The Original Athens Pub Crawl

REVIEW · ATHENS

The Original Athens Pub Crawl

  • 5.023 reviews
  • 4 hours (approx.)
  • From $12.00
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Operated by Original Europe Barcelona Tours · Bookable on Viator

Traveller rating 5.0 (23)Duration4 hours (approx.)Price from$12.00Operated byOriginal Europe Barcelona ToursBook viaViator

Free shots start at 10 pm, with guided Athens nightlife. This crawl strings together 4 to 5 bars/clubs over about four hours, with a local guide and special offers that help your night stay fun instead of stressful. One thing to plan for: food and transport aren’t included, so you’ll want to eat first and sort out getting there and back.

I also like how the energy is handled by real people who know the scene. Guides you might get—Vo, Ahmed/Ahmad, or Aaron—are praised for keeping things smooth, friendly, and lively, and Aaron specifically can add a bit of Athenian history if you ask.

Key points worth knowing before you go

  • Free shots at every venue (plus special offers as the night goes on)
  • 4 to 5 nightlife stops in about 4 hours
  • Start time is 10:00 pm, so you’re building momentum right from the first venue
  • Meeting point is clear: in front of Hircus Bar, Athinaidos 16
  • English tour with a local guide
  • Group size up to 162, so it helps to follow the guide’s lead

What You’re Paying For: $12 and the Free-Shot Value

The Original Athens Pub Crawl - What You’re Paying For: $12 and the Free-Shot Value
For $12 per person, the big draw here isn’t just access to a bar. It’s the way the price is structured: you get a free round of shots in every venue, plus special offers throughout the night. In practical terms, that means part of your drink budget is already handled, and you can spend your money where you actually want it instead of guessing what to order at each stop.

The tour also includes a local guide and a planned route through 4 to 5 bars/clubs. That matters in Athens nightlife because showing up solo often turns into a bit of wandering—trying to figure out where people are, what music is good, and which spots feel worth your time. Here, the guide’s job is to keep you moving and bring you into the right vibe at each place.

One more value angle: the crawl runs for about four hours, which is long enough for a real night out but short enough that you’re not stuck for half a day. You can still sleep, plan a daytime activity the next morning, and not feel like the whole trip got swallowed by one long party.

Starting Point at Hircus Bar (Athinaidos 16) and the 10:00 pm Kickoff

The Original Athens Pub Crawl - Starting Point at Hircus Bar (Athinaidos 16) and the 10:00 pm Kickoff
You start at 10:00 pm, which is smart for people who want nightlife without burning an entire evening. The meeting point is in front of Hircus Bar, Athinaidos 16, Athens 105 63, and you’ll want to be there a few minutes early so you can join the group before the night really gets going.

Hircus is also your first stop, and the tour information notes admission ticket free for this starting venue. That’s useful because it removes one more small friction point. Instead of paying to get in and figuring out where to wait, you can step into the night and let the guide organize the flow.

Because this is an English tour, you can expect the guide to do the heavy lifting: timing, where to go next, and how to take advantage of the drink offers. If you’re the kind of person who enjoys meeting people but doesn’t want to manage all the details yourself, this is built for you.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Athens.

Stop 1 at Hircus: Your First Venue Sets the Tone

The Original Athens Pub Crawl - Stop 1 at Hircus: Your First Venue Sets the Tone
Hircus is where the crawl starts, and the format is designed to get you into the social rhythm fast. You begin there, you get your first free round of shots, and you’re set up for the rest of the route.

What makes the first stop especially important is momentum. If the opening venue feels good, the whole night feels easier—less time lost, less awkwardness, and more of that group energy you came for. And since you’re going to multiple venues in one night, your guide is effectively choosing a pace that keeps your energy from crashing after a couple of hours.

There’s also a practical side: the meeting point being in front of the bar is straightforward. No complicated directions, no guessing which entrance to use. You just show up, check in, and start the sequence.

4 to 5 Bars in About Four Hours: How the Pace Really Works

The Original Athens Pub Crawl - 4 to 5 Bars in About Four Hours: How the Pace Really Works
The crawl’s format is simple: 4 to 5 bars/clubs over roughly 4 hours. That pacing is built for people who want variety—different music, different crowds, and different drink options—without committing to a single long venue.

This is exactly the kind of night where a guide helps in a real way. When you’re with a group, you’re not stuck asking staff the same questions at each spot, and you don’t have to mentally map the route while you’re already relaxed. A good guide also keeps you from getting left behind, which is especially helpful if you’re traveling solo.

From the experience vibe, you’ll likely notice the group energy shifting as you move from venue to venue—one place may feel more like a bar hangout, another may lean more club-like. One review specifically called out music quality, which is usually a big part of why a pub crawl feels memorable rather than random.

The one thing to remember: the free shots are included, but additional drinks are not. So your “value” depends on how you manage the rest of the night. If you pace yourself, you’ll get more out of the crawl. If you add big-cost drinks immediately at every stop, the tour can become less of a bargain.

