London’s pub scene isn’t just about drinking-it’s about walking, talking, and discovering hidden corners of the city one pint at a time. A pub crawl in London can turn an ordinary evening into a memorable night out, whether you’re a local looking to explore new neighborhoods or a tourist trying to soak up the city’s vibe. But get it wrong, and you’ll end up lost, overpriced, or worse-banned from a historic boozer. This guide cuts through the noise with real advice for doing a pub crawl right in London.
Do Start in the Right Zone
Not all of London is made for pub crawls. Stick to areas where pubs are close, walkable, and actually welcoming to groups. London’s best crawl zones aren’t the tourist traps like Leicester Square, but places like Shoreditch, Camden, Notting Hill, or Islington. In Shoreditch, you can hit The Ten Bells (where Jack the Ripper’s victims once drank), then walk five minutes to The Eagle, a no-frills classic with great ales. From there, it’s a short stroll to The Old Blue Last for craft beer and live punk on weekends.
Camden’s pub trail along Camden High Street and Hawley Arms offers a mix of rock history and cheap cider. The Hawley Arms, once frequented by Amy Winehouse, still has the same sticky floors and loud music-perfect for a rowdy start. Avoid starting in Soho unless you’re ready for £8 pints and bouncers who’ll turn you away for wearing trainers. London’s best crawls are in neighborhoods where locals actually live, not just where the signs say "Tourist Pub."
Don’t Skip the Pre-Game
London pubs don’t serve food after 11 p.m. unless they’re a gastropub with a license-and even then, the kitchen closes early. If you start your crawl hungry, you’ll end up at 2 a.m. staring at a £12 ploughman’s with soggy bread and rubbery cheese. Eat before you go. Grab a pie and mash from The Pie Room in Brixton, a kebab from Shawarma King in Camden, or a toasted bagel with lox from Beigel Bake on Brick Lane. These spots are open late, cheap, and will keep you from getting sick on cheap lager.
Also, don’t show up at 7 p.m. looking for a group. Most London pub crawls start around 8:30 p.m. or later. If you’re with friends, agree on a first pub and time. If you’re solo, join a guided crawl. Companies like London Pub Crawl or Drinking in London offer themed routes-think gin trails in Clerkenwell or craft beer hops in Bermondsey. They handle the logistics, so you don’t have to argue over who’s paying for the next round.
Do Know the Pub Rules
London pubs have unwritten codes. You don’t shout for service. You wait, make eye contact, and say "Pint of bitter, please" with a smile. You don’t order a vodka and Red Bull unless you’re 21 and trying to get kicked out. You don’t bring your own drinks. You don’t sit at the bar unless you’re buying. And you definitely don’t try to take a photo with the landlord’s cat unless you’re invited.
Some pubs still have a "no mobile phones at the bar" rule. The George in Islington and The Anchor in Bankside enforce this. It’s not about being old-fashioned-it’s about keeping the atmosphere. If you’re with a group, keep your phone in your pocket. Talk to the people next to you. You might end up chatting with a retired bus driver who remembers when the Thames smelled like sewage. That’s the kind of memory you won’t get from a TikTok video.
Don’t Overdo It
London’s pub crawl culture isn’t about chugging 10 pints. It’s about savoring five good ones. Most locals drink 1-2 pints per pub. If you’re drinking a 5.5% IPA in Camden and then a 4.8% bitter in Brixton, you’re already at your limit by the third stop. Drink water between each pub. Carry a small bottle. It’s not just about avoiding a hangover-it’s about staying alert enough to find your way home.
And don’t rely on Uber. After midnight, surge pricing hits hard. A £10 ride from Camden to Hackney can become £45. Use the Night Tube on weekends-it runs on Friday and Saturday nights on the Northern, Victoria, Central, Jubilee, and Piccadilly lines. Or take a black cab. They’re more expensive than Uber, but they know the city better, and you won’t get dropped off in a park by a confused driver.
Do Dress for the Pub, Not the Club
London pubs don’t have dress codes-except the ones that do. You won’t get in to The Harp in Soho if you’re wearing football shorts and a hoodie. You won’t get served at The Churchill Arms in Notting Hill if you’re in flip-flops. But you also won’t need a suit and tie. Smart casual is the sweet spot: dark jeans, clean trainers, a button-down or sweater. No tracksuits. No branded sportswear. No glitter.
