How to Plan a Pub Crawl

The pub crawl is a great way to have an enjoyable time with a group of friends while sampling some of the best local bars. Planning out these types of events can be difficult, so here we’ll outline the steps to efficently plan a pub crawl and make it one to remember.

Organize the Guest List and Budget

To start, you’ll need to first determine the size of the pub crawl and how much money you want to spend on each participant. It’s best to create a spreadsheet or use an app like Venmo to track who has RSVPed and how much money is being allocated to each guest. This will simplify the payment process and ensure everyone is paid appropriately.

Choose a Route or Destination

Once your guest list is finalized, it’s time to decide on a route or destination for the pub crawl. Will it be a simple crawl around one neighborhood or city, or an extended crawl throughout an entire chain of establishments? Make sure you account for enough time in between stops to allow everyone to get to the next destination safely.

It’s also important to factor in locations that will provide good food and drink options. Consider things like the quality of drinks, happy hour specials and type of cuisine. Doing some research on popular watering holes, breweries and restaurants in your area can help make the planning process easier.

Identify Transportation Options

For larger pub crawls, you may want to consider carpooling or hiring a designated driver. If you plan on having multiple vehicles, it’s important to make sure everyone understands the itinerary and route before starting.

For smaller pub crawls, staying local is probably best. This way, everyone won’t need an alternate form of transportation and can simply decide if they are walking or taking public transit between stops.

Create an Itinerary

Once you have identified a route or destination, it’s time to create an itinerary listing out each stop and estimated time of arrival at each destination. This will allow everyone on the pub crawl have structure and ensure that they stay on time throughout the night.

Also take into consideration any potential detours or stops along the way that your group might like. You can even consider planning activities such as karaoke at one of your stops or offering rewards like beads or koozies for those who complete the entire pub crawl.

Promote the Pub Crawl

Once you have finalized your plans for the pub crawl, it’s important to spread the word about the event. Create an event page on social media outlets like Facebook which can help you get more people fundraising in advance and will also make it easier for people interested in joining the event later than planned. Additionally, you may want to consider creating some professional-looking posters or passing out fliers promoting your pub crawl with the date and list of locations on them.

Secure Deals with Bars

When it comes to where you are looking to host your pub crawl, make sure to reach out to businesses directly to negotiate deals and specials for your group. Depending upon when they are hosting your event (weekends tend to be better than weekdays) you may be able to get discounted drinks and appetizers options for your group which will in turn bring in more revenue for the establishment.

Be sure that when planning a pub crawl that everyone involved is aware of their group’s alcohol limit and then adhere to it when at each establishment. Additionally, make sure that any arrangements made with establishments involve proper law enforcement protocol such as ID checks and level of intoxication measurements as needed.

Partner with a Promoter or DJ

For larger pub crawls that involve multiple stops, it may be beneficial to hire a local promoter to help generate more interest in your event from passerby’s on the streets. You may also choose to partner up with a local DJ who is willing to perform at one of your stops for an additional fee. This is a great way for crawlers to enjoy light entertainment during their travels from one establishment to another.

Additional Tips and Considerations

When planning a pub crawl, there are many things that need to be taken into consideration, but here are some additional tips that can help make the planning process easier:

• Be sure that each destination is located within walking distance of one another.
• Ensure each location is safe, especially when looking through Yelp reviews.
• Be sure that selected bars agree ahead of time on open / close times.
• Plan specific activities or games that can be incorporated into the event.
• Make sure you plan activities that start and end before public transit shuts down.
• Hire professional staff (bartenders / servers) to avoid any legal complications.

If you keep these points in mind and plan ahead as much as possible then you’re sure to have an enjoyable pub crawl experience filled with good drinks, food, fun and memories that will last long after the night closes down!