30 things every man should do before turning 30

Ah, your roaring twenties. Kicked off with a big, brash twentieth-birthday party, it’s a decade that offers such promise. But, then, as you graduate, delve into the world of work and, ultimately, settle down, it’s common to find yourself approaching the big 3-0 as a shadow of your former self.

To combat these late-twenties blues, we’ve amassed a list of things that you can do to spice up the last chapters of this exciting period. From climbing a mountain to buying a tailored suit, these are the 30 things every discerning gent should have done by the time he reaches that next big milestone. So, get ready to tick off – and make plans to complete those that have evaded you so far…

We may as well start with a big one – literally. Climbing a mountain takes patience and skill, as well as physical strength, so it’s a good test of your mettle.

And, we’re not talking Everest, necessarily. Any old mountain will do (here are some suggestions). Just make sure you do the obligatory hands-on-hips take-in-the-view sigh when you get to the top.

Art is long and life is short, or so they say. We’d argue that it’s more than that. Today, art is a global currency, and the right piece can fetch tens of millions.

So, what are you waiting for? Be it a whirl around a local art fair or a big spend at a high-end auction house, make your investment. You could be thanking us…

It’s said that if you haven’t bungee-jumped or skydived before you’re 30, you never will. Our advice, then, is simple: do it. Skydiving – throwing yourself out of a plane and falling 3,000 feet to the ground – would be our chosen pursuit. You’ll feel just like an action hero, and that’s what we all secretly want.

And steak doesn’t count. We mean a proper, classic dish that you can whip up for dinner parties or when entertaining the in-laws.

Whether it’s a perfect carbonara, an impeccably made massaman curry or a flawless doro wat – don’t know it? Tony Bourdain would not be best pleased – throw on your apron and get those culinary skills honed.

Because nothing looks as good. And, even if you’re only going to invest in one tailored suit in your lifetime, it makes sense to get it early on. That way, you can make the most out of it. But, remember: keep it simple. You’ll regret that floral pink print the first time you have to throw it on for a funeral.

There are seven to choose from, and if you’ve visited at least three before you hit the big three-o, you’re well on your way to conquering the world.

And, with the different cultures, peoples, food and landscapes you can find, there’s truth in the maxim that travel really does broaden the mind.

It’s widely believed that the measure of learning another language well is making a native speaker laugh. We disagree, as, surely, flirting is the gold standard of proving your lingo skills?

Opt for a romantic language to this end, such as French, Spanish or Italian. Then unleash your newfound tongue next time you take a trip (more below).

Who doesn’t watch westerns and feel a twinge of jealousy? Be it Eastwood or Wayne, whenever anyone canters across the silver screen, we all have a secret desire to saddle up and ride off into the sunset ourselves. Just leave the chaps and spurs at home.

No-one’s going to be impressed at a dinner party if you tell them you’ve read Ulysses or War and Peace. They’ll likely just think you're pretentious and thoroughly predictable.

Instead, when conversation turns to literature, ensure you can surprise them with an underrated classic – anything from Wilde to Woolf, Conrad to Kipling. We'd also recommend checking our list of the best books that'll be released in 2024.

This is harder than it sounds. Not only do shockingly few people under 30 even know how to play chess, but the game’s popularity has also waned just a touch since the release of The Queen's Gambit.

And, then, even if you do find someone who has knowledge of the rules, a chess set and a want to play you, you still have to win. Thought this was a simple one? Checkmate.

They say you should never meet your heroes, but we disagree. If you admire someone, they should stand up to scrutiny and offer you advice that will better your life.

So, whoever they may be and however you may contact them – just make sure its kosher, of course – reach out and reaffirm why you respected them so much in the first place.

One of the key parts about growing into a man is assuming responsibility and imparting knowledge. With a new, younger generation beginning to make its mark on the world, it’s a key time to take someone under your wing and show them the ropes of a hobby, career or skill.

It's likely that someone did the same for you, and you wouldn’t be where you are today without them.

Just one. Not really that hard. There are a lot to choose from, after all. So, whether it’s an amaretto highball, a pisco sour or a negroni, buy the barware you need to craft it, invest in a couple of bottles and practice until it’s perfect. You’ll be the toast of any party. To start you off, here's how to make a martini.

Even if you grew up in a city, driving is a skill every gent should have under his belt (or in his glove compartment). And, though you might not learn in a fancy set of wheels, once you’ve got the skill, you can work up to owning a classic…

Of course, this depends on where you find yourself, but everyone needs a good local – an armchair in the corner that others know not to sit in and a landlord who knows your usual the minute you breeze through the door.

Look for studded leather, a darkwood bar and some sort of old hunting weapon mounted above the optics. Then settle in and raise a glass.

Opera. It’s a word that can strike fear into even the most cultured of hearts. But, if there’s one leap you should take before you turn 30 – the skydiving above notwithstanding – it’s a trip to the stalls.

From Rossini to Puccini, Wagner to Strauss, it may be a case of closing your eyes and picking one, but it’s worth taking the chance, even if you never return.

If you’re not already a blood donor, you should be. Your donations are few and far between, it’s an incredibly important public service to undertake and you tend to get a free cup of tea after you’ve given up some of the red stuff. It’s a no-brainer.

Nothing says ‘adulting’ more than juggling a meat, several dishes of vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, gravy and dessert all at the same time. As such, invite your friends and family around for a huge Sunday roast, put on a great spread and have a lovely time. It’s as easy as that.

Shrug on your Norfolk-style shooting jacket, pull on your Le Chameau boots and head to the fields.

Because every man should know his way around the slopes. If you didn't learn to ski in your youth, you’ll probably start to worry when you finally do get around to it (and likely won’t make it past the green runs for fear of dislocating a knee/making a fool out of yourself). Once sorted, head to these resorts.

And, it doesn’t have to be Scotch, either. As long as it’s a delicious dark amber, looks excellent when swirled around a lowball and tastes like liquid gold, you’re on to a winner.

Having a favourite whisky is all well and good, but it’s not until you’ve made a spirit yourself that you can sip with the pride of a real drinksmith. Sloes and sugar are all you need to add to the gin, and then you play the waiting game.

There’s nothing quite like getting away from it all to clear the mind. And, that goes double if you travel on your own. Book your flights, take a trip and really get to know yourself.

But, choose your destination carefully; a week alone in Grimsby might do you more harm than good, so perhaps try the gentle rhythms of Japan, Denmark or Tuscany.

Okay, we sort of back-handed this earlier, but everyone (vegans and veggies allowing) should know how to cook a steak properly. Honestly, we’d be worried if you hadn’t by now – but, if that somehow is the case, get griddling right away.

First up, let’s explain. A Goodyear welt, typically, is a strip of leather or rubber that runs along an outsole. It’s the mark of a reliable, hard-wearing shoe, and the next pair you buy must have one. Thankfully, we know just where you can pick them up…

If there’s more of a mark of adulthood, we’d like to see it. Granted, you may have been living on your own for a while now, so you’re a dab hand at household chores and paying bills.

But, you should aim to actually buy before you hit 30, unless you live in London, of course…

True, it may not be the most sustainable way of earning money (or saving for that property), but there’s a certain fun in the risk of gambling. And, if it pays off, winning is a high unlike no other. Just know when to quit. For a blowout occasion, why not head to Casino de Monte-Carlo?

Obviously, this is a dangerous assignment; choose wrong and you’ll be the subject of wide berths for years. Here are some suggestions if you’re struggling.

Just not Wonderwall.

Like your signature scent, your watch is an important part of your identity. So, invest in the best – who knows, it might become a family heirloom.

Want another long list to check through? Here’s the A-Z of being a gentleman…