What to Expect at a St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl

What To Expect At A St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl

If you’ve never done a St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl before, it’s very different from just going out to the bars on March weekend.

Instead of waiting in lines, hopping Ubers, and guessing where to go next, the day is structured for you. Think of it more like a moving neighborhood festival — groups of people dressed in green walking between pubs, music playing throughout the afternoon, and every stop already prepared for the crowd.

Most people show up with friends, but end up meeting other groups along the way.

How a St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawl Works

The day starts with a registration party. This is where everyone checks in, grabs their Bar Crawl USA lanyard, welcome shot, koozie, and gets the crawl map showing participating pubs.

From there you move at your own pace. Some groups stay 30-45 minutes at a stop, others hang out for an hour — there’s no required schedule.

Each bar is expecting crawlers, so instead of long holiday lines you walk into drink specials, themed drinks, and other attendees doing the same route. 

You don’t have to visit every location. Most people hit 4–6 stops depending on how long they stay at each.

The event typically ends at a larger after-party bar where everyone naturally gathers later in the day.

Check out some of the fun from last years event here on our IG page: 

The Atmosphere

St. Patrick’s crawls are daytime social events more than late-night partying.

You’ll see:

• friend groups

• birthday celebrations

• couples

• coworkers

• other groups joining together

Almost everyone dresses festive — green shirts, jerseys, hats, or Irish themed outfits — which makes it easier to meet people compared to a normal night out.

What’s Typically Included

Bar Crawl USA organized crawls usually include

• a starting check-in party

• a complimentary welcome shot

• drink specials at every stop

• multiple participating bars

• a final after party

• event photographer

• themed crowd and music

The biggest difference from going out on your own is the bars are coordinated and expecting you.

First-Timer Questions

Do you have to drink at every bar?

No — plenty of people just hang out, grab water, or skip stops.

How much money should you bring?

Most attendees only purchase a few extra drinks because specials run all day.

Can you join late?

Yes. You can start at any participating location once checked in.

Is it crowded?

Busy, but manageable — bars prepare staff specifically for the crawl.

What should you wear?

Green attire is strongly encouraged. Comfortable shoes matter more than anything.

Tips To Enjoy The Crawl More

• Eat beforehand

• Start earlier than you think

• Don’t try to hit every stop

• Bring a portable charger

• Stick with 1–2 main drinks

Why People Choose Organized Crawls

Without a crawl, St. Patrick’s weekend usually means long waits and packed bars.

An organized crawl removes the planning and spreads the crowd across multiple locations. Instead of searching for the next place, you already have a route and participating venues ready for you.

Where Bar Crawl USA Runs St. Patrick’s Crawls

Bar Crawl USA hosts the event across multiple cities each March including Atlanta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Cleveland, Lakewood, West Park, Greenville, and Columbia.

Click here to find your city & tickets: Shenanigans Await with Bar Crawl USA St Paddy’s Pub Crawls

Join The Crawl

Tickets normally sell out before the holiday weekend. If you’re planning to go out anyway, joining a crawl turns the day into an actual event instead of just another crowded bar day.