Despite crackdowns on drunken Brits to try and stop alcohol-fuelled stag parties, three European cities are still seeing an increase in bookings. Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Albufeira in Portugal and Prague in the Czech Republic all attempted to stop boozy tourists taking over the cities but, according to stag and hen do organiser Last Night of Freedom, the laws have done little to discourage people. 

Matt Mavir, managing director at the Tyneside-based firm said: “Rules, fines and huge publicity campaigns – authorities in each of these cities have thrown everything at trying to discourage revellers from choosing their city to party, but it hasn’t done a fantastic job. Our customers aren’t being scared off and the numbers prove it. In fact, these destinations are becoming more popular than ever.”

Of the three cities, Amsterdam was the first to launch a campaign discouraging drunken tourists. Beginning in 2023, the city banned street drinking and cannabis consumption, tightened access to the Red Light District and had an online warning campaign aimed at British men.

Prague was next by attempting to ban fancy dress and pub crawls through the city centre and earlier this year Albufeira got in on it too. The city rolled out a new code of conduct which issued on-the-spot fines for drunkenness, noise and anti-social behaviour.

However, despite these efforts, hordes of British men and women continue to book their stag and hen parties across the cities. In fact, all three have experienced an increase in bookings. 

Prague went from fifth to third most popular, Amsterdam from ninth to seventh and Albufeira is a new entry this year at six.

Matt said it shows Brits won’t be discouraged. “The headlines can make it sound as though stag dos are being pushed out, but that just isn’t happening,” he said. 

He continued: “Each city is trying to change its image and attract a different type of tourist – more couples and families and fewer big groups heading straight to the bars and nightclubs.

“But I think what the authorities forget is that they’re often the same people. Our stags aren’t some fringe group – they’re just normal people with jobs, relationships and children who are looking for somewhere to celebrate with their mates.”