Stag Party

Why is Bournemouth the go-to stag party paradise?

It’s been christened the hen and stag party capital of the UK.

Want to go wild in Ibiza with the boys but can’t get the time off work (or y’know, avoid a global pandemic)? If so, then why not keep things closer to home and stage the stag party of the century in none other than Bournemouth? There’s a reason Bournemouth was a favoured hangout of The Beatles. Picture pop royalty abreast with the beach, the bars, the wild nights . . .

What more could you ask for from an unforgettable party – or one helluva stag party?

Yet, what makes the beloved pearl of the South Coast so special is it’s one of the warmer climates in the UK and boasts seven miles of golden sandy beaches. Catch the right weather, and you could almost be abroad. Alongside laid back locals, it even has more places to drink per square mile than the entirety of London! And, to top it all off, it’s also the home of Canvas. Here at Canvas, our team knows what goes into making an unforgettable stag party – but more on us later.

Right now, we just want you to focus on feeling your stag party paradise.

The British seaside town of Bournemouth is much-loved for its buzzing nightlife and vibrant bar scene. So, if you’re looking for legendary nightlife and an epic array of stag activities, look no further. Bournemouth is the place that’ll keep even the most eclectic stag party satisfied. Christened the hen and stag party capital of the UK; it’s won the title on multiple occasions. Yet, we know that organising a stag party can be a hefty crown to bear for many best men. That’s why Canvas is considered a haven for making a memorable send-off, well – memorable.

Why is Bournemouth the go-to stag party paradise?

Make these decisions communal, so the stag party experiences less miscommunication.

Traditionally, the planning of the stag party is the duty of the best man. More often than not, these are close friends or relatives. Yet, it’s the person the groom trusts most in the world to support and assist them in any way possible before and during their wedding. If that’s you, then we imagine you were elated – at first – before the crushing inevitability of your responsibilities became apparent. Sure, in agreeing to be the best man, you’ve one-upped the rest of the groomsman – but at what cost? Now, you’re the groom’s go-to confidante, personal valet and logistics guru. That means there are speeches to write and wedding day duties to execute but – more importantly – a stag party to plan. So, where do you begin?

First things first: the stag party is the groom’s last night of freedom.

So the best man MUST ensure that they get the best out of everyone – including the venue. Along with looking after the all-important rings, organising the stag party of the lifetime is left to the best man. This is no easy feat, of course, and comes with a weighted amount of responsibility. After all, most stag parties tend to cater to pleasing between six and fifteen people – as well as the groom. Not to mention having to chase up the funds from these fine folk. Nowadays, best men tend to form a brain trust and corner the most trustworthy heads of the stag party to settle up how to give the stag the days they deserve. By making these decisions communally, the stag party experiences less tension and miscommunication. Plus, the diffusion of responsibility is great for when the bride-to-be hears all about your evening escapades.

She can’t uninvite ALL of the stag party to the wedding now, can she?

To help you out, nonetheless, we’ve mapped out an easier way to tackle your best friend’s upcoming stag party. Organising this as a group will allow you to get a consensus and make chasing the funds far easier. Thanks to modern technology, communication can flow with apps and social media – so no excuses if you end up in a mess once the stag party starts!

1. WHAT does HE want out of HIS stag party?

That’s right. Not you. Not the stag party. This day is all about the groom, and you and his buddy’s want to make it a night he’ll remember for all the right reasons, right? By all means, DON’T ruin the surprise and let him in on to what you’ve got planned. Just ensure you don’t mar his memories by doing something way outside of his comfort zone.

2. WHEN can the stag party take place?

The stag party typically takes place around a month before the bride and groom’s big day. We don’t ever recommend doing it the night before – otherwise, you’ll end up with a far more upsetting version of The Hangover (but without the laughs or Mike Tyson). The best way to determine the ideal date is to communicate between you and your posse.

3. WHO can attend the stag party?

Here’s a rule of thumb: is there anything you intend to put the groom through that WON’T be suitable for his bride-to-be’s family to see? If so, maybe don’t invite his soon-to-be father in law on a night out? The best bet is to double-check with the groom and see who they really want to show up at the stag party.

4. How MUCH will the stag party cost?

Now, this all comes down to WHO is on the guest list and WHAT they can afford. Not to mention WHERE you can go – especially given all the COVID-related flight restrictions as of late. Sure, you might want to take a trip to Miami or Magaluf but can the groom’s recently unemployed brother really afford that? Calculate costs that work in everyone’s favour.

5. WHERE will the stag party be?

Okay – we’re somewhat biased here – but why not consider Canvas? Based in Bournemouth, we have laid back locals and dedicated staff who’ll ensure that you’re able to enjoy every second of your stag party. We’ll make sure the drinks are topped up and your guests are happy. By taking care of all the logistics, we make a memorable send-off, well – memorable.

6. WHAT activities will you do?

Seaside towns have a plethora of traditional waterfront boozers and bars for days. Bournemouth is no different, and everything is within easy walking distance. So, whether you’re carving up the coastal waters, basking on the beach or partying into the early hours, head to Bournemouth. But you can avoid all the stress of planning it solo with Canvas.

