Bristol Stag Weekend - Your Bristol Stag do guide

Bristol Stag Night

Bristol has very quickly become THE destination for stag groups. That’s no surprise given the West Country’s biggest city is continually voted Most Liveable UK City and Top 10 European Destinations by various publications.

Whether you’re looking for low key riverside boozing, group friendly pubs and restaurants or a banging nightlife, a Bristol stag weekend certain packs a punch.

From Banksy street art on every other corner, a famous live music scene, festivals springing up every weekend and a rich maritime history, getting out to the West Country for a Bristol stag do will certainly be one to remember.

Bristol's best stag do activity!

Your Bristol stag weekend would not be complete without a visit to West Country Games.

Bristol’s most popular stag do activity offers high octane competitive fun in the form of 9 hilariously themed games involving large inflatables, catapults, vicky pollard sumo suits and much more!

And what better way to round off a day out at the farm than a few glasses of proper West Country cider? This truly engaging activity operates year round, moving inside from October through to March.

Stag Do Bristol

Bristol stag weekend Ideas

Stag Do In Bristol

Bristol is England’s sixth largest city and a manly one most worthy of your Bristol stag weekend partying.

With a lot to do and see, it might be well worth spreading a Bristol stag do over Friday to Sunday to get the most in, if not you might miss out on just what the jewel of the West Country has to offer you!

We would suggest booking up accommodation and activities early to avoid disappointment as weekends get booked up really fast, especially in late spring and early summer.

Bristol Stag Party Essential Information

Bristol Stag Weekend Guide

If you have decided on Bristol as destination of choice for your stag do then it’s time to get organising the festivities, however with so many possibilities for accommodation, Bristol stag do nightlife and activities, it may be daunting knowing where to begin.

Fortunately, we have you covered with our Bristol stag weekend manual to give you a couple of pointers in the right direction.

Bristol Stag Party

Planning your Bristol stag do

It’s time to light the touch paper for the Bristol stag do to end all stag dos and its your responsibility to make it happen, so it’s a good idea to get everything organised well in advance. Give yourself around three months or so to pull it all together and try to get as much of the detail confirmed as early as you can.

Having a group chat on WhatsApp or Facebook will help you to keep everyone informed, but you might need a few emails too to make sure you cover all of the potential guests. Starting out with an initial communication on the date and location works well as an introduction to get the group numbers confirmed.

Ready... Set... Stag!

Once you’ve got that ticked off the list, you can start to organise the accommodation in Bristol before getting the activities, unusual stag grub and party venues sorted. We’ve included sections on each of these below to start you off, along with a few additional local tips for good measure.

It is time to light the touch paper to your Bristol stag do, and it is your own obligation to make it happen, so it is a fantastic idea to have everything organised well beforehand. Give yourself about three weeks or so to pull it all together and attempt to get as much of this detail arranged as early as possible.

Starting with a group discussion on WhatsApp or Facebook can help you keep everybody up to speed, but you may need a couple emails also to be certain to reach each the prospective guests. Starting out with a first communication on the date and place works nicely as an introduction to have the group size confirmed.

When you’ve got that ticked off the list, you may begin to populate the accommodation in Bristol before getting the activities, stag grub and party venues sorted. We have included sections on all the below to start off you, together with a couple additional  local tips for good measure.

Bristol Stag Do Ideas

Bristol Stag Weekend Ideas

For a beginning 17th Century Bristol was home to the pirating legend Edward Teach, Blackbeard! We’d advise against sending the stag out pirating and possibly settle to get a Bristol Packet ship tour of the numerous pubs and bars across the shore and docks.

Bristol is a testament into the engineering excellence of this cigar puffing, stove pipe hat lover, Brunel. Arrive to the Bristol stag weekend in his glorious Temple Meads Railway Station (there is a night club at the railway arches alongside), watch that the magnificent Clifton Suspension Bridge, which it is possible to see from a bar patio and plank his world renowned ship the S.S. Great Britain.

