, the hardest part will be choosing just one!
- Ireland: Bord Gais Energy Theatre | 3 Arena | Odyssey Arena
- UK: West End | The O2 | English National Ballet
9. Dance Classes
If you and your hens like to get down and boogie, a little dance training may be just the ticket to start the night off with a bang. Whether you want to learn sassy Moulin Rouge style moves, retro swing or getting to grips with the Lindy hop or even cheerleading, grab the girls and put on those dancing shoes.
- Ireland: Dance Fix | Dancing Hen | Dance Divas | Irish Burlesque School | Whistle Bait Babies
- UK: Pineapple Dance Studios | Pink Kitten Dance School | Cheerleading Company | Charleston Dance
10. Theme Park Trip
If your bride is an adrenaline junky or a huge Disney fan (like me!) why not splash out and take a trip to one of the top theme parks? Not just for the little ones, many amusement parks across the UK and beyond offer Hen Party packages as well as having luxury amenities such as spas and delicious restaurants. Remember to pick an off-peak time to avoid the long queues.
- UK: Alton Towers in Staffordshire | Thorpe Park in Surrey | Flambards in Cornwall | Blackpool Pleasure Beach | Dreamland in Margate
- Beyond: Disneyland Paris in France | Tivoli in Denmark | Portaventura in Spain
11. Roller Disco
Grab your leg warmers and relive the 80's with a seriously fun Roller Disco. This blast from the past is sure to guarantee a few laughs as you and your hens take to the dancefloor on rollerskates!
- Ireland: Spin Roller Skating in Dublin | Roller Jam in Cork and Limerick | Funtasia in Drogheda
- UK: Skating Haven in London | Roller Mania in Birmingham | The Skate Station in Manchester
12. Glamping and BBQ
Forget soggy sleeping bags and midnight runs to the nearest tree. Combine comfort and the great outdoors with a glamorous glamping trip. Many glamping sites luxury tents, yurts and caravans, delicious BBQ cookouts and picnics and even on-site spas and hot tubs! Plus amazing views, outdoor settings and super activities if you can tear yourself away...
- Ireland: Wildflower Glamping in Co. Cavan | Ballyvolane in Co. Cork
- UK: Babes In The Woods | Canopy and Stars | Fisherton Farm in Devon | Honeybells in Dorset | Cosy Under Canvas in Wales
13. Adventure Weekends
Perfect for hens who are true adrenaline junkies and crave a fully-loaded and action-packed weekend or activies. Check out our recent post with 19 Amazing Adventures for Hen Parties across Ireland from ziplining and zorbing to whale watching and windsurfing there is definitely something for all the adventure loving hens out there!
- Ireland: Lilliput Adventure Centre in Co. Westmeath | ODD in Co. Cavan | The Adventure Islands in Co. Mayo | Loughcrew Adventure Centre in Co. Meath | The Three Towers in Co. Galway
- UK: Adventure Britain | Go Ape | River Deep Mountain High in The Lake District | Isle of Wight Adventure Activities in the Isle of Wight
14. Slumber Parties and Movie Nights
A great budget hen party idea, a grown-up sleepover is also a great stress-free, no alcohol hen party idea and a great excuse to chill out, pamper and have lots of giggles before the big day. Choose girly movies with a wedding theme such as Bridesmaids, Father of The Bride or Muriel's Wedding to really get in the spirit. Provide lots of popcorn, ice-cream, chocolate and savoury nibbles. Add special little touches like a photo backdrop with bunting or tassel garlands to create lovely photo memories for the bride, and don't forget the party games! Go old school and create a pamper basket with nail files, nail polishes and face masks for everyone to give each other facials, manis and pedis or for a real treat, you could hire mobile beauticians.
Top Tips
- It's important to raise a toast to the bride even without alcohol so keep drink options exciting, tasty non-alcoholic cocktails, old-fashioned lemonade and fancy sparking pressés will go down a treat.
- Make sure that where ever you choose to book is aware of your no alcohol choice so instead of a complimentary glass of champagne or cocktail they can provide an alternative.
- When searching for alcohol free hen party ideas, it might be a good idea to search for bridal shower ideas instead. A term by our American friends, these are more reserved parties than the traditional Irish and UK Hen Parties with lots of great non-alcoholic options.
For lots more info on how to plan the perfect Hen Party check out our previous Hen Party posts - 13 Rules That Make the Perfect Bridesmaid , Advice on Hosting the Perfect Hen Party and our Ultimate List of Hen Party Ideas.
Alcohol Free Hen Party Ideas Image credits:
Silk and More | The Sunday Girl | The Vintage Table | Liberty | Jacquelyne Mae Photography via Ruffled | Weddywood | Morgan Trinker via Style Me Pretty | Gordon Fox Dance Academy | White Rabbit Photo Boutique | Ban.do| Weddywood | The Adventure Islands | Weddywood
