Queenstown: Bar Crawl with 5 Free Shots and Pizza

Queenstown’s $17 bar crawl packs a lot into four hours: five bars, five free shots, pizza, games, and entry at every stop. It is built for meeting people fast, especially if you are travelling alone or want a ready-made night out without planning the route yourself.

I like the simple value. The free pizza gives you something solid to eat, and the drink discounts continue for your whole stay in town. The main thing to consider is the size of the group. One night had 112 people, so expect a loud, social event rather than a small guided pub tour.

Key points

• Five venues in one night: You get a quick taste of several Queenstown bars instead of committing to one place.
• Five free shots included: One welcome shot is provided at each bar, with extra drinks at your own cost.
• Pizza helps pace the evening: Food is supplied during the crawl, though you should not treat it as a full dinner.
• A strong solo-social option: Guides bring people together through games, group movement, and shared stops.
• The crawl ends just after midnight: You can leave then or keep partying in the final bar and elsewhere in town.
• Bring the right ID: This is an 18-plus event, and you need a passport or New Zealand driver’s license.

Starting at The London Bar at 9 PM

Your night begins downstairs at The London Bar, next door to Fergburger. Arrive ready to check in, collect your wristband, and meet the guides and other people in the group.

The opening stop is short. That is useful because the crawl gets you moving rather than leaving you stuck in one bar all night. It also gives you a chance to meet a few people before the group heads on.

The guides explain how the evening works and gather the group before each move. This matters more than it may sound. In a large crowd, a clear meeting point and an obvious guide can save you from spending the night wondering where everyone went.

You receive the first free shot at The London. Extra drinks are not included, so budget for anything beyond the five supplied shots, pizza, and entry. If you want to keep costs under control, the drink discounts help.

Five bars, five different moods

The heart of the crawl is the move through five Queenstown party spots. The venues are not named in advance in the available details, and the exact order can change, so I would treat this as a broad night out rather than a carefully designed bar-by-bar cultural tour.

That said, visiting five places gives you useful variety. If the first bar is not your style, you have four more chances to find a room that suits you better. You also avoid paying separate cover charges as you move around town.

At each bar, you receive one free shot on entry. The shot is part of the welcome routine, not a promise that every drink for the night is included. The pace can build quickly, especially when you add purchased drinks, so use the food and water breaks sensibly.

The guides lead the group from venue to venue. You are not arranging taxis or working out which clubs accept a large crowd. All the bars are within the planned crawl, and the event finishes in the final venue just after midnight.

One important tradeoff is time. Five stops in four hours means the visits are fairly short. You get a sample of Queenstown nightlife, but not a long, relaxed evening in each bar. If you prefer to settle into one pub, order slowly, and talk at length, a crawl may feel rushed.

Free pizza is more useful than it sounds

The pizza is one of the most practical parts of the deal. Five free shots over an evening can catch up with you, and having food in the mix makes the night easier to manage.

Do not count on the pizza as a full meal for the whole evening. The details do not specify the amount, timing, or style of pizza, so eat beforehand if you need a proper dinner. Still, free food adds real value at a low advertised price.

I also like that the pizza creates a natural pause. You can talk with people, compare the next stop, and take a breath before the group moves again. That is especially handy if you arrive in Queenstown without a group of your own.

Games, prizes, and a fast way to meet people

The crawl uses games to get people talking and to keep the group involved. You may win prizes connected with local activities, although the specific prizes are not listed.

You do not have to treat the games as a serious contest. Join in if you want an easy conversation starter, or hang back if you would rather focus on the bars and people around you. The games are most useful for solo visitors and small groups who want to break the ice without forcing introductions.

The social side is the main reason to book this experience. The group draws a mix of ages and nationalities, and the format gives you repeated chances to meet people. You might make friends at the first venue, then see them again as everyone moves through the night.

For a birthday weekend or a first evening in town, this can remove much of the work from planning. You have a meeting point, guides, a route, entry, food, and a built-in group. That makes it easier to enjoy the night instead of checking maps and comparing cover charges.

The group size can change the whole feel

A large crowd can be part of the fun, but it also shapes the experience. One reported night drew 112 people, and the guides were praised for keeping the group together.

With that many people, you should expect noise, waiting while the group gathers, and some difficulty having a conversation with everyone. The guides may split attention between many people, even when they are doing a good job managing the evening.

