The Best 16 Hens Night Ideas in Wellington
Wellington is the perfect place to host the hens night of your bestie’s dreams. From iconic landmarks to a thriving nightlife, all tastes can be accounted for.
With options abound for any bride-to-be, we’ve assembled 16 of the top Wellington hens party ideas she’ll love the most.
Wellington Harbour Private Party Boat
Wellington Harbour is one of the most stunning waterways Aotearoa has to offer. Make it all yours with a private hens party boat. Cruise around with a fully licensed bar as you absorb the beautiful sights of the nation’s capital.
Nothing will make the bride-to-be feel more special than her very own private party boat on Wellington Harbour.
Dance Class
From burlesque dancing to pole dancing, a risqué boogie class is ideal for any hens night. Get active, have a great time and learn all about these cheeky yet intricate dance forms.
Some Wellington hens night packages will even offer inclusions like drinks and a topless host! Dance classes are a unique and productive way for any future bride to spend her final night of freedom.
Cocktail Class
Cocktails are universally adored for good reason. Whether you’re more of a mojito or martini kind of girl, these beverages are a guaranteed ticket to a great night!
But have you ever thought of what goes into producing your favourite cocktails? With a cocktail-making class, you’ll learn from the best and soon make your own delicious concoctions. It’s a night of fun and an investment for all future girls nights.
Sip and Paint Night
The lead-up to a wedding is an intensely stressful time. If the bride has been slowly losing her marbles, she might prefer to unwind and relax at her hens party.
Enter a sip and paint night! It’s the perfect idea for a hens do, whether your clan has enjoyed an evening of wine and paint before or you’re a bunch of total newbies. There’s nothing like drinking a delicious red and painting some beautiful art with all your favourite girls.
Think you’ve found the hens night of her dreams? Book your Wellington sip and paint session with Pinot & Picasso. You can also peruse a range of hens night packages to make your queen hen’s party that much more special.
Wellington Cable Car Tour
The Wellington cable car is one of the most iconic attractions in the nation’s capital. A 45-minute tour allows your group to ride up the cable car with an informative guide. You’ll end up at a stunning Kelburn lookout offering unparalleled views of the city.
Is the future bride a history buff? She’ll love learning about the inner workings of the cable car along with its rich origins and history. You can then ride back down and enjoy all the attractions the Wellington CBD has to offer.
Pub Crawl
If you’ve got a list of prospective hens night venues a mile long, picking just one is impossible. That’s what makes a pub crawl the ideal Wellington hens party idea.
Need some inspiration? Cuba Street contains some of the very best Wellington bars you’ll find. Get the party started at Good Luck Bar before heading off to Havana Bar for tapas and cocktails. Then, you can stop in at R Bar for a night of historical pirate-themed fun.
For a more upscale evening, head over to Thorndon to enjoy stunning venues like the Backbencher, Sprig + Fern Tavern and Thistle Inn.
Party Bus
Who wants to be stumbling around Wellington in high heels? Take your pub crawl to the next level with a party bus! Enlist the services of a driver to transport your gaggle of girls around and keep the vibes high with a fully-stocked bar and speakers blasting your favourite tunes.
Life Drawing Class
Blend some artistry with classic hens night cheek. Life drawing classes are a great way to have some fun and develop your skills.
There are plenty of life drawing classes on offer throughout Wellington. Whether you’d prefer to lean into the silly or serious side of this activity, the perfect option for your bride tribe is available.
Fine Dining Dinner
Has your bride insisted on inviting her childhood friends, workmates and her future mother-in-law? Coming up with an activity to suit all these different guests can be a nightmarish prospect.
But if there’s one thing everyone loves, it’s a few hours spent snacking on truly delicious food. Thankfully, Wellington is an amazing city to find the high-end restaurant your whole party will adore.
Want local NZ ingredients interpreted in the style of classic French cooking? Head to Jano Bistro. Prefer Asian cuisines? You can’t go wrong with Lola Rouge. Meanwhile, seafood lovers will adore Ortega Fish Shack. It’s a matter of picking your poison.
Wine Tour
New Zealand is home to an exceptional array of wine tours. Even among intense competition, wine tours around the Wellington area are especially tempting.
Explore the breathtaking Martinborough region, taking in not only a tantalising collection of wines, but also some of the most stunning scenery the North Island has to offer. There are tons of tours to choose from, with additional inclusions for foodies and fans of the coast to enjoy.
