You’ve been cupcake decorating, still life drawing and cocktail making. Now you’re looking for something completely new to win you bridesmaid brownie points. We’ve got some ideas

BROOKLYN BOWL

OK, so we know bowling isn’t a new thing – but we're willing to bet you’ve never scored a strike anywhere quite like this before. The fist UK outpost of the famous NYC lanes has prime position in London’s O2 centre, which makes it the ideal before-or-after gig activity (Katy Perry, Kylie and Dolly Parton are all playing there this year – a hen soundtrack is ever we heard one). Part bowling alley, part cocktail lounge with a gig venue and BBQ joint thrown in for good measure, it’s a brilliant place for big groups. The lanes are flanked by huge leather sofas, where you can order food (the chicken wings and ribs are proper, heart-stopping American haute junk food), and pitchers of margaritas. Once you’ve got bored of failing to score a strike (or is that just us?) you can throw some hen-style shapes to big-name DJs on the huge dancefloor.

From £14 per half hour per lane. Book Brooklyn Bowl here

VESTAL VOYAGES

Be warned: when we took a troupe of hens on this canal boat for an afternoon of cocktails and cruising, we spawned a spate of bridesmaid copycats (in fact, three bridesmaids booked for the parties they were organising straight away). It’s hardly surprising – there can’t be many things nicer than bobbing along the Regent’s Canal from Granary Square in Kings Cross down to Broadway Market in Hackney, with a martini in hand. Owned and run by Vestal Vodka’s William Borrell, the 50-foot boat easily seats 12, and is manned by a on-board mixologist. The best bit? It doesn’t rely on good weather (because, well, you shouldn't’ really, should you?) – in the sunshine you can sit out on deck and watch the world go by, but the coal burning in the cabin will keep you warm when it’s wet and windy outside

The cruise costs £30 for two hours and two cocktails, £42.50 for four hours and four cocktails. Book now at Vestal Voyages