How to Plan the Ultimate Hen Do Brunch

Brunch has become one of the go-to hen do activities, and it's easy to see why. It ticks off food, drinks and a proper catch-up before the party even gets going.

The tricky part is the planning process. It can be a challenge to decide which venue to choose, how much you can budget, how far ahead you should book, and what the group should wear. Our planning guide will walk you through all of those considerations and more.

What Is a Hen Do Brunch?

At its simplest, a hen do brunch is a sit-down meal in the early afternoon, usually run over a fixed time slot of 90 minutes to two hours. Most venues offer a bottomless brunch: you get a set food menu and free-flowing drinks, commonly prosecco, cocktails or beer, for the length of the booking.

It works well for hen groups because it solves two problems at once. Everyone eats and drinks in the same place, so there's no faffing about with separate bookings, and the format is relaxed enough that people who don't know each other yet can settle in without any pressure.

If your group is a mix of the bride's work friends, university mates and family, brunch is one of the easier ways to get everyone talking before the rest of the day kicks off.

Choosing the Right Style of Brunch for Your Group

Bottomless brunch isn't the only option, even if it's the one most people think of first. There's also themed or entertainment-led brunch, where drag performers, live music or games are built into the booking, a calmer sit-down brunch without the free-flowing drinks, and a brunch hosted at home instead of a venue. Some bottomless brunches offer these activities too- be sure to research ahead of time to find the right fit for your group.

Which one suits your group depends on a few things. Think about the bride's personality first. Some brides want a loud, theatrical morning, others would rather have a quiet catch-up before moving on to a bigger activity later. Make sure to respect her preferences- above all else, the hen party is a celebration of her.

You don’t have to rule brunch out if some of the group don't drink. Most venues now run alcohol-free bottomless options alongside the standard drinks list, so a mixed group can still book the same slot together. Choosing a brunch with entertainment included is recommended for mixed groups so everyone can have the same amount of fun, regardless of whether they’re drinking or not.

HOSTING A HEN BRUNCH AT HOME

A venue brunch isn't always the right fit. For smaller groups, groups on a tight budgets, or hen weekends with a self-catered house, a self-hosted brunch can work better.

Keep the food simple and prep as much as you can the night before. Platters of smoked salmon, pastries and fruit need almost no effort on the morning itself, and a couple of decorative touches, like fresh flowers or a matching tablecloth, go a long way without much cost. The goal is for the host to be at the table, not stuck in the kitchen.

Hosting at home also works well as a gentler opener before a bigger activity later in the day, since it gives the group time to settle in without the pressure of a booked time slot.

What to Wear to a Hen Brunch

Typical brunch outfits sit in a middle ground between casual and dressed-up. Getting it right comes down to matching the venue and the time of day rather than defaulting to a full night-out look.

For a standard sit-down brunch, smart-casual is the safe choice: a nice top with jeans, or a simple dress, works for most venues. If the brunch has a theme or entertainment built in, there's more room to go bolder with colour or sparkle. An at-home or outdoor brunch calls for something comfortable you can layer, especially if you're eating outside.

Wearing fancy dress or a matching outfit theme is common at hen dos and a good way to make the group feel like a unit for photos. Make sure to check the venue's dress code before committing to anything elaborate, since some brunch spots have house rules on costumes or props.

HOW MUCH DOES A HEN DO BRUNCH COST IN THE UK?

A standard bottomless brunch in the UK typically runs from £30 to £45 per person, depending on the city and the venue. Themed or entertainment-led brunches usually cost more, often £45 to £65, since you're paying for the performers or extras on top of the food and drink.

Check what's actually included before you book. The headline price usually covers the food and the drinks window, but service charge, any upgrades and add-on entertainment are often extra.

For collecting money, avoid fronting the deposit yourself if you can help it. A shared spreadsheet works well for managing money across a group of people, and asking for payment upfront means you're not left chasing people the week before.

Booking and Timing Your Hen Brunch

Popular bottomless brunch venues get booked up fast, especially in city centres on a weekend. Aim to book at least four to six weeks ahead for a standard slot, and further out if you want a specific date, a bigger group or a themed sitting.

Before you confirm anything, ask the venue a few practical questions:

• What's the minimum and maximum group size?
• How long is the time slot?
• Is there a dress code?
• How do they handle dietary requirements?

Getting these answered up front saves an awkward conversation on the day.

Think about where brunch fits into the rest of the hen do too. It can open the day and set the tone before a bigger activity, sit in the middle as a break between things, or work as the recovery activity the morning after a big night out.

Hen Brunch Etiquette

Bottomless brunch runs on a fixed clock, so pace yourselves. Going hard in the first thirty minutes means running out of steam before the drinks stop flowing. Venues reserve the right to cut off service if they believe an individual or group is too intoxicated.

You're also sharing the venue with other diners and staff, so keep noise at a level that's fun rather than disruptive, and don’t overstay the time slot you've booked- venues often have another group waiting straight after yours.

Make sure that the group is aware of any dietary requirements and dress code in advance. Nobody wants to hold up the group by explaining an allergy to a waiter mid-brunch, or turning up in jeans when everyone else is in fancy dress.

Unique Hen Do Brunches at Sixes Cricket

If the bride-to-be wants a bit more energy than a standard bottomless brunch, Sixes Social Cricket could be the place for you. It's a party experience built around a virtual cricket simulator, designed to be accessible and fun for cricket pros and total beginners alike. Groups take turns in the batting lanes while everyone else eats, drinks and cheers from the sidelines.

Bottomless brunch at Sixes combines food and bottomless drinks with an activity in one package for a group who want their brunch to have a bit more going on than a standard sit-down. For larger hen groups, private hire is available across Sixes venues in the UK.

If that sounds like the right fit for your group, book your bottomless brunch now or get in touch with our events team.