How to Have a Fun Pub Crawl: A Guide

Are you looking to embark on a pub crawl with your friends, but not sure where to begin? It’s a good question – and one many can relate to! A pub crawl is a great way to discover new and exciting venues with friends, make social connections and just generally let your hair down with some tasty drinks and good company. In this article, we’ll explore the pub crawl in detail, including the dos and don’ts, what to bring along, what to watch for and ideas for making the experience extra special.

What is a pub crawl?

At its most basic, a pub crawl is an activity that involves visiting multiple pubs, bars or clubs in a short space of time. Typically a pub crawl lasts between one and seven hours, and takes in a series of locations that are close enough to walk or take public transport between. The aim is to experience several different venues in a short space of time and have fun in each of them before moving on.

The dos of pub crawling

As the name implies, pub crawling should involve lots of laughter and socializing with friends– it really isn’t an exercise in quiet contemplation. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your pub crawl:

• Hydrate. A pub crawl can include some serious drinking, which can quickly lead you to becoming over-hydrated. Like it or not, spirits can be strong, so make sure you pace yourself and don’t become parched; the odd glass of water or juice between drinks can be beneficial.
• Count your drinks. You may have good intentions when you start the crawl but not remember how many drinks you’ve had at the end – if you do get carried away, make sure you track your drinks so as not to head over your personal limit.
• Go for variety. To make sure every drinker is able to enjoy their time, it’s important to visit venues that have a range of drinks available – from soft drinks at one end of the scale, to spirits and cocktails at the other. If you’re the one organising, check the venues will have something to suit everyone before setting off.
• Bring lots of money. Prices on drinks vary greatly between pubs, bars and night clubs so make sure that everyone’s budgets are accommodated. Collect up everyone’s money before you leave to make sure you’ve got more than enough on you!
• Don’t leave early. A quick climb up to the bedroom at 11 pm is likely to fall flat with the rest of your group, so make sure that everyone stays until the end. You’ll have far more fun if you all make it all the way around.

The don’ts of pub crawling

There are definitely some behaviours that should be avoided when taking part in a pub crawl. Here are a few that must be avoided if you want your group to remain on good terms:

• Don’t stay too long. Although it’s tempting to linger when you find a really great vibe in one particular spot, it’s important not to lose track of time. Remember why you’re out – this is a pub crawl!
• Don’t drink too much. This should be obvious, but we can never give enough warnings about over-indulging during a pub crawl. Don’t forget, while one or two drinks can take the edge off a stressful day it won’t take much beyond that for things to spiral out of control.
• Don’t be obnoxious.. Don’t be disruptive or rowdy when entering a new venue – your group should respect any establishment you visit, even if it serves well below par drinks. Keep your noise level low and take time to get acquainted with any of the regulars in the venue before making your move!
• Don’t wear yourself out. The night won’t last forever, and at some point you will be heading home. Conserving energy along the way by taking regular breaks when possible will ensure everyone is able to make it back in one piece.
• Avoid dodgy areas. The last thing you need is for your group to get embroiled in some kind of trouble. When choosing a location for your bar crawl, make sure it’s actually reasonable and safe for all concerned by doing some research prior to setting off.

What to bring

Whether it’s taxis or cash, here are some items that should be packed prior to their journey – both for the purpose of staying safe and simply keeping people organized:

• Cash. As mentioned before, venues can often differ greatly on pricing, so it’s important to know how much everyone will reasonably need before setting off.
• A phone charger. Bar crawls do indeed take up plenty of battery life – as well as attention span – so having an ample charge is essential.
• An ID. While it should go without saying, don’t forget your ID! Some pubs may refuse entry without proper identification.
• Taxis.. Even if you intend to use public transport, having access to taxis at any given time can be invaluable. It’s always helpful to phone one down in advance when you know approximately what time moving onto the next place will occur.

Finding pubs for a pub crawl

Depending on where you live there may be plenty of pubs on tap for your adventure – but if the surrounding areas are bereft of such establishments then visiting websites such as Yelp and searching for suitable destinations may be wise. The latter in particular offer “pub crawls’ packages tailored specifically for those looking for an all-rounder experience that includes planning and arranging transportation between all the planned locations – taking away all the hassle!

Making memories

If things are really getting wild, don’t forget to document your adventures! Pub cast documents usually come with a special hashtag (if an official organization is arranging a crawl) which enable people searching social networks – such as Twitter, Instagram or Facebook – to track all the epic images / clips from other participants’ exploits. Including these hashtags on all put cues guarantees your night will never be forgotten!

Finally, remember that safety comes first during all activities related to drinking alcohol; don’t become completely trashed and (most importantly) think before getting behind any wheel after drinking too much!

Essentially, getting involved in a bar crawl should be all about having fun with friends – use this guide to ensure everyone has an amazing time without having any regrets!