Planning sucks, and bachelorette parties are a ton of work. So we’re taking all the guesswork out of planning a bachelorette party by breaking down top bachelorette destinations. Our guides will tell you where to stay, eat, party, how to get around, and give you a sample itinerary that you can follow. You’re welcome. Here’s our Betches Bachelorette Guide to LA.
When it comes to bachelorette parties, there’s no place like LaLaLand for a Girls Gone Wild adventure with your ride-or-dies. For one thing, the weather is damn perfect, the people attractive are as hell, and the nightlife culture is locked and loaded (until 2am). You’ll be loaded too, once you deplane and start the festivities with shots, shots, shots! Between the countless swanky hotels, epic bars and restaurants, all-day pool parties, and activities tailored to tipsy groups of girls, you’ll have no trouble finding the action in the City of Angels, although we don’t expect you to behave like one. And if narrowing down your LA bucket list is too much of a struggle, have no fear—we did that part for you.
How To Get Around
Traffic can be a real B in Los Angeles, so stick to hotel pool parties during the day (or lunches by your hotel), so you don’t waste half the trip in the back of a car losing your buzz. You can get Ubers and Lyfts in minutes and if you plan your nights right (dinner, drinks, etc. in the same neighborhood), some stuff is even walkable to each other. As for excursions that require a bit more time, reserve one day to do those and never overcommit. You need plenty of free time to wake, bake, and chill—or Instagram your crew in matching outfits.
Where To Stay: The London West Hollywood
WeHo is obvi where you want to be during your bach, because it’s central to everything you need to get to: hot bars, clubs, restaurants, and more bars. More importantly it’s sexy (neighborhood wise) and so are you (bridey wise). Check into The London, where you’ll probably be licked by Winston and Churchill right off the bat. Their adorbs English bulldog mascots are tons of furry fun and they’ll undoubtably make it into your pics up at the rooftop pool. Just don’t get drunk and try to steal them, k?
This iconic LA hotel is always crawling with celebs and people standing around trying to look famous, therefore, your squad will fit right in. Located steps from the Sunset Strip, #TeamBride groups clearly want to go the specialty suite route. If you’re really keen on YOLO’ing it up (aka spending all your money), the 11,000 square foot, bi-level Penthouse is a smart move. Inspired by diva extraordinaire Vivienne Westwood, it’s outfitted with two chic AF bedrooms, a grand salon, media room for blasting get-ready jams, and a dining room with seating for 10. Plus a major table ideal for one leg up photoshoots à la Victoria Beckham. There’s also a kitchenette and your OWN private rooftop featuring a BBQ, fire pit, daybeds and 360-degree views over LA. No big deal.
When you want to socialize with randoms, cocktails in hand, their main hotel pool is where the party’s at. Rent a private cabana through the concierge and enjoy a day of fun in the sun, which you probably won’t remember while making lifelong memories with your gals. There’s also the onsite Alex Roldan Salon to make the primping process easier, when you’re still too tipsy to hold up a blowdryer.
Hungover brunches can be held at Boxwood, where the best huevos rancheros of your life—and hair of the dog British-inspired cocktails—can be consumed by all. Or, partake in traditional high tea services if you’re actually trying to class it up on this trip. Your call.
Where To Eat
Gracias Madre: If you like trendy vegan spots (and slamming margaritas), go here. The vegan Mexican hot spot is 1000% cute thanks to a twinkling al fresco patio and decor that looks straight out of a Pinterest board. Even if you think you hate vegan food, you will be so drunk it won’t matter you’ll be into it, because their signature comida tastes anything but vegan. Think sweet potato black bean flautas smothered in cashew nacho cheese and butternut squash quesadillas with pumpkin seed salsa. They’re so f-ing good you’ll probs come back for more the next day.
Catch LA: If any of your single bridesmaids are shopping for husbands—or wives, or one-night stands—Catch is prime turf for meeting eligibles. It’s always packed and the drinks are blackout next level. Just be sure to rock your nighttime lewks to dinner, because after the sushi roll party it’s the after-party.
Mastro’s Steakhouse: Mastro’s is old-school Bev Hills and there are private dining rooms galore here. So if you want to ball out one night, this is the place to do it. Order all the seafood and steak you can handle (plus martinis, duh) then *carefully* make your way to the second floor for live music before you hit the town.
The Ivy: OpenTable just included the celeb-loved Ivy in their top 100 restos for a GNO, and considering there’s always a star-studded crowd and killer cocktails, the West Hollywood mainstay is a no-brainer for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Pro tip: Make your res well in advance to avoid an obnoxious line. No one likes waiting when there are shots to pound.
