There’s something timeless about the pub crawl—good friends, great drinks, and a new vibe at every stop. But without a little strategy, it can quickly drain your wallet. The key is to approach it with the same creativity and planning as a party, just stretched across a few blocks instead of a living room.

Build Your Route Around Deals
Start with bars that have happy hours or daily drink specials. Call ahead or check social media to confirm timing. Choose places that are walking distance from each other to cut out rideshare costs entirely.

Start with Dinner or Hearty Appetizers
Eating before you drink is always smart, and it’s more affordable than picking at expensive bar snacks mid-crawl. A shared appetizer plate at the first stop can help everyone pace themselves.

Group Tools = Group Control
Create a shared Google Map or group chat with stop details, drink specials, and estimated times. This keeps everyone on track and avoids indecisiveness (and impulse spending).

Budget Tip: Set a drink cap per bar—one per venue is usually enough. Not only does it stretch your budget, it also keeps everyone upright by the final round.

A budget-conscious pub crawl doesn’t limit the fun—it focuses it. With a little planning and a group that’s in sync, you’ll discover more bars, avoid bloat, and maybe even remember all of it the next morning.