The NightCrawlers | Athens Bar Hopping | Pub Crawl

Athens after dark is a different city, and this crawl gives you a quick route into it, starting at Monastiraki Square and moving from a friendly island-style bar to Latin music and a late club. Free shots, skip-the-line entry, and cocktail discounts make the $22.73 price easy to understand.

I like the relaxed first stops, where you can actually meet people, and the care some guides have shown toward solo participants and women in the group. The main caution is consistency: venues can change, a stop may be skipped when crowded, and guides have sometimes left once the group reaches the last club.

The night in six useful points

• Starts at 9 pm in Monastiraki: Meet at Pl. Monastirakiou 1, a practical central point near public transportation.
• Three named venues shape the evening: Favorita, Dos Gardenias, and Backdoor Athens are the planned stops, though availability can change.
• One free shot comes with each pub: Your other drinks are not included, but cocktail discounts apply at the second bar.
• The first two stops are social: Favorita and Dos Gardenias are intended for conversation, games, dancing, and meeting people.
• The last stop may feel like a club: Backdoor Athens can offer karaoke or live shows, with a later, louder atmosphere.
• Expect flexibility, not a fixed stage show: The advertised 3 to 5 hours can shift, and the guide may say goodbye before the final venue closes.

Starting at Monastiraki Square at 9 pm

The meeting point is Pl. Monastirakiou 1, in the heart of Athens. You return there at the end of the activity, although the final club portion may continue after the official guided part has finished.

The start time is listed as 9 pm. One practical tip matters here: check your messages on the booking platform or WhatsApp before leaving your hotel. Some people have had trouble finding the guide, while the company says the responsible guide sends a message before the group begins.

The activity is described as private, meaning only your group participates. That wording can be confusing for a pub crawl, since the evening is designed around socializing and meeting people. In practice, you should expect a group setting, but not necessarily a large public crowd attached to your booking.

The location is close to public transportation, which helps at the beginning. At the end of the night, though, you are responsible for getting back to your accommodation. Plan your return before the first shot arrives.

Favorita: an easy first hour

Favorita is presented as a Greek island-style bar, with unusual shots and cocktails. The owner greets the group with a shot, adding a personal touch that sets a friendly tone before the night gets louder.

This is the part I like best for meeting people. The first two venues are generally less crowded than the final club, so you have a better chance to learn names and find your footing. If you are traveling alone, that matters more than a glamorous room or a long list of venues.

Allow about an hour here. You receive a free shot, but your regular drinks are extra. That distinction is important because one unhappy participant expected more drinks to be covered. The package includes shots, not an open bar.

Drinks at the venues can be paid individually. The second pub offers cocktail discounts, so you may want to save your more ambitious order for later rather than spending heavily at the first stop. Since the exact drinks are not specified, ask the guide or bartender what the included shot is before accepting it.

Dos Gardenias and the promised dancing

The second stop is Dos Gardenias, a Latin bar with a dancing instructor. This gives the evening a more active middle section. You can expect music, dancing, and another chance to talk with the group before the late-night club atmosphere takes over.

The dancing instructor is a notable feature, but it is not guaranteed every night. On one occasion the venue was too crowded to take the group, so the stop was skipped. That is not a small detail if dancing is your main reason for booking.

If Dos Gardenias is open to the group, allow roughly an hour. This is also where cocktail discounts are offered. You get entry as part of the experience, plus the included shot, but you still pay for cocktails and other drinks.

The guides are meant to use drinking games to get people talking. Several positive accounts describe friendly hosts, good music, and a social group. Other accounts say the guides did little to organize games. I would treat the games as a possible bonus, not the central product.

Backdoor Athens after midnight

Backdoor Athens is the final named stop and the one most likely to feel like a club. It sometimes hosts karaoke nights and live shows, though neither is promised for every date. The mood can change sharply here: the first bars are suited to conversation, while the last venue may be louder and harder for a new group to navigate.

The planned stay is about two hours. Free club entry and skip-the-line access are useful at this point, especially if the venue has a queue. The value of that benefit depends on the night, since one account found the final club fairly empty. You are paying for access and a guided route, not a guarantee of a packed dance floor.

A key point is the guide’s role at the last stop. Some guides stay for a while, help the group settle in, and then leave because the final venue is treated as an all-night stop. Other participants felt abandoned when the guides left without a clear goodbye.

I would ask directly: Are you leaving now, and where should we meet if someone gets separated? That simple question can prevent confusion. The activity ends back at the meeting point in the formal schedule, but the practical experience may finish at Backdoor Athens if you remain there after the guides depart.

What the $22.73 price really covers

At $22.73 per person, this is a modest-cost way to get a route, introductions, entry, and a few drinks-related extras in one evening. You receive one free shot per pub, free entry to the clubs, line-skipping, and cocktail discounts at the second pub.

You do not receive hotel pickup, transport between venues, or all your drinks. The regular alcohol bill remains yours. If you order several cocktails at each stop, the total cost can rise well above the booking price.

