The Essential Ritual: Why Women Need Girls’ Nights

In our fast-paced world, where responsibilities pile up and stress accumulates, women across America are rediscovering the powerful importance of a ritual as old as friendship itself: the girls’ night. According to new research commissioned by Bezel Wines, these gatherings aren’t just enjoyable social events—they’re essential to women’s wellbeing. The nationwide survey of 2,000 women revealed that most women need a girls’ night approximately every 22 days to maintain a sense of balance in their lives. A striking 78% of respondents agreed that these gatherings aren’t simply a luxury but a necessity for feeling recharged and reconnected. This finding highlights something many women intuitively understand: in a culture that often demands constant productivity and attention to others’ needs, carving out space for authentic female connection isn’t self-indulgent—it’s self-preservation. These evenings offer a rare opportunity to step away from daily pressures, be fully present, and remember who we are beyond our roles as professionals, partners, mothers, or caregivers.

Wine emerges as the centerpiece of these gatherings, with 88% of women naming it their beverage of choice for girls’ nights—more than double any other drink option. There’s something almost ceremonial about it: 85% of respondents report opening a bottle within the first 16 minutes of a gathering, marking the official beginning of the evening. As Bezel winemaker Jane Dunkley notes, “Wine plays such a unique role in how we connect with others. You don’t need a fancy spread or a curated vibe. It’s about choosing wines that make everyone feel welcome.” This insight speaks to wine’s longstanding role as a social lubricant and bonding element across cultures. The ritual of opening a bottle, pouring glasses, and sharing that first sip seems to create an immediate shift in energy—from the outside world’s demands to a more intimate, protected space where deeper connection becomes possible. It’s less about the alcohol itself and more about what it represents: a pause, a celebration, and permission to settle into unhurried conversation.

Alongside wine, food emerges as another key component of the girls’ night ritual, though preferences vary widely among friend groups. Traditional charcuterie boards—featuring cheeses, crackers, and cold cuts—lead the pack at 31%, embodying the grazing, sharing nature of these gatherings. More casual fare like sliders, wings, chips and guacamole also rank highly, while sweet treats like cookies and cupcakes come in at 11%. What’s notable isn’t which foods women prefer but rather how these choices reflect the informal, comfortable atmosphere women seek to create. Unlike the sometimes rigid expectations of formal dinner parties or restaurant outings, girls’ nights tend to favor foods that can be shared casually, consumed over hours of conversation, and require minimal attention once they’re set out. The food, like the wine, becomes both backdrop and facilitator—nourishing the body while the conversation nourishes the spirit. There’s a beautiful simplicity to this approach that cuts against the perfectionistic entertaining standards many women feel pressured to uphold in other contexts.

Perhaps most telling is that 62% of women surveyed said they would choose a girls’ night over a romantic dinner with a partner—a statistic that speaks volumes about the unique value these gatherings hold. What makes these evenings so special isn’t elaborate planning or entertainment but rather the conversation itself, with 83% of women preferring unstructured talk over any planned activities. The topics that dominate these conversations reveal what women truly crave: space to process their lives with trusted friends. Personal updates lead at 19%, followed by relationship discussions (15%) and family matters (13%)—all far outranking work drama or celebrity gossip. This pattern suggests that women use these gatherings as informal therapy sessions, places to gain perspective, receive validation, and work through life’s complexities in a supportive environment. In a culture where authentic vulnerability is often discouraged, especially for women, these friendships provide a rare safe harbor where one can be fully seen and heard without judgment.

The beauty of girls’ nights lies partly in their flexibility and lack of pretension. Nearly 60% of women reported that there’s no official “host” in their friend group—the responsibility shifts naturally, removing the pressure that can come with formal entertaining. When activities do feature in these gatherings, they tend toward the comfortable and connective: watching movies (66%), dancing (55%), or cooking together (45%). This casual approach stands in refreshing contrast to the carefully curated social experiences that dominate much of contemporary life. As Dunkley aptly observes, “There’s something powerful about slowing down and creating space for real conversation. We believe it’s those ordinary rituals, a bottle of wine, a snack you love, a night with friends, that often turn out to be the most extraordinary.” Her insight captures the essence of what makes girls’ nights so valuable—they create space for the authentic human connection that often gets squeezed out of our overscheduled lives.

In many ways, the modern girls’ night represents a reclaiming of an ancient wisdom: that women need the company of other women to thrive. Throughout history and across cultures, women have gathered to share stories, offer support, and pass wisdom from one to another. Today’s girls’ nights, with their wine glasses and cheese boards, might look different on the surface, but they serve the same fundamental human need for belonging and understanding. In a world increasingly mediated by screens and characterized by superficial connection, these gatherings offer something increasingly rare: uninterrupted attention, genuine presence, and the chance to be truly known. For the women who prioritize these gatherings every 22 days or so, they’re not just fun social outings but essential rituals of reconnection—both with trusted friends and with parts of themselves that may get lost in the daily shuffle. Perhaps that’s why they feel less like luxury and more like necessity—they remind us of what matters most in a world that too often pulls us away from authentic connection.