12 Cheap Bachelor Party Ideas to Celebrate Without Breaking the Bank

Want to have a big night out with your friends, but don't want to lose any pals over a weekend that costs more than their annual vacation budget? These cheap bachelor party ideas show that you can have a good time, without getting anxious over a tab that keeps rising and rising. "When planning a bachelor party, there's no need to blow your budget," says Amy Abbott, founder, owner and creative director of Amy Abbott Events based in Los Cabos, Mexico. "With a little creativity and smart planning, you can throw an epic weekend."

It's something your friends will thank you for, especially as more people lament increasing bachelor party costs and lavish wedding weekends that seem to forget their guests have rent to pay and groceries to buy. And, remember, Las Vegas will always be there for another weekend trip — maybe one that doesn't overlap with the rush of wedding season. From hiking excursions to road trips, here's bachelor party ideas you'll talk about for years to come, but won't break the bank.

Plan a Road Trip to a Bachelor Party Destination

Nashville, New Orleans or Austin are dream bachelor party destinations for many, but these cities come at a cost. However, if you live within driving distance, make it a road trip. "Staying in an Airbnb allows you to save on food by stocking up for breakfast or snacks, giving you more budget to enjoy the city's nightlife," Abbott says.

Get Out On a Boat

Rather than flying to an island, plan a close-to-home one-day bachelor party that still involves the vacation feel of getting out on the water. "Consider a boat day. In many destinations, you can rent a boat for around $150 per person and often the cost includes light snacks. To save even more, bring your own alcohol and snacks, keeping the experience fun and personal, recommends Abbott.

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Hold a Poker Tournament

Can't justify the cost of a trip to the casino? Don't want to spend the money on a hotel in Vegas? Turn the normal bachelor party games into something with a little more competition. Abbott says, "Turn your place into a DIY poker room, throw in a few beers and let the competition begin. It's a great way to bond and spend the night in for a fraction of the cost of hitting the casino."

Go Hiking

Want to totally skip the bachelor party decorations and late nights out? Hiking is one of the most inexpensive bachelor party ideas and it's perfect if you have an outdoorsy to-be-wed. Plan a weekend nearby to keep it even more budget-friendly. Bring your camping gear and you won't need to worry about a hotel. "After a day of exploring, set up camp, crack open a few beers and enjoy some quality bonding time," Abbott says.

Plan a College Night Out

If you and most of your friends met in college, plan a nostalgic night out in your college town. It's probably cheaper than spending a weekend in a big city and brings back all of your most fun memories. Abbott suggests, "Head to a football game, grab some beers at your old college bar and relive the glory days. Many college towns offer affordable accommodations, food and entertainment, making it a budget-friendly option for the group. But be sure to book ahead of time!"

Go Out to a Comedy Show

Rather than spend an entire weekend celebrating, plan one fun night out. Get tickets to a show at a comedy club where you can eat, drink and laugh all in one place. Choose an evening when one of the to-be-wed's favorite comics is performing or go on an open mic night for even cheaper ticket prices.

Spend a Day Tubing

If you live near a river, grab some innertubes and a few inflatable coolers and hit the water. Spend a day tubing from one end of the river to another, stopping at any beaches along the way. It's an affordable bachelor party idea that's perfect for summer.

Plan a Brewery Crawl

Wondering how to plan a bachelor party on a budget? If you're near a city that has a good brewery scene, plan a brewery crawl to hit a few in one day. Beers are usually well-priced at breweries and you can do tastings at each. Grab dinner from a food truck (breweries always have them, right?) for another bachelor party idea on a budget. Also, you don't have to worry about who pays for the bachelor party. Everybody picks up their own tab, and you can take turns treating the nearlywed.

Grill Out in the Backyard

It's a lot cheaper to eat at home than to go out, but that doesn't mean you can't make it special. Grab a group of friends and have everyone try their hand at grilling their favorite meat. Turn it into your own food competition, and spend an entire day hanging out, slinging burgers and steaks and enjoying the fresh air.

Host a Game Night

Whether it's video games or board games, invite the whole group over for a game night. Pick a few of the to-be-wed's favorites, make all their favorite snack foods and spend a low-key evening at home laughing and bonding — without spending a ton of money.

Go to a Minor League Baseball Game

While going to an NFL game might be fun for a bachelor party, it's a lot more cost-effective to go to a baseball game, and even more cost-effective to make it a minor league game. It's still just as fun, but the tickets are cheaper, the beers cost less and parking is always a lot easier. You'll even have cash left over to hit a bar after the game.

Plan a Pool Party

Maybe one of the party guests lives in a building with a rooftop pool or perhaps you live in a city where you can rent out a private pool by the hour. Either way, a pool party can be a fun cheap bachelor party idea to get away without leaving town. And, since you're bringing your own drinks, you'll save money on overpriced resort cocktails.