The Definitive Guide to Alternative & Adrenaline Stag Activities
Away from the norm
Being a best man is one of the most amazing jobs. However, it’s not without challenges. And the biggest challenge is when the stag turns to you and says: “I want my stag weekend to be different from everyone else's.”
If you aren’t careful, panic sets in. How do you make a stag weekend unique without compromising on the fun? Especially if you have a large group of friends who have already had amazing stag weekends? The answer is simple: Pick a unique activity.
We have compiled the ultimate bucket list of alternative activities – whether it’s taking tossing a caber in Scotland, smashing up cars in Amsterdam or surviving a zombie apocalypse in Birmingham – if you are looking for an alternative activity that will blow everyone away, then we’ve got you covered!
Part 1: The "Bucket List" (Once in a Lifetime)
These are the activities you simply can't do on a normal weekend with the lads – it’s got to be a special occasion for these, and what’s more special than a stag weekend?
Tank Paintball (Nottingham)
The Heavyweight Champion.
We’ve all played a lot of regular paintball, and while it is fun, it’s not particularly different to any other stag weekend. But what happens if you take it up a notch? Rather than playing normal paintball, why not play it in a 15-tonne tank? You’ll be split into three-man crews: one drives, one aims, and one fires the cannon. It is loud, chaotic, wonderfully unique and completely unforgettable.
Olympic Bobsleigh (Riga)
Feel the Rhythm.
If you have ever watched Cool Runnings, and thought “I could do that”, then this is your chance to prove it. Head to Riga (the capital of Latvia), and hurtle down the official Olympic bobsleigh training track. You can ride in a soft "vulkan" sled if you just want the experience or, if you are feeling truly brave, you can sit behind a professional driver in a real bobsleigh reaching speeds of 100km/h. It’s an experience unlike any other!
Tower Jump (Bratislava)
The Leap of Faith.
Ever wanted to be like Tom Cruise and do your own stunts? Then a trip to Bratislava to try the world famous Tower Jump is definitely something for you and the lads to consider. You’ll jump from a 110m tower and freefall for four seconds before a controlled deceleration brings you to the ground. This activity gives you a massive adrenaline rush without the hassle of a parachute, and is something none of you will have ever done before.
Carsmash (Amsterdam)
Therapy for Stags.
What would you imagine an activity called Carsmash to involve? If you said “smashing cars” then you’d be exactly right! You get a scrap car, a selection of sledgehammers and baseball bats, and full permission to destroy it. The feeling of hammers hitting metal and glass and you being able to destroy something you would never normally be allowed to destroy is incredibly cathartic. It’s a great activity – especially if people need to relax a bit before the rest of the weekend!
Part 2: Competitive & Team Games
We all know that stags love a competition. So why not encourage that fully and pick an activity that gives everyone a chance to prove just who is the best!
Regional Games (Various Locations)
The Funny Option.
Rather than proving who is the best at a “proper” sport
(football, rugby, etc), why not embrace the ridiculousness of a stag weekend and
see who is the best at stupid sports! These events involve inflatable costumes,
ridiculous challenges and no amount of training will prepare you for just how silly
it will be. There are a selection of these available around the country, all of
which have their own unique aspects (usually based on location)
West Country Games (Bristol): Features the "Cider Run"
(bungee run) and "Pitchfork Duels." – time to separate the grockles
from the locals – see who can triumph at these west country classics.
Welsh Games (Cardiff): Includes "Sheep Rodeo" and "Leek Duels" – I mean, you can imagine how ridiculous the Welsh games are, can’t you? Sheep, Wellies and absolute carnage everywhere you look!
Highland Games (Scotland): Toss the caber and hurl wellies in Edinburgh or Glasgow – the most classic of all three of the regional games, and one that you can easily imagine gets incredibly competitive.
Escape Rooms
The Mental Challenge.
Lock yourselves and the groom in a room and see if you have the combined smarts to get out. You have a strict time limit (usually sixty minutes) to solve puzzles, crack codes, and escape. This is perfect for smaller groups and a great way to sober up before the evening starts and the drinks start to flow once again.
Disco Dodgeball
Throwing Things at Friends.
Dodgeball is a classic for a reason. It is fast, aggressive, and hilarious – after all, as we all know, if you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball! To make it even more exciting, we add a DJ and a soundtrack of 80s anthems to keep the energy high throughout the game. Just make sure that you remember the 5 D's: Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive, and Dodge.
Part 3: The Weird & Wonderful
For the group that wants to do something totally different on a stag weekend, you can’t go wrong with these options.
Zombie Apocalypse (Birmingham)
Scare the Groom.
This is an immersive theatre experience where you are the star. You and the lads are dropped into a "quarantine zone" filled with actors playing fast-moving zombies. You are all armed with airsoft weapons and tasked with surviving this unexpected apocalypse. It is terrifying and brilliant all at the same time, and you will remember it for the rest of your life.
Fly Boarding (Various Locations)
Iron Man Mode.
Strap a water-powered jetpack to your feet and hover above the sea. It takes a few minutes to master the balance (though it’s entertaining for the rest of the group to see you splash down while you practice), but once you have it mastered then you feel like a superhero. Available at a selection of beach destinations like Marbella and Benalmadena.
Freefall Simulator (Indoor Skydiving)
Falling with Style.
Experience the sensation of freefall without jumping out of a plane. A giant vertical wind tunnel blasts air upwards at 120mph, suspending you in mid-air, giving you the true feeling of flying. It is much safer (and cheaper) than a real skydive.
Bar Crawl Beauties
The Ultimate Chaperones.
If you are in a new city and don't know where to go, why not hire the “Bar Crawl Beauties”? These local guides will take you to the best bars, organize drinking games, collect the kitty, and ensure nobody gets lost. A great way to ensure that your night out is memorable for the right reasons, rather than the wrong ones!
So there you are – if you are looking for something new and unexpected for a stag do, those are just a selection of the most unique things we can think of. Hope that helps!