Stag Do Recommendations!

[Badger]

Ok CoG'ers, I require your help. With about a month and a half leading up to the wedding, my friend has bestowed the honour of best man upon me. This is a thread for brainstorming that most sacred of brotherhood traditions, the Stag Do.

We're pretty much all of that age where we're either married or have friends that have married off already, so between us there must be a wealth of Stag knowledge to share. Which ones were your favourites? Which activities did you really enjoy? Which weekends were most memorable, and which will remain mysteries, lost in time under an alcohol fuelled haze?

I'm sure there's some good stories to recount here too. Any and all Stag / Bachelor party information is welcome here. Cheers!

[Mr. Murphy]

I'll tell you my story this weekend - friday I'm heading down (from Maine) to a casino in Connecticut in a Winnebago with my brother and his friends for his bachelors party.

[Ox]

Ah, the stag do. I hurt a great deal just thinking about it.

Running the bachelor party is a big task: your job is to plan a highly entertaining day or weekend that is busy and adventurous and debauched, involving numerous people and moving parts, all while making it look smooth and easy. If your schedule goes awry or something falls through, it sucks the life out of your party. Think hard about whether to risk activities that can screw up your plans.

For example, I have never seen an in-room stripper arrive on time. She is always late, sometimes by more than an hour. That's not so bad if you guys are just hanging out in the room and drinking and have a flexible schedule, but if you have a dinner reservation immediately afterward you might have to choose which to do. At the last stag do I attended, we had a reserved table at the club but had to be there by 1 in order to keep it; we eventually had to split the party so some people could go hang onto the table while the rest of us waited for the stripper.

For this reason, I recommend considering a strip club rather than a private stripper. More to choose from, a convivial atmosphere, and you don't have to worry about punctuality. I also attended a very entertaining stag do that wound up in a brothel operated by the Russian mafia, but that was just generally a crazy night.

Remember to build in some downtime in the schedule, particularly if you follow the adventure-dinner-nudity-drinking pattern. At one party, we all went skydiving, which was an incredible bonding experience for everyone. Afterward, everyone was pumped with adrenaline and wanted to go hit the clubs right away. 15 minutes later, the adrenaline crash struck and everyone was asleep. It was a good thing the best man knew that would happen and put enough time in the schedule for an hour's nap and some time for us to shower and change before the next event.

The photos will be much classier if everyone is in black tie.

[BigJonno]

The most important thing is to make sure that your friend has fun. Depending on the guy in question, the traditional stripper thing may make him uncomfortable. Definitely go with a strip club over hiring a stripper, Ox has got the right of that. You can rarely go wrong with being in a bar or club and making it obvious that it's a stag do.

Remember to take into account the likely budgets of those your friend will want to attend. I managed to miss out on the stag do of a very good friend of mine because his best man had planned a fantastic weekend, but one that would have cost around £500 a head even before drinks and food.

[Kelegacy]

Best bachelor party I had ever been to was one I threw for my friend. I had two strippers, a keg, and we filled his house with people. It was so much fun. It was a pain running it all, like keeping guys in check, but I was hammered myself. Every person had such a great time that when I was at the wedding a week later people kept coming up to me and saying "that was an awesome party" and I had no idea who they were, as I was too wasted to remember.

Everyone went to a bar afterwards, but the groom, his brother and I were too far gone that they left us at the house alone.

However, I think it can be fun if you just go bar crawling or something else like that. Make it "different", something you don't do normally. If you all sit around and LAN, well...you can do that anytime. It's rare you get some exotic women in your home or hotel room for a few hours. At least for me anyway.

Doesn't have to be women, but just make it a memorable outing. It's hard work to be a great best man, and it might cost a lot of money, but this is his last hoo-rah!

[Mr. Murphy]

Well if no-one else is gonna say it, I will - consider the budget of your guests.

