There’s something different about Edinburgh that elevates any trip here into something special, even if you’re joining the masses in throwing a hen do in this wonderful city. Whilst you likely won’t be the only group in town to be celebrating your nuptials or those of a close friend, you will definitely have an unforgettable time during your hen party in Edinburgh, no matter what kind of fun you’re looking for.
Brides who prefer the more traditionally masculine pursuits will be happy to know there’s all sorts of gritty activities you can do with your bridesmaids in Edinburgh, a lot of which is the furthest thing from champagne breakfasts and 5am wake up calls for hair and makeup. However, if you are more of an afternoon tea followed by cocktails kind of hen, then you’ll be sorted too. There really is something for everyone in the Scottish capital, and we’re here to show you the possibilities for your hen do in Edinburgh.
For the thrillseekers
We at Orbzii don’t believe that hens should be confined to traditional activities when planning their last single hurrah, and luckily the good folks at Battlezone Edinburgh agree. They’re used to hosting Edinburgh hen parties of various sizes and abilities, and your group can spend the day at their impressive South Queensferry site, just a short drive from the centre of Edinburgh.
Paintballing, quad biking, and archery are just some of the pursuits on offer, or you can take one of the bundle deals and mix and match. The ‘Tomahawk Package’ consists of quad biking, knife throwing, and axe throwing, all for just GBP 60/head for a whole day of adrenaline boosting fun.
If your group want to get their kicks in a more natural way, Intrepid Outdoors offer a specific package for hen parties coming to Edinburgh. These packages include accommodation pick up and drop off, free pictures taken from a GoPro, and all equipment rental. Including breakfast and lunch, the tours come to GBP 106 per head (with a minimum of six per group), and only require a GBP 100 deposit for the entire group. They offer a range of activities for this price, including canyoning, coasteering, and canoeing down the River Tweed.
Make it fancy
Whilst we’ll always appreciate people breaking the mould, sometimes the more traditional activities are exactly what you want from your last hurrah. If you want your hen do in Edinburgh to be a slightly classier affair than paintball and quad biking, then we have you covered. eteaket have a tearoom in the heart of New Town, just a short hop from the Portrait Gallery. Here, you can sample some of the finest loose-leaf tea in Edinburgh alongside delectable baked goods and, if you fancy it, a great range of tea cocktails.
If you’ve had enough of afternoon tea on your Edinburgh hen party, then you can make the short jump from the eteaket Tea Room to Tigerlily Edinburgh for their famous ‘Shake It Up’ classes. For just GBP 30 per head, you get a welcome cocktail and the opportunity to make two of your own, after some instruction from the fine bartenders who keep the show running, of course. Aside from the included booze, the ninety-minute class teaches you the basics of mixing flavours, and how to make some famous classics. There’s a reason why this class is considered the peak of cocktail making in Edinburgh; informative, well run, and fun: what more could you ask for?
If you want to extend your Edinburgh cocktail making experience, you can add some snacks for an additional GBP 10 per head. A two-course lunch is an additional GBP 25 per head, and a three-course dinner is an extra GBP 35 per head. If you’re feeling extra fancy on your Edinburgh hen do, then for a total of GBP 85 per head you can get the VIP treatment, which includes the class, a three course evening meal, and a glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival, as well as a table at Lulu bar and nightclub above Tigerlily.
If you don’t want to get started too early but still want to indulge a little, then Mary’s Milk Bar on Grassmarket is renowned for serving the best gelato in Edinburgh, and they do tasting sessions on request. You have to book in advance, but if your hen party is full of sweet tooths, it’s probably one of the best things you can do in the city.
For the Hen who loves Scotland
Some hen party groups in Edinburgh have specifically chosen to come here because of a love for all things Scottish, and we at Orbzii think that should be celebrated. One of the obvious choices for a hen do in Edinburgh is a whisky tasting session at the Whiski Rooms, after which you’ll be bursting with scotch knowledge if not a little lightheaded, given the three free drams you get to taste during the experience.
However, we know not everyone gets their kicks from booze; some people need a bit of a shock to really get them going, and for that a visit to the Edinburgh Dungeons is the ideal Edinburgh hen do activity. Group passes are available, and the tour includes several spooky shows and a poke around the famous Edinburgh Vaults, which they’ve made into a small maze.
In the evening
The pubs and bars of Cowgate and Grassmarket are obvious stops for any hen party in Edinburgh, although we’d recommend Maggie Dickinsons, named for a famous survivor of a public hanging. For cheap and cheerful pints, then we’d recommend heading out to Leith and making your way back into town via various different bars, as these tend to be cheaper than the ones in the city centre.
If you want a fancier affair, the best cocktail bars are mostly in New Town, although House of Gods on Cowgate does a whole host of astoundingly tasty cocktails. Finally, for finishing the night off with a dance, there are a tonne of different venues to choose from. Sneaky Pete’s is a local favourite, although there are a few other options nearby too.
Want to find out more about Edinburgh’s whisky tours for your hen? Our Edinburgh whiskey tour is for you.
Ready to plan your Edinburgh hen party? Download the Orbzii app today to Dream, Plan, and Book your perfect pre wedding bash!