A Wellington hens party wine tour is sure to be one heck of a day she won’t soon forget!
Paintballing
Is your bride desperate for an action-packed hens party? Paintballing is the perfect option!
A thrilling day spent paintballing is the ultimate way to spend her final taste of freedom. No matter how much she loves her friends and family, unloading some paintballs on them is sure to provide some much-needed stress relief.
Cooking Class
Whether you’re partying with a bride tribe of seasoned chefs or a group that doesn’t know penne from spaghetti, a cooking class is tons of fun for everyone. Follow along with a talented instructor, who’s sure to pass on plenty of general advice you can incorporate into your everyday cooking.
Pamper Package
No bride could possibly reject a brilliant pamper package for her hens party. From massages to facials to jacuzzis, a day of wellness is just what she needs ahead of her wedding.
Wellington is home to some of the most serene and relaxing spas you’ll find in New Zealand. Just make sure you go for a package that includes her favourite drinks.
High Tea
Help the bride channel her classiest self with a delicious high tea. Some of the top destinations for a Wellington high tea include t-Lounge, Martha’s Pantry and The Lobby Lounge. There are even delicious vegan and gluten-free options to ensure all guests are accounted for.
Karaoke
A great hens night idea doesn’t need to be too complicated. Your bride might want nothing more than to head out with her favourite girls and have a blast singing some good tunes.
If that’s the case, there is a wide range of Wellington karaoke bars to choose from, including a private room at the K-Zone Karaoke Bar or a more public performance at the Fringe.
Scavenger Hunt
Get some friendly competition going with a scavenger hunt. Split your hens group into teams and have them take photos or perform tasks at Wellington’s most iconic locations. Make sure to include a couple of drinking games along the way!
This activity is the perfect way to break the ice if the bride has invited a range of different groups to her special day. Wellington is an amazing location to hold a cheeky hens night scavenger hunt. With so many iconic locations to incorporate, get creative with this hens party idea and explore this gorgeous city.
Wellington Botanic Gardens
That’s right, you can book your very own space within the Wellington Botanic Gardens. Can you imagine a better location for a hens night? With over 25 hectares of space and a stunning collection of native NZ flora, bring along your own food and a few drinks for the ultimate girls picnic.
Hens Night Planning Tips
To ensure your Wellington hens party goes off without a hitch, here are a few top tips:
- Plan early. If the future bride has entrusted you with this most important of responsibilities, put in the time to ensure everything goes off without a hitch.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Other members of the bridal party are a great port of call if you find yourself becoming overwhelmed.
- Pick your date wisely. When looking at dates, aim for a weekend when there isn’t too much going on in the city. A major concert or sporting event could seriously disrupt your plans.
- Approach risqué additions to the event with caution. Strippers and topless hosts are fun for some, but they certainly aren’t to everyone’s taste. This is especially true if the mother or mother-in-law will be attending.
- Secure the guest list and create that group chat. This will allow you to easily address important topics such as the budget and itinerary.
- Have fun! It’s important you enjoy the event that you’ve created, as any stress you exhibit might transfer over to the bride.
Hens Night FAQs
Do You Give Gifts at a Hens Night?
Queen hens generally don’t expect to receive gifts for their hens night. However, a gift can go a long way to making her night feel all the more special. She might even assemble a hens party registry, allowing you to easily choose the perfect present.
How Do You Make a Hens Night Fun?
On top of choosing a suitable activity, there are plenty more ways to make a hens night go down a treat. These include themed decorations, bringing along a bridal sash and novelty items like naughty straws. Did we mention drinks?
What Are the Best Foods for a Hens Night?
Some of the most popular foods for hens nights include Italian favourites like pizza and pasta, as well as meat and cheese platters. And don’t forget cake for dessert!
Who Organises a Hens Night?
It depends. Traditionally, the chief bridesmaid or maid of honour is responsible for organising a hens night. Input from the rest of the bridal party is also common. The bride herself might also appreciate having a say in her special night.
Book a Sip and Paint Session With Pinot & Picasso
Love the sounds of a Pinot & Picasso hens night? Book a sip and paint session at our Wellington studio or a range of other NZ locations. Don’t forget to check out our range of hens night packages for the night of your future bride’s dreams. Decorate the studio to your heart’s content and consider options like a drag queen host and a Paint the Bride session.
