Queenstown: Bar Crawl with 5 Free Shots and Pizza

Queenstown’s $17 bar crawl is built around a simple deal: five bars, five free shots, free pizza, and a guided night out that finishes shortly after midnight. You start at The London Bar beside Fergburger, then move from venue to venue with guides who keep the group together and explain when it is time to go.

I like the easy social setup and the value. You do not need to plan a route, pay entry at each bar, or work out where the night is heading. Free pizza is a welcome touch, and the drink discounts continue for your stay. The main thing to consider is the size of the group. One night drew 112 people, so this is a lively group event, not a quiet pub evening.

Key points at a glance

• Five venues in four hours: You get a quick taste of several Queenstown bars instead of settling into one place.
• Five included shots: One welcome shot is provided at each stop, with extra drinks at your own cost.
• Pizza during the night: The food gives you something to eat between drinks, though it is not a full dinner.
• A social way to meet people: The format suits solo visitors, birthday groups, and anyone keen to make friends.
• Games with activity prizes: Joining in can give you a chance to win local activity prizes.
• A large, energetic group: Numbers can be high, which adds energy but may make the crawl feel crowded.

Starting at The London beside Fergburger

The night begins downstairs at The London Bar at 9 PM. The meeting point is easy to identify: it is next door to Fergburger, one of Queenstown’s best-known food stops. If you are meeting friends in town first, this central location is handy, but allow enough time to find the downstairs entrance and check in.

You receive a wristband and your first drink voucher at the start. The guides explain how the evening works, including the plan to move between venues and the timing for each change. This short introduction matters because the group can be large. Once the crawl is underway, you want to know who to follow and how the next move will be announced.

The first bar is not meant to be the whole evening. You spend a short time there before heading to the next venue, where the party atmosphere picks up. Think of the opening stop as a meeting point and warm-up rather than a long pub session.

Bring your passport or a New Zealand driver’s licence. This is an 18-plus activity, and a valid form of identification is required. A photograph or another form of ID is not listed as acceptable, so bring the actual document.

Five bars, five different moods

The heart of the crawl is the movement through five Queenstown nightlife spots. The exact venues can vary, so you should not book this expecting a fixed list of famous bars. What you get is a guided circuit through several popular party venues, with a different feel at each stop.

The first venue gives everyone time to meet. The second is where the night begins to gather pace. The remaining bars provide the variety that makes the crawl more useful than simply ordering drinks in one place. You might find a quieter start, a louder middle section, and a final venue aimed at keeping the party going after the official activity ends.

At each bar, you receive one free shot on entry. That is the main value of the package, but it also sets the pace. Five shots across four hours can be a lot, particularly if you add purchased drinks. You control what you drink, and you do not need to accept every included shot if you would rather slow down.

Free entry at all five bars also keeps the costs predictable. Queenstown is not the cheapest place for a night out, so avoiding separate door charges can make a noticeable difference. The package does not include extra drinks, and your bill will rise if you use the drink discounts often.

The guides lead the group from one venue to the next. That removes much of the usual Queenstown nightlife guesswork. You do not have to choose a bar from a map, wait in several lines while deciding, or persuade a new group of friends to move on. You simply stay with the crawl and see where the night goes.

Pizza, games, and prizes between the shots

The free pizza is one of the most practical parts of the evening. It gives you some food during a night centered on alcohol, which is better than starting with an empty stomach and relying only on shots and drinks. Still, treat it as a snack or shared food, not a replacement for dinner.

I would eat a proper meal before arriving, especially if you know you will want to try all five included shots. The meeting time is 9 PM, so have dinner earlier in the evening. You can then use the pizza as a useful pause rather than your only meal.

Games run during the crawl, with prizes connected to local activities. The games add structure to the night and give people an easy way to start talking. If you are traveling alone, joining a game can be less awkward than trying to introduce yourself to a large group at a crowded bar.

You do not have to take the games seriously. The point is social contact and a bit of competition. Prizes may appeal to you if you are planning other Queenstown activities, but the package does not promise a prize for everyone.

The guides keep a big night manageable

A group can become difficult to handle when it moves through five venues. One recorded group reached 112 people, yet the guides were praised for keeping everyone together and making the route easy to follow. That is an important part of the experience, not a small extra.

The guides provide the practical rhythm of the night. They distribute the first voucher, explain the plan, signal when the group is moving, and help you find the next venue. You are still responsible for keeping track of your belongings and staying with the group, but you do not have to manage the whole evening yourself.

The published tour language identifies the guiding language as English. Specific guide names are not provided, so you should expect a team-led experience rather than a tour built around one named host.

