Top Upcoming Themed Pub Crawls In Philadelphia

Themed pub crawls have become a popular way to enjoy drinks, food and companionship and to explore personal interests. There are historic pub crawls, sports-related crawls, race crawls, holiday crawls, wine and beer crawls and others. Pub or bar crawls, at one time, referred to bar-hopping. In the 19th century, the terms "gin crawl," "beer crawl" and "bohemian death march" first appeared. Recently, pub crawls have been sponsored as a way to raise money for a good cause. Other pub crawls are designed to bring together members of the community to share a good drink. Here's a look at Philadelphia's social, fundraising and other themed pub crawls in which to partake throughout the year.

Tippler's Tour: Cheers & Beers
150 S. Independence Mall West
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 629-4026
historicphiladelphia.org

Sponsored by Once Upon A Nation, the Tippler's Tour: Cheers & Beers, is a pub crawl for those who enjoy history. Operating April 18 through December 26, the crawl brings history and historic spirits from the 18th century together with a tour of colonial and modern pubs and taverns. Each crawl is led by an experienced guide, who shares the history of colonial pubs in Philadelphia. The seven-block tours begin at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays at the Historic Philadelphia Center at 6th and Chestnut streets, and include stops at National Mechanics, Triumph Brewing Company, City Tavern and the Salon 401 at the Omni Hotel. Tickets are $40 for adults and $35 for students, senior citizens and the military.

Related: Most Creative Cocktails In Philadelphia

Harry Potter Pub Crawl
Chestnut Hill Visitor's Center
8426 Germantown Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19118
(215) 247-6696
www.chestnuthillpa.com

Wands are optional for the Harry Potter Pub Crawl which takes place in October during "Harry Potter Weekend" in the city's Chestnut Hill neighborhood. Sponsored by the Chestnut Hill Business Association, the Harry Potter Pub Crawl is priced at $15. The price includes t-shirts, food and drink specials and prizes. Pubs that usually participate in the event are Campbell's, Iron Hill, Tavern on the Hill, Chestnut Grill, McNally's Tavern and Chestnut 7.

Bootlegger's Ball - Historic & Haunted Pub Crawl
Grim Philly Twilight Tours
6th & Market Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(856) 829-3100
www.grimphilly.com

The Bootlegger's Ball Historic and Haunted Pub Crawl operates 7 to 10 p.m. on weekends from March through November and leaves from the Mexican Post Tavern at 104 Chestnut Street. Sponsored by Grim Philly Twilight Tours, the cost is $29.99, which includes admission to four taverns, beer and food samples and drink specials. The tour features tales of Prohibition era gangsters and stories about pirates, tavern spirits and ghosts. On the last Saturday of every month, the tour features a singles night that includes drinking games, a chance to meet other singles and more.

Philly On Tap
Philadelphia Urban Adventures
1 N. Independence Mall West
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 280-3746
www.philadelphiaurbanadventures.com

The Philly on Tap tour, sponsored by Philadelphia Urban Adventures, is considered to be one of the best Philadelphia beer tours. Beginning at City Hall, the tour travels the streets in Center City, visiting some of the best pubs offering beloved local beers. The tour, which ends at Rittenhouse Square, includes stops at three pubs. The two hour drinking event includes a guide, three beers and one snack. Groups are limited to 12 people. Tours leave at 5 p.m. from the Clothespin Sculpture at 15th & Market streets. The cost is $35.

Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl
Tavern on Broad
200 S. Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA 19102
(215) 546-2290
www.barcrawls.com

Philadelphia's Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl runs from noon to 2 a.m. on Saturday, May 5. The cost is $10 and registration is held at Tavern on Broad. The ticket price includes the bar crawl, a wristband, a cup and a bar crawl map. Drink specials vary at different locations. Ladder 15, on Sansom Street, is one of the pubs on the tour route -- once an actual firehouse, it features 35-foot ceilings. The Tavern on Broad features a relaxing, modern atmosphere. Other participating taverns will be announced later.

Related: Top BYOBs: South Philly

Jeffrey B. Roth, has won numerous state and national news and feature-writing awards during his career. A well-known crime writer, investigative reporter and a feature writer, Roth writes for a number of magazines and newspapers. Listed in the Locus Index of SciFi and Fantasy authors, Roth is the author of a number of published short stories and poetry. His work can be found on Examiner.com.