Bristol stag do activities

Obviously the birth location of Concorde is Bristol too. We all know the French did a little one weekend but we are ferociously proud. Additionally the chaps here made one of the best gifts to humankind, Bristols. The transportation of the genuine gentleman Bristol stag and hand constructed by committed regional craftsmen…

If you’d like sports onto your Bristol stag weekend we are not overly fussy with Bristol City and Bristol Rovers, providing soccer fans with lots to shout about. Our regional rugby boys, creatively called Bristol Rugby Club, have fought out premiership names and continue to fill out the local arena with rugged types crashing into each other like rutting stags.

There is cricket also at The County Ground with club and global matches played. A relaxing way to recuperate on a Sunday following a hefty Bristol stag party.

Why choose Bristol for a stag Do weekend?

Bristol has introduced the world with the greatest baddie in the shape of former Bristol Grammar School student Dave Prowse, aka Darth Vader. Regrettably his amazing west country accent has been substituted for the movie. We struggle with this choice although possibly “Luke, oim yer faather…” may not have appeared quite perfect!

Being home to two universities signifies Bristol has a huge student population. Pupils mean nightlife, enormous celebration time and plenty to pick from to get an excellent Bristol stag do.

From a staggering pub crawl across the nice bars of upmarket Clifton to clubbing your way round the centre and up Park Street, each stag is guaranteed a fantastic night out in Bristol.

Additionally, there are casinos, karaoke bars and something known as lap dance clubs (more Bristols!), but we do not understand anything about this of course! What occurs on a Bristol stag weekend remains on a stag weekend…

Where to stay in Bristol on your Stag Weekend

You may not see all that much of it, with all of the partying and activities, but getting decent accommodation for your Bristol stag do is a big part of an epic weekend. Here are a few options to consider for your stag weekend accommodation in Bristol.

Mercure Holland Bristol Stag

Mercure Bristol Holland House Hotel and Spa

Starting out with a little style, there’s the Mercure Bristol Holland House Hotel and Spa, which is conveniently located between the centre of town and Bristol Templemeads train station.

It’s got a large heated indoor pool to clear away the cobwebs after a huge night out and its relatively affordable as 4-star hotels go, you could event treat the Stag to a spa facial on this Bristol stag do!

Bristol Yha Bristol Stag

Bristol YHA

On the other end of the spectrum, if you’re looking to save the majority of your fivers for drink and g-strings, you can opt for the simplicity of Bristol YHA.

It’s as cheap as you’ll find in the city, and has a large number of dorm rooms and bunk beds to keep everyone in the same place for Bristol the weekend.

Holiday Inn Bristol Centre Bristol Stag Weekend

Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre

Another central Bristol stag accommodation option is the Holiday Inn Bristol City Centre, which you can find near Cabot Circus.

It’s got modern rooms and on-site parking, which is always useful when bringing a large group of friends together in one place.

Ibis Bristol Stag Night

Ibis Hotel

If you’re looking for simple digs in the city with little fuss, there’s always the Ibis, which is located right in the centre of town, just south of the cathedral.

Room prices are pretty cheap and it does a mean breakfast if you want to add in the extras.

Brandon Hill House Stag In Bristol

Brandon Hill House

Finally, there’s the lads pad that is The Brandon Hill House, which boasts 14 single beds throughout five bedrooms, along with a private garden, plenty of communal space and a large kitchen.

It’s a short walk to town too, making it a great option for a Bristol stag weekend if you’ve got a group size to fill it.

What to do – Bristol Stag Do Activities

Bristol’s many diverse weekend events include the harbour festival, balloon fiesta, Simple Things Festival, umpteen beer and cider festivals, the ever colourful St Pauls Carnival and many other sights and sounds to make it a Bristol stag weekend to remember.

If you’re looking for some good ideas for activities to do on your Bristol stag do, the good news is that there are a lot of options to go for. We’ve added in a few of the unique experiences you can opt for to make the weekend as memorable as possible.

West Country Games Bristol Stag

West Country Games

Our favourite Bristol stag do activity; get into the spirit of sheer, unrelenting fun with a day at West Country Games. With nine West Country-themed games to enjoy, ranging from the infamous Cider Run to the ridiculously hilarious West Country Wipeout, it’s as madcap as it gets.

It’s located just five miles outside Bristol and all of the activities take place in the fresh air of an open field, so if you want to be at one with nature while you get one of the most unique Bristol stag activities of your life then this is for you!

