Reviewed · DRINKING TOURS
Queenstown: Bar Crawl with 5 Free Shots and Pizza
Queenstown’s nightlife is easy to find but harder to navigate on your own. This $17 bar crawl gives you a simple plan: meet at The London, follow the guides to five bars, collect a free shot at each, and finish shortly after midnight. Free pizza helps keep the evening from becoming five drinks on an empty stomach.
I like the chance to meet people quickly, especially if you are travelling alone or have just arrived in town. I also like the value: five free shots, free entry, pizza, games, prizes, photos, and drink discounts for your stay. The main drawback is the crowd. One night drew 112 people, so this is a lively group outing, not a quiet pub tour.
Key points to know before booking

- Five bars in one night: You get a quick look at several Queenstown nightlife spots rather than settling into one venue.
- Five free shots included: One welcome shot comes with entry to each bar, while extra drinks cost more.
- Free pizza during the crawl: A useful snack during a four-hour evening out.
- Large groups are possible: The guides work to keep everyone together, but you should expect a social, crowded format.
- Games can win local prizes: Joining in may bring prizes connected with Queenstown activities.
- Adults only: Bring a passport or New Zealand driver’s license to prove you are at least 18.
I see the Kiwi Crawl as a low-cost introduction to Queenstown after dark. At $17 per person, the price is modest even before you count the five shots and free entry. Add pizza and drink discounts, and the package makes sense for anyone planning to go out anyway.
The value depends on how you drink. If you would normally buy entry to several bars and five small drinks, this can save money. If you do not drink alcohol or prefer a quiet night, the inclusions will matter less. Extra drinks are not included, so set a spending limit before you start.
You also receive free photos uploaded to Facebook. That can be a nice record of the evening, though you should be aware that a group nightlife event may produce photos of many people, not just your own party.
The evening begins at 9 PM downstairs at The London Bar, next door to Fergburger. This central meeting point is practical if you are already in central Queenstown, and the nearby food landmark makes it easier to locate.
The guides provide your wristband and first drink voucher, then explain how the night works. The basic system is straightforward: stay with the group, follow the guides when it is time to move, and collect your included shot at each venue.
I like this setup because it removes the usual first-night problem of deciding where to go. You do not need to compare door policies, guess which bar is busy, or work out how to get between venues. The tradeoff is that you surrender some choice. The group follows a set route, so you cannot linger at the first bar if you prefer its atmosphere.
The first stop functions as the gathering point and warm-up. You meet the group, receive your wristband, and have time to meet the guides and other participants before the route moves on.
This first period is useful if you arrive alone. You can quickly find people who are also looking for company, and the evening has a built-in introduction rather than leaving you to approach strangers at a bar.
Your first shot is included. Take it slowly if you are not used to drinking, because four more are scheduled later. The event is designed around alcohol, but you remain responsible for your pace throughout the night.
After a short time at The London, the group heads to the next venue. The important part here is not a specific bar name, since the route details do not identify all five locations. Instead, expect a change of setting and a chance to see how Queenstown’s nightlife varies from one venue to the next.
You receive another free shot on arrival. Drink discounts also apply during the night, which can make it easier to buy something between the included drinks without paying full price.
The movement between venues gives the crawl its purpose. You get a broader night out than you would by staying in one place, and the guides keep the transition organized. At the same time, a large group may take longer to move, and you should expect some waiting while everyone gathers.
By the middle of the crawl, the social side becomes more important. Games take place during the night, with prizes connected to local activities. You do not have to treat the games as a serious contest, but joining in gives you another way to meet people.
The prizes add a small sense of purpose beyond drinking. They may be appealing if you are looking for things to do in Queenstown during the rest of your stay. The supplied details do not specify the exact activities or the odds of winning, so think of the prizes as a bonus, not part of the financial value you expect to receive.
This is also where group size matters most. One particularly large outing had 112 people, and the guides were praised for keeping everyone under control. That suggests the system can handle a crowd, but it also means the evening may feel more like a party group than a small guided outing.
Free pizza is served during the crawl. It is a simple inclusion, but I consider it one of the more practical parts of the package. Pizza gives you something to eat as the night progresses, which is especially helpful when the included drinks are spread over several venues.
Do not treat it as a full dinner unless the amount provided is enough for you. The information does not state the serving size or exact serving time. If you need a proper meal, plan to eat before meeting at 9 PM rather than relying only on the pizza.
This is also a good point to pay attention to your pace. Five shots over several stops can add up quickly, especially when combined with extra drinks. The free snack helps, but it does not remove the need to drink responsibly.
The fifth bar is the last scheduled stop, and the activity finishes there just after midnight. The published duration is four hours, while the stated evening timetable runs from 9 PM to shortly after midnight. Allow a little flexibility around the meeting, venue changes, and final finish.
The last stop gives you a choice. You can leave when the organized part ends, or keep partying for as long as you want. Since there is no hotel pickup or drop-off, arrange your own way back to your accommodation.
