How Many Bars Are in an Average Bar Crawl?

Hitting the town with your friends is always a good time. But what’s even better? Partying across the city and exploring multiple venues in one night. That’s where a bar crawl comes in.

But if you’ve ever asked yourself what is a bar crawl or what’s a pub crawl, you’re not alone. Many people wonder whats a bar crawl or even what is bar hopping and how it compares. In this guide, we’ll unpack the differences, explain how do pub crawls work, and settle the question of how many bars you should aim for in an average crawl.

Pub Crawl Origins

So, what is a pub crawl and where did it come from? The term originates in Oxford, where students famously wandered between historic pubs. These early crawls were all about camaraderie, cheap drinks, and plenty of storytelling along the way.

Today, the idea has spread worldwide, and pub crawls are organized in countless cities. Whether themed, seasonal, or casual, they’re all built around the same idea: planned routes, group fun, and exploring more than one venue in a single night.

What Is Bar Crawling vs Bar Hopping?

Many people ask: what is bar hopping compared to a crawl? The main difference lies in structure.

• Bar hopping is spontaneous—you go wherever the night takes you.
• Bar crawls are more organized, usually with a set route, ticketed entry, themes, and specials at each venue.

So if you’re trying to decide bar crawl vs bar hop, the key difference is whether you want a curated, social event (bar crawl) or a more casual night of wandering between bars (bar hopping).

How Do Pub Crawls Work?

If you’re still wondering how do pub crawls work, here’s the breakdown:

1. You buy a ticket that gets you a wristband.
2. That wristband gives you access to drink and food specials at participating venues.
3. The crawl typically includes 4–6 bars, though some go bigger.
4. You follow the planned route, enjoy the themes, and party with hundreds of other crawlers.

It’s essentially nightlife made easy. Instead of planning out a dozen stops, the organizers handle it all—you just show up and enjoy.

It’s the Journey, Not the Number

So, how many bars are in a bar crawl? There’s no official rule, but most crawls hit four to six venues. That’s enough to keep things lively without exhausting everyone. Some larger events may include 8–10 stops, but for most people, the sweet spot is fewer bars with more time to actually enjoy each place.

The bottom line: whether you call it a pub crawl or a bar crawl, what matters is the experience, not the number.

Some Bar Crawl Inspiration

Now that you know what’s a pub crawl and what is a bar crawl, you might be thinking of trying one out yourself. A few tips:

• Always include a favorite bar on your route to anchor the night.
• Mix in new venues for discovery.
• Don’t overdo the number of stops—quality over quantity makes for better memories.

And remember, whether it’s themed like Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, or a simple Saturday night crawl, the fun is in the group energy and planned chaos.

Discover Legendary Bar Crawl Events

At Bar Crawl LIVE!, we make planning easy. We host some of the biggest and best events across the country, bringing together the energy of a city’s nightlife in one unforgettable night.

Whether you were searching whats a pub crawl, what is bar crawl, or even bar crawl vs bar hop, now you know the difference—and why a crawl is always worth it.

Ready to join the fun? Find Bar Crawls Near Me and start planning your next epic night out. 🍻