Stag weekends in Bristol are changing. In the past stag groups were restricted to a choice of bars on the Waterfront, but now Bristol offers so much more. Jamie Weber of West Country Games looks at what’s on offer…
If you have the responsibility of organising your best mate’s stag do your immediate thoughts probably turn to location. You’ve read a few articles on the internet, recalled countless hazy nights in various places you can barely remember. But which destination will really tick all the boxes?
Bristol has long been synonymous with stag weekends, and probably features in your collection of hazy nights. But the vast landscape of the Bristol stag scene is changing. Can it really be that the Bristol stag weekend has grown up?
Ten years ago it was simple. Bag a cheap hotel somewhere near the centre and ‘head to the Waterfront’. A vast array of no-frills drinking establishments strewn along one side of the river, this area was firm stag and hen territory. Your only barrier, as you jumped from one bar to the next, was a gaggle of scantily clad girls with printed pink t-shirts and a small army of Where’s Wallys?
The Waterfront remains a destination for many, but Bristol now packs a punch elsewhere in the city. A thriving new uprising of hipster bars are sure to tick any thirst-quenching box amongst your stag group.
Beermuda Triangle
Centred on King Street, one of the oldest streets in Bristol, salty sea-dogs have been drinking here ever since the first boats pulled in from the colonies. But now the self-acclaimed ‘Beermuda Triangle’ has seen an explosion of independent craft beer houses and small breweries burst onto the scene.
Throngs occupy outside tables and chairs on the cobblestone, pedestrian streets to create a buzzing atmosphere. Jazz music from The Old Juke drifts through the air as you decide your weapon of choice amongst an array of horrendously named ciders on a boat named The Apple.
Moving on, you soon realise there are just too many great looking artisan beer establishments to visit on one night. So it’s time to be selective. Small Bar is one of the best. This craft beer pub focuses on unconventional and varied IPAs, stouts, blonde beers and saisons. Moreover, when you look up on the board and spot a heading named ‘Crazy Shit’, you know you’re in for an interesting night.
Elsewhere on the Beermuda Triangle, The Beer Emporium is a deceptively large basement pub offering a huge selection of real ales set amongst German style tables and benches. Otherwise, you could try The Volunteer, a proper treasure of a pub serving anything from IPA to craft cider.
Activities for Stag Weekends in Bristol
But what else is there to attract the prospective stag group to Bristol? Well not only is Publand changing, but Bristol now offers an ever increasing selection of group activities.
Gone are the days of go karting and paintball, which everyone has done. A whole host of companies are opening in Bristol to engage groups in a range of new, innovative activities.
West Country Games is a crazy activity that will have you in stitches, fantastic for any stag weekends in Bristol. Bring your wellies down to the farm and compete against the boys in a series of nine hilarious games. Follow that with a proper West Country Picnic Lunch and you’ve nailed the Saturday.
Airhop is another new activity on Bristol’s bustling activity scene. Boasting the largest trampoline park in the country, there’s also dodgeball and Wipeout games to keep you entertained.
A lot of buzz is expected when The Wave joins the mix. An inland surfing destination, thrill seekers will enter three zones designed from beginners through to advanced surfers.
All in all stag weekends in Bristol remain a fantastic choice. But scratch the surface and do your homework to find a lot more on offer than first meets the eye.
Guest post by Jamie Weber of West Country Games
