Stag do ideas in London

The short answer

The best stag do ideas in London pair a daytime or early evening activity, such as social darts at Flight Club, karting at Capital Karts or a Thames RIB speedboat, with a big group dinner and a few good bars. The city has plenty to offer any group, but it is also expensive and spread out, so a simple plan in one area will work far better than a packed itinerary that has people chasing each other across town.

Start by asking the group what they actually want, and agree a budget early on. A stag party of mates in their thirties has different needs to one with a mix of ages, and not everyone wants the same kind of weekend. All the prices, deals and group terms mentioned by venues change, and many have rules specifically about stag parties, so contact them directly and tell them it is a stag when you book.

Activities and competition

Flight Club has social darts venues in Angel, Bloomsbury, Shoreditch and Victoria, with automatic scoring, so nobody has to do mental arithmetic after a pint. Bounce offers ping pong and drinks in Farringdon, Old Street and Battersea Power Station. Both are designed for groups, and both are easy places to spend a couple of hours with drinks and food on the table.

For crazy golf, there is Puttshack at Bank and at White City, Swingers near Oxford Circus and Junkyard Golf Club in Shoreditch, which has themed courses and loud music. Sandbox VR offers group virtual reality at Westfield London and Wandsworth, if your group is more into gaming. The Crystal Maze LIVE Experience on Shaftesbury Avenue recreates the old TV show with team challenges, and it is a great choice for competitive friends, as long as you are happy to be shouted at by a Maze Master.

Getting the adrenaline up

Capital Karts at Canary Wharf is an indoor electric go-kart circuit in the basement of Cabot Place, and it is a popular stag choice that runs whatever the weather. Group races with a podium can be very competitive, and it is easy to reach on the Jubilee line or the Elizabeth line. Thames RIB Experience offers high-speed boat rides on the river, leaving from central piers, with private hire available for groups. It gives you a terrific view of the city, and it can work well early in the day, before drinks start.

Keep safety in mind for these activities. Operators can refuse anyone who has been drinking, and they are right to. Book the action first, and leave the pints for later.

Food, drink and laughs

A big dinner is often the heart of the weekend. Hawksmoor has several London steakhouses and is a good pick for a group of meat lovers, and Blacklock is known for chops and for big Sunday roasts, including one that the Good Food Guide singled out for group dining. Book early, because large tables are limited, and expect to be offered a set menu with a deposit. For a daytime session, the bottomless brunch guide has good ideas for the whole group.

The Comedy Store near Piccadilly Circus is a brilliant way to fill an hour or two in the evening, and the jokes usually land on someone in your group. Some speakeasy-style bars such as Cahoots in Soho also suit a stag if you book in advance, but small hidden bars rarely welcome parties of a dozen. Ask before you all turn up, as you will save yourself an embarrassing wait.

Bars, clubs and doors

Be realistic about nights out. Many bars and clubs in London restrict stag parties or large male groups, and some will refuse entry if there are costumes, matching T-shirts or anyone who has had too much to drink. Splitting into smaller groups does not always help. Calling ahead to book a table or a space is the most reliable way to get everybody inside.

Music clubs such as Fabric or Ministry of Sound tend to be more straightforward, as you buy a ticket in advance, while Mayfair table clubs may expect a minimum spend. Our clubs guide covers the main options. Anyone planning a strip club visit should read the licensing rules and charges first, and be aware of the no-touching rules that are typical in London.

Planning tips

Use one person as a treasurer and collect money up front, because this avoids a lot of argument later. Choose your hotel or apartment near a Tube line and close to where you will finish up, and check its rules on stag groups. Read the small print on deposits for any venue, as you may lose them if your numbers fall. Keep the groom's limits in mind, and check that the plan works for everyone, including anyone not drinking.

Plan a low-key meal or brunch for the next morning, and leave plenty of time for people's trains. Anyone who is staying in London a little longer and would like a quiet dinner can see dinner dates on many of our ladies' profiles.