If you are planning a hen party in Belfast and want something that’s fun, competitive and quirky, let us introduce you to Prison Island Belfast. We spent the day here and tried several of their activities. Read on to find out how we rated them.
Why Choose Prison Island Belfast for Hen Parties?
Hen parties in Belfast are famous for their love of nightlife, but if you want to mix things up a bit, head to Prison Island. It’s a multi-activity venue that lets you compete, laugh, cheer each other on and make memories you will be talking about long after the wedding. The atmosphere is buzzing and the staff know how to keep things light-hearted but exciting.
The beauty of hen parties at Prison Island in Belfast is that everyone can join in, no matter their skills or fitness level. You’re not stuck in one room or doing the same thing over and over. There’s plenty of variety to keep everyone entertained.
Prison Island Challenge Cells
The main event is Prison Island itself. This activity feels like The Crystal Maze and includes 31 challenge cells, each with its own puzzle, physical task or skill-based mission. You and your team of two to five go from room to room, taking on challenges in any order you like. Some are all about logic, others about agility, and a lot are about how you work and communicate as a team.
On the wall, each cell has a brief description of the skills required for the challenge as well as the number of points available so you can decide which rooms to enter. You can retry each room as many times as you want until you get it right or quickly move on.
We booked a one-hour slot which gave us time to dip into as many rooms as possible, but we would recommend 90 minutes or two hours if you want to get the most out of the experience. The scoreboard kept us on our toes because you can see your scores against other teams in real time. It was hilarious watching some of us smash the memory puzzles while others got hopelessly tangled in the physical ones. Nobody felt left out because there is always a challenge that plays to someone’s strengths.
For a hen party, this is gold because it’s not just about winning. It’s all about laughing, cheering each other on enjoying the buzz of running around together. The staff float around to give hints and encouragement if needed, which keeps the energy high and stops anyone from getting too stuck.
Quiz Boxing
After escaping the cells, we headed to Quiz Boxing which is like stepping into a TV game show. You’re in a small arena, standing on individual podiums which light up red or green depending on if you get the answer right or wrong. On your podium, you have a touch screen and two big buzzers where you can input your answers. The categories can be personalised to suit your group which makes it even more fun, such as movies, music, history, geography, sports and even a few cheeky categories to make the bride blush.
The whole concept is about landing blows with correct answers, blocking opponents and stealing points. It’s cheeky, competitive and had us screaming with laughter. We loved that it was non-physical but still got everyone’s adrenaline going. The banter between us all was brilliant and even those who normally sit quietly at a quiz night got drawn in.
The hour flew by and by the end of it, we were all desperate to claim the crown of quiz champion. It’s the kind of activity that brings out everyone’s personality and makes for brilliant photo opportunities too as you don boxing gloves and show off your toughest faces.
Axe Throwing
We also tried axe throwing. Now, the thought of hurling real axes might sound terrifying, but the instructors are absolute pros. They give you a proper safety briefing, teach you technique and make sure everyone feels comfortable. They’re used to teaching people of all abilities so they were really helpful. Within minutes, we were all getting stuck in, literally.
What makes it fun is that it is not just about hitting a wooden target. The lanes have interactive games projected onto them so you can play Connect Four, hit moving targets or even try themed challenges that keep it fresh and fun. Watching the bride-to-be land her first bullseye is bound to be a highlight of anyone’s day but even less accurate throws are fun to watch.
It is surprisingly therapeutic too. If you ever wanted to let off some pre-wedding steam during your Belfast hen do, throwing axes at a board is the way to go. The music and energy of the staff made it feel more like a party than a sport.
ThinkBox
To top it all off, we tried ThinkBox, a smart, hands-on challenge that will have your hen crew working together to crack open 12 locked boxes, each packed with tricky tasks and clever locks. You’ll need to solve the challenges, unlock the boxes and collect as many tokens as possible.
For hen parties at Prison Island in Belfast, ThinkBox is perfect. It’s the chance to see who’s the mastermind, multi-tasker or who’s just hilarious under pressure. You can split into teams, assign tasks and cheer each other on as the minutes tick down. The mix of logic, dexterity and teamwork makes sure that everyone has a role. By the end, whether you’ve smashed the scores or just had a giggle, ThinkBox adds a clever, interactive twist to your hen do.
Top Tips for Hen Parties in Belfast at Prison Island
- Go for at least 90 minutes in the challenge cells. It gives you time to sample plenty without rushing. We played for one hour and had an amazing time but all came out wanting to do more.
- Wear comfy clothes and trainers because you will be moving about a lot. Shoes must be closed-toe for axe throwing.
- Get to Prison Island early so you can settle in, take photos and get your bearings.
- Split into smaller teams of three to five if you have a big group, so everyone gets a chance to shine.
- Trust the staff. They’ll explain everything, cheer you on and keep things running smoothly
- For Quiz Boxing, make sure to choose categories that suit different personalities so the whole group feels involved.
- Listen carefully during axe throwing. A small tweak in stance can make all the difference.
- Book in advance because weekends fill up quickly.
- It’s handy to know that the venue has toilets, lockers, seating areas and refreshments like coffee, snacks and pizza.
Why We Love It
What really made the day for us was the atmosphere. The staff are encouraging without being overbearing, the games are clever and varied. The whole venue is set up to make you feel like you are part of an adventure which is perfect for a special occasion like a hen party. Everyone in our group had a moment to shine, whether it was solving a tricky puzzle, landing an axe perfectly or stealing a quiz point at the last second.
By the end of it, we felt like we had taken part in our own mini tournament. It was competitive, silly in all the right ways and perfect for celebrating. Hen parties in Belfast have plenty of options, but this stands out because it’s so different. You leave with stories, laughter and just enough bragging rights to bring up at the wedding speeches.
If you want to give your bride a day that is memorable, hilarious and full of bonding moments, Prison Island Belfast is the one. From the challenge cells to Quiz Boxing and axe throwing, there’s so much to do to keep you all on your toes. If you enjoyed our review of Prison Island, why not get planning your visit?
