Why a Leeds stag do works
A Leeds stag do is the safe bet that never feels like one. The centre is compact, the bars stay open late and the station drops you within staggering distance of almost everything. I like it for mixed groups because it covers every base. The craft beer lads get their sit-down, the dancefloor lads get their 3am finish, and the stag is far too busy wearing whatever you’ve put him in to complain.
It’s also proper Yorkshire. That means friendly bar staff, honest pints and locals who have seen a lot of stag dos and will happily tell yours exactly where it’s going wrong.
After dark
Call Lane is the street everyone talks about, a narrow strip of late bars near the Corn Exchange that gets louder as the night goes on. Greek Street is the smarter end, where shirts get tucked in and the cocktail menus get longer. Merrion Street and the Northern Quarter have more of the same, while Boar Lane and Lower Briggate fill in the gaps with pubs and clubs. It’s all walkable, so you won’t lose half the group in a taxi queue. You might lose them somewhere else, but that’s on them.
Then there’s the Otley Run, the famous fancy dress crawl through Far Headingley, Headingley and Hyde Park towards town. It’s packed with students and stag groups in matching outfits, and the route is already worked out, which is my favourite kind of pub crawl. Pick a theme, raid the stag do costumes, and make sure the stag’s outfit is the worst one there.
Daytime damage
The usual stag favourites are all within reach of the city. Go karting gives you a podium and a villain, paintball lets everyone settle old scores, and bubble football is the one I’d pick if half your group hasn’t run since school. Axe throwing and escape rooms are easy to find closer to the centre if you’d rather not get muddy before the big night.
For a gentler morning, the Royal Armouries at Leeds Dock has enough swords and armour to keep a group of grown men quiet for a while. Kirkgate Market, one of the biggest covered markets in Europe, is the place for a recovery breakfast. If there’s a game on, Elland Road (Leeds United) and Headingley (cricket and rugby) are worth checking before you fix the dates.
Getting there and getting about
Leeds is one of the easiest cities in the north to reach. It sits on the main rail lines, with direct trains from London and plenty of cross-country routes, and Leeds Bradford Airport is handy if some of the lads are flying in. Once you’re there, walk. The centre is small enough that a taxi is only really needed for Headingley or getting home.
If the group fancies a two-city Leeds stag weekend, it pairs nicely with a night in York or Sheffield, both an easy train ride away.
Things I'd check first
- Dress codes. The smarter bars on Greek Street can be fussy. Turn up in a sumo suit and you’ll be drinking on Call Lane instead, so pack a shirt for the evening.
- Drinking in the street. Leeds uses public space orders in parts of the city. Keep the drinks inside the bars and nobody gets a lecture.
- Bring ID. Every one of you. The baby-faced usher always gets asked.
- Split big groups. Doormen are friendlier to six than to twenty, so break into smaller crews and meet up later.
- Watch the calendar. Freshers’ week in the autumn makes the Otley Run very busy. Great atmosphere, longer queues.
Where to stay on a Leeds stag do
I’d keep the whole group in the city centre. It’s compact, the station drops you within staggering distance of almost everything, and Call Lane, Greek Street, Boar Lane and Lower Briggate are all walkable from each other. Somewhere close to the Corn Exchange puts you right by the late bars on Call Lane, so the walk home is short no matter how late it gets.
I wouldn’t stay out in Headingley, even if the Otley Run is the main event. It’s the one part of the weekend where you’ll want a taxi, and you only need it once. Start the crawl out there, finish it in town, and you’re already near your bed.
My practical tip: watch the calendar. Freshers’ week in the autumn makes the Otley Run very busy, so if your dates fall then, expect longer queues and get everything booked early. Great atmosphere, though.
A Leeds stag weekend: my sample itinerary
Friday Get the direct train in from London (or fly into Leeds Bradford Airport), drop the bags and ease in with the pubs on Boar Lane and Lower Briggate. Once everyone’s arrived, move on to Call Lane by the Corn Exchange, where the late bars get louder as the night goes on.
Saturday Burn off Friday with bubble football, the one I’d pick if half the group hasn’t run since school. Then into the fancy dress and a taxi to Far Headingley for the Otley Run, a ready-made pub crawl through Headingley and Hyde Park towards town. Make sure the stag’s outfit is the worst one on the route. Back in town, change into a shirt, because the Greek Street bars can be fussy, and finish with longer cocktail menus or a flutter at the casino. Split into smaller crews for the doors, and everyone brings ID.
Sunday Recovery breakfast at Kirkgate Market, one of the biggest covered markets in Europe. Then the Royal Armouries at Leeds Dock, where the swords and armour will keep a group of broken men quiet for a while. If there’s a game on, Elland Road or Headingley is a fine way to see out the weekend.
Bar Babes Barcrawl
Day package
- Fully planned 4-hour barcrawls across a range of UK locations
- 2-4 beauties to chaperone you
- Girls get the drinks all night from the kitty
- Freebies & discounts in all venues
- Party drinking games, challenges and forfeits dished out by the girls
- Barcrawl ends in a nightclub (entry arranged by us)
Prepare for a night to remember as you and the boys are taken on a bar crawl with some beautiful girls! Drinking games, challenges and forfeits for the stag lie in wait as you go bar hopping in the company of beer maids!
