Goodbye to boozed up Brits on tour: Wholesome hens and stags on the rise

Hen and stag parties are getting a major makeover: new research by travel deals platform HolidayPirates has revealed a growing preference for sober or alcohol-reduced and altogether more sensible pre-wedding celebrations. 1 in 4 Brits (25%) are considering totally sober hen and stag parties, and over 1 in 3 (35%) want to see a return to the hen or stag ‘night’ instead of whole weekends or holidays abroad.

The poll of 607 hen and stag party attendees from the UK found that the days when alcohol was the lifeblood of the party are now on the way out: over half (59%) think hen and stag parties can be just as enjoyable without heavy drinking, 63% say they should offer a variety of activities beyond alcohol, and over a third (35%) would prefer outdoorsy and chilled celebrations over traditional boozy celebrations. The change has already been noted by many: almost a third (30%) have noticed fewer people wanting to drink heavily on hen/stag parties recently.

More widely, amid the cost-of-living crisis, 35% of Brits are calling for a return to the good old days of down to earth, one-night-only celebrations rather than extended weekends or holidays. There's a growing awareness and annoyance with the influence of social media on party planning, with over a quarter (27%) believing that many extravagant celebrations are planned purely based on what will look impressive on social media.

The survey also spotlights the pre-wedding traditions that are now seen as cringeworthy by many. Penis paraphernalia, embarrassing the bride or groom, strippers and party buses are the latest casualty of ‘the ick’, it seems, with many calling for them to be banished.

There is also a rising preference for diverse and meaningful experiences when it comes to planning hen and stag parties. While city break getaways and nights out remain popular choices, there's a growing interest in more unconventional options. Almost 1 in 3 (32%) would consider wellness retreats, 28% would do extreme sports, and almost 1 in 5 (19%) would even consider opting for an off-grid camping weekend.

For those considering an altogether more wholesome hen or stag party, HolidayPirates’ experts have curated the top picks for how to celebrate - from spa breaks to ‘sten parties’, there’s something for everyone: https://www.holidaypirates.com/travel-magazine/sober-hen-and-stag-celebrations

About HolidayPirates:

HolidayPirates, the UK arm of the HolidayPirates Group, is a travel deals platform with a mission to make travel accessible and affordable for everyone.

Our team of travel experts find and curate the best value-for-money deals from packages, flights and hotels, through to car hire, holiday homes, luxury stays and weekend breaks. We also work with leading travel brands to source exclusive offers that simply cannot be found anywhere else.

HolidayPirates takes the time and hassle out of finding genuine travel bargains by sharing deals directly across our website, WhatsApp, newsletters, mobile app, and on social media. 2 million travel enthusiasts visit our website every month, plus we have over 2.2 million followers on social media – the largest of any travel brand in the UK.

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Berlin, the HolidayPirates Group operates in 10 countries – the UK, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and the United States. Our expert editorial teams around the world inspire over 20 million consumers every month to travel, explore and holiday more for less.

Press contact

Annabelle Rennie
PR & Communications Manager UK

E-Mail: [email protected]

E-Mail: [email protected]