The male ritual known as the bachelor party has become a bit passé in recent years. Most men, at least those with friends, will be asked to attend one of these outings at some point. But some of those options – poker game, strip joint, pub crawl, golf outing – may just seem a bit dull.
Is it time to add a little more testosterone or a little more class to that next bachelor party? With that in mind, here are a few alternatives that don’t involve a pole or a beer bus.
Drive Tanks!
The original “Drive a Tank” experience offers friends a chance to get up close and personal with some armored machismo. This operation is located in Kasota, Minnesota (just southwest of Minneapolis) and has been in business since 2006. Drive a Tank allows guests to buckle up in an FV433 Abbott SPG tank. These fighting vehicles have been a staple of U.K. forces at various times and are still part of the Indian army (the U.S. doesn’t sell its out-of-use tanks).
Packages include a complete history presentation and some machine gun action when the drive time is over. There are several packages and options to choose from, like rolling over a car (who could pass that up?), and some other tanks to check out. Other armored options include Ox Ranch in Uvalde, Texas; Battlefield Vegas; and Tank Town USA in Morganton, Georgia. Book an outing with a couple of friends—no MRE required.
Axe Throwing Excitement
Don’t bore your buddies with traditional darts—instead, ramp things up with some axe throwing. This growing trend has competitors pitching razor-sharp hatchets, and facilities are opening up across the country, from L.A. and New York to Atlanta, Dallas, and everywhere in between. The activity is a twist on traditional darts, with some friendly competition tossing axes at a target. Sharpen those skills; plenty of bragging rights are on the line.
In Las Vegas, HeadzUp offers axe tossing and plenty more. Ready to channel your inner ninja? There’s never a dull moment when hurling throwing stars or knives while practicing for some mortal combat. HeadzUp also offers something called an “archery tag.” This take on paintball war features bows and arrows as teammates do their best John Rambo impressions. Sounds painful, but don’t worry. It may be extreme archery, but these arrows are foam-tipped. However, the adrenaline rush of shooting down a buddy like Robin Hood is the real deal.
Skeet Shooting
Skip the golf course, not the cart, when heading to a sporting clay shooting facility. Some of today’s shooting options have added something extra to the idea of clay pigeon shooting sports. Elm Fork Shooting Sports in Dallas is a great example. Courses are designed like golf courses with shotgun-wielding “hunters” blowing away clay skeet in various locations and scenarios, such as a duck hunting blind. Show off your crack shooting skills and top the scorecard.
Other options include a pistol course and complete shooting range facilities. Similar facilities exist around the country, and some skeet shooting is a great way to have a blast outdoors with friends. Warrington Sporting Clays in Pennsylvania even hosts an annual fundraiser for Shriners Hospital—friends, fun, and plenty of shotgun shells for a worthy cause.
A Barbershop Bachelor Party?
Clean up your crew at that next bachelor party. The classic barbershop has seen a revival around the country in recent years. Enjoy a nice cocktail or cigar with a great straight-razor shave, haircut, beard trim, and more. It’s kind of like a spa treatment – but just a lot manlier, of course. Bulls and Bears Parlor in New Orleans transports men back to the days of The Great Gatsby. Sit in a vintage barber chair and undergo a precision cut followed by a relaxing shave, hot towel treatment, facial, scalp massage, and more. Your crew will feel like Nick Carraway is ready to hit the town.
Head to The Rockford in Kansas City for a personal touch at one of three locations. The ambiance screams masculinity, from the deer antler chandelier to the motorcycle on display inside. Scissors and Scotch offers just what the name implies, with several locations nationwide. Who says a bachelor party has to be low-class? Ditch the shaggy locks and stubble. With a trim, stogie, and glass of bourbon, a trip to a classic barbershop can start the day the right way.
Sportsbook
Need some nightlife for that next fiesta? Skip the jiggle joint and head to the sportsbook. Since the Supreme Court overturned the virtual federal ban on sports betting outside Nevada in 2018, more states have opened the betting windows. With sports leagues on pause during the Coronavirus pandemic, it’s a good bet your crew has been jonesing for some action on the field, ice, or hardwood. Those thinking smoke-filled seedy betting parlors are in for a much different experience. Players can expect a cool vibe in a classy environment at today’s modern sportsbooks, like the newly opened Circa Sports in downtown Las Vegas or BetMGM Sportsbook at the Borgata in Atlantic City.
Dig into a filet mignon or order a craft brew (or even a Bud) while anxiously watching for that NFL wager to pay off. There are now 18 states allowing legal sports betting (including via mobile phone), with several more launching soon. Win or lose, some cocktails, camaraderie, and handicapping can make for a great night out. Hitting on that parlay for a few hundred bucks is nice, too.
