The term “girls’ night out” typically brings to mind a specific scene (or, if you’re anything like me, lyrics from our girl Miley Cyrus’ 2007 banger “G.N.O). And for any millennial, that scene probably includes wearing “jeans and a going-out top,” rushing to finish a delicious cocktail before the Uber arrives, and feeling the indescribable pain of having to pay a cover at a bar I didn’t want to go to in the first place. But news flash, my friends: Not every girls’ night out has to involve pregaming and then going to some random bar you love to hate. A girls’ night can take many forms, from wholesome-as-hell to rowdy and rambunctious. And once you get over the idea that you have to go out out for a G.N.O. , the world is your freakin’ oyster.
So, whether you’re looking for ideas leading up to the girls’ trip that finally made it out of the group chat or just wistfully pocketing these for a later date, we threw together 38 of the best ~alternative~ girls’ night out ideas (AKA ideas that don’t involve boozing at your local pub). Whether you’re feeling a full-on club vibe, a sip-cocktails-at-a-museum kinda evening, or you just wanna sit around with your friends in sweats, we’ve got you covered. Throw out a few of these plans in your group chat and hold for applause—you don’t even have to give us any credit.
Crafty Girls’ Night Ideas
Get your DIY on at a local shop.
No matter where you live, I guarantee there’s a DIY class with you and your friends’ names on it. Do a quick Google search for a pottery, perfume-making, watercolor painting, or mixology class near you and Get. To. Booking. You’ll gain plans for an afternoon and feel great knowing you’re supporting a local biz.
Food & Bev Girls’ Night Ideas
Take a pizza tour of your neighborhood.
Dave Portnoy isn’t the only one who can rate a slice of ‘za. Make a map of your hood and plan a pizza tour, checking off and giving a subsequent rating to all the best shops in town. Yes, this will work better if you live in a pizza city, like New York or Chicago, but there’s no reason why you can’t hit all the mom ‘n’ pops in your vicinity even if you live in Small Town USA.
Book an online cooking class.
Williams Sonoma has a ton of virtual events to choose from. Bonus points to whoever can pull off the best Julia Child accent.
Hit up a bespoke cocktail bar.
Your fave dive bar can wait. Opt instead for the kind of plush setting where it feels like Colonel Mustard could murder you with a candlestick at any second. Also, nothing makes me feel more like an adult lady than telling the bartender to “surprise me.” 😉
Host your own wine-tasting party.
By that we mean you buy a bunch of cheap-ish bottles from Trader Joe’s or a similar spot, and then sit around with your girlfriends tasting the different varieties while saying fancy things about the rich notes of shoe leather and rich mahogany. Let me help you out and suggest a few options…
Treat yourself to a fancy restaurant.
What better way to practice self-love than with a bougier-than-usual bottle of wine and fries for the table? Obviously, I don’t recommend making expensive dinner reservations so often that your budget takes a hit, but planning a seasonal fancy meal is a super fun way to get together and celebrate everything that’s going on in your group’s day-to-day lives.
Chill out in a late-night coffee shop.
In case you’ve been out of school for so long now that you’ve forgotten, here’s a friendly reminder that certain coffee shops stay open until the wee hours of the morning. Stake out the Friends-iest overstuffed couch and sip (decaf) drinks until you get tired.
Go on a booze cruise.
If you live by a body of water, chances are you have the opportunity to board a boat. In New York City, for instance, there are Circle Line cruises that tour the harbor while serving drinks and snacks. There’s just something about sparkly city lights on water that makes the night feel truly infinite, ya know?
Fitness and Sporty Girls’ Night Ideas
Do this Mamma Mia! workout class.
Before you say anything, I’m aware that “meeting your three possible dads on a Greek island the day before your wedding where you all sing along to ABBA” and “working out” don’t really go hand-in-hand. But you need to trust me on this one. No one can judge your form at home, and dancing to the Mamma Mia! soundtrack is more fun than…anything else on planet earth? Get tipsy, laugh, and take a chance on this one. (Sorry, had to.)
Justice! For! Bowling!
