Not being married myself, I’m only speaking from experience of attending bachelor parties and hearing about others’ experiences. I do however know what I want mine to be like – should I even have one. Men (prepare for a stereotype here) are pretty relaxed when it comes to planning this type of an event and to me a “bachelor party” is nothing more than a glorified guys night out.
Somewhere along the line, between movies and popular culture, bachelor parties have become the “last hurrah of man’s sexual conquest”. The day is simply meant to celebrate one of the biggest days of a man’s life with his closest of guy friends.
There was even an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond that touched on Ray’s complete lack of planning for his brother Robert’s bachelor party. Now, I don’t suggest their version of a party which was three guys in an empty apartment playing cards using an upside-down cardboard box as a table as a sufficient party for a man about to be married. So, when it is your turn to have your party, or help plan your best buddies special day, think about these awesome and adventurous alternatives.
Brewery Tour/Wine Tastings
Depending on your personal tastes and geographic location, these can be some awesome experiences and you can learn a lot in the process. Most major cities have micro-breweries that offer awesome tours, taste tests and even rooms to reserve that you can cater in the best food of the city. Here in Kansas City, Boulevard Brewery is the perfect example of a great bachelor party location.Bachelor party idea baseball game
Camping
If it’s your thing, what better way to enjoy your last moments of single life than with your closest friends, in a tent, under the stars, grilling the fish you caught just hours before? Then you wake up, make eggs and bacon over the fire and go on a hike to the top of a peak or a giant hill and take in the beautiful scenery. You can exchange this for a nice easy ride down a river as well.
Baseball Game
If your bachelor party is scheduled anytime between April and September, I guarantee there is a baseball game somewhere within 150 miles of you. It doesn’t have to be a Major League team; there are tons of minor league teams all around. You could even go to the Little League World Series. Talk about great drama!
Be Your Own “Man vs. Food” Host
I admit it: I love this show! While I don’t have to love the gorging nature of the challenge, I love the first-half of the show where I get to learn and see awesome local restaurants’ different ways of cooking and unique establishments known only to the locals. I’ve seen steamed cheeseburgers and what looks like the best Philly Sandwich in the country. So, take your buddies out for your own local food challenge. Check out the Man Vs. Food website for all the locations of these amazing eateries.
Rent a House on the Beach
This is one I haven’t experienced, but it sounds awesome. My friend Mike said that one time he attended a bachelor party where they rented lake houses and wake-boarded all weekend. Now, for someone who has never wake-boarded, it does look awesome and I think it would be a fantastic way to spend a weekend with the boys. However, I would recommend especially if you have never tried to wake-board, do it at least a few weeks before the wedding.
Local Film Festival
For the more artist oriented group of friends, this is a choice that has really started to blossom in recent years. More and more cities are creating local film festivals; just a simple Google search for local film festivals returned events in Chicago or your local area. You get to see great (hopefully) content that probably isn’t going to see the big screen or you could see the next Hurt Locker. Either way, it’s a day/night out on the town with entertainment and local flair.
And my ideal bachelor party …
Golf, All-Day Golf
Yes, this is my dream bachelor party. This day would include an early tee-time, making the turn around 10:30 a.m. and finishing in the early afternoon. We could then decide to play another round or head to a local eatery before heading to someone’s backyard for “yard games” like Corn-Hole and others played at tailgating. This is just a fun day and if you’re lucky, a mulligan or two on the course and laughter among friends.
No matter what, this day should just be a normal day with your closest friends that celebrates your friendship, your memories and the awesome journey of life.