Soho, NY Edition (But Applies Anywhere!)

I’ve officially planned two bachelor parties — one for my college roommate who lives for football and cigars, and another for my brother, who’s more into breweries and late-night Mario Kart marathons.

Each time? Chaos. Fun chaos. But chaos nonetheless. And after pulling off both weekends without anyone getting arrested or losing a groomsman, I figured it was time to share everything I learned from organizing a bachelor party that’s equal parts unforgettable and (mostly) stress-free.

🔧 Timeline & Coordination

Bachelor parties typically happen about 1–3 months before the wedding. Any closer and you’re risking wedding stress, travel fatigue, or — let’s be real — last-minute cold feet jokes getting out of hand.

Start by talking with the groom about his dream weekend. Vegas? Cabin in the woods? Backyard BBQ with a beer pong tournament? Once you lock down a vibe, get a list of guys he wants there.

Then it’s time to coordinate calendars. I recommend using Doodle or When2Meet to pick a weekend that works for the majority — but always keep the groom’s availability as top priority.

Once the date is set, send out a Bachelor Party Invite Email with:

  • Location & accommodations
  • Rough itinerary
  • Estimated cost breakdown
  • Travel advice (e.g. "Fly into JFK, not LaGuardia. Trust me.")
  • Payment instructions for shared expenses
  • Send a follow-up email about two weeks out with more details like:
  • Packing list (especially if there’s a dress code or golf game)
  • Any group gift coordination
  • Final schedule updates

🎒 Packing List Musts

Some of the MVP items guys always forget:

  • Portable phone chargers
  • Swim trunks (yes, even in the mountains — you never know)
  • Earplugs (someone always snores)
  • Tylenol / Advil / hangover kits
  • Nice outfit (just in case you end up at a fancy steakhouse)

Make a quick checklist and toss it in the group chat a few days before the trip.

🎁 Gifts or No Gifts?

Most guys don’t expect gifts at a bachelor party, but a group gift can be an awesome touch. For my brother, we all chipped in for a custom humidor engraved with his initials. For my college roommate, it was a pair of tickets to see his favorite team play next season.

If you want to keep it simple, bring a gag gift (inflatable sheep, anyone?) or personalized flasks for everyone. Little touches go a long way.

🕹️ Games & Icebreakers

Sure, guys usually don’t need organized games — the beer pong table does half the work — but a few lighthearted activities keep the energy going:

  • Groom Roast: Everyone shares a story (the more embarrassing the better).
  • Trivia About the Bride: Ask the groom questions about his fiancée and see how well he really knows her.
  • Dare Deck: Classic bachelor party dares like "get a stranger to buy you a drink" or "sing karaoke without looking at the lyrics."

Low effort, big laughs.

🍻 Activities (Real Itinerary Ideas)

What you do depends entirely on your crew — but here’s what we did for my brother’s NYC bash:

Friday:

  • Arrive at the Airbnb in Soho
  • Beers + burgers at JG Melon
  • Dive bars + rooftop vibes
  • Groom gets roasted by his boys

Saturday:

  • Morning bagels + recovery juice
  • Axe throwing + brewery tour in Brooklyn
  • Steakhouse dinner at Keens
  • Nightcap at a speakeasy
  • Groom ends up trying to DJ at the afterparty (don’t ask)

Sunday:

  • Late brunch
  • Walk the High Line / grab coffee
  • People start peeling off for flights home

Some other bachelor party ideas: golf, paintball, sports game, whiskey tasting, go-kart racing, boat party, hiking & grilling — or just vibing in a dope house with a pool and board games.

🏠 Lodging & Food

Airbnbs are often the move — especially if you’re rolling deep with more than 6 guys. Look for something with enough bathrooms and a central location. Bonus if it has a backyard or pool.

For food, make a plan! Guys will eat anything in sight, so have snacks, pizza orders ready, and a grocery run scheduled if you're cooking. A few frozen breakfast burritos saved our lives one hungover Saturday morning.

💰 Cost Talk (It Matters)

Bachelor parties can get expensive — fast. Set expectations early and be transparent.

Use Splitwise or Venmo groups to track costs. Decide upfront:

  • Who’s paying for the groom (usually everyone splits his costs)
  • What’s included vs. what’s optional
  • A cap for activities/dinners/etc.

Pro tip: If everyone pitches in a bit extra, you can surprise the groom with something nice — like covering his steak dinner or upgrading his room.

🎉 Final Thoughts

Bachelor parties are about celebrating the groom — not stressing about perfection. Things will go wrong (someone will lose their wallet, someone will forget deodorant, someone will fall asleep before dinner). It’s part of the fun.

As long as the groom feels appreciated and you’ve got a plan that keeps the crew fed, entertained, and alive — you’ve done your job.

Happy planning, Captain of the Bachelor Squad. Now go give your guy the epic weekend he deserves.