The social side receives the strongest praise. This format works particularly well if you are on your own, arriving in Queenstown without a nightlife plan, or hoping to meet people from several countries. It also suits a birthday weekend or a small group that wants to begin together before deciding how late to stay out.

Large numbers are both a strength and a weakness. A big group creates plenty of chances to meet people, but it can be harder to have a proper conversation. The final choice depends on your mood. If you want a friendly, loud night with constant movement, the size helps. If you want intimate conversation and careful cocktail service, choose something else.

Drink discounts that last beyond midnight

The official activity lasts four hours and finishes in the last bar just after midnight. That does not mean your night must end. You can stay in the final bar or continue elsewhere for as long as you like.

The useful extra is the drink discount for your whole stay in Queenstown. This gives the package value beyond one evening, particularly if you plan to go out more than once. Keep the relevant wristband or discount information with you, since the offer is tied to the crawl.

The discounts do not make every drink free. You still pay for anything beyond the five included shots and the pizza. Set a spending limit before you start. Five venues make it easy to keep ordering simply because the group has moved somewhere new.

You should also think about the pace. A free shot at every entrance sounds generous at this price, but it is not a requirement to drink all five. The best way to enjoy the night is to treat the inclusions as options, eat the pizza, and choose your own speed.

What $17 really buys you

At the stated price of $17 per person, the arithmetic is unusually favorable. Five shots alone would normally account for much of that cost, before adding pizza, entry to five bars, games, and guide support. The value improves again if you use the continuing drink discounts later in your stay.

The package is not a complete night-out budget. You still need money for extra drinks, and the included food is not positioned as dinner. You also need to pay your own way to the meeting point because hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

The real value is convenience. You are paying to have the evening arranged, not just for alcohol. The route, group, venue entry, social introductions, and timing are already handled. That is useful in a city where you may not know which places suit your age, mood, or budget.

At this price, the crawl makes more sense for someone who wants to visit several venues. If you already know exactly where you want to spend the evening, a bar crawl can feel restrictive. You will need to leave each venue with the group, even if you have just settled into a conversation.

Who should book this Queenstown night out?

I would recommend it to:

• Solo visitors who want an easy way to meet people.
• Friends celebrating a birthday or weekend away.
• First-time Queenstown visitors who want a quick introduction to the nightlife.
• Young adults who enjoy loud venues, games, and group energy.
• Anyone who values included entry, food, and drinks at a low upfront cost.

I would be more cautious if you dislike crowds, need a quiet evening, or want to choose every bar yourself. The activity is firmly 18-plus and alcohol-centered. It is not designed as a food tour, a history walk, or a relaxed tasting experience.

You also need to be comfortable with a late start. Meeting at 9 PM means this fills the traditional nightlife hours rather than replacing an early dinner. Plan your evening around that start time.

Practical details before you go

The activity lasts about four hours, beginning at 9 PM and finishing just after midnight. Availability can vary, so check the starting time when booking. Meet downstairs at The London Bar, next to Fergburger.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Queenstown plans are still shifting.

The tour includes express security entry, but the main practical requirement is identification. Bring a passport or New Zealand driver’s licence. The activity is only for people aged 18 and over.

No hotel transport is provided. You need to reach The London yourself and arrange your own way home after the crawl, especially if you do not plan to remain at the last bar.

The activity includes free photos uploaded to Facebook. This can be a nice record of the evening, though you should expect casual nightlife photographs rather than a private photo session.

Should you book the Queenstown bar crawl?

Book it if you want a low-cost, social introduction to Queenstown after dark. The combination of five venues, five shots, pizza, entry, games, and continuing drink discounts gives you a lot for $17. The strongest reason to choose it is not any single bar. It is the simple way the crawl helps you meet people and keep moving through town without planning the night yourself.

Skip it if you want a small group, a quiet drink, or complete control over your route. The possible 112-person crowd is worth taking seriously, and the five-shot format can move quickly. Eat beforehand, bring the right ID, keep your expectations social rather than sophisticated, and decide your drinking pace in advance.

For a first night in Queenstown, a solo visit, or a birthday weekend where meeting new people matters, this is a strong-value pick. For a carefully chosen night of food and drinks with close friends, make your own route instead.

FAQ

Where does the Queenstown bar crawl start?

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

What time does the activity begin?

The group meets at 9 PM.

How long does the bar crawl last?

The activity lasts four hours and finishes in the final bar just after midnight.

How many bars are included?

The crawl visits five bars in Queenstown.

Are the five shots included in the price?

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

Is food included?

Yes. Free pizza is provided during the night.

Are extra drinks included?

No. Extra drinks are not included, although drink discounts are available during your stay in Queenstown.

What identification do I need?

Bring a valid passport or a New Zealand driver’s licence. 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. Reserve now and pay later is also available.