Queenstown: Bar Crawl with 5 Free Shots and Pizza

Queenstown’s nightlife is easy to find but harder to crack on your first night. This four-hour bar crawl gives you a ready-made route through five party spots, with a free shot at each stop, pizza along the way, and guides who keep the group moving. It is a simple way to meet people when you have just arrived.

I like the low price of $17 and the useful mix of extras: five shots, free entry, food, drink discounts, games, and photos. I also like the social setup. Groups can be large, sometimes reaching more than 100 people, so you are likely to meet a wide mix of ages and nationalities in one evening.

The main thing to consider is the size and energy of the group. This is a loud, alcohol-focused night rather than a relaxed pub walk, and five shots in four hours can catch up with you quickly. Pace yourself, eat the pizza, and treat the free drinks as optional rather than a challenge.

Key points to know before you book

• Five Queenstown venues: You are escorted between five nightlife spots, each with its own atmosphere.
• Five free shots: One welcome shot is included at every bar, along with free entry.
• Pizza during the night: Food helps take the edge off the drinking, though extra drinks cost more.
• Meet at 9 PM: Start downstairs at The London Bar, next door to Fergburger.
• Large social groups: The crawl can attract more than 100 people, which is good for meeting others but less personal.
• 18-plus only: Bring a valid passport or New Zealand driver’s licence.

Starting at The London Bar at 9 PM

The night begins downstairs at The London Bar, next door to Fergburger. That location is easy to find in central Queenstown, especially if you use the famous burger shop as your landmark.

You meet the guides here, receive your wristband, and get the first shot voucher. The opening stop also gives you a short briefing about how the night works. The guides tell you when it is time to move and come looking for the group before departure, which matters when you are in a crowded bar and busy talking.

I like this start because it removes the awkward first step. You do not need to work out which bar is busy, guess where the queue is, or decide where to go next. You simply arrive, check in, and join the group.

The first venue is also a useful point to meet people. Come early enough to settle in, introduce yourself, and find a few people who seem to match your pace. If you arrive with friends, make an effort to speak with others. That is where much of the value lies.

Four more stops with different moods

After a short time at The London, the group moves through four more Queenstown bars. The exact venue order and the character of each stop can vary, but the plan is clear: five popular party places, one included shot at each, and a different setting as the night progresses.

That variety is one of the better parts of the crawl. Instead of spending the whole night in one room, you get a quick look at several parts of Queenstown’s evening scene. One bar may feel more suited to conversation, while another may be louder and more focused on dancing or group energy. The supplied details do not promise a fixed theme for every venue, so you should expect variety rather than a carefully planned tasting tour.

At each stop, the guides help the group enter together. Your wristband identifies you as part of the crawl, and free entry means you avoid paying a separate cover charge at every venue. You also receive one shot at each bar. The drinks included are set by the operator and venue, so do not assume you can swap them for any drink on the menu.

The group moves on after enough time at each place to enjoy the venue without spending the whole night there. That makes the crawl a good fit if you are curious about Queenstown’s nightlife but do not want to commit to one bar. It can feel rushed if you prefer long conversations or want to settle into a single room.

Why the free pizza matters

The free pizza is more than a small bonus. Five shots, extra drinks, late-night noise, and several venue changes can make for a rough night if you have not eaten. Pizza gives you something solid during the crawl and helps keep the evening from becoming a chain of drinks on an empty stomach.

The details do not specify exactly when or where the pizza is served, so think of it as food provided during the night rather than a sit-down meal. If you need a full dinner, eat beforehand. The pizza is useful fuel, not a replacement for a proper meal.

I would make a point of eating some before the first shot as well. The included food is helpful, but it may arrive later than you expect, and people do not all eat at the same speed. A little planning makes the night much more comfortable.

Games, prizes, and a reason to join in

Games run during the crawl, with prizes connected to local activities. The exact games and prizes are not listed, so you should not book this expecting a particular competition or a guaranteed activity prize.

Still, the games serve a practical purpose. A bar crawl can otherwise become a series of introductions that fade as soon as the group moves on. Shared games give you an easy opening line and help break up the night. If you are shy, joining one game can be a better way to meet people than trying to start a conversation in a loud bar.

The guides are an important part of this. Several comments praise the hosts for keeping a very large group together, explaining the plan, and making the movement between bars easy to follow. That is not a small job when the group reaches 112 people.

You should still take responsibility for yourself. Stay close enough to hear the guide, remember which group you are with, and do not wander off expecting the crawl to wait indefinitely. Large groups are manageable, but they are not personal tours.

Five shots, drink deals, and sensible pacing

The value looks strong on paper. At $17, you receive five shots, free entry to five bars, pizza, games, photos, and drink discounts for your whole stay in town. Even if you only use some of those extras, the package can cost less than paying cover charges and buying food separately.

The five shots are also the biggest risk. One shot at each venue sounds manageable at the start of the night, but the schedule can move quickly. Add extra drinks, late hours, and the excitement of a new group, and you may feel the effects sooner than planned.

