Paceville, in St Julian's, is Malta's primary nightlife district, and an organised pub crawl through its bars and clubs is a straightforward way to sample the scene without having to navigate an unfamiliar venue list yourself. The pub crawl visits five to six bars and at least one club over the course of an evening, starting around 9 or 10pm and finishing around midnight or 1am. A guide leads the group, introducing the venues, and most crawls include a welcome drink, shots at certain bars, and entry to a club or two. From roughly €25 per person, it's affordable entertainment and a reliable way to meet other travellers if you're solo, or a ready-made social structure if you're in a group.
Paceville is concentrated into a few main streets and side alleys; it's easily walkable but confusing if you've never been there before, with venue names changing regularly and the social hierarchy of bars shifting with the seasons. A pub crawl bypasses that confusion. The bars range from cheesy tourist-friendly establishments with dancing and neon to more straightforward drinking venues with decent cocktails. It's not a hidden local scene—it's the organised tourist-friendly version of Paceville—but that's the entire point. If you're staying in Sliema or St Julian's (where Livensea apartments are located), Paceville is literally on your doorstep, making a pub crawl particularly convenient.
Group of young adults smiling and laughing at a pub crawl gathering.
What the pub crawl covers
A typical route includes at least one cocktail bar, one or two more traditional pubs, a nightclub, and a couple of specialist venues (perhaps a tiki bar, a karaoke venue, or a dance club depending on the operator's current partnerships). The stops vary by operator and season; venues change, close, or reorganise regularly. A decent pub crawl operator updates their route every few months to stay relevant. The welcome drink and included shots are usually standard drinks—beer, house spirits, or simple cocktails—rather than premium options, but they're included in the entry price, which is fair.
The group typically consists of 20 to 40 people; a mix of tourists, some solo, some in pairs or small groups, some on larger trips. The guide manages the group's movement between venues, sometimes providing tidbits about the bars or the history of Paceville, but mostly facilitating the social element. Some crawls include drinking games at certain stops; these are optional (you're not forced to participate), but they're the glue that keeps the group socialising rather than fragmenting into separate conversations.
The Paceville scene
Paceville's nightlife is concentrated into roughly four main streets: St George's Road, The Square, Dragonara Road, and Triq it-Tigr (Tiger Street). The bars themselves are a mix: some are quite slick cocktail venues with proper bartenders and a young professional clientele; others are loose, loud, and designed for dancing and socialising; a few are genuinely chaotic, full of lager-drinking tourists and enthusiastic but unskilled dancers. A pub crawl ensures you hit venues across that spectrum without ending up somewhere genuinely unpleasant. The crawl also means you're moving steadily; you're not sitting in one bar all evening watching the evening deteriorate.
The soundtrack is typically pop, dance, electronic, and chart music—nothing obscure or challenging. If you're after ambient conversation or sophisticated cocktails, Paceville isn't where you'd find it; if you want an energetic, social evening in a busy atmosphere with music and strangers-becoming-friends, it's ideal. The dress code is casual smart; jeans and trainers are fine, though "smart casual" (chinos, a shirt, shoes) fits better. Most venues have a "no trainers" policy after a certain hour, but this is rarely enforced on pub crawl groups; just don't turn up in athletic wear and you'll be fine.
The appeal of a pub crawl is structure and social permission—the guide and the group give you a framework for the evening, removing the need to decide where to go or who to talk to.
Two pub crawl participants celebrating at the Black Bull bar entrance.
Practicalities and safety
Book online or with your accommodation; most pub crawls accept bookings up to the day of the event, though Saturday nights can fill up and booking in advance is sensible. You'll receive a meeting point and time (usually 9 or 10pm) and the guide's phone number for the evening. Most crawls are cash-only for additional drinks beyond the included welcome drink and shots, so bring euros. Bring a valid ID (passport or driving licence); door staff at clubs will ask for it, and some bars are strict about it. If you've had a lot to drink, make sure you know where your accommodation is, or have it written down. Paceville is safe in the sense that there's always a police presence and crowds around, but theft does happen in busy venues, so keep your phone and wallet secure, don't leave drinks unattended, and travel with your group or a friend rather than alone.
If you're not interested in keeping pace with the group or the drinking culture, you can simply walk around Paceville independently; there's no obligation to drink heavily, and the pubs themselves work fine as social venues with soft drinks or light beers.
Practical info
Paceville is a 10-minute walk from most accommodation in Sliema or St Julian's, or a 2-minute taxi ride. If you're in Sliema, head toward the seafront and follow the waterfront promenade northeast toward Spinola Bay; Paceville is just beyond. The pub crawl starts in the evening, so you can spend the afternoon at the beach or doing other activities, and meet the group at the designated starting point. Wear comfortable shoes; you'll walk perhaps 1 to 2 kilometres across the evening as the group moves between venues. The evening lasts roughly 4 to 5 hours, finishing around midnight or 1am. After the crawl ends, you're welcome to continue out in Paceville independently or head home.
Budget €25 to €30 for the crawl entry, plus €20 to €50 for additional drinks (spirits, cocktails, beers) if you want more than what's included. Food is available in Paceville, though it's expensive; eating before the crawl starts is sensible. Some operators offer combinations that include a pre-crawl dinner; check what the operator offers when you book. Book the Paceville pub crawl.
Frequently asked questions
Is a pub crawl suitable if I don't drink alcohol?
Yes, though it's designed around drinking. You can participate with soft drinks, non-alcoholic beers, or just cola and water, and the social element is still worthwhile. Let the guide know beforehand if you have any dietary or religious requirements around alcohol; they can flag it with the venues and ensure there are non-alcoholic options available.
What if I want to leave the crawl early?
You can. You're not locked in; if you're tired or not enjoying yourself, you can thank the guide and head home. There's no penalty or refund, but you're free to go. The group is designed to move together for safety and social reasons, but it's not a contract.
Are the bars actually good, or are they touristy traps?
They're touristy. That's the entire premise of a pub crawl. Some of the venues are genuinely good bars that happen to be on the tour; others are there primarily because they've agreed to participate and offer the included drinks. It's a mixed bag, but it's curated to avoid genuinely bad venues. The variety is part of the appeal—you get a range rather than a single style.
What if I'm travelling alone?
A pub crawl is ideal for solo travellers. The group is your ready-made social network for the evening; you'll meet other solo travellers and groups, and the shared experience breaks the ice quickly. Most participants are friendly and happy to integrate new people into conversations.
Is the club at the end of the crawl included?
Club entry is usually included in the crawl price (you typically visit the club as the final or penultimate stop), though drinks inside are pay-as-you-go. Some crawls end at a bar rather than a club; check what the operator includes when you book.
Can I bring a friend who's not interested in the pub crawl, but wants to meet me later?
Absolutely. Paceville is easy to navigate once you're there; you can give your friend the address of the final venue and arrange to meet them there around midnight, or meet them afterwards at a bar of your choice.