Radio host James O’Brien has shared a surprising revelation about his past, admitting that he left his stag do in Soho 25 years ago because he felt “uncomfortable.” Instead, O’Brien decided to crash his wife’s hen party in a spontaneous move.
During a segment discussing British stag do culture on his LBC show, O’Brien recounted feeling out of place in the Soho establishment where his friends had taken him to celebrate his upcoming wedding. Describing the venue as “louche and amoral,” O’Brien expressed his discomfort with the atmosphere.
Recalling the experience, O’Brien mentioned that he was on the phone with his then-fiancée and decided to meet her and her friends around the corner from where he was. This unexpected move led him to join his wife’s hen party instead of continuing with his stag do festivities.
After sharing this anecdote on air, some listeners reacted with surprise and criticism. One listener remarked that it was “weird” for O’Brien to show up at his wife’s hen party, while others found his actions questionable.
Discussing the topic of stag dos further, O’Brien mentioned recent bans on pub crawls in Prague due to concerns about excessive alcohol consumption and disruptive behavior, often associated with British tourists celebrating stag and hen parties in the city. Similar measures have been taken in other popular European destinations such as Amsterdam, Munich, and Budapest.
In response to the proposed ban on outrageous costumes worn by stag and hen party groups in Prague, O’Brien highlighted concerns about noise pollution and unruly behavior, indicating a growing trend in addressing the impact of overtourism in popular party destinations.
Overall, O’Brien’s unexpected decision to leave his stag do and crash his wife’s hen party offers a unique perspective on traditional pre-wedding celebrations and prompts reflection on evolving attitudes towards such occasions.