Five shots, one night, and Queenstown on full volume. This bar crawl is designed for people who want the city nightlife hit them fast: you meet at The London Bar (downstairs, next door to Fergburger), get your bearings, then hop through five party spots with a live English guide keeping the group moving. I like that it’s not just a list of bars you figure out alone, because the escort part matters when you’re in a new place.

My second favorite part is the value stack: free pizza shows up during the night, and the tour also brings drink discounts for your whole stay, which can stretch a tight budget in Queenstown. The one catch to consider is the pace and the vibe: this is an 18+ crawl, and it’s built for going out, not lingering politely over one drink.

Key points worth knowing before you go

• Start at The London Bar at 9 PM, downstairs next to Fergburger
• Five free shots total, one when you enter each venue
• Free pizza during the night, plus drink discounts while you’re in town
• Five different venues, each with a different crowd and energy
• Games and prizes tied to local activities, with photos uploaded to Facebook
• Ends just after midnight, but you’re free to keep the night going

Starting at The London Bar, right by Fergburger

The night begins in the center of Queenstown’s action. You’ll meet downstairs at The London Bar, next door to Fergburger, at 9 PM, and that matters because you avoid the awkward part of “Where do we all gather?” once you’re already dressed for going out.

After you check in, you’ll get a quick orientation from your Kiwi Crawl guides and a run-through of how the night flows. Then the crawl kicks off: there’s a short stretch at the first venue, and after that you’re moving on—so you’re never stuck waiting around.

One more practical point I appreciate: the tour includes an express-style setup with skip-the-line security. In Queenstown, that kind of time-saving is real, especially when the lines feel like they multiply right when you’re ready to party.

What $17 really buys: shots, pizza, entry, and discounts

On paper, $17 per person sounds almost too good for five stops—but the math works because the package covers the stuff that usually adds up fast.

You get:

• Free entry into all bars on the crawl
• 5 free shots across the night
• Free pizza throughout the crawl
• Drink discounts for your whole stay in Queenstown
• Free photos uploaded to Facebook after the night

Here’s why that’s valuable. If you’re planning to go out more than once during your stay, the drink discounts can quickly outweigh the cost of the tour itself. And if you’ve ever paid club cover fees and then ended up buying shots anyway, you know how quickly a “quick night out” becomes a pricey one.

Just remember what’s not included: extra drinks beyond the shots and any additional food you want. The tour gives you a strong foundation, but you still control how far you take it.

The 4-hour flow: how the night moves bar to bar

This is a 4-hour experience, and the structure is simple: meet at 9 PM, then work your way through the night until the final stop finishes just after midnight.

You’ll typically spend enough time at each bar to enjoy the vibe, take the free shot, and meet people—but not so long that the group falls apart. Your guide helps with that pacing, which is a big deal when the group can be large. In one run, the group included around 112 people, and the guides still kept things organized enough for everyone to stay with the plan.

The tour also includes games and prizes. You’ll get pulled into the activity side of the crawl at points during the night, which helps if you’re traveling solo or you just don’t want a night of standing at the bar wondering what to do next.

Stop by stop: five venues with different energy

You won’t just be dragged to the same kind of place five times. The crawl is built around variety, so you get a mix of crowds and music styles as the night goes on.

First stop: The London Bar (where you set the tone)

The first venue is The London Bar, and it’s where you start the night with the group. This is the moment to:

• confirm you’re with the right tour crew
• lock in your group connections early
• take the first of your free shots

It’s also where the guide sets expectations, so you know when to move, where to meet up again, and how to join in if you want to be part of the games.

Middle stops: more party, more mixing

After the first short hang, you’ll head to the next bar where things really kick up. Each of the middle venues includes that same pattern: you’re there for the atmosphere, you get the free shot on entry, and you keep meeting new people.

What you should watch for at these stops is the crowd shift. One bar might feel more social and chatty, while another can be louder and more “dance floor” energy. Since you’re bouncing between spots, you can match your mood without committing to one place for hours.

Final stop: wrap around midnight, then choose your ending

The activity finishes at the last bar just after midnight. That timing is helpful because you’re not stuck out until the early morning with a tour clock ticking in your head.

