We went on a Gen Z lads holiday and proved you don’t have to spend the whole time in the pub

You don’t need to go to the pub all the time to have a good lads holiday, even if you’re in the stag do capital of Europe.

You’d also be forgiven for thinking that a lads holiday in Prague would be characterised by extremely excessive consumption of cheap lager and late mornings attempting not to spew over the cobbled side streets of the old town.

But it seems my generation is increasingly sober-curious. According to charity Drinkaware, one in four Gen Z individuals are completely teetotal, and 31% never drink more than three pints (or equivalent) in one session.

Despite this, it's still a massive part of the culture, and undoubtedly a key part of a trip abroad.

So, as Gen Z’s drinking habits (or lack thereof) become more and more popular, a few lads and myself went to Prague with First Choice to see if you could do it differently – enjoying the cultural history of a city while also taking part in its famous nightlife.

We definitely challenged those expectations, and although we did consume more than three pints in a sitting on multiple occasions, this trip definitely showed me that it's not all that there is to it.

Some very good Czech food to kick us off (LADbible)

We started off the weekend with a Folklore Dinner, very far away from the normal experience.

Although slightly unsure what it was going to offer, a few pints and a hearty meal while being serenaded by traditional music and dancing was not to be sniffed at. Certainly a stomach liner as well as gaining an insight into a culture often glossed over.

Starting the next day off with a (fairly) clear head was also an eye-opener. It’s amazing what you can achieve when you get out of bed before midday, isn’t it?

A WW2 tour of the city kicked us off the next day, and while Prague probably isn’t the first place that would spring to mind when thinking of the conflict, we were shown sights that would stick with you. The assassination of a high-ranking Nazi officer and the location of a mass suicide in the crypt of a church were particularly eye-opening, and quite an interesting look into a weirdly fascinating part of history, as dark as it may be.

Being coached through pouring a very enjoyable pint (LADbible)

Follow that with a traditional lunch and a few more pints, and we were back to it, keeping it cultural by visiting a countryside castle with a show.

It’s easy to assume that spending the vast majority of your waking hours stood with a filled pint glass in hand is the ideal scenario for a holiday - which it definitely can be – but this was a welcome break.

It’s also likely to be far more memorable than repeating a discussion of how badly your football team is doing this season (which we did later on, anyway).

We spent the next morning seeing the many sights of Prague, which also helped ward off any potential hangxiety or nausea before a lads holiday staple: a visit to a local brewery.

Being taught how to pour pints the Czech way added some more local knowledge to the arsenal, as well as probably the best pint we had all trip. It was incredibly satisfying pouring it yourself, and coming from a tap seconds away from the brewery itself makes for a seriously smooth pilsner.

What would a lads holiday be without a few T-shirts, too? Given an appropriate if not slightly tongue-in-cheek tagline, it's a massive step-up from your usual 150GSM 'I Love Prague' piece you'd pick up whilst you were out there.

First Choice have paired with Everpress to release a collection of genuinely tasteful lads holiday shirts - and 'genuinely tasteful' rarely precedes 'lads holiday'.

Those locked into the world of the online will recognise the model here (LADbible)

We then spent the evening having another lovely meal, followed by a more-than-sufficient amount of alcohol, which topped off our Gen Z lads holiday; less drinking during the day, more to see and do, and memorable experiences that were more varied than an endless string of booze-fuelled nights.

The trip also proved you don’t need to be steaming to talk to people about things (crazy, I know). Spending time doing cultural activities helps you with any small talk or conversation starters you’d need before getting down to the nitty gritty.

Going away with your mates if often seen as a way to blow off some steam, see people you've not in ages, and generally celebrate something - be it someone getting engaged, or something as simple as you being out of the country. It can be all of them and a bit more when you lay off the booze for a couple hours and have a look around the cities you're in.

This isn't to say you shouldn't drink at all (what sort of lads holiday would that be?), but maybe plan some other activities and surprise yourself.

While 12 pints and a Baby Guinness is certain to loosen your inhibitions and help you have a chat, you can’t look past a good long walk around a castle to help you gather your thoughts either.

Plus, you’ll actually remember it.