The Original Athens Pub Crawl

Athens after dark is best tackled with a plan, and this $12 pub crawl gives you one. You meet at Hircus Bar at 10pm, then follow a local guide through four or five bars and clubs, with a free shot at each stop and special drink offers along the way.

I like the low price and the social setup. For the cost of a single cocktail in many city centers, you get a guide, several venues, and a ready-made group for the night. Guides such as Vo, Ahmed, Ahmad, and Aaron have brought energy, local knowledge, and good organization to the evening.

The main drawback is the group size, which can reach 162 people. That may create a lively night, but it can also mean waiting for a large crowd and less personal attention. Food, transport, and extra drinks are not included, so budget beyond the entry price.

Key Points to Know Before You Go

• Start at Hircus Bar: Meet at Athinaidos 16 at 10pm, with free admission to the meeting venue.
• Four to five nightlife stops: The evening includes a mix of bars and clubs rather than one fixed venue.
• One free shot at every venue: This is included, along with special drink offers during the night.
• Local English-speaking guides: Guides named Vo, Ahmed, Ahmad, and Aaron have led the evening.
• A social, late-night format: The crawl suits solo visitors and anyone who wants company after dark.
• Large groups are possible: The maximum listed size is 162 people, so this is not an intimate bar tour.

Starting at Hircus Bar at 10pm

Your night begins outside Hircus Bar at Athinaidos 16 in central Athens. The meeting time is 10pm, which matters more than it may first seem. This is not an early-evening tasting walk. You should plan to have dinner before arriving and be ready for a late finish after roughly four hours.

The meeting point is straightforward: go to the front of Hircus Bar rather than looking for a separate office or transport pickup. Admission to the starting venue is free, and the guide organizes the group before moving on.

I appreciate this kind of start because it removes some of the guesswork from Athens nightlife. You do not have to choose a bar at random or spend the first hour searching for a lively street. You have a known address, a fixed time, and a guide waiting to get the evening moving.

Arrive with enough time to find Athinaidos 16 and settle in. The official start is 10pm, so arriving late could make it harder to join the group if it has already left for the next venue. No transport is included, so you are responsible for reaching Hircus Bar and getting back after the crawl.

Four to Five Bars and Clubs in One Night

The central promise is simple: the guide takes you to four or five bars and clubs over about four hours. The supplied details identify Hircus as the meeting point, but they do not provide the full list of later venues. That means you should book this for the format, not for a promised lineup of named bars.

This can be useful in Athens, where nightlife choices may feel scattered if you do not know the city. You get a sequence of stops and a local person helping the group move through the night. The venues may offer different music, moods, or layouts, though the exact mix can change.

At each stop, you receive a free shot. Special offers are also available throughout the evening. These inclusions give the $12 fee much of its value, especially if you use the drink deals carefully rather than treating the crawl as an excuse to buy several full-price drinks.

The schedule is likely to feel quick. Four or five venues in four hours leaves roughly 45 to 60 minutes per stop before allowing for movement and group organization. You may like that pace if you want variety. If you prefer to settle into one bar, talk at length, or order food, the constant movement may feel rushed.

The club portion also means the evening is about nightlife rather than sightseeing. You might hear some local background about the neighborhood, particularly with a guide such as Aaron, who has been able to add Athenian history when asked. Still, the main attraction is the social night out, not a formal history tour.

Free Shots and Drink Deals

The free shot at every venue is the clearest financial benefit. You receive one at each of four or five stops, so the included drinks add up quickly compared with the $12 entry price. Special offers can lower the cost of additional drinks as well.

Keep your own pace. The included shots are part of the program, but you are not required to match the speed of the group. The tour does not include unlimited drinks, cocktails, beer, or water. Additional drinks cost extra, and food is not included.

That distinction is important when comparing the price with a normal night out. The $12 fee covers access to the crawl, the guide, the listed venues, the free shots, and drink offers. It does not cover everything you might consume during four hours.

I would eat before meeting the group. The tour provides no food, and a late night built around drinks is much easier if you begin with a proper meal. The available information does not specify food stops, so do not count on dinner or snacks being part of the route.

Guides Who Shape the Night

The guide can make or break a pub crawl, and the named guides bring different strengths. Vo has been warm, energetic, and attentive, with a talent for making solo participants feel looked after. That is especially useful if you arrive in Athens alone and want an easy way to meet people.

Ahmed and Ahmad have both been associated with fun, well-run nights. Ahmed has also provided information about the area, while Ahmad has been praised for guiding the group through an enjoyable evening. The similar names could cause a little confusion, so check your guide’s name when you arrive.

Aaron adds a different touch. If you ask, he can bring in some Athenian history alongside the bar route. This is a nice bonus for people who want a little local context without turning the night into a lecture.

The guides are listed as local and the tour is offered in English. Since more than one guide may lead the experience, the tone can vary by date. You can reasonably expect someone to organize the stops and keep the group moving, but you should not book it expecting a private guide or a fixed personality.

