So, it's finally happened. Your best friend has phoned to tell you she's engaged! You're giddy with excitement and demand every detail; you 'ooh' and 'ahhh' over the ring and dutifully 'like' every wedding related post on Facebook.
Next, she drops the bridesmaid bomb. You graciously accept and then proceed to immediately panic. How in God's name are you going to have time to organise a hen party for you, your friend, her Mam, that girl she knew from the Gaeltacht and her four mad aunties?
Don't worry ladies, Dublin is chock full of fun hen party activities to suit every bride's style.
1. Spiritual Sister
If the bride-to-be loves nothing more than checking her star sign every morning and can't help but count Magpies to see how her day is going to go, then a mystical get together could be the party for her. Whether you try Tarot cards, Angel cards or even a Medium - this hen party activity is bound to be memorable.
2. Glam Girl
If you and your friends are makeup addicts with a passion for eyeliner and a constant urge to contour, then a day of beauty is the ideal activity for you.
- If you want to run away to the tropics without the hassle of flights, drop into Tropical Popical for an all out take over. For €25 per person, you can play your own music, drink your own drinks and get a mini-mani while you're at it.
- Want a day of beauty before painting the town red? The staff at Beauty Bootcamp on Leeson Street Lower will tailor a full day or half day workshop to your individual needs from €48-€73 per person.
- Want to go all out? Grab up to 40 of your closest friends and head over to the folks at Beauty Team. Prices vary but a full VIP makeover plus photography session costs approximately €150 per person.
3. Dancing Diva
If your friend dreams of the spotlight, why not give her centre stage for a day? Dublin city centre is jam packed with dance classes that range from Cabaret to Beyoncé. If you fancy adding to the excitement, why not try some acrobatics with aerial hoop or aerial silk lessons? You can even use the class to come up with a routine for the big day.
4. Classy & Chill
Is your friend the Blair Waldorf of the group? Someone who likes things to be just a little bit fancy where possible? Give her something fab to post on her Instagram with a glamorous afternoon tea!
- The Morrison Hotel offers a 'Fancy Pants' Afternoon Tea which includes hand-picked treats and a stunning view of the river Liffey for €28 per person sharing.
- The Shelbourne offer a five-star afternoon tea inspired by the work of artist Michael Flatley. Classic Afternoon Tea is available for €49 per person sharing.
- The Atrium Lounge at the Westin host a Mad Hatter themed Afternoon Tea that includes an eclectic selection of treats served on a unique set of hand-made crockery for €49.50 per person.
5. Singing Siren
Does your friend belt out every song lyric with passion? Does she think her vocals rival those of Adele? Does she hold on to that last note just a little too long? If the answer is yes, then your friend deserves a mic drop night.
- King 7 on Parnell Street rents out a private medium-sized room for €35 so you can keep your friend's vocals all to yourself.
- Ukiyo on Exchequer St. charges €30 per hour for up to 10 people and €60 per hour for 15 to 20 people if you have a larger hen party.
- Alternatively, if you want your hen to sing loud and proud to an audience, Morton's Pub has over 500,000 songs on queue. The party starts at 10pm every Saturday night where you can give the regulars a run for their money.
6. Mover & Shaker
If you and your girls want a night on the town, why not shake things up with a cocktail & mocktail class? Learn how to make some of your favourite drinks, pick up some bar tending skills and grab some grub before heading out with your gal pals. Fire Restaurant and Lounge, The Blind Pig and Koh are all great spots to choose from in Dublin! Always be sure to drink responsibly.
7. Trad Girl
Sign your group up for a traditional Irish session and you'll find yourself singing and dancing your way through the night. Take the girls on a road trip up the mountains to Johnnie Fox's for a hooley, The Merry Ploughboy in Rathfarnam for a stomper or The Old Storehouse in Temple Bar for a sing-song.
8. Comedy Queen
Is the bride-to-be stressed out with wedding plans? Give her a good laugh with a comedy show. The acts at the Chaplin's Comedy Club, The Laughter Lounge, and The Comedy Cellar at International Bar are bound to put a smile on your friend's face. A good comedian will get the girls giggling and you'll start the night right.