For example, the first stag-do my brother set up for our soon-to-be-wed brother was an affair that would have cost every guest $500. For a few of us that was no problem, but for many of us, that was way more money than we had available to spend on one night, and the party planner had to re-think everything to be a little cheaper - and in the end, I think it worked out for the best. Instead of riding in a limo all the way from Maine to Connecticut, we are now using a friends' motor home, and all chipping in on gas. Way cheaper, and frankly, I think it will be a lot more fun. Then the casino, strippers in hotel rooms, back to Maine for an all day, all night Saturday bar-b-q with the ladies of the family, a big fire, and about $1000 of illegal fireworks.

To sum up - it's about fun and atmosphere, not money and wildness. But if you have money, it certainly helps, and if the guest/groom in question likes wildness, it certainly won't hurt.

PS: Consider LSD. If you give someone a secret, low dose, and make sure he doesn't drive or operate a firearm, it's a guaranteed amazing night. EDIT: Secret from the rest of the party (unless everyone else wants to do it too, which is rare).

[National Kato]

My only pro-tip for bachelor parties: keep the strippers away from the MDMA powder. Also, if they offer up whipped cream on their vaginas for $10, be the good friend and talk your buddy out of it.


PS: Consider LSD. If you give someone a secret, low dose, and make sure he doesn't drive or operate a firearm, it's a guaranteed amazing night.

Slipping psychedelics to friends without telling them is a fucking dick move. Sorry.

[civil]

I don't get the appeal of the stripper thing. I mean, sure when I was 18 but now...I just don't see it. But I've never been to a bachelor party that had strippers and such. Booze and drugs, sure, but strippers always seemed...silly.

Hooch, good company and good weed will make for a fine evening. I've gotten into more "crazy" adventures drunk and high than I ever could have stuck in a room with a bunch of dudes lusting after some skanky ladies. So consider spending that money on some good pot! That is my advice.

[NotJeff]

PS: Consider LSD. If you give someone a secret, low dose, and make sure he doesn't drive or operate a firearm, it's a guaranteed amazing night.

Do not ever under any circumstances secretly drug a friend.

[Ghostbear]

Do not ever under any circumstances secretly drug a friend.

Exactly, that is so morally reprehensible that I am struggling to come up with a good way to describe how much it bothers me.

[BigJonno]

Well if no-one else is gonna say it, I will - consider the budget of your guests.

Bloody hell, I must have imagined posting the same thing!

[Generation ABXY]

Bloody hell, I must have imagined posting the same thing!

Well, chances are you were probably drugged, so... ;)

[National Kato]

Well played, ABXY.

[johnperkins21]

BigJonno has great advice. Consider the budget and the things your guest of honor would enjoy. Not everyone is all that comfortable with strippers, and putting your buddy in a position where he might be tempted to do something his future wife would dump him over isn't being a good friend. That's not to say strippers are definitely out, I'd just take into consideration the feelings of the bachelor before deciding on how you approach the naked women issue.

I'm headed out to New Orleans on Thursday for a bachelor party. If I glean anything from that trip, I'll be sure to post it here.

Just keep the schedule somewhat loose, and plan to do things that your buddy would enjoy. Also, if you do have strippers in the hotel room, make sure you confiscate everyone's phones and cameras before she arrives. Do not allow any photos or videos to be taken at any point when your buddy might be in a compromising position. Your number two job, after making sure everyone has fun, is to make sure that there is no evidence of wrongdoing.

[Krispy]

God damnit I'm young. I had to look up what a stag do was. I haven't been to a wedding since I was five years old.

[Handmade.Mercury]

If I were to ever be secretly drugged by my best man, regardless of how awesome the night was, if I ever found out, I would beat the shit out of him, lose him as a friend, and if it was before the wedding, uninvite him.

[Krispy]

If I were to ever be secretly drugged by my best man, regardless of how awesome the night was, if I ever found out, I would beat the shit out of him, lose him as a friend, and if it was before the wedding, uninvite him.

You also would dump a chick if you found out she had a loose past. You aren't exactly known for making subtle, diplomatic decisions. ;)

[Bone]

Exactly, that is so morally reprehensible that I am struggling to come up with a good way to describe how much it bothers me.

No shit, someone did this to our principal in high school. And he was the nice, doddering old fool type, not even the dickhead vice principal who was a much more likely target. They wheeled out the old guy babbling on a stretcher. Nobody thought that was cool but luckily he was fine in the end.

