Raleigh: Downtown Pub Crawl by Trolley Bar with Free Drink

Summary

Downtown Raleigh pub crawl rolling laughter rooftop beers

You’ll pedal (or coast) through downtown Raleigh with a small crew and local guide, stopping at lively bars for rooftop views and hundreds of beers on tap. Expect laughter, music, one free drink included—and plenty of moments you’ll remember every time you hear “Sweet Caroline.”

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to sweat this much before my first sip. We were barely five minutes into our Downtown Raleigh pub crawl when someone cranked up the music and the whole trolley bar lurched forward—half of us pedaling, half just laughing at our own lack of coordination. Our guide, Marcus, kept calling out turns like he was herding cats (“Left! No, your other left!”) and somehow managed to keep us moving in the right direction. The air smelled like cut grass and fryer oil drifting from open kitchen doors—classic southern city on a Friday night.

First stop was this old newspaper building turned bar (I forgot the name already—blame the IPA), with a rooftop that caught the last bit of sun. Marcus told us about how the place used to print headlines for all of Raleigh; now it’s just headlines on tap lists. I tried something local and malty while watching a couple on their first date nervously sharing fries. You could hear distant cheers from another rooftop across the street—it felt like everyone downtown was outside tonight.

The second bar had this wild list—over 200 beers? I got overwhelmed and just pointed at whatever someone else ordered (turned out to be a German lager). There were pretzels bigger than my head and a group celebrating something—I think a birthday or maybe just surviving the week. It’s funny how quickly strangers start talking after you’ve all pedaled together in public; by then, we’d stopped caring who was steering. At some point I tried saying “prost” but apparently butchered it—one of the bartenders laughed and gave me a high five anyway.

I still think about that silly sense of camaraderie—sweaty legs, sticky hands from spilled drinks, everyone yelling song lyrics as we rolled back toward where we started. If you’re looking for a day trip in Raleigh that’s more about stories than sightseeing, honestly, this is it. The city feels different when you’re rolling through it with new friends and no real plan except another round.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Two-hour Raleigh pub crawl

• Start at classic Raleigh rooftop bar
• Enjoy craft brews and cocktails
• Visit popular Trolley Pub stop
• Choose from 200+ beers on tap
• Try Wienerschnitzel and pretzels
• Relax on outdoor patio

Top questions

How long does the Raleigh pub crawl last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Is there a free drink included on this pub crawl?

Yes, each customer gets one free drink included.

Does the tour include transportation or hotel pickup?

No hotel pickup is included; public transportation options are nearby.

Are drinks included at every stop?

No, only one free drink is included; additional drinks can be purchased at each stop.

Is food available during the pub crawl?

Food can be purchased at some stops; pretzels and other snacks are available.

Is this Raleigh pub crawl suitable for all fitness levels?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels but not recommended for those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Can pregnant travelers join this trolley pub crawl?

This activity is not recommended for pregnant travelers.

What’s included

Your day includes two hours riding the Trolley Pub through downtown Raleigh with a driver-guide leading the way, one free drink per person to get things started, plus ice and a cooler so you can keep anything else cold along the route before returning to your starting point.