By Maureen Post Special to OnMilwaukee.com Published May 29, 2009 at 8:05 PM

Last weekend at the Garage, 25 girls and a few lucky gentlemen were getting down on a self-made dance floor. It occurred to me then: it's the time of the year for bachelorette and bachelor parties.

I think the main point, when it comes to bachelorette or bachelor parties, is you have to embrace the concept.

You have to embrace going out as a mob of screaming girls with inappropriate paraphernalia and downing far too many tequila shots. You have to expect to be gawked at slightly as you interrupt plenty of people out for a normal night. And you have to be willing to put aside your personal preferences and follow the bride to the destinations of her choice. You have to keep in mind that the bride needs to have a good time. It is indeed her one and only bachelorette party.

But with that in mind, there's always somewhere you'd prefer to go or things you'd prefer to do and perhaps even more concretely, things you'd prefer not to do. Do you prefer high strung or low key? Do you prefer Water Street or Brady Street? Do you prefer a wild dinner at Botanas or relaxed dining at Roots? And the question most often debated, do you want to partake in a theme?

In Milwaukee, there are classic bachelorette party destinations. Whether it's La Fuente, Botanas or La Perla, this time of the year, bachelorettes flood through the doors of Mexican restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights.

Water Street bars like McGillicuddy's and Trinity, dance clubs like Decibel or Bootleggers and of course the piano bar Lucille's are constantly welcoming hordes of ladies out to celebrate fleeting moments of freedom. Because essentially, that's what a bachelorette party is. Just like the comparable bachelor party, bachelorette parties represents a final fling and a chance to do anything and everything a bride desires.

For many, this isn't the ideal night out. Regardless of bachelorette party protocol, plenty of brides and friends of brides for that matter prefer something outside the liquor infused haze of a night dancing on Water Street.

So, what are good options? What makes for a fun bachelorette party? I've come up with a few scenarios to help conjure some ideas, but where did the best bachelorette party take you?

Scenario 1: Best of Milwaukee
For those in town for just a weekend, there are plenty of "traditional" Milwaukee things to fill a bachelorette party evening. Head to Miller Park for tailgating and a game followed by an Edelweiss trip out on the Milwaukee River or a live show at the Comedy Cafe. Sit for dinner at Harley Museum's Motor and then finish the night with gorgeous views and drinks at Blu atop The Pfister Hotel.

Scenario 2: The all-day Bachelorette party
Sometimes, a bachelorette party is not just dinner and going out, it's an all-day affair. Start the day at Bradford Beach for volleyball, barbecue or beach time. Head to Lakefront Brewery for a tour and then grab dinner at Cempazuchi or Roots.

Scenario 3: Activities, activities and more activities
For those looking to keep things moving and rolling, take your girls all over town and keep them constantly doing something. For dinner, entertain with the interactive nature of hibachi at Fugiyama Sushi or meat sampling at Sabor Brazilian Steakhouse. Follow dinner with a slew of bar games at Landmark Lanes including bowling, pool, darts and foosball and then round out the night with karaoke at Bay View Post.

What's your best or worst bachelorette moment? Use the Talkback feature below to suggest bachelorette ideas.

Maureen Post Special to OnMilwaukee.com

OnMilwaukee.com staff writer Maureen Post grew up in Wauwatosa. A lover of international and urban culture, Maureen received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

After living on the east side of Madison for several years, Maureen returned to Milwaukee in 2006.

After a brief stint of travel, Maureen joined OnMilwaukee.com as the city’s oldest intern and has been hooked ever since. Combining her three key infatuations, Milwaukee’s great music, incredible food and inspiring art (and yes, in that order), Maureen’s job just about fits her perfectly.

Residing in Bay View, Maureen vehemently believes the city can become fresh and new with a simple move across town.