Traditions and Trends in Bachelor and Bachelorette Parties
The concept of bachelor parties began in ancient Greece and Sparta, where soldiers would celebrate a friend’s upcoming marriage with a feast. These 5th century B.C. all-male parties served as gatherings to celebrate friendship and bid farewell to the groom’s bachelor life. The celebrations often included a lavish dinner and toasts made to the groom on his last night as a single man. Many years later, the idea of an equivalent celebration for women emerged, with family and friends of brides-to-be planning pre-wedding events that often kept pace with the wild-abandon mentality of “one last fling before the ring.”
As bachelor and bachelorette parties quickly grew in popularity, so did the debauched reputations of these parties as nights of no-holds-barred, “epic” celebrations. Stories about bachelor parties that ended with infidelity, incarceration, and incapacitation from inebriation became commonplace, with many a groom standing at the altar the next day with a happy bride and an angry hangover. To a lesser degree, many bachelorette party members have attempted to meet the same level of male celebration, but for the most part, it’s traditionally the men who tend to party harder.
While many bachelor and bachelorette parties have been held at hotels and private homes, the most renowned bachelor/bachelorette party destination in the U.S. is Las Vegas, which has arguably become synonymous for all kinds of over-the-top celebrations. For many soon-to-be-married couples, the phrase “what happens in Las Vegas, stays in Las Vegas,” rings true with allusions to party-related secrets that should be left in Las Vegas, never to be repeated or shared with their new spouse.
Among today’s couples, however, trends show a decreased desire for round-the-clock drinking in nightclubs, strip clubs or even comedy clubs. Today’s couples want more than a hangover and raised eyebrows as souvenirs of their bachelor or bachelorette party—they want customized adventures and experiences that leave them with great photos and memories that are acceptable to share in any group of family, friends or coworkers.
In Indian River County (IRC), fans of classic cocktails and drinks need look no further than 21st Amendment Distillery for a great bachelor or bachelorette party location. Opened in 2023, the distillery offers a wide range of rental space and menu options for any special celebration. Jeff Palleschi, owner of 21st Amendment Distillery, pointed out the distillery’s available choices for any group looking for a unique and customized experience.
“For bachelor or bachelorette parties, or for any groups that come to the distillery, we offer buyouts of the whole distillery space or sections of the distillery. We also offer group tours of the distillery, as well as tastings of our products,” Palleschi said.
The distillery also offers food options such as a catering menu, regular menu, and a buffet that can be set-up by request. With outside seating available, guests also have the option of dining outside in agreeable weather.
Palleschi added, “We host wedding rehearsal dinners and have wedding packages. As an another customized experience, we also offer the option for whiskey lovers to blend their own bottle.”
Another location in IRC where pre-wedding groups can say cheers with beers is the American Icon Brewery . Open since 2017, the brewery offers a variety of food and drink options for any group celebrations, as well as beer-related experiences such as tastings and tours. Bob Morgantini, general manager of American Icon Brewery, detailed some of the guest options.
“We offer rental space both upstairs and downstairs at the brewery, and host about 15-20 bachelor and bachelorette parties each year. Groups can choose one of our bar packages or catered menus, have a set or customized menu, and can tour the brewery to see the production process—from grain to tap,” Morgantini noted.
Like the distillery, American Icon Brewery also offers outdoor patio seating. Along with bachelor and bachelorette parties, the brewery has hosted weddings and wedding rehearsal dinners, celebrations for college-bound children, birthdays, and events coordinated with Cleveland Clinic.
For bachelor and bachelorette groups looking for a sports-related party theme, there is BigShots Golf, where guests can tee off the celebration with delicious menu and drink options. Eric Irwin, manager, explained some of the group options offered by BigShots Golf.
“Bachelor and bachelorette parties have become more common with us, and we’ve done about 20-30 in the last year. For these groups, we offer options for full or partial space rentals with tee boxes and our Loft Bar. Depending on the size of the group, guests can order off our menu or we can create a small buffet. We also have pre-selected packages guests can choose, which can include the option of a private bartender,” Irwin pointed out.
Irwin also reported that BigShots Golf has hosted both wedding rehearsal dinners, as well as post-wedding receptions.
As a relaxing indoor option for bachelor or bachelorette groups, the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa offers all the primping and pampering needed for soon-to-be brides and grooms who want to look their best for their special day. According to Hannah Stales, spa coordinator, guests can receive two complementary glasses of champagne as they wait to be called by one of 10 spa service providers.
Among the spa services offered at the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa are a Pink Himalayan salt room, a dry-heat cedar sauna, and a lounge with snacks and a bar. For guests not staying at the hotel, the spa provides guests with access passes to the hotel pool and beach area.
“We offer many services that are popular with all of our guests. However, our busy season is from November to May, so for bachelor or bachelorette groups, they should keep that in mind and plan ahead accordingly,” Stales suggested.
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