Lifestyle

Unique Bucks Party Ideas That Will Impress Everyone

Published

1 year ago

October 28, 2024

Planning a bucks party is no small feat. You want to celebrate the groom-to-be’s last hurrah with a memorable and fun experience that stands out from the usual pub crawl or night out. If you’re looking to break away from tradition and create an event that everyone will be talking about for years to come, consider these unconventional bucks party ideas. From adrenaline-pumping activities to unique group experiences, we’ve compiled a list of ideas that will impress the entire crew.

Axe Throwing

Unleash your inner Viking with an axe-throwing session that’s bound to bring out the competitive spirit in the group. This thrilling activity combines skill and strength, making it a great choice for a bucks party with a twist. Many axe-throwing venues provide professional instructors to guide you, ensuring that even beginners can quickly get the hang of it. It’s a great way to bond over friendly competition and burn off some energy before hitting the town.

Escape Room Challenge

If you’re after an activity that encourages teamwork and gets everyone’s brains working, an escape room challenge is the perfect choice. These immersive experiences put your group in a locked room where you’ll need to solve puzzles and find clues to “escape” within a set time. With a variety of themed rooms available, from heists to horror scenarios, you can choose the perfect adventure to match the groom’s interests. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to get everyone involved, even those who prefer to stay away from the more physically demanding activities.

Brewery Tour and Tasting

For a bucks party that revolves around good food and drinks, a brewery tour is an excellent option. Australia is home to a range of craft breweries, and many of them offer behind-the-scenes tours and tastings. Your group will learn about the brewing process, taste a selection of craft beers, and enjoy a laid-back atmosphere. It’s a great way to celebrate in style, especially if the groom-to-be is a beer enthusiast. Pair the experience with some pub-style food or plan a relaxed afternoon at a local bucks party venue that offers a unique combination of great drinks and food.

Go-Kart Racing

Rev up the excitement with a go-kart racing experience that will get everyone’s heart pumping. This is the perfect bucks party idea for groups that love a bit of action and speed. You can compete in multiple heats, crown the fastest driver, and enjoy some friendly rivalry on the track. Many go-kart venues offer packages specifically designed for bucks parties, complete with group races and photo opportunities to capture the day’s best moments.

Whiskey Tasting Masterclass

If the groom-to-be is more of a whiskey connoisseur, why not indulge in a whiskey tasting masterclass? A professional guide will take your group through the history of whiskey, explaining the different types and regions, before you get to sample a selection of high-quality spirits. It’s an ideal option for a more sophisticated bucks party and gives the groom and his mates the chance to learn something new while enjoying a luxurious and relaxed environment.

Boat Party

For those who prefer the water, a boat party is an unforgettable way to celebrate a bucks party. Charter a yacht or party boat and set sail for a day or night on the water. Many boats come equipped with everything you need—think BBQs, fully stocked bars, and music systems. Whether you’re cruising around the harbour or anchoring at a secluded beach for a swim, it’s an epic way to combine adventure and relaxation. Just make sure to plan ahead and book early, as boats are a popular choice during peak seasons.

Paintball or Laser Tag

If your group thrives on adrenaline and action, a paintball or laser tag session will be right up your alley. Both activities offer an exciting mix of strategy and fun as teams go head-to-head in battle. Paintball brings the added thrill of physical endurance, while laser tag provides a painless (but equally competitive) alternative. You can even opt for themed game scenarios to add an extra layer of excitement to the day.

Surfing Lessons

For a bucks party by the coast, why not try something quintessentially Australian with a group surfing lesson? Even if some members of your group have never touched a surfboard before, it’s a fantastic way to embrace the sun, sand, and sea while creating a fun and inclusive environment. Many surf schools offer tailored group sessions, so everyone can catch a wave – no matter their skill level. Afterwards, you can relax with a beach BBQ or head to a nearby pub for drinks.

Private Poker Night

Bring Las Vegas to you with a private poker night. You can hire professional dealers and set up a full poker table in your venue of choice, whether it’s a hired space or someone’s home. It’s an excellent way to enjoy some high-stakes fun without the pressure of a real casino, and you can even add a theme to the night—think classic casino glamour or a Western saloon. With food, drinks, and plenty of banter, a poker night can make for a relaxed yet engaging bucks party that suits all personalities.

Bucks Party Sports Tournament

Why not organise your very own bucks party sports tournament? Whether it’s a round of golf, a cricket match, or even a mini-Olympics-style event with multiple activities, a sports tournament brings out the competitive spirit while ensuring everyone stays active. You can mix and match sports based on the group’s preferences, and there’s plenty of room for friendly competition and laughter. Cap off the day with drinks and a meal at a local bucks party venue to celebrate the victories.

