Philadelphia Old City: History Pub Crawl with Bar Stops

Summary

Old City tales, pints in hand, Philly’s secrets after dark

You’ll wander Philadelphia’s Old City with a local guide who knows every quirky story and secret alleyway. Expect four lively bar stops, laughter with fellow travelers, and history your teachers skipped over—all wrapped up in two hours of real Philly flavor. There’s something about sipping a pint where legends once schemed that sticks with you.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest—I thought this would just be another history tour with some drinks thrown in. But the first bar we ducked into had that sticky wooden floor smell, and our guide (Matt, born-and-bred Philly guy) was already cracking jokes about Ben Franklin’s “lesser-known hobbies.” I glanced around at our group—some Aussies, a couple from Jersey—and realized this wasn’t going to be one of those quiet museum walks. Someone ordered a Yuengling for me before I could even ask.

Walking between bars in Old City felt like time travel—cobblestones underfoot, neon signs flickering above. Matt pointed out a building where spies once met (I totally missed it at first; it just looked like any old brick place), then told us about a Founding Mother whose name I’d never heard. There was this moment when the bartender slid us a tray of soft pretzels, still warm, and everyone just went quiet for a second. You know that feeling when you’re sharing something simple but it feels big? That.

It got louder as the night went on—laughter echoing off the walls, glasses clinking. I tried to pronounce “Schuylkill” right (Li laughed; I definitely butchered it). The stories got stranger too—Ben Franklin apparently had more secrets than my high school locker. We ended up at our fourth bar without really noticing how much time had passed. My feet were tired but my head was buzzing—not just from the beer but from all these weird Philly tales I’d never heard before. I still think about that view down Market Street at night.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Philadelphia Old City bars and history

• Meet expert local guide
• Visit multiple historic bars
• Hear unknown Philadelphia stories
• Learn about Founding Mother and Ben Franklin
• Discover American Revolution spies
• Enjoy drinks and socialize

Top questions

How long does the Philadelphia Old City history pub crawl last?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.

How many bars do we visit during the pub crawl?

You’ll stop at four iconic bars in historic Old City Philadelphia.

Is there a local guide on this tour?

Yes, an expert local guide leads the entire pub crawl.

Are drinks included in the price?

The description doesn’t specify if drinks are included; check with your booking provider.

Is this tour suitable for all fitness levels?

Yes, it’s suitable for all physical fitness levels.

Are service animals allowed on the tour?

Yes, service animals are allowed during the tour.

Is public transportation available nearby?

Yes, there are public transportation options close to the starting point.

What’s included

Your evening includes guided stops at four classic Philly bars in historic Old City, plenty of untold stories from your expert local guide, and time to share laughs (and maybe pretzels) with fellow travelers along the way.