Do great things with your best friends

Girls’ day out: fun ways to spend a day with your friends

Having girlfriends is essential for navigating all the events that life throws at you: dating, break ups, marriages, moves, parenting and careers. One of the best ways to keep your friendship fires burning brightly is to carve out quality time with your gal pals. Doing activities with the people who support and inspire you is so important for your wellbeing - whether that’s trying something new, bonding over shared tastes (and dislikes), or having great chats punctuated by smiles and laughter. Here are some awesome ideas for a girls’ day to spice up your plans.

Treat yourselves to a new or sophisticated restaurant

Planning a gastronomic experience is a great way to gather the gang and catch up on each other’s lives. Plus, trying a new place is hard to beat as a bonding activity. A new atmosphere, different dishes, and the experience of doing something different can bring everyone closer together – particularly if it’s been a while.

 

If you and your mates are in Perth, check out Friends Restaurant in the CBD for a relaxed yet sophisticated spin on modern Australian fare; if you’re on a Melbourne girls’ day out, try Rice Paper Scissors in Fitzroy for hawker-inspired dining with South-East Asian flavours. For everywhere in between, check out the Shop Small map to support local businesses.

 

Dining together also allows everyone to take a break from their busy lives and feel refreshed by good food and even better company. So, if you really want to unwind and reduce your collective stress, check if anywhere nearby offers girls’ day out spa packages. You might be able to start with an entrée of manicures and aromatherapy, followed by a delicious lunch in a serene location.

Unleash your inner Picasso, with a glass of prosecco in hand

Fun girls’ day out activities often have a hint of nostalgia to them. This one is the adult version of your teenage impulse to do makeovers on your friends: rather than using them as a canvas, you can all put your artistic flair to good use on paintings to brighten your home.

 

You bring the vino, and the host at your studio provides everything else – equipment and step-by-step instructions to create a masterpiece in a relaxed setting. It’s a great way to celebrate a special occasion, like a birthday or a promotion, and it’s a great outlet for creativity and imagination.

 

Don’t forget to share it though! Remember, if it’s not online, did it REALLY happen??

A fashionable day out can be a fashionable night in together

Fashion’s Night Out is a sartorial soiree. Hosted by Vogue Australia and American Express, thousands of shoppers swarm the Sydney CBD in previous years to enjoy special discounts on designer goods, as well as live music, canapes and wine in a NYC-style block party atmosphere. It’s a great way to check out new threads and get opinions from trusted friends when trying stuff on, all within the atmosphere of a stylish party that will bring you great memories.

 

Last year, the event embraced a new look. Fashion’s Night In was an online event spanning eleven days. There was a virtual runway from David Jones, masterclasses on design, fashion and beauty, and exclusive offers for American Express Card Members – all from the comfort of your couch. A glamourous evening of style and champagne whilst wrapped up in pyjamas and slippers with your mates. Online shopping has never been more fun, so keep your eyes out for more upcoming Vogue events.

Belt out the money note at karaoke

Of all the fun things to do on a girls’ day out, this gives you the best social content. Yes, singing along to a Beyoncé or Britney megamix in your car/bedroom/shower will always be fun. You know what’s even better? All of your friends singing along with you! Hit up Dynasty in Sydney, Juke’s in Melbourne, The Palace in Brisbane, or 88mph in Canberra.

 

This awesome activity is best paired with your favourite songs, oldest, closest friends, and a great bottle of rosé. You can belt out the soundtrack to your teenage years, marvel at your mate’s rap skills, and learn the lyrics to a song you’ve always hummed along to. Bonus points if there’s room to move: there’s no reason why your karaoke session can’t be combined with a dance party for even better vibes.

Swan into a bespoke cocktail bar and kick back with a fancy tipple

Catching up with friends, especially those you haven’t seen in a while, will likely lead to crazy bombastic convos that meander into unexpected digressions and off topic chat. As you lay down recent life updates or discuss strange plotlines of your current Netflix binge, conversation can be lubricated with a drink. But what do you do when the wineries are too far away and no one wants to be the designated driver? It’s time for a bar. Leave your local pub or favourite dive joint for something more quaint: we’re talking the kinds of establishments that have hidden locations, luxurious furniture, and the kinds of cocktails you’ve never heard of but want to try. For extra thrills, ask the bartender to surprise you or create a cocktail based on the flavour profile you’re feeling.

No matter what you order, always have a plan B so the night is in your hands, so you can concentrate on enjoying a decadent beverage, surrounded by the girls who make you feel just as warm and fuzzy. Trying a new bar – or taking your friends to one you really love – allows you to catch up on comfortable seating, with music that suits your taste, surrounded by people who are also there to appreciate the drinks, the atmosphere and the company. It’s a little bit of time out, and a fantastic way to make memories with your friends after a tough year.

BUT WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE WINERIES ARE TOO FAR AWAY AND NO ONE WANTS TO BE THE DESIGNATED DRIVER? IT’S TIME FOR A BAR.

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