The Stag Company Blog

Spotlight on Dublin Stag Weekends

rob.hogley — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 17:24:12 +0000

Next week we will all become a little bit Irish for a day as we take it upon ourselves to celebrate St Patrick’s Day by drinking a pint of Guinness or two.

It has become accepted that the one patron saint day we celebrate is St Patrick’s, presumably as it is associated with spending most of the day in the pub drinking. We really just need any excuse don’t we.

However, the best place to celebrate St Patrick’s Day has to be in Dublin, where it is true that the Guinness tastes even better. The Irish capital is also a superb destination for a stag do, all year round.

It is short notice to be plugging a stag weekend in Dublin in time for Wednesday’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations, but do not rule out visiting this amazing capital for a wild last weekend of freedom.

Dublin is hope to hundreds of fabulous bars where you can witness the legendary ‘craic’ which does need to be experienced to be understood.

Friendly locals, lovely beers and live music is just a flavour of what you can expect on a stag weekend in Dublin, but in the peak season this can be a busy place to deal with, so if you want the Irish experience without the tourist feeling you could consider a Galway stag weekend.

One advantage of flying over to Ireland for a stag do is you get the interest of going abroad, as you will be dealing with those euros, but you can still make your way around at ease, although after a few beers the locals can be hard to understand.

Spotlight on Bournemouth stag weekends

The Stag Company — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:57:34 +0000

The Dorset seaside resort of Bournemouth is one that goes through many reinventions, from the favoured destination for the blue-rinse brigade to a clubbing paradise for the young and lively.

It has recently attempted to lure in surfers by trying to manipulate the waves and creating a Bournemouth Bondi Beach, although this apparently has not had much of an impact on surfing conditions.

However, if you are desperate for surf for your stag weekend you are always going to head down for a Newquay stag do and if you are not then Bournemouth has much more to offer. Here are five Bournemouth stag party ideas:

ZapCats

While surfing may still be out of the question it does not mean you should stay out of the water. Bournemouth is home to the heart pounding ZapCat experience which involves bouncing across the water at breakneck speed on a speed boat. You will need to hold on tight or you’ll regularly be going airborne during this fantastic adrenaline pumping activity.

Paintballing

Bournemouth plays host to one of the best paintballing sites in the South. The Dorset countryside provides a great backdrop to a battle zone that is terrifyingly realistic. You’ll quickly adopt an attitude of ‘kill or be killed’ in this highly tense and unspeakably exciting activity, which is perfect for a stag party especially as the centre is more than happy to stitch up the stag.

Lap Dancing

If you’ve not been down to Bournemouth in recent years, or not at all, you probably can’t imagine a lap dancing club here? Well, think again, this is no longer a town overrun by grannies so stags do not have to compromise on the traditional night time activity while they are here. Far from it, this is one of the most renowned lap dancing clubs in the south so it would almost be rude not to check it out.

Blind Driving

Doing something you’ve never done before is very important on a stag weekend and we are fairly sure not many of you will have done Blind Driving before. This consists of you driving a Land Rover off-road while being blindfolded. You must rely on your passenger for directions, in a genuine high stakes activity.

Comedy Club

Something else for the night time to finish our suggested activities. If the thought of being holed up in a pub or bar all evening doesn’t appeal to you or the rest of your stag party, the best alternative is to head to a comedy club. Those that want to be propped up by the bar can still do so, while you can all enjoy some guaranteed laughs to get everyone in the mood to party into the early hours.

Focus on stag weekends in Wales

The Stag Company — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:34:21 +0000

It was St David’s Day on Monday, so to celebrate the patron saint of Wales we thought our fantastic Welsh stag do destinations deserved a special mention this week.

Stag weekends in Cardiff are a firm favourite with lads seeking to hold a no-holds-barred last night of freedom in honour of the groom-to-be. It is a lively destination that in many ways is better suited to a traditional stag party than London and Edinburgh, for example. So, if you are looking for a capital stag weekend Cardiff is your best bet.

The Welsh Dragon boasts an electric nightlife that is not afraid to party and party hard. It is brimming with bars and nightclubs that draw in party animals from all over the country as well as the locals of course. You can find all the usual chain venues, along with a mix of its own unique brand of night time entertainment.
Cardiff is also a cheaper stag destination than the likes of London, yet still boasts fantastic accommodation options and the transport links in and out of the city are first class.

Our other Welsh offering is Swansea, which is located further west past Cardiff. The two cities are of course arch-rivals and they are very different.

We favour stag weekends in Swansea as a destination for an activity filled holiday, although this does not mean it lacks in the nightlife department, which is arguable more varied. However, the quality of the day time activities is what we love about Swansea.

Quad biking around the countryside near Swansea is an experience you won’t forget, while the scenery around the Gower Peninsula is stunning. You’ve also got coastal activities around The Mumbles, which leads you perfectly into your stag night when you’ll be the ones mumbling.

Horse Racing Stag Weekends

The Stag Company — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:38:06 +0000

If the groom-to-be is a fan of the Sport of Kings (Horse Racing) what better than to include a trip to the races on his stag weekend.

