When it comes to team building, you want an activity that actually gets people talking and enjoying themselves, not another box ticking exercise that everyone forgets the next day. Our team decided to give the Belfast Bar Crawl a go for our latest work night out. Here’s why it worked so well for our team.
Why a Pub Crawl Works for Teams
What makes the Belfast pub crawl a great idea for a group activity is how simple it is. There’s no pressure, no complicated rules and no awkward icebreakers. Everyone knows how to order a drink, everyone can take part and the setting feels relaxed from the start. Moving between pubs keeps the energy up and gives people fresh chances to chat with different colleagues, so by the end of the night the whole team has mixed far more than they would sitting in one spot.
Having a guide with us made all the difference. They were friendly and knowledgeable, leading a big group of us on the public crawl. We didn’t need to think about where to go or what order to visit the pubs in. It took away all the stress, leaving us free to just enjoy ourselves and discover Belfast’s famous nightlife.
The Thirsty Goat
We visited five pubs throughout the night. One of them was The Thirsty Goat, which was rustic and full of atmosphere with live music to keep the mood high. It was a great venue to help our team to feel relaxed, singing along to the band and raising glasses together.
The Thirsty Goat was very busy but had enough space for everyone to do their own thing while staying part of the same atmosphere. It gave the night a celebratory feel and it was the kind of place you could easily spend hours in.
The Jailhouse
Next up was The Jailhouse, hidden away in Joy’s Entry. This pub has a fascinating history, once used as a jail where Henry Joy McCracken was held before his execution in 1798. Inside, it’s all exposed brick, wooden, vintage decor and warm lighting. It felt completely different to The Thirsty Goat, more traditional but just as fun.
The drinks menu was extensive with local beer, whisky, Guinness, cocktails and more. The Jailhouse also had an outside area and smaller, more private corners which gave people a chance to have proper conversations. The lovely thing about a public pub crawl in Belfast is that you can mix and mingle with other groups. It’s always nice to see people settling in and starting to relax properly.
Kelly’s Cellars
We also visited Kelly’s Cellars, one of the oldest pubs in Belfast, dating back to 1720, and it looks every bit its age in the best possible way. With stone floors, low ceilings and wooden beams, it has a cosy feel that instantly put everyone at ease. Our friendly guide shared a bit of history about how Kelly’s was connected to the United Irishmen rebellion, which gave us something to chat about over drinks.
Kelly’s Cellars had plenty of wooden benches outside where people could sit in groups, which naturally encouraged everyone to mix and enjoy the live music. It did not take long before colleagues who do not usually talk much at work were swapping stories over pints.
Umbrella Street and the Cathedral Quarter
From there, we made our way into the Cathedral Quarter, where the famous Umbrella Street sits. This colourful display of umbrellas hanging overhead is one of the most photographed spots in Belfast and, of course, we couldn’t resist a team photo.
The Cathedral Quarter is jam-packed with pubs, cobbled streets and live music spilling out onto the street. The energy of the area gave our team a real boost. The short walks between pubs also helped more than we expected. Instead of sitting in the same group all evening, people naturally swapped walking partners and conversations. By the time we reached the last stop, nearly everyone had chatted with each other at some point which is great for team bonding.
The Guide
One of the unsung heroes of the night was our guide. He kept track of us at every stop, made sure nobody was left behind and told stories about the pubs and the history of Belfast that gave us plenty to talk about. He found the right balance between being organised and letting us enjoy ourselves, which made everything flow smoothly. For a work group, that was invaluable. It meant no one had to take on the stress of being an organiser, and we could all just take part equally.
Why It Worked for Team Building
The reason the pub crawl in Belfast worked so well for team building is that it didn’t feel like team building. There was no forced interaction or awkward games, just a naturally fun evening out as friends. Having a drink together, laughing and singing along to live music brought the team closer without any pressure.
Each pub had its own personality, which kept the night interesting. Kelly’s Cellarsgave us history and warmth, The Jailhouse offered a stylish setting with character, Umbrella Street added colour and fun and The Thirsty Goat wrapped everything up with music and energy. The variety meant everyone found something they enjoyed, and it gave us lots to talk about back in the office afterwards.
Tips for Team Pub Crawls in Belfast
If you are considering the Belfast Bar Crawl for your own team night out, here are a few tips from our experience.
- Eat before you go. The focus is on drinks, so having a proper meal first is a good idea.
- Comfortable shoes are a must. Belfast’s cobbles look great but are not kind to sore feet. The pubs are busy so you might not always get a seat.
- Make sure to take lots of group photos. Umbrella Street and The Thirsty Goat are perfect photo spots.
- Encourage people to try new drinks. It keeps things fun and makes for great conversation.
- Let the guide lead. They know the best pubs to visit and will make sure the night runs smoothly.
Our Review of Belfast Pub Crawl Belfast for Teams
The Belfast pub crawl gave us exactly what we wanted from a team night out. It was fun, memorable and it genuinely brought people closer together. Each stop added something unique to the evening. We even got a couple of free shots with our drinks, thanks to vouchers from our guide.For teams looking to do something different that avoids the cliches of forced activities, this is a great option.
You’ll head back to the office with better connections, new inside jokes and some lovely memories. And in the end, that’s what team building is meant to achieve. Check out the Belfast pub crawl for team building today.
