stag

Stag dos have a rowdy reputation, and it appears the hard-drinking Brits have returned with a vengeance following the pandemic, with European cities now cracking down

Stag do hotspots are witnessing a rowdy resurgence of booze-fuelled Brits but cities are now clamping down on disorderly visitors after numbers spiked again.

While many of the go-to destinations in Europe got some respite during and after the pandemic, the amount of tourists heading over for a good time are on the up – and with it comes problems for locals. Now, some cities are fighting back as they look to restore order again.

“The bachelor parties dropped off sharply during Covid and now they are picking up again,” Budapest tour guide Daniel Seres divulged to The Telegraph, discussing the popular Hungarian destination. “We need the income from tourists, but these big party groups only go on the free guided city tours [rather than paid], and they keep locals awake as they sing, stumble around and are sick on the streets.”

Budapest has battled the disruption, banning “beer bikes” in 2017 over noise and safety issues. Come 2020, steps were taken to rein in the red light district, and by 2023, District VII escalated fines for noisy nights and indecent acts, distributing English leaflets at airports alerting tourists of the heftier penalties. That year also saw the power granted to establishments to reject bookings from large groups.

But it’s not just Budapest that’s tightening the reins; six additional European destinations have had their fill of misbehaving stag groups, reports the Express.

Amsterdam

In 2023, the Dutch capital banned boozy guided tours and cannabis smoking in its infamous Red Light District. In the same year, Amsterdam also launched its “Stay Away” digital campaign targeting young British men with warnings about fines and arrests. Restrictions were also introduced on short-term rentals and alcohol sales during specific hours.

Barcelona

The Spanish city’s actions against undesirable tourists include strict enforcement of noise and behaviour fines, cracking down on unlicensed party promoters and short-term rental properties, and implementing tighter restrictions on public drinking.

Prague

The iconic Czech city of Prague has also prohibited “beer bikes”, increased police presence in central areas and discouraged promotions related to sex tourism and stag parties, including stag tours.

Krakow

The Polish city of Krakow has strictly regulated advertisements for strip clubs and “gentlemen’s entertainment” and is discussing stricter curbs on alcohol sales. Smoking has also been restricted to designated areas in some venues.

Lisbon

Actions include tightening regulations on short-term rentals, particularly in popular nightlife districts like Bairro Alto and Alfama, and increasing police patrols on weekends.

Dublin

Many hotels and venues in the Irish capital have adopted policies to refuse bookings for stag and hen parties. Targeted messaging also promotes “cultural” tourism over alcohol-fueled excursions.

MEGAN McKenna and Oliver Burke looked loved-up in pics from their joint stag and hen party ahead of their upcoming wedding.

The former Towie star and country singer, 32, and her footballer fiancée Oliver, 27, decided to have joint celebrations. 

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Sharing an update to her Instagram fans, Megan wore a gorgeous white shirt dress, alongside a veil and a bride-to-be sash. 

Oliver wore a black top with a pair of white trousers and both of them held glasses of what looked like sparkling bubbly.

In another snap, Oliver lovingly held her in his arms as he twirled her in front of a swimming pool.

She captioned the post: “It’s nearly time, also my family are to cute, thanks guys I love you.

“Me & Oli came downstairs for the evening to ‘chapel of love’ playing… video will be posted soon.”

Fans were quick to leave comments supporting the couple and one said: “The most beautiful bride to be.”

“So cute,” said another.

And a third said: “Stop it sooo cute so excited for the wedding pictures seeing your dress and little Landons suit.”

While a fourth added: “I hope we get to see u in ur wedding dress, I bet u will look beautiful!.”

Earlier in the year, Megan teased details about the couple’s wedding as she went for a wedding dress fitting after spending three weeks apart from Oliver.

Megan captioned the Instagram post: “Hadn’t seen Oli in 3 weeks, this is how our day went… don’t worry guys Oli hasn’t seen my wedding dresses.

“They are in Italy atm being made! Eeek. I had to pop in to get my measurements taken again as my baby weight is dropping off me!!!! Not long now.”

Her latest update comes after Megan was left heartbroken after a devastating loss to her family. 

The star shared that her beloved dog, who she referred to as her “first baby” has died, after 17 years as her trusty sidekick. 

Sharing a slideshow of photographs of her beloved pooch, she wrote: “I’ve been putting this post off for a few weeks because it becomes real when I do. But I lost my first baby Daisy and it hit me so hard. 

“She passed away with me holding her in my arms. My sister and mum next to me. I sang her to sleep like I always did when she needed comforting.” 

“It breaks my heart even typing this out,” Megan said. “Daisy, Thankyou for being by my side through every tear, every laugh and every milestone from my teenage years into my 20’s and even 30’s. 

