Trying to plan a girls night out but stuck on where to start? You’re not alone. More than 68% of women in the UK say they’ve canceled a night out in the past year because they couldn’t find a place that felt right - too noisy, too expensive, or just not fun enough. The good news? Booking a great girls night near you doesn’t have to be a headache. With the right approach, you can turn a simple idea into an unforgettable evening - whether you’re in Birmingham, Manchester, or even a small town outside London.

What Makes a Good Girls Night Out?

A great girls night isn’t about how much you spend. It’s about how much you connect. Think less about fancy cocktails and more about laughter, comfort, and space to be yourself. The best spots have three things: a relaxed vibe, good food you can share, and enough room to talk without shouting. No one wants to be in a club where the bass is louder than your best friend’s breakup story.

Popular options right now include rooftop lounges with cozy seating, tapas bars with small plates, wine tasting rooms that don’t feel pretentious, and even escape rooms if your group likes a little challenge. Some places even offer private booths or reserved tables for groups of 6-10. That’s the sweet spot - big enough to feel lively, small enough to actually hear each other.

Where to Look for Bookings Near You

Stop scrolling through Instagram ads. Start with real tools that real people use. Here’s where to look:

• Google Maps - Type “girls night out near me” and filter by “open now” and “reservation required.” Look for places with 4.5 stars or higher and at least 50 reviews. Pay attention to comments like “perfect for friend groups” or “no pressure, just good vibes.”
• Time Out London & Birmingham - Even if you’re not in London, their city guides list top spots in other UK towns. They update weekly and often tag places as “best for girls’ nights.”
• Eventbrite - Search for “women’s night out” or “friendship dinner.” You’ll find curated events like cocktail workshops, live comedy nights, or themed trivia nights designed for groups.
• WhatsApp or Facebook groups - Join local women’s groups in your area. Ask: “Where did you go last month for a girls night?” Real recommendations beat algorithm-driven ads every time.

In Birmingham, places like The Ivy Brasserie in the Mailbox, Bar 11 in the Jewellery Quarter, and Little & Co. in Edgbaston are consistently booked out on Friday nights by groups of friends. They all let you reserve a table ahead - no walk-ins unless you’re okay waiting an hour.

How to Book Without Getting Scammed

Scams are rare, but they happen. Here’s how to stay safe:

• Never pay upfront via bank transfer. Always use a platform that holds your payment until the event - like Resy, OpenTable, or the venue’s own website. If they ask you to send money via PayPal Friends & Family or Revolut, walk away.
• Check the venue’s official website. If the booking link leads to a third-party site with no contact info, it’s likely fake. Look for a phone number, physical address, and real photos of the interior.
• Read the fine print. Some places charge a £10-£20 per person deposit. That’s normal. But if they charge £50 or demand your ID number, that’s a red flag.

Pro tip: Book on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Weekend spots fill up fast, but midweek you’ll get better tables, quieter music, and sometimes even free dessert for groups of 6+.

Top 5 Types of Girls Night Out Experiences in 2026

Not everyone wants the same thing. Here’s what’s trending based on real bookings:

1. Foodie Nights - Book a chef’s table at a local restaurant. Try St. John’s Kitchen in Birmingham for sharing plates of slow-cooked lamb and spiced honey desserts. Groups of 4-8 get a custom menu.
2. DIY Craft Nights - Places like Clay & Co. in Leeds or Paint & Sip Birmingham let you paint ceramics or make candles while sipping prosecco. No experience needed. Just bring your crew.
3. Comedy & Cabaret - Look for all-female stand-up lineups. The Glee Club in Birmingham regularly hosts “Ladies’ Night” with 3 comics, free cocktails for the first hour, and no cover charge before 8 PM.
4. Wellness Evenings - Massages, facials, and tea tastings are huge. The Spa at The Grand offers private group packages for 5-8 people with aromatherapy, hot stone treatments, and a silent lounge afterward.
5. Themed Pub Crawls - Not the wild kind. Think “Vintage 90s Night” or “British Pub Quiz Tour.” Companies like Fun & Co. organize these with licensed guides, transport between spots, and a set budget per person.

How to Handle Group Dynamics

Here’s the truth: planning a girls night is 20% venue, 80% people. You’ll have the quiet one, the planner, the last-minute canceler, and the one who insists on dancing till 3 AM.

Here’s how to manage it:

• Use a group chat - Not WhatsApp. Try GroupMe or Canva’s Event Planner. It lets you vote on dates, split costs, and share the menu ahead of time.
• Set a budget - Say “Let’s keep it under £40 per person including drinks.” That rules out overpriced champagne towers and keeps things fair.
• Assign roles - One person books, one handles transport, one picks the playlist. No one carries the whole load.
• Plan a backup - If someone cancels last minute, have a quick alternative: “If we’re down to 4, we’ll move to the bar next door - they have free popcorn and 2-for-1 cocktails after 9.”

What to Do If Nothing’s Bookable

It’s Friday night. Every spot you wanted is full. Don’t panic. Here’s what works:

• Call the venue directly. Sometimes the front desk has a waitlist. Ask: “Is there any chance we could get a table if someone cancels?” Many places hold one or two spots for last-minute groups.
• Go early. Book for 6 PM. You’ll beat the rush, get better seating, and still have time for drinks and dessert.
• Turn your home into the venue. Order takeout from your favorite spot, light some candles, play a playlist of 2000s pop hits, and call it a “Homecoming Girls Night.” Sometimes the best nights are the ones you don’t have to book at all.

Final Tip: Don’t Overthink It

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s connection. One friend shared this after her last night out: “We didn’t go anywhere fancy. Just a pizza place with sticky tables and bad lighting. But we talked about our moms, our jobs, and that one guy who ghosted us. We didn’t leave until 2 AM. That’s the night I’ll remember.”

So book the place. Show up. Laugh loud. And don’t worry if the napkins are paper and the wine is cheap. The best girls nights aren’t the ones with the fanciest décor. They’re the ones where you feel like you can finally breathe.