There’s a special excitement in walking between pubs, with a drink and lots to share, while the night still holds many exciting possibilities. Called bar hopping, pub crawling or tavern touring in different parts of the world, pub hopping can’t just be summed up by the things drunk. For us, it’s about looking for new places, finding them and living the culture one pint at a time.

No matter if you go bar hopping in Dublin, Budapest, London or Portland, it’s an experience you’ll remember. It links individuals to the area, helps strangers meet and supplies a fun and welcoming experience for discovering the city at night.

The act of moving from pub to pub.

Essentially, pub hopping is all about getting together with people. Those interested in a bar crawl go on a journey by visiting various pubs or bars over the course of the evening. Some people visit breweries or bars to try lots of different drinks, but many others come for the feel, the entertainment or the tasty treats offered.

Unlike a regular night out, pub hopping has a special rhythm and it becomes more fun when you’re spontaneous. It’s designed for travel, since your place of work moves from place to place. Rather, you try to move. Your first pint is enjoyed silently, drinking the second might speed up, while the third brings fun and laughter alongside it. Every time we play in a different venue, it introduces new excitement.

Organizing the Ultimate Hop

Although it’s fun to go from pub to pub without planning, a little preparation can make pub hopping better. It is important to evaluate these main factors:

1. Select a path that’s easy to walk on.

You’ll find the best pub hopping in places where you don’t have to travel far between venues. You’ll find lots to enjoy in Dublin’s Temple Bar, Budapest’s Jewish Quarter or Prague’s Old Town. If the area is walkable, you don’t have to take many transfers, can stay as a group and make more stops.

2. Try to Stop in More Than Just One Country

Try to experience something different. You might like to start with a pub where you can order local ales or lagers. From there, go to a cocktail bar for something made with care and creativity. And you could use a speakeasy, a dive bar or a location for live music. Every place you visit should feel and seem new.

3. Drink lots of water and remember to eat your meals.

How you pace your story is very important. It’s important to drink water and eat a little in between your games. A lot of amazing pub tours include restaurants that feature deals on sliders, wings or food typically seen on the street.

4. Know When to Hold Up and When to Pack It Up

The best rule of pub hopping is to stick around if you enjoy something about the place. Feel free to jump to the next place if this event is not what you’re looking for. Hiking is at its best when I’m able to go wherever I want.

Real Life: Cultural Variation in Different Cultures

While pub hopping is done all over the world, the way it is practiced changes from place to place.

United Kingdom

Hopping from one pub to another is common in the UK and feels like a tradition everywhere, but mainly in small towns and villages. You’ll find real ales, wood-beamed walls, fireplaces and lively conversations at most British pubs. There’s a common habit in neighborhoods called a “local crawl,” when guests pick out their favorite locales as they head home.

Ireland

Pubs are a serious part of Irish life. It’s common in Dublin or Galway to move between pubs for music, good eats and many pints of Guinness. People talk easily here, just as you’d expect after having a few drinks and soon you’re conversing as if you’re old friends.

Central Europe

You can discover a unique side of pub hopping in Budapest’s ruin pubs. Many of these pubs take over closed buildings and give them a fun, unique atmosphere with secondhand furniture and works of street art. Going from Szimpla Kert to Instant-Fogas and then on to local bars feels almost unreal.

United States

When pub hopping in New York, Austin or Portland, you often find yourself at craft beer bars, rooftop areas and taprooms. Trivia, karaoke or even some board games might be found while you’re visiting. Here, you’ll often find locals and tourists interested in the drinks such as IPAs, bourbons or specially made cocktails.

Asia

In Japan, pub hopping means going from izakaya to izakaya, having a drink and some small plates at each location. Likewise, in South Korea, each round leads to a new step in the night and visiting a bar can mean quiet soju, singing with friends in a karaoke room or late-night snacking.

The Dos and Don’ts of Pub Hopping

Here are some guidelines to help you, your friends and the venue stay respectful and have a good time:

• Don’t forget to be considerate toward the staff and people around you. Treat pubs as places where you engage with people and behave with respect.
• Keep things calm and quiet in small venues, as louder noise might trouble others around you.
• Never get behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking. Always ensure you can get home safely by walking, riding a taxi or an app or taking public transit.
• Remember to give a tip in countries that usually expect it.
• Keep track of how much beer you have. Make sure you don’t drink more than you should to stay safe and have a great time.

Reasons We Enjoy Pub Hopping

What makes it so many people enjoy pub hopping for years to come? You can make your avatar however you like, without taking it too seriously. There’s no need for a booking, extra fancy outfits or a complicated arrangement. You only need other adventurers, a curious mind and perhaps a map or two from a previous trip.

You can make the most of a city’s night options without staying in one place. With pub hopping, you can enjoy a historic tavern in one place and a modern bar in another. Try starting with a pint of local beer, continuing with some wine, maybe sipping a cocktail and have a round of shots at the end whenever you feel like it.

Apart from the drinks, it’s the friendships and experiences you share with people and different cultures that really make pub hopping worthwhile. Chances are, you’ll discover laughs you didn’t expect, talk with people you don’t know and discover a drink that becomes a favorite.

Final Cheers

You don’t need to be an experienced pub go-er to enjoy pub hopping as a social and unique experience. It’s an experience filled with atmosphere, good food and friendship that makes any night special.