[Kelegacy]

I don't get the appeal of the stripper thing. I mean, sure when I was 18 but now...I just don't see it. But I've never been to a bachelor party that had strippers and such. Booze and drugs, sure, but strippers always seemed...silly.

Hooch, good company and good weed will make for a fine evening. I've gotten into more "crazy" adventures drunk and high than I ever could have stuck in a room with a bunch of dudes lusting after some skanky ladies. So consider spending that money on some good pot! That is my advice.

I am not crazy about the stripper thing now either, to be honest. It's borderline weird, if you think about it. You have a bunch of guys all horny in the same room and they can't have sex with the girl (usually), so they are horny together all night long. Watching your buddies get lap dances and feeling boobs, and floor dances...all that stuff. It's a bit weird.

I'm not really into teases that are just going to lead to me going home and beating it, so I'd rather just hang out and get messed up with friends, like you said, sans strippers.

[Handmade.Mercury]

Now a prostitute, on the other hand...

[National Kato]

Now a prostitute, on the other hand...

...is worth two in the bush?

[Handmade.Mercury]

A lot more than that if it's at a bachelor party.

[Ox]

Strippers are traditional, but I agree there's no need for them if the groom doesn't want it. It's best to feel out the groom and get a sense of what he wants.

Generally I find the stripper works best if she arrives after everyone has gotten tipsy, before anyone's gotten drunk, and immediately before everyone goes to a regular club. It puts the guests in the proper frame of mind to go chat up women at the club, which always results in entertainment for everyone else.

[Kelegacy]

And don't be the guy who buys the auctioned-off panties at the end of the night. Don't be that guy.

[AntonThaGreat]

PS: Consider LSD. If you give someone a secret, low dose, and make sure he doesn't drive or operate a firearm, it's a guaranteed amazing night.
Do not ever under any circumstances secretly drug a friend.

Yea, what's the matter with you? Go stand in the corner. An unwanted drug trip can be horrifying and scar a person for life. This isn't Hangover.

Get drunk, offer drugs to the people that want em, have lots of naked women and you should be on your way to a wonderful bachelor party.

And don't be the guy who buys the auctioned-off panties at the end of the night. Don't be that guy.

So, what's the highest bid you got?

[Badger]

(Mostly) great advice all round, I absolutely agree it's about having fun and plenty of it. As for strippers, I appreciate the tradition but at the same time I don't reckon it's right for my friend. I think a good night out on the town will suffice for his last venture as bachelor.

Budget is definitely a concern. Even so, this is a once in a lifetime thing and I'm not going to hold back. Cheers Ox, Jonno, Kelegacy, jp21 et al. Your combined wisdom of stripper scheduling and advanced beeronomics will prove invaluable :)

[Rogue_hunter]

The photos will be much classier if everyone is in black tie.

Always true, no matter what the situation.

[johnperkins21]

Budget is definitely a concern. Even so, this is a once in a lifetime thing and I'm not going to hold back. Cheers Ox, Jonno, Kelegacy, jp21 et al. Your combined wisdom of stripper scheduling and advanced beeronomics will prove invaluable :)

Spoken like a true optimist.

[Handmade.Mercury]

I would have never noticed that had you not pointed it out. :p

[Kelegacy]

(Mostly) great advice all round, I absolutely agree it's about having fun and plenty of it. As for strippers, I appreciate the tradition but at the same time I don't reckon it's right for my friend. I think a good night out on the town will suffice for his last venture as bachelor.

Budget is definitely a concern. Even so, this is a once in a lifetime thing and I'm not going to hold back. Cheers Ox, Jonno, Kelegacy, jp21 et al. Your combined wisdom of stripper scheduling and advanced beeronomics will prove invaluable :)

One of the most uncomfortable things I've ever done is call up the exotic dancer company and "rent" a girl. My friend wanted a black girl and a blonde, and it was real difficult for me to say, "I want a black girl," because it was like I was ordering fast food or something. And I didn't know what either girl would look like beforehand. I could have traveled to the city where the company is and flip through a book of pictures, but I didn't have time or the inkling to do that.