A Social Night for Solo Visitors

The best reason to book this crawl is social convenience. You show up at one address, meet a guide and a group, and have several shared stops ahead. That removes the awkward first step of entering a bar alone or trying to decide where to go next.

Solo visitors may get the most from this arrangement. Vo’s attentive approach is particularly useful if you want to feel included rather than left to find your own way. You can also book it as a pair or small group if you want a planned night with a little room to meet other people.

The maximum group size is 162. That is a serious number, not a minor footnote. A crowd of that size can create a festive club atmosphere, but it may also mean noise, slower movement, and less time with the guide. If you want a quiet cocktail, personal conversation, or a carefully paced evening, this is probably the wrong format.

A large group can also affect how the evening feels at each venue. You may spend time gathering people before moving on, and some bars or clubs may feel full once the group arrives. The benefit is energy and company. The cost is intimacy.

Is $12 Good Value in Athens?

At $12 per person, the crawl is priced as an easy add-on to an Athens trip. The value is strongest if you plan to visit several venues and would otherwise pay cover charges, buy drinks, or spend time finding the nightlife yourself.

The fee includes four or five bars or clubs, a local English-speaking guide, a free shot at each venue, and special offers. Even if you purchase only a few additional drinks, the structure can cost less than arranging the same night on your own.

The price is less attractive if you do not drink or if you plan to spend the whole night in one place. Extra drinks are not included, and the tour gives you no food or transport. Your real spending will depend on how much you order after the included shots.

The best way to judge the deal is to think of the $12 as an organizing fee with drink benefits, not as the total cost of your night. For a social visitor who wants variety, it is a strong entry price. For a person seeking premium venues or a small group, the low cost does not remove the drawbacks of a large, moving crowd.

What the Four-Hour Timing Means

The stated duration is about four hours. With a 10pm start, you are committing to a late evening. The exact finish time is not given, so you should avoid scheduling an early morning activity immediately afterward.

The late start also fits Athens nightlife better than an afternoon or early evening tour would. You are joining the city after dinner, when bars and clubs are more likely to be the focus. That said, the experience is not designed around a long meal or a slow introduction to the city.

The timing gives you a useful first-night option. You can spend the day visiting Athens sights, have dinner, then meet the group for nightlife. I would not book this on the same evening as another fixed late appointment, since the route and final stop are not specified.

Because no transport is included, think ahead about your return. The information provided does not state how the crawl ends or arrange a ride back to your accommodation. You should make your own plan before the first shot, especially if you are staying outside central Athens.

Who Will Enjoy This Crawl Most?

I would recommend it to:

• Solo visitors who want company at night
• First-time Athens visitors who do not know the nightlife scene
• Friends looking for a low-cost, high-energy evening
• People who like changing venues rather than staying in one bar
• Anyone comfortable with a late start and group activity

You may want another option if you prefer quiet wine bars, a private guide, a food-centered evening, or a fixed list of carefully selected venues. The possible 162-person group is the key consideration. It makes the crawl social, but not intimate.

The activity is also better for adults who want a drinks-focused night. Since food and extra beverages are not included, you should arrive prepared and keep track of your spending. The tour does not claim to be a cultural walking tour, though Aaron and other guides may add local background during the evening.

Practical Details Before Booking

Confirmation is provided at the time of booking. The activity is offered in English, and most people can participate. No special fitness requirement is stated, but the evening involves moving between multiple venues, so you should be comfortable with a group night out.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of participants, and if that minimum is not reached, you will be offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The cutoff uses Athens local time, so check the clock carefully if you are arranging plans from another time zone.

The experience is operated by Original Europe Barcelona Tours. The title may sound broad, but the activity itself takes place in Athens and begins at Hircus Bar.

Should You Book The Original Athens Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want a cheap, social introduction to Athens nightlife and like the idea of four or five venues in one late evening. The free shot at each stop, drink offers, local guides, and $12 entry price make the numbers work well for a solo visitor or small group.

Go in with clear expectations. You are not buying a private night, a meal, guaranteed named clubs, or transport home. The group may be large, the route may move quickly, and your extra drinks will cost more.

For the right person, this is a practical way to get out after dark without doing all the planning yourself. Arrive at Hircus Bar before 10pm, eat first, budget for additional drinks, and ask your guide for local context if that interests you. If those terms suit your travel style, I would book it.

FAQ

Where does The Original Athens Pub Crawl meet?

It meets in front of Hircus Bar at Athinaidos 16, Athens, Greece 105 63.

What time does the pub crawl start?

The start time is 10pm.

How long does the pub crawl last?

The activity lasts approximately four hours.

How many bars or clubs are included?

The crawl includes four to five bars or clubs.

Are drinks included in the price?

A free shot is included at every venue, along with special offers during the night. Additional drinks are not included.

Is food included?

No. Food is not included, so you should eat before the 10pm meeting time.

Is transportation included?

No. You must arrange your own transportation to Hircus Bar and after the crawl.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the activity?

The maximum listed group size is 162 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.