Finishing in a bar rather than at a meeting point is convenient if you want to continue the night. It is less convenient if you are tired and expected the guides to return you somewhere. This is a central nightlife activity, not a transport service.
The price is the strongest reason to consider this crawl. For $17, you receive entry to five bars, five free shots, pizza, games, free photos, and drink discounts for the rest of your stay in town. Even if you use only some of those benefits, the cost is low compared with paying separate entry fees.
The package works best for an outgoing person who plans to buy drinks and visit several venues. It is less useful for someone who wants to avoid alcohol, because the main inclusions are built around shots and drink promotions.
Remember that the shots are not five full drinks, and extra drinks are not included. The real value comes from combining all the benefits: the route, the social setting, the free entry, the food, and the discounts.
A past group of four paid $130 in total, which is higher than the current listed price of $17 per person. Prices can change, so use the current booking price when judging value. At the stated price, the crawl is an inexpensive way to fill an evening in Queenstown.
The strongest theme of the outing is meeting people. Several participants used it to make friends, find company while travelling, or celebrate a birthday weekend. The format helps because everyone has already agreed to the same plan and keeps moving through the same venues.
I would recommend it especially if you are travelling alone, staying in Queenstown for a short time, or arriving without a nightlife plan. You can meet a mix of people from different countries and age groups, then decide who you want to spend more time with after the organized route ends.
The guides are central to the experience. They gather the group, explain the plan, lead the moves, and help keep people together. The available feedback repeatedly praised the hosts as friendly, fun, and easy to follow. No individual guide names are provided, but the staff support is clearly one of the activity’s most praised features.
Large groups can also be a drawback. If you dislike waiting, loud venues, or group movement, you may find the format tiring. Bring patience and keep track of your friends, since a crowd of more than 100 is possible.
Queenstown weather can turn wet and cold, and one particularly rainy night did not stop the crawl. You should dress for walking between venues and bring a layer that you do not mind carrying into bars.
You need a valid passport or New Zealand driver’s license. This is an 18-plus activity, and identification is required. A passport is specifically listed as something to bring, so do not assume another form of ID will be accepted.
There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. Meet at The London Bar, next door to Fergburger, and make your own plans for getting home. The activity uses an English-speaking live guide, so you should be comfortable following instructions in English.
The booking terms are flexible. You can reserve now and pay later, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Check the available start time when booking, since the general schedule is 9 PM but availability can vary.
Eat a proper meal before 9 PM, then use the pizza as a later snack. This gives you a better base for the evening and means you are not relying on an unspecified amount of food.
Keep your included drinks in mind before ordering more. The drink discounts are useful, but a discount still means spending money. If you want to control your budget, decide in advance how many extra drinks you will buy.
Stay close when the guides announce a move. The crawl works because the group leaves together, and wandering off can mean missing the next venue or included shot. Wear comfortable shoes and keep your passport secure.
Join the games if you want the social benefits. You may win a prize, but the more certain reward is having an easy conversation starter with people you have just met.
Finally, decide what you want from the night. If you want to sample Queenstown nightlife and meet a crowd, follow the route with an open attitude. If you want to select one carefully chosen bar and stay there, skip the crawl and make your own evening.
Book this activity if you want an affordable, social night with a ready-made route. It suits solo visitors, groups of friends, birthday celebrations, and anyone who wants to sample five venues without planning every stop.
Think twice if you dislike alcohol-focused activities, large groups, or fixed schedules. The crawl is not a food tour, a quiet pub walk, or a small private outing. It is a guided party night with free shots, music, games, and movement between venues.
For most people who already plan to go out, $17 is a fair deal. The five shots and free entry provide the clearest value, while pizza, photos, discounts, and prizes add useful extras. I would book it for a first night in Queenstown, especially if meeting people matters as much as seeing the bars.
FAQ

A few more Queenstown half-days to weigh up
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How much does the Queenstown bar crawl cost?
The listed price is $17 per person.
How long does the bar crawl last?
The activity is listed as four hours. The stated schedule begins at 9 PM and finishes at the last bar shortly after midnight.
Where does the bar crawl begin?
Meet downstairs at The London Bar, next door to Fergburger in Queenstown.
Same corner of the country, a completely different day out:
- Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise
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★ 4.7 · 1,682 reviews - From Queenstown: Milford Sound Full-Day Trip by Plane & Boat
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How many bars does the crawl visit?
The route visits five bars.
Are drinks included?
You receive five free shots, one at each bar. Extra drinks are not included, although drink discounts are available during the crawl and for your whole stay in town.
Is food included?
Yes. Free pizza is provided during the night.
Is entry to the bars included?
Yes. Entry into all five bars is included.
What identification do I need?
Bring a valid passport or New Zealand driver’s license. This is an 18-plus activity.
Can I cancel the booking?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.
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