What you'll do:

You'll sit down with a working hat artist in one of two Charleston-inspired rooms, choose your hat style, pick your trimmings, and walk out 50 minutes later wearing something you actually made yourself.

• Hat style selection: Choose from four tiers of straw, 100% Australian wool, or luxury blended hats, with full hand-shaping from the crown down for the higher tiers.

• Embellishment bar: Customize your hat with wraps, feathers, vintage fabrics, and pins from a curated selection, so no two hats in your group will look the same.

• Branding and burning: The signature finishing step has an artist burn your chosen design directly into the brim, which is the moment most guests say is their favorite part of the whole experience.

• Pick your room: Book the Garden Party Suite for a bright, floral Charleston vibe, or The Cigar Parlor for something moodier and more Old South, each with dedicated photo backdrops throughout.

• Complimentary drink included: Every guest who purchases a hat receives one complimentary drink, no coupon or code needed.

After your hats are finished, head upstairs to Makers Mall, a curated shopping space featuring more than 40 women-owned small businesses, from jewelry and clothing to art and handmade goods. It's a natural extension of the experience and a good reason to arrive a few minutes early.

Why we love it for your bachelorette party:

1. Built-in keepsake: Everyone leaves with a fully custom hat they designed themselves, which is a take-home that actually gets used long after the party ends.

2. Complimentary drinks: One included drink per hat purchase means the celebration starts the moment you sit down.

3. Private-feel rooms: The themed rooms hold your group without mixing with other parties, so it feels like your own event rather than a drop-in class.

4. Prime French Quarter location: The studio sits one block from King Street, next to The Mills House, and within walking distance of Charleston's best dinner spots, making it an easy first stop before your evening out.

5. Lots of photo moments: Both rooms are designed with backdrops and natural light in mind, so your group will have plenty of spots to shoot without having to hunt for them.

About this experience partner:

Southern Ruetz is a custom hat experience studio and local shopping destination in Charleston's historic French Quarter, operating out of a former law firm that dates back generations. Their team of hat artists works with each guest individually to shape and finish a hat that matches their personal style. Southern Ruetz also houses Makers Mall, a second-floor retail space featuring more than 40 women-owned small businesses.

Additional information:

• Pricing note: The $75 reservation is a deposit only; each guest selects their own hat tier and embellishments and is charged separately at the studio, then reimbursed based on group size.

• Group booking tip: Reserve spots for the number of guests who will be making a hat, not the total headcount if some guests are not participating.

• Duration: Each hat-making session runs approximately 50 minutes.

• Location: Southern Ruetz is in Charleston's historic French Quarter, one block from King Street and adjacent to The Mills House hotel.