First Time Bar Hopping? Your Complete Beginner's Guide

Planning your first bar hopping adventure? This guide will help you navigate the experience like a pro and ensure you have an amazing time.

What is Bar Hopping?

Bar hopping (or a “bar crawl”) means visiting multiple bars or venues in one night, spending time at each before moving to the next. It’s about exploration, variety, and experiencing different atmospheres in a single outing.

Why People Love It

• Experience diverse venues and vibes
• Try different drinks and specialties
• Keep the night exciting and dynamic
• Meet new people at each stop
• Discover hidden gems in your city

Planning Your First Crawl

Choose Your Crew

The right people matter:

• 3-6 friends is ideal
• Everyone should be on the same page
• Mix of personalities keeps it fun
• Include an experienced hopper if possible

Pick Your Neighborhood

Start with a walkable area:

• Downtown districts
• Entertainment zones
• Areas with venue clusters
• Safe, well-lit neighborhoods

How Many Venues?

For your first time:

• Plan for 3-4 bars
• Spend 45-60 minutes at each
• Quality over quantity
• Leave room for spontaneity

What to Wear

Dress Code Basics

Versatile and comfortable:

• Check venue dress codes online
• Comfortable shoes are essential
• Layer for temperature changes
• Bring a light jacket

What to Avoid

• Brand new shoes (blisters!)
• Overly formal attire (unless required)
• Anything you’d regret ruining
• Heavy coats (coat check costs)

What to Bring

The Essentials

Travel light:

• Valid ID (non-negotiable)
• Payment method (cash + card)
• Phone (fully charged)
• Keys
• Portable charger

Leave at Home

• Expensive jewelry
• Large bags or backpacks
• Unnecessary valuables
• Work laptop or documents

Your First Stop

Arriving at the Venue

What to expect:

• May need to show ID at door
• Possible cover charge ($5-20)
• Could be a line on busy nights
• Security may check bags

Getting Your First Drink

At the bar:

1. Wait your turn patiently
2. Make eye contact with bartender
3. Know what you want (or ask for help)
4. Pay after each drink or open a tab
5. Tip $1-2 per drink

Bar Etiquette 101

Do’s

• Be polite to staff
• Tip appropriately (15-20%)
• Respect personal space
• Clean up after yourself
• Keep conversations at reasonable volume

Don’ts

• Don’t snap fingers at bartenders
• Don’t leave drinks unattended
• Don’t block high-traffic areas
• Don’t be overly loud or aggressive
• Don’t forget to close your tab before leaving

Drink Selection

Starting Out

If you’re unsure what to order:

• Ask the bartender for recommendations
• Start with something simple (beer, wine)
• Try the house special
• Don’t feel pressured to order cocktails

Popular Beginner Drinks

• Beer (lager, IPA, or wheat beer)
• Wine (red, white, or rosé)
• Simple mixed drinks (rum & coke, vodka soda)
• Classic cocktails (Moscow Mule, Margarita)

Pacing Yourself

The Golden Rules

Stay in control:

• One drink per hour is reasonable
• Alternate with water
• Eat before and during
• Listen to your body

Warning Signs

Stop drinking if you experience:

• Dizziness or disorientation
• Nausea
• Slurred speech
• Difficulty walking
• Memory gaps

Moving Between Venues

When to Leave

Time to hop when:

• You’ve been there 45-60 minutes
• The venue is getting too crowded
• Your group is ready for a change
• You’ve tried what you wanted

Transition Tips

• Close all tabs before leaving
• Do a headcount
• Use bathroom before leaving
• Regroup outside
• Walk together as a group

Venue Variety

Mix It Up

Try different types:

1. First Stop: Casual pub or brewery
2. Second Stop: Cocktail lounge or wine bar
3. Third Stop: Dance club or live music venue
4. Fourth Stop: Quiet spot to wind down

Safety First

Stay Together

Group safety:

• Never leave friends behind
• Establish a buddy system
• Have a meeting point if separated
• Share locations via phone

Getting Home

Plan ahead:

• Designate a driver (who doesn’t drink)
• Budget for rideshare
• Know public transit schedules
• Never drive after drinking

Using Technology

Hopfly for Beginners

Make it easier:

• Track which bars you’ve visited
• Discover nearby venues
• See what friends recommend
• Earn points and badges
• Remember your route for next time

Other Helpful Apps

• Google Maps for navigation
• Uber/Lyft for rides home
• Venmo for splitting costs
• Group chat for coordination

Common Mistakes to Avoid

First-Timer Pitfalls

Learn from others:

• Drinking too much, too fast
• Not eating enough
• Wearing uncomfortable shoes
• Losing track of your group
• Forgetting to close tabs
• Not bringing enough cash

Budget Management

Set a Limit

Before you go:

• Decide on total budget
• Bring that amount (+ emergency fund)
• Track spending at each venue
• Don’t feel pressured to overspend

Saving Money

• Take advantage of happy hours
• Look for drink specials
• Share appetizers
• Avoid premium drinks

Social Interactions

Meeting New People

Be friendly, not forward:

• Smile and be approachable
• Respect personal space
• Accept rejection gracefully
• Don’t interrupt other groups

Dealing with Unwanted Attention

• Be clear and direct
• Involve your friends
• Alert venue staff if needed
• Don’t feel obligated to be “nice”

The End of the Night

Knowing When to Call It

Time to go home when:

• You’ve hit your budget limit
• You’re feeling tired or unwell
• Venues are closing
• Your group wants to leave

Getting Home Safely

1. Confirm everyone has a safe ride
2. Stay together until everyone’s accounted for
3. Share your ETA with someone not present
4. Never accept rides from strangers

The Morning After

Recovery Tips

• Drink lots of water
• Eat a good breakfast
• Get plenty of rest
• Avoid “hair of the dog”
• Reflect on what went well

Learning for Next Time

Ask yourself:

• What venues did you love?
• What would you do differently?
• Did you pace yourself well?
• What did your friends think?

Building Confidence

It Gets Easier

Remember:

• Everyone was a beginner once
• Mistakes are normal
• Focus on having fun
• Each outing teaches you something
• The more you do it, the more natural it feels

Making It Memorable

Use Hopfly to Track

Document your adventure:

• Check in at each venue
• Take photos (responsibly)
• Note your favorite drinks
• Rate your experience
• Share with friends

Final Tips

Make Your First Time Great

1. Start early (around 7-8 PM)
2. Choose a Thursday or weekend night
3. Go with people you trust
4. Don’t try to impress anyone
5. Listen to your body
6. Stay hydrated
7. Have a backup plan
8. Most importantly: have fun!

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Ready for your first bar hopping adventure? Download Hopfly to plan your route, track your journey, and join thousands of hoppers exploring their cities. Your epic night out starts now!