Londoners judge you by your shoes, not your shirt. If your trainers are scuffed and covered in mud from the Tube, you’ll be treated like a tourist. If they’re clean and black or brown, you’ll blend right in. And if you’re wearing a Union Jack hoodie? You’ll be asked if you’re from the US.
Don’t Forget the Last Pub
The final stop matters. Don’t end at a chain like Wetherspoons unless you’re desperate. End somewhere with character. The Prospect of Whitby in Wapping is London’s oldest riverside pub-built in 1520. It still has original beams and a sign that reads "No Dogs, No Women, No Sailors" (yes, it’s real). Or head to The Blue Posts in Covent Garden, where Charles Dickens once drank and the walls are covered in signed beer mats from celebrities.
At the last pub, order a digestif. A small whisky. A sherry. A glass of port. It’s not about drinking more-it’s about closing the night with a ritual. Londoners do this. You should too.
Do Know When to Call It
Most pubs in London close at 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on weekends. Some, like The Spaniards Inn in Hampstead, stay open until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. But if you’re still going after 1 a.m., you’re not on a pub crawl-you’re on a mission to get arrested. The police in London don’t care if you’re having fun. They care if you’re blocking the pavement, vomiting on a bench, or shouting at a bouncer.
If you feel dizzy, your speech is slurred, or you can’t remember the name of the last pub you were in, call it. Take a cab. Sit on a bench. Call a friend. London’s streets are beautiful at night, but they’re not forgiving if you’re out of control.
Don’t Treat It Like a Competition
There’s no trophy for drinking the most. No badge for hitting the most pubs. No points for puking in the alley behind The Dog and Duck. Pub crawls in London are about connection-not consumption. Talk to the bar staff. Ask them what they’re drinking. Ask them why the pub has that weird painting of a badger. They’ll tell you a story. That’s the real value of a pub crawl.
London has over 3,000 pubs. You don’t need to visit them all. Just find one that feels like home, even for an hour. That’s the point.
Can I do a pub crawl alone in London?
Yes, and many locals do. Start at a well-lit, busy pub like The Harp in Islington or The Princess Louise in Holborn-both are known for being friendly to solo drinkers. Order a pint, sit at the bar, and strike up a conversation. Londoners are more open than you think if you’re polite and don’t stare at your phone.
What’s the best time of year for a pub crawl in London?
Autumn and spring are ideal. Summer can be too hot to walk, and winter nights are freezing. October to November brings the best weather and fewer crowds. Plus, many pubs host seasonal events-like real ale festivals in Camden or mulled wine nights in Notting Hill. Avoid August-most locals are on holiday, and the pubs feel empty.
Are pub crawls safe in London?
Generally, yes. London is one of the safest major cities in Europe for nightlife. Stick to well-populated areas, avoid dark alleys after midnight, and don’t carry large amounts of cash. If you feel uncomfortable, walk into any pub-staff are trained to help. Most pubs have a back door or a phone you can use to call a cab.
How much should I budget for a pub crawl in London?
Plan for £15-£25 per person if you’re doing 4-5 pubs. That’s £3-£5 per pint, depending on location. Camden and Shoreditch are cheaper. Soho and Mayfair are more expensive. Add £5-£10 for food, and £10-£15 for transport if you’re not using the Night Tube. Total: £30-£50. It’s cheaper than a club night.
What should I do if I get lost during a pub crawl?
Don’t panic. London’s pubs are never far from a Tube station. Use Google Maps offline-download the area before you go. Or ask the pub staff. They know every alley and shortcut. Most will even call you a cab if you’re too drunk to walk. And if all else fails, find a 24-hour convenience store like Tesco Express or Sainsbury’s Local. They’re everywhere, and they’re open.
Next Steps
Plan your first crawl this weekend. Pick one neighborhood-Camden or Shoreditch. Choose three pubs. Walk between them. Don’t rush. Talk to someone. Taste the beer. Feel the history. That’s what makes a pub crawl in London unforgettable-not how many you hit, but how deeply you experience each one.
