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What is a Bar Crawl? Learn the Types and How to Plan!

Mar 3rd 2023 - Team

What is a Bar Crawl? Learn the Types and How to Plan!

If you're looking for an exciting way to explore the nightlife of your city and visit new bars, a bar crawl could be just what you need! Bar crawls are a great way to experience different venues for celebrity-themed crawls, holiday-themed events, and drinks while having fun with friends.

What is a bar crawl?

A bar crawl is an organized event that involves visiting multiple bars or pubs on a single night. The goal of a bar crawl is for participants to visit each venue, take advantage of drink specials, and enjoy the atmosphere.

Depending on the type of bar crawl, participants may be ticket holders or simply part of a large group. No matter which type you choose, it's important to remember that all participants must meet the legal drinking age for the area and should never drink more than they can handle.

No matter how you choose to experience a bar crawl, it’s sure to be an amazing night out with friends. Ready for the next level? Keep reading to learn about the different types of bar crawls available!

Types of Bar Crawls

There are many types of bar crawls that offer different experiences and levels of fun. Here are a few examples

  • Crawl Card
    • For something a bit more competitive, there is the Crawl Card - a challenge where teams must complete a list of bars within a certain time frame. Pub crawls and board pub crawls involve visiting multiple pubs in one night with participants encouraged to dress up in costume or play games along the way.
  • Black Bar Crawls
    • These are social events created to support black-owned businesses. Participants visit each venue, take advantage of drink specials, and enjoy the atmosphere while supporting entrepreneurs in the community.
  • Comfortable crawl
    • If you’re looking for a more relaxed experience, consider a comfortable crawl - simply explore different venues at your own pace! Whatever type of bar crawl experience you choose, remember to always stay safe and have fun!

Planning a Bar Crawl

Planning a bar crawl can be a fun and exciting way to spend an evening with friends. Here are a few tips for you to take note of when planning one:

1. Deciding on a Theme

Deciding on a theme for your bar crawl can help make your experience even more memorable. Popular themes include sports-themed crawls, holiday-themed pub crawls, and even boogeyman bar crawls.

Themed events have special discounts and experiences for ticket holders, such as exclusive drink specials at participating venues or scavenger hunts in between bars. It's also important to consider the types of participants in the crawl when deciding on a theme.

For example, if you're having an annual pub crawl with friends from college, a school bar crawl might be a great idea. On the other hand, if you want to host a larger event with strangers or people from various backgrounds, something like the Raleigh Boogeyman Bar Crawl or Grafton Santa Pub Crawl may be more suitable.

Whatever theme you choose, make sure it resonates with everyone to ensure an enjoyable and memorable night with your guests.

2. Venue Selection

Venue selection is a crucial factor when organizing a bar crawl and it is suggested to take your time with this one. When selecting venues, it’s important to consider the size, location, and atmosphere of each place.

If you’re hosting a large event with lots of people, make sure the venue has enough space for everyone. You should also take into account the legal drinking age in the area; some states have higher minimum ages than others.

Additionally, you can maximize your budget by selecting bars that offer discounts and specials for bar crawlers making your event even more affordable and enjoyable.

A good way to select which venue is by asking yourself questions as if you are the guest—do you want lively bars with music or quiet pubs with board games? Would you want to have a small or large group of guests?

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, create a crawl schedule so that all participants know where they are going throughout the night.

3. Promoting the Event

Once you’ve settled on the venues for your bar crawl, it’s time to start promoting your event. To make sure everyone knows about your event, create an attractive and informative website or social media page that outlines the details of your crawl.

Additionally, you can get flyers around your place and even reach out to the locals to get the word out. You can also offer exclusive discounts and tickets to ticket holders to incentivize people to join.

Offering up incentives such as free drinks, meals or prizes for participants who complete the crawl is a good way of attracting guests. You can also consider reaching out to local radio stations or podcasts in order to drum up excitement for your bar crawl.

(See more: Pub Crawl Food Ideas)

4. Setting Guidelines for Participants

When planning a bar crawl, it's important to set guidelines for participants. Drinking responsibly is the most important rule.

All participants must be of legal drinking age, and those under 21 should not be allowed to participate in any capacity. Make sure everyone knows their limits and encourages them not to drink too much.

Additionally, create rules that ensure safety and respect for all venues visited during the crawl.

It is also wise to encourage participants to always have a designated driver with them who will stay sober throughout the event.

5. Safety Considerations for Organizers and Participants

Additionally, organizers should create clear rules for participants including no disruptive behavior or public urination, and no vandalism or destruction of property.

It is also important for organizers to research the venues being visited during the event to make sure they are appropriate for the type of event. For example, if music will be played at any venue, make sure that the noise level won't be too loud to disturb other guests.

Finally, it is essential to provide enough food and non-alcoholic drinks throughout the event so everyone can remain hydrated and well-nourished during their drinking session.

(See more: The Best Nonalcoholic Drinks)

By following the above tips, you can ensure that your bar crawl is safe and enjoyable for everyone.

With proper planning, everyone involved can have an enjoyable and safe bar crawl experience!