Planning a bachelor party these days is tricky business. Let’s face it — films like “Bachelor Party” and “The Hangover” don’t exactly give the best impression. Many guys don’t even have one, whether it’s because they don’t like parties or the prospect of planning and coordinating a party is too daunting.
But planning a bachelor party doesn’t have to be a chore. You can have the night of your life without forgetting — or wanting to forget — the whole thing in the morning. And the Big Apple is the perfect place for one last hurrah. The city is filled to the brim with surprises and opportunities to celebrate with the boys.
Keep reading, and we’ll show you how to plan an NYC stag party for the ages.
Whether you’re planning for yourself or you’re the best man, the trick to hosting a memorable bachelor party in NYC is actually pretty simple — just do stuff you already wanna do.
You don’t have to hit a club or get plastered if you don’t like to do those sorts of things. No one’s going to be upset at you for “breaking tradition,” or whatever. Remember, the bachelor party is for the groom, not the groomsmen who want an excuse to go wild. Plan to do something you and your friends know you’ll enjoy. It should still be special, of course — you’re probably only getting the one bachelor party, after all.
We’ve got a bunch of ideas here to get your brain percolating. You might even find something that you never would have thought of otherwise, especially if you’re just in town for the party.
A lot of your typical bachelor party ideas in New York City involve seeing iconic sights, like Times Square or the Empire State Building. And that’s a great place to start! But for those looking for something a bit more sophisticated, why not visit a local museum!
The Guggenheim is one of the most beautiful art museums in the world — and the stuff inside it is pretty stunning as well. There you’ll find a vast collection of modern and contemporary art. The exhibitions are always changing, so there’s always something new to ponder.
The New York Historical Museum chronicles the history of New York City itself. It’s the oldest museum in the city and boasts historical artifacts from the founding of both the city and country, giving you and your friends new insights into the not-too-distant past. Fitting for a day of looking back on life as a bachelor.
Art isn’t confined to museums. The Bushwick neighborhood in Brooklyn is home to the Bushwick Collective, a loose collection of street artists who turn blank walls and buildings into gripping works of art. If you’re looking for something a bit larger than a painting, a stop in Bushwick can really kick your bachelor party into high gear.
You’re gonna need some downtime somewhere in your day of walking and partying. Where better to chill for a bit than a jazz club? And where better to find a timeless, classy jazz club than Greenwich Village? Kick your feet up and listen to some of the most talented jazz musicians in the city at places like Smalls Jazz Club or Blue Note Jazz Club. You won’t regret it.
Bowling is a bachelor party classic, but you can take it to the next level at Brooklyn Bowl. This high-tech bowling alley combines the latest in bowling technology with some of the most entertaining live music on the planet. You can bowl a perfect game in the middle of a live concert while chowing down on food provided by Blue Ribbon culinary programs. It doesn’t get much better than that.

All New York natives agree that the city has some of the best food in the world. If your group has a healthy appetite, try one of the many walking food tours. Focus on a single type of cuisine, a single borough or neighborhood, or explore a theme. You might sample all the best hidden gems with a guided tour of Chinatown or Little Italy. Meanwhile, true crime enthusiasts may enjoy a tour of historic Italian mob hangouts while learning about the city’s seedy past.
For those who appreciate the finer things in life, there are plenty of options in NYC. For example, you might try:
One of the best — and most side-splitting — Manhattan bachelor party ideas is a visit to the Comedy Cellar. Many famous comedians were born in this basement. That list includes folks like Kevin Hart, Ali Wong, Jon Stewart and many more. The Cellar has shows all throughout the evening, too, so you can just slide it into your schedule wherever it fits. The Cellar is pretty popular, though, so be sure to make a reservation in advance.
One of the best ways to end a day is a visit to the theater — but not just any old theater for the most recent blockbuster. Instead, stop by one of the many independent cinemas dotted across the city, like the Film Forum or the Angelika Film Center. Catch a weird arthouse movie you’ve never heard of, and you might be surprised by how much you enjoy it. You might even get to talk to the director after!
Seeing the city from the water is one of the best ways to cap off your bachelor party. At the end of a long day of fun, getting away from it all can be sobering and reflective, even beautiful. The Staten Island Ferry is probably your safest bet since it runs 24/7. That way, you and your friends can take your time. Just show up when you can and let the waves carry you into the best day of your life.
Once all their bachelor party activities in NYC have come to a close, a lot of guys end up feeling a bit wistful about it. They wish they had a picture of that one moment with their friends so they could have it forever. If you hire a photographer, you’ll have just that.
At Shutter & Sound, our job is to capture the magic of the day on camera and turn it into a work of art you can treasure forever. We also offer three different video packages, so you can choose the one that’s right for you.
To learn more about services, fill out our contact form or reach out at 800-841-3990 today!