London Pub Crawls: From Pints to Cocktails Across the City

People always talk about London’s historic pubs, but there’s way more going on after dark than old ales and creaky wood panels. The city’s pub crawls have exploded into something for everyone, whether you’re up for classic pints, wild cocktails, or even a brewery shuffle down Bermondsey’s Beer Mile. Fancy something different? In London, you can hop between riverside taverns that survived the Blitz or sip punch in a Soho basement where the barmen actually smile.

Most Londoners know your typical Friday night pub crawl needs a bit of planning—this isn’t just about stringing some random boozers together. Figuring out the best tube stops, finding where the late-night street food stalls hang out, and knowing which pubs welcome big groups (and which ones hate them) can make or break your night. If you’re after gin cocktails, you’ll want to steer clear of Camden and probably head to Covent Garden or even Hackney if you’re after weird and wonderful infusions. On the other hand, live music? Stick to Soho, and don’t bother unless you book tables after 8pm.

• Not Just Pints: How London Pub Crawls Evolved
• Classic Routes: The Pubs You Can’t Skip
• Cocktail Fans: Plotting the Ultimate Spirit Trail
• Craft Beer in the Capital: Hopping Between Breweries
• Group Tips: How to Plan, Book, and Avoid Rookie Mistakes
• Late-Night Eats and Oddball Stops: Ending on a High

Not Just Pints: How London Pub Crawls Evolved

Back in the day, a London pub crawl was all about cheap lagers, sticky carpets, and seeing who could make it through five pubs before midnight. Fast forward to now, and you’d barely recognise the scene. Londoners still love a round, but the choices have gone through the roof. It’s not just students weaving down Oxford Street anymore; you’ll spot birthday groups in themed T-shirts, hen parties going wild in Clapham, and even craft beer nerds mapping out their perfect route on Citymapper.

The shift kicked off around the 2010s, right when craft beer started booming in the UK. Before that, most crawls meant grabbing a pint at spots like The Lamb & Flag in Covent Garden or Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese near Fleet Street—both pubs with roots going back hundreds of years. Then microbreweries popped up, and suddenly everyone was after a Bermondsey Beer Mile experience. By 2024, there were over 80 independent breweries within Greater London, according to the London Brewers’ Alliance.

Cocktails got pulled in next. As mixology bars sprouted across Shoreditch and the West End, classic beer-only crawls made room for short stops at speakeasies like Nightjar or even full-on gin tasting walks in Islington. Now, routes are all over the shop: from Bermondsey to Brixton, pub crawls regularly bounce between taprooms, gin bars, and even a cider house or two.

What’s changed in practice?

• Planning. London’s transport links (especially with the Night Tube and buses) mean you can stack your crawl across whole neighbourhoods, not just one high street.
• Variety. People now mix classic boozers, taprooms, cocktail dens, and wine bars all in one night—a big change from the old all-pub, all-pint style.
• Tech. Apps like Untappd or Drinkly help you map stops, check live wait times, or even order ahead. Less faff, more fun.
• Food options. The surge in pub kitchens and street food pop-ups means fewer late-night kebabs and more choices from vegan wraps to loaded fries.

If you’re into numbers, have a look at how things have changed over the past decade:

So now, when someone in London says they’re on a pub crawl, you might find them sipping barrel-aged stouts in Battersea, sampling negronis in Soho, or trying home-brewed cider next to Borough Market—all in one night. The only rule left is there are no rules.

Classic Routes: The Pubs You Can’t Skip

If you’re planning a proper crawl in London, you have to include some of the city’s legendary drinking spots. These are the places that show up in every decent pub quiz, and every local’s got a story (or a hangover) tied to at least one of them. Let’s break down the routes where you get the best mix of history and solid pints.

The classic crawl for newbies is along the Strand and Fleet Street. Start at the London pub crawls favourite, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese – Charles Dickens drank here, and the maze of rooms gives off serious 1600s vibes. Next, head to The George on the Strand, where the pies are almost as good as the beer. If you still have steam, The Old Bank of England pours a mean ale in a jaw-dropping old law court.

• Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese: Opened in 1667. Check out the sawdust floors and drink a pint where Samuel Johnson once moaned about deadlines.
• The Lamb & Flag (Covent Garden): Claims to have London’s oldest pub license. Great for a Sunday roast or eavesdropping on actors from the West End.
• The Spaniards Inn (Hampstead): Highwaymen, writers, and some of the best London sunsets you’ll find.
• The Churchill Arms (Kensington): Known for its wild floral displays outside and a solid Thai curry inside.
• The Ship Tavern (Holborn): Hidden behind Lincoln’s Inn Fields, it's a favourite for gin and traditional pies.

If you’re after riverside views instead of cobblestones, try a Thames walk from The Prospect of Whitby in Wapping (older than the fire of London, and that’s not a joke) all the way to The Mayflower in Rotherhithe. Both have outdoor terraces and real fires in the winter.

Crawlers in the West End usually jump between Soho’s old boozers – The Toucan for Irish stout, The Dog and Duck for a tight squeeze but the best atmosphere, and Coach & Horses for a bit of old-school chaos.

Some tips: These places fill up fast, especially after work on Fridays and for sporting events. Book a table if you can, and always check closing times—some close at 10:30 pm even on weekends. Don’t bank on phone signal in the cellars, either, so agree on a meeting point just in case. And if you want a local vibe, try Monday or Tuesday nights when you’ll actually meet people from that part of London.

Cocktail Fans: Plotting the Ultimate Spirit Trail

Let’s face it, London’s not just the land of lager—this city’s cocktail scene is ridiculous. If pints aren’t your thing but you still want that “best night ever” pub crawl vibe, starting with cocktails is the smart route. In 2024, London had over 750 bars dedicated to cocktails alone. Some of them are tucked away under railway arches, others glow in rooftop gardens above Soho. Don’t just follow your mates. With a little planning, you can create a cocktail crawl that covers signature drinks and avoids tired clichés.

Start with the right neighbourhood. Soho is packed, but expect crowds. If you want stiff classics, jump off at Oxford Circus and head to London pub crawls staples like Swift, which gets name-dropped for its Irish Coffee. Further east, Shoreditch claims bars like Callooh Callay with its wacky menus and hidden rooms. Head further up, Dalston’s Ruby’s might look boring from the outside but ask for their bourbon Old Fashioned—trust me, it’s spot on.

Don’t ignore the hotel bars—they’re pricey but hit the mark for style and perfect Negronis. The Connaught in Mayfair is legendary. Just know the dress code, or you’ll feel out of place among the bankers.

• Map Your Route: Use Citymapper—London’s Tube after 11pm can be a pain, and night buses get confusing fast.
• Book Popular Spots: Some venues only take bookings, especially after 7pm Thursday to Saturday. Swift and Nightjar fill up quick.
• Watch for Happy Hours: Covent Garden’s Blame Gloria does 2-for-1 before 7pm, which is gold if you start early.
• Stay Hydrated: It sounds basic, but London cocktails are strong. Order a jug of tap water—every bar has to give you one free by law.

Want the inside scoop on pricing? Here’s what you’ll pay for cocktails at top London venues as of June 2025:

Keep it smart and don’t try to hit more than four cocktail bars in a night. You want to remember the flavours, not just the headache the next morning. And if you get peckish, Bao in Borough is open late and serves fluffy steamed buns that cure any gin-induced wobble. End of the night? Hop in a black cab if you can split it, or book a Bolt before bar close—Uber surges are brutal after midnight.

Craft Beer in the Capital: Hopping Between Breweries

Cask and keg fans don’t mess around in London—this is hands-down one of the best cities for fresh craft beer. Forget sticking to big chains or only sipping a lager; London’s breweries are everywhere, each with its specialty. The locals love the famous Bermondsey Beer Mile, which is basically a two-mile stretch packed with taprooms and railway-arch breweries (think: The Kernel, Brew By Numbers, and Anspach & Hobday). On Saturdays, it’s packed with people tasting small-batch stouts, sours, and limited-edition IPAs straight from the tanks.

East London’s got plenty going on too, especially around Hackney. People rave about Five Points (near Hackney Downs), which has an outdoor yard perfect for groups, and Howling Hops in Hackney Wick. This place is the UK’s first dedicated tank bar—beer comes straight from massive metal tanks, no middleman involved. Want something new? Try Signature Brew in Walthamstow if you’re into music-themed brews.

