Been tasked with planning a stag do for your best mate? Congrats, he couldn’t have chosen a better man for the job. But with organising comes great responsibility. Get it right, and you’ll have created a weekend that’s hard to live up to. Get it wrong? You’ll likely never hear the end of it and will endure insufferable roasting on the group chat for years to come.
If the groom-to-be fancies keeping things in the UK, but wants a weekend that balances endless laughs with some great activities, then you absolutely can’t go wrong with Cardiff. This lively destination is hard to beat, and caters for just about every type of stag group out there. It’s compact, unbelievably easy to get around and offers one of the best nights out around.
Need a bit of help sorting your Cardiff itinerary? We caught up with Pippa Masson from The Stag Company, who shares this summer’s most popular stag do activities in Cardiff.
Retro Gaming Arcade Bar
Make sure you book a session at Cardiff’s awesome retro gaming bar, NQ64 – perfect for the stag who grew up with a controller glued to his hands. This place is seriously nostalgic and gives you the chance to drink great craft beers while settling old childhood scores. We’re talking proper retro arcade classics, so expect all those old skool favourites, like Time Crisis, Mario Kart, Guitar Hero and Street Fighter II. It’s casual, laid-back, and most importantly, ridiculously fun.
City Bar Crawls
Discover Cardiff’s lively bar scene with a pre-arranged crawl. You’ll head to some of the city’s hottest spots, where you’ll be able to sink pints, knock back shots, and have an absolute blast. This is a great activity to plan in, especially if you’ve never been to the Welsh capital before. You’ll save loads of time on pub and bar research, because you’ll be taken straight to the best party bars that the city has to offer. Take it from us, you’ll be in great hands with these expert guides!
AR Darts at Boom Battle Bar
The classic game of darts gets a modern makeover at Boom Battle Bar Cardiff. Here, you and your mates will get stuck into AR darts (augmented reality for those not in the know) which makes playing the game so much easier. Forget about quick math, because these techy boards handle all that for you. On top of that, there are also loads of brilliant mini games to choose from too, so even terrible dart players may have a shot at winning! Expect a lively, buzzing atmosphere at this activity bar, along with a top soundtrack to boot!
White Water Rafting
There’s nothing quite like getting the lads together on a raging torrent to see how well they work under pressure. With this one, you and the stags will head to Cardiff International White Water, a purpose-built, Olympic-standard course that’s right on the city’s doorstep. You’ll pile onto rafts, be given paddles, and tasked with navigating some super intense drops and rapids. Yes, it’s fast and muddy, but the adrenaline rush you’ll experience? Priceless. Don’t worry, you’ll be provided with expert guidance from qualified instructors who will give you a thorough safety briefing and will fully show you the ropes.
Whisky and Beer Pairing Masterclass
If the groom fancies himself a bit of a connoisseur – or just appreciates a decent drink – this is a brilliant way to spend a classy afternoon. Instead of just downing generic lagers at the nearest pub, this masterclass pairs premium craft beers with top-shelf whiskies. An expert host will guide you through the different tasting profiles, explaining why certain flavours work so well together. It’s relaxed, sophisticated and ensures everyone enjoys some seriously good booze while learning something new.
The Ultimate Cardiff Bay Cruise
Fancy living it up during your big Cardiff weekend? Then this Cardiff Bay Cruise experience is a must. Get ready for some VIP, high-end lifestyle vibes to really get you and the lads into the spirit of things. With an on-board bar and a DJ bringing the bangers, you’ll be well sorted! Just don’t forget to throw some questionable shapes and really make the most of your party boat experience.
Footgolf
Get outside and enjoy a round of footgolf at one of Cardiff’s purpose-built venues. Never played before? It’s exactly what it sounds like – a brilliant mashup of golf and football. You and the lads will ditch the clubs and kick a football into custom-made, oversized holes in as few shots as possible. It’s completely casual, highly competitive and the perfect way to kick off a classy afternoon.
Stadium Walk at the Principality Stadium
Got a group full of sports-mad stags? You can’t visit Cardiff without paying respects to the holy grail of Welsh rugby. A behind-the-scenes stadium tour of the iconic Principality Stadium is definitely one to add to your to-do list. You’ll get to walk down the players’ tunnel, explore the home changing rooms, and stand pitchside under that massive retractable roof. This one’s a great shout for a daytime experience and gives you the chance to do something a bit cultured.