Queenstown: Ice Bar Crawl

Queenstown’s Ice Bar Crawl packs a lot into one night: five bars, five free shots, pizza, games, and entry to the Ice Bar, all for $23. You begin at The London Bar at 9:00 PM, then move through the town with Kiwi Crawl guides instead of figuring out the nightlife on your own.

I like the strong value, especially since Ice Bar entry normally costs $30 by itself. I also like the chance to sample several bars in one evening, then return later to the places you enjoy most. The main catch is the late start and party focus, so this is not a good fit if you want a quiet night or a detailed look at Queenstown’s bar scene.

Key points at a glance

• Ice Bar entry included: The normal entry price is listed as $30, while the crawl costs $23.
• Five bars in one night: You are escorted to five Queenstown party bars, with the guided portion ending just after midnight.
• Five free shots and pizza: These extras help lower the cost of a night out, though the format is clearly built around drinking.
• Start at The London Bar: Meet downstairs at 36 Shotover Street, next door to Fergburger, at 9:00 PM.
• Games and prizes: Bar games give the night a social edge, with prizes linked to local activities.
• Discounts beyond the crawl: Your drink discounts continue for your entire stay in Queenstown.

What the $23 Queenstown crawl actually gives you

The price is the first thing to examine. At $23 per person, you pay less than the stated regular Ice Bar entrance fee of $30, before counting the five shots, pizza, bar access, games, and drink discounts.

That does not mean every part of the night is free. You will still need to pay for any drinks beyond the included shots, and bar prices can add up quickly. Still, if you already plan to visit the Ice Bar and spend an evening out, the numbers are unusually favorable.

The real value comes from combining several small benefits. The crawl gives you a plan, a guide, entry to multiple venues, food, and a set of drink discounts. You are paying for a social night out rather than a formal sightseeing tour, but the included Ice Bar admission makes the cost easy to justify for the right audience.

The discounts also continue for your entire stay in town. That matters if you are spending several nights in Queenstown and expect to return to some of the venues after the organized night ends.

Starting at The London Bar at 9:00 PM

Your meeting point is downstairs in The London Bar at 36 Shotover Street. The bar is next door to Fergburger, one of Queenstown’s best-known food stops, so it should be straightforward to locate once you are in the central area.

The 9:00 PM start gives you time to eat beforehand, which is useful because the supplied pizza is part of the crawl rather than a full dinner plan. You should arrive ready for a late night, with your passport in hand. A passport is required for the activity.

The start time also tells you what sort of evening this is. Queenstown’s nightlife is already underway by 9:00 PM, and this crawl is designed to carry you through the busy part of the night. If you prefer early evenings, the schedule may feel demanding.

The guide helps remove some of the usual friction. You do not need to decide where to go next or work out how to reach each bar as a group. The route is led in English, and an express security check is included.

Five bars, five different chances to find a favorite

The crawl visits five of Queenstown’s party bars. The supplied details do not name each venue, so you should not book this expecting a fixed list of famous bars or a historical tour of the town’s drinking culture.

Instead, think of the route as a sampler. You get a look at several nightlife options in one evening, then you can decide which places suit you best. This is especially useful if you are new to Queenstown and do not want to spend your whole night guessing which door to enter.

I like this format because it lets you compare venues quickly. One stop may appeal because of its music, another because of its crowd, and another simply because it feels more comfortable for your group. The crawl gives you a practical first look.

The tradeoff is time. Five stops over one night means you will not settle into each bar for long. If you want to spend the whole evening in one place, or if you dislike changing venues, the movement may feel tiring. The benefit is variety, not depth.

The night finishes in the final bar just after midnight. You can keep partying after the guided part ends, so you are free to use the discounts and continue the evening on your own.

The Ice Bar is the main attraction

The Ice Bar is the feature that makes this crawl different from a standard Queenstown pub route. Entry is included later in the tour, and the stated regular price is $30, which is already higher than the full crawl price.

The supplied information does not specify how long you spend inside or what clothing is provided, so you should treat it as one stop within a larger night rather than the sole focus. The crawl is built around visiting several bars, with the Ice Bar as a memorable part of the route.

For many people, this is the clearest reason to choose the package. You receive the cold-bar experience without paying the regular admission fee separately, then continue to other venues afterward.

The express security check may also save time at the Ice Bar or another stop, though the exact location of that check is not specified. Bring your passport, and keep your plans simple enough that you are not carrying bulky items from one bar to the next.

