Hens Party Venues in Ascot Vale

How to Choose the Right Hens Party Venue

Tacos and cocktails, or a pub room upstairs with a bar of its own – those are the two ways an Ascot Vale hens night tends to go. Lulu's Social, a locally owned bar on Union Road, matches its cocktails with a Tex-Mex kitchen, while The Laurel Hotel can hand the bridal party its first-floor room. Both let the bridesmaids decorate, so the bride-to-be walks into a room styled for her.

Ideas for shaping the bride-to-be's night:

Welcome drinks – The Laurel Hotel can greet the group with a cocktail, and Lulu's Social mixes cocktails at its bar
Finger food with a Tex-Mex lean – from $28 per person at Lulu's Social
A smaller hens of 20 seated – the heated courtyard behind Lulu's Social, which has a TV and sound system of its own
A bigger bridal crowd – The Laurel Hotel's first floor, with TV screens, a sound system and an adjoining bar for 100 on their feet
Music for the night – a band or DJ fits in Lulu's Social's main bar, and The Laurel Hotel welcomes your own DJ or musician

There's no minimum spend at Lulu's Social, and The Laurel Hotel waives room hire, though a minimum spend can apply; its canapé packages start from $38 per person.

Groups of 10 to 120 spread across its three areas, with the bar usually shut to other customers while an event is on
Seated, the main bar fits 40; standing, 70, with space cleared to dance and glass that folds back to the street
A fenced-off footpath area out front takes 50 standing, or 40 seated under umbrellas
Organisers get in from 1pm to dress the space, and the kitchen handles halal and vegan requests along with vegetarian and gluten-free guests

Upstairs and down at The Laurel

The first-floor room takes 60 at tables if the bridesmaids want everyone seated; it is up a flight of stairs, so step-free guests are steered downstairs
Downstairs, the high-ceilinged dining room can be booked exclusively for up to 200 standing
For a sit-down dinner, The Laurel Feast pairs shared entrées with a choice of main
Pizza from the woodfired oven can be added to the canapés

Venues for Hens Parties: Your Questions Answered

How does the bridal party pay for drinks?

At Lulu's Social, drinks can run on a bar tab, as a two-hour package, or with each guest paying their own. The Laurel Hotel offers three- or four-hour packages and a bar tab with a set limit.

Is there time to decorate before the hens arrive?

Yes. Lulu's Social lets the organiser in from 1pm to set up, and decorations and a cake can come along to The Laurel Hotel.

Is there outdoor space for the hens?

Lulu's Social has a fully covered back courtyard with gas heaters for 20 seated or 40 standing, and a footpath area out the front for 50 standing.

Can a halal or vegan menu be arranged?

Lulu's Social's kitchen can work around halal, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free guests. At The Laurel Hotel, guests who are vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free are looked after too.