And the best part: the party doesn’t end with the tour. You can roll into whatever comes next on your own, or you can call it a night while you still feel good instead of wiping out at 2 AM.

Free pizza plus games: why this feels like a plan, not just a bar hop

If all you got were five shots and five locations, this would still be fun. But the tour adds two elements that make the whole thing feel smoother and more social.

Free pizza that keeps you going

Free pizza is part of the night, and it helps for two reasons:

• it gives you something to line your stomach before the shots build up
• it stops the night from turning into constant snack-and-grab purchases

Even if you don’t eat a ton, having pizza in the mix changes how the rest of the night feels.

Games for prizes (and momentum)

The tour includes games with prizes tied to local activities. This is one of those details that sounds small until you’re in a group setting and everyone suddenly has something to do together besides “What’s your name?” and “Have you been to Queenstown before?”

If you’re the type who likes structured fun, this is where you’ll feel the most energy. If you’d rather quietly enjoy the bar vibe, you can still participate at your comfort level.

Photos uploaded to Facebook

You also get free photos of the night uploaded to Facebook. That’s useful if you came to Queenstown wanting memories without the pressure of taking every picture yourself. It’s also a nice way to remember who you met, especially in a night where time disappears quickly.

Drink discounts for your whole stay: the smart budget win

One of the underrated parts is the drink discounts for your whole stay in Queenstown. Most bar crawls give you what’s included inside the tour and that’s it.

Here, the discounts extend beyond the 4 hours. That matters if you plan:

• a second night out after your tour
• a casual drink stop with fewer surprise costs
• pacing your budget across your trip instead of burning everything on one night

I’d treat the crawl as your launch night, then use the discounts on quieter nights afterward.

Who this suits best (and who should skip it)

This experience fits best if you want an organized nightlife intro. I’d point it toward:

• first-timers in Queenstown who don’t want to research venues all evening
• solo travelers who want an easy way to meet people
• friend groups who want a shared plan without micromanaging where to go next

It might not be your best match if you’re looking for a calm, slow-paced night with minimal noise. The tour is 18+, it’s designed for going out, and the group moves on a schedule.

Also, if you’re the type who hates crowds, know that some runs can include very large groups. The guides do their best to keep everyone together, but the overall energy will still feel busy.

Practical details that help you enjoy the night

Here are the small things that reduce stress and make the night more fun.

Bring valid ID

This is an 18+ activity, and you’ll need a valid ID. The tour specifically mentions bringing your passport (or a New Zealand driver’s license). Don’t assume you can just show a photo—bring the real thing.

Dress for moving around

You’ll be walking between venues, and Queenstown weather can shift fast. Even if it’s dry when you start, plan for cold or rain with layers you can handle while you’re on the move.

Expect a fast rhythm

The tour’s whole point is momentum. You’ll get time at each stop, take your free shot, and then go again. If you want to linger, this isn’t built for that kind of pace.

Keep your expectations realistic

A couple reviews included the idea that the night can get intense. That can be hilarious in a good way, as long as you go in with a good attitude and take the structured fun for what it is.

Price and logistics: the value check before you book

At $17, the core inclusions stack up: free entry, 5 free shots, and free pizza, plus the extra perk of drink discounts during your stay. You’re paying for convenience and structure, not just alcohol and food.

Just factor in what you’ll likely spend outside the package. Extra drinks are not included, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not provided. So you’ll need to get yourself to the meeting point and back on your own.

If you’re already planning to party multiple nights, this can be a budget-smart way to get started. If you only want one low-key drink, you’ll probably be happier elsewhere.

Should you book this Queenstown bar crawl?

I think you should book it if you want a low-effort way to experience Queenstown nightlife with built-in social energy. The five-venue structure, 5 free shots, free pizza, and drink discounts for your whole stay make it a strong value play for people who plan to go out anyway.

Skip it if you want a quiet night, a slow itinerary, or you’re not comfortable with an organized group moving quickly through bars. In that case, you’d likely get more enjoyment picking one or two places and taking your time.

If you’re in the sweet spot—new to Queenstown, ready to meet people, and happy to follow a guide for a few hours—this is one of those simple plans that turns into a memorable night.