Did you know the 12 Pubs of Christmas is a famous Irish tradition? For this fun adventure, friends team up to visit 12 pubs in a single day. They have rules to stick to. You must dress up like Santa or elves. The rules leave you drunk but lift your holiday spirit.

If you plan to enjoy the Irish Christmas festivities, hop onto the 12 pubs rules bandwagon. This article is your complete guide to the 12 pubs rules of Christmas for an unforgettable holiday memory.

The Twelve Pubs of Christmas 

The Twelve Pubs of Christmas is a social outing where friends dress up in Christmas-themed costumes. By doing so, they enjoy the festive day and help support local businesses. 

Some people add more rules or challenges to make the day more fun. For example, a friend must finish their drink before going to the next pub or order a particular drink at each pub. These rules and challenges make the day more exciting. If you enjoy group activities with a twist, you might also like trying a rage room in Dublin for a different kind of fun.

Planning 12 Pubs for Christmas

When is the 12 Pubs of Christmas? Many celebrate the 12 Pubs of Christmas in the last week of December. However, it is entirely up to you. There isn’t much planning involved, either. People who travel to other towns or villages plan more. 

Who to include

You must have a list of people to invite. The group size is not specified. However, if your group is too large, you can be denied entry at many pubs. 

Where to go

You must have all 12 pubs you will be visiting selected. Planning the next pub after drinking alcohol often becomes too difficult. Some pubs also ban groups from coming for the 12 Pubs of Christmas. So, it’s better to check beforehand.

When to start

There is no set time or date. However, not everyone is available on Christmas. You must consider all those you have invited and plan a date that suits everyone.

Stick to the rules

The rules make the whole adventure fun. If you don’t stick to the rules, the day will become like every other weekend. You can also have your own fun rules to add a bit more excitement.

The 12 Pubs Rules for Christmas 

There are no specific rules for the 12 Pubs of Christmas. The rules are only kept to make the events more exciting. However, remember to be kind and considerate to the public and pub staff. 

Below are some fun rules for you to try: 

The Santa Outfit

Everyone is required to dress up as Santa Claus or his elves. You can also wear a Christmas-themed jumper.

Staying Silent

A pub will be selected as a silent pub. When inside, you must not utter a single word.

Swearing Not Allowed

The group must not use any foul language. 

No Going To The Toilet

The friends are not allowed to go to the toilet of a selected pub. 

Guinness and Nothing Else 

The group is only allowed to order a pint of the black stuff. They can’t have anything else.

Act Left Handed

The group have to use their left hand to drink. If you are already left-handed, you must use your right hand.

Pass To The Left Person

You must feed your pint to any person sitting on your left side.

Staying Anonymous

No names are allowed to be used. 

Crawl In The Pub

You must buy a round of pints while crawling on your hands & knees.

Father Jack 

In Ireland, Father Jack is quite famous. In this rule, you must quote him with every sip of your drink. No quote should be repeated.

Say No To Phones

You must turn off your phone until you have finished the entire round of 12 pubs of Christmas.

Sing A Christmas Carol

The entire group must sing a Christmas carol in at least one pub. You can even sing a snippet. 

Making the Christmas celebration memorable

The 12 Pubs of Christmas are just binge drinking. When you have decided to join this adventure, focus on having a good time. Don’t stick to the 12 pubs’ rules so seriously.

Here is our advice to make the most of your fun activity.

Make sure you are well-fed

It is important not to drink on an empty stomach.

Your family must know your location.

Some friends often get left behind at pubs. Getting too drunk can make it difficult for you to go home. Hence, your family must have the list of pubs you will be going to 

Arrange your transport 

Before you get drunk, make sure you have pre-arranged transport to take you home.

Keep a steady pace 

Don’t rush yourself. You might want to have your pint quickly, knowing there are 12 pubs to visit. However, this is not a good idea.

Stay Hydrated 

You must have some water after every 3 pints of alcohol. This will help prevent a terrible hangover.

Select your drinks wisely 

You should be free to choose from the menu. Having too many shots can be a bad idea.

Drop out when you feel like

If you can’t handle too much alcohol and feel like dropping out, don’t hesitate. 

If you want other ideas for Christmas, check this guide to celebrating Christmas in Ireland 2025.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the 12 pubs rules are only about fun, friendship, and raising the holiday spirit. The rules help make the adventure fun and exciting. The entire pub crawl experience ends up becoming a lasting memory. 

However, you should never forget to plan the entire day properly. The route and transport should be decided in advance. Make sure you are well-hydrated and keep an enjoyable pace. Just relax and have fun with friends this Christmas! 

FAQs