If you have spent enough time searching for guided tours or reading urban travel tips, chances are you’ve heard about pub crawls – a type of mostly night tours that take you through pubs and clubs. In many cases, pub crawls can be a good way of experiencing a city’s nightlife and meeting new people. Here is a guide that should give you a clear understanding of what pub crawls are and help you decide if you want to join one.
How do pub crawls work?
Imagine a night where you and a bunch of friends and/or strangers stumble from one bar/pub/club to the next. That’s a pub crawl in a nutshell. Now, also imagine people who drink so much that they end up crawling from one location to another. That’s what can happen if you make the mistake of booking a pub crawl with an open bar and drinking as much as you can within 40 minutes.
A pub crawl usually follows a well-planned route, with some bars welcoming you with a discounted drink. Some pub crawl companies do the same routes every night while others introduce some variations here and there. The guides of the crawl will typically stay with you for a few hours, at least up until you reach the last destination, which is usually a place that is considered to be the star location of the night.
How much fun you will have at a pub crawl could vary from one tour to another. Some crawls will be more inventive and include things such as costumes or games. Some crawls will have far more people than others. Finally, some crawls will take you to some of the best locations in town while others won’t.
How to find a pub crawl
Finding a pub crawl is as easy as finding any guided tour. You have two main options:
1. Go to a hostel that organizes pub crawls. Lodging establishments that cater to certain demographics, such as party hostels, may organize pub crawls. While you usually don’t need to be a guest at the establishment in question to participate in the crawl, you may get a discount if you are.
2. Search for one on a travel booking platform. You will find most pub crawls available in a city on TripAdvisor, GetYourGuide, and Viator. To find a crawl that takes place in a specific location, use the search query “pub crawl” + “location”. For example, I’ve used the search query “pub crawl” + “Europe” to get a list of pub crawls that take place in Europe. And speaking of Europe and pub crawl opportunities, feel free to check out our guide to find European city break destinations that match your vibe.
Should you attend a pub crawl?
There are quite a few reasons to jump into a pub crawl. First off, it’s one easy way to explore a bunch of bars in one night without worrying about getting lost (unless you wander off after too many drinks). If you’re traveling, you might see it as a cheat code for meeting new acquaintances—people from all over the world, united by the goals of partying and socializing.
That being said, there are a few things to keep in mind before you dive in headfirst. First off, you will not always end up at the coolest spots in town. Some pub crawl organizers have “agreements” with bars/pubs/clubs that aren’t exactly the trendiest or most exciting places. You could find yourself sipping warm beer in a place that’s one neon sign away from being a laundromat.
Then there’s the price. Sure, the whole “all-inclusive” vibe sounds like a steal, but it’s not always the deal you think it is, especially if you’re not going for the open bar option (and you probably shouldn’t, especially if you’re there by yourself).
Bottom line? You could end up paying a lot for the “convenience” of walking between locations you wouldn’t have chosen in the first place. So, if you’re the kind of person who wants craft cocktails in swanky spots, a pub crawl might not be your scene. But if you’re down for some chaotic fun and don’t mind the occasional questionable venue, it’s all part of the adventure.
Should you join a pub crawl if you’re traveling alone?
And here’s the solo traveler dilemma: do you venture into the wild nightlife on your own hoping for the best or do you join a pub crawl and instantly meet new people? While both options can bring positive results, a pub crawl is typically the easiest way of finding people with who to explore a city’s nightlife in the company of others. It’s like having a built-in squad without the hassle of actually knowing anyone beforehand.
Are you too old for a pub crawl?
Please, never ask such questions. You are never too old for anything by default. While most people at pub crawls are in their 20s and 30s, most often students and young professionals, I’ve met people of almost all ages at the pub crawl I’ve been to. I have yet to meet someone in their 70s there, but I haven’t been to that many crawls to begin with.
Bottom Line: Should you crawl or should you not crawl?
If you’re the type who loves meeting new people, dancing in random locations, and waking up the next morning with a pocket full of drink vouchers, then a pub crawl may well be your jam. It’s one of the top options to consider if you are spending a few days in a place or for anyone looking to spice up their usual night out.
