## European Stag Parties Face Stringent New Restrictions in Key Tourist Destinations
British stag parties are confronting escalating resistance in two of Europe’s most popular city break destinations, as local governments in Budapest and Prague take robust action to contain the disruptive behaviour often associated with these lively groups. Following a post-pandemic resurgence of overseas celebration tourism, authorities and residents alike have voiced mounting frustration over the noise, public drunkenness, and anti-social antics that frequently accompany these pre-wedding gatherings.
In recent years, Prague and Budapest have become staple destinations for stag parties, drawn by affordable flights, cheap beer, and vibrant nightlife. The influx of energetic groups — frequently identifiable by their matching outfits, novelty headgear, and boisterous singing — has brought both economic benefits and significant challenges to the local communities. As the numbers continue to swell, so too has the pressure to restore some measure of peace and dignity to the historic heartlands of these cities.
Budapest’s old Jewish Quarter, an area long celebrated for its “ruin bars” and buzzing nightlife, has been particularly affected. As part of a comprehensive strategy to tackle the issue, authorities have stepped up the enforcement of existing regulations, including on the spot fines for public urination and late-night noise disturbances. Airports have also started distributing information leaflets in English, reminding incoming tourists of the local rules. Perhaps most emblematic of the shift, the city has banned the infamous “beer bikes” — rolling, pedal-powered bars that previously trundled noisily through the streets at all hours.
This summer has seen even sterner measures being introduced. Since June 2025, Hungarian towns and cities have been given the power to set limits on who can buy and rent local properties. The intent is to restrict the growth of party rentals overwhelmingly marketed at stag and hen groups from abroad, which frequently operate outside the norms of courtesy expected in residential neighbourhoods. More broadly, venues are now empowered to turn away rowdy groups, and pub owners have started being more selective about which clientele they admit.
Significant change has also arrived in Erzsébetváros, also known as Budapest’s 7th district. This vibrant heart of nightlife now faces new rules set at the end of May. Strip clubs and similar establishments offering live erotic performances are no longer allowed to operate past midnight — a move intended to change the area’s rowdy image and make it a more welcoming environment for locals and traditional tourists alike.
Airlines have also felt the brunt of troublesome stag groups. A WizzAir cabin crew member recently described London flights as “the worst,” recounting a recent incident where police had to be called to meet a flight in Budapest after a stag party became aggressive when refused further alcohol mid-air.
Prague, too, has redoubled its attempts to regulate party tourism. The Czech capital has already established bans on beer bikes and brought in strict new noise ordinances. Licensing controls for late-night venues are now more rigorously enforced, and regular police patrols have been increased in trouble-prone central areas.
Looking ahead, Prague’s local government has announced that, by the close of 2024, a ban will be in force on organised pub crawls between the hours of 10pm and 6am. Event organisers risk fines as high as 100,000 Czech koruna (about £3,450) if caught breaking the curfew. This, authorities hope, will deter the most disruptive gatherings and encourage more responsible tourism.
The issue is not merely one of inconvenience. A dark reminder of the risks associated with party tourism surfaced in September 2024, when a Welsh tourist, David “Dai” Richards, tragically lost his life in Prague following a violent altercation between two stag parties. The case led to a prison sentence for the individual responsible and intensified calls for tougher regulation of party tourism across Europe.
Public opinion in these cities appears to be in favour of the clampdown. Many locals feel the measures are overdue, arguing that quality of life has been eroded by the constant presence of large, disruptive groups. Still, some business owners reliant on tourism worry about the potential economic fallout from the crackdown — especially those whose establishments cater specifically to the stag and hen market.
With these new regulations, the authorities in Budapest and Prague hope to encourage a different brand of tourism — one that respects local communities and the character of these celebrated urban centres. The coming months will serve as a test of whether these robust new controls can strike the right balance between welcoming visitors and preserving residents’ peace.