Inexpensive hen night ideas for a UK lady?

[merrymunky]

Two of my good friends at work have offered to organise my hen night fo me and have asked for ideas of what I would like to do.

I really hadn''t given it much thought but time is getting on. The wedding is the end of August and we''re looking to have it around the 2nd week of August. There will be a fine timeline for it as one of the people I really want to invite will only be around for that segment of August. She has been on secondment as our deputy headteacher at the school I work at. My class team have become very close to her but she is on holiday at the beginning of August, then back for a few days, then heading back to her job in Jersey.

The only thing is, a lot of nights out that I like, are not what everyone else would like. I am happy in a rock club moshing away, while all but one of my friends is into mainstream dancey clubs. I don''t want people to hate the night so I am trying to find something neutral that won''t alienate anyone.

I am really short of cash given how much I have spent on the wedding so far, so I am looking for unique and not too pricey ideas for a memorable day/night.

I live on the South Coast of England. Any ideas?

 

[SapphireLover]

How about a night out in Brighton? Do not go to the Adonis Club- I got dragged there for a hen do and it was possibly the vilest night of my life. Horrid greasy strippers, vile food, watered down booze and tonnes and tonnes of disgusting women. Brides were dragged on to the stage, while strippers sprayed whipped cream on their groins and the hens were licking it off. It was awful- how can you say you love somebody if you are prepared to lick stuff off another man''s crotch.

There are loads of clubs- I''d think of a Mod one would be cool and would meet your friends midway as they might like the Northern Soul music. If you have a look on moneysavingexpert.com forums, they will have some hints as to how to get cheaper hotel rooms. I know travelodge and premierlodge are having price wars and you might be able to get some rooms for £29 a night?

Or why not just go out for a yummy meal and cocktails at a nice retaurant maybe in London? You could go to the Wolesley in London which is ace and does fab cocktails and nice, quite reasonably priced food (I don''t find their prices that much higher than in Manchester). I love the whole atmosphere there and always see somebody famous (although that isn''t why I go). Last time we went it was a laugh, Christopher Biggins, Paul O''Grady and Joan Collins were a couple of tables away. It was like I was in a mid 80''s episode of Wogan.

Or how about something different? I know Yo Sushi do Sushi school, loads of cool bars will teach you cocktail making?

 

[SapphireLover]

Also- just forgot my favourite thing ever! Afternoon tea! I worship afternoon tea (always with champagne of course).

My absolute favourite is Pret a Portea at the Berkley in London where the food is all done for fashion. Imagine icing with missoni stripes in, cookies shaped like Marc Jacobs bags etc. Its all served on Paul Smith china. When you sit down they show you the menu and it has all the Coutue clothes that the food is inspired by. Go on flickr and google and look at pictures of it. It is pricey (about £45 a head with a glass of champagne) and if they ask you if you want the cakes filling up say yes! Whatever is left over they will put in a cardboard bag shaped like a handbag to take away!!

You could get the train up to London, have tea and then go back. Hen do's don't have to be night dos. It'd be about £50 a head plus train fare!