The date is set, the tuxes are picked out, and the big day is fast approaching. But before the groom puts the finishing touches on his vows, you need a party to celebrate the next chapter of his life unfolding; a rite of passage that can only be completed with a bucks party. If you’re a best man in need of inspiration, or a groom-to-be picking out your ideal day before the big day, we’ve got you covered with a guide to the best bucks party ideas for an unforgettable time in Melbourne.
1. Smuggle in the hooch to Alcotraz
Melbourne’s Prohibition-inspired clandestine cocktail bar Alcotraz is an ideal evening activity for groups, with added fun found in the subterfuge of smuggling in the alcohol. Escape the prying eyes of the prison warden and toast to a heist well-planned in this inventive twist on a bucks party! Find tickets here.
2. Hurl some axes, Viking-style
Cathartic and challenging in equal measure, axe throwing has exploded in popularity over the past decade, though for obvious reasons, it doesn’t mix well with drinking. We’d recommend a trio of spots around town for your bucks party; Lumber Punks in South Melbourne, Valhalla Axe Throwing in Brunswick, and MANIAX, which has three venues including one in the CBD. Happy hurling!
3. Take part in a battle for survival at Saboteurs
How much do you trust your fellow bucks? Find out at Melbourne’s Among Us-style game, Saboteurs, where suspicion falls on everyone and you’ll need to work (or deceive) as a team to win. Original mode, dark mode, and Moon Fall versions of the game are all available, and you can book a spot here.
4. Whizz around Melbourne’s top go-kart tracks
A classic for a reason, go-karting offers the thrills aplenty, and the chance to unleash your adrenaline on the track in a bid to finish atop the podium. For a different spin, try something a little more hi-tech at Battlekart Melbourne, where augmented reality lends your races a fun new dimension.
5. Bag a corporate box at the MCG or Marvel Stadium
Time to really go all out for the groom-to-be. Whether your event of choice is an AFL clash, a BBL showdown, or an epic concert, Marvel Stadium can furnish you with one of their Premier Suites, complete with food and drinks catering, for individual events. Meanwhile, over at the MCG, boxes for 14, 16, or 18 guests are available for booking throughout the AFL season; again, they offer private catering and epic views from the Level 3 suits.
6. Snipe the competition at a paintball arena
My history with paintballing ended with an inglorious fall down some stairs after taking a shot to the neck, but you’ll have better luck, probably. Head to World Series Paintball, which has branches in Epping and Oakleigh, or take your pick of battlefields at Snipers Den; their urban battlefield in Heathcote offers an inner-city combat experience, whilst their Wildlands venue out at Skye is Victoria’s first bush paintball experience.
7. Sip Melbourne’s finest beverages at a drinks tasting
Whilst it’s quite possible to have an alcohol-free bucks party, we know that for many, a bucks party means the chance to kick back with friends old and new over a few drinks. Whatever your tipple, Melbourne has the answer; for instance, beer tasting experiences and tours are available at breweries including Carlton Brewhouse, CBCo Brewing, and Molly Rose Brewing C0.
Whisky & Alement – Australia’s best whisky bar for 2023 – in the CBD offers private whisky tasting sessions hosted by an expert, whilst Starward in Port Melbourne will guide you through their Melbourne-made whiskies. If it’s wine you’re after, we’d recommend heading out of the city to the likes of the spectacular Yering Station Winery – Victoria’s oldest, and one which doubles as a wedding venue, if you’re still researching – or Panton Hill Vineyard & Winery.
8. Hunt your prey through a laser tag arena
Like paintball, but without the bruises. Laser tag remains a popular pastime in Melbourne; Timezone has multiple venues across the city, whilst a multi-activity venue like Archie Brothers Cirque Electrique in the Docklands or Kingpin Crown in South Melbourne can offer laser tag with a side of bowling and arcade games, for instance. Try booking the whole arena for a private bucks-on-bucks game; Secret Melbourne cannot condone shoving children out of the way just to win a game of laser tag.
9. Slice up a delicious steak to celebrate
A special occasion demands a special meal, and luckily for bucks with a taste for the gourmet, two Melbourne steakhouses were recently ranked amongst the top 20 in the world. Victor Churchill in Armadale is renowned for top-quality butchery and dining, and the wine list is top-tier as well. Meanwhile, Steer Dining Room in South Yarra offers carefully chosen cuts, though you’ll want to back it up with a decent budget.