20 Girls’ Night Ideas That Aren’t Just Netflix & Drinks

A girls’ night out doesn’t have to mean going out for drinks at a bar that shouldn’t have gotten 4.5 stars on Google. And it also doesn’t mean you have to order pizza and stay in. I mean the second one isn’t such a bad idea, but maybe you and your friend group are looking for girls’ night ideas that are a bit more fresh.

Because while you could UberEats and Netflix, trying something different like hosting an old Hollywood glam night or an at-home cafe can make for better memories.

And whether you’re in the mood for going out on a girls’ night road trip or you wanna stay in and have everyone bring their own food board, I think this list of some of the best girls’ night out (or in) ideas are gonna make your group chat (actually) take action.

So pick some ideas based off the vibe you’re feeling, set plans with your friends, and finally have the kind of girls’ night you’ve been talking about for months.

1. Skill Exchange Night

I found this idea for a girls’ night from someone on Reddit and actually really liked it. Here’s what vitoriavit says,

“A friend of mine has done a few ‘share your skills’ nights, where you basically teach your friends a skill (or whatever you like). It can be personal finance, sewing, or even something you find interesting, like art history.

For it not to be boring, each one has around 15 minutes to teach the others (you choose for how long, but if it’s too long, it becomes boring). You can even make it a bit like a theme girls’ night, so maybe you watch a movie after that has the same theme of what one of the girls talked about.

This is good for learning new things but also to become more comfortable talking in front of people. You might find a new hobby, get to know more interests from your friends and have some fun.”

This is honestly such a good idea if you and your girlfriends have taken up hobbies recently (or over the years) like embroidery, making sourdough bread, or even perfume blending.

2. Book Club + Themed Dinner

If you’re looking for fun girls’ night ideas that are a bit nerdy and include food, then this is the one to try.

Just pick a short story or essay and pair it with a meal that’s themed to the story. So think Hemingway and tapas. Or you can read a longer book, finish it over the course of a few weeks and make a dish themed to that story every time you meet up.

So for instance, you could read The Hobbit and for one of the weeks you’d make a steak and ale pie. And whether your rotate between your place and your friends’ homes is up to you.

3. Girls’ Night Road Trip (3 Hours Max)

Taking a one-night road trip is kind of the perfect girls’ outing. You and a few of your friends pick a random town that’s within 3 hours of where you are, explore, eat, wander, and then come home same night. It’s a bit chaotic, but perfect for making memories.

Also, if you’re getting back late, you could turn it into a slumber party at one of your friends’ homes, watch a movie, sleep, and then get up and go out for breakfast.

4. Beauty, Book, or Clothing Swap Night

If you’re not feeling like doing any girls’ night out ideas, then tell your besties to either bring beauty products, books, or clothing they wanna swap for a night in.

Order food, put on good music, and start swapping good reads, cute tops, and some nice skincare.

5. Host a Dinner Party

I’ve done dinner parties and I legit love it. In fact, I think this is one of the best girls’ night activities you could try.

You get to pick the vibe and theme, the dishes, and the drinks. Also, make sure it’s not a potluck but it just rotates on who hosts.

It really is a great night to share good food and even better conversation.

6. Bring a Board Night

Tell your closest girlfriends to bring their own food board and have a night of overeating. For this girls’ night idea, you can either choose a theme or make sure everyone brings a unique board. You want variety, not for 4 of your girls to bring cheese boards.

7. Old Hollywood Glam Night

In my opinion, this is one of the best girls’ date ideas on the list and I’m kind of in love

There’s silk robes, red lipstick, Billie Holiday music, maybe a caviar platter, food served on thrifted silver trays, and a classic movie picked out for the night.

8. Create Bouquets

Either head to Trader Joe’s or a local flower market, maybe make some floral-themed snacks, desserts and/or drinks, and start creating pretty floral arrangements together. All you need are some good scissors, a good playlist, and maybe some twine and ribbon.

9. Passport Dinner Night

Here’s how it works. Everyone in your group draws a country from a bowl and brings one dish and one fun fact about women’s culture from that specific country. So think fashion, beauty, dating norms, etc. And lastly, the host curates matching music + decor.

It’s a great way to enjoy really good food, explore a new cuisine, and have a fun girl’s night in.