Thankfully the girls were both gorgeous, and the black chick especially was a knockout. Had the chicks been ugly, maybe the party would have been a bit less popular...but I have been to parties where the girls were flat and not attractive, and they still had more fun than they should have. Thank god for beer and utter loneliness. :)

[pomeroy]

I'm currently planning my best friend's bachelor party. We're going to Vegas. I don't give a shit if "The Hangover" made it a cliche or not, Vegas is awesome.

Now for the adventure part. Skydiving sounds fucking terrifying...so I think we should do that.

[Badger]

Spoken like a true optimist.

Oh I'm not talking about the groom :p

I only get one first shot at best man, I gotta make it count!

[Ox]

One of the most uncomfortable things I've ever done is call up the exotic dancer company and "rent" a girl. My friend wanted a black girl and a blonde, and it was real difficult for me to say, "I want a black girl," because it was like I was ordering fast food or something. And I didn't know what either girl would look like beforehand. I could have traveled to the city where the company is and flip through a book of pictures, but I didn't have time or the inkling to do that.
1. You should always be extremely respectful, of course, and I get how it's tough to order a girl. On the other hand, it's not like those companies get phone calls of, "I'd like a girl with a sparkling personality and witty sense of humor." For context, the best thing to say to a stripper when she has you in flagrante is, "You have lovely breasts." Classy without pretending you care about her as a person.

2. It's the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Ten, all these companies have online facebooks now. I do advise double-checking that your antivirus is up to date before surfing, however.

[Superman's Dead]

I'm currently planning my best friend's bachelor party. We're going to Vegas. I don't give a shit if "The Hangover" made it a cliche or not, Vegas is awesome.

Now for the adventure part. Skydiving sounds fucking terrifying...so I think we should do that.

Vegas has an indoor skydiving place right off the strip. Should be easier to manage. Plus, the GameWorks arcade is like, right there, and I'm sure that place would be a ton of fun with some alcohol in you.

[Mr. Murphy]

Yea, what's the matter with you? Go stand in the corner. An unwanted drug trip can be horrifying and scar a person for life. This isn't Hangover.

Okay, you guys all misunderstood me fairly drastically - my fault I suppose for not being more clear.

I meant secret from everyone else. People will treat you differently if they know you're on acid. If your groom-to-be is into it and you can hook him up, do it, but keep it secret from everyone else and he's guaranteed to have a better time.

I can't believe I have to say this, but yes, I know (and agree) that you should never give somebody drugs without them knowing.

[Akion-Totocha]

Bouncy Castle.

[Uatu]

3VdTMUF1BwQ

The Brutus.

This is what we got for my buddy Paul's bachelor party. It had 40 some odd seats, a bathroom, two bars, 3 HDTVs with a DVD player, nice sound system that even included an iPod dock, and a champagne room with a stripper pole for the inevitable ladies. It wasn't that expensive when you consider the amount of people it can hold and you split it up evenly.

Its the second bachelor party we did this for, both times were huge successes. Everyone gets TRASHED.

Also, cocaine is a must.

[roboninja]

Definitely a strip club, IMO. We dressed up my friend in a t-shirt, and wrote nasty things all over it. He wore a bad wig, and had a huge sign on his back that said "I'm the groom, show me your tits." Strippers are very receptive to large signs, it seems. It was a pretty great night. One of our group ended up disappearing for quite a while to the private rooms, and had to do the walk of shame to the club ATM with the stripper in tow. Hilarious.

[MagGnome]

I have never been to a bachelor party.

Good luck!


God damnit I'm young. I had to look up what a stag do was. I haven't been to a wedding since I was five years old.

I hadn't heard of the term before clicking on this thread either.

[Vandabo]

That bus is pretty sweet. And if you actually had 30-40 people to split the costs it wouldn't be to bad. All the other costs would start to pile up (strippers, booze, etc.) but the bus itself wouldn't break the bank.

[pomeroy]

Vegas has an indoor skydiving place right off the strip. Should be easier to manage. Plus, the GameWorks arcade is like, right there, and I'm sure that place would be a ton of fun with some alcohol in you.

