Recently, I had the pleasure of spending a day with Jerry Hayes, founder of Elusive Tours, in his hometown of Cambridge, MD. Jerry offered me a sample of what the historic town has to offer, and showed how local entrepreneurs, himself included, have breathed new life into Cambridge. Bachelor parties are one of Jerry’s specialties, and his curated selection of destinations will ensure you will have a night to remember. Elusive Tours promises to provide a bachelor party tailored to your needs and wants; for unforgettable experiences ranging from bar crawls to nights at the arcade, Elusive has you covered.

Our first stop was at the RaR Brewing complex on Poplar St., in the heart of Cambridge’s downtown. This location stretches nearly across an entire block, featuring a trio of conjoined eateries. The central feature is RaR’s Taproom, including a handcrafted Cedar bar plus 12-tap draft system with a constantly rotating selection of RaR’s creatively crafted beers. A twist on the classic brewpub vibe, the Taproom ensures a memorable night, regardless of the occasion. On the taproom’s left flank is the LabRaRtory, a cozy yet cultured cocktail bar that would not feel out of place in Brooklyn. With flower-adorned white brick walls and classy leather seating, the inspiration of the space itself is a perfect match for the off-the-wall cocktail selection, including a delightful cocoa-infused twist on the Old-Fashioned. Continuing to the right of the Taproom, one will find Chessie Burger, a veritable heaven for the 80s geek in all of us. Pop culture memorabilia, retro gaming consoles, and an actual Lego wall provide ample nostalgia to enjoy alongside the comfort food menu, abounding with burgers, hot dogs, and wings.

Next on the agenda was RaR’s Dive Club, just across the street; with no exaggeration I can say it is one of the coolest things I have ever seen. Crossing the threshold, one is transported to the cabin of an old-timey ship, following the journey of the fictitious Captain Bernard to locate the infamous Chessie (Chesapeake Bay Monster). No expense was spared in crafting the environment: Hollywood set designers were brought in to meticulously prepare each and every detail, from the cannonball holes in the walls, to the artificial “thunderstorm” light shows that roll through the bar at regular intervals. As you absorb the nautical atmosphere, you can enjoy a curated selection of maritime-themed cocktails, as well as a tapas-style small plates menu designed for sharing.

After the Dive Club, Jerry took me for a ride through Cambridge’s historic district in the comfortable and classy Elusive Tours van, boasting several rows of roomy seating and top-of-the-line features. Our next destination was the Hyatt Regency, a hotel and resort on the banks of the scenic Choptank River, which includes an 18-hole golf course, indoor and outdoors pools, a full-service spa, and a 150-slip marina. Set on a natural marsh, the golf course spans a gorgeous hardwood forest and pristine riverfront, and is recognized as one of the most popular destination golf courses in Maryland. After golfing, one can relax by the poolside, enjoy a fantastic river view, and cool off with a tropical drink at the Off the Rook poolside bar.

Jerry is more than happy to tailor the bachelor party experience to your request: one customer, Stephen Quinn, reached out to Elusive for help in planning a less-traditional party for his friend. As Stephen said, “The groom and the rest of my friends aren’t the type to drink or gamble, so I planned around our interests. The groom is a big fan of arcades and mentioned that he had never gone to a Dave & Buster’s.” Jerry planned according to this, scheduling visits to Dave & Buster’s in PA and Main Event, another arcade in DE, as well as an escape room. As you can see, Jerry does not limit himself to Cambridge, or even just the Eastern Shore; in his words, “I will drive you literally anywhere.”

Seeing what Elusive Tours could offer was a remarkable experience for me, as I’m sure it is for his clients. Though our sample tour was limited to Cambridge due to time constraints, Jerry regularly schedules tours to Annapolis, Philadelphia, and Ocean City, among many other locations. From restaurants to casinos, from beach days to nights at the club, there’s no limit to what Elusive offers for your bachelor party. To book your own truly exceptional experience, contact Jerry at elusivetours.com.