Edinburgh: Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots

Edinburgh’s Old Town makes a fine setting for a pub crawl because the bars are linked by narrow streets, steep lanes, and plenty of nighttime energy. This five-hour outing takes you to seven venues, with six included shots and no cover charge at the stops. Guides such as Tom, Robin, Esther, Adam, and Lewis keep the night moving and help solo guests meet people fast.

I like the fixed route because you do not have to spend the evening guessing which doorway is worth trying. I also like the practical value: $20 includes six shots, VIP entry, and selected drink discounts. The catch is simple. This is built for a lively night of drinking and dancing, not a quiet tasting tour, and six shots over five hours can be a lot.

Key points at a glance

• Seven Old Town bars: Walk between a range of Edinburgh nightlife spots rather than staying in one pub.
• Six included shots: The activity provider selects the shots, so the exact drinks may vary.
• Bar 50 is the meeting point: Start inside the venue and finish back at the same meeting point.
• No cover charges: VIP entry can save money and time at the venues visited.
• Social guides: Tom, Robin, Esther, Adam, Cameron, Abby, and Lewis are among the guides praised for humor, energy, and group care.
• A five-hour night out: Bring passport or ID, wear something suitable for walking, and expect a drinking-focused evening for adults 18 and over.

Starting at Bar 50 in Edinburgh’s Old Town

You meet your guide inside Bar 50. That indoor meeting point matters, especially in Edinburgh weather, since you are not left waiting on a dark corner trying to spot a group.

The guide sets the tone early. Expect English-language instructions about the evening, the venues, and keeping the group together. The best guides do more than point toward the next pub. Tom, for example, is praised for explaining what to expect at each stop, helping people get comfortable with one another, and checking that nobody is left behind.

This is a joined group activity, and the size can change. One group included more than 30 people, while another was small enough for everyone to talk easily. A larger group gives you more chances to meet people from different places, but it can also mean more waiting when the guide counts heads or moves everyone through a doorway.

Bring a passport or ID card. The minimum age is 18, and the activity is not suitable for children or pregnant women. Do not rely on a photo of your identification unless the venue accepts it, since the supplied information specifically asks you to bring a passport or ID card.

Seven bars, seven different moods

The point is not to spend five hours in one packed room. You move through seven Old Town venues, with the guide choosing the practical route and handling entry. The exact order and bar selection may vary, so you should think of this as a guided night out rather than a fixed pub history tour.

The venues are described as a mix of nightlife spots, traditional pubs, modern bars, and places suited to dancing. One evening included an old-fashioned pub, a more modern bar, and Dropkick Murphy’s, a louder drink-and-dance stop. That range is useful because you are not betting the whole evening on one kind of atmosphere.

Some bars may be lively, while others may be quiet depending on the night. A midweek outing can feel less energetic at a few stops, though that can also make it easier to talk. If you want every venue to be packed and loud, a Friday or Saturday may better suit you, but the activity information does not promise a particular day or crowd level.

The walking between bars is part of the experience. You pass through Old Town back streets and get a quick look at parts of the center you might not choose on your own. This is not a guided architecture walk, and you should not expect detailed historical commentary at every turn. Still, the movement gives the evening a sense of place and breaks up the drinking.

Wear comfortable shoes. The route includes walking through central Edinburgh, and Old Town streets are not known for being perfectly flat or simple. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but the supplied information does not explain the exact route, venue entrances, toilets, or any step-free arrangements. If those details matter to you, confirm them before booking.

What the six included shots really mean

Six shots are included, with the activity provider selecting them for you. That makes the offer easy to understand, but it also means you may not choose every flavor or spirit yourself.

The shots are spread through the evening rather than served all at once. Guides help keep the group moving from one stop to the next, and the included drinks give everyone a shared reason to raise a glass and start conversations. Several guides are praised for creating a relaxed group where solo people can join in without feeling stranded.

Still, six shots should be treated as a serious amount of alcohol. You may also buy other drinks at the bars, but food is not included. Eat before you arrive or plan to purchase food separately. Do not view the six shots as the full cost of the night, since additional drinks, late-night food, and transport are your responsibility.

The wording selected specifically for you should not be read as a personalized medical or dietary choice. It refers to the shots supplied by the activity provider. If you avoid certain ingredients or do not drink alcohol, ask about alternatives before booking. The supplied information does not promise nonalcoholic substitutions.

How the guides shape the evening

The guide can make or break a pub crawl. Here, the strongest part of the experience is the human work between venues: introducing people, explaining the plan, keeping an eye on the group, and making sure nobody wanders off.

Tom receives praise for being friendly, funny, and good at helping strangers bond. He also made a point of assisting visually impaired members of one group, choosing more accessible walking routes, bringing menus, finding suitable seating, and helping a guide dog feel included. That suggests a thoughtful approach, though you should remember that guide assignments can change.

Robin is praised for looking after the group and making solo guests feel safe. Esther and Robin were also noted for staying organized when a guest needed to return to a bar for a lost hat. Adam is described as warm and funny, with a knack for making couples and solo guests feel at ease. Lewis brought high energy to one especially memorable night, while Cameron, Abby, and Justin are also named as engaging hosts.