“Thankyou for teaching me how to be a mummy. I’m a pro with Landon because of you, your little dinners, bath time, walkies and cuddles. 

“You was the best Daisy. You was my baby. You will always be in my heart. I will miss you forever.” 

Loved ones and followers quickly flocked to her comments section to pay tribute and share their condolences to Megan after her heartbreak. 

MAFS star Ella Morgan said: “I’m so sorry Meg. Sending you all my love, thoughts and hugs in what I can only imagine is an incredibly emotionally tough time for you all” 

“I miss her so much. She’ll be loved forever,” added her sister Milly. 

Friend Lauren added: “She really was the best, what an amazing mummy you were to her! Love you so much I know how hard this has hit you. But she’ll always be with you xx” 

Her fiancé Oliver also shared his condolences, posting two love hearts. 

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MANCHESTER UNITED endured a nightmare post-season tour in Asia including an embarrassing on-pitch display, a humiliating bus parade and unhappy players.

Following the club’s horror season, the decision to play two matches in the Far East to generate some extra cash was not a decision popular in the club.

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In fact, according to the Manchester Evening News, when the squad learned of that decision a delegation was sent to the club’s football leadership on behalf of the first team to express their dismay.

Some of the squad were said to be outright “fuming” about having to go on the six-day tour after a 60-game season, though with commercial duties taking up much of the agenda the trip effectively became a four-day event.

Players were said to be concerned about having to cancel holiday plans, including one who complained about being forced to cancel a family trip scheduled for the half-term week.

Club chiefs made a concession by bringing the departure time of their Malaysia flight forwards to Sunday evening, hour following the final game of the season against Aston Villa, after learning some players might try to “cry off” the 14,150-mile round trip to Malaysia.

However, the actual mood in the camp on tour was said to be a better than anticipated despite the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham.

Some commercial player events including fan meet-and-greets are said to have taken up to two hours to complete as the local supporters lapped up the chance to see Man Utd in the flesh, including on the humiliating open-top bus parade which happened in Kuala Lumpur before the first friendly against ASEAN All-Stars.

Kit makers Adidas hosted a nocturnal poolside party at the W Hotel – where they stayed as part of their link with club sponsor, Marriott – following the 1-0 defeat to the All-Stars.

Several guests are said to have attended the meeting, with many “admiring” the view of the Petronas Twin Towers in the background.

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That came after players were said to have been using gallows humour on the team bus back to the hotel, which had followed some booing from fans there.

The rules on tour were more relaxed than a pre-season tour would be and players were given permission to head out on their first night in the city, with one star allegedly half-joking the trip would be “like a stag do”.

However, while some were tempted to go out into the city to enjoy the night, a senior star instead advised them to stay in.

Amad Diallo, Alejandro Garnacho and Ayden Heaven were seen out on e-scooters, which had to be paid for by fans, while Joshua Zirkzee opted to enjoy some Thai take-out with a security guard after not being impressed by the room service options.

Club staff were also able to let their hair down in the trip, with some enjoying drinks on the 14-hour flight to the Malaysian capital.

On the eighth floor of the hotel itself there was a vending machine which dispensed £40 mini bottles of Moet & Chandon champagne.

The second leg of the tour saw them go to Hong Kong, but they were barely in the country 36 hours following an early-morning flight which then saw them spend an hour in their second W Hotel for lunch before getting on the team bus for training.

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Despite the glitz and glam of the 5-star establishment, things were sour away from the hotel with Amad and Garnacho seen gesturing their middle fingers towards fans and the latter doing so towards a club camerman.

Amad later revealed he had been subjected to insults about his mother from some fans.

Meanwhile, Garnacho – on the tour after being told to “pray” he finds a new club following a public dressing down in front of team-mates by Ruben Amorim – did the gesture without any clear provocation.

The 20-year-old was involved in a fan altercation while out in the city as the fan seemed to invade his personal space and also looked very unbothered during a shirt signing event.

He was described as “surly” during the trip, with club staff shadowing him closely as he signed shirts and posed for pictures without ever breaking into a smile.

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The Argentine was one of the last to board to team bus after the All Stars defeat and donned sunglasses as he ignored requests in the mixed zone.

One eyewitness claimed he removed his shades after getting through the packed pen, while Amorim later chuckled in a press conference when a reporter asked if there was any chance of Garnacho staying at the club.

Amorim, 40, is said to have told a colleague about how exhausting the post-season tour had been, especially in the humidity of Malaysia.

Man Utd finished their tour by beating Hong Kong 3-1 off a brace from Chido Obi and a late header from Ayden Heaven.

The club lifted the Defining Education Challenge Cup as a result of the win, but the trophy was so undervalued that a press officer carried it back to the dressing room.

In the first game back in Kuala Lumpur, Man Utd stars had been delayed in collecting their silver medals when the referee and linesman had returned to the dressing room before being called back out.

