Organising a stag or hen do in London? Skip the tired clichés. A private craft beer tour is sociable, easy to organise and something the whole group genuinely enjoys — no awkward activities, no naff matching T-shirts required. Here's why a Bermondsey Beer Mile tour makes such a good stag or hen do, plenty of ideas to tailor it, and everything you need to plan and book.
The problem with the usual stag and hen ideas
We've all been on the do that didn't quite work. Generic pub crawls get messy fast and lose half the group by 9pm. Forced "activities" can feel like a school trip. Nightclubs aren't for everyone, and a sit-down meal alone can be a bit flat for a big celebration. What most groups actually want is something with a bit of structure and a sense of occasion, a brilliant atmosphere, and enough room to actually talk to each other between the fun.
Why a brewery tour wins
- Sociable by design: walking between taprooms keeps the group together and the day flowing, with natural breaks to chat and regroup.
- Something for everyone: from easy lagers and crisp pales to big stouts — and soft or low-alcohol options for anyone pacing themselves.
- Zero admin on the day: your guide handles the route, the venues, the timings and the introductions, so the organiser gets to relax too.
- A built-in talking point: you learn how the beer is made as you go, which beats standing in a circle making small talk.
- Flexible: add food, games, prosecco, a meal or a big finish to suit your group.
Stag do ideas in London
The classic stag format is a private Bermondsey Beer Mile tour with beer included, a street-food lunch at Maltby Street and the option of games or forfeits along the way. It's a proper day out that won't leave the best man stressed or out of pocket from organising rounds. Bigger group? We host up to 60+ and can split larger parties across guides. Want to extend it? Start with a morning heritage walk and carry on into the evening once the tour wraps.
Hen do ideas in London
Looking for hen party ideas in London with a bit more flavour? A private beer (and prosecco) tour is stylish, fun and refreshingly un-cringe. Mix craft beer with bubbles and soft options, add a cheese, meat & beer tasting for a touch of class, and you've got a hen do that everyone from the bride's best mate to her auntie will love. It photographs beautifully too, if that matters to your group.
Birthdays, mixed groups and just-because celebrations
You don't need a wedding on the horizon. The same format makes a brilliant milestone birthday, a reunion of old friends, or simply a great weekend with a group who like good beer. Mixed-gender groups work perfectly — it's about great beer and good company, not a theme.
Corporate & team away days
Beer tours also make a memorable team away day or client social — far better received than another meeting room. We can arrange invoicing, bespoke itineraries, food and a tailored pace for work groups of all sizes. See corporate & group tours for details.
Group sizes and logistics
We run private tours for groups from around six up to 60 or more. Larger groups are split sensibly so everyone gets looked after and served quickly. We'll advise on the best day and time for your numbers — weekends are liveliest, while a Friday or midweek date can be calmer and easier for very big parties. Deposits and flexible payment options make collecting money from the group straightforward.
A sample group day
- Late morning: meet, first beer and a quick run-through of the day.
- Midday: hop between hand-picked taprooms, with the guide explaining the beer.
- Lunch: street food at Maltby Street Market to refuel.
- Afternoon: more taprooms, games or a tasting if you've added one.
- Evening: finish at a favourite, or carry on independently.
What's included
Our private tours include an expert guide for the day, beer at each stop on the standard Beer Mile format, a tailored route and all the planning. Optional extras include food, a cheese, meat & beer tasting, prosecco for hen parties, and games. Just tell us what you want and we'll build it.
How to book your stag or hen do
It couldn't be simpler: tell us your group size, rough date and the vibe you're after, and we'll come back with ideas and a quote, usually within one working day. Browse private & group tours or get a quick quote to get started. And if you're still deciding, our Beer Mile guide shows exactly what your group is in for.
Why London for a stag or hen do?
London packs more into a square mile than almost anywhere — world-class beer, food from every corner of the globe, history on every street and superb transport links so guests can travel in from across the country. Bermondsey in particular gives you a concentrated, walkable run of independent breweries right next to Borough Market, Tower Bridge and the river, so a beer-led day naturally folds in sightseeing, great lunches and a buzzing evening. You're never short of a backup plan if the group wants to carry on.
Tips for the organiser
- Book early for weekend and summer dates — the best slots go first.
- Confirm numbers a week or two out and take a deposit to avoid last-minute drop-outs.
- Share a plan with the group: meeting point, time, rough finish and what's included.
- Cater for everyone — flag any soft-drink or dietary needs and we'll sort it.
- Let the guide lead on the day so you can actually enjoy your own event.
Get those basics right and the day runs itself — which is rather the point of handing the planning to us.
How much does a stag or hen brewery tour cost?
Our public Bermondsey Beer Mile tour is £79 per person with beer included, and private group rates are tailored to your numbers, date and any extras you add such as food, a cheese, meat and beer tasting or prosecco for a hen party. Compared with a day of separate activities, meals and rounds, a guided beer tour is excellent value — everything is wrapped into one clear price, with no surprise bar bills and no one stuck organising rounds. We're always happy to talk through options to suit your budget, whether you're after a relaxed afternoon for six or a big blow-out for sixty. Just tell us what you have in mind and we'll build a day that works for the group and the wallet.