Comedy Stag Do

A comedy stag do is one of the easiest nights to organise. Food, drinks, a few comics and a boogie afterwards, and plenty of clubs do the lot under one roof. Nobody has to be fit, nobody has to be sober, and the stag gets roasted by a professional instead of by you. Save your best material for the speech.

It also suits mixed groups. The dads, the quiet mate from work and the lads who never miss a night out can all sit together and laugh at the same thing, which is rarer than it sounds on a stag do. With the possible exception of a good curry, I can’t think of much that unites a group faster.

Comics love a stag. Let the club know there’s a groom in the room when you book, sit near the front and dress him in something that screams pick on me. A crown, a sash or a t-shirt with his face on it all do the job, and the rest takes care of itself.

Fair warning, though. Sitting near the front works both ways. If you’ve got a lad who can’t handle being the butt of a joke, put him at the back.

And if you’re the best man, watch the comics closely. Their timing and delivery are a free masterclass for your speech, providing you can still remember any of it the next morning.

The club makes or breaks the night, so do a bit of homework. Bigger cities get more of the touring comics and have more clubs to choose from, which is why Manchester, Birmingham and London are safe bets.

• Book early. Big groups need to book ahead to sit together, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
• Check what’s included. Some packages include a meal or drinks. Others are just the ticket. It makes a difference to the kitty.
• Ask about house rules. Some clubs have rules on stag groups, fancy dress or heckling. Ask before you turn up dressed as a giant banana.
• Late bar or club night. Find out whether the venue keeps going after the show, so you don’t have to herd everyone across town.

A comedy night works best on the Saturday, after a daytime activity has worn everyone out and they’re happy to sit down for a bit. Something competitive like go karting in the afternoon gives the lads fresh material for the evening, and the comics will happily use it.

After the show, carry on with a pub crawl or try your luck at a casino, where the stag can lose money as well as his dignity. If you’d rather not book everything separately, the packages below bundle the comedy with accommodation and more.