As the city of neighborhoods, it makes sense that Baltimore is also the city of bar crawls. You know the kind—where you and your friends meander through the streets, stopping into corner dives or cocktail bars to get a fix at each one. They usually start with a civilized meal and toasting of glasses and end with an encore from a live band or a late-night slice. So follow us as we embark on the region’s ultimate bar crawl guide: 10 neighborhoods, each consisting of five bars, the best way to get around, and a late-night food spot. We also talk to the city’s nocturnal workers—from bartenders to Uber drivers—to hear their funniest crawl stories and practical tips. Plus, we pay homage to the beer can, the simple vessel that has seen a surge in popularity recently. Because, while we love fancy cocktails and trendy speakeasies as much as the next person, sometimes all we need is an ice-cold beer and the promise that our next bar destination is just around the corner.

Brewers Hill/Canton

Canton has long been known as a favorite nightlife spot for twenty-somethings, and the burgeoning neighborhood to its east (under the glow of winking Mr. Boh) is only adding to that appeal. We started off at 1Of Love & Regret (1028 S. Conkling St., 410-327-0760), known for its Stillwater ales, which may have been specifically designed for this rainy fall night, as its candle-lit, dark-wood ambiance felt ideally cozy. When our mustachioed bartender almost immediately asked us what we wanted, we replied “anything with whiskey” and he whipped up the Saturday Night Wrists with blood orange liquor, rye, mezcal, and orange around the rim.

Feeling the autumn vibes, we munched on golden beets with toasted almonds and a brandy-apricot cheese ball, the perfect way to warm up before heading out the door and up the street to Cardinal Tavern (901 S. Clinton St., 410-327-7850), which, on the night of a Ravens-Steelers game, was filled to the brim. Though every seat was occupied, a bartender in a Flacco jersey promptly took our drink order and let us know about the upstairs seating. We were happy to stand and munch on spicy, meaty Buffalo wings and sip Loose Cannon while football fans cheered and jeered the rivalry. Cardinal, with its Calvert Hall décor and other local sports tributes, was just the place to do it.

During halftime, we sauntered up Clinton Street to The Chasseur (3328 S. Foster Ave., 410-327-6984), a brightly lit, nautically themed bar that, on any given night, could feature bingo, a tap takeover, or a charity event. Tonight, it’s all about the Ravens, which means TVs have sound and happy hour lasts throughout the game with $2-off drafts, $5 duck fat tots, and $7 crab mac and cheese. The third quarter was about to start, so we headed to the corner beer haven that is Mahaffey’s Pub (2706 Dillon St., 410-276-9899), where you’re always encouraged to try new things. Tonight it was Yards Pynk beer, made with raspberries and both sweet and sour cherries, which was more tart than saccharine and an adventure we didn’t mind taking. Even though the game wasn’t the main focus, the friendly female bartenders still encouraged us to partake in $5 game-day grape bombs (grape vodka and Red Bull).

Once energized, we ventured back out and ended up at Bartenders (2218 Boston St., 410-534-2337). Despite its tiny rowhouse size, you’ll likely run into someone you know at this Cheers-esque sports bar. At one table, a group was playing Cranium; at another, patrons were munching on thick-crust pizza. But as the Ravens went into overtime, all eyes were glued to the TV. When Justin Tucker’s final field goal went through the uprights, the crowd (and staff alike) erupted with joy.

How to get around: The mile-and-a-half crawl is walkable. Late-night food: A classic diner, Sip & Bite (2200 Boston St., 410-675-7077) features surly waitresses, delicious gyros, and the best 2 a.m. people-watching.