Tbilisi: City Pub Crawl with welcome shots in game format

Tbilisi’s City Pub Crawl turns a night out into a guided social game, moving you through five bars in Sololaki with only short walks between stops. I like the easy way to meet people and the chance to find bars you might not notice on your own. I also like that guides such as Dmitry, Liza, Nino, and Georgi use games to get a small group talking quickly.

The main catch is the fixed drinking format. You receive one shot at each bar, but everything else costs extra, and the bars enforce both dress rules and sobriety rules. A small group can be intimate and friendly, but it may also feel less lively than expected.

Key things to know before you go

• Five bars in about four hours: You move through Sololaki on foot, usually with only five to ten minutes between stops.
• A social night, not a sightseeing tour: The focus is meeting people, games, drinks, and nightlife rather than Tbilisi landmarks.
• One free shot per bar: Food, water, extra alcohol, hookah, and other orders are paid separately.
• Games do the social work: Guides use contests and group activities to help strangers start talking.
• Dress matters at the door: Wear casual clothes and closed shoes. Avoid sportswear, sandals, and flip-flops.
• Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m.: The evening runs until about midnight and is for people aged 21 to 60.

A social way to see Tbilisi after dark

This is not a pub crawl built around racing through as many bars as possible. The evening is arranged as a guided party tour, with time to talk, play games, have a drink, and then walk together to the next venue.

That format matters in Tbilisi. If you are visiting alone, arriving without a ready-made group, or simply want a night that does not depend on finding the right bar by chance, the guide gives the evening some shape. You do not have to spend the first hour deciding where to go or trying to make conversation with strangers at a crowded counter.

The strongest part of the experience is the social design. The games give you something to do besides stand around with a drink. One night might include drinking games, contests, singing, or other group activities. The exact plan can change with the guide and the night’s events.

Guides have received especially warm praise for keeping the mood moving. Dmitry was described as flexible and attentive, while Liza was praised for taking the group to places people would not have found on their own. Other named guides include Nino, Georgi, Daria, Alexandra, Oleg, Alena, Lera, and Aliaksandra. The important point for you is that the guide has a large effect on the evening, since this is a people-first experience.

Starting at Crossroads in Sololaki

The stated meeting point is Crossroads Bar at 30 Shalva Dadiani Street, marked by an orange flag. Another piece of the booking information gives Bar22 at 22 Galaktion Tabidze Street as a meeting location, so you should confirm the exact starting point before setting out.

Once the group is together, the guide introduces the plan and helps break the ice. The itinerary begins at Crossroads and then moves to four more venues, finishing at Woland’s Speakeasy. You are not being driven from place to place. The bars are within walking distance in the Sololaki district, with the route designed to keep each walk to roughly five or ten minutes.

That is a useful setup for a night out. You can stay with the group without dealing with taxis, and the short walks provide a natural pause between drinks and activities. Wear shoes that are comfortable enough for several short walks over city streets.

The route may also be adjusted to include a party, concert, or a bar performance, including dancing on the bar. This adds an element of surprise, though it also means the exact nightlife program is not fixed in advance.

The first local bar and the 40-minute welcome

The first local bar is scheduled for around 40 minutes. This is where the group begins to settle into its rhythm. You receive a welcome shot, meet the other participants, and take part in the first games.

Forty minutes is enough time to move beyond introductions without making the first stop feel like a full evening. If the group is small, the guide can usually give people more room to talk. If you arrive alone, this first stop is the most important one for getting comfortable.

The activity includes an English-speaking guide, and Russian is also available. The games are designed to bring people together, so you do not need to arrive with a group of friends. Several people have praised the way the evening helps strangers become a genuine social group.

The first shot is included, but do not mistake that for an open bar. You get one free welcome shot in each venue. If you order another drink, water, food, or hookah, you pay the bar directly.

Two more bars with different moods

The second bar receives about 45 minutes, followed by a third local bar for another 45 minutes. The appeal here is variety. The venues are selected to have different moods, rather than making the night feel like the same bar repeated five times.

The exact names and style of every venue are not guaranteed, which is part of the point. Liza was praised for bringing people to places they would not have thought to visit alone. Another guide-led evening ended with karaoke in an underground bar, showing how the final activity can sometimes be more than a simple drink and departure.

You should expect a mix of conversation, games, and time to enjoy the venue. The guides may offer bonuses or small prizes during the activities, and photos are included. The photos are a nice extra for a social night, especially if you are traveling alone and would otherwise have few pictures of the evening.

These middle stops are also where the limits of the experience become clear. If you want a quiet night focused on local beer, Georgian wine, or detailed explanations of Tbilisi’s bar culture, this is not the right format. The guide’s attention is on the group and the games, not on giving each drink a cultural explanation.

Finishing at Woland’s Speakeasy

The route finishes at Woland’s Speakeasy after the group has visited five bars or clubs in total. The itinerary allows about four hours, with the published operating window running from 9 p.m. to midnight.

A final venue gives the night a proper ending instead of simply dispersing after the last stop. You might find a more relaxed final conversation, another activity, or a music-focused atmosphere. Past evenings have included karaoke, and the organizers plan routes around parties, concerts, and other events when possible.