This will certainly not be the most obvious of stag activities, but it is worth considering for something to do during the day as a leisurely and relaxing build-up to the all-important last night of freedom.

Of course horse racing isn’t for everyone, so other than propping yourself up at the bar and placing the occasional bet it might not get you all excited, but for those with an interest in the sport it can be as exciting an event as it comes.

Of course the availability of beer at the bar and of the odd flutter on your chosen horse can help add to the drama and excitement of the occasion and if you are lucky swell the drinks kitty for the night ahead.

The races also attracts some fine fillies of the two-legged variety so you can enjoy your knees-up while mixing with the glamorous girls sipping on their champagne.

If you’ve only cheered on a nag from the inside of a dingy betting shop then you are in for a treat with a day at the races, which are on offer at some of our most popular stag destinations, such as Brighton, Newcastle and Nottingham.

Find out more about a horse racing stag weekend here.

England or Europe? The stag weekend dilemma

rob.hogley — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:05:49 +0000

During the course of the past decade stag weekends in Europe have become so popular that they have almost become the norm. However, the economic downturn has given stags a tough decision, as it has become harder to find a bargain abroad, it is more difficult for all of your group to stump up the cash and finally the exchange rate has been doing us no favours.

The problem is that we now have the European stag weekend bug and one in the UK now seem uninspiring and dull, but it doesn’t have to be this way. A stag weekend without the use of a passport just requires some imagination and it can still be much more than just another night out, with added fancy dress.

The key is to pick a new destination, or at least one that has not as familiar as the back of your hand. You want to be able to stumble into random pubs not knowing if you are going to be drinking with quirky locals, sexy students or butch lesbians. It is all part of the excitement! Also, by the time you hit a club you are going to be a little bit worse for wear so it is probably best if you don’t know anyone there, while getting lost and walking into mirrors is again part of the fun.

Stay at a hotel or B&B in the centre of your location, so as soon as the hangover permits you can get out and about and enjoy an activity or two. Try your hand at driving while blind folded, or shoot at clay pigeons with some country folk. There is lots of new things to try, even in England, so don’t rule out having stag weekends UK style.

That being said, if you are able to afford a European stag weekend without putting pressure on the people you want to attend then by all means head over to the Baltic or the Balearics for your stag weekend packages as you will have an amazing adventure.

The best indoor stag activities

rob.hogley — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:08:27 +0000

After the coldest winter in a generation, we in Britain are likely to now face a wet couple of months leading to what probably will be a damp summer.

We are used to this of course and have made moaning about out weather a national sport, but if you particularly adverse to getting cold and wet, but want to stay in England for a stag weekend, what can you do? Here are a selection of the best indoor stag activities for day time entertainment and excitement.

Top of the list has to be stag do go-karting at one of the fantastic indoor circuits that we are partnered with across the country. Go-karting has the injection of adrenaline that comes from the raw competition of speeding around a track in lightening fast go-karts with your mates. Nobody wants to come last and everyone is desperate to be crowned champion, while the occasional high-speed crash will give you all something to discuss over your beers in the evening.

Not indoors as such, but caving on a stag weekend will keep you sheltered from the elements and provide an exhilarating experience as you explore the deepest and darkest crooks and crannies. Caving is a great opportunity to play a few tricks on the stag, especially if you watch The Descent before you make your way underground.

Back in the warm we have poker stag parties on offer for the groups that fancy a spot of high stakes gambling. You will feel like professionals in your the surroundings of a casino as you all try and master your poker face and bluff your way to glory and money. This is often included in the night-time entertainment, but there is much more exciting things to go in the evening, so try out some poker in the afternoon and see who is holding all the aces.

If you do head over to Europe for a stag weekend our recommendation for an indoor stag activity has to be a shooting experience in which you’ll be taken into a cold war style bunker where you can get your hands on pistols, Kalashnikovs and many other lethal weapons. This activity will make sure your stag weekend goes with a bang.

Spotlight on Prague Stag Weekends

rob.hogley — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 12:00:41 +0000

Prague is the capital city of the Czech Republic and one of its nicknames is the ‘Mother of Cities’, but we believe it should be known as the ‘Mother of all Stag Weekends’.

Much of Prague’s historic city has been declared a World Heritage site and it is therefore very popular with tourists and Prague is arguably seen as the most approachable city from the former Eastern Europe block.

This makes it very popular with stag groups, who fancy the idea of a stag weekend package with a large slice of Eastern European culture, but have seen Hostel and are more than intimidated by the idea of being tortured in a Slovakian dungeon. Slovakia is however one of the counties that surround the Czech Republic, along with Germany, Poland and Austria.

Prague is certainly equipped to deal with a mass of foreign tourists, so getting from the airport to your hotel, finding a bar, getting served and ordering of a menu is a very easy experience, as is communicating which gorgeous Czech girl you’d like to strip naked in front of you.

