Planning the Perfect Chicago Bachelorette, Ladies Night, or Galentines
QUICK FACTS
Doing something new or unique with your best gals is fabulous
Bachelorette parties and overdue ladies' nights require something fun, not too cliche, something everyone will enjoy
Finding low cost group activities or venues that don't require a huge deposit can be difficult
Gifs are fun, we love gifs, giffy giffity gifs, packed in a cute little gif box
This article will address all of these things
Chicago Rex is here to help for small parties to full on sorority shindigs. To find an affordable venue to host your party, check out our list of free/low cost space in Chicago bars and restaurants. If you're looking for cool ideas for a bachelorette party in Chicago, we're here to help.
First time trying 'the bold lip?' Great reason to have a stylist come to your party. But seriously, you look fine though. And your friends love you. Just focus on being on time to maximize your fun together! Let your hair down and have a blast, you sexy, powerful vixen.
You'll crush this.
If you haven't karaoke'd, what are you waiting for? The Madge wants to know.
Or do you prefer to karaoke to T Swift?
Calm down we're not saying you need dance lessons. Just an option. Save the throat chops for the inappropriate douche bags at the club.
Who's on board for playing some games?
It's party time, baby.
Under 21 and Still Fun
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Updated February 10, 2020
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Your Guide to Planning the Best Bash
Regardless of your budget, here is some inspiration for your next gal pal extravaganza!
Accessorize like a unicorn
Custom bathing suits are a fun bach party idea
Retail therapy, yes please! Grocery stores, department stores, pop up markets and boutiques all have cocktails and other drinks to enjoy while you shop these days. Shop Buzzed is a women-run pop up market that mixes booze and shopping. Sauced Market, Vintage Garage, and Randolph Street Market are also great choices.
Rent The Runway has brought the red carpet to those on a budget by offering high fashion dresses to rent, and has a Chicago location in the Gold Coast - perfectly located within striking distance of the Hange Uppe, Howl at The Moon, or an alternate Chicago bachelorette-oriented watering hole. Designer Share is similar to RTR but is a peer-to-peer designer apparel rental company. They have fashion events from time to time too.
For ladies looking for a sexier shopping experience, G Boutique allows groups (especially popular with bachelorette parties) to host BYOB private parties at their store after hours to shop and learn about lingerie and sex toys. They probably know a few resources for an in-home passion party too. If you're looking to add some tasty treats to your party, check out Chicago-based Intoxicakes, purveyor of creative and delicious boozy cupcakes. Vodka-infused cosmo cupcake anyone?
If you haven't locked down your bridesmaid dress situation, schedule some time at Brideside in West Loop.
Drink Bubbly at the Salon
There are over 50 salons in Chicago that allow you to Bring Your Own Booze (BYOB) while enjoying a spa service. Why not bring some wine, beer or bubbly to a mani pedi? Foot massage parlors, blowout bars and day spas are also options. Find a boozy or BYOB salon from our list.
Services like Stylisted will send 1 or 50 hair and makeup artists to your home or party at your beck and call for reasonable prices.
Fitness classes are a healthy way to bond with friends, because as fun as a weekend bender may be, no one should feel compelled to do a master cleanse after a fun weekend. We've researched classes including yoga and mimosas, cross fit, WOD, barre, and other opportunities to get active followed by a beverage reward in the form of coffee to cocktails. These classes are all drop-in classes so out-of-towners or those who aren't fitness club members can go too (think class pass for the thirsty!).
Studio 3 is a fitness studio in River North that doesn't require traditional memberships, which means out of town friends can join you for yoga, cycling, interval and other fitness classes. This could be a great daytime bachelorette activity, and for those wanting to splurge for a private party, you can book a fitness party where you can customize your playlist, choose your favorite movements, and celebrate with Graze acai bowls and more during post-workout party in a private studio. We've been told a recent bachelorette party held a private class to learn the dance moves to Formation. That is so Sasha Fierce.
BYOB paint night, painting a wine glass, and creating glass terrariums are all options at your fingertips in Chicago. Our friends at Get It Made host public classes and private workshops including floral design, cake decorating, and t-shirt designing.
Chicago-based Fête Esthète, an online art gallery for emerging talent, produces the Art Party, a highly curated personalized art experience for groups.
