Zombie Stag Do

A zombie stag do drops you and the lads into one of those zombie survival games where the undead are real people in very convincing make-up, and they really want to catch you. There’s a storyline, a mission, a grim setting and a lot of grown men screaming in a way they’ll deny later. It’s like being in Shaun of the Dead, only with less time in the pub.

The setting is a big part of it. Providers tend to use abandoned or atmospheric sites, so think empty buildings, old tunnels, derelict shopping centres or creaky country houses, depending on who you book with. The zombies are played by actors, and they take the role very seriously.

They come in a few flavours, and it’s worth knowing which one you’re booking.

• Escape-style games. You’re trapped somewhere suitably grim and have to puzzle your way out before the horde gets you. More thinking, more panic, and a good shout if the group likes escape rooms.
• Boot camps. You get some combat training first, then you’re sent in as a team to clear the infestation, sometimes with airsoft-style weapons. This is the one that turns your mates into an action film.
• Survival weekends. The hardcore option, out in the wilds with every Bear Grylls trick you’ve ever picked up. Not for a stag who’s scared of the dark.

There’s usually a briefing first, then the game runs for a set time with the actors and crew steering the story. Check the length before you book, because it varies a lot between providers.

It’s the great leveller. On a zombie game, the biggest lad in the group is often the first to bolt, and the quiet one turns out to have the nerves of a bomb disposal expert. You find out who your mates really are, which is mostly people who’ll shove you towards a zombie to save themselves.

It’s also something nobody in the group will have done a dozen times already, and it hands you material for the speech. If you want to set the stag up, have a quiet word with the organisers beforehand. Ask nicely and some will make sure he gets a bit of extra attention from the undead.

• Sober up first. You’ll be running about in the dark, sometimes with replica weapons, so save the drinking for after. Nobody wants to be zombie food because of four pints at lunch.
• Dress for mess. Old clothes and trainers with grip. Some sites are dusty, muddy or cold, so ask the provider what to expect.
• Know your group. Some lads genuinely hate being scared. It’s worth a quiet word with anyone you think won’t enjoy being chased by a man with half a face.
• Numbers and age limits. Check minimum group sizes and any age rules with the provider before you lock in dates.

Zombie games are usually a day activity, so plan a proper night out afterwards. A London stag do gives you endless bars to recover in. If the group enjoys the combat side, add paintball or laser tag on the other day. And if you want to keep the theme going into the evening, dress the stag as the first casualty with something from our stag do costumes.