Bachelor Parties: 10 Surefire Ideas

gowns for debut

There's nothing tough about planning a good bachelor party. It just takes a little organization (draw up a guest list, schedule a night), a bit of luck (hope everyone can make it, stay out of jail), and one really excellent idea. Here are 10 that can't miss.

Show Him the Money
Vegas:  If you can swing it, nothing beats a quick trip to Sin City: neon lights, slot machines, all the prime rib and shrimp cocktails you can inhale. The best bet for a successful Las Vegas soiree is to move in and out like the wind. Book a late-night flight (flights to Vegas from anywhere are usually cheap) and a large suite at a semi-decent hotel. Carouse through the night, crash in the morning, and then rise for a fancy dinner and quick round of 21 -- one late-night flight back home later, you've got memories guaranteed to last.
Atlantic City:  Same concept as the Las Vegas expedition, but more convenient for East Coast types.

Eat Meat
Take a trip to the most decadent steakhouse in town, and eat like kings. Order a bottle (or ten) of the best red wine in the house.

Buy the Boat
Or just rent it for a night. Look into chartering a yacht for an evening for the groom and his guys. Bring a few bottles of first-rate champagne and celebrate on style in the high seas.

Studs
If the groom and groomsmen can't swing the trip to Vegas, bring Sin City to them: Host a poker night extraordinaire. Stock the bar, order gourmet pizza, and pitch in the kitty for the groom.

Beach Bums
Water, sand, beach volleyball, and a little harmless bikini watching. Need we say more? Top it off with bonfire and brews, and you’re set for some California dreamin’.


Puff Daddy
Take Mr. Last-Night-of-Being-a-Bachelor out for some primo cigars. Head toward your favorite cigar bar and puff away, while quaffing single-malt Scotch.

Swingers
Sometimes, nothing beats a classic. We're talking golf here. Eighteen holes of sun, fun, and an extra cart for the keg of beer. If you can rally the troops, go for a three-round weekend retreat. We suggest Palm Springs, California, home of PGA West, Desert Dunes, and Bob Hope. Swing by morning, swim by afternoon, barbecue by night.

You're Tripping
Road tripping, we mean. Grabbing a few good buddies and setting off for destinations unknown is a huge part of the appeal of a road trip. Drive as far as one tank of gas will get you. In the immortal words of Jonathan Richman: “I got my jeans and things and I am ready to go.”

The Ponies
Ascot it isn't, but horse racing can be a load of fun. Just imagine: a pack of two-year-olds thundering down the track, the roar of the crowd, and the lure of the daily double. Buy a racing form, order a mint julep, and ask the advice of some of the old-timers hanging around the track.

Rave On
Ever dream of hosting a wild, all-night party at an exclusive dance club? Get in touch with the management of the hottest nightclub in town and ask about renting one of their VIP rooms for the evening. This could get expensive, especially if you have an open bar, so make sure all the party-goers are prepared to open their wallets (and maybe even their 401(k) accounts)!

Bachelor Parties: 10 Cheap Ideas

flora dresses

So your groomsmen aren't rolling in money -- so what? You can still throw a killer bachelor party. All you really need is a group of guys and a good, cheap game plan. Read on for 10 bachelor party ideas that won’t require you to max out your gold card.

The wedding dress 2012 for your best choice.

Pizza and Beer
What could be more manly than guzzling brews and scarfing down pizzas? And what could be cheaper than having the best man host the party at his pad? All you need is a trip to the supermarket and your telephone-dialing digits. Order that pizza, rent some videos or turn on the game, and create your own bachelor-style shindig.

Baseball Diamond
Looking for something virtually free to do in the great outdoors? Why not head to your local park for a ball game? Bring a cooler of beer and any gear you own. After you’re finished playing, head to your local pub or back to the best man’s pad to chew the fat and reminisce about old times.

Bowling for Bachelors
How about bowling? We're serious -- it's more fun than you remember. Up the stakes and divide the guys into two teams -- losers have to pay for the pitchers. For the perfect groom gift, order a bowling ball with his initials on it.

Poker Faces
Get out your $1.99 stogies and your Uncle Phil’s poker chips: It’s time for some stud action. Through the haze of smoke and the steam of take-out Chinese food, you’ll discover who among you has what it takes to be the Poker King. Remember to pitch in for the groom’s kitty.

Scavenger Hunt
Put together a list of ridiculous items to round up, divide yourselves into two teams, and agree to meet at a specific time. Then you’re off and running. Some ideas: women’s lingerie (must be given to you by the woman wearing it); street signs (you didn’t hear it from us); the name of someone who died before 1900, rubbed off a tombstone; a wig or toupee; and a specified number of phone numbers from hot girls (ask each team to bring a digital camera for evidentiary purposes). Designate a driver and you can even stop by the local watering holes.


Sports Night
This one's devilishly simple, but can't miss. Arrange to have the bachelor party on the night of a big game: basketball, baseball, hockey, or whatever's on. Take over a corner of your local sports bar and settle back to enjoy the game, ordering libations and spicy chicken wings by the dozen.

Video Arcade
When's the last time you set foot in an arcade? Things have changed since Space Invaders -- trust us. Depending on how good a player you are (as in, how long your games last), you’ll need either loads of quarters or practically none. Foosball, pinball, video games, you guys’ll have it all! Just be gentle whilst fending off the preteen crowd.

Roast Him
You’ve heard of Friar’s Club roasts -- events honoring one person during which various and sundry friends and colleagues rip and rib the hell out of him. Sound vaguely like the trash talk you guys give each other when you play ball? Round up the guys and build a “throne” for the groom (imagination is a necessity here), then fill the room (whether at a restaurant, bar, or home) and launch into the guy. Remember to keep it light (do mention the time you knocked the wind out of him playing football; don't mention his dog dying when he was ten).

Karaoke
Nothing rivals the humiliation factor of a karaoke performance. Have a fiendishly fun time by getting the groom mildly smashed, then taking him out to a nearby karaoke night. Tell him he sounds great singing his own extended version of “Hotel California.” For extra points, get the performance on video.

BBQ
Do you have a backyard? A barbeque grill? A passion for burgers and steaks? Looks like you might want to host a backyard bachelor BBQ. Gather the guys, pack the cooler, and let the sun set on a backyard full of men happily wolfing down meat products.