Chicago has a fantastic food and drink scene. There are plenty of Chicago foodies to point you in the right direction of where to eat (hint: there are more right ways than wrong ways).
If you like to cook or learn about what you're eating and drinking, check our our list of culinary, mixology, and home brewing classes that are either BYOB or include beverages as part of the class.
Music and Dancing
Karaoke and Live Music
Whether you're after dueling pianos, free/low cost live music, or karaoke nights around Chicago, we've explored every option for when, where and how it goes down and what you can drink while it happens. There are multiple options for singing Carrie Underwood to a live country music band in Chicago.
Of special note is Lan's Old Town, a BYOB restaurant and karaoke bar that serves a special...dessert? Ya it's a carrot shaped like a dick. Lan (aka Jimmy, the owner), will not disappoint with his selection of the largest carrots Chicago can produce/import. Can you karaoke with a large carrot in your mouth? We're not sure anyone has ever tried. Let's get weird ladies!
Learn to Tango
Yes, Tango Sur is a fantastic BYOB restaurant for large groups. But where to tango after dinner? Chicago bars, restaurants and dance clubs have free dance lessons that are the perfect activity for your fancy-footed clan.
If you're on board the dance train but prefer to watch, burlesque and diva shows are a fun option. Chicago has a great collection of variety acts and performers, some of which await you with tassels and craft cocktails in an underground speakeasy.
Play Games
Finding bars and restaurants with pinball, skeeball, arcade games, bocce ball or other team activities is a fun and budget friendly option. In fact, you could win money at Dirty Dancing-themed bingo night. If your team is hip on topics you could go home with money at team trivia night - Chicago has some pretty fun trivia themes including Sex and the City, kinky trivia, Friends, Harry Potter, and of course, Mean Girls!
While it may be difficult to navigate all of the viewing options from Chicago's best rooftop bars, the good news is there are a lot of options out there! If you prefer to play basketball, cornhole, or ping pong, check out our list of roof tops with fun activities. If you prefer to admire Chicago's beaches from the sand, you may prefer looking into where to play sand volleyball and other outdoor sports with a bar nearby.
Managing Chicago Winter?
Ear muffs! Chances are it's cold in Chicago right now, we get it. Until summer comes around, stay cozy in bars with fireplaces, or coffee shops and bars that have a shelf of books to borrow. For the giant Jenga, Battleship or Connect Four enthusiast, board game bars and restaurants are also a good move. Did you know there are bars with ice skating rinks and curling courts? Check out these festive winter sport activities. Among our favorite staycation destinations is The Peninsula, where you can have high tea and skate on Chicago's only rooftop ice skating rink, with both wine and cocktail bars at your disposal. For the best apres ski adventure in Chicago head to Bunny Slope, where you can rent out a hot tub for up to 18 people (or just find a bar with a shot ski).
Cheer for Your (Non-Chicago) Home Team
For the Chicago transplants who haven't converted to the Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, there is probably a bar where you can cheer on your team with fellow fans. Check out the list of bars cheering for out of state NFL teams, alumni watch parties and NCAA teams, soccer (aka futbol) bars, or UFC.
Bring Babies to a Bar
Families grow at different times, and it's important to maintain close friendships and family ties through life events like marriage, babies, breakups, and birthdays. While bringing a baby to a bar or bachelorette party isn't everyone's cup of tea, these kid friendly bars, breweries and restaurants are options for the parties that include little ones. Kid-friendly options are also helpful if you have a party with adults who aren't quite 21. We planned a bachelorette party during St. Patrick's Day with 3 under age ladies and had an awesome time. Navy Pier was a great sight seeing activity and the over 21s were able to pick up margaritas and boozy slushies while we walked around. When planning, be sure to call venues to ask their policy first. Kit Kat Lounge in Boystown has fun diva shows and under 21s can attend before 11pm.
Splurge-Worthy Bachelorette Activities
Throw a Skeeball Party
Chicago's Skee League will hook it up. Play some games or host your own cut throat tournament. The Skee League has hosted events at a variety of skeeball bars around town, and can also bring unique games like hundoball or puttskee to your venue.
The Barrel Run is the best way to do a distillery or brewery tour in style. The Chicago Beer Experience also puts together great beer tours for groups, including beer and bacon or sins and suds.
Cheers Ladies.