Stag do ideas: what to book and how to keep it good

Stag do ideas for a great night out

A gentlemen's club night is a classic for many stag groups. Most clubs offer stag packages with entry, a drink and reserved seating, and some include a dance for the groom. If it's new to some of the group, our guide to what to expect at a gentlemen's club explains how the evening works.

Cabaret and comedy nights are a strong alternative, especially for mixed age groups. A cabaret show gives you a seat, a drink and plenty of laughs, and nobody has to decide where to go next. A casino night is another easy win: most UK casinos are free to enter for over 18s with photo ID, and many will give a short introduction to the tables for beginners.

For a more grown-up evening, a steak dinner followed by a whisky or gin tasting is hard to beat. A private dining room keeps the speeches and the stories within the group.

Daytime activities and UK city breaks

Daytime activities give the weekend shape and give everyone something to talk about later. Go-karting, clay pigeon shooting, paintball, axe throwing, golf and boat trips are all popular, and many providers offer group discounts.

If you're planning a weekend away, cities such as Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Bristol, Edinburgh and Brighton all have a strong mix of bars, restaurants and late venues. Pick somewhere easy for most of the group to reach by train, and book accommodation close to the nightlife so nobody has a long taxi ride home.

Booking venues for a stag group

Some bars and clubs turn away large stag groups at the door, so it pays to book ahead. Tell the venue it's a stag do and how many of you there are, and ask if they have a group package or a guest list. Getting a confirmation email with names and numbers makes the door a lot easier.

Check dress codes before you travel. Many late venues ask for smart shoes and no sportswear, and fancy dress is often refused after the early evening. If the group wants to dress up, keep it to the daytime and pack a change of clothes. Everyone should carry photo ID, as door staff will ask, and adult venues are strictly over 18 only.

You can compare hen and stag entertainment and other venues in our UK listings.

Stag do budget tips

Agree a budget per person before anything is booked, and share the plan with costs clearly broken down. Collect deposits early, and keep a simple record of who has paid. It's traditional for the group to cover the groom's share.

Build in a cheaper option for anyone who can't do the full weekend, such as joining for the Saturday only. Keep an eye on spending at the venue too. Group rounds, table service and private dances add up quickly, so it helps to agree a rough limit before the night starts.

Strip club etiquette for stag groups

UK gentlemen's clubs are licensed by the local council, and the rules are clear: no touching the dancers unless they say otherwise, no photos or filming, and no pressure. Dancers are working, so be polite, take no for an answer and agree the price before any private dance. Our guide to what a lap dance is covers prices and the house rules.

One rowdy guest can get a whole group asked to leave, so the best man should keep a quiet eye on things. If someone has had too much to drink, it's better to get him back to the hotel early than to risk the night for everyone.

Looking after the groom

The groom is the reason for the trip, so keep the plan around what he enjoys rather than what makes the best story. Avoid pranks that could hurt him, embarrass his partner or end up online, and never leave him on his own at the end of the night.

Drink water between rounds, eat properly, and make sure someone sensible has the hotel address and a charged phone. Respect and consent apply to everyone you meet, from bar staff to performers, and our guide to consent and boundaries is worth a quick read. If the bride's friends are planning too, our hen do ideas guide may help.