REVIEW · ATHENS
The Original Athens Pub Crawl
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Four hours can save you hours of searching. This Athens pub crawl is a simple way to hit the right bars at night, guided in English and built around a free shot at every venue. The big plus for me is the value for $12 and how smoothly the night is run by guides like Vo, Ahmed/Ahmad, and Aaron. The main catch to plan for: it starts at 10:00 pm and it does not include food, extra drinks, or transport.
You meet in front of Hircus Bar (Athinaidos 16), and from there the guide keeps the momentum going with 4 to 5 stops over about four hours. I also like that it is set up for groups (up to 162 people) but still feels organized, not chaotic. If the weather is poor, the plan can change.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Why a 10 pm Athens Pub Crawl Works
- Starting at Hircus Bar on Athinaidos 16
- What the Free Shot and Drink Deals Mean for Your Budget
- How the Night Moves Through 4 to 5 Venues
- The Guide Factor: Vo, Ahmed/Ahmad, and Aaron Keep It Smooth
- Included vs. Not Included: Plan Your Night Like a Pro
- Value for $12: When a Crawl Is Actually a Smart Deal
- Who This Tour Suits Best (and who should think twice)
- Weather and Timing: What Happens When Athens Has Other Ideas
- Should You Book the Original Athens Pub Crawl?
- FAQ
- What is the price of the Original Athens Pub Crawl?
- How long is the pub crawl?
- What time does the tour start?
- Where do I meet the guide?
- Is a free shot included?
- Does the price include food and transport?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- What is the cancellation policy if plans change?
Key things to know before you go

- Free shot at every venue keeps your first round covered for the whole crawl.
- 4 to 5 bars/clubs in ~4 hours gives you variety without spending all night wandering.
- Start point at Hircus Bar (Athinaidos 16) makes it easy to locate before the first drink.
- English-speaking guide helps you relax and enjoy the night without language stress.
- Local guide energy and context are a recurring highlight, including add-on Athenian history when asked.
- Weather-dependent timing means you should keep a flexible mindset for nightlife plans.
Why a 10 pm Athens Pub Crawl Works
In Athens, the night really starts after dinner. This tour’s 10:00 pm start is the sweet spot. You avoid the awkward early-evening bar scene and spend your time when people are actually out, music is up, and the mood turns social.
It also helps that the tour is built around moving. Instead of picking one place and hoping it’s the right fit, you get a planned route. That matters in a city where nightlife can feel like a lot of guesswork when you’re tired, hungry, and trying to stay on schedule.
One more practical point: four hours is long enough to feel like a night out, but short enough that you’re not locked into a late return if tomorrow matters. Just remember, the tour does not include food—so if you arrive hungry, eat before you meet.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Athens.
Starting at Hircus Bar on Athinaidos 16

Your first step is easy: you meet in front of Hircus Bar at Athinaidos 16. The tour’s first stop is there, and there’s no admission ticket for that initial venue. That means you can focus on the point of the crawl: getting the right start and letting the guide do the navigation.
Hircus is also a confidence-builder. When you begin at a bar that’s already set up for a nightlife crowd, it’s easier to settle in fast. You’ll typically have a free shot coming right away, and that’s the moment the group starts blending—people find their rhythm, the guide checks in, and the night gets going.
If you’re the type who likes to walk in with a plan, this start time and meeting point will feel reassuring. You’re not trying to guess where everyone’s waiting at midnight.
What the Free Shot and Drink Deals Mean for Your Budget

At $12 per person, the price looks almost too good to be true—until you look at what’s included. You get a free round of shots at every venue. That alone can turn a pricey nightlife evening into a controlled spend.
The crawl also includes special offers throughout the night. The exact offers can vary by stop, but the structure is consistent: you’re not just paying for “access,” you’re paying for guided movement plus drink value.
Important reality check: the tour does not include free additional drinks. After your included shots, you’ll still need to choose what you want to buy. Bring a realistic budget for those extras, and consider deciding in advance what you’ll do after the tour ends (one more drink nearby, or a taxi home).
How the Night Moves Through 4 to 5 Venues

The tour is designed around a classic crawl pattern: meet, get a quick start, then rotate through multiple bars/clubs. You should expect 4 to 5 venues over about four hours, with the included free shot at each stop.
Here’s how that typically feels, stop by stop:
Stop 1: Hircus Bar
You start at Hircus Bar in front of the venue on Athinaidos. With admission free for the first venue, it’s the low-friction opening. Expect a quick welcome, then your first included shot. This is where you get oriented fast.
Stops 2 to 4 (and sometimes stop 5)
After the first bar, the guide takes you to additional places for drinks and music. The value here is the combination: you’re getting a curated sequence rather than random hops. Each venue adds a different vibe, and each one comes with the included shot, so you’re not paying a new cover-style entry every time.
What you should know: since only the first stop is named with specifics, the later venues are best treated as part of the guide’s plan. I’d go in curious, not locked into a specific bar list. If you want certain must-see places, do that homework earlier and use this crawl as your flexible nightlife backbone.
Pacing
The tour keeps moving, but it’s not a sprint. You’ll have time to stand, chat, and enjoy the music at each venue. If you’re sensitive to loud environments, keep your expectations realistic: pub crawls are nightlife-heavy by design.
The Guide Factor: Vo, Ahmed/Ahmad, and Aaron Keep It Smooth

