Queenstown: Bar Crawl with 5 Free Shots and Pizza

Queenstown’s nightlife is easiest to tackle with a wristband, a meeting point, and guides who know which door to head through next. This four-hour bar crawl takes you to five venues, with a free shot at each one, pizza along the way, and games that can win you local activity prizes.

I like the low $17 price, especially since entry to all five bars, five shots, pizza, photos, and drink discounts are included. I also like the social setup: you arrive alone or with friends and quickly have a ready-made group around you. The main drawback is scale. One night drew a group of 112 people, so this can feel more like a large party convoy than a small, personal pub tour.

Key points to know

• Five bars in one night: You get a useful sample of Queenstown’s nightlife instead of committing to one venue.
• Five included shots: A welcome shot comes with entry at each stop, while extra drinks cost more.
• Pizza breaks up the drinking: Free pizza gives you something to eat during the night.
• The London Bar is the starting point: Meet downstairs at 9 PM, next door to Fergburger.
• Games add a local twist: You can compete for prizes connected with Queenstown activities.
• Bring valid photo ID: This is an 18+ event, and you need a passport or New Zealand driver’s license.

Starting at The London Bar at 9 PM

The night begins downstairs at The London Bar, next door to Fergburger. That location is handy if you are already exploring central Queenstown, but do not arrive without a plan for getting there. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

At the first bar, the staff provide your wristband and first drink voucher, then explain how the evening works. Guides collect the group when it is time to move on, so you are not left guessing which door comes next. That small bit of organization matters once the group gets larger and the night gets louder.

The first stop also gives you time to meet people. This is one of the strongest reasons to book the crawl. You can come with friends, but the format makes it easy to speak with people from Australia, New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Norway, and elsewhere.

You should bring your passport or a New Zealand driver’s license. The activity is strictly for people aged 18 and over, and a valid ID is required. A photograph on your phone may not be enough, so carry the accepted document.

Five Queenstown bars, five different moods

The exact bar names are not given in the booking details, but the crawl takes you to five of Queenstown’s party spots. The useful part is the variety. Instead of spending the whole night in one room, you get a quick look at several places and can decide which kind of nightlife suits you.

The first venue is a gentle start, with time to check in, collect your wristband, and meet the guides. After that, the group moves on to the next bar, where the evening becomes more focused on dancing, games, and meeting people.

At each stop, you receive one free shot on entry. The included drinks are not a reason to rush. They are best treated as a bonus within a larger night out, since you still need to pay for anything else you order.

The bar changes also keep the evening moving. If one venue is not your style, you only need to stay until the group heads on. That flexibility is useful in Queenstown, where a short walk can take you from a pub atmosphere to a louder party setting.

The tradeoff is that a large group can slow movement between venues. You may spend time waiting for everyone to gather before leaving. The size can also make it harder to have a long conversation with your guide. I would see this as a social night with organized venue hopping, not a carefully paced tour of Queenstown’s cocktail culture.

Free shots and pizza: what the $17 covers

At $17 per person, the included extras make this unusually inexpensive for a full night out. You receive free entry to all five bars, five shots, free pizza, photos, drink discounts, games, and the chance to win activity prizes.

The value depends on how much you use. If you would otherwise pay entry at several busy bars, the wristband can save money before you count the shots and food. The drink discounts also remain available for your whole stay in town, which gives the booking value beyond this one night.

The pizza is an important detail. Drinking on an empty stomach is a poor plan, and a food break helps make the night more manageable. The information does not specify the amount, timing, or style of pizza, so do not treat it as a full dinner. Eat properly before meeting the group if you expect a long night.

Extra drinks are not included. That sounds obvious, but it is worth planning for because the five shots are spread through the evening, not handed over at the start. Bring a payment method and set a spending limit if you want the $17 price to remain close to your actual cost.

A friend’s birthday group paid $130 for four people, which worked out to $32.50 each at the price they received. The current listed price is $17 per person, so check the price shown for your date before booking. Prices can change, and the difference matters when you are comparing this with a self-guided night out.

Games, prizes, and the social side

Games give the crawl more structure than simply visiting five bars. You can take part in activities during the night for a chance to win prizes from local Queenstown activities.

This is a good feature if you enjoy joining in quickly. It gives you an easy opening line with people you have just met and can turn an ordinary stop into a shared memory. You do not have to treat the games as a serious contest, but joining in helps you get more from the evening.

The social tone is friendly and informal. The guides are there to keep the group moving, explain what is happening, and help the night run smoothly. Several people singled out the hosts as a reason the crawl worked well, with specific praise for friendly guides and clear instructions.

You should still know what kind of social setting you are choosing. A group of 112 people was reported on one night. Staff managed that crowd, but a group that size will never feel intimate. If you want detailed local recommendations from a guide or quiet time at each bar, this is not the right format.

