Edinburgh: Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots

Seven bars, six shots, and five hours give this Edinburgh night out a clear mission: get you from Bar 50 through the Old Town’s drinking circuit without wasting time on queues or guessing which door to try. Guides such as Tom, Adam, Esther, Robyn, Cameron, and Lewis keep the group moving, explain the evening, and help strangers become a social group. The back-street route is part of the fun.

I like the simple value: $20 includes six shots and VIP entry, while selected bars offer a 25% discount. I also like the human side of it. Guides are expected to keep track of the group, help people stay together, and make solo visitors feel included. The main caution is obvious: six shots plus several more hours in bars can catch up with you quickly, especially if you skip food.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven Old Town venues: You move through a mix of pubs, bars, and dance spots rather than staying in one place.
• Six included shots: The activity provider selects the shots, so you do not choose the exact drinks in advance.
• Bar 50 is both meeting and finishing point: Plan to arrive there at the stated start time and collect your bearings before the group sets off.
• No cover charges: VIP entry is included at the venues visited, a useful saving on a busy night.
• Good for solo visitors: The group format makes it easy to meet people from different countries and backgrounds.
• English and 18-plus only: Bring a passport or ID card, and remember that food and hotel transport are not included.

Seven bars in five hours, with the Old Town between them

This is not a historical walking tour with a drink added on. It is a guided night out that uses Edinburgh’s Old Town as its stage. You meet inside Bar 50, then walk with the group to six more venues over roughly five hours before returning to the original meeting point.

The route through side streets matters. Edinburgh’s Old Town has plenty of obvious pubs, but a visitor who simply follows the busiest crowd can miss smaller or less familiar places. Your guide takes care of the decisions, which is useful when you are new to the city or trying to organize a night for a group of friends.

The seven stops are described as a mix of excellent venues and different moods. Exact bars can vary, so you should not book this expecting a fixed list of named places. One stop mentioned in the experience is Dropkick Murphy’s, a louder drink-and-dance venue. Other stops may include a traditional pub or a more modern bar, giving the evening some change of pace rather than seven identical rooms.

That variety is one of the strongest reasons to book. You can test several parts of Edinburgh’s nightlife in one evening, then return to places you liked on another night. The trade-off is that each stop is brief. If you prefer to settle into one pub, order carefully, and enjoy a long conversation, this format may feel rushed.

What the six shots really add

Six shots are included, and the provider selects them for the group. That keeps the evening moving and removes the need to decide what to order at every stop, but it also means you should not assume you can request a particular spirit or style.

The shots are a social tool as much as a financial benefit. Early in the night, a shared round gives people an easy reason to talk. By the middle of the route, though, the alcohol can become the main challenge. You will want to pace yourself, drink water when you can, and eat before meeting the guide since food is not included.

The package does not mean all drinks are covered. Your six included shots are part of the booking, but other drinks and food cost extra. The 25% discount applies only in selected bars and clubs, so check with the guide where it can be used instead of assuming it works everywhere.

This is best treated as a lively group activity, not a tasting. If you want to learn about Scottish whisky, compare local ales, or hear detailed explanations of each drink, this is not the right format. The emphasis is on meeting people, moving between venues, and keeping the night energetic.

VIP entry can save time and money

The practical value of this crawl is not only the shots. VIP entry and waived cover charges can make a real difference on a busy evening, especially if one or more of the later venues usually charges at the door.

You also avoid the awkward part of a self-guided night out: reaching a bar only to find a queue, a cover fee, or a door policy you did not expect. Your guide handles the group entry and keeps the evening on schedule. That leaves you more time to talk, dance, and enjoy the places rather than standing outside checking your phone.

Still, VIP entry does not guarantee that every venue will feel lively. One midweek experience had a couple of quieter bars, while later stops had more energy. That is normal for Edinburgh nightlife. The night of the week matters, and a Wednesday is unlikely to feel exactly like a Friday or Saturday.

The crawl also cannot promise that every stop will suit your taste. One person may prefer the old-fashioned pub, while another wants music and dancing. The seven-stop format works best when you accept that not every bar needs to be your favorite.

