Before the wedding bells start chiming and the confetti gets flying, there’s a pretty huge milestone to get out of the way - planning the perfect Manchester hen do.
Don’t get us wrong - we love a night out as much as the next person - but if you’re looking for Manchester hen do ideas that you might not already have thought of, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether the bride-to-be is an adventurous soul with a thirst for knowledge or they’re living their best champagne lifestyle on a lemonade wage, we’ve compiled some of the best Manchester hen do ideas you can use to plan the best day ever for your bride-bestie.
Ready to find out how you’ll be spending your upcoming hen do? Read on!
And just so you know, nobody pays us to be featured on this list. They’re just our recommendations to you so you can find the best things to do in Manchester.
Go on a Manchester Treasure Hunt with The Gals
Looking for Manchester hen do ideas that work for pretty much anybody? Give one of these treasure hunts a go.
One of the worst (or best!) parts about planning a hen do is knowing you’ve got to please a big bunch of people - and let’s be honest, that is a pretty huge ask, especially if you don't know everyone who's attending super well.
Mates from home, uni friends, cousins, sisters, work friends, that one person who nobody seems to know - everyone’s invited and you’ve no idea what to do with them all. Luckily, treasure hunts like these require all hands on deck.
As a team, you’ll explore Manchester’s hidden gems through following clues and solving puzzles sent to your phone. Ideal for a pre-party bonding session or as a memorable adventure just for the girls, a treasure hunt through Manchester is the perfect blend of competition and exploration!
PSST: Rest stops at top-recommended pubs, bars and cafés are included, so don’t worry about finding anywhere to take a break!
Have Afternoon Tea at The Richmond Tea Rooms
If you’re on the hunt for classy hen do ideas in Manchester, you just can’t go wrong with a swanky Afternoon Tea - especially one that’s themed around Alice in Wonderland.
This charmingly eccentric venue provides you and your fellow hens with an opportunity to enter a world of your own for a few hours. Sip on a selection of teas, sandwiches and delicious pastries, immerse yourselves in the decadent decor and get lost in the fantasy of Wonderland before the bride’s big day!
PSST: If you’re feeling boozy and bougie, Richmond Tea Rooms also have a range of Alice in Wonderland themed cocktails served in teapots!
Sing Your Hearts Out at K2 Karaoke
No matter how long you’ve been friends, you’re not truly mates until you’ve belted out a banger or two side by side. At least, in my experience you aren’t.
Located in the heart of Manchester’s Chinatown, K2 Karaoke offers the chance to experience top notch Asian-style karaoke. How does Asian-style karaoke differ from other forms? Basically, instead of impressing a crowd of strangers with your dulcet tones, you and the girls get your own private booth to blast your tunes in - which, from personal experience, means even your shyest friend is likely to take to the mic.
Sing, drink, eat - K2 Karaoke’s hen do package gives you three hours in your karaoke booth where you’re free to browse songs from various genres, grab some drinks and get the party started in a fun, relaxed environment.
Bring the Games Outdoors on an Outdoor Escape Room Challenge
Reckon you and your fellow hens can take on a challenge unlike any other? Give an outdoor escape room a try.
Turn your gaggle of hens into a code-cracking squad in Manchester’s city streets with one of these exploration games. As a team, you’ll navigate through the city, solving puzzles and cracking codes to complete your mission. Part teamwork, part sightseeing and discovering hidden gems, this is the ideal activity for adventurous hens who love a bit of history and the outdoors.
Dive into the story, enjoy the fresh air, and see if you have what it takes to expose Manchester’s urban secrets!
Have a Spa Day at King Street Townhouse
If you think you’re stressed planning a hen do, spare a moment for the bride and maybe even the team behind her putting together The Big Day. But, comparison is the thief of joy and to be honest, in the stress stakes, nobody’s a winner.
There’s never a bad time to leave the “real world” at the door and enjoy some much needed pampering as a group - and luckily, you’ll find the perfect place to do it right in Manchester City Centre.
King Street Townhouse is a rare haven of tranquillity where you’ll find everything you need to relax with the gang. Bake your body in a sauna or a steam room, sign up for additional treatments such as revitalising facials or soothing massages, or wash away your worries in the Experience Showers before heading up to the infinity pool for a splash - everything you need to give you and your fellow hens the ultimate stress relief is yours for the taking.
Laugh Your Way Towards the Big Day at The Frog and Bucket
Ensure your hen do is filled with laughter by booking a night at The Frog and Bucket, Manchester's iconic comedy club.
Renowned for its electric atmosphere and a roster of both up-and-coming and established comedians, Frog and Bucket is an absolute must for anyone with a sense of humour.
Laidback, low-key and relaxed, Frog and Bucket’s cosy setup ensures every seat is a good one (and there’s a screen if by some horrible chance you end up with an impeded view). Share some laughs, enjoy the line-up of acts determined to get you to crack a smile and kick back, relax and enjoy a night filled with comedy and camaraderie.
PSST: This is a great choice if some of your hens aren’t into drinking or clubbing. There’s a bar for those who want to have a tipple (and pretty reasonably priced in my opinion) but since the show ends at 10.30pm, tired or happiest-at-home hens are free to go home while the party hens paint the town red. A perfect compromise!
Give Puppy Yoga a Go with Paws Yoga
There’s a reason they call that particularly satisfying looking stretch “downward dog”, y’know.
If you thought only puppies were capable of achieving that level of cuteness and “zen” then buckle up, because this might just blow your mind.
