Your best friend has finally summoned up the courage and asked his better half to marry him and you’re the lucky gent who’s been tasked with the role of Best Man! As you well know, this is both a blessing and a curse as you are now expected to deliver a speech worthy of a professional stand-up comic but can also unleash a legendary weekend of unbridled mayhem and utter humiliation on the stag… no pressure then!
First thing’s first, where should you head for this ultimate weekend with the boys? We’ve committed ourselves to some serious research up and down the country and compiled a list of our top destinations. So, whether you’re considering a Cardiff Stag Weekend or a Newcastle night out, we’ve got it covered!
Bristol
Over the last few years, Bristol has topped the charts for most popular stag weekend destination in the UK. With an internationally recognised arts and music scene, Bristol was previously an edgy destination that lacked stag friendly venues. But that has all changed over the last ten years, and Bristol now boasts a huge array of riverside bars and eateries that welcome stag groups in their masses.
You can stay centrally close to the river, or otherwise stay in the leafy Clifton area, where Brunel’s famous bridge is located. There are some cracking pubs in this area, and you can always wind your way down to the river should you want to.
Activity wise, Bristol packs a mean punch. There is the usual paintballing, bubble football and It’s a Knockout activities. But Bristol also has an array of unique activities that set it apart from other cities. The most popular of these is West Country Games, a totally unique activity perfect for a Bristol stag weekend.
In addition, if throwing is more your thing, then there is Flight Club and Axe Throwing, two more very different activities. And to finish off, many groups take to the river for a Booze Cruise, stopping off at the many riverside pubs en route.
Cardiff
The home of rugby, drinking and drunken singing, what more could you ask for when choosing your stag venue?! With tonnes of pubs to visit, a compact city centre and plenty of stag friendly clubs, you’re set for a good weekend!
Stay centrally and kick off festivities on the Friday night with a bar crawl around St Mary Street, where you’ll be spoilt for choice with decent watering holes. Make sure to try the local brew, S.A. Brains and don’t miss a trip to local institution the City Arms.
On the Saturday, if you’re looking for a unique Cardiff stag weekend, head over to, a Welsh-themed inflatable activity day for a chance to take part a sheep rodeo, pummel Gavin Henson with tennis balls and bash each other on the leek duel. The stag will get soaked at the end of the day and your host will dish out extra penalties and forfeits as you go around the games.
On Saturday night, head to Revolución de Cuba, a rum bar that’s big enough for large groups and small enough for a friendly atmosphere, Live Lounge for some great live music and decent beer and finish up in 10 Feet Tall, Missoula or Tiger Tiger, a seven-room club which is our top pick of stagtastic venues.
Newcastle
Without doubt a legendary night out, head to Newcastle for pure havoc and save yourselves for the night life above all else.
Book your very own beautiful bar crawl babes on the Friday night and they will take you on the ultimate bar crawl! Acting as your hostesses, these lovely ladies will take control of your kitty, order all your drinks for you, bring fancy dress for the stag and get you going with drinking games, dares and ritual humiliation of the groom to be!
If you make it out of the hotel on Saturday, there are some great activities to get you away from the beers and clear the head for at least a couple of hours! Why not get out of the city and try a high ropes course or play a hilarious game of Zorb football (think more along the lines of messy than Messi.)
Get back on it on Saturday night with a 3 hour party cruise. Hop on one of the party boats and you’ll join up to 150 others on your own floating night club with an on-board DJ! Carry on the fun by heading to Quayside, or The Gate, the most stag friendly areas of town where you can be guaranteed a riotous night of mischief!
Liverpool
For an outstanding club scene, cheap drinks and the craziest of crowds, Liverpool holds all the cards for the ultimate stag weekend.
Get the stag do underway on Friday night with a trip to The Ship & Mitre. Renowned for the widest selection of beers in town, you can stay here all night and work your way around the taps and barrels. Finish off the night in Hawaiian bar Aloha for some kitsch and cheesy fun and party away until 4am.
If you’re in town in April, then The Grand National is the obvious choice for a Saturday day time activity that will blow your socks off! The most famous steeplechase in the world, the atmosphere is incredible and the beers flow freely. If you’re thinking of going at a different time of year, why not try out Quad Trekking where you’ll cover 6 miles of terrain including water crossings, vertiginous drops, huge inclines and plenty of opportunities to open that throttle right up! Best to be focused for this one so try it on Saturday afternoon if you’ve been out the night before!
Polish off the weekend with a massive night out at one of many brilliant clubs in Liverpool. Nation may have shut down but you’ll still be spoilt for choice for the latest in electronica. Try out Underground Liverpool, the latest addition to the club scene, Heebie Jeebies or 24 Kitchen Street for top class DJs or the Liverpudlian institution, Krazyhouse, for rock and indie.
Good luck with the planning gentlemen and remember, the crazier the stag party, the more fodder you have for that speech.