Bristol Bath Railway Path Bristol Stag Do

Ride along the Bristol to Bath Railway Path

If the groom likes his cycling, or the group is looking for a challenge then you can ride along the Bristol to Bath Railway Path as part of your Bristol stag do activities.

It follows along the old train line through some stunning countryside, and then you can grab a beer or two in Bath and catch the train back for a big night out in Bristol.

Alternatively, you can all hire tandems from Bristol Tandem Hire and see how far you can get with the power of two.

Graffiti Hunting Stag Do Bristol

Graffiti Hunting

Not an obvious one to do on a Bristol stag weekend, but with the rise of Banksy to graffiti legend status, Bristol has become synonymous with street art.

Its got a lot of great examples to visit and you can add in a bit more fun by making it a part of your “Banksy and a Beer” pub crawl plans.

River Boat Ride Bristol Stag Weekend

Boozy Boat Trip

Bristol is renowned for its maritime history, and there are plenty of ways to get out onto the waterways of the city.

The easiest is to incorporate the a Bristol boats trip in to your pub golf route, but you can also book a party boat for the evening with West Country Weekends.

They also do a tour of dockside pubs that you can charter either during the day or in the evening.

Bristol Academy Stag Night

Bristol academy

Grab some great live music on your Bristol stag weekend! The Bristol academy is a perfect intimate venue for watching one of your favourite bands.

Smack bang in the centre of the city, the venue is surrounded by stag friendly bars & clubs – so you can make the most of the city before watching the band take stage!

The academy is bless's Bristol with many A-list bands, so keep an eye out for tickets to see the band your "groom to be" fancies the most!

Best places to eat & drink on your Bristol Stag do

With a city as lively and bustling as Bristol, there are plenty of places to catch a bite to eat in-between all of the crazy Bristol stag do activities and propping up the bar.

Here are five great options for groups, giving you incredible pizzas, mind blowing curries and a couple of the more unique dining options, not to mention the bars and clubs.

Racks Bristol Stag In Bristol

Racks Bar & Kitchen

This large venue dubs itself as Bristol’s best party venue, so it’s pretty well set up for stag weekenders looking for a hearty meal.

It’s also known for the quality of its burgers, so you might want to add that to your order, but it also does a killer Sunday Roast if you’re looking to round off the weekend with a big feed.

Carribean Croft Stag Do In Bristol

Caribbean Croft

Get some sun-loving vibes on your Bristol stag weekend with the incredibly tasty Caribbean fair on the menu at Caribbean Croft in the exciting Stokes Croft area of the city.

In addition to favourites like the Jerk Chicken and Curried Goat, you can also sample a wide selection of rums straight from the heart of the Caribbean.

Mezze Palace Bristol Stag

Mezze Palace Lebanese Restaurant

Lebanese food comes packed with a lot of lift with its combination of spices, flatbreads and pepper punches, and Mezze Palace swirls it all together with great spirit under its arched ceiling.

It serves up some unique dishes, which includes spiced lamb shank, grilled whole chicken marinated with Mezze Palace’s special sauce and the spiciest mixed grill this side of the Middle East.

Raj Bristol Stag Weekend In Bristol

Raj

No Bristol stag do would be complete without at least one trip to a curry house and Raj is as good as it gets in Bristol for groups.

It’s a traditional style curry house with a dedication to authentic Indian cuisine, so you should expect to very well fed.

White Rabbit Bristol Stag Party

The White Rabbit

If your rabble is looking for the best pizzas in Bristol then you can’t go wrong with the vast array of choice at The White Rabbit in Clifton.

It’s got 24 different pizzas to choose from, starting with its simple garlic pizza and building up to the meaty Mad Hatter Calzone and the spicy heat of the Calibrese.

Places to kick things off - Best Bars and Pubs

Not all bars are created equal, so we’ve picked out some of the most interesting in the city to add to your boozy trek around Bristol.

Beer Emporium Stag Night

The Beer Emporium

This is the holy grail of beer bars in Bristol with hundreds of beers to choose from, but from the look of the main shop floor you might be fooled into thinking that it’s too small for your Bristol stag weekend group.

However, it’s got three vaulted cellars below decks and plenty of tables outside, so you should all be able to find somewhere to feast your eyes and taste buds on the first wonder of the hops world.