Eh, I found out we pretty much can't do it anyway because one of the groomsmen weighs like 400 pounds and that's waaaaaaay over the limit. I don't really like the guy so I almost suggested we do it anyway, but I didn't want to be a complete dick.

[Purple Santa]

I'm currently planning my best friend's bachelor party. We're going to Vegas. I don't give a shit if "The Hangover" made it a cliche or not, Vegas is awesome.


Vegas is never a cliche. Bring back lots of stories :)
3VdTMUF1BwQ

The Brutus.

This is what we got for my buddy Paul's bachelor party. It had 40 some odd seats, a bathroom, two bars, 3 HDTVs with a DVD player, nice sound system that even included an iPod dock, and a champagne room with a stripper pole for the inevitable ladies. It wasn't that expensive when you consider the amount of people it can hold and you split it up evenly.

Its the second bachelor party we did this for, both times were huge successes. Everyone gets TRASHED.

Also, cocaine is a must.
Can I hire you out to be my best man? :D

[johnperkins21]

Apparently the Scores on Bourbon Street is somewhat open about their prostitution business. Anywhere from $50-$300 for a 30-40 minute BJ, which does not exclude other options. They also have the best looking strippers on the strip. So, if that's what you're looking for, I can't not recommend it. They even let you charge it to your credit card.

Also, it seems that a lull in partying is bad for party itself, which makes sense. We hit the Saints-Chargers game, and even with some mind altering substances, it kind of killed the mood. Staying drunk is a must. If you have a hotel room, definitely do your best to keep the bathroom sink filled with ice and beer. It's economical and helps to keep the buzz going as you regroup.

One of the guys was able to bring a small bag of weed with him on the plane. He stuffed it in a shoe in his checked luggage. Apparently he does this all the time. Personally, I don't have the balls to do it, but it was absolutely fantastic to have available. On the other hand, packing seven dudes into a hotel room bathroom to smoke near the vent so as not to set off the smoking alarm in the room wasn't as awesome. If that's part of the plan, get a balcony.

Pizza joints are really the best places to get food that isn't strictly hangover/breakfast food. It's generally quick, just order meat lovers pizzas, wings, and maybe some breadsticks for the vegetarians if you have any, and one dude should just put it on a card and get cash or drinks back later. Even bad pizza tastes great when you've been drinking.

[MagGnome]

Did you seriously just suggest that the vegetarians eat only bread?

[Superman's Dead]

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISE

Planning my best friend's bachelor party. He's getting married in May but they're saving their time off for the honeymoon, so the party will be in a few weeks and a tad bit rushed. We can't get started 'til he's off work. Also, his fiancee doesn't like the club scene (neither do any of us) and wants us to end the night with everyone coming together for a party. As such here's what I have planned. Luckily they live in Vegas

Steakhouse
|
|
Strip club
|
|
Poker at casino
|
|
Party in executive/penthouse suite some place downtown.

My biggest issue is cost. No one is exactly rolling in dough, and I don't want my friend to have to pay anything. So we probably won't go to the fanciest places, but we'll have a solid time.

For the record, it will be a small party. Six or seven guys, two of whom are gay and one of whom is sober. No one gets too crazy or smokes anything besides hookah. We're gonna have a good time together regardless. I've known Daniel since I was 9.

[maharahaj]

About 10-12 of us are going to New Orleans for a 3 day / 2 night bachelor party at the end of May. So far, the plan is for everyone to fly there on their own, but 6 rooms have already been reserved. Friday night is probably a nice dinner and drinking, Saturday will be a bar crawl and strip club(s), then re-coop on Sunday morning and fly back that afternoon.

I'll be taking the follow Monday off as well.

[Ink Asylum]

Sounds like a good plan, but all of that can't be cheap. What do you see it costing per person?

I have 0 experience with traditional bachelor parties. The two bachelor parties I've attended were for geek friends of mine, and we had a LAN party both times. :) For my brother's wedding I'm in charge, but we're going to do something like rock climbing or whitewater rafting or some other outdoor adventure.

