NYC Boroughs and Brews: A marathon pub crawl weekend

The NYC Marathon may be one of the most iconic marathons in the world. With over 50,000 participants, have you ever thought about it, but running is not the challenge you are looking for? Maybe something a little more fun, slower paced, and add a few refreshments along the way? Yes, now we are talking!  

The NYC Boroughs and Brews is a one-of-a-kind experience for bar and pub enthusiasts. We will kick off on the Friday of the race weekend. This pub crawl parallels the 26-mile route, making 26 beverage stops along the way. Of course, we will also add ideal spots to get some nourishment. Finally wrapping up near where the runners cross the finish line on Sunday.

WHEN: 

Friday, October 30, 2026 - Staten Island & Brooklyn

Saturday, October 31, 2026 - Brooklyn, Queens, & Manhattan

Sunday, November 1, 2026 - Manhattan & Bronx

Only five months to go for race weekend, it is time to start training and designing for this momentous crawl. I know what you are thinking: the research and dedication must be extensive, and only a person with true determination, a love for a good pub, and a slight drinking problem could pull it off. I have earned these accolades and gladly accept the challenge. Within a few short months, I will have designed the ultimate pub crawl to coincide with the big race weekend and hit all five boroughs of New York City.  

The goal, like every marathon, is to traverse 26.2 miles. The bonus is adding 26 pubs during the weekend.

Friday: The Starting Line & Brooklyn Miles

We will start on Friday, October 30th, at the Staten Island Ferry - St. George Terminal (1 Bay St, Staten Island, NY 10301). From there, we will walk to The Flagship Brewing Company for our first pint.

Unfortunately, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is not open to pedestrian traffic except on actual race day, so we will need to find another way to Brooklyn. While it would be iconic to track down an NYC Yellow Cab on the island, we'll keep our options open for an Uber or a local car service.

From Brooklyn, we will start near 4th Avenue, where the actual marathon will run on Sunday. Their route follows 4th Avenue through Brooklyn to Barclays Center. We will do something very similar, criss-crossing between 3rd and 4th Avenue, accumulating 9 pubs and 9 miles on this first day.

Saturday: Crossing Borough Lines 

Saturday, October 31st, we begin in Brooklyn, where we left off.  Walking our way (and burning off our hangover) from Brooklyn to Queens, and onward to Manhattan.  

Sunday: Race Day & The Finish Line 

On the official race day, we'll channel our inner marathoners and push forward to the Upper East Side (UES) to continue the crawl. Space will be tight on the UES as the actual racers run up 1st Avenue and down 5th Avenue. From there, we must maneuver ourselves up to the Bronx for a much-needed pint at Charles Bar & Kitchen.  

Day three of a marathon pub crawl is exhausting, and you will absolutely consider giving up. The secret will be to harness the vibrant atmosphere of the city! You will be motivated by the other racers. We will make it back down past the south side of Central Park and head to the Upper West Side (UWS) of Manhattan to officially complete our NYC Boroughs and Brews, a marathon pub crawl weekend. Now, it is time for a celebratory pint!

Official Rules & Safety Guidelines

1. Safety First, Always

Your safety is the absolute number one priority of this crawl. NYC can be a fast-moving and unpredictable place, so you must always keep your wits about you. Know your surroundings, stay aware of your neighborhood route, and look after fellow crawlers. No matter what, your personal well-being comes first.

2. The Buddy System (Crawl with Others)

Never crawl alone. This is a team event, and there is absolute safety in numbers. Always stick with the group, assign a buddy, and make sure nobody gets left behind at a venue or loses contact with the pack.

3. Daylight is Your Friend (No Late-Night Crawling)

This marathon is a daytime endurance event, not a late-night club hop. Do not crawl late into the night. Wrap up your stops early, head out while the city is still bright and active, and ensure everyone gets home safely before the late-night hours hit.

4. The 26-Pub Challenge (Pace Yourself!)

Just like a real marathon, this is a test of endurance. The ultimate goal is to conquer a 26-mile route and visit 26 different pubs across the weekend.

5. Hydrate, Modify, and Drink Responsibly

You do not need to drink alcohol at every stop to participate. To make it across the finish line safely, pacing is your secret weapon:

• Scale down: Try ordering a half-glass or splitting a drink with a friend.

• Mix it up: Swap out alcoholic drinks for water, mocktails, soda, or coffee.

  
  

• Fuel up: Make sure to eat at food stops along the way.

• The Golden Rule: The primary objective of this weekend is to have fun and stay healthy—know your personal limits and respect them!

6. No Shame in the "Shortcut"

If you get tired, fall behind, or feel uncomfortable in a specific area, skip it. Taking a Yellow Cab or an Uber to the next neighborhood or skipping a section entirely isn't "cheating"—it's smart tactical racing. Everyone will understand and support the move.

7. Be Adaptive

While having a pre-planned route is highly recommended for staying on track, flexibility is key. Be fully prepared to make modifications on the fly based on weather, crowd sizes, bar capacity, and how the group is feeling.

Pace yourself—it's a marathon, not a sprint!

Respect the route, respect the pint, and most importantly… 

Respect yourself in the morning!

We are gearing up to offer fantastic items for your race weekend. Whether you are a "hare" looking to set a record pace or a "tortoise" taking it slow, we'll have everything you need to conquer the five boroughs at your own pace.

(Coming Soon) Everything you need to navigate the 26-pub challenge like a pro.

• The Official Route Map: A curated guide featuring the best race-weekend pubs, history, and shortcut strategies.

• Exclusive Event T-Shirt: A commemorative weekend crawl shirt to wear on the route.

• Live WhatsApp Group Access: Direct entry to track the main pack, share locations, and coordinate meetups in real-time.

Stay in the Loop

If you are interested in joining the pub crawl, you can either email me at PublinInDublin@gmail.com or subscribe on the home page of my website.