Paws Yoga has cracked the code of getting lazy people like me to sign up for another class: by involving everyone’s favourite four-legged pals. This unique experience allows you to practise yoga whilst surrounded by playful puppies, offering a dose of joy and relaxation (as well as irresistible cuteness!).
Perfect for animal-loving hens, a yoga session with adorable puppies is a fantastic way to de-stress and embrace the calming presence of furry friends. Whether you're a yoga novice or a seasoned practitioner, puppy yoga promises a memorable and heartwarming experience - and zen hens are happy hens, after all!
Get Creative at an Art Workshop with Floating Art
Every time I watch a Studio Ghibli film, I promise myself that I’ll learn how to use Japanese watercolour techniques…and then never get around to it.
Luckily, there’s a simple remedy for my procrastination: signing up for an art workshop with Floating Art.
Ideal for creative hens or groups who appreciate the beauty of a paintbrush, Floating Art offer incredible popup art workshops in the northwest - Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.
Guided by the lovely local artist Ula Fung, these workshops give you the chance to learn various art forms, from UV painting to botanical painting, Japanese watercolour and more in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Soak Up Polynesian Sunny Vibes at The Tiki Hideaway
Looking for Manchester hen do ideas to suit a bride who always wants to be on holiday?
We’ve all got stuck in a daydream about spending a hens night on a beach in Bora Bora or Bali, but let’s be honest, most of us just don’t have wallets (or annual leave) that can stretch that far.
That’s when it’s super handy to have a local tropical paradise to escape to - and if you’re in Manchester, you’ll find it at The Tiki Hideaway.
Leave Manchester at the door and step into somewhere grown-up Moana would feel at home upstairs at Call Lane Social.
More than just a place to sip in style, The Tiki Hideaway is your go-to place to have a proper party - drinks, tunes and vibes included. Book a booth, sign up for a cocktail-making masterclass or just let the good times flow (and since you’re inside, even Manchester’s grey skies won’t be able to dampen your spirits!).
PSST: The cocktails here are incredible. If you want my recommendation, go for a Blood Lily (but tbh, you really can't go wrong. Some of them are even on fire - literally!)
Indulge in Some Old School Charm and Live Music at The Blues Kitchen
Not all hens have the time or the funds to spend a whole weekend away celebrating, so it’s always a good idea to have a fail-safe booking that everyone can make it to - and this one won’t disappoint.
The Blues Kitchen is a sanctuary for music lovers, foodies and those who are looking for a different kind of “vibe” to the typical clubbing experience. As well as an impressive lineup of live bands that play everything from blues and soul to rock 'n' roll, you can expect delicious American inspired food and drinks (you’ve gotta try the Mac ‘n cheese) and a cool, comfortable place to celebrate with your fellow hens.
Have a Picnic at Fletcher Moss Park
Want some Manchester hen do ideas that won’t break the bank? Take my advice and keep it simple - it doesn’t have to mean “basic”.
Fletcher Moss Park is one of my all-time favourite places in Manchester when I just need some fresh air and space away from urban environments. With its botanical gardens, woodland walks and water features, this place offers up the most gorgeous setting for a hens picnic (and plenty of space if your garden is the size of a postage stamp).
Pack a hamper of your favourite goodies, bring along some games (a frisbee, card games or come up with your own), some blankets and just enjoy being in the company of your favourite people. It really doesn’t have to be more complicated than that!
Play for Bragging Rights at Roxy Ball Room
Trying to please a sporty bride but don’t fancy a ten mile hike? Check out Roxy Ball Room in Deansgate.
Ideal for competitive hens who want to show what they’re about and how they rule the roost, Roxy Ball Room is basically an indoor playground for adults with a twist. Choose from an array of games such as ping pong, pool, mini golf, ice-free curling, or even beer pong and let the games begin!
Experience an ABBA-Infused Bottomless Brunch
On the other hand, if you’re looking for Manchester hen do ideas that add a dash of sparkle to your celebrations, check this out.
I can’t be the only person who was totally in awe of Sophie’s hen do - I mean, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth and Stellan Skarsgård were there! - and if, like me, those ABBA tunes got you in the mood for partying, this’ll be right up your alley.
Nestled within Manchester's lively Gay Village, this ABBA-infused bottomless brunch promises an unforgettable blend of fantastic music and endless refreshments. We’re talking four hours of fun including corn chips and salsa dip, wraps, live performances by ABBA tribute artists, Drag hosting and so much more. And what more could a gal ask for than that?
Tour Manchester Distillery and Have a Gin Tasting Session
Dive into the world of artisanal spirits with a tour and gin tasting session at Manchester Distillery.
If you’re a gin person, this is for you. While you might think you’re more interested in drinking gin than finding out how it’s made, this experience offers an exclusive look behind the scenes of gin production, from the careful selection of botanicals to the distillation process.
Don’t worry, though. It’s not all theory learning. Following the tour, you and your hens get to indulge in a curated gin tasting session, where you'll sample a range of the distillery's finest gins.
Each tasting is accompanied by expert insights, enhancing your understanding and appreciation of the nuances in flavour.
Ideal for hens who like a tipple, a trip to Manchester Distillery for a tour and gin-tasting session will ensure everyone’s having a blast.
Find More Things to do in Manchester with CityDays
So there you have it! 14+ Manchester hen do ideas that are a little different to your typical night out.
Interested in exploring more of Manchester? Of course you are!
At CityDays, we create fun, interesting and challenging trails around the world to help you immerse yourself in a city’s culture, history and hidden secrets.
Want to find out more?
Check out all our available activities in Manchester here and embark on an adventure in the city you’ll never forget: CityDays awaits!