Real Stag Diaries: Riga Stag Weekend Reviews

Real Reviews: Riga has a reputation for extreme activities and wild nightlife. But what is a weekend there actually like? Below, we feature two genuine diaries from our customers: one group who took on the Olympic Bobsleigh, and another who survived the infamous Russian Prison Experience.

If you are planning a Riga stag do, you want to know if the legends are true. Is the beer really that cheap? Are the activities really that crazy? Read these real-life accounts to find out.

Review 1: The "Last Man Standing"

In this first review, a group of friends head to Latvia to celebrate the last member of their group to get married.

The Decision

There’s something big about a “last stag do”. When all of the rest of your friends are married, and the last to commit is finally ready, you’ll want to go big on his weekend – because you may never get another chance to go on one!

That was the logic we all jumped on when our friend Ross became the last of our group to get engaged. After a quick group chat, we decided we needed somewhere none of us had ever been. We decided it was time for a Riga stag do.

Bobsleighs & Bullets

We picked activities we’d be unlikely to get the chance to try anywhere at home. The first thing we did was the Olympic Bobsleigh. It was so good, it ran the danger of us peaking too soon! We did the "soft bob," which allows you to bounce off the corners (which we definitely needed to do).

Next was Firearms Shooting. In the UK, you never get to do this, so we grasped the chance with both hands. We fired pistols and machine guns on a target range. Competition was fierce, but the short answer is that I was the best by a mile (and I’ve still got the targets to prove it!).

Flying High

We also tried the Freefall Simulator. None of us have ever done skydiving for real, and this simulator basically gives you the chance to see what falling from a great height feels like without getting in a plane. You wear a flight suit in a massive cage with a jet engine underneath. It’s a feeling like nothing else.

We even squeezed in Fly-boarding—hovering above the water on a board powered by jets. With a little practice, you feel like Iron Man.

The Nightlife

But what about the nightlife? Riga is so friendly that we weren’t in any doubt. In fact, our hotel had a strip club inside it, so we didn't even have to leave the building to find beautiful women and cheap beer!

When we did step out, we booked a Guided Bar Crawl. It comes highly recommended; we got loads of free drinks and were shown around by a knowledgeable guide. A Riga stag weekend is absolutely worth the money.

Review 2: The Prison Experience

In our second diary, a best man organises a surprise trip that includes one of the most unique stag activities in the world.

The Surprise

Our stag dos have become the stuff of legend. I’m the eighth and last member of the gang to get married, so I was worried about whether this final trip would live up to the hype!

Steve, the best man, kept me in the dark until the pilot announced we were on our way to a Riga stag do! Somewhere new and somewhere I knew nothing about.

Ice Karting

First up was Ice Karting on a giant frozen lake. These are go-karts with giant spiked wheels. Given the surface, you travel best when going sideways! Drifting is a vital part of the race, and if you’ve got the balls to keep your foot down, you will be victorious. Steve won, but I came a respectable third.

The Russian Prison

After a wild first night hitting the clubs until 7am, Steve announced that we needed to pack our bags. We were taken to the middle of nowhere—an abandoned military base. It was the Russian Prison Experience!

I was terrified and excited in equal measure, especially as we started getting shouted at in Russian and forced to take part in drills wearing gas masks! It became clear early on that this was why we’d had such a mad night out the night before—because we were spending tonight locked up!

As it turned out, we didn’t have to be locked in all night. We got the chance to explore this genuine disused military base with a beer in hand. It was illuminating, and some of us stayed up all night chatting in the barracks.

The Verdict

Sitting on the plane home, I told Steve how grateful I was. He just smiled and said, “We had to go big for the last of the gang – besides, how would anyone ever top this?” He was right. It was the perfect send-off.

Inspired by these stories? The Stag and Hen Experience has been organising legendary weekends since 2009. Get in touch on 01202 566100 to plan your own Riga Stag Do check out our Essential Guide.