Do you know what’s still fun? Bowling. Especially glow-in-the-dark bowling. It was always the sickest 10th birthday party, and it’s still lots of fun to do with your besties (socks and hand sanitizer not included).
Take a pole dancing class.
Channel your inner J.Lo in Hustlers (BTW, THE ACADEMY ROBBED HER!!!) and take a pole dancing class with your besties. It can be pretty freeing to empower yourself through the extremely timeless art of shaking @$$. And I must mention, this thing is a workout. Prepare to sweat while you let it all hang out (okay, nothing will be hanging out, but still!).
Let out your inner roller girl.
Why not lean all the way in? Commit to a dress code (hot pants encouraged), take a few laps underneath the disco ball, and then go back to someone’s apartment and stream Whip It.
Grab some cheap tickets to a sporting event.
Even if court-side seats aren’t in the cards, you and your friends can still kick it in the nosebleed section with nachos and beer.
Host an at-home yoga class.
Have all your girls come in their best workout gear with cute little yoga mats in tow, too. Move the furniture in your living room to make space for the “class,” turn on some Yoga with Adriene, and get to feeling those namaste vibes. After, bust out the charcuterie boards and wine, and cackle on your mats for the rest of the night.
Artsy Girls’ Night Ideas
Have your own night at the museum.
Plenty of museums now offer “after-hours” programming, complete with DJs, drinks, and open access to select exhibits. (I think it was Socrates who said, “Learning is best done with a cocktail in hand!”) So many museums have also opened their doors to virtual audiences, so you could always stay home and get to learnin’ online. Touring The Met from the comfort of your couch in your coziest sweats and a bottle of rosé? Sign me up! (You can…right here.)
Spend a night at the opera.
If you live in any major metropolitan area, this one’s for you. PSA: Opera glasses are pretty cheap on Amazon if you really want to look the part of Jennifer Coolidge in that one White Lotus scene.
Head to a gallery opening.
Here’s the thing about gallery openings—not only are they an opportunity to look at beautiful objects (and often beautiful people, too), but there is also free wine, so…
Check out a symphony orchestra.
Nothing makes me feel more like a classy adult than viewing a group of insanely talented humans in tailcoats and black getups playing Chopin. If this isn’t an option where you live, scope out the local spots that have live jazz as an alternative.
Test your gracefulness at a ballet class.
The epitome of grace and discipline, ballerinas are always a magical sight to behold. Even if you and your girls don’t possess a coordinated bone in any of your bodies, you’ll have a ball giggling (kindly!) at everyone’s attempts.
Channel your inner Van Gogh at a paint and sip.
Okay, I hear you, these classes sound “soooooo basic,” but get over it, because they’re popular for a reason. Plus, if you’re anything like me, it takes a few glasses of vino to let your creative freak flag fly.
Stroll the aisles at a record shop.
Have record player, will travel. Grab all your fellow music-loving besties to scout out your local record shop and snag some new vinyls. Then go home (stopping for snacks, ofc), pop ‘em in your Victrola, and have a dance party for the ages. How old-school cool of you!
Kinda Random, But Super Fun Girls’ Night Ideas
Have your future told by a psychic.
Grab some friends for emotional support (’cause honey, you will absolutely need to dissect the experience after) and book a reading to glimpse what the future has in store for you.
Have an Extra™ photoshoot.
Okay, I’m trusting you won’t judge me for this idea. Glam up, and then take turns snapping Insta-worthy pics of each other. First of all, it’s fun to be goofy and play model every once in a blue moon, and second of all, your friends definitely know how to find your best angle.
Try your luck with a random Groupon.
Scour Groupon or LivingSocial for a rando activity—ideally something you’ve never done before—and then treat your friend to an afternoon of adventure. Nothing bonds you faster than mutually freaking out over indoor skydiving…or just dabbling in a pottery class, your call.
Go all out for a theme party.
Halloween shouldn’t be the only day of the year you go hard on a costume. Pick a theme for the night and give it your all, whether it be luau, ‘80s, black tie, or tea party. The more creative, the better the Instas.
Hang out in the Metaverse.