All in all the tour was estimated to generate around £10million for the club – which should at least leave the club’s financial department a little happier- although you would imagine a post-season tour next year may not be on the cards.

After the break a pre-season tour in Chicago is next, which is when the real work begins.

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Police met the flight and six men left the plane before reaching their destination

A rowdy Brit stag do saw a plane diverted before police boarded the flight and escorted them off. The six-man group were marched off of the aircraft after it landed half way to its intended destination.

Witness Arron Davies, who was travelling with friends Mike and Scott, said two of the members on the stag do were allegedly vaping in their seats whilst drinking heavily and being abusive towards the stewards.

During the easyJet flight from London Gatwick to Marrakesh, Morocco, the men were allegedly warned six times before the staff took action. Arron, Mike and Scott, of Newport, south Wales, watched as the pilot announced that the flight would land in Faro airport, Portugal.

The diverted aircraft was greeted by eight Portuguese police officers who dealt with the group. Two men were led off whilst the other four stag do members made their way off the plane.

“The four friends were annoyed that their two mates had ruined their trip,” Arron said. “The men were vaping in their seats and toilet, drinking heavily and to my opinion already drunk or close to when boarding. They were being abusive towards staff on the flight.”

He added: “They were being loud and using a lot of bad language despite children being on the flight.” He alleged: “They were warned about six times, but every time the one man muttered when the staff walked away, making the problem worse.

“One of the men gave up and walked towards the exit when he realised how serious his actions were being taken. The other man stayed in his seat and was escorted out by up to eight police officers, four getting in the plane from either side.

“The flight steward was very good at his job dealing with this issue on the flight, he gave them many chances. I would call the guy a true asset to easyJet. His level of professionalism was on point even though a lot of abuse was aimed at him.

“He kept his composure and made me feel I was still safe even with the drama happening in front of me.”

An easyJet spokesperson said: “This flight from London Gatwick to Marrakech on 19 May diverted to Faro and was met by police upon arrival due to a group of passengers behaving disruptively onboard. Once the passengers had left the aircraft, the flight then continued to Marrakech.

“Our cabin crew are trained to assess and evaluate all situations and acted quickly and appropriately to ensure that the safety of the flight and other passengers was not compromised at any time. The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew is always easyJet’s priority and we do not tolerate abusive or threatening behaviour onboard.”

Stag Web describes the experience as an “ultra-high-end weekend exclusively for those with 10-digit bank balances” that is “inspired by Jeff Bezos’s upcoming nuptials”

Things have come a long way in the world of stag do planning.

A few decades ago a typical “last night of freedom” consisted of traipsing down to the local pub with your best friend from school, a cousin and a father-in-law or two for an evening of ale, crisps and perhaps a go on the fruity.

Those days are now a long way behind us, with a typical stag far more likely to jet off to Benidorm or Amsterdam.

For those who enjoy a bit of one-upmanship, one stag do company is taking things to the next level with a “bespoke service for the top 0.0001%: the Billionaire Stag Do”.

Stag Web describes the experience as an “ultra-high-end weekend exclusively for those with 10-digit bank balances” that is “inspired by Jeff Bezos’s upcoming nuptials”.

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“They only quote actual billionaires, though, so unless you have the money to prove you’re a real high roller, you won’t be able to enquire,” the firm jokes. Unfortunately, they won’t let on how much the package costs.

When the Mirror asked, Stag Web’s spokesperson said: “It’ll be a bespoke, build-from-scratch service so the sky’s the limit!” Judging from the list of possible options, it is not going to be cheap.

They include:

• A private jet to “fly the squad in from wherever the hell they currently live”.
• Helicopter transfers “between continents, countries, courses, and clubs”.
• Supercar convoy “through a sun-drenched city”.
• Private mega-yacht or “Bond villain-style clifftop villa with panoramic views”.
• Private chef “squad crafting midnight wagyu sliders and 4 am caviar toasties”.
• The works “which means hot tubs, infinity pools, cigar lounges, saunas, secret bars”.

Stag Web urges punters to “party like the 1%”, although it is hard to imagine exactly how that is possible if you don’t have a tech company or large private income.

Nonetheless, the happy-go-lucky firm is willing to arrange a “elicopter bar crawl across three countries in a single night, luxury golf experience on a private course with Champagne caddies, private island takeover for beach parties, shark diving, etc, personal comedy roast by a stand-up who’s actually been on TV and casino hire.”

If that isn’t enough to clear out your bank account, then you can hire a butler for each guest, a Champagne cannon for dramatic entrances andstag do goodie bags filled with Rolexes, “keys to your new penthouses, and other billionaire goodies”.

“We created the million-pound stag weekend 10 years ago, but that’s chump change to the billion-pound club,” said Jon Stainer, director at StagWeb.