Virtual Bachelor Party Ideas

Traditionally, bachelor parties were in-person events, and this is often the preference today. However, the world just came through a pandemic that taught us new ways of doing things. When social distancing became a thing, virtual bachelor parties were born, and they have stayed with us.

One headache around planning bachelor parties is finding a weekend when all attendees can be available the same weekend or for a couple of days. With varying business, work, and family needs, this is not always easy. So even without social distancing, clashing schedules, and budgetary factors make online parties well worth considering.

Don't worry about them being drab, either, because they can be just as fun as in-person parties. Here are some ideas to borrow.

Take a Class

Fewer things are more memorable than learning a new skill with your best mates. With video conference tools, this should be pretty easy to put together. The guys can put in suggestions and you can pick an idea or two. One idea that almost always wins is a cooking class. Everyone needs to have at least one solid recipe on their cooking repertoire. And the bride will thank you guys for helping the groom learn to whip up something yummy. It's a win-win.

You can simplify this depending on your budget by picking an online video of a cuisine everyone would be comfortable with, or you can hire a local chef to teach the recipe online. Alternatively, swap this out with a mixology class.

Movie Night

We have numerous apps that allow you to stream almost any show with friends. All that's needed it's to pick a day and time, select the movie, open the link, and share it with all the attendees, and everyone can enjoy the show. Also, you can pick several films and have a movie night marathon if everyone's up to it. A Zoom call in between each movie to check in can also help add a sense of unity to the virtual bachelor party.

You can then make it feel more unified by getting and wearing matching t-shirts, hats, and other bachelor party paraphernalia.

Online Guided Tour

Wouldn't it be so cool to take a trip out of the country and enjoy all the sights and sounds of the place? That would be the dream. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to have the budget for it or the time away from work and other social obligations.

The next best thing? An online guided tour!

Have you always fantasized about Buckingham Palace or the Louvre? Online guided tours allow you to enjoy the sights without having to stand in line for hours, spend an arm and a leg, or leave the comfort of your home. To effect this, discuss a few choice locations with all the guys, see where everyone would like to go, discuss availability, then book a tour, or two.

Do Some Karaoke

Karaoke is almost always a fun time for everyone, and when it's online, even the more reserved people in the group might be open to giving it a shot.

Behold the powers of technology yet again. You can collect song selections from everyone, appoint a DJ, and you are well on your way to an online karaoke session.

Everyone can have a go with one song at a time, and duets are most certainly encouraged. You can also think up some gift ideas to hype up the virtual bachelor party attendees.

Online Party Games

You have a wide array of games to choose from that will bring out everyone's competitive edge at bachelor parties. Use whatever games you choose to plan around a theme as well. For example, if you choose to hit online casinos, let everyone plan for their drinks and cigars ahead of time to replicate that traditional casino feel.

If you want to play games in groups, have each group come up with game gear and a team name. If you pick a game that can only have two teams at a go, then have someone create a schedule of the starting game, with the winner playing someone else, and the next winner playing against a new team until there is an overall winner.

Play Trivia Games

Trivia can serve as an icebreaker for an online party or even the focus of the party.

Include several categories like history, art, music, movies, TV, and pop culture. Many virtual hosting platforms will have breakout rooms, and your group can use these to break into teams.

Once you have teams and a trivia host, the host can ask the questions, and the teams can have a little time to discuss and settle on an answer. Ensure this duration is timed, and it's not too long that other members get bored.

Award teams a point for each correct answer and tally these up at the end to find the clear winner.

Online Cigar and Beer Tasting

This will take some advance planning to execute, but is well worth it. One of the most popular stag weekend activities is cigar and beer or wine tasting. What if we told you this is something you could also do online?

Start with a cigar list, and pick a few to sample. Everyone should get these individually, or you could order them and distribute them to everyone. Do the same with beers or wine. If you have a local brewer or other beers the guys would like to try, pick a few for the party.

Then schedule the party, get on a virtual conference, and enjoy the cigars, drinks, and of course finger foods. The conversation can be about anything, while everyone discusses what they think about each cigar and drink. This means synchronizing the varieties available so that everyone is sampling the same thing simultaneously.

Live Sport Viewing

This is yet another great option, whether as a main event, or part of the bachelor party itinerary. Pick a game everyone follows, and find the next big game that you can stream.

Everyone then needs to have their game stash with them. This includes drinks of choice, hot dogs, and other finger foods and most importantly, wear their favorite team's merch. Guys that bet can do so, whether online, or amongst each other just to get the excitement going well before the big game.

Then everyone can be at their place of choice, and you can stream the game, or watch it on a joint streaming app that allows chatting. Your choice.

Virtual Escape Room

Like traditional escape rooms, virtual escape rooms are a great way to bond, compete, and an adrenaline pump.

Luckily, there are many options for online escape rooms that your entire group can enjoy from wherever they are. Again, pick one or two escape rooms and a time and place. Then get yourselves in teams, and someone to mind the clock, and you're all set.

Quick Tips for Successful Online Party Planning

While virtual parties might be easier to execute, you still need some foreplanning and group input to have a successful, fun party. Here are some quick pointers on how to throw an epic virtual stag party.

1. Start with a Budget

A budget is very useful in helping you decide what you can and can't do. Once you have a list of invitees, determining a budget should be top on your agenda. A quick way is to include everyone on a group chat App and seek everyone's input. When you reach a consensus on a dollar amount, then you can begin planning according to budget.

1. Get Group Input

A quick way to find yourself alone is by imposing your ideas on a group. One of the key markers of a successful group event is group insight. So right from the beginning, ensure everyone feels heard and accommodated, even when you might have to let the majority win. While it might be tedious, seek out individual opinions, and bring them up for group discussion and a group vote. A majority rule system is more palatable than one person forcing their views on the group.

Additionally, keep the groom at the center of all planning and ideas because it's his day after all.

1. Have Some Common Attributes

In-person parties often feel more cohesive because the entire team is together. Virtual parties can lack this quality, but you can do certain things to still infuse a sense of oneness.

Some things you can do include:

· Ordering food from the same restaurant

· Pre-ordering printed t-shirts, caps, beer caps, and so on

· Having the same drinks, party snacks, and finger-biting

· Having a dress code

1. Lock in a Date

Find a date and time when everyone will be available and can attend the party. This should be agreed upon earlier in the planning stages. Aside from having a total number of attendees, scheduling allows you to be able to make bookings and payments when need be.

For example, if you opt for a virtual tour, you might be required to book a date and a time slot alongside making payment. The same goes for booking a chef for a cooking class, or a mixologist.

Have a Blast

One benefit of planning an online party is that it tends to be significantly more affordable. This allows you to pack more activities within the event without breaking the bank.

With good planning, a stag party can be well organized and fun. You just need to start your planning early, communicate well, get everyone's buy-in, and have your wits about you.