The ring is on your finger and you’ve been staring at it for weeks — now it’s time to let that diamond dance and celebrate the end of your single years! The bachelorette party is essential to “ring” in this new chapter of your life with your best gal pals. And what better backdrop for that scene than the glitz and glamor of the most iconic city of them all, NYC! You and your besties are gonna have your Sex and the City moment (minus the singleness), strutting through the streets showing this town that you are the ultimate bride-to-be! When thinking of NYC bachelorette party ideas, it can obviously get stressful with the number of options this wonderful city has to offer.
But don’t worry, we’ve got your whole experience planned out for you, and it’s sure to be the best weekend of your life (before that other amazing day you’ll be planning for). From the hotel to the food, to the endless options for things to do (especially drinking and dancing), we’ll save you the treacherous amounts of Googling you would be doing to set this up. All you have to do is get your best group of girls together, pick a date, and get ready for the most perfect NYC bachelorette party EVER.
Day 1:
Check-In: Unpack at the picture-perfect The Standard (East Village)
You’re gonna be hitting every inch of this city and making it your own for the whole weekend. So it only makes sense to put you right smack-dab in the middle of all of the hottest, hippest areas Manhattan has to offer. The Standard Hotel offers eclectic backdrops and some of the most amazing views of Manhattan. Complete with a secret garden, cafe, rooftop parties, and one of the hottest gay bars in the city, it is almost like bachelorette heaven. Modern, cozy, and effortlessly cool, you and your girls will feel like true NYC elite. And your first Instagram pic from the weekend will 100% be with the signature pink lip pillows that lay atop each hotel bed in The Standard.
Polished: Get manicures at Chillhouse (Soho)
I’m sure you’ve had your nails done for weeks leading up to that ring on your finger, but it’s time to get funky with your girls! Chillhouse is probably the most aesthetically pleasing spa you’ve ever seen, with every inch being absolutely Instagram-worthy. Its modern-eclectic decor reflects the quirky nail designs they offer in their manicure sessions, which are sure to put a smile on everyone’s face before you start your big weekend. Other treatments such as facials, massages, and heat sessions in their gorgeously lit saunas can be added to the NYC bachelorette party ideas itinerary because you’ll want to get the most out of this stunning location for your trip.
Caffeine Boost: Bask in the rustic bridal vibes at Maman Soho
Now that everyone is relaxed, it’s time to get that energy going for one of many great NYC bachelorette party ideas. Of course, you have to embrace the Soho vibes and head to the prettiest coffee shop you can find. Look no further than Maman Soho, a French-American cafe with the most beautiful, eccentric menu items like honey lavender lattes, passionfruit matcha soda, and every kind of coffee drink imaginable. Pair with any of the freshly baked goods; you really can’t go wrong with any of them, but obviously, we recommend their incredibly simple but decadent pain au chocolat.
When in Soho: Go window shopping (or actual shopping)
While you are in Soho, it would be an actual crime to not take a look at some of the most beautiful shopping experiences the city has to offer. Even if Chanel and Dior aren’t in your budget, the gorgeous storefronts and cobblestone streets are enough to make it an experience of its own.
First Bite: Be bougie at Bar Primi (East Village)
At this point, the small bites you had this morning have probably worn off and everyone is starving. Luckily, right down the street from your hotel, there’s a place that is going to do even more than satisfy your hunger. Bar Primi is one of many absolutely perfect NYC bachelorette party ideas, which will have you fitting right in with New York’s most glamorous crowd. It is your classic high-end Italian restaurant with mouth-watering pastas and amazing brunch add-ons to the outstanding regular menu if you decide to make an early visit. Prioritizing fresh ingredients and age-old Italian techniques, the $$$ will be absolutely worth it and go down as one of the best girls-day meals you all have ever had.
Next Up: Get that perfect view at Top of The Rock (Midtown)
We’re gonna head uptown a bit to make sure you really get to take in that amazing skyline view that New York City is so known for. And what better place to do so than the iconic Rockefeller Center, which houses some of the best-known TV shows like SNL and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon? The observation deck provides a 360 view of the city that will absolutely take your breath away. This will be the most iconic picture from your trip with your bride tribe, so make sure you hand your phone to a reliable stranger that looks like they know what they’re doing with a camera!
