How to Plan a Bachelorette Party in New York City

New York is an amazing place to throw a party. Why get stuck with the same tired ideas? Show the bride she's worth the extra effort by finding the perfect - and unique - event to say goodbye to being single. From variety shows to drag shows, fondue to fun cruises, bocce to disco bowling, there are a million ways to gather the girls and have the best bachelorette party not suggested in Modern Bride.

A good way to start the night is to fill empty bellies. But not just any restaurant will do for your bridal party. For smaller groups, Bourgeois Pig (two locations:122 E 7th St between 1st Ave and Avenue A or 124 MacDougal between Bleeker and W 3rd St) cannot be beat for their fondues and cheese plates. Heaven can be found in the baked brie wrapped in filo dough smothered in real maple syrup. They also have a wonderful selection of wine. Cozy sofas, cushy mismatched chairs, exposed brick and jazz playing over the speakers lend a bohemian vibe to the atmosphere. Also great for fondue is Dip (416 3rd Ave between 29th St and 30th St), which can accommodate much larger gatherings in their bi-level space. For dessert, share the luscious Peanut Buttercup Fondue, made with Belgian chocolate, cream, and peanut butter served with fruit, brownies, cookies and marshmallows. Resist the urge to smother your face in this delicious creation.

Perhaps, dipping solids into liquids is not your bride's thing. Go the entertaining route with dinner and a show. Mo Pitkins (34 Avenue A between 2nd St and 3rd St ) might be a new venue to the comedy scene, but it's already become a must stop for great entertainment. Hysterical comedy shows and performance pieces will not disappoint. Mo's also hosts Rock N' Roll Karaoke and ridiculously fun bingo. Mo's menu lives up to its name by invoking Jewish deli cuisine with a twist, including potato latkes, fried mac and cheese, challah bread pudding, and Reuben sandwiches with garlic fries.

For amazing, innovative improv and sketch comedy, without the fuss of food but plenty of alcohol available, book the bridal party a show at Upright Citizens Brigade Theater (307 W26th St between 8th Ave and 9th Ave ). A widely popular improv show is Asssscat run by Saturday Night Live's Amy Poehler where a rotating cast fearlessly explores any subject thrown at them by the audience.

The Cutting Room (19 W 24th St between Broadway and 6th Ave) hosts Le Scandal Burlesque, a wonderful show boasting a fire eater, sword swallower, provocative art performances, and of course burlesque dancers. An exciting menu caters to even the most eclectic of palates. There are an array of pizza choices such as BBQ, veggie or shrimp with roasted garlic along side vegetable spring rolls, sushi, quesadillas, baked potatoes with chili, burgers, and turkey clubs.

Another great place for burlesque and cabaret is The Slipper Room (167 Orchard at Stanton), a cocktail lounge for the new millennium skilled in bringing the crafts of decades past to life. Punk bands, rockabilly music, beautiful stripteasers, quiz nights, variety shows, and 1920s theme nights make the Slipper Room a fabulous jewel box to visit any day of the week.

For the bachelorette party who craves a bit of action with their meal and can handle the rockiness of the sea, consider Circle Line Cruises (Pier 83 at 12th Ave). Circle Line offers several fun options for cruising around the island of Manhattan while serving delicious food and alcohol. Why cram into a stuffy, hot, tired club? Have a blast dancing to either a live band or a DJ while floating by the beautiful city skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Culture-minded gals can choose from a variety of sight-seeing Circle Line tours occurring during the day or at sunset. Observing historical landmarks too time consuming? Get on board The Beast Speed Boat. Only thirty minutes spent racing through the harbor with a quick stop at the Statue of Liberty.

Not into sisterly bonding? Get competitive at the art gallery you can bowl in, Bowlmor Lanes (110 University Pl between 12th St and 13th St). Four levels of lanes bring a sexy modern spin on this great American pastime, featuring different music on each floor, brightly colored decor, a sweeping 65-foot bar, illuminated vintage posters and memorabilia including pins signed by celebrities. After ten at night, Night Strike takes place featuring glow-in-the-dark disco bowling. Bowlmor serves updated standard American bowling alley fare including mozzarella sticks, pot stickers, skewers, salads, nachos, and pizza. Plus a delightful dessert menu featuring brownie sundaes and deep fried banana cheesecake. Bowlmor also caters to private parties.

Of course, sometimes a bridal party just wants dessert. Get lost in decadent indulgence at Max Brenner, Chocolate by the Bald Man (841 Broadway between 13th St and 14th St). Interesting and, most importantly, delicious concoctions excite the taste buds in the form of chocolate pizza, white chocolate soup, s'mores, waffles, crepes, crème brulee, and a dish called Chocolate Mess, a scrumptious creation of warm chocolate cake - eaten with spatulas straight from the pan - loaded with whipped cream, ice cream, chocolate chunks, toffee cream, warm chocolate sauce in either the toffee bananas version or the strawberries and cream. Max Brenner also offers a reduced calorie menu, but who are we kidding? Counting calories should have no place at a celebration. This one night won't strech the wedding dress seams. . . much.

After digesting a bit, the bridal party might want to think about shaking their collective groove thangs. Time to get drunk and listen to the best music the 80s had to offer. At Pyramid Club (101 Avenue A between 6th St and 7th St) the drinks are cheap and the dancing is set to the likes of Depeche Mode, Thompson Twins, Debbie Gibson and other fine artists. An eclectic mix of indie rock, hip-hop, disco, and 80's tunes get the hip, young crowd dancing at The Dark Room (165 Ludlow between Houston and Stanton). This subterranean bar attracts the crowds - and the celebs. Seeking higher ground? Refuge can be found at the illegal-club-seeming Uncle Ming's (225 Avenue B, 2nd Floor between 13th St and 14th St). There's no sign or bouncer, and it's located above a liquor store. This renovated apartment has stripper poles on the bar and sturdy tables to hold more than just drinks. The bartenders hook their I-Pods up to the sound system and blast the whole spectrum of danceable music out over the crowd. Don't be surprised to hear Bon Jovi and Snoop Dogg in the same fifteen minutes.

Tired of Manhattan? Head out to Floyd (131 Atlantic Ave between Henry and Clinton) in Downtown Brooklyn for a rousing game of bocce. With an indoor clay bocce court and many couches to lounge on while talking smack, Floyd is tailored for laid back, fun-loving brides and bridal parties. Galapagos (70 N Sixth between Wythe and Kent) located in Williamsburg, is a wonderful art space with different rooms showcasing bands, theater, performance artists and other assorted avant garde exhibitions. During warm weather, bachelorette parties can head out to Astoria, Queens to the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden (29-19 24th Ave between 29th St and 31st St) for an expanse of shady trees, picnic tables, vast quantities of beer, and heaping helpings of hearty Czech food. Getting creative and putting an emphasis on fun will make any bachelorette party memorable and special. This list was just the tip of the Empire State Building. Whatever the bride's tastes, New York has a way to fulfill the dream.