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10 reasons why you need to have your hen do in Liverpool
5 years ago
There’s nowhere else in the country quite like Liverpool for hen parties because, when it comes to a fun night out, we’re definitely the capital city.
Hens here are about more than just L plates and cheeky inflatables (although obviously they’re OK too) – we have everything to make the perfect pre-wedding celebration from great places to stay to glamorous bars and restaurants, a huge variety of shops and different ways to have a laugh together.
And there are plenty of special hen packages, with group activities like cocktail and make-up masterclasses, so if the party has a mix of ages you’ll find something to keep everyone happy.
To give the bride an amazing send-off, here are 10 reasons why your hen do should be in Liverpool …
1 – Rooms with a view
Liverpool has so many options when you’re looking for a place to stay, whether you want a hotel on the waterfront or an apartment right in the heart of the action.
For a gorgeous room with a view, Malmaison has boutique-style bedrooms overlooking the river and a private dining room in the brasserie so you can have space all to yourself for dinner.
Posh Pads on Hanover Street gives you the freedom of apartments or penthouses, just a minute from Liverpool ONE’s shops and restaurants, and they’ll book hen party experiences.
If you want to be near the bars and clubs, Epic Aparthotels on Seel Street and Duke Street are ideally placed for everything and their serviced luxury apartments can sleep up to 10. They’ll help with creating hen packages too.
MORE: All the latest bar and restaurant news in Liverpool here
2 – Personalise your package
If you want something a bit out of the ordinary you can put together your own hen party package, or get your hotel or apartment to arrange whatever experiences you fancy, including tastings and masterclasses in your room (with a butler in the buff to serve them), paintballing, go karting or even a pole dancing or a burlesque class.
3 – Get lashed (and made-up) for the big night
All your bride squad can get glammed up ready for the hen do by booking in for make-up and pamper sessions first. Vogue Hair & Beauty Lounge in the business district does group hair and make-up where you can bring drinks and have your own favourite tunes playlist, and Urban Calm in Metquarter has a night out package which includes fast-drying tan, manicure, pedicure and weekend lashes.
4 – Play a round
Golf might not sound like the obvious thing to do on a hen party, but then Ghetto Golf is a long way from obvious. This is the craziest of crazy golf courses, inside a graffiti-covered part of the old Cains Brewery – with its own cocktail bar and DJs. Just don’t let your nan look too closely at some of the obstacles!
5 – Shop ‘til you drop
Liverpool is a shoppers’ paradise, thanks to a compact city centre which makes it easily walkable and a huge selection of high street big names, luxury high-end stores and indies. Lots of independents have moved into the Royal Albert Dock and it’s always worth a wander down Bold Street for vintage, vinyl and quirky boutiques. For fashion, jewellery and beauty, head to Liverpool ONE and Metquarter or find straight off the catwalk pieces at Liverpool designer favourite Cricket.
6 – A full house with a difference
If you thought you knew bingo, you really don’t – not until you’ve experienced the total mayhem of Bongo’s Bingo. It’s Liverpool’s wildest bingo rave, now all over the country – dancing shoes on ready to get on the tables, dabbers in hand and if you’re lucky you could come away with a cardboard life-size Philip Schofield! Get your tickets booked well in advance though, they sell out fast.
7 – Dine in style
Don’t forget to book dinner because Liverpool is packed with every type of restaurant. Dash on Victoria Street is a must-go if you’re all dressed up and looking fabulous. It has a great choice of small plates and Pan Asian dishes – and a club in the basement to keep the party going.
Alma de Cuba on Seel Street is one of the city’s prettiest venues, in a former church, with a South American-influenced menu – don’t miss the carnival petal drop on Friday and Saturday nights. If the sun’s shining, there aren’t many places better to enjoy it than the Hamptons-style Club House in Liverpool ONE or, for a unique experience, try a circus-themed dinner show at Circo.
Liverpool’s most instagrammable food and drink spot, The Florist on Hardman Street, is an award-winning venue with a fantastic range food on offer. You can dine in style and make sure to get some group pics by one of the floral installations!
8 – A sight singing tour of the city
Liverpool’s known around the world for its music, so why not enjoy it in a different way? Silent Adventures Silent Disco lets you grab some headphones and break out your best moves while you take the most fun hour-long tour of the city.
MORE: Dash have a new cocktail menu
9 – Go on a Gin Journey
There’s no shortage of places to enjoy different varieties of gin – in summer the Botanical Garden in the Baltic Triangle takes some beating – but if you want to try out a few, Gin Journey Liverpool has it covered. The tour includes 5 samples of gin, 5 cocktails, 5 different city centre venues – and a chauffeur to drive you from bar to bar!
If you love gin so much that you’d love to make your own, then Liverpool Gin Distillery on Castle Street is the perfect spot. The £1m development is a three floor gin emporium that houses gin labs, bars, kitchen and the all important gin experiences.
10 – Discover the best bars
Mathew Street is hen party central most weekends, but there are lots of other choices depending on the kind of night out you’re after. Neighbourhood on Castle Street has a glamorous crowd and The Alchemist serves fantastic theatrical cocktails and does masterclasses. Mid Night Lounge on Victoria Street is a London-Inspired nightclub and cocktail bar and even has its own beauty and blow dry bar!
So does Smuggler’s Cove at the Albert Dock, where you can make (and drink) signature cocktails in your own private room, and Jam Restaurant on Sir Thomas Street, which offers a hen party food and drinks package in a decorated private venue. For a cheesy tunes sing-a-long, Dancing Queens should go to Popworld, and experience an absolute Liverpool party legend.