A big reason this tour earns a 5-star score is the guide experience. Names that show up in strong feedback include Vo, Ahmed/Ahmad, and Aaron—and the common thread is confidence. These guides are described as energetic, friendly, and good at keeping the night running without awkward pauses.
You’ll also benefit from local knowledge. Some people specifically mention Athenian history being added when asked. That tells me the guide approach isn’t just logistics; it’s also context. If you want the simple version—walk, drink, move on—you’ll get that. If you want extra background, the guide seems willing to share it.
For me, that matters because Athens nightlife can be easy to miss if you go alone. With a guide, you spend less time figuring things out and more time enjoying the actual nightlife.
Included vs. Not Included: Plan Your Night Like a Pro

This tour is straightforward about what’s covered and what isn’t. Here’s the key difference:
Included:
- A local tour guide
- Free round of shots in every venue
- Special offers throughout the night
- 4 to 5 bars/clubs
Not included:
- Food
- Free additional drinks
- Transport
So, how should you plan?
Before the tour
Eat earlier in the evening. You’ll enjoy the crawl more if you’re not trying to power through loud bars on an empty stomach.
During the tour
Decide how you’ll handle extra drinks. If you’re budget-focused, use the included shots as your baseline and go easy on purchases between venues. If you’re out for a longer night, treat the tour as the foundation and then continue on your own after the last stop.
Transport
Because transport is not included, think about getting to the meeting point and how you’ll leave when it ends. If you rely on taxis or rideshare, have a simple plan ready.
Value for $12: When a Crawl Is Actually a Smart Deal

A $12 nightlife tour can feel suspiciously low—until you focus on the structure. A local guide, multiple stops, and a free shot at each venue changes the math.
The real value isn’t only the included shots. It’s the reduced friction. Without this kind of planning, you usually spend money anyway—on taxis, on cover charges at the wrong places, and on drinks that cost more because you haven’t found the best deals yet. A crawl like this is designed to keep you moving toward better options.
Also, this is sold as an English experience. That alone is often worth something if you don’t want the effort of piecing together nightlife from scratch.
Where you can get caught if you’re not careful: expecting the tour to cover your full drinking plan. It won’t. But if you’re smart with your extra purchases, it’s one of the most budget-friendly ways to do an Athens nightlife circuit.
Who This Tour Suits Best (and who should think twice)

This pub crawl is a good fit if you want:
- A guided way to experience Athens nightlife without planning every stop
- A late start night plan that matches how the city comes alive
- A budget-friendly entry point, especially if you’re comfortable paying for drinks beyond the included shots
- An English-speaking guide who can add context when you ask
It may be less ideal if:
- You need food included (it’s not part of the deal)
- You prefer quiet, low-volume sightseeing-style experiences
- You want a specific venue you have already picked out (since only the starting bar is fixed and the rest are guided choices)
Weather and Timing: What Happens When Athens Has Other Ideas
Nightlife in Greece can be weather-sensitive. This experience requires good weather, and if it gets canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
That’s exactly what you want with a late-night plan. It also means you should keep an eye on your evening forecast, especially if you’ve already built your schedule around a 10:00 pm start.
Should You Book the Original Athens Pub Crawl?
Yes—if your goal is an easy, guided Athens nightlife experience with real budget value.
I’d book it if:
- You’re in Athens for a short time and want one organized night plan
- You like the idea of 4 to 5 venues without doing the hard work yourself
- You want a guide-led route with included shots and drink offers
- You’re comfortable that extra drinks and food are on you
I’d skip or rethink it if:
- You want a tour that includes food and transport
- You’re not into loud bars or late-night pacing
- You already have a detailed bar itinerary you don’t want to change
FAQ
What is the price of the Original Athens Pub Crawl?
It costs $12.00 per person.
How long is the pub crawl?
It runs for about 4 hours.
What time does the tour start?
The meeting and start time is 10:00 pm.
Where do I meet the guide?
Meet in front of Hircus Bar at Athinaidos 16, Athens.
Is a free shot included?
Yes. You get a free round of shots in every venue.
Does the price include food and transport?
No. Food and transport are not included, and free additional drinks are not included either.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, it’s offered in English.
What is the cancellation policy if plans change?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount you paid will not be refunded. The experience also depends on good weather, and if canceled for poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.