Leeds The Stag Company Open Stag Weekend Package
2 nights awaywith 
- 2 Nights Stay In 3* Hotel
- 18 Holes Of Golf
- Guestlist & Q-Jump to Vodka Bar
- Free Casino Entry
- Nightclub Entry
- Two Course Meal & Welcome Drink
Enjoy a round of golf and have swifty at the club house before heading out for a night on the tiles in Leeds at the night club.
Leeds Clubbing Stag Night Package
1 night awaywith
- 1 Nights Stay In 3* Hotel
- Free Casino Entry
- Guestlist & Q-Jump to Vodka Bar
- Nightclub Entry
A good classic package for you and the stag party to get your teeth stuck in to !
Leeds High Rollers Stag Weekend Package
2 nights awaywith
- 2 Nights Stay In 3* Hotel
- Free Casino Entry
- Three Course Pizzeria Meal and Welcome Drink
- Guestlist & Q-Jump to Vodka Bar
- Lap Dancing Entry
- Nightclub Entry
Get yourself some tucker before heading out for a night on the tiles
Leeds Mini Tank Driving Stag Weekend Package
2 nights awaywith
- 2 Nights Stay In 3* Hotel
- Mini Tank Driving
- Casino Entry
- Nightclub Entry
Get down and dirty tearing around a dirt track in a mini tank, before hitting the club. Splendid!
Leeds Encore Stag Weekend Package
2 nights awaywith
- 2 Nights Stay In 3* Hotel
- Friday Night Comedy Club Inc Meal
- Pre-Paid Saturday Nightclub Entry
- Free Casino Entry
Tell the MC its a stag do and look on as the groom is destroyed! Then take to the dance floor for a bit of boogie - get your disco gear on fellas!
Leeds Gunbelievable Stag Weekend Package
2 nights awaywith
- 2 Nights Stay In 3* Hotel
- Clay Pigeon Shooting Experience
- Guestlist & Q-Jump to Vodka Bar
- Nightclub Entry
Fancy yourself as a hot shot? Prove it to the boys by taking down some clay pigeons before some good quality club and lap dancing action.
Leeds Go-Karting Stag Night Package
1 night awaywith
- 1 Nights Stay In 3* Hotel
- Indoor Go-Karting Experience
- Free Casino Entry
- Guestlist & Q-Jump to Vodka Bar
- Nightclub Entry
This is a fast and furious way to spend a Stag Do. Zip round Leeds' superb indoor track and ride home to victory at the Stag's expense! Then go clubbing and enjoy all Leeds has to offer for a Stag Weekend to remember.
Leeds Base Stag Weekend Package
2 nights awaywith
- 2 Nights Stay In 3* Hotel
- Guestlist & Q-Jump to Vodka Bar
- Nightclub Entry
- Free Casino Entry
Go clubbing with the boys and enjoy a night to remember!
Leeds Paintball Stag Night Package
1 night awaywith
- 1 Nights Stay In 3* Hotel
- Full day paintball session
- Free Casino Entry
- Guestlist & Q-Jump to Vodka Bar
- Nightclub Entry
Bring all that Playstation practice to bear in this superb value package that sees you and the boys play shootem up for real with paintballs. Then it's out for a night out at the club !
Leeds Poker Race Stag Weekend Package
2 nights awaywith
- 2 Nights Stay In 3* Hotel
- Indoor Go-Karting Experience
- Free Casino Entry
- Nightclub Entry
Get the adrenaline flowing on the race track in this high octane weekend package that is fast and furious before heading out to in Leeds' buzzing nightlife.
Leeds Four Play Stag Weekend Package
2 nights awaywith
- 2 Nights Stay In 3* Hotel
- Quad Bike Experience
- Free Casino Entry
- Guestlist & Q-Jump to Vodka Bar
- Nightclub Entry
Rip around outdoor terrain on quad bikes before heading out for a night on tiles - hotel, quad bikes and pre-paid club entry are all included in this great value package.
Leeds Paintball Paradise Stag Weekend Package
2 nights awaywith 
- 2 nights accommodation
- Priority Club Entry
- Full Day Paintballing, 100 Paintballs and Lunch
Bring all that Playstation practice to bear as you play shootem up for real with paintballs. Then it's back, showered and out for a night out to sample the best of Leeds' nightlife.
Leeds Bavarian Bierkeller Stag Do
Day packagewith
- Pre-paid Guest List Entry with Cloakroom Service
- Prime Seating - based on first come first served
- Buxom Bavarian Waitress Service
- Welcome Shot and Pretzel
- Haus Stein of Beer, Cider or Cocktail Each
- Live Bavarian Band
- Games on Stage
- DJ and party until 2am
Bierkeller night out with reserved seating, beer, shots, live oompah music and drinking until late.