I would use the included shots as a choice, not an obligation. You can skip one, drink slowly, or alternate with water and other non-alcoholic drinks if those are available. The supplied details only promise the five shots and discounts, not unlimited drinks.

The drink discounts continue for your whole stay in town, which adds value beyond the four-hour crawl. The exact discounts are not provided, so check the terms when you receive them. This perk is most useful if you plan to visit the participating bars again during your Queenstown stay.

One past night included several Jager shots toward the end, according to one personal account. That may not happen every time, but it is a useful warning about the kind of drinking culture you may encounter. Do not let the word free push you into drinking more than you want.

What the final bar is like

The crawl finishes at the last bar just after midnight. The official activity ends there, but you can keep partying for as long as you like.

That ending gives you flexibility. You can leave once the four-hour plan is over, stay at the final venue, or continue elsewhere in Queenstown. You are not being sent back to a hotel, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so arrange your own way back.

Because the last stop comes after several drinks and a late evening, think ahead about your return. The tour takes place in central Queenstown, but the details do not promise transport after the crawl. Keep your accommodation address handy and avoid losing your phone or identification.

The social side: excellent for meeting people

The strongest reason to choose this crawl is the chance to meet people quickly. The group brings together solo visitors, friends on weekend trips, and people who simply want help finding the nightlife. A range of ages and nationalities can make the evening feel less closed off than going to a bar alone.

I would especially recommend it for someone arriving in Queenstown without a ready-made social circle. It is also useful for a birthday weekend or group trip when you want a planned night out without choosing every venue yourself.

The large group cuts both ways. It gives you many chances to meet people, but it can also make the experience noisy and impersonal. If you want a quiet drink, a local history lesson, or a small group with plenty of guide attention, this is not the right format.

The guides seem to be the steady part of the evening. Their job is to explain the plan, hand out the first voucher, lead the group, and keep people moving. Good hosts matter here because the crawl’s success depends less on a formal tour script and more on clear timing and group control.

Value at $17 per person

At the advertised price, this is one of the cheaper organized nightlife activities in Queenstown. You receive five free shots, free admission, free pizza, games, photos, and drink discounts. A previous group paid $130 for four people, but prices can change, so check the current rate when booking.

The best value comes if you use the crawl as an introduction to Queenstown. You see five bars in one night, learn which venues suit you, and receive discounts that may help during the rest of your stay.

The package is less valuable if you do not drink, dislike crowds, or already know exactly where you want to go. Extra drinks are not included, and the low price should not be mistaken for an all-inclusive night out.

Free photos from the night are uploaded to Facebook. That gives you a record of the evening, though the information does not specify how many photos will be taken or when they will appear. Think of this as a small extra rather than a central reason to book.

Practical details that shape the night

This is an 18-plus activity. You must bring a valid passport or New Zealand driver’s licence. Other forms of identification are not listed, so do not rely on a student card or a photo on your phone.

The live guide speaks English. The activity lasts about four hours and begins at 9 PM, ending at the final bar shortly after midnight. Check the available date and start time when booking, since the general details direct you to confirm availability.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You meet at The London Bar, downstairs next door to Fergburger, and make your own arrangements afterward.

You can cancel 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 changing. The express security check is included in the activity information, but it does not remove the need to bring valid identification.

Who should book this Queenstown night out?

I would choose this crawl if you want a cheap, social first night and enjoy moving between busy bars. It suits solo visitors, small friend groups, birthday weekends, and anyone who wants guides to handle the route.

You should also be comfortable with alcohol, noise, games, and a large crowd. The night is built around meeting people and keeping the energy high, not around tasting drinks carefully or talking with a local guide in a quiet setting.

If you prefer to control your own pace, you can still use the crawl as a framework. Join the group for the venues that appeal to you, skip a shot if you wish, and leave at the end rather than staying out late.

Should you book the Kiwi Crawl?

Book it if you want five bars, five included shots, food, and a ready-made social group for $17. The strongest parts are the price, the varied venues, the friendly hosts, and the easy way to meet people soon after arriving in Queenstown.

Skip it if you dislike large groups or want a calm evening with more time in each bar. This is a lively party route, and the drinking can build quickly. Bring your passport or New Zealand driver’s licence, eat before you arrive, and pace yourself. With those points in mind, it offers a practical and inexpensive introduction to Queenstown after dark.

FAQ

How much does the Queenstown bar crawl cost?

The advertised price is $17 per person.

How long does the activity last?

The bar crawl lasts four hours and finishes at the final bar shortly after midnight.

What time does the crawl begin?

The group meets at 9 PM.

Where is the meeting point?

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

How many bars are included?

The crawl visits five Queenstown bars.

Are drinks included?

You receive one free shot at each of the five bars. Extra drinks are not included, but drink discounts are provided for your whole stay in town.

Is food included?

Yes. Free pizza is provided during the night.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What identification do I need?

Bring a valid passport or New Zealand driver’s licence.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.