Planning a unique and memorable bucks party doesn’t have to be complicated

With these unconventional ideas, you can create an event that’s tailored to the groom’s personality and interests while ensuring the entire group has an unforgettable time. Whether you opt for the excitement of axe throwing or the sophistication of a whiskey masterclass, the key is to choose an experience that brings everyone together for a day (or night) of celebration. By thinking outside the box and incorporating activities that everyone can enjoy, you’ll be well on your way to hosting a bucks party that leaves a lasting impression.

Lifestyle

Confronting Propaganda: Street Smart Documents Honest Reactions to Gaza Indoctrination Footage

Published

4 days ago

November 6, 2025

Michelle Langton

Photo Courtesy of: Street Smart

Byline: Michelle Langton

In a recent project, the Street Smart team gathered 20 strangers and presented them with propaganda footage from Gaza that has circulated widely online but remains largely unfamiliar to many audiences. The aim wasn’t to provoke outrage or test media literacy in a classroom setting. It was to capture raw, unfiltered emotional reactions to material that reveals how narratives are formed at the source. The resulting video offers a candid look at how people process shocking content and how their perceptions shift when they see what is rarely shown on mainstream platforms.

The Structure of the Experiment

The format was simple. Participants were seated and shown a series of clips from Gaza, including children’s programming and broadcasts containing intense ideological messaging. No background information was provided, and viewers were not instructed on how to interpret what they were seeing. After watching, they were asked for immediate reactions.

The footage elicited a wide range of emotions. Some viewers were stunned by the content, admitting they had never seen anything like it before. Others expressed disbelief, questioning why this kind of material isn’t more widely discussed. A few were visibly shaken, saying the experience fundamentally altered their understanding of the situation.

By presenting the footage without narration or added commentary, Street Smart allowed participants’ genuine responses to emerge. The experiment revealed how propaganda can affect an entire generation. It can shock, unsettle, and force people to reconsider their assumptions.

Why This Project Matters

Sage Fox and Dorani aligned the purpose of this experiment with Street Smart’s broader mission of challenging prevailing narratives and encouraging critical thought among younger audiences. In an environment where footage spreads rapidly across digital platforms, propaganda can shape public opinion long before context catches up.

By showing the Gaza Indoctrination footage in a controlled setting and recording uncoached responses, the team aimed to expose the emotional and cognitive impact of this type of content.

“The first reaction is often the most revealing, because it shows how powerful images can be without context.”

The Range of Reactions

While each participant brought their own perspective, several themes emerged. Some expressed sympathy with the imagery itself, saying it was emotionally powerful.

One participant said, “It makes me question what I see online every day. How much of it is shaped this way?”

Their comments highlight how propaganda resonates differently depending on prior knowledge and exposure. Many viewers have simply never encountered such footage directly.

Street Smart’s Approach

This project continues a pattern established by Sage Fox & Dorani’s earlier videos. Rather than relying on experts or lengthy analysis, Street Smart focuses on real people and their honest reactions. The approach is simple but effective. Present potent material, listen to what people say, and share those moments with a wider audience.

The Gaza Indoctrination footage experiment fits this model. It doesn’t attempt to draw final conclusions or offer political commentary. Instead, it documents how people respond when they’re exposed to narratives that are usually filtered through intermediaries.

Implications for Media Literacy

Beyond its viral potential, the video raises broader questions about how people interact with powerful imagery online. Propaganda operates on emotional reflexes. As this experiment shows, those reflexes are often unexamined until they’re brought to the surface.

Sage Fox & Dorani hope that projects like this push audiences to think more critically about what they see and share.

“The purpose is not to tell people what to believe. It is to remind them that every image comes from somewhere, and that source matters,” they said.

Next Steps for Street Smart

As Street Smart’s platform grows, Sage Fox & Dorani plan to conduct similar experiments in different contexts. They intend to use their direct, street-level approach to highlight how people react when presented with challenging material.

The Gaza footage project is one piece of a larger mission. The team uses simple methods to shed light on complex issues. By focusing on authentic reactions, they continue to build a unique space in online media that blends cultural investigation with raw human response.

A Window into Unfiltered Thought

“We showed 20 strangers real propaganda footage from Gaza — and filmed their unfiltered reactions” is not a dramatic exposé or academic study. It is a clear, unmediated record of how individuals respond when confronted with material designed to persuade. In that restraint lies its strength.

By documenting these moments, Street Smart shows how awareness can begin with a pause. A brief space between seeing and believing.