23-05-2025
Chicken wine, pizza and indoor rollerskating: The rise of the adult sleepover
Don't grow up, it's a trap. The cheesy slogan usually found on canvases in the heavily discounted section of Homesense alongside the Live Laugh Love mirrors may be clichéd, but they could have a point.
Maybe it's why we're seeing a rise in adults over the last decade reclaiming their youth, from putting themselves through ridiculously physical obstacle courses, to attaching Labubus dolls to their work bags, and furiously collecting items they would have once thrown in the bin so they can glue them into a junk journal.
And now there's another childhood obsession grabbing attention all over social media – the good old-fashioned sleepover.
Once the highlight of many school social calendars, laughs, tears and secrets were shared over scary movies, face masks, and a few prank calls (if you could perfect an anonymous accent), creating some of our most cherished memories.
And while we're not suggesting putting 141 in front of your number to call your boss as your friends giggle in the background, there still could be merit in those overnight stays.
There's no denying that they are having a moment. The hashtag #sleepover has reached 1.2 million on TikTok, and celebs like the Kardashians and Ariana Grande are linking up to join in the hype with a Wicked-themed stayover. Meanwhile, influencers Saffron Barker and Imogen Cribb have just launched nightwear brand Girl Uniform with sleepovers in mind.
Companies such as Sleepovers & Co and Tee Pee Vibe Tribe have also got in the act, organising luxury sleepovers specifically for grown-ups. Their packages can include prosecco pong, breakfast trays, and personalised cups, and they decorate spaces with balloon garlands, fairy lights and pillows, all in a rose gold hue, of course.
The tourism industry is lapping it up too, with The Shankly hotel in Liverpool offering rooms of ten, while the Rooftop Film Club hosts PJ parties, with guests invited to wear pyjamas and watch romcoms such as Mamma Mia.
'Revisiting sleepovers as adults isn't regressive, it's restorative. It reconnects us with parts of ourselves we've learned to silence,' psychologist Dr. Lalitaa Suglani tells Metro.
'As we grow up, we're taught, often subtly, that joy should give way to productivity, responsibility, and self-sufficiency. Childlike play and softness are seen as indulgent or immature. Fun is often the first thing to go when life gets busy, but it's one of the most powerful tools for emotional well-being.
'The truth is, prioritising fun, especially with people we trust, helps regulate our nervous system, strengthen bonds, and create positive emotional memories, it meets the core emotional needs of connection, belonging, and presence. It reminds us that we are more than what we do, we are allowed to feel joy.'
When I asked my girl group chats for their views on the pastime, the responses were enthusiastic. Many were already in on the trend, heading to a friend's house on a Friday straight from work and not leaving until Saturday afternoon. Those who hadn't thought about sleepovers for years were instantly yearning for one at the mere mention.
I have been an enthusiastic supporter since first moving to London ten years ago. Their introduction was initially a means of practicality; instead of riding the night bus after an evening catch-up, it felt safer and less tiring to bring an overnight bag.
But it isn't just the ease that has meant my bathroom drawer is filled with toothbrushes purposely left behind by my pals, as their stays are so frequent, it's the joy of the act.
While it's still fun to put on our highest heels and knock back picantes in bustling bars, there's something about sitting in comfortable silence while watching How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days for the tenth time, or chatting about our future dreams over a pack of Revels. It is my opinion that, as romantic partners often get to enjoy these low-key moments daily, friends, who are just as important, deserve them too.
'There's a growing desire for deeper, more meaningful connections, especially after years of digital interaction and isolation.
'Social media has helped normalise adult sleepovers by showcasing them as not just acceptable, but emotionally rewarding,' adds Dr Suglani.
'Many are craving the kind of closeness, low-pressure, cosy and caring environment that sleepovers naturally create.'
Midnight meetings aren't just for millennials and Gen Z. 57-year-old Gen X-er Sam Adams regularly has overnight stays with her close friends. She and her pals have done everything from singing into hairbrushes to burlesque dancing in the living room and roller-skating around a conservatory, but mainly they just catch up over prosecco and popcorn.
Sam believes that a certain level of intimacy can only be achieved through having no time limit in a home setting. She says it's the intoxicating mixture of 'comfort and chaos' that keeps her continually coming back for more.
'There is a freedom to be your unfiltered self, no need to rush home, no pressure to perform, just showing up as you are with make-up off and comfies on,' she tells Metro.
'There's a kind of magic in staying up too late. No agenda, no masks, just a chance to talk rubbish, laugh until someone snorts, and then wake up in a pile of duvets. It's nourishing and somehow more real than anything else.'
There's also the beauty of having no strangers listening in on conversations as they might do in a busy restaurant or bar. 'When the outside world is quiet, the deeper stuff comes up — fears, heartbreaks, wild dreams. It's vulnerable in the best way,' says Sam.
It's not just your mental health that will benefit, either; sleepovers are kind to your bank balance too. With nine in 10 of us calling the cost of living the most important issue facing the UK**, a price tag that covers no more than a bottle of chicken wine and a Domino's takeaway cannot be overlooked.
There is often a heavy 'friendship tax'; an hour or two together outside the home could end up costing big – the average night out is approximately £73. This could mean you've spent more than your monthly phone bill, and you've not even had time to get to the nitty gritty topics, such as who deserves to play Britney Spears in the rumoured biopic.
The activity doesn't require too much pre-planning either, which can appeal to those fed up with WhatsApp location polls or chats of nights out that never happen. You simply pick a date and show up. This can be something that is especially appreciated if a friendship group are going through different life stages.
Lindsey Frodsham, 32, tells Metro: 'My friends are starting to have kids now, and a sleepover means they don't need a babysitter.
'My mum mates have found the lifestyle change can be isolating, but this is something we can still do together, and they appreciate it.'
One of the reasons sleepovers were so important when we were kids is that they came at a time when friendships were placed at the centre of our worlds, but in adulthood, this is often replaced by romantic love, careers and families. 'It's easy to drift from friends, but I've found it's so important to make time for them in the same way as family and partners because different relationships bring unique benefits to my life,' adds Lindsey.
With the UK amid a loneliness epidemic – where a quarter of adults say they felt lonely often, always or some of the time – she has a point. More Trending
'Loneliness isn't just about being alone, it's about not feeling seen or known,' Dr Suglani says. 'Sleepovers offer quality time where masks can drop and a real connection can form. They remind us that we're allowed to take up space in someone else's life, and that we're not meant to go through life unsupported.
'Sleepovers can build emotional safety, which is the foundation of secure, lasting relationships. That kind of connection lowers stress, strengthens resilience, and helps us feel more anchored in our lives.'
Sam agrees: 'We need people who see us in all our states — joyful, messy, lost, loud — and still choose to stay close. Especially as adults, when life gets busy and curated, we need real connection more than ever.'
Dr. Lalitaa Suglani spoke to Metro on behalf of search trends experts Big Fat Link. Research by Allied Market Research, Office for National Statistics and Statista
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