- Getting there
- Bath Spa station, or Bristol Airport
- Best time
- Year round
- Nightlife
- 6/10
- Stag welcome
- 7/10
Why Bath
Bath is one of the most beautiful cities in Britain, and it makes a great stag for a group that wants good pubs, good food and a relaxed weekend rather than a huge night out.
It's compact and easy to walk around, and close enough to Bristol that you can head there for a bigger Saturday night if you want one.
Do locals mind stags?
Bath is a small city with a lot of residents living right in the centre, and it gets a steady stream of stag and hen groups, especially in summer. Most locals are tolerant, but a loud group of lads stands out much more here than in a bigger city.
Behave like you're in someone's town, because you are. Keep the volume down in the old streets at night, and you'll find the pubs welcoming.
Getting into bars
Bath has fewer late venues than a bigger city, and the ones it has can be choosy with large groups of men. Split up before the door, and book tables for dinner and drinks where you can.
Many of Bath's best pubs are small and traditional. A group of six is fine. A group of fifteen will struggle to fit in, let alone get served.
Fancy dress will close a lot of doors in Bath. Keep it to the groom, if at all.
Where to drink
- The city centre
- Around the Abbey and the Roman Baths. Old pubs, restaurants and a few bars.
- George Street
- The main run of bars and late venues for a night out.
- Walcot Street
- Independent bars, pubs and a more local feel.
- The riverside
- Pubs along the Avon, good on a sunny afternoon.
What to do
- Thermae Bath Spa
- The rooftop pool with views over the city is a great hangover cure. Check its rules on group sizes before you plan around it.
- Bath Rugby at the Rec
- The ground sits right by the river in the centre, and match days are lively.
- A brewery or gin tasting
- Several local producers run tastings, which suit a smaller group.
- A walk round the city
- The Royal Crescent, the Circus and Pulteney Bridge are worth a slow morning walk.
- A night in Bristol
- Bristol is fifteen minutes away by train if the group wants a bigger Saturday night.
A weekend plan
- Friday
- Arrive at Bath Spa station, drop the bags, and head into the old pubs around the centre. Dinner booked, then George Street.
- Saturday
- The spa in the morning, the rugby or a tasting in the afternoon. Dinner in Bath, or the train to Bristol for a bigger night.
- Sunday
- A walk round the Royal Crescent, a long lunch and the train home.
Where to stay
Bath is expensive and books up fast, especially in summer and on rugby weekends. Big houses are available, but residents are sensitive to party lets, and many owners won't take stag groups.
Book well ahead, and be honest with hosts about the group.
What it costs
| Pint | Roughly £5.50–£6.50 |
|---|
Prices change, so check before you book.
Worth knowing
- Late-night venues are limited. Plan where you'll end up rather than hoping to find somewhere at midnight.
- Book every dinner and as many drinks tables as you can. Bath fills up.
- If the group really wants a huge night, Bristol is the better base.
Best for
Facts on this page were last checked in October 2026. Venue policies and prices change, so check before you book.
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