What I Learnt Doing A Pub Crawl By Myself
Let me start by saying this; it was for work. A big part of my job as a beer writer is writing pub crawls, something I love to do. Usually, I do so with Katie who in exchange for free food and light beers is sometimes my designated driver and always the one who remembers to story the whole thing. However, on a day I was free to research and update an upcoming Crafty Crawl for Redfern/Surry Hills, Katie was not available. I tried to recruit some other friends but was unable to do so and wanting to get it done on that day I decided to go forward alone.
So yes, I did recently do a pub crawl alone but it was for work and certainly not for my own enjoyment. Please do not call a helpline on my behalf.
Somewhere along the crawl, I was at my third stop and I realised that I would surely learn a thing or two by doing this. So here they are, here are the things I learnt by doing a pub crawl by myself.
I Find Drinking Alone Depressing
OK, this might be an obvious one but I find drinking by myself at a venue to be quite a challenge. I just spend to much time looking jealously at the couples, families and groups of friends who are laughing and having fun. Secretly, I hoped one of them might adopt me. They didn’t have to talk to me, I could just sit with them and hear about their days/lives.
Looking at a family with a little baby, I found myself depressed enough to consider what my life would be like if I procreated.
Yes, there are people who enjoy a solo drink or even a solo drinking session but I’m not one of them. I’d add to that, most of the people who go out to have a drink by themselves usually end up talking the ear off the bartender. Speaking of which…
You’re never alone with a good pub feed. The Hong Kong pork chop from the Taphouse Sydney. $12 on a Wednesday and worth every penny. They should add that curry to the taplist because I could drink a schooner of it.
The Better The Beer Selection, The Better The Chat
For staff and customers both, I found that conversation was so much easier to initiate and maintain at venues with an interesting and unique beer selection.
For one it’s an easy ice breaker. At venues that serve good craft the bar staff tend to be up to date on what’s on tap and can get you started with some great recommendations. Often this starts with a quick chat about what beers you like, maybe they offer you a few tasters, you give some feedback, suddenly you’ve had a conversation.
During my crawl, there was even a drinker at the bar (Bitter Phew on Oxford Street) who gave me some recommendations. A local named Jimmy who likes to try all of what Bitter Phew has on tap at any one time. So many craft venues have a Jimmy and when you’re crawling alone they’re not a bad person to meet. Cheeky fella even bought me and the bartender a shot of Jameson.
The amazing line up at Bitter Phew. I had the number 9 which was so sour but really good. Sitting at the bar other people ordered it and it was a great conversation starter.
I Do Not Recommend Doing A Pub Crawl Alone
Realistically, there’s nothing I learnt from this that I couldn’t have learnt without a friend or Katie joining me. In fact, a friend of mine who worked nearby finished her shift at the hospital joined me for the last two stops of the crawl. So yeah, technically I didn’t even get through the whole crawl alone.
Solo pub/brewery adventures can be a great way to meet people when you’re in a new city. But that’s kind of the point, you want to meet people. You drink alone so you don’t have to drink alone next time. At least that’s the case for me.
Pub crawls are a wonderful and social thing and I honestly do not see the point in doing one solo. Go to a bar solo for sure. Drink some beer, maybe make some friends or God forbid, enjoy your own company. But my recommendation is to hit up the next venue with a friend you made along the way.