The finish is also practical. If you enjoy the group, you can continue the night together. If you have had enough, the official portion is complete. Remember that the tour does not include your later drinks or any spending after the included welcome shots.

What the $31 price really covers

At $31 per person, the price is fair if you value structure and social access. You are paying for a guide, entry to five bars or clubs, five welcome shots, games, and photos. You also avoid the work of planning a route and choosing venues in an unfamiliar city.

The value is weaker if you mainly want drinks. Five included shots do not cover a full night of drinking, and additional alcohol, water, meals, and hookah are not included. You should bring extra money for anything beyond the one welcome drink at each stop.

The price also covers something less visible: the group connection. A solo visitor can join without needing to build a night from scratch. The games and the guide provide a ready-made reason to speak with people from different countries, and the small group format can make that easier than approaching strangers in a bar.

Group size can vary. One person had a small group of seven and still had a very good night, while another person found the group smaller than hoped. A small group may allow more direct attention from the guide, but it will not produce the same party energy as a packed crawl.

Dress rules and entry checks

Take the dress code seriously. The bars use door checks, and people in sportswear may be refused entry. Sandals and flip-flops are specifically not allowed, so closed casual shoes are the safe choice.

You also need to avoid arriving too intoxicated. The venues can refuse entry if you have already had too much to drink. This rule can feel strict during a pub crawl, but it helps explain why the group moves through several controlled venues rather than treating the night as an unrestricted drinking session.

Bring your passport or ID card. A copy is accepted according to the activity information. All participants must be at least 21 years old, and the activity is listed as unsuitable for people over 60, pregnant women, and people with heart problems.

The age guidance is worth noting before you book. This is an adult nightlife activity with alcohol, standing, walking, and late hours. It is not suitable for children or anyone looking for a gentle evening.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this crawl to a solo visitor, a couple who wants to meet people, or a small group looking for a ready-made night out. It is especially useful during a short Tbilisi stay, when you want to sample several places without spending time researching the city’s nightlife.

You should also like group games and casual conversation. The evening works best when you are willing to introduce yourself, join an activity, and accept that the group may include people with different drinking habits and personalities.

The crawl is less suitable if you dislike organized social events, do not drink alcohol, or want a detailed tour of Tbilisi. It is also a poor fit if you need a quiet, seated evening. The guides can help keep the group together, but the basic format remains a moving bar party.

The strong feedback centers on the same features: fun guides, varied venues, simple games, and the chance to meet people from many countries. Several guides have been singled out by name, but staff assignments can change, so you should not book solely to meet one particular guide.

Practical timing and cancellation advice

The crawl runs on Friday and Saturday evenings, starting at 9 p.m. and ending around midnight. That makes it easy to pair with an earlier dinner, but you should not arrive at the meeting point after drinking heavily.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if your Tbilisi plans are still shifting. Check the available date and start time when booking, since the tour operates only on the stated evenings.

At the door, show your passport or ID card, or an accepted copy. Confirm the meeting address because the supplied information names Crossroads Bar and also gives Bar22 as a location. The more specific itinerary points to Crossroads Bar at 30 Shalva Dadiani Street, with an orange flag as the landmark.

Should you book the Tbilisi City Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want a structured night, five different venues, easy introductions, and a guide who keeps the group active. At $31, it offers good value for solo visitors and social drinkers who would otherwise pay for several entries and spend the evening planning their own route.

Skip it if you want to choose every bar yourself, avoid alcohol, or spend the night learning about Georgian drinks and history. Also think twice if you dislike door checks or organized games.

For the best chance of a smooth night, wear casual clothes and closed shoes, bring ID, budget for extra drinks, and confirm the meeting point. If those details suit you, this is a lively and practical way to meet people and sample Tbilisi nightlife without having to find your way alone.

FAQ

How long does the Tbilisi City Pub Crawl last?

The activity lasts about four hours. It runs from approximately 9 p.m. until midnight on Friday and Saturday evenings.

How many bars are included?

Entry to five bars or clubs is included. The route begins at Crossroads Bar and finishes at Woland’s Speakeasy.

How many welcome shots do I receive?

You receive one free welcome shot at each bar, for a total of five welcome shots.

Are additional drinks included?

No. Additional alcohol, water, food, hookah, and other orders are paid for separately at the bars.

Where does the pub crawl meet?

The stated meeting point is Crossroads Bar at 30 Shalva Dadiani Street, marked by an orange flag. The booking information also mentions Bar22 at 22 Galaktion Tabidze Street, so confirm the exact location before going.

How far apart are the bars?

The venues are in Tbilisi’s Sololaki district and are usually about five to ten minutes apart on foot.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides are available in English and Russian.

What should I wear?

Wear casual clothes and closed shoes. Sportswear, sandals, and flip-flops are not allowed or may lead to refusal at a venue.

What identification do I need?

Bring a passport or ID card. A copy is accepted according to the activity information.

Who can join the pub crawl?

All participants must be older than 21. The activity is listed as unsuitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, and people over 60.