Athens nightlife is best when you have a route and a reason. This pub crawl lines up classic stops with free shots and cocktail discounts, plus drinking games that make it easier to meet people. I also like that the tour is set up as private, so your group moves together instead of feeling like you’re tossed into a crowd. The main drawback to know up front: some nights the plan can change—like skipping a venue—because of bar crowding or guide availability.

If you want an organized night out without doing the planning math yourself, this is a straightforward option. You start at Pl. Monastirakiou 1 around 9:00 pm, hit multiple places on the same walking-and-public-transit rhythm, and end back near where you started. Just remember: drinks beyond the included shots and any extra entry fees are still on you, so go in with a realistic budget.

Key things to know before you go

• Free shots at each pub to jump-start the mood fast
• Cocktail discounts at the 2nd stop so you can order something fun without full sticker shock
• Private tour for your group only, not a mixed-people free-for-all
• Drinking games designed for social mixing, not just standing around
• One guided night route through Athens nightlife with a set meeting point at Monastiraki

Price and Logistics: What $22.73 Really Buys

At about $22.73 per person, this tour is priced like a “pay once, enjoy the structure” kind of night. You’re not paying for all-you-can-drink. You are paying for the handheld plan: entry help, included shots, and someone to steer the group toward venues that fit a bar-hopping flow.

Here’s the part that matters for value:

• You get free shots per pub, which can offset a big chunk of your early-night costs.
• You also get free entrance and help skipping waiting lines for club-style stops.
• There are cocktail discounts at the 2nd pub, which is a nice perk if you like trying something that tastes a bit more “Greek bar” than generic beer.

What’s not included is equally important. Alcoholic drinks other than the included shots, plus any extra purchases at the bar, are not covered. So if your idea of a night out is multiple cocktails plus premium spirits, you’ll still want to bring spending money. Think of the tour as the starter pack plus the route—not as unlimited drinks.

Also note the timing. The crawl runs about 3 to 5 hours, starting at 9:00 pm. That’s a sweet spot: late enough for the city to be fully awake, not so late that you’re basically paying cover at empty lounges.

Meeting Point in Monastiraki: Easy to Find, Easy to Start

You meet at Pl. Monastirakiou 1, Athina 105 55 and the activity ends back at/near the meeting point. Monastiraki is convenient because it’s central, and it’s the kind of neighborhood where you can usually get around without complicated transfers. The tour is listed as near public transportation, which matters because a pub crawl only works if you’re not spending half the night figuring out how to reach the next bar.

One more practical detail: you receive a confirmation at booking, and the ticket is mobile. That’s useful for late-night travel when you don’t want to dig through email printouts or app screenshots.

Stop 1: Favorita and the Shot-Welcome Moment

The first stop is Favorita, described as a Greek island style bar. The vibe is built for “walk in and instantly feel welcomed.” A nice detail here is that you’ll be greeted with a shot from the owner. That kind of start can set the tone for the entire evening. It also reduces the awkward moment of joining a group you’ve never met.

The stop is about 1 hour, so don’t treat it like a long hangout. Treat it like your warm-up round:

• Order something light or shareable.
• Get your bearings with your new group.
• Ask questions if you’re curious about what order to try drinks in Athens.

A practical heads-up: one common complaint in nightlife tours is people feeling like they had to pay for drinks beyond what was advertised. The tour’s offer here is specifically free admission for the stop and free shots per pub. So if you’re hoping the tour covers cocktails too, you’ll want to adjust your expectations or focus on what’s included.

Stop 2: Dos Gardenias, Latin Bar Energy, and the Dancing-Instructor Angle

Stop two is Dos Gardenias, a Latin bar with a dancing instructor. This is where the night usually starts to feel more like a “real going-out Athens experience” instead of just a friendly walk-and-talk.

You get about 1 hour here, plus the tour includes admission and offers cocktail discounts. If you want to try something that feels like the bar’s specialty rather than ordering the safest choice, this is the moment to do it. The discount is most valuable when you actually use it.

One note that you should consider: the “dancing instructor” detail is part of the concept, but there’s at least one account where the dancing-instructor element wasn’t delivered as promised for that night. That doesn’t automatically mean it will be missing on your date, but it does mean you should go with the mindset that Dos Gardenias is still likely to be an energetic Latin-style stop, even if the exact format varies.

If you’re someone who likes movement and music that makes it hard to sit still, Dos Gardenias is probably your favorite stop. If you’re more of a conversation-first person, bring ear-strain tolerance. Latin bars can run loud.

Stop 3: Backdoor Athens for Karaoke and Live-Show Chances

Stop three is Backdoor Athens, and it’s the longest stop: about 2 hours. This is also the venue where the tour leans into nightlife entertainment. The description notes that it can host karaoke nights and other live shows.

