Europe’s 7 best cities for pub-crawling

A pub crawl is always a good time – no matter the season. Think beer gardens bathed in summer sunshine, or wintry nights spent by the roaring fire of a cosy inn. Here are seven of Europe’s best places to go pub-crawling on holiday.

London, England

Pubs are a fundamental part of the fabric of London. Across the vibrant West End, you can visit Fitzrovia’s smart gastropubs, Soho’s pubs adorned with rainbow flags, or the old-school taverns dotted around Covent Garden. To finish your crawl in a traditional Victorian pub, head west to The Brook Green Hotel in Hammersmith.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

The Dutch capital is renowned for its craft beers, so it’s no wonder that the city has a wealth of spots to taste them. Sample an ale from one of the local ‘brouwerij’, or try a strong Belgian brew in one of the dozens of canalside pubs in the Red Light District. Then head down to Rembrandtplein, a square packed with inns, taverns and Irish pubs. The comfy rooms of Dutch Masters Short Stay Apartments are right nearby.

Edinburgh, Scotland

Scotland’s capital is famously hilly, meaning a pub-crawl itinerary is important. A good starting point is the ancient Royal Mile in Edinburgh’s Old Town, home of age-old pubs and whisky bars. In neighbouring New Town, traditional spots such as The Cumberland Bar hold their own against high-end cocktail bars. Stay nearby in a Destiny Scotland – Q-Residence’s apartment on Queen’s Street.

Dublin, Ireland

With roughly 750 pubs, Dublin is a prime destination for pub-crawling. Wander the cobbled streets of the Temple Bar area for riverside drinks and check out The Brazen Head, Dublin’s best live music venue and its oldest pub (dating back to 1198), or The Porterhouse, with its own microbrewery. Over the River Liffey, Holiday Inn Express Dublin City Centre lies on O’Connell Street – Dublin’s main thoroughfare.

Liverpool, England

The Cavern Pub – next door to the namesake club where The Beatles made their debut – is a classic place to begin your Liverpool pub-crawl. From there, weave your way north towards the pubs of Chapel Street. You can end your day in the bar of the Shankly Hotel, where there’s a wealth of memorabilia related to legendary ex-Liverpool FC manager, Bill Shankly.

Prague, Czech Republic

The Bohemian City of Prague is synonymous with beer – so naturally there are plenty of pubs where you can sip a top-notch pilsner. Start at Wenceslas Square to find popular haunts such as Jáma, conveniently-located near the Zatecka N°14. For an authentic Czech experience, Kozicka – or the Little Goat – is a cellar known for its welcoming, local crowd. The Motel One Prague is close to it all.

Galway, Ireland

This beautiful harbour town on Ireland’s west coast is home to many a quirky pub. The Garden at An Púcán has a constantly in-bloom flower garden, complete with canopies to shelter you from the unpredictable Irish weather. On Upper Salthill you’ll spot the yellow exterior of O’Connor’s Famous Pub, brimming with antique bric-a-brac. Jurys Inn Galway overlooks the bay and is a short walk from the beach.