Leeds Triple Fun Day Stag Do Package
Day packagewith
- 250cc Quad Bikes
- Clay Pigeon Shooting
- Archery Competition
- Steak Dinner with Beer
- Gents Club with Lap dancing
Huge package of stag activities including a day driving quad bikes, shooting clays and competing in an archery competition. Then your Leeds Stag night includes a steak dinner with beer, and lap dancing at a top gents club
Leeds Eat Sleep Party Stag Night Package
1 night awaywith
- 1 Nights Stay In 3* Hotel
- Free Casino Entry
- Meal
A good night lies on wait as you and the boys take in a bit of fodder before hitting the Leeds night life, with nightclub entry guaranteed. Boom!
Leeds Special Stag Weekend Package
2 nights awaywith
- 2 nights accommodation
- Lap Dancing Club Entry
- Paintballing: full Day with lunch plus 100 paintballs each
- Two Course Evening Meal
- Lapdance Club Entry and Drink
- Guest List Nightclub Entry
This tremendous value package has it all - 2 nights in a hotel, lapdancing entry, and paintballing!
Bubble Football (with a twist)
Day package
Get ready for a new twist on the hottest trend to sweep stag weekends the country over – this is bubble football with a difference. Hit 'read more' to, er find out more
Leeds Casino Royale Stag Do
Day packagewith 
- Air Rifle Shooting
- Royal Flush Experience
- Silks Lap Club Entry
- Pryzm Guestlist Entry
Now, this is just like James Bond… Prepare for life as an international spy, with the Casino Royale package. Get your aim in with an intense air rifle shooting session, and don your tux for the Royal Flush experience at a top casino. Going slightly off Bond... you've also got entry to Silks lap club, as well as the mighty Pryzm.
Leeds City Slickers Stag Do
Day packagewith
- The Straight Flush Casino Experience
- Silks Lap Club Entry
- Pryzm Guestlist Entry
Celebrate the stag do in style during the City Slickers package. It's, practically, right out of a Bond film - with The Straight Flush Casino Experience starting the night. Once you've pocketed your winnings - spend it all at Silks Lap Club, as well as the mighty Pryzm.
Leeds Crazy Bash Stag Do Package
2 nights awaywith
- 2 Nights Accommodation
- Breakfast
- Low Ropes Course
- Target Range
- Archery
- 3 Course Stag Dinner with Beer
- Nightclub Guest List Entry
2 nights city centre hotel accommodation with breakfast. A full day of stag activities including a low ropes course, target range or archery. Then a 3 course stag dinner with beer and nightclub guest list entry
Leeds Laser Stag Stag Do
Day packagewith
- Outdoor Laser Tag
- Revolution - 2 Course Meal
- Pryzm Guestlist Entry
Laser Stag will test your precision, and separate the men from the boys. This spectacular stag do package boasts an epic outdoor laser tag session, before a hearty two course meal at Revolution. You've got to line the stomach… After all of that, you'll end the massive night with entry to the hugely popular Pryzm.
Leeds Bumper Bargain Stag Do Package
2 nights awaywith
- 2 Nights Accommodation
- Breakfast
- Paintball (9 zones)
- Pub Challenge
- Gents Lap dancing Club
- Nightclub Guest List Entry
2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast. A full day of paintball with a pub challenge, gents club and guaranteed nightclub entry. What more could a stag want?
Leeds Balls & Babes Stag Do
Day packagewith
- Bubble Football with a Sexy Referee
- Yates - Beer & Burger
- Beer Babes Bar Crawl - 5 hours
Balls & Babes will be flying on your stag weekend, with this epic package. A sexy ref will oversee your hilarious game of Bubble Football - although most of you will end up on the floor… There's also a beer and a burger to enjoy at Yates, and a bar crawl with the sexy beer babes. Cheers.
Things to do on a Leeds stag do
The activities you can book in a Leeds stag package with us right now, most popular first. Each one has my guide to what’s involved.
- Casino 13 packages
- Comedy 13 packages
- Bubble Football 10 packages
- Go Karting 9 packages
- Paintball 8 packages
- Pub Crawl 5 packages
- Shooting 3 packages
- Quad Biking 3 packages
- Archery 2 packages
- Clay Pigeon Shooting 2 packages
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for a Leeds stag do?
Avoid freshers’ week in the autumn if the Otley Run is on your list, as it gets very busy with longer queues. If the lads want a game, check what’s on at Elland Road and Headingley before you fix the dates.
What is the dress code in Leeds bars?
The smarter bars on Greek Street can be fussy, so pack a shirt for the evening. Turn up in a sumo suit and you’ll be drinking on Call Lane instead. Bring ID too, every one of you.
Where should a stag group drink in Leeds?
Call Lane is the narrow strip of late bars near the Corn Exchange that everyone talks about, and Greek Street is the smarter end. For fancy dress, the Otley Run crawls from Far Headingley towards town with the route already worked out.
How do you get to Leeds for a stag do?
Get the train, as Leeds has direct services from London and plenty of cross-country routes. Leeds Bradford Airport suits anyone flying in, and once you’re there the centre is small enough to walk.