Okay, just stay with me—I know this sounds a little wonky. If you all have a Meta Quest, why don’t you gather round and fight aliens and other creatures together in someone’s living room? Or! If you’re looking for some zen vibes, check out Headspace’s new virtual reality arena where you can meditate, practice mindfulness techniques, and do little wellness check-ins all with your girls.
Fake a bachelorette party.
Grab a bunch of penis paraphernalia and a fake veil, and hit up your favorite circuit of bars like you’re at a bachelorette party. If you’re not dressed up as the (fake) bride-to-be, work on getting your group free drinks.
Chill Girls’ Night Out Ideas
Find a trivia night.
Put your accumulation of random knowledge to the test by heading to your local dive bar and joining in on a good ole’ game of trivia. After all, a little competition never hurt anyone—and trivia night beats standing around awkwardly at the bar.
Visit a board game cafe.
We know this might sound meh in theory, but it’s actually so much fun—especially when the cafe has a liquor license. Dibs on Catan.
Put it all on black at a casino.
Casinos can actually be really fun spots to drink and pull levers and maybe win some money. Lots of people-watching opps, too. Just set a monetary limit for yourselves, lest anyone get out of hand.
Embark on a scavenger hunt.
You’re never too old for a good scavenger hunt. Print out a template online or go the traditional route (which I def recommend) and make a personalized hunt for your hunnies. Just make sure you bring a Polaroid along for the ride.
Host a PowerPoint night (no, srsly).
One of the best things to come out of the pandemic is the PowerPoint night, where friends come together and low-key roast each other (or maybe that’s just my friend group?) with hilarious slideshows about anything and everything. Some of my favorite topics include “What American Girl doll everyone would be,” “T.Swift songs to describe each person,” and “Everyone’s worst ex,” but we also have a list of additional PowerPoint night ideas if you ever find yourself in need of inspo.
Have an Airbnb staycation for one night only.
So this might count as “staying in,” but it’s not your real house so just roll with it. Rent a luxe loft with a few friends for a night of fabulous make-believe. You can order take-out, bring along a few bottles of wine, and snuggle up on the couch—a bona fide sleepover party!
Play tourist in your hometown.
Plan a night to do the kinds of things you would only do if your fav cousin were in town. Eat that famous dish! Walk across that iconic bridge! Get your steps in seeing all the sights!
Sing it out at karaoke.
Because what’s more fun than belting out your favorite Whitney song? Belting Whitney with all of your closest girlfriends, duh.
Have some laughs at a comedy show.
Before there were comedy podcasts, there was the comedy club. These shows are usually pretty affordable, and the giggles are guaranteed.
Hit up one of those fancy movie theaters with the comfy seats.
There is something so darn divine about reclining in those cushy chairs and watching a movie on the big screen. Lots of these theaters now offer gourmet menus for a full dine-in experience. Sipping a ‘tini while watching Chris Evans/Chris Hemsworth/Chris Pratt’s latest project? Yes, plz.
Scream your heart out at an amusement park.
Most parks stay open well after dark, which means the view from the top of that roller coaster will be momentarily gorgeous before you plunge downward and start shrieking.
Hannah Chubb is the lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan, covering all things home, travel, food, health, career, and more. She spends pretty much every hour of every day curating the internet for the best new products, trends, and travel destinations. You can typically find her looking for houses she can’t afford on Zillow or Airbnb, planning her next meal before she gets to the restaurant, or taking all of the Justin Bieber classes over and over and over again on Peloton. Follow her on Instagram.
Christen A. Johnson is the lifestyle editor at Cosmopolitan where she covers health and wellness, money, career, pets, home, food, travel and more for print and digital. Christen was previously on Cosmo’s culture team, where she covered celebrity and entertainment; she wrote Cosmo’s first-ever digital cover story featuring Chlöe Bailey. Before joining the magazine, Christen was a lifestyle features reporter at the Chicago Tribune. Several of her health and style stories made the paper’s front page. When Christen isn’t digging through antique stores, she’s likely drooling over home renos on HGTV, sharing her latest therapy revelation, redoing old workouts from her college basketball days, or trying to perfect her homemade buttermilk biscuit recipe. Follow her on Insta for BTS ~ editor life ~ tingz!