by Maxwell Payne

Created on: January 13, 2009

Plan Ahead to Have a Safe and Fun Pub Crawl

Pub crawls are a big part of St. Patrick's Day traditions for many people. While they can be a lot of fun, they can also end badly if you aren't properly prepared for a night of going from bar to bar, drinking all along the way. A pub crawl is when a group of people get together and travel from bar to bar in an area over the course of an evening or even an entire day. Walking from bar to bar is the preferred mode of travel in a traditional pub crawl as it can be a lot of fun and of course the safest way to crawl from bar to bar. Surviving a pub crawl and coming out alright the next day to talk about it is very possible if you follow stop tips and plan ahead. These tips and suggestions will make your pub crawl experience one that you'll want to remember (if you remember it of course); keep everyone in your crawl safe and comfortable throughout the pub crawl.

Map out the route - You may be doing a pub crawl in an area where there is a bar on every block, or one where the next bar is in the next town. Based on distances between bars and the ease of getting to those bars on foot, you or whoever is setting up the pub crawl should have a rough idea of where the crawl should go. Streets in 'bar districts' are the best places to set up crawls as you can go to many bars without walking too far. If there are certain pubs or bars that you want to go to, make sure the route you'll take makes sense. Good crawl routes will end the crawl at a place where it is easy for everyone to get home or where they will stay safely and quickly.

Find your way home before you go - Drunk driving is no joke, and having a safe way home should be arranged before you take your first sip. Whether your group decides to pick a designated driver, get a cab, take a train, or stay over at a nearby hotel or friend's house; having a way to where you'll sleep that night is crucial. Since you may end up drinking more alcohol then normal due to traveling to multiple bars, leave your car at home and make sure if you are walking to your final destination, that you have someone with you. Getting lost late at night while intoxicated is no fun when you are all alone.

Stay hydrated - As with any alcohol consumption, you should stay hydrated and drink plenty of water throughout the pub crawl. Some people bring water bottles; but be advised that some bars won't let you in with open bottles. That said, many bars will provide you with fresh water at no charge when you ask

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