We have just got back from a fantastic trip to Belfast and honestly, it smashed our expectations. If you’re thinking about a Belfast stag do, you can expect action, laughs, booze and just enough chaos to make your weekend memorable. Here’s how we got on and a bit of a guide if you’re planning your own trip.
Accommodation – Hampton by Hilton
We kicked things off by checking in at the Hampton by Hilton Belfast City Centre which was the perfect base. The rooms were big, clean and comfy enough to crash after a day of running around the city, which you will definitely need. It’s only about a mile from the city centre, so you can stroll into the action in 15-20 minutes or grab a cab if you don’t want to walk. The area is pretty quiet too, which means you can actually sleep after a night out without getting woken up by the street noise or people leaving pubs.
The staff are friendly and there’s plenty of space to chill, grab a pint from the bar or get the lads ready for whatever antics you’ve got planned. Breakfast in the morning is solid with bacon, sausages, eggs, pastry, cereal and fruit; more than enough to fuel up for the day ahead.
Outdoor Fun at Colin Glen
We didn’t waste any time and headed straight to Colin Glen Forest Park. If your idea of a stag do includes a bit of adrenaline and showing off in front of the lads, this place is perfect. We hit the Skytrek high ropes first. They’ve got a 20ft and a 40ft course. It’s daunting at first but once you’re up there and swinging around, it’s amazing. Big shout out to the instructors. They keep you safe but also egg you on to go for it.
We also tried the climbing wall, which is a proper laugh, especially when you see one of the lads stuck halfway up shouting for help. Next was the Black Bull Run, reaching speeds of up to 25mph on Ireland’s first and only Alpine Coaster, which was really fun. We finished off with unlimited balls and a snack box at the driving range. Spread across different sites, Colin Glen is the ideal playground for stags. We left a bit tired but totally buzzing.
Dinner and Drinks at Granny Annies
After burning off some energy, we needed to refuel. Granny Annies was the perfect stop for this. The food is hearty, the portions are big and the drinks menu is jam-packed. The place itself is quirky, full of character and doesn’t feel like your standard restaurant. Perfect for a group of lads to grab a feed and a few pints, especially if you like the company of hen groups.
Prison Island, Quiz Boxing and Axe Throwing
Day two started with Prison Island. If you’ve got a competitive bunch of lads, this place is gold. Think real life Crystal Maze with more thirty rooms of puzzles, challenges and ridiculously fun mini games. It’s brilliant for getting the boys working together, working as a team and generally losing it over some absurd challenge. It was one of the highlights of our trip.
After that, we smashed through Quiz Boxing. It felt like a real gameshow with TV-style podiums touch screens and big buzzers. The aim of the game was to knockout your opponents with your knowledge, ploughing through a bunch of questions from topics we chose before the event. This was seriously fun and competitive.
Then came axe throwing, an absolute classic for a stag do. It’s satisfying, loud and lets you vent all your frustrations from losing at the quiz. The instructors keep it safe and give full tuition before you let loose with a range of games.
Cocktail Making and Dinner at River Rooms
After all that action, we wrapped things up with drinks and grub at River Rooms. Not your usual stag stop, but cocktail making turned out to be proper fun. It was a bit competitive and messy but the drinks were strong enough to make up for the effort.
After the session, we tucked into a two-course meal to wind down, have a laugh over who made the worst cocktail and fill up before the evening antics. The restaurant was simple but stylish with a laid-back atmosphere where we could relax and chat.
Belfast Pub Crawl
No stag do here is complete without the Belfast pub crawl. We experienced five pubs in one night, each with its own atmosphere, live music blaring and even some Irish dancers thrown in for good measure. We got about 45 minutes in each venue, which was the perfect amount of time to sink a pint, have a laugh and then march off to the next stop before anyone had the chance to slow down.
The free shots didn’t hurt either. Two of the pubs gave us a cheeky bonus when we bought our first drink, and you could pick from whisky, Irish cream or apple sours. Between the drinking, the guide gave us bits of history about the pubs and the city which actually went down well.
Just something to note: The pubs are only about a five minute walk apart, but Belfast at the weekend is rammed, and chances are you’ll be standing pint in hand the whole night.
Why Belfast Works for a Stag Do
Belfast ticks every box. It’s easy to get around, there’s enough variety to keep everyone entertained and it’s just the right size for a big group. You can mix action, puzzles and beer drinking without spending half the weekend travelling. The city itself is welcoming, the bars are great and there’s a lot history and culture if you want to mix it up.
What we loved most is the variety. One day you’re dangling from trees and throwing axes, the next you’re mixing cocktails and chilling over a meal. It’s perfect for groups that like a bit of adventure but don’t want to completely collapse halfway through.
Tips for Planning a Stag Weekend in Belfast
- Book activities early, especially on weekends. Places like Colin Glen and Prison Island fill up fast.
- Pack trainers and casual gear for daytime activities. Leave the smart shoes at home unless you plan on mostly experiencing nightlife and chilling by day.
- Pace yourself with the drinks. Belfast has a lot of amazing pubs and bars and you’re going to want to visit as many as possible.
- Spread out your activities. Mix high energy stuff with chill sessions to avoid burning out.
- Capture the memories. Photos are gold for later, especially to embarrass the groom-to-be with!
Final Thoughts on Our Belfast Trip
Our visit was everything you want from a stag do in Belfast. Proper activities, cracking food and drink, laughs from start to finish and a city that makes it easy to get up to shenanigans.
From high ropes to axe throwing, from cocktail making to brain-busting puzzles, we left Belfast buzzing and with more stories than we can keep track of. It’s a city that works for anyone looking for a mix of adventure, laughs and a bit of indulgence. If you’re after a stag weekend that combines action, banter, and a few beers along the way, Belfast is your go to. Trust me, it will not disappoint. Learn more about a stag do in Belfast and the activities we offer today.