Cecconi’s: The last night of the bach is the ideal time to carboload when all you have to do is (hopefully) make your flight the next day, instead of put on swimwear (again) to go to the pool. Cecconi’s is pasta and pizza heaven, and we highly suggest taking edibles beforehand going hungry. To really go out with a bang, book the Butterfly Room—aptly named after the heart-shaped butterfly painted by none other than the master, Damien Hirst.
Where To Party
No trip to LA is complete with bar hopping “the Vanderpump circuit” and if you play your cards right, you might even wind up drunk in the background on the next episode of Pump Rules. Pregame at SUR, Pump, and Tom Tom and be prepared to be that girl slurring her words and ordering more Pumptinis while demanding to meet the cast.
When you want to really take the partying to the next level, reserve a table at Delilah, the retro-inspired supper club that turns into a lounge with burlesque shows.
Try to sneak past security to bump into celebs like Drake or Beyoncé if you’re lucky, then make your way to The Abbey for late-night dancing.
Here you’ll rub sweaty bodies with shirtless pretty boys, grinding to Gaga, before stumbling into Flaming Saddles for cotton candy and a mechanical bull ride. Last call at Saddles is key.
Thursday, Day 1:
Pro Tip: If you’re traveling from the east coast, take the earliest flight possible so you don’t waste one second of sun/imbibing time. Average flights from the east coast are 5-7 hours, depending on where you’re traveling from, so an even better idea is to take the red eye the night before.
- Check in, dump your suitcase on the floor, grab the nearest bikini, and raid the mini bar. Then make your way to the roof to get your pool party on.
- Order food to the cabana (and bottles of rosé, clearly), or put on real clothes and go for lunch at The Ivy or Gracias Madre.
- Return to the pool for more debauchery and by all means, remember to nap. That’s the only way you’ll make it through the night.
- Wake up, spend the next hour primping, and get in formation to head to dinner at Catch or Mastro’s.
- Post dinner, PUMP it up at Pump, SUR, TomTom, etc. then get sloppy at The Abbey or Saddles.
Friday, Day 2:
Pro Tip: The invite-only Magic Castle is bachelorette party GOALS, esp. since they require over-the-top cocktail attire. Ask your hotel concierge to make a res for your group for brunch or dinner, followed by the show, if you can squeeze it in.
- Wake up and remedy the impending hangover with Bloody Marys and eggs at your hotel restaurant.
- If you plan on doing something other than get sloshed at the pool today, book tickets to the Malibu Wines Safari. You probably saw the Kardashians get wasted while peeping wild animals like giraffes and zebras on Keeping Up, and now’s your time to live your best life in the bush Cali. Another option is GetYourGuide’s LA Cannabis Tour for any Mary Jane enthusiasts.
- To mix things up (pool-wise) in the afternoon, you can also check out Dream Hollywood, Skybar at the Mondrian, and W Hollywood.
- Put your ass in bed and NAP!
- Wake up and dial room service for more get-ready booze.
- Make your way to the Magic Castle, or try Barton G., Spago, Bestia
- Bust out the bach party flair and club crawl at Exchange LA, Avalon, Bardot, and Sound. Just be prepared since LA cover charges can be hefty.
Saturday, Day 3:
Pro Tip: Recovering from the first two days of wreckage may require spa time. Pamper the bride (and roughed-up gang) with treatments at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
- If you aren’t dead yet and still have some fight in you, brave the LA brunch scene. Noteworthy contenders include: Best Girl, Sqirl, Salt’s Cure, and Here’s Looking at You, and if you’re up for a drive, there’s also the serious brunch buffet at Inn of the Seventh Ray. Yes, where Jax and Brittany had their engagement party.
- Swing by the legendary Chateau Marmont for cocktails with a side of people watching, or for basic tourist behavior, there’s GetYourGuide’s “Instagram tour,” which takes you around to all the good spots for bach photos.
- You know what time it is—NAP TIME.
- Find something clean to wear (elastic waist optional) and settle in for food coma at Cecconi’s.
Sunday, Day 4:
DON’T MISS YOUR FLIGHT AND GO THE F*CK HOMMMMMMMME
Images: Roberto Nickson / Unsplash; thelondonweho (3), gmweho, catch, mastrosofficial, ivyrestaurants, cecconiswesthollywood, tomtom, delilah, theabbeyweho (2) / Instagram