That’s valuable for two reasons:

1. It gives the group something shared to react to, which helps solo travelers feel included.
2. It creates a natural reason to stay at a place longer without forcing awkward small talk.

Compared with the first two stops, this is where the evening can shift toward club rhythm. Depending on the night, it can be louder and more packed. One balance point I’d watch: if your priority is meeting people through conversation, very crowded rooms can make it harder to hear each other.

The tour ends back at the meeting point, but guides may start wrapping up the “guided part” as the night runs on. That means once you’re at Backdoor, you might need to be ready to transition from structured games to you-and-your-group choices.

Drinking Games and Meeting People: The Social Engine

The highlight promise includes engaging drinking games meant to help people meet. When this part works, it’s what turns a pub crawl from a bar schedule into a social night. It can also be a safety net if you’re traveling solo and want a group-based atmosphere without walking into a club alone.

In the feedback for this tour, guides are often described as friendly and helpful, and at least one guide named Labros was called out for being nice, punctual, and a strong presence. That kind of guide energy is not just pleasant—it can change your whole night. Someone who actively includes your group helps reduce the “we walked in, then you disappeared” feeling that shows up in less-organized crawls.

That said, there are also accounts where people felt guides didn’t participate much, didn’t run games, or left the group earlier than expected. So here’s my practical advice: show up ready to socialize, but don’t assume the games will be nonstop or perfectly timed every night. If you really want an active “game leader,” pick dates where you expect a fuller group and go in with a flexible mood.

When the Itinerary Can Shift: Crowd, Availability, and Guide Emergencies

This tour has a few moving parts: multiple venues, nightlife timing, and human logistics. Athens bar scenes can get crowded, and bar owners sometimes can’t fit groups.

A real example from the information you have: there’s at least one case where a venue was skipped because a bar was too crowded to accommodate the crawl group. If you book with fixed expectations like, I must visit every exact place no matter what, you could feel frustrated.

There’s also the risk of guide disruption. In one account, a guide couldn’t make it due to an emergency, and support handled the situation with a refund. That’s reassuring in one way—your money wasn’t just left hanging—but it still means this is not the same as a self-guided walking tour where nothing can change.

So what should you do with that knowledge?

• Choose the tour when your schedule is flexible for late-night changes.
• Keep your expectations on the experience and the route quality, not on guaranteed access to every bar in every scenario.
• If you’re booking for a very specific night plan, have a Plan B in mind.

Who This Pub Crawl Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)

This is best for:

• Solo travelers who want a guided way to meet people.
• Groups of friends who want an organized Athens nightlife loop.
• People who enjoy “tour structure” but still want freedom to order drinks at each venue.

It may be less ideal for:

• People who expect the tour price to cover full drinks at every stop.
• Travelers who dislike noise and packed rooms, since later stops can feel more club-like.
• Anyone who hates schedule changes. This crawl can skip or swap elements if crowds or availability don’t cooperate.

If you’re traveling with a strong preference for quiet conversation, consider whether you’re okay with loud Latin music, karaoke possibilities, and bar energy that can be hard to hear over.

Practical Budget Tips for a Smooth Night

Because drinks beyond included shots aren’t covered, your best move is to budget by stop.

A simple approach:

• Assume you’ll buy at least one drink of your own at the bars.
• Use the free shots as part of the night, not as your entire plan.
• At the 2nd pub, take advantage of the cocktail discount by choosing something you actually want, not what’s cheapest.

Also: pace yourself. Drinking games are meant to be fun, but Athens nightlife can get warm and crowded, and late starts mean you might already be tired. A pub crawl works best when you’re having laughs, not when you’re chasing water.

The Bottom Line: Should You Book the NightCrawlers Pub Crawl in Athens?

Book it if you want:

• A structured way to hit Athens nightlife around Monastiraki
• Free shots and free entrance help at each stop
• A social setup with drinking games and a guide who should keep your group comfortable

Consider skipping or choosing a different format if:

• You need every single planned venue guaranteed
• You’re expecting full drink coverage beyond the shots and the cocktail discount
• You’re extremely sensitive to noise or to the possibility that the guided portion ends earlier than you’d like

My take: at $22.73 for a 3–5 hour guided night with included shots and skip-the-line help, it’s a strong value if you go in flexible and social. The route is the product. The bar atmosphere does the rest.

FAQ

How long is the Athens bar hopping pub crawl?

It runs about 3 to 5 hours, starting at 9:00 pm.

What is the meeting point?

You meet at Pl. Monastirakiou 1, Athina 105 55, Greece. The tour ends back at the meeting point.

Is it a private tour?

Yes. It’s listed as a private tour/activity, meaning only your group participates.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes free shots per pub, free entrance at clubs (and skipping waiting line), and cocktail discounts at the 2nd pub.

Are hotel pickup and drop-off included?

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

Does weather affect the experience?

Yes. It requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of travelers.