When I get married I'll probably do the LAN party, too.

[maharahaj]

Oh man Ink, I hadn't even started to think about what this would cost me until typing out this reply.

If I bought the plane tickets right now, it would be $450 round trip from Philly to New Orleans via Southwest. We are pricing $100 a night per person for hotel, so that's $200 more. Around $30 each way for travel from New Orleans airport to the city plus $30 to park my car in Philly. That's another $100.

That's $750 so far. Which doesn't include meals, bars/alcohol, strip clubs, and chipping in to cover the bachelor's costs. Supposedly, he is buying his own plane tickets but the rest of his costs is going to be split between the rest of us.

Ouch, this could easily be a $1,200+ weekend. But, I doubt that I'll do another destination bachelor party in my life though. The bachelor in question is by far the most party oriented friend in any of my circles of friends, hence the reason for the trip.

Edit: It seems that if I fly Delta, I can save $100. Also, Tuesday afternoon/evenings are normally the cheapest time to buy tickets, so I'll explore further in a couple days.

[maharahaj]

Here's (http://hotelmonteleone.com/) where we are staying. Supposedly, it is right on Bourbon street in the thick of all the action and accustom to renting rooms for bachelor party related shenanigans.

[resikel]

I spent around $1200 at Sapphire in Vegas the last time I was there for a bachelor party. I think Superman should put me on the invite list.

[MagGnome]

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISE

Planning my best friend's bachelor party. He's getting married in May but they're saving their time off for the honeymoon, so the party will be in a few weeks and a tad bit rushed. We can't get started 'til he's off work. Also, his fiancee doesn't like the club scene (neither do any of us) and wants us to end the night with everyone coming together for a party. As such here's what I have planned. Luckily they live in Vegas

Steakhouse
|
|
Strip club
|
|
Poker at casino
|
|
Party in executive/penthouse suite some place downtown.

My biggest issue is cost. No one is exactly rolling in dough, and I don't want my friend to have to pay anything. So we probably won't go to the fanciest places, but we'll have a solid time.

For the record, it will be a small party. Six or seven guys, two of whom are gay and one of whom is sober. No one gets too crazy or smokes anything besides hookah. We're gonna have a good time together regardless. I've known Daniel since I was 9.

That sounds like a fun time. Enjoy!

[digitalErich]

*snip*
Small party, perfect for classing it up. Have everyone wear black tie or something along those lines. You'll look like million bucks, which will lead to much better times than just simply spending a million bucks. Plus, the pictures for the night will be priceless.

Besides, what's more classy at 2 AM, the guys with the rolled up cuffs, slightly crooked tie knots nursing cocktails or the jackasses in ill-fitting jeans and square-toed shoes who payed $400 for "table service" Grey Goose?

Go Rat Pack all up in there.

[maharahaj]

And what is the matter with square-toed dress shoes? They look a lot better than the round-toed shoes the baby-boomers always where.

[Karmakin]

Oddly enough I was at a bachelor party last night, the theme of our party went over pretty well. Pretty simple. The groom-to-be couldn't buy his drinks, he had to earn them by unlocking various achievements. Make them up according to the layout of your group (our group is mostly trolls and geeks..you can imagine how it went), print off redeemable cards for people to buy the drinks, and there you go.

It was a lot of fun.

[Libuke]

For the strip club call the place directly and make arrangement's for their limo to pick you up. Don't have anyone else do this for you. If you get the places limo to pick you up often their is no cover charge. This will save your party of 6 roughly $30 per person.

Bottle service won't really save you money on drinks. If you are nice and tip decent you will get more alcohol per dollar, with the good tipping you can get more poured in each drink, although service might be slower. If it is busy this won't work as well.

Don't expect the stip club to be cheap if you want to have a good time. Doesn't have to be crazy high either. I went a bit overboard last time I was at one and would say it cost me about 400 with booze. I could easily of cut 200 from that and still had a great time. Was there for about 3 hours.

For a cheap room I would suggest calling around and asking hotels. Especially if the person booking has a players club card you might get an even better one.

That's about all I can think of off the top of my head.