London Stag Night 101
A guide on how to hold a stag which will live long in the memory!
If you've been named the best man and want to organise a legendary stag do in the nation's capital, take a look at this guide to putting together a first-class night.
The Guest List
The fail-safe time-honoured stag night combination goes something like this: casino, bar, club and/or gentlemen's club. But before you start planning your night on the tiles, your first task is deciding who to invite. This might be one piece of the planning you want to involve the groom in, or you could get some advice from his other friends or family. The bigger the group, the more laughs you can have usually – but you'll want to make sure your party knows how to party if your night is going to go with a bang. The decision about whether to invite the bride's father and family will depend on how well the groom gets on with them, but if you decide to leave them out of your big night, you might want to organise a second, best-behaviour stag night with them down your local pub.
The Casino
The Grosvenor casino is a great starting location. You can head for the Vic on Edgware Road, the Grosvenor G in Piccadilly, the Gloucester in South Kensington or, if you've got memberships and are dressed to impress, the exclusive Park Tower in Knightsbridge. You can't beat a casino for getting a stag party in the mood for fun and excitement. Line your stomachs with a bite to eat in the restaurant or bar, then wash it down with a dry martini or two before trying your luck at the tables or in the poker room. If you want to go on to a bar after, you're spoiled for choice and won't need to wander far to find somewhere that takes your fancy.
The Clubs
The best nightclubs are always in London. For an unforgettable night, you'll never go wrong at Fabric in Clerkenwell, Egg in King's Cross or Heaven on Villiers Street. Other safe bets include Ministry of Sound on Gaunt Street, Pacha London near Victoria Station or Plan B in Stockwell. Roll up any time after 11, when the dancefloors start to fill up, and you'll be guaranteed a good time.
Gentlemen's Clubs
It's up to you whether to include a visit to a gentlemen's club in your itinerary. If you do, Peter Stringfellow's Angels is one of the most famous, situated in the heart of Soho, while Windmill International is nearby and another dependable option. Shoreditch, meanwhile, is home to a number of well-known lap-dancing clubs. These include Browns, which is one of the country's oldest, and Platinum, which is spread over four floors.
The End of the Night
Traditionally, your job as best man isn't finished until you have completed the ritual humiliation of your groom. But we'll let you decide how you do this!
April 5, 2013