Bars & pub crawls · GUIDED
This is the shortlist you would send a friend flying in on Friday: 15 guided bar tours worth the money, each with its price, its verdict and the one thing to know before you book.
Meet guides such as Kevin, Ben, Sarah, or Paula at central Madrid bars, then visit five pubs and clubs with free shots, drink deals, games, and VIP nightclub entry. Expect about five hours of walking, dancing, and mingling in English or Spanish. Dress neatly and bring ID.
“I really enjoyed it and the Kevin is amazing. So helpful and fun. Thanks a lot.”
Spend three hours walking Shinjuku with a local English-speaking guide such as Nao, Naoya, Toshi, or Kei. Visit Omoide Yokocho, Kabukicho, and Golden Gai, pay no venue entry fees, buy your own drinks and food, and finish with karaoke.
“Kei is a great guide! She’s meticulous and makes sure everyone is included and gives great recommendations. Even with a large group (about 15 people) she is able to make sure no one is left out! In general this tour is great for anyone looking to get acquainted with Tokyo drinking culture”
You cruise Amsterdam’s canals for one hour on a quiet electric boat, with a German-speaking guide explaining leaning canal houses, the Oude Kerk, dancing houses, and Seven Bridges. Boats may be open or enclosed. Guides Yannis and Pedro have been praised for lively, informative trips, and drinks are available to buy onboard.
Meet guides such as Oscar, Jin, Simay, and Konstantinos at Dick Mack’s Irish Pub, then visit three Vienna bars with games, drink deals, and free shots with purchased drinks before club entry. The four-hour crawl suits solo visitors and social groups aged 18 and over.
“thanks to Irwin Kim and Jin you guys are helpful and friendly thanks for the lovely evening”
Spend three hours exploring Budapest’s nightlife with an English-speaking Carpe Diem Tours guide. Visit four bars, try fröccs, beer, Hungarian cocktails, and four shots, and use games to meet people. Guides such as Eszti, Nono, Kitti, Laura, Nika, and Peter may lead the evening.
“Nikka was amazing! 3rd bar (color bar) was my favorite. Nikka recommended a bunch for us during the our trip too! Perfect for solo travelers and groups too- met so many fun people!”
Meet guides such as Amine and Omar in Châtelet, then walk between two or three bars before finishing at Café Oz. You get drink deals, a shot with your first purchased drink at each bar, skip-the-line entry, and an easy way to meet people if you are exploring Paris alone.
“the tour guide was really friendly I had a great time”
Spend three hours with a local English-speaking guide such as Moto, Taiga, Mia, or Lyou, walking from Kawaramachi into Kiyamachi for izakaya food, sake, beer, cocktails, and small bars. The $25 fee covers guiding, while you pay for food and drinks in cash.
“Great tour. Moto was friendly and welcoming and an excellent host.”
Walk from Piccadilly Circus through St James’s and its historic pubs with a local guide such as Ben, Luke, Henry, or Tom. Expect royal and celebrity stories, four pub stops, drink suggestions, and a small group of no more than 12. Drinks and food cost extra.
“Fun and informative tour. Was a memorable way to start our New Year’s Eve celebration. Our tour guide Ben was knowledgeable and added in some additional stops that we enjoyed as well. Would recommend.”
Walk Nashville’s Second Avenue and Printers Alley with guides such as Kenzie, Alex, Kneeland, and Danielle. Over about two hours, visit roughly five bars, hear live music, play trivia and games, and get drink specials. You buy your own food and alcohol, and all participants must be 21 or older.
“Even though I do not drink much, the activity was loads of fun. Kinzie, our guide, led us to several off the beaten path bars and we participated in games, trivia and were given knowledge about Nashville and the bars we visited. I would highly recommend this activity for all adults, even those who are not "big" drinkers.”
Meet guides such as UV, Remy, Eduardo, or Daniela inside Barcelona Bar, then walk to four more Copenhagen venues. You receive four shots, one final beer or drink, photos, and a weekend coat check. Expect games, karaoke, music, dancing, and a large English-speaking crowd.
“Spectacular. Dani was a great host and the bar selection was awesome.”
Meet your guide at RoadHouse Bar for four hours through Paris’s Latin Quarter. You’ll visit three bars, play ice-breaker games, receive free shots with drink purchases on weeknights, then enter a nightclub with VIP access. Guides such as Emma and Archie lead in English and French.
“Had a really good night. The group were good and met lots of people from all different places. Jack was our guide and he was a lot of fun!”
Meet guides such as Luis, Carlo, and Emanuele at Finch Lounge at 9:30 p.m. Then walk between five Palermo bars, spending 30 to 60 minutes at each. You get a free shot at every stop, drink discounts with your wristband, and plenty of time to meet locals and fellow solo visitors.
“The guides were AMAZING: so generous and welcoming. The tour was super fun as well! Would recommend to anyone”
Meet guides such as Autumn, Ana, Michelle, or Marley in Piazza della Madonna dei Monti for a three-hour walk through Monti. Hear Rome’s saucy past, visit several local bars, and sample wine, spritz, Carpano Classico, sambuca, and limoncello, with alcohol-free drinks available.
“Amazing crawl. Michal was the most amazing and passionate guide. Highly recommended especially if traveling solo and looking to meet new people.”
Spend 210 minutes walking from Namba to Shinsaibashi and American Village with an English-speaking guide such as Miki, Takeshi, or Hiyori. Visit three contrasting bars, share Japanese food, try sake, beer, plum wine, shochu, and whisky, and meet an international group.
“Yaya is an amazing guide. We spend a wonderful new year eve in Osaka !”
Start at Marina Square for an English-guided open-top bus tour past Marina Bay, Chinatown, Lau Pa Sat, Parliament House, the Merlion, and Orchard Road. You’ll stop for the Gardens by the Bay Rhapsody show, then board a river cruise from Clarke Quay before returning to Marina Square.
“You can easily visit the light show at the Supertree Grove and do the riverboat cruise on your own. Taxis are readily available and not expensive. We found tour to be rushed as had to leave before light show finished to catch bus and then just walked to riverboat and handed tickets, find your own way home. We were made wait until all other people had boarded the boat and none of the tour group had an outside seat. Half day city tour much better than night tour. Very disappointed that did not get to stop at Haji Lane as outlined as it was replaced by Chinatown lights between 28…”
Pick a kind of bar, or a kind of crawl.