Planning your own brewery crawl? Smart move: most taprooms open later Friday and Saturday, but a good rule is to start early afternoon for more relaxed vibes and shorter queues. Here’s a quick table with a few of the top stops and what they’re known for:

Don’t just order the usual—taproom staff love talking beer. They’ll suggest tap-only batches or collaborations you can’t find anywhere else. And remember, nearly all these spots are within walking distance of a train or Overground stop, so you can plan safe routes. For a proper London pub crawl experience, mix in a traditional pub along the way—maybe The Mayflower in Rotherhithe for Thames views that go great with your brew.

Top tip: If you’re with a group, consider sharing tasting paddles. You’ll try more styles without going overboard early on. It also helps to bring some snacks or grab food from the on-site street vendors—many breweries partner with food trucks or have their own kitchens now, so you won’t end your night hungry.

Group Tips: How to Plan, Book, and Avoid Rookie Mistakes

Heading out for a London pub crawl with mates? You’ll want to get organised before you hit the streets. One big thing Londoners will tell you: busy city means busy pubs—especially after 7pm in spots like the West End or Shoreditch. Here’s how to make sure your night doesn’t fall apart halfway through.

• London pub crawls with more than five people need a plan. Check pub size and whether they allow groups—some cosy spots round Soho or Bloomsbury just won’t take bookings for noisy squads. Start by calling ahead or checking the pub’s website. A lot of places use apps like DesignMyNight for simple group reservations.
• Stick to two or three venues if you’re a big crew. Squeezing a dozen people through five or six bars on a Friday just isn’t going to work (you’ll spend more time queuing than drinking).
• Don’t trust the Tube after midnight. Some lines run the Night Tube on Fridays and Saturdays, but not all. Check the TfL app before you make an ambitious east-to-west route. Night buses like the N29 cover a lot of key pub crawl areas if you do end up stuck after the last train.
• Split your costs early. Mobile payment apps (think Monzo, Revolut, or even a shared WhatsApp group for receipts) save hassles at the end. Plenty of London’s bars now go card-only, so remind everyone to bring a card or have Apple Pay set up.
• Don’t annoy the staff. Most old-school London pubs just want you to keep your voices down, order at the bar, and not push tables together unless you ask. Don’t be that group everyone rolls their eyes at.

Most importantly, pick a drinking trail that matches your vibe. Want classic ales? Try the Fleet Street route. After fancy cocktails? Covent Garden or Fitzrovia has more posh lounges than you’d expect. And if you want to squeeze in some food, booking a pub with a kitchen or one near a late-night food market (like Borough Market’s street eats) is a lifesaver. Get these basics right and your pub crawl runs smooth—no dodgy drama, just a good time with your crew.

Late-Night Eats and Oddball Stops: Ending on a High

You’ve made it almost to the end of your London pub crawls adventure, but there’s a big question: what’s left to eat, and are there any quirky last stops to make the night unforgettable?

First off, London nails the late-night food scene way better than it did ten years ago. Brick Lane is legendary for its salt beef bagels from Beigel Bake, which is open 24/7—perfect when you’re weaving your way home at 3am. Over in Soho, Pizza Pilgrims and Honest Burgers keep flipping until midnight or later, plus old-school Chinatown treats like duck buns at 1am hit the spot. If you’re crawling in Shoreditch, head for The Diner or even the cheeky Duck & Waffle, which is open ‘round the clock and gives you a killer city view with your eggs.

Don’t just end on food, though. There are pubs and bars totally out of the ordinary. On Fleet Street, Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese is rammed with history and weird corners—closed by midnight, but worth it if your crawl starts early. If a theme is more your thing, Cahoots in Kingly Court lets you sip cocktails in a 1940s Tube carriage, and if you end up in Islington, check out Simmons Bar for its neon vibes and late closing. For die-hard music fans, The Piano Works in Farringdon runs live band karaoke until 1am.

Night tube connections on Fridays and Saturdays mean you can get home without rooting for a taxi at 2am. Here’s a snapshot of late-night options in key areas:

Don’t just stick to the plan. Some of the best stories come from those random late-night detours—a secret bar you find by mistake or a kebab you share with new mates waiting for the first train. That’s what a cracking London crawl is all about.