Visiting pubs in a city allows you to experience different customs, join in on city life and enjoy great food. Always a good idea for travelers, a pub tour is ideal for those who love to combine exploring with having a fun time at night.

If you’re traveling alone, with friends or looking to find new companions, a pub tour may end up being one of the best highlights of your vacation. In this guide, we discuss what pub tours are, how to get ready for one, what to anticipate during a tour and the best locations for a great pub experience globally.

What Is a Pub Tour?

During pub touring (or pub crawling), participants go from one bar or pub to another, sometimes close enough to walk between the places. There are frequently drink discounts, chances to play games, enjoy entertainment and talk with both local residents and fellow tourists.

Certain pub tours take visitors around town following a map, though many are guided by people who can explain the culture and tales of each bar. A lot of these tours provide VIP access, offer shots when you join and arrange group games that help everyone mix.

Why Should I Go on a Pub Tour?

Joining a pub tour has a lot of great benefits:

1. Social Connection

Pushing buttons with local people is a very social activity. People are around you because they want to have drinks, enjoy good company and sometimes try something new. It’s the perfect chance to make friends, especially when by yourself on a trip.

2. Local Flavor

Whether it’s a tavern, an inn, a trendy lounge or a dive, every bar has a different flavor of its own. Taking part in a pub tour helps you experience authentic local nightlife.

3. Safe as well as easy to explore.

Trying to explore a new city’s nightlife by yourself can be very difficult. With a pub tour, you visit several pubs safely and learn about the best places from guides who help the group stay in order.

4. Drink special offers and VIP entrance to the club

Most of the time, organized tours give you either welcome shots or savings and you won’t need to wait in lines or pay entry fees at many busy spots.

What Should You Look Forward to on a Pub Tour

All pub tours are different to some extent, though they’re usually organized roughly the same.

• You’ll all meet at a main bar or place. Most guides ask to check your ticket or ID and hand you things like wristbands or drink tokens.
• Seeking Out Pubs: The gang drinks together at three to five bars, staying in each one for about 45 to 90 minutes.
• At most places, you’re likely to enjoy deals on or completely free, drinks.
• Some tours add fun by throwing in party games, including beer pong, answering trivia questions or facing dares.
• If you’re not in a pub, you might listen to live singers, dance to a DJ or even join in at a karaoke bar.
• Some tours offer the service of photographers who take cheerful pictures of everyone throughout the event.
• You should be prepared for a fun night of dancing, laughter, making memories and finishing with plenty of stories.

Ways to Make Plans

When on a pub tour, use these tips to have a great time.

• Bring your ID: Some countries have laws that require you to have ID to drink, so it’s best to show that you are allowed.
• Always eat something before you go out to drink. Ensure you eat something before starting the tour.
• Be sure to look at the dress code before leaving for places known for strict evening customs.
• Traveling a long route means you have to go step by step. The second part of the tour is full of exciting things you shouldn’t miss.
• You may need cash at some bars, just in case your card isn’t accepted.
• Alternate a drink of water with an alcoholic beverage to keep yourself from feeling too tired or nauseous after drinking.

Best Places for Pub Tours

Certain cities get renowned for their lively bar life and special tours of local pubs. Have a look at these amazing places:

• Budapest, Hungary Given its many ruin bars in empty buildings, Budapest provides visitors with one-of-a-kind pub tours across Europe. Szimpla Kert and Instant are two pubs usually included on pub crawls.
• Dublin, Ireland Because drinking culture is strong here and it’s the home of Guinness, Dublin’s pub tours are famous. Live Irish music will add to your experience and you’ll also experience visiting old, historic pubs.
• Prague which is in the Czech Republic Since Prague is known for its popular beer and crazy nightlife, many of these tours include beer tasting, nightclub visits and stops at riverside bars.
• London, England You can enjoy a classic English pub or try the latest cocktails on a London pub tour. Historical pub tours are a favorite for people wanting to spend their time learning about history and having drinks at the same time.
• Berlin, Germany The pub tours in Berlin bring you to artists’ hot spots, techno clubs and curious dive bars. People who love nights out in alternative places will have a great time there.

Final Thoughts

A pub tour goes beyond just moving from place to place. It’s an opportunity to get to know the area’s music, meet different people and remember the fun. Wherever you are in Europe, the Americas or Asia, a pub tour is a fun and safe way to experience the nightlife of that city.

When you go on a trip, enjoy more than landmarks; have a drink with the people there and learn about the city from pub to pub. Cheers!