Back to Home Base: Quick Bite at Café Standard (East Village)
With everyone a little tired from running around, it’s good to take a rest. Luckily, your hotel is super cute and comes complete with a modern American cafe right underneath. Cafe Standard offers the same suave-eclectic vibes as the rest of the place, and it’s also reflected in their drinks, food, and decor. Grab a bite if anyone is hungry (or a drink if anyone needs an early buzz) and get yourselves together to take on the awesome night you have ahead. First up is changing into your dance clothes, because you’ve got a dance class to take Mrs. Bride-to-Be!
Get Those Dance Moves Ready: Take a DivaDance NYC class (various locations)
When a night full of dancing awaits, getting some practice in before is essential. DivaDance NYC is one of the best NYC bachelorette party ideas. You and your bride squad can learn a sexy dance routine to one of your favorite dancefloor tunes, and show NYC who the real bride-to-be of the moment is! Breaking a sweat has never been more fun, and the experience can be complete with party packages including custom apparel and insane videography of your iconic routine. There’s no better way to get into Beyoncé mode than to slay your night out!
Dinner Destination: Try some fancy Asian fusion at Tao Downtown (Chelsea)
You’re heading to your clubbing destination for the weekend, which is the trendy neighborhood of Chelsea or the Meatpacking District. You and your girls are going to feel like total A-listers as you make your way down to 9th Ave to grab some killer sushi at Tao Downtown. You’ll be surrounded by the most extra Asian-influenced decor as you and your besties share roll after roll. And if you stick around late enough, you’ll see this bougie restaurant turn into one of the area’s hottest nightclubs.
Time to Dance: Check out this ultimate Chelsea club tour
As we said, Chelsea is going to be your home base for dancing with your girls during your weekend in NYC. But when you go on Google Maps and search for clubs in this area, the amount of choices you have is completely overwhelming — talk about a ton of NYC bachelorette party ideas! As we said earlier, we’re here to alleviate all this stress for you, so here are our top picks to get the perfect taste of Chelsea nightlife:
PHD Rooftop Bar: Okay, here’s where the party really starts. PHD Rooftop sits at the top of the Dream Downtown hotel. If you’re in NYC, you have to get the rooftop experience, because nothing beats a party overlooking one of the best skylines in the world. PHD has an amazing view of Manhattan including the renowned Empire State Building. If you go earlier in the evening, you’ll catch the perfect chill lounge vibe and an amazing sunset — the ideal mix of classy and extra. However, the later you go, the bigger the party gets. Complete with giant chandeliers and DJs spinning the hottest tracks, the nightfall at PHD will make you feel like a total A-lister!
Le Bain: We’re taking you to your hotel’s sister location for this one! The Standard’s second location is right on the High Line walkways in Chelsea and boasts the luxurious discotheque-inspired club Le Bain that shows clear inspiration from the Studio 54 era. The top floor has disco balls hanging everywhere and the rooftop even has a seasonal plunge pool and some of the most fantastical skyline views. With some of the best names in the DJ business and that notorious Standard chicness, you’ll feel right at home with the Chelsea elite.
Marquee Nightclub: If your feet aren’t already hurting, you haven’t danced enough yet. And what better place to do that than at the renowned Marquee Nightclub, which sits right on the lush High Line walkway. Marquee has been a household name in the club scene forever (it literally says “long-standing” on Google Maps) and is seriously a staple to end your night. With soaring 30-foot ceilings, colorful flashing light shows, and maybe even a celebrity sighting or two, this is sure to make your NYC bachelorette party one for the books!
Day 2:
First Stop: Pre-Party Relaxation at Great Jones Spa (NoHo)
Ouch. Last night is definitely catching up to you at this point. That’s exactly why this is the first stop on your itinerary for Day 2! We’re setting you up for a much more chill day as you all recover, and Great Jones Spa in the heart of NoHo is the perfect place to start. They’re most known for their famous Water Lounge, including a three-story indoor waterfall, jacuzzi, cool plunge pool, sauna, and light steam room. You can almost feel the relaxation already, right? And you’re definitely going to need it before all that wedding planning post-bachelorette. You and your gals can enjoy the Water Lounge alone for just $55, or experience it for free with massages, facials, or manicures over $100!