The best value comes if you are new to Athens nightlife and want a ready-made plan. You avoid guessing which bars to enter, and you have a social reason to start talking. The value is weaker if you already have a group, know the city, and would rather choose your own music and drinks.

A further value question is reliability. A missed venue can be understandable when a bar is too crowded, but you should know that the route is not locked. One scheduled pub has been skipped, with extra time spent at the earlier stops instead.

The social side: strongest for solo participants

The most praised part of this activity is the human side. Friendly guides, good group chemistry, free shots, and conversations with people from different countries come up again and again in the positive feedback.

Solo participants can benefit most. The first bars offer a natural way to introduce yourself, and the guides have sometimes made a point of checking that solo people are comfortable. Women in the group have also appreciated guides paying attention to safety and keeping an eye on the group.

That said, a pub crawl cannot force chemistry. If the group is small, the first bar may feel quiet. If the music is turned up early, conversation gets harder. One account found the first bar empty apart from the group and the later locations too loud for easy socializing.

Bring the right expectation: this is a social night with alcohol, not a guided lesson in Athenian culture. You may meet great people, but the quality of the evening depends partly on who joins your date and how active the guide is.

Guide quality and the importance of communication

Individual guides can make or break the night. Labros is singled out as a friendly and welcoming host, and several positive experiences describe guides as punctual, warm, and attentive.

The weak point is uneven organization. Some people had no clear contact method and waited at the meeting point without finding the guide. Others said guides did not run drinking games or did not spend enough time bringing the group together.

There are also conflicting expectations about the duration. The activity is listed as approximately 3 to 5 hours, but one account described a 2.5-hour guided portion before the host left. Another expected 5 to 6 hours and felt the night ended too early. The clearest interpretation is this: the route can last several hours, but the host may leave during the final club stop.

The company has also asked people to move from one date to another when too few bookings were expected. If your Athens schedule is tight, do not book this as your only possible night out. Keep some flexibility, especially around weekends.

What to know about the shots and drinks

The free shots are a small perk, not the whole value of the crawl. You receive one at each pub, with the exact number depending on the number of venues visited. If a stop is skipped, the shot count may change.

Some people found the shots tasty, while another felt they had little noticeable alcohol. That difference can come from the drink itself, the serving size, or personal expectations. If you want substantial drinks, budget for them separately.

Drink responsibly. The evening may include several shots, walking between venues, music, and late hours. Eat before you meet the group, keep water in mind, and do not assume the included drinks will carry you through the night.

Because the activity includes alcohol, it suits adults who are comfortable in bars and clubs. It is not a good choice if you want a quiet evening, an early finish, or a detailed city walk.

Weather, cancellations, and booking timing

Confirmation is sent at booking. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the local start time. Changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and cancellations inside that period are not refunded.

The activity requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the night, you are offered another date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not met, you are offered another date or experience, or your money back.

The activity is often booked about 26 days ahead. That suggests you should reserve early if your dates are fixed, but do not assume an early booking guarantees that exact date. Date changes have occurred when numbers were low.

Who should book this Athens night out?

I would choose this crawl if you are solo, newly arrived in Athens, or keen to meet people without planning every bar yourself. It also works for a small private group that wants entry, a few free shots, and a simple route through different types of nightlife.

It is less suitable if you need a firm timetable, a guaranteed dancing instructor, a specific number of pubs, or a guide who remains until the end. You should also skip it if you dislike loud clubs or want all drinks included in the price.

For the best chance of a good night, arrive at the meeting point early, check your messages, confirm the guide’s contact details, and ask about the final departure time. Keep your plans flexible in case one venue is too crowded.

Should you book The NightCrawlers?

Book it for the social connection and convenience, not for a perfectly fixed itinerary. The $22.73 cost is fair for the included entries, shots, and route through Athens nightlife, especially if you are alone and want company.

I would be cautious if your schedule cannot absorb a date change or if the presence of a dancing instructor is essential. The strongest nights appear to come when the group clicks and the guide is active. If that sounds like the sort of uncertainty you can enjoy, this can be a fun introduction to Athens after dark. If you want control, choose your own bars and keep your evening independent.

FAQ

Where does the Athens pub crawl begin?

It begins at Pl. Monastirakiou 1, Athina 105 55, Greece.

What time does the activity start?

The scheduled start time is 9 pm.

How long does the pub crawl last?

The activity lasts approximately 3 to 5 hours.

Where does the activity end?

The scheduled ending point is back at the meeting point.

Which venues are included?

The planned stops are Favorita, Dos Gardenias, and Backdoor Athens. The route can change if a venue is too crowded or unavailable.

Are drinks included?

You receive free shots at each pub. Regular drinks are not included, though cocktail discounts are available at the second pub.

Is club entry included?

Yes. Free entry to the clubs and skipping the waiting line are included.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.