Planning the perfect hen party for your best friend need not be a hassle, writes Anucyia Victor

Your best friend is getting married and you’re the maid of honour. You’ve known each other for years, gone through tantrums, tears, teenage trials and tribulations together. And it’s now time for you to give her the send-off she deserves. The first thing you need to do is identify a location. And to make things simple, try to stick to one area. Also remember that a hen night will bring together people who haven’t met before, so you want a place which stimulates conversation while getting everyone relaxed and ready to have some fun at the same time. And of course, booze.

If your best mate is a real party girl then you can’t go wrong with Changkat. There’s more than enough food, drink and party locations on offer and the crowds of revellers will ensure the bride-to-be is at the centre of attention.

If you’re lining your stomachs but not into the idea of a formal sit-down meal, then Pinchos (18 Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL. 03 2145 8482/pinchos.com.my) is a good place to kick off the festivities. Steer clear of anything too heavy and go for easy-to-eat tapas options like calamari rings, Iberico ham and fish croquettes, and wash it all down with jugs of their marvellous red wine sangria.

With stomachs appropriately lined, head to Werner’s (50 Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL. 03 2142 5670/wernerskl.com) for some cocktail drinking and cavorting. Start off with their sublime strawberry daiquiri, and then hit Werner’s First Floor Club Lounge to cut some shapes on the dance floor.

If you’re looking for an alternative night out, then you can’t beat Daikanyama (42 Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL. 03 2141 0323). Don’t let the restrained atmosphere downstairs fool you; it’s a completely different story once you clatter up those stairs. Saturday nights at Daikanyama are the word in cutting edge cool with uber-scenesters The Deer Society throwing some mental parties. The crowd is full on too-cool-for school so this is not the best place to come attired in feather boas and veils (although if you carry them off with panache, it could come across as ironic). And, as an added bonus, sharp-cheekboned hipster boys abound for the single ladies of the party; if anything, they make good eye candy.

Second marriage hen nights are a completely different matter. You’ll want less ‘rah’ and more ‘ah’. Opt for a gathering in Bangsar; perfect for daytime shindigs. Start off with a pamper package at Ozmosis Health and Day Spa (14-16 Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar. 03 2287 0380) situated above La Bodega. As it’s a special occasion, opt for the Ultimate Indulgence package which takes three and a half hours. It does cost RM550 but that gets you a salt scrub, aroma bath, therapeutic body wrap, aromatherapy body massage and a mani-pedi.

Fret not if you haven’t got that much time to spare, there’s a host of treatments that take less time (and cost far less as well). The Paraffin hand treatment (RM50) and foot treatment (RM60) both take 40 minutes each and are far easier on the wallet. This should leave you with more than enough cash to splash out on afternoon tea at The Press Room (Bangsar Shopping Centre. 03 2095 8098/pressroom.com.my). The classy affair takes place every day of the week until the end of the year and there’s nothing more refined than ladies who tea (lunch is so over, darlings).

Afternoon tea a bit too refined? Head over to Alexis (29 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar. 03 2284 2880/alexis.com.my) for a more up-to-date take on teatime favourites. Their glorious cakes are to die for but it’s the pavlova that wins hearts, and will prove a suitably sumptuous way to celebrate the hen’s impending nuptials. Skip the tea altogether and have a bottle of wine to loosen tongues and break the ice.

Publika is fast becoming one of the best places to throw a hen with a difference for those in search of a unique, laid-back experience. Paradiso Cine Lounge’s (Level G3, Block C5, Publika, Solaris Dutamas, KL. 03 6211 3344/paradiso.my) film-themed cocktails are best sipped while watching retro flicks on its two projector screens. Try the Desperado (Patron Silver, mangosteen juice and elderflower water), Eyes Wide Shut (Captain Morgan, fresh pineapple, mint and coconut) and Basic Instinct (Absolut Vanilla, Crème de cacao and nutmeg cream) while watching a film (movie nights are Wednesdays and Saturdays).

For a post-movie munch, Journal by Plan b (65, Level G2, Publika, Solaris Dutamas. 03 6205 5318/thebiggroup.co) has a great supper menu, with the much-loved and oft-forgotten Coney Dog, perfecty washed down with a bottle of Heineken or Paulaner White. And across the square is hipster-central The Bee (36B, Level G2, Publika, Solaris Dutamas, KL. 016 6736 142/thebee.com.my), a not-so-obvious hen party venue but one with its own charms nonetheless. The space at The Bee is crying out for the conviviality of a hen do (the central table near the bar area should work well) and if you’re lucky, the hen may find herself being serenaded by one of the many musicians who perform there. The menu is pure Americana and hearkens to the good old days, with burgers, hot dogs and diner food featuring prominently.

Wherever you decide to go, it’s always best to call and book beforehand. Tell them it’s for a hen party and you may get extra-special treatment. Have fun!