Planning a stag do or hen party can be as difficult as planning the wedding itself, and narrowing your stag/hen location down to a particular country is hard enough before you start considering the different cities. Then there’s the task of finding drinking establishments in your chosen city that cater for everyone.

If you’ve decided that the UK is the perfect place for your stag do, at least you’ve got a starting point. However, narrowing the UK’s offering down to just one city can be an overwhelming decision. Fortunately, we’ve put together 9 of the wildest cities in the UK that will make for an unforgettable stag, hen or ‘sten’! 

Manchester

As one of England’s biggest cities, only beaten by London and Birmingham in population size, Manchester offers something for every type of stag or hen party. While the city is home to some of the UK’s finest restaurants and bars, it also offers a wilder side.

You’ll need to plan accordingly though due to Manchester’s size. The best pubs, bars and activities are spread across the city. Deansgate is renowned for its classier drinking scene, the Northern Quarter is popular with students and Canal Street is one of the nation's most iconic gay villages.

Liverpool

Liverpool is another Northern powerhouse when it comes to fun-filled nights out. Located under an hour’s train journey from Manchester, you could even incorporate both into a long, wild weekend.

While Liverpool’s location isn’t far from Manchester, its offering varies drastically. Firstly, it’s a much smaller city with the majority of bars being within walking distance of each other. Liverpool’s Matthew Street is known as one of the wilder parts of the city, but you’ll find live music and late-night bars on just about every street in the city centre.

Leeds

Sticking with the north of England, Leeds offers a nice middle ground between Manchester and Liverpool. Headingley is a famous drinking area of Leeds, most known for its involvement in the Otley Run which is a famous pub crawl route.

In the city centre, you’ll find a range of pubs, bars and nightclubs that cater for every taste. As a university city, Leeds is a popular destination with students and younger age groups although you’ll find a suitable venue no matter what you’re into.    

Newcastle

When it comes to a wild night out in the UK, Newcastle will be top of most people’s lists and locals (commonly referred to as Geordies) are renowned for their love of a night out. There’s a good reason for this too, if you’re looking for loud music late into the night, Newcastle offers some of the best dance clubs in the UK.

It’s also one of the most popular choices for stag and hen parties in the UK so you won’t be alone when it comes to your pre-wedding partying. If you want a taste of what Newcastle nightlife has to offer, do some prior research by checking out the old Geordie Shore TV series.

Blackpool

Blackpool is famous for its pleasure beach, promenades and iconic tower so there’s plenty to see and do before you start your wild night out. If you do choose to take your stag or hen to Blackpool, you’ll benefit from its small size meaning walking can be kept to a minimum.

It’s also generally considered a cheaper option than some of the more major cities on this list. And while it may not be the place to head to for five-star hotels and Michelin-star dining, you should definitely not discount Blackpool if it’s wildness you’re looking for.

Glasgow

While Edinburgh might be the Scottish choice for a romantic getaway or cultured day trip, it’s Glasgow that offers Scotland’s best nightlife and the perfect place for a stag or hen party. Sauchiehall Street, running through the heart of the city, is known as Glasgow’s main drinking spot. 

Check out Merchant City if live music and good beer are more your style, while the West End of Glasgow is generally where you’ll find your finer establishments if you’re looking for cocktail bars and charming pubs. 

Belfast

Belfast is viewed by some as Dublin’s little brother, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. The cosy, fun-filled pubs that are synonymous with Ireland’s capital can also be found in Belfast. On the flip side, you won’t have to pay Dublin’s high prices that put many people off visiting.

If you’re looking for more than nightlife, Belfast ticks a lot of other boxes too. Check out the iconic murals across the city, the Titanic museum and even take a trip to the Giant’s Causeway before getting ready for a wild Belfast night out.

Chester

Chester might be a less popular UK stag or hen destination, but this small, cultured city is emerging as one of the UK’s hidden gems. It’s arguably the most picturesque destination on the list and its cobbled streets and Victorian buildings offer the perfect backdrop for a booze-filled night out.

While you may not have many choices when it comes to establishments, what Chester lacks in quantity it certainly makes up for in quality. Check out Chester’s offerings of pubs and clubs if you’re looking for a quieter, yet equally wild stag/hen.

London

London is probably the go-to option for just about anything in the UK, whether that’s food, tourist attractions or a wild stag or hen party. If England’s capital is on your list, it’s probably worth considering spending more than one night in the city so you can sample everything London has to offer. You’ll need to research London’s transport systems or explore London’s city centre car parks if you plan to do this.

When it comes to nightlife, you have an abundance of options. Soho is known as one of London’s most popular areas for nightlife although it’s also one of the most expensive parts of the city while Shoreditch is popular with younger crowds and offers a little more liveliness. It’s worth looking into each suburb as each individual area offers something completely different.