Web Stories Wednesday, October 29

Barcelona’s infamous bar-hopping tours are now officially off the menu.

The Spanish party hotspot has forbidden pub crawls citywide, banning the promotion, organization, or running of any kind of guided drinking tour — all day, every day for at least the next four years.

City officials say the move aims to “ensure peaceful coexistence, safeguard residents’ right to rest and protect public health,” the Sun reported.

Pub crawls, like the one seen here at a Barcelona bar, are now forbidden citywide, banning the promotion, organization, or running of any kind of guided drinking tour — all day, every day for at least the next four years. Facebook/Pub Crawl Barcelona

“[Bar crawls] typically involve quickly consuming one or more low-quality drinks before heading to the next stop,” a Barcelona City Council spokesperson said.

“This activity has been identified as a risk factor that causes disturbances in neighborhoods, puts extra strain on public spaces and potentially leads to criminal behavior or road safety violations.”

Until now, the boozy tours were only banned in two districts — Ciutat Vella since 2012, and L’Eixample since June 1, 2025 — mostly between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

But in August, the local government extended the restrictions to cover the entire city, 24 hours a day, all year round. The total ban will take effect on Oct. 29, The Sun reported.

Tour participants themselves won’t be fined for joining — although they could still be ticketed for public drinking, noise violations, or causing disturbances — but organizers caught breaking the rules face fines of up to about $1,050.

City police say the pilot bans already in place have been a success and expect the new citywide ban to have a similar impact.

Pub crawls have long been a staple of Barcelona’s buzzing nightlife, drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists each year — many on budget trips and bachelor parties looking for cheap shots and a night they won’t remember.

Barcelona’s move is part of a broader trend across Spain to rein in unruly visitor behavior. Other cities have introduced smoking bans on beaches, restrictions on wearing swimwear in town centers, and tougher penalties for excessive noise.

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