If your main goal is meeting people, the large group becomes an advantage. You have plenty of chances to find others who match your pace. If you are celebrating with a small group and want to stay together all night, agree on a meeting plan in case you get separated.

The pace from 9 PM to just after midnight

The scheduled meeting time is 9 PM. After a short period at The London, the group moves through the remaining venues, and the organized part finishes in the last bar just after midnight.

There is a small timing wrinkle: the activity is described as four hours, while a 9 PM start and a finish just after midnight suggest a shorter scheduled nightlife period. Check the available starting time and exact timing for your date when booking. The practical point is that the hosted crawl ends around midnight, while you can stay out afterward if you wish.

This timing suits a classic Queenstown night out. You can spend the day on other activities, eat beforehand, meet the group at 9 PM, and continue independently once the crawl ends. Since the final venue is the end point and there is no hotel transfer, arrange your own way back.

The short stop at each bar is part of the appeal. You get variety without spending an entire evening in one place. It also means you should not expect a long, relaxed visit at every venue. The crawl is designed for movement and energy.

Rain can make the walking sections less pleasant. One particularly wet night still went ahead and was remembered as a good time, but that does not make bad weather comfortable. Bring a jacket suitable for Queenstown conditions and wear shoes that work for walking between central venues.

Drink discounts that last beyond one night

The drink discounts are not limited to the crawl itself. They apply for your whole stay in town, according to the booking details. That can be useful if you are in Queenstown for several nights and plan to return to some of the same venues.

This benefit is easy to overlook. The crawl can act as a first-night introduction, then give you a cheaper way to revisit places later. You still need to confirm how the discounts are redeemed and which drinks or venues qualify, since the supplied details do not list the exact terms.

I would use the crawl to discover your preferences rather than trying to visit every possible nightlife spot independently. After five stops, you will have a better sense of which atmosphere you want on later evenings. The included photos, uploaded to Facebook, also give you a record of the night without needing to ask someone in your group to take pictures.

The photos are a small extra, not a reason to book by themselves. The real value comes from the combination of access, included drinks, food, and social organization.

What this crawl does well, and where it falls short

The strongest part is the mix of good value and easy company. Five free shots alone do not make a great night, but five venues, free entry, pizza, games, photos, and ongoing discounts add up quickly at $17.

The guides also matter. A large group needs someone to keep the schedule clear and lead people from one place to the next. The available comments repeatedly praise the hosts for being fun, helpful, and easy to follow. That makes a difference when you are new to Queenstown’s nightlife.

The main weakness is the crowd size. You may have to wait for the whole group, and the experience can feel loud and busy. The guides can keep people organized, but they cannot give every person individual attention.

The shots also deserve a sensible approach. Five free shots plus extra drinks can catch up with you. Eat before the crawl, use the pizza as a snack rather than your only food, pace yourself, and do not feel obliged to drink anything simply because it is included.

Who should book the Queenstown crawl?

I would recommend this for solo visitors, friends on a birthday weekend, young adults meeting people, and anyone who wants a simple introduction to Queenstown after dark. It is especially useful if you do not know which bars to choose or do not want to organize the route yourself.

It suits people who like group activities, games, quick venue changes, and a lively social setting. The English-speaking guides keep the instructions straightforward, and the wristband format makes the night easy to follow.

I would be more cautious if you dislike crowds, want a quiet pub evening, or prefer to choose every drink and venue yourself. Couples looking for a private night out may find the group format too much. People who do not drink can still join the social side, but much of the package is built around shots, bar entry, and drink discounts.

The activity includes express security access, but it does not include transportation. Meet at The London Bar and make your own plans for getting home after the final stop. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and you can reserve now and pay later if you want to keep your schedule flexible.

Should you book it?

Book this crawl if you want five Queenstown nightlife stops, a ready-made social group, and a lot of included value for $17. The free shots, pizza, games, photos, and discounts make it a strong choice for a first night in town.

Skip it if you want a small group, a slow evening, or a carefully selected food and drink tour. For everyone else, bring valid ID, eat before the 9 PM meeting time, keep your expectations realistic about the crowd, and enjoy the fact that someone else handles the route.

FAQ

Where does the bar crawl start?

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

What time does the activity begin?

The meeting time is 9 PM.

How many bars are included?

The crawl visits five party bars in Queenstown.

Are drinks included?

You receive five free shots, one at each bar. Extra drinks are not included, though drink discounts are available during your stay in town.

Is food included?

Yes. Free pizza is provided during the crawl.

What identification do I need?

Bring a valid passport or a New Zealand driver’s license. The activity is for people aged 18 and over.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.