The upside is energy. A big group makes the event feel like a proper Queenstown night out, and you are rarely short of someone to talk to. The downside is less personal attention than you would receive on a small group food or wine tour.

If you are shy, stay near the guides during the moves between bars. If you are with friends, agree on a meeting point in case you get separated. A wristband helps identify the group, but it does not remove the need to keep track of your own companions.

Drink discounts last beyond the four-hour crawl

The value is not limited to the five included shots. Drink discounts are available for your whole stay in town, according to the tour details.

That can be a useful extra if you plan to spend several nights in Queenstown and return to the same venues. It matters less if you are in town for only one evening or do not plan to drink after the crawl.

Ask the guides how the discounts work when you check in. The basic offer is clear, but the details of participating bars, eligible drinks, and how you show your discount are not specified. A quick question at the start can prevent confusion later.

Remember that extra drinks are not included. The advertised price covers entry, five shots, pizza, games, prizes, and the stated discounts. It does not cover cocktails, beer, spirits, or other purchases you make during the night.

Is $17 good value for Queenstown?

At the stated price of $17 per person, this is strong value if you intend to visit several bars anyway. Five free shots alone make the headline price appealing, and free entry at all five venues means you are not paying a separate cover charge at each stop.

Pizza adds another useful saving. The drink discounts may improve the deal further, especially if you stay in Queenstown for more than one night.

The value depends on how you use it. If you drink very little, dislike crowded nightlife, or would rather sit in one quiet bar, the inclusions may not matter much to you. You are paying for a social night with a planned route, not for a private guide or a polished tasting experience.

I would also set a personal spending limit before you go. A low entry price can make it easy to buy more drinks than planned. Carry enough money for what you actually want, and remember that the five shots arrive at different stops, not all at once.

What the night is really like after midnight

The organised part finishes in the last bar just after midnight. You do not have to leave at that point. The party can continue for as long as you want, either in the final venue or elsewhere in Queenstown.

This flexible ending is helpful. You can stop when you have had enough, stay with new friends, or continue the night without having to follow the guides. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you are responsible for making your own way back to your accommodation.

Because the event begins at 9 PM and lasts about four hours, it fits neatly into a normal evening out. It is not an early dinner activity, and it does not offer transport around the wider region. Plan to be in central Queenstown for the start.

The exact final bar is not listed, so do not rely on it for a particular club or music style. The strength of the experience is the variety and group atmosphere, not a guaranteed favourite venue.

Who should book this Queenstown crawl?

I would recommend it to solo visitors, friends on a short break, birthday groups, and anyone who wants to meet people without arranging a night out from scratch.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a quick introduction to Queenstown’s party scene. The guides handle the route and venue entry, while the games and shared shots make conversation easier.

You may want to skip it if you are looking for a quiet, intimate evening, a food-focused tour, or a detailed introduction to local drinks. This is a party activity. The atmosphere can be crowded and loud, and the five-shot format rewards sensible pacing.

You must be at least 18 and carry a valid passport or New Zealand driver’s license. Other forms of identification are not listed as accepted, so do not assume a different ID will work.

The tour is conducted in English. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Queenstown plans are still changing.

Book it for the people, not just the free shots

The free shots and pizza make the $17 price easy to understand, but the real reason to book is the social setup. You get a group, guides, five venues, games, and a simple route through the centre of Queenstown.

Book it if you want a lively, low-cost night and are comfortable with crowds. Skip it if you prefer control, quiet conversation, or a slow drink in one place. For the right kind of night, this is an efficient way to meet people and see several bars without spending the evening planning each move.

FAQ

How much does the Queenstown bar crawl cost?

The advertised price is $17 per person.

How long does the bar crawl last?

The organised activity lasts four hours and finishes in the last bar shortly after midnight.

Where do I meet the group?

Meet downstairs at The London Bar, next door to Fergburger.

What time does the crawl begin?

The meeting time is 9 PM.

How many bars are included?

The crawl visits five bars in Queenstown.

Are the five shots included?

Yes. You receive one free shot at each of the five bars.

Is food included?

Yes. Free pizza is provided during the evening.

Are drinks apart from the five shots included?

No. Extra drinks are not included, though drink discounts are available for your whole stay in town.

What identification do I need?

Bring a valid passport or New Zealand driver’s license. This is an 18-plus activity.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve your place and pay later.