St. Patrick’s Day Bar Crawls in Philadelphia 2026
In Philadelphia, St. Patrick’s Day is so much more than just one day, it’s a migration pattern.
For roughly 72 hours every March, thousands of people in green outfits travel neighborhood to neighborhood in coordinated insanity. Some wake up early, while others never sleep. But the biggest mistake you can make on St. Patrick’s weekend in Philly is thinking all bar crawls are the same.
Well…they aren’t.
The difference usually comes down to crowd size, routing, timing, and whether you spend more time walking or waiting. So before you Venmo your friend $35 and hope for the best, here’s a breakdown of the major St. Patrick’s Day bar crawls happening in Philadelphia, and how to pick the one that fits your group.
Erin’s Express
Let’s start with the one most Philly friend groups are already texting about.
Erin’s Express has built a reputation over the years as the crawl that actually feels like a party instead of a queue simulator. Rather than packing thousands of people into one stop, the route moves smoothly across multiple bars so you’re rarely stuck staring at a door guy explaining capacity limits.
It’s the difference between attending an event and participating in one.
You’ll see costumes, matching outfits, birthday groups, first-timers, and veterans alike at bars that stay busy but usable.
Best for: groups, social energy, people who want movement instead of bottlenecks
The Massive Citywide Crawls
Several national-style crawls, like The Official Lucky's St Patrick's Day Bar Crawl - Philadelphia and Philadelphia Official St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl, take over Center City each year. These typically include the large ticketed events hosted across dozens of bars throughout the day and night.
They’re big. Really big.
Expect large crowds, long routes, and a more free roaming style where the experience depends heavily on timing. Go early and you’re golden. Go peak hours and you may spend time waiting between stops.
Best for: big friend groups, all-day drinking plans, people who want lots of options
Multi-Day and Marathon Crawls
Some events, such as Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Weekend Bar Crawl 2026, Kiss Me, I'm Irish: Philadelphia St. Patrick's Day Bar Crawl and St Partick's -3 Day Pass Philadelphia Experience Crawl, stretch the celebration across entire weekends, offering multi-day passes and extended schedules.
These are less about pacing and more about endurance because you’re essentially planning a St. Patrick’s Day saga.
Best for: weekend visitors, bachelor/ette parties, people treating the holiday like a festival
Thinking About Doing Erin’s Express?
If your group is aiming for a crawl that keeps moving instead of one that keeps you in line, it’s worth planning ahead.
TICKETS: 2026 Erin Express St. Patrick's Day Philly Bar Crawl
You can check the details, pick your day, and get everyone coordinated before the inevitable “what’s the plan?” texts start rolling in.