Guides Matter: Vo, Ahmed/Ahmad, and Aaron’s Role in the Night

The Original Athens Pub Crawl - Guides Matter: Vo, Ahmed/Ahmad, and Aaron’s Role in the Night
A pub crawl is only as good as its host, and this one gets strong praise for guides who keep the night feeling cared for, organized, and fun. You might encounter Vo, who’s described as bringing high energy and making the night feel unforgettable, with people feeling looked after and genuinely happy they booked. That’s not a small point. When you feel guided, you spend less time worrying and more time enjoying.

You might also get Ahmed/Ahmad, who gets credit for smoothness and a lot of knowledge about the area. Even if you don’t want a full lecture, it helps to have someone able to explain what you’re seeing and why the place matters, because it makes the night feel grounded, not just like moving from door to door.

And then there’s Aaron, who’s mentioned for adding a bit of Athenian history if you want it. I like that approach: you can choose how much context you want. If you’re there for nightlife first, you’ll still get it. If you’re the type who enjoys knowing what you’re standing near, you have a guide who can work it in.

Bottom line: the guide isn’t only there to lead you to bars. They shape your comfort level, the pace, and the social experience.

Drink Offers and Shot Timing: Getting More Fun for Your Money

The Original Athens Pub Crawl - Drink Offers and Shot Timing: Getting More Fun for Your Money
The tour includes a free round of shots in every venue and mentions special offers during the night. That’s your built-in strategy: take the included shots to lower your spend early, then use special offers to decide what to order next instead of paying full price by accident.

Here’s the practical way to think about it. If you treat the free shots as a base and keep your remaining budget under control, you end up feeling like you got a deal even if you only buy one or two extra things. But if you go drink-to-drink without a plan, the tour can still be fun—just less of a value play.

Also, because shots are part of the structure at each stop, pacing matters. If you’re sensitive to alcohol, go slow, sip water, and consider skipping additional drinks at a stop where the music or crowd doesn’t grab you. The guide can still keep the night moving even if you’re not ordering every round.

One review also highlighted that drink discounts were really good. While exact discounts aren’t listed, the key takeaway is this: the night isn’t just “pay your way at every door.” There are built-in reasons to spend a little more wisely.

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Food and Transport: The Two Big Things Not Included

The Original Athens Pub Crawl - Food and Transport: The Two Big Things Not Included
Two items aren’t included: food and transport. I’d treat both as your personal homework before you meet the group.

  • Food: Eat before you start, especially if you plan to take the free shots at multiple venues. A pub crawl without a meal can turn unpleasant fast.
  • Transport: The crawl doesn’t include getting you from place to place by bus or taxi. You’ll be walking between stops, following the guide’s route.

This matters because it changes how you pack your evening. Bring enough cash or a payment method for extra drinks. Wear shoes you can walk in. If you’re deciding between this and a different nightlife experience, remember: this one is about bar-hopping with guidance, not all-inclusive partying with transport and meals handled for you.

Who This Athens Pub Crawl Is Best For

The Original Athens Pub Crawl - Who This Athens Pub Crawl Is Best For
This crawl is a good fit if you want nightlife, but you don’t want to plan it like a project. It suits people traveling solo who want company, people who like meeting others, and groups who enjoy a guided route with clear meeting points.

It’s also a smart choice for first-timers in Athens who feel unsure where to go at night. The structure—multiple stops, a local guide, and drink offers—helps you avoid spending your whole evening figuring things out.

If you’re traveling with friends and want everyone to have a shared plan, the group format helps. And if you’re more of a quiet participant, you can still enjoy it. You’re not required to be the most outgoing person in the group. A good guide keeps the flow working.

If you dislike alcohol or want a nightlife experience with no drinking, this may not feel aligned, since free shots are part of the package. You could still attend for the social vibe, but the tour’s design is clearly alcohol-forward.

Booking Timing, Weather, and Group Size Limits

The Original Athens Pub Crawl - Booking Timing, Weather, and Group Size Limits
The tour is typically booked about 32 days in advance on average, which tells me it’s popular enough that it’s worth reserving before your trip gets hectic. You’ll also get confirmation at booking time, which reduces uncertainty.

It runs with a maximum of 162 travelers, which suggests you’re not likely to be in a tiny private group. That can be a good thing if you want energy and social buzz. It also means you’ll want to stay aware and follow the guide’s instructions so the group doesn’t stretch out too much.

One more factor: good weather is required. If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Athens nights can change fast, so this policy is useful for peace of mind.

Should You Book the Original Athens Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want an easy, English-friendly way to experience Athens nightlife across 4–5 venues with a local guide, and if you like the idea of getting free shots at each stop while also having special offers to help control costs.

I’d skip it or think twice if you strongly prefer food and transport being included, or if you’d rather not build your night around shots. Also, because additional drinks and any meal are on you, plan your budget before you arrive.

If you want the simplest version of a great night out—meeting point is clear, start time is fixed, and the route is handled—this is a solid pick for Athens.

FAQ

How much does the Original Athens Pub Crawl cost?

It costs $12.00 per person.

How long is the tour, and when does it start?

The tour runs about 4 hours and starts at 10:00 pm.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

What’s included during the pub crawl?

You get a local tour guide, a free round of shots in every venue, special offers throughout the night, and visits to 4 to 5 bars/clubs.

Is food or transport included?

No. Food and transport are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel less than 24 hours in advance, the amount you paid is not refunded. The experience can also be canceled for poor weather, with an offer of a different date or a full refund.

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