10. Heirloom Recipe Night

Honestly, this is probably one of the most unique girls’ night ideas on the list, and definitely one of my favorites.

All of your friends bring a dish that’s connected to a family story. So this could be their grandma’s soup recipe, an aunt’s cake, or a recipe their dad got from their mom. But the story for each dish needs to be presented like a dramatic monologue. It’s wholesome, it’s story time, and it’s tasty food. You honestly can’t go wrong.

11. Dress Up and Go to the Opera

This is one of my favorite chill girls’ night out ideas on this list.

The opera really isn’t expensive (depending on where you live) and it’s a great excuse to get dressed up, sit in an incredibly beautiful space, enjoy an amazing performance, and maybe go out for dessert afterwards. I’ve gone to the opera multiple times and I always love it. Super underrated.

Pro tip: Do a quick read up on what the opera is about before attending. You’ll be able to take in the performance much better.

12. Host an At-Home Cafe (Theme or No Theme)

An at-home cafe is one of the most fun girls’ date ideas. Here’s what you need to do:

• Figure out your drink menu.
• Plan out the pastries + other baked goods you want to serve.
• Get things set up like it’s a cute cafe.
• Maybe make your own cafe name + logo.
• Print out menus (optional).
• Make your own at-home cafe playlist

It could also have a theme (ex. a Parisian coffee shop or a floral theme), or it could have no theme at all, up to you.

Side Note: If you wanna see someone who actually does at-home cafes (and does them well) follow Vic Lauren on Substack. She covers themes, recipes, and gives helpful tips.

13. Soft Girl Era Night (But Bookish Edition)

This is for the friend group who wants to dress in soft colors, braid each other’s hair, make handwritten letters, bake something kind of old-fashioned, and read short poems aloud. It’s relaxed, it’s ridiculously feminine, and it’s a great way to be a bit nerdy.

14. Travel Vision-Board Party (But There’s a Twist)

If you and your besties are crafty, then gather all the supplies you need to create your own vision boards.

And for this one, everyone in your group chooses a dream trip and builds a vision board around that specific destination. But at the end, the group votes on just one to actually do in the next 12 months.

It’s not just inspirational, it’s fun and actionable.

15. Vintage Hair + Makeup Photo Shoot

Everyone chooses a decade and recreates that look for a themed photoshoot. So you and your friends could do 1920s waves, 50s glam, 60s liner, or 90s supermodel looks. Then you can make a digital look book afterward.

Pair it with music (and maybe recipes) from that decade and you’re set.

16. Craft a Shared Fictional World

Again, this is for the nerdy girls.

You can all sit in a circle (or just lounge on comfortable furniture) and build a fictional village, kingdom, or universe together. So think characters, lore, drama, and scandals. It becomes your group’s inside joke world.

And once you’re done building it out, you can also go around in your circle and make up some story that happens in your universe. But each person can only contribute one sentence to the story. It honestly keeps things interesting (and random).

17. Go to the Symphony

I’m putting this one in as a personal recommendation. Listening to classical music online is not the same thing as going to the symphony. It’s a completely different experience and it’s not expensive at all (normally). Also, it’s just a fun way to discover new composers or enjoy beautiful classics being played by incredibly talented individuals.

If you’re creating a list of girls outing ideas to try, then definitely don’t forget this one.

18. DIY Perfume Blending Night

For this girls’ date night, buy 10–12 (or however many you want) notes and bases. Then everyone mixes and experiments, creates their own signature scent, and names it. Dramatic descriptions are required, and make sure that everyone writes down the ingredients they used and measurements so it’s replicable in the future.

19. Zero-Prep Adventure Night

If you’re looking for girl night out ideas that are spontaneous, fun, and maybe a little stressful, then this is the one for your group.

You or you and your friends write adventure prompts on pieces of paper and then draw one at random. Here are a few example prompts:

• Find the prettiest view within 20 minutes.
• Buy the fanciest looking dessert that’s in a 5-block radius.
• Ask a stranger for a restaurant recommendation (then you all go).

20. An Airbnb “Vacation” for Just One Night

This is one of those girl night ideas that I really love. Find a super cute Airbnb in your city (or a nearby town or city), have everyone chip in for the cost, and have a sleepover party.

Whether it’s a pretty home up in the hills or a stylish apartment in the city center, you can all order delivery, watch movies, and maybe explore the area. #girlsnightideas

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