Next Up: Enjoy a boozy bottomless brunch at the Instragammable Poco (East Village)
Now that your chakras are aligned and your skin is still glowing from your spa treatment, it’s time to head over to brunch. Because when it comes to NYC bachelorette party ideas, brunch is always on the itinerary. And the only way to do brunch is to make it bottomless, obviously. At Poco, a tapas restaurant in the East Village, the bigger your bride squad the better. This place is super accommodating for large groups and serves the classic brunch items you’re craving for that first bit of bachelorette shenanigans.
And the bottomless options don’t end at mimosas… they offer unlimited bloody marys and unlimited red and white sangria. What more could you ask for to start off your iconic day? The food covers everyone’s favorites too, from custom guacamole with mango or lobster, to challah French toast, to the classic lobster mac and cheese. After you’re super full, be sure to snap a pic in front of their pink neon sign and their super floral inside and outside decor, and start the flow of Instas from your awesome NYC weekend!
Get the Party Started: Take a wine tasting at Corkbuzz (Union Square)
Now we’re easing into the fun part of the night. Before we go full-on DJ, strobe lights, and shots, we’re gonna start as classy as we can. Corkbuzz is a wine bar in Union Square with small plates (charcuterie boards obviously included) and an extensive wine list to get your night started. The classy interior and dazzling, golden-lit wine glass wall are perfect precursors to your crazy night out.
Pretty in Pink: Grab a late lunch at the adorable Pietro Nolita (Nolita)
Is it really a trip to New York City if you didn’t find some beautiful murals for photo ops? “Pics or it didn’t happen,” as the kids say. Luckily, New York is full of astounding artwork that is the perfect backdrop for your NYC bachelorette party ideas bach squad. Staying on the theme of love for the bride-to-be, visit the outside of Italian restaurant Pietro Nolita, located in its namesake of Nolita. The all-pink exterior and spray-painted heart mural will make for the perfect Instagram photo with your gals celebrating your recent engagement!
Set Sail: Take a harbor cruise around the city
Enjoy the most beautiful (and most iconic) skyline ever with a relaxing sightseeing cruise down the Hudson River with Circle Line. Choose from a number of landmark cruises (the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge, just to name a few) or evening sunset sails with the NYC skyline magnificently illuminated in the distance.
A Taxi Alternative: Tour the city on a trolley
Not into sailing? The New York Trolley Company can be an amazing way to see the city! A charter trolley tour can be one of many fun NYC bachelorette party ideas, and they offer a 34-person capacity and hop-on-and-off service to take you wherever your bridal squad so desires. Food, tunes, drinks, dancing (9-foot ceilings, y’all!), decorations, and debauchery are all encouraged.
Last Bite: The 100-Year-Old Puglia (Little Italy)
After you’re done with your second and final stroll around Soho, it only makes sense to wander into the little piece of Italy that is nestled in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. While there is an array of classic Italian restaurants to choose from, the obvious choice of them all is Puglia, because no matter what it is sure to be a party (hence the party package options on their website). With live entertainment, bottomless beer and wine for three hours, and upbeat staff, it’ll be the perfect place to make those final memories with your favorite girl gang from your iconic NYC bachelorette party ideas and share some true laughs (and perfected Italian classics like hot antipasto and stuffed rigatoni).
Sugar Rush: Satisfy your sweet tooth at Milk Bar (Flatiron District)
Build your own cake, design a massive cookie, or learn how to bake one of Milk Bar‘s famed pies at this flagship location. Or simply meander around the massive (and Instragram-worthy!) interior and drool over all the sweet treats your heart desires.
The Final Night: Kiss NYC goodbye at the Hotel Chantelle (Lower East Side)
If you’ve searched “NYC bachelorette party ideas” prior to your stay here, you probably got several results that point you to the Lower East Side for a good time. LES is becoming the new buzzing hot spot for nightlife. After you’ve already gone to some of the classic club names in Chelsea, it’s time to be true New Yorkers and go out in the newest trending part of town. Your last hurrah will take place at Hotel Chantelle on Ludlow Street, a three-floor restaurant and nightclub that will give you all the hip, lowkey luxurious vibes and give you the perfect house and hip-hop tunes to dance to in that hot final nightdress you picked.
Which stop on our NYC bachelorette party ideas itinerary is your favorite? Any places we missed? Let us know in the comments!