Five free shots, pizza, and a night built for socializing

The five included shots are spread across the evening, giving the crawl a clear party rhythm. The arrangement may help you meet other people quickly, but you should pace yourself. Five shots, extra drinks, late hours, and several venues can make for a demanding night.

The free pizza is a useful touch. It gives you some food during the evening and helps offset the cost of eating out. Still, the available information does not say how much pizza is provided or when it is served, so I would eat a proper meal before meeting the group if you need more than a snack.

Bar games add another layer to the night. You can take part in different games and win prizes connected with local activities. That makes the crawl more than a simple march from one bar to the next, although the exact games and prizes are not listed.

If you are traveling alone, the games and shared route may make it easier to start conversations. If you are with friends, they give your group something to do between drinks and venues. If you avoid alcohol, keep in mind that the crawl’s central features are shots, bars, and party games.

What the four-hour schedule means

The activity is listed as lasting four hours, but the guided night finishes in the last bar just after midnight. Since the meeting time is 9:00 PM, the organized part of the experience appears to cover the main evening period, with additional time available if you choose to stay out afterward.

This is a useful distinction. You are not being sent home at midnight, but the escorted portion ends then. From that point, you can continue partying for as long as you like, using the discounts during your stay in Queenstown.

The schedule works well for someone who wants a structured start and the freedom to continue independently. It is less suitable if you need to catch an early morning flight, join a sunrise activity, or get a full night’s sleep.

The late finish also makes transport planning worth considering. No transport service is included in the listed package, so arrange your own way back when you decide to leave. Keep your evening flexible rather than booking an early next-day commitment.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend the crawl to adults who want a lively first night in Queenstown and prefer company to making their own bar plan. It suits solo visitors, groups of friends, and anyone who wants to compare several venues before choosing where to return.

It is also a smart pick if the Ice Bar is already on your list. The included entry alone makes the $23 price attractive, and the shots, pizza, and discounts add more value.

You may want to skip it if you are looking for a relaxed cocktail evening, live music in one chosen venue, or a cultural introduction to Queenstown. The activity is not designed around food tasting, local history, scenery, or quiet conversation.

I would also think carefully if you do not drink alcohol. The crawl may still offer games and social company, but the five free shots and bar-to-bar format are central to the experience.

Practical details before you book

Meet downstairs in The London Bar at 36 Shotover Street at 9:00 PM. Its position next to Fergburger provides a useful landmark, but allow enough time to find the downstairs meeting area.

Bring your passport. The activity is conducted in English, and an English-speaking live guide leads the group.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which helps if your Queenstown plans are still shifting.

The experience has a 4.8 rating from 41 reviews, and the strongest praise centers on the guides, the value, and the chance to visit several bars. One booking from Nicole in the United States highlighted the benefit of trying multiple venues and finding favorites to revisit. An Australian booking described both the tour and guides as excellent and considered the price worthwhile.

Those points match the basic design of the night. The guides matter because they keep the group moving, and the multiple venues matter because you can make your own choice about where to return.

Should you book the Queenstown Ice Bar Crawl?

Book it if you want a social night with a clear route, several bars, free shots, pizza, games, and Ice Bar entry. At $23, the package is especially strong for anyone who would otherwise pay $30 for the Ice Bar and then spend more on a night out.

Skip it if you want quiet conversation, a carefully chosen restaurant evening, or a slow visit to one venue. The late start, alcohol-centered format, and five-stop schedule are not minor details. They define the experience.

My practical advice is simple: eat beforehand, bring your passport, keep the next morning free, and use the crawl as a way to learn which Queenstown bars you actually like. For a first night in town, it offers a useful mix of structure, savings, and social energy.

FAQ

Where does the Queenstown Ice Bar Crawl begin?

Meet downstairs in The London Bar at 36 Shotover Street. The London is next door to Fergburger.

What time does the crawl start?

The meeting time is 9:00 PM.

How long does the activity last?

The activity is listed as lasting four hours. The guided night finishes in the final bar just after midnight, and you can continue partying afterward if you wish.

Is Ice Bar entry included?

Yes. Ice Bar entry is included, and the listed regular entrance price is $30.

How many bars does the crawl visit?

The route visits five of Queenstown’s party bars.

Are drinks included?

Five free shots are included. You also receive drink discounts during the night and for your entire stay in Queenstown.

Is food included?

Yes. Pizza is included.

What should you bring?

Bring your passport. The tour is conducted in English with a live English-speaking guide.