7. COMMUNICATE with your stag party!

We live in the age of connection, so communication has never been easier. Keep your stag party abreast of all the essential information. They need to know dates, times, activities, dress code, accommodation, etc. ANYTHING you or your brain trust have planned, EVERYONE (bar the stag himself) needs to know.

8. Pick up the stag parties tab and go dutch

It’s best to get EVERYONE’S deposits ahead of time. That way, no one misses out, and everyone has a fair warning. Doing so not only ensures that you know how many are attending your stag party, but it also means people are far less likely to drop out too. Stag parties are not cheap. Pray you don’t deal with cheap people and have to foot the bill!

9. Time to book the stag party

Only once you have ALL the money (or are financially comfortable picking up the slack) should you begin this crucial next step. The booking process of the stag party. This should only occur once everyone has confirmed they can make the proposed times, dates, and location. Now all that’s left is to get the T-shirts printed and start the countdown.

10. Confirm whether the stag party is good to go

Now, more than ever, certainty is not guaranteed. The sheer amount of people who had to postpone their weddings due to the pandemic is a testament to that. Yet, you should still confirm whether those invited can still attend and ensure no one is confused about the details. It’s always best to check with the venues closer to the time too!

What’s the attraction of a stag party in Canvas?

At Canvas, we cater to our customers.

Bournemouth’s got sun, sea, students and something for all ages. Yet, with our indelible interiors, plush furnishings and friendly staff, Canvas is calling. Renowned for being Bournemouth’s only Loft Bar & Live Lounge, we attract fabulous folk, aren’t too overcrowded and foster a great atmosphere. It’s no wonder our town is so known for being a go-to destination for nights out in the UK. Sure, this MIGHT be thanks to Bournemouth’s sweeping sea views, buzzing town and top-notch entertainment . . . but we like to think it’s because of Canvas.

We welcome birthday, hen or stag parties, and anniversaries.

Better still, if you’re interested in organising something a wee bit more private, we’ve got hire options too with three great venues to choose from. Each of these is unique and sure to put a smile on our guest’s faces. After all, when you’re looking to stage a stag party, there’s nothing to say you can’t organise it yourself.

Although if that doesn’t tickle your fancy, there’s nothing better than our exciting live artists and tribute acts!

We’re joined every Friday and Saturday night by well-loved DJs like Martin Kemp, Trevor Nelson and many more. Plus, tribute acts – like Adele, Michael Buble and Michael Jackson – are always great for getting your party pumped. For a deep dive into our monthly listings, you can find out what’s on in Bournemouth by heading to our events page. Alternatively, scroll down to see where we’re based, book a room or read some great reviews. Plus, there’s always our socials too!

Live Lounge

We go loud and late every weekend.

The stage is set for a medley of world-class artists to engage in an intimate live music experience. Enjoy our immersive lighting and vibrant atmosphere, and party all night long in our award-winning live lounge. Your experience can be made all the more personal with our venue’s four large private seated booths. Looking to host great stag dos in Bournemouth? We pride ourselves on our enviable and budget-friendly range of buffet and canapé options.

Cocktail Bar

Featuring a spectacular selection of spirit.

With a mind-blowing array of whiskey, rum and gins, we host the best stag dos in Bournemouth with some of the best concoctions known to mixology. Alongside an assortment of champagne, wine and cocktail offerings, you can relax, unwind and get ready for a good time at Canvas. With a capacity of approximately 100 standing and 45 seated, it can open up into the Live Lounge should your party require any additional space.

The Green Room

Shh! This is the latest addition to Canvas.

Waltz into a world of intrigue and step into the soles of flappers or clubmen back in the days of prohibition America. Hidden away from the rest of Canvas, this luxury speakeasy evokes insatiable feelings that we Brits simply can’t resist. So why not revisit the roaring twenties with over 50 gins locked away just for you and your party. In addition to this, if you’re looking to stage any stag dos in Bournemouth, we serve up cocktails, canapés and a brilliant buffet too.

We’re the perfect choice for a stag party in Bournemouth

Open Friday and Saturday nights, we go loud and late every weekend.

Located in Bournemouth’s Soho Quarter and known as “Bournemouth’s award-winning loft bar and live lounge” Canvas is the place to be. Our venue sports a huge emphasis on showcasing high-quality live acts and dynamic DJs. This, mixed with our award-winning bartenders, incredible cocktails and artisan décor, gives us our winning formula.

Get in touch. Canvas is calling.

Please use our contact form below if you want to book a stag party in Bournemouth.

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WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Best venue to open in Bournemouth in years. Love the atmosphere , food and music. The coolest decor . It’s like being in a New York loft apartment . It’s the sort of place that you like to spend time in because it envelops you and makes you feel good, you don’t want to leave!! Love it

Sobre King, Bournemouth

Absolutely loved this stylish, sophisticated new loft bar. The decor was chic and sexy, with great music and buzzing atmosphere!

Anita Kaur-Simon, Bournemouth