Our 5 best stops for a Williamsburg pub crawl
Can you make it through this list of our favorite watering holes? Featuring the Precarious Beer Project, Dog Street Pub, Williamsburg Winery bar, Amber Ox Public House and Paul's Deli.
Williamsburg Independent’s pub crawl offers a seamless transition from the historic charm of Merchants Square to a divey atmosphere near the College of William & Mary campus. The route covers a total distance of approximately 0.7 miles with a collective walking time of roughly 12 to 15 minutes.
Google states that the entire route is highly accessible and pedestrian-friendly. Merchants Square and the surrounding streets feature wide, well-maintained brick and concrete sidewalks with standard ADA-compliant curb cuts at every intersection.
The crawl begins at the expansive Precarious Beer Project and concludes at the legendary Paul’s Deli, moving through a total of five distinct local favorites that showcase the best of the city’s craft beer, wine, and gastropub scenes.
The journey is broken down into manageable segments, ensuring your group spends more time socializing than traveling between venues:
Precarious to DoG Street Pub: 2 minutes
DoG Street Pub to Winery Bar: 1 minute
Winery Bar to Amber Ox: 3 minutes
Amber Ox to Paul’s Deli: 6 minutes
Stop #1: Precarious Beer Project
Address: 110 S Henry St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Hours: Open daily starting at 11:00 AM (closing times vary from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM depending on the day).
Precarious Beer Project serves as the quintessential base camp for any Williamsburg pub crawl due to its massive 14,000-square-foot layout and high-energy atmosphere. Located right in Merchants Square, it provides the perfect staging ground to gather your group, distribute any itineraries, and establish a solid foundation for the night. Since successful crawling requires a strategic meal, you can utilize their in-house kitchens—Electric Circus Taco Bar and Ol’ Dominion Burger—to grab a round of street tacos or a smash burger before moving on to heavier pours. The drink menu is designed for a strong start, offering a wide range of progressive brews that cater to every palate in your party, from crisp pilsners to juicy hazy IPAs. Beyond the bar, the space functions as a social playground where you can warm up your competitive spirit with vintage arcade games.
Stop #2: DoG Street Pub
Address: 401 W Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Hours: Open daily from 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM (Friday and Saturday until 11:00 PM).
Step-by-step directions: From Precarious Beer Project to DoG Street Pub Exit Precarious and head east toward the center of Merchants Square. DoG Street Pub is less than a two-minute walk away, located in the prominent brick bank building on the main corner of Duke of Gloucester Street.
Located just a short stroll away in a repurposed 1930s bank building, DoG Street Pub offers a sophisticated yet relaxed transition for the second leg of your crawl. This gastropub trades the high-energy arcade atmosphere for a classic British-inspired vibe, featuring high ceilings and an impressive marble-topped bar. It is the perfect place to settle in for a mid-crawl breather where the focus shifts toward a massive, curated tap list that highlights both local Virginia craft beers and hard-to-find international imports. If your group needs a light snack to keep going, their famous blue cheese chips are a local favorite for sharing. The large outdoor patio facing Duke of Gloucester Street also provides some of the best people-watching in the historic district.
Stop #3: Williamsburg Winery Tasting Room & Bar
Address: 427 W Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM; Friday–Saturday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.
Step-by-step directions: From DoG Street Pub to Williamsburg Winery Tasting Room This is the shortest leg of the crawl. Exit the pub and walk roughly one block west on Duke of Gloucester Street. The Winery Tasting Room is situated right on the corner, less than a one-minute walk from the previous stop.
For a change of pace at the midpoint of your journey, the Williamsburg Winery Tasting Room offers a refined atmosphere right on the corner of Merchants Square. This stop allows your group to pivot from beer to award-winning Virginia wines, featuring everything from crisp Chardonnays to bold Petit Verdots. The interior is elegant and airy, providing a great spot to regroup in a slightly quieter setting before the night ramps back up. If the weather is nice, the outdoor seating area is a prime spot to enjoy a flight or a glass of their signature Governor’s White. It’s a sophisticated palate cleanser that adds a touch of local terroir to your crawl itinerary.
Stop #4: Amber Ox Public House
Address: 525 Prince George St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Hours: Tuesday–Thursday 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM; Friday–Saturday 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Closed Mondays).
Step-by-step directions: From Williamsburg Winery Tasting Room to Amber Ox Public House Head north from the winery toward Prince George Street. Turn left on Prince George Street and walk about one and a half blocks. Amber Ox is located on the right-hand side. This walk takes approximately three minutes.
Just a couple blocks off the main square, Amber Ox Public House brings a “culinary-focused” brewery experience to the list, with a nice selection of cocktails as well. This stop is famous for its small-batch beers brewed on-site under the Precarious label but with a more experimental and elevated twist. The vibe here is chic and industrial, blending a high-end restaurant feel with a neighborhood pub soul. Since this is Stop #4, you might be looking for a flavor punch; their cocktail program is just as robust as their beer list, featuring creative takes on classic spirits. If the group is getting hungry again, their elevated Southern-inspired snacks, like pimento cheese or seasonal biscuits, are highly recommended to fuel the final stretch of the night.
Stop #5: Paul’s Deli & Neighborhood Restaurant
Address: 761 Scotland St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Hours: Open daily from 10:30 AM to 2:00 AM.
Step-by-step directions: From Amber Ox Public House to Paul’s Deli The final leg of the crawl is a straight shot toward the College of William & Mary. Continue west on Prince George Street, then turn right onto Scotland Street. Paul’s Deli is located near the corner of Scotland and Richmond Road. This is a six-minute walk and marks the end of the route.
The ultimate finale for any Williamsburg crawl is Paul’s Deli, a local institution that has served the community and William & Mary students since 1977. This is the place where the “sophisticated” part of the evening gives way to pure, unadulterated dive bar. With its wood-paneled walls covered in sports memorabilia and a late-night energy that never quits, Paul’s is where you go to finish the night with a cold pitcher and a massive sub or a basket of cheese fries. The atmosphere is unpretentious and welcoming, making it the perfect spot to sit back, recap the night’s highlights, and enjoy the classic “college town” vibe that defines the Scotland Street corridor.
A Williamsburg Independent contributor used AI tools to produce this post.
Remember to drink responsibly and stay safe while having fun on your the pub crawl.
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