The racy elements of Prague’s nightlife is certainly one factor that lures the stags over in large numbers from England, as is the well priced beer, if you look in the right places. The currency is the Czech Koruna, although the country is set to soon adopt the Euro, so for now bargains are there to be had for British visitors.

Prague is a fantastic city for a European stag weekend whether you want to enjoy the beauty and culture of this historic destination, or get blindly drunk and enjoy the company of stunning ladies. This city offers something for everyone.

For more on The Stag Company’s Prague stag weekends follow the link.

Stag weekends away from the big cities

rob.hogley — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:17:41 +0000

There is a tendency to head for the big cities on stag weekends for a number of valid reasons. They usually have more options for entertainment, are easier to get to and have more options for accommodation.

However, stag weekends in Manchester or London stag nights do not suit everyone, so do not ignore the smaller destinations as they can sometimes result in much more memorable occasions.

A stag weekend in a smaller city or town can deliver a unique holiday and a night out that differs from your usual big nights out on the tiles, while there are often quirky activities on offer.

Head down to the south coast for a stag weekend in Portsmouth and enjoy a maritime adventure with the Mary Rose and HMS Victory in the background. From here you can pop over for a day trip to the Isle of Wight before returning for Portsmouth’s fantastic nightclubs. There are lots of bars to keep your thirst quenched and we’d recommend a trip up the Spinnaker Tower, although it’s probably not advisable after a skin-full.

Heading up north to Stratford-Upon-Avon for a stag weekend might not appeal to everyone, other than Shakespeare fanatics perhaps. However, Stratford stag weekends offer refined nights out, but also an outrageous range of stag activities to keep you busy during the day. From the adrenaline pumping paintballing to the frankly baffling and hilarious reverse-steer snooker, which is the craziest driving experience you could imagine.

Further up north to the Scottish city of Aberdeen is an option that often gets over looked due to Glasgow and Edinburgh. However, this is another destination that plays host to amazing activities in a beautiful setting, while the nightlife on offer is archetypal Scotland.

The Stag Company offer stag dos in almost every city in the United Kingdom, so the choice is yours.

Focus on Amsterdam Stag Weekends

The Stag Company — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:39:38 +0000

There is an expectation that Stag weekends are naughty by nature, so Amsterdam, which is synonymous with all things naughty should be the perfect destination for an eventful last night of freedom.

It is fair to describe the capital of the Netherlands as a Sin City and there is ample opportunity to push the boundaries on a stag holiday there with peep shows, sex shows, not to mention coffee shops, and a lot more depending on your moral boundaries.

However, if this creates an image of a soulless dirty city you couldn’t be more wrong, and why Amsterdam should be considered for a stag weekend even if the naughtier nature of it isn’t a motivator for going.

Amsterdam, with its canals, bridges, crooked buildings and narrow cobbled streets is a beautiful city. It is full of culture, from Anne Frank to Vincent Van Gogh, while it is a first class city to navigate by public transport, and of course by bike.

The Dutch are exceptionally friendly, so there can be few better places to wonder into a local pub and enjoy some bevies with the natives. The beer on offer across Amsterdam is also a huge selling point, while a trip to the famous Heineken Brewery is also a must-do activity.

As well as Amsterdam’s seedy and racy side, and its touristy cultural side, this is also a destination that houses a wealth of fantastic activities, so there will be stag weekend packages for everyone.

You can embark on a gun shooting experience involving pistols and Kalashnikovs, or for something very different try your hand at indoor surfing. To find out more about Amsterdam Stag Weekends, give us a call.

Amazing things to do on European stag parties

rob.hogley — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:52:16 +0000

It has become quite normal for British stags to choose European destinations for their stag weekend. This has partly been as a result of cheap flights to the lesser known European cities and the subsequent increase in profile of what was known as the ‘Eastern Block’.

The appeal of having a stag weekend away is the guys get to enjoy a new experience and do and see things that they wouldn’t in England, for various reasons. Different and often cheaper beer is on offer, as is traditional food, while stag activities such as paintballing and gun shooting are far more authentic and extreme than they would be on these shores.

There are extreme stag activities on offer that you simply cannot enjoy in England, which gives European stag weekends the best chance of being a memorable experience for all involved. Here are just two of the best:

Mud Wrestling

If you are heading to Bratislava in Slovakia or Brno in the Czech Republic and you like semi-naked ladies and don’t mind mud then there is one activity that you have to include. It is fair to say that female mud wrestling is a slightly sleazy sport, but there is nothing wrong with a little bit of naughty fun on a stag weekend. These girls can get bored of wrestling with each other, so you can expect the stag will be pulled into the ring and shown a move or two in the mud.

Stripper Banquet

In almost all of the top Eastern European stag venues you can enjoy the most memorable meal of your life – and that is no exaggeration.

A stripper banquet is a joy for your senses, all of them, as you feast on fine food and beer until you are unable to eat anything else. Now you can sit back and let your food go down as you enjoy some outrageous entertainment, including some sexy stripping and then a lesbian show.

We think this is as close as it gets to living life like Henry VIII, but hopefully the stag will only need one wife!