17 Ways to Throw an Unforgettable Bachelorette Party in NYC
Whether you’re the bride or a bridesmaid, these unique ideas and activities will help you design the ultimate itinerary.
After years of ceremonies via Zoom, wedding season is now back in full swing. And before you or your bestie utters those forever vows, it’s time to go all out in NYC and celebrate with an epic “last hurrah” bachelorette party that will forever live in infamy.
While being in charge of this hyped-up night might not seem like the breeziest of tasks, know that you’re doing so in the Big Apple, and on top of outdoor spas, rooftop bars, and fun things to do, there’s also no shortage of ways to celebrate that locked-in permanent plus one status.
From a penthouse slumber party in SoHo to a luxury glamping getaway on an island south of Manhattan, to a wild night singing your heart out at karaoke or trying trapeze school, here’s how to throw an unforgettable bachelorette party in NYC.
Governors Island
The full-on glamping experience at The Collective Retreat on Governors Island is the perfect way to celebrate the great outdoors in NYC (without resorting to camping-like amenities). Officially opening this May, it kicks off with a complimentary water taxi from Lower Manhattan, and once arrived, choose from a seafood-centric restaurant called Fire & Water; array of overnight accommodations; and activities like stargazing and a sunset cocktail hour. With views of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan skyline, there’s a range of rustic and chic tents to nest in, and expect waterfront decks, en-suite bathrooms, pantries stocked with s’mores goodies, and even complimentary morning yoga and meditation.
SoHo
Think ultra-swanky adult slumber party. At The Dominick hotel, each room is already complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, but it’s one of ten available penthouses you’re here to enjoy with your bridal squad. Along with spectacular city views, Italian-marble bathrooms, cushy king sized beds, and even an in-building hammam, order up bottles of champagne, Lobster Rolls, Charcuterie Boards, or a Short Rib Burger and stay up all night sipping bubbly, giggling, and reminiscing about those long-gone single life days. Additional onsite amenities include the BABOR Spa for luxurious treatments, and the much-lauded seafood restaurant helmed by chef Shaun Hergatt, The Vestry.
Bushwick
Spice up the night with a trip to the beloved warehouse dance club, House of Yes. Known for fantastical parties, carefree energy, and a beautifully inclusive nature, this is the spot to let loose and express yourself on the dance floor. Expect aerialists hanging from above, high energy DJ sets, and themed nights that bring out everyone’s individuality. Alternatively, drop by sister club House of X at the Lower East Side’s PUBLIC Hotel for their wild and sultry underground playground energy. For either spot, we recommend packing disposable cameras to capture all those memorable moments and staying until the lights pop on in the early morning hours.
South Williamsburg
Hurling our bodies off a 23-foot-tall platform is a sure way to spice up a party. For a thrill-seeking adventure, try out a group session at the Trapeze School New York where instructors will fling participants into the sky from exhilarating heights. For those in the party not as keen to join in on this particular adrenaline rush, there’s also a range of land-level activities like trampolines, balance beams, and grounded acrobatic activities.
NoHo
Velvet booths, burgundy walls, and gilded-era design details make The Nines piano bar in NoHo a hotspot. Adding to the dapper aesthetic is a baby grand piano at the room’s center where a rotating cast of pianists can be found playing everything from jazz to classic covers. Sip on classics like martinis or signature cocktails like Nº9 (gin, manzanilla, vermouth) and munch on popular dishes like the caviar-topped twice-baked Kaspian Potato. Whether as a pregame starting point or as the night’s main event, adding in some piano tunes and off-key singing definitely helps to create for a memorable evening.
SoHo
Before you head out for a night of drinks and debauchery, book a pampering session for the crew at Chillhouse. Known for their intricate nail art and expert technicians, this is a one stop shop for mani-pedis, massages, and wellness boosted lattes. Sink into a massage chair while sipping Chill Me Out (lavender, vanilla, ashwagandha) and gossip about who’s dreading the impending run in with their exes on the big day.
Greenpoint
The bride might be a lover, not a fighter, but everybody’s got a reason to nail a punching bag. From miscommunications with catering to last minute RSVP’s messing up the seating chart, throw those uppercuts and right hooks at the recently-opened Box St boxing studio. The classes are 45 minutes of high-energy cardio and conditioning that’ll have you feeling recharged and unencumbered from those nagging pre-wedding jitters.