You should not book this expecting one specific guide, since names depend on the date. But the pattern is clear: the guide’s job is not only to get you through the doors. It is to turn a group of strangers into a temporary social circle.

That can be especially useful if you are traveling alone. You have an easy opening line at each stop, a shared route, and a group to return to after ordering a drink. Couples and friends can join too, though you may spend much of the night meeting other people rather than staying in a private bubble.

VIP entry and the value of $20

At $20 per person, the price is reasonable if you use the included benefits. Six shots alone can make a noticeable difference to your bar bill, and VIP entry with no cover charge can be useful at clubs or busier venues. The additional 25 percent discount at selected bars and clubs adds value if you decide to buy more drinks.

The deal works best for someone who plans to visit several nightlife venues anyway. Paying separate entry fees, finding each location, and choosing where to go next can quickly cost more than the tour. You also save time and avoid the common first-night problem of walking into a bar that is too quiet, too crowded, or simply not your scene.

The value is weaker if you drink very little, prefer to choose every stop yourself, or would rather spend $20 on one relaxed pub with a meal. Food is not included, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included either. You must reach Bar 50 independently and arrange your own way home after the activity returns there.

The price also does not guarantee that every venue will be busy. The night’s energy depends on the day and the crowd. The tour gives you access and structure, but it cannot control how full each bar is.

A five-hour route with a clear rhythm

The activity lasts five hours. That is long enough to see a useful slice of Edinburgh nightlife without making you plan the evening around several separate reservations.

A typical rhythm is simple:

• Meet inside Bar 50 and join the guide.
• Get the evening’s instructions and begin meeting the rest of the group.
• Walk to the first venues, receiving included shots during the route.
• Spend time at seven bars with changing atmospheres.
• Use VIP entry and skip cover charges at the included stops.
• Return to Bar 50 when the activity ends.

The exact time of day is not given in advance on the supplied information, so check availability before booking. Starting times can affect the mood. Earlier evening departures may begin quietly and build later. A later start may place you in busier nightlife hours from the beginning.

The guide-led structure helps prevent the night from becoming disorganized. You do not need to map the bars or keep checking your phone for directions. On the other hand, you have less freedom to linger at one favorite spot, since the group must move on to complete the route.

Who will enjoy this most

This is a strong match for solo adults who want company without arranging a full night from scratch. It also suits small groups of friends who want to meet other people and discover bars beyond the most obvious choices.

You will probably enjoy it if you:

• Want a social night rather than a quiet drink.
• Like moving between several venues.
• Want included drinks and no cover charges.
• Prefer a guide to handle the route and group organization.
• Are comfortable with a busy, alcohol-focused evening.
• Want a simple way to meet people in Edinburgh.

It is less suitable if you are looking for a whisky education, a food-focused pub tour, a calm traditional-pub evening, or a carefully selected cocktail crawl. The activity is about nightlife, social energy, and variety. The six shots make that clear.

Older participants can still enjoy it if they like the format. One group included a mother and adult son who had a good time with the guides. The main question is not age alone. It is your comfort with loud venues, walking, group movement, and a fair amount of alcohol.

Practical details before you book

You meet and finish at Bar 50, with no hotel pickup or drop-off. Plan your route to the meeting point and your return trip separately. The activity lasts five hours, but your own night may continue afterward, especially since the group returns to the starting location rather than ending at a hotel.

The tour is conducted in English. If you do not understand English well enough to follow group instructions, the social and logistical parts may be difficult.

Wheelchair access is listed, which is helpful, but the information does not give detailed accessibility notes for each of the seven bars or the walking route. Ask before booking if you need step-free access, accessible toilets, or a particular seating arrangement.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available, allowing you to hold a place without paying immediately. Check the current terms and starting time when you book.

Should you book the Edinburgh pub crawl?

Book it if you want an affordable, energetic introduction to Edinburgh nightlife and like the idea of meeting strangers over a shared route. The strongest reasons are the seven venues, six included shots, no cover charges, and guides who put real effort into keeping people together and comfortable.

Skip it if you dislike group schedules, drink little, or want a quiet evening with control over every stop. Six shots can be more than some people expect, and the final quality of the night depends partly on the guide, the group, and how busy the bars are.

For solo adults, first-time visitors, and small groups seeking a social night, this is a practical choice. Eat beforehand, bring your ID, wear sensible shoes, and treat the six shots as a limit to plan around rather than a challenge to beat.

FAQ

Where does the Edinburgh pub crawl start?

It starts inside Bar 50 in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Where does the activity finish?

The pub crawl ends back at the meeting point, Bar 50.

How many bars are included?

The activity visits seven bars in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

How many shots are included?

Six shots are included. The activity provider selects the shots.

Is entry to the bars included?

VIP entry and no cover charge are included for the venues visited. A 25 percent discount is also available at selected bars and clubs.

How long does the pub crawl last?

The activity lasts five hours. Starting times depend on availability.

What identification should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card. The activity is for adults aged 18 and over.