Coronation Tap Bristol

Coronation Tap

This is a very small cider house, so you might imagine it being a strange addition to a list of places for a Bristol stag weekend, but it has one very big reason for its inclusion: the leg swaying might of its Exhibition cider.

It’s a challenge in itself, clocking in at 8.4% ABV, and this slightly sparkling cider can’t be brought anywhere else but at the Coronation Tap.

Illusions Bristol

Smoke & Mirrors Magic Bar

Get some live magic with your drinks at Smoke & Mirrors Magic Bar, where you can also take part in a magical master class of your own.

Free close-up magicians roam the confines of the bar to trick you with their illusions, so you might want to watch what they do with your watch or wallet.

King Street Brewhouse

King Street Brew House

Add some real ale into the itinerary at King Street Brew House where urban drinking meets the delights of microbrewery heaven.

In addition to its own brews, it also throws in an ever-changing compliment of guest craft beers into the mix, so there will be plenty to sample.

Kongs Bristol

Kongs

A great selection of lagers, beers and spirits gets a shot of fun at Kongs with the addition of classic arcade games and ping-pong tables to play.

If that isn’t enough to get it onto your Bristol stag do plans then you can also factor in the foosball tables, which should just about tip it over the line.

Places to party on a Stag do in Bristol

Bristol is a great city for a stag party, with a wide range of nightlife options to choose, from the cobbled stones of King Street which is great for a pub crawl, or some plush Rum-sipping secret bars hidden away underground.

Here are a few suggestions for things to do on a stag party in Bristol

Pryzm Bristol

Pryzm

This is easily the biggest nightclub you’ll find in Bristol with seven themed rooms to keep you entertained throughout the night.

In addition to all that space, it also has a lot of bars to try, which helps to keep the queues down. Nightclub entry is pretty much guaranteed for stag groups, especially if you are able to book in advance.

Popworld Bristol

Popworld

This 80s themed nightclub is all about delivering the perfect party venue, so it’s big on fun and low on pretentions.

You can even book a table for your Bristol stag party to have as its base, giving the boozier members of the band of brothers an easy route back to mission command.

Lola Lo Bristol

Lola Lo

Everyone knows that nothing says Bristol stag do like a Polynesian nightclub. Okay, so maybe that’s not a thing, but Lola Lo is here to prove otherwise with its Tiki bar style and monkey nuts bar.

It serves up some exotic drinks and has plenty of tables and booths to base your tribe before heading to the jumping dance floor later in the night.

La Rocca Bristol

La Rocca

Another great party venue to consider is La Rocca on Triangle South. It’s a 3-room nightclub with classic tracks and chart hits playing throughout the night.

It’s also got a chequerboard dance floor, so your moves should look even more impressive than ever before.  You can ask the DJ to play your favourite songs, this is what makes La Rocca one of our favourite music venues.

basement 45

Basement 45

Known for its electronic music events and is a popular venue for dance music fans. With three rooms, each featuring its own style of music and atmosphere.

The main room is known for its high-energy atmosphere and features a range of electronic music genres, including house, techno, and drum and bass.

The second room is a more intimate space that features more experimental and underground electronic music, while the third room is a bar area with a more relaxed vibe.

Local tips...

While the bigger festival timelines are best avoided, there are a couple that might be worth throwing into the mix. One of the less obvious choice of any Bristol stag do ideas is going to a festival in Bristol. Love Saves The Day takes place in May and features live music and entertainment at Eastville Park to the North East of the city. There’s also the Simple Things Festival in October if you’re looking at a stag weekend in late autumn. It’s another great music festival, and takes place at various venues across the city.

Other local gems to consider are the caves beneath Redwood, which play host to horror film screenings and ghost tours, a ride down the natural rock slide up at Clifton Down, or you can try staying in Brooks Guesthouse’s Retro Rocker rooftop caravans if your party is small enough.

So there we are gents, Bristol is a manly place fit for stags to have a grand day out, oh yes, Wallace and Gromit were born here. Is this getting a bit tenuous for famous links, now?

In that case we’ll draw to a close, oh there’s another, Banksy, possibly Bristol’s most notorious worldwide scribbler. You can see various pieces of his work around town.