Pier 62
Booking a sunset cruise on a 1920’s yacht for the night offers a boozy alternative to the bachelorette tradition of hitting slews of bars and clubs. For $78 per person, courtesy of Classic Harbor Line, you can sweep across NYC’s waterways while gazing out at the glimmering cityscape, soaking up the dimming rays, and sipping on complimentary flutes of champagne. Alternatively, for even more privacy, there’s also an option to rent out the whole boat for your party if it’s a group of 17 or more.
Midtown
Touting one of NYC’s most opulent afternoon tea services is the Baccarat Hotel. Nurse your hangover (courtesy of the previous night’s rambunctious bachelorette revelry) over towering tea sets like the Prince of Wales which includes Caviar Quail Eggs and Raspberry Tartlettes or the vegetarian Queen Isabella II of Spain option which offers Artichoke Toast and Chocolate Almond Cookies. All of which will certainly pair sublimely with a few “hair of the dog” glasses of champagne.
NoMad
CBD-centric wellness boutique, Standard Dose, is a calming oasis amid the concrete jungle of our city. For a worn out bachelorette crew, schedule back-to-back yoga, meditation, then sound bath sessions before shopping around the spreads of tinctures, supplements, and oils. To further that quality R&R, there’s also an on-site latte and tea bar with beverages which are centered around specific health benefits from anti-inflammatory, skin-boosting, and energy-enhancing like the Moon Juice Cocoa Latte (cocoa powder, plant-based milk, collagen).
SoHo
We know that when it comes to the look and design of a wedding, every painstaking detail matters, and next on the docket is choosing the perfect shade of lipstick to complement your wedding look. Head to Bite Beauty’s Lipstick Lab in SoHo and collaborate with a team of color experts to create an entirely unique shade in four easy steps. Mix your hues; pick a finish (matte, satin, luminous, or sheer); add a flavor (mint, lime, vanilla, or mango); and finally engrave the tube with a flirty name. In the end, you’ll all feel pampered and can keep the makeup as a bachelorette souvenir.
Williamsburg
This very literally named Williamsburg bathhouse boasts dry and tropical saunas, thermal pools, marble hammams, a steam room, and a sensory deprivation tank. The space at Bathhouse is designed to be social, so feel free to chat away with your friends while you let that pre-wedding stress soak off. Afterwards, slip into one of the complimentary dining robes and head to the upstairs eatery which offers shareable plates like Cashew Spinach Dip, Burrata, and Porchetta Meatballs.
Flatiron
At Milk Bar’s flagship location, you can build your own cake, design a gigantic cookie for six, or even learn how to bake a Milk Bar sweet-and-salty pie. Pre-book your time (if you’re going with a group, make sure to book one for everybody!) or just wander the 4,000 square feet of full-blown Willy Wonka-esque aesthetic. And not to worry, there’s plenty of Instagrammable moments and props galore.
Chinatown
Head to Chinatown’s Magic Jewelry for ’Gram-worthy headshots obscured by a hazy rainbow glow. The staff reads your aura, pours you some oolong tea, and offers up an array of healing crystals. Whether you’re a true believer in the power of crystals or not, it’s comforting to feel some semblance of control within this often chaotic universe. Also, shelling out a little money for some good marriage juju definitely couldn’t hurt.
Gowanus
The Korean fried chicken at this Gowanus karaoke restaurant, called Insa, is sweet, sticky, and spicy—plus, you can scream-sing “From This Moment On” in the privacy of your very own room. Rooms start at $60 an hour for parties under 10 and you can reserve space for up to 22 of your closest friends for $160 an hour. Order a few punch bowls and load up on carbs, because you’re gonna need ‘em to get through the night.
Various locations
While bachelorette parties are all about living it up with your crew, it’s also a great opportunity to contribute to a good cause as a team effort. In between partying, take the time to give back to houseless women and children in NYC by volunteering at the non-profit Women in Need organization. Started in 1983, Win now accommodates more than 800 families with transitional housing, while additionally providing child care and resources for women in financial literacy and employment readiness. Volunteers can assist residents with resumes and job applications, or run after-school activities like story time, arts and crafts, and musical theater performances.
Lower East Side
For over 100 years, the iconic 169 Bar has been the setting for more than a few blurry and rambunctious nights. With a leopard-print pool table, frozen piña coladas, and all the White Claws you can guzzle, the dive joint is an ideal place to show up wearing those matching bachelorette tank tops. With plenty of room for boogying, cheap drinks, and bar stools galore you can easily entertain the squad here for quite some time.