The guides make or break the evening

A pub crawl depends heavily on the person holding the group together. The strongest guide is not simply someone who knows where the bars are. You need someone who can explain the rules, keep an eye on the clock, introduce people, and notice when someone has been left behind.

Tom is praised for making people comfortable and helping the group bond. He also explained what would happen at each venue and what kinds of drinks were available. In one especially useful example, he adjusted routes for visually impaired participants, helped them access menus and seating, and made sure a guide dog was included in the group. That points to a guide who pays attention beyond the basic party routine.

Esther and Robyn are also associated with a caring, watchful approach. One guide went back with a participant to look for a lost beanie, while another pair made a point of gathering everyone on time. Adam is described as friendly and funny, with a knack for making a couple feel at ease. Lewis brings high energy for visitors seeking a louder, more dance-focused night.

Guide assignments can change, so you cannot necessarily request a particular person. The useful takeaway is to expect an active host who does more than lead the walk. If you need specific assistance, tell the provider ahead of time rather than relying on a general accessibility label.

A good match for solo visitors and social groups

This is a strong choice if you are traveling alone and want a ready-made social setting. You do not need to walk into seven bars by yourself or work out how to join a group already deep in conversation. The guide starts the introductions, and the shared route gives you repeated chances to talk with different people.

It also works for friends who want a lively night without planning the whole thing. You can meet people from around the world, compare favorite stops, and still spend the evening with your own companions. Several people find the format especially useful for making new friends in Edinburgh.

The experience is aimed at adults who want a party. It is not suitable for children under 18 or pregnant women. Everyone must bring a passport or ID card, even if you look comfortably over the legal drinking age.

The group may be large. One guide handled a group of more than 30 people, while another evening had a much smaller gathering. A large group can feel festive and make meeting people easier, but it also requires attention when the guide gives instructions. Stay close during the walks and keep track of your own belongings.

What the walking and timing feel like

Five hours is long enough to make seven venues feel like a full night, not a quick sampler. You will spend part of that time walking between bars through Old Town streets and back lanes, then moving through entry checks, ordering drinks, socializing, and gathering the group again.

The activity ends back at Bar 50, which is helpful if you want a known point to collect yourself or continue the night nearby. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the starting point and arrange your return afterward.

The exact start time depends on availability. Check it before booking and leave enough time to find Bar 50. The guide meets you inside the bar, so do not simply wait somewhere outside and assume the group will find you.

The listing describes the experience as wheelchair accessible. The route includes walks between several Old Town venues, so anyone with access needs should confirm the exact route and venue arrangements before booking. The example of a guide adapting the route for visually impaired participants is encouraging, but individual needs still deserve a direct conversation with the provider.

Is $20 good value?

At $20 per person, the price is appealing if you plan to visit several bars anyway. Six included shots alone provide a clear part of the value, and waived cover charges can reduce the cost again. Add the 25% discount at selected venues, and the package may compare well with paying for entry and organizing the same route independently.

The bigger saving is time. You do not have to research seven venues, find the doors, judge the queues, or keep a scattered group moving. That convenience is worth more if this is your first night in Edinburgh or you have only a short stay.

Your final bill will still rise. Extra drinks, meals, and transport are not included. You should budget for those separately and avoid treating the $20 price as the total cost of the evening.

I would also judge the value by your drinking habits. If you do not want six shots, the included package is less useful, even if the social side still appeals. If you like a lively night and would use the entry benefits, the price is easy to justify.

How to make the night better

Eat before you arrive. Food is not included, and starting a five-hour alcohol-focused evening hungry is a poor bargain for both your wallet and your next morning.

Bring your passport or ID card, wear shoes suitable for walking between Old Town venues, and keep your belongings close. The guides work to keep everyone together, but you are still responsible for your own phone, coat, and personal items.

Pay attention to the meeting instructions at each bar. The evening works because the group moves as one. If you wander off without telling the guide, you can miss the next stop or delay everyone else.

You should also think about the atmosphere you want. The night may include a quiet traditional pub, a modern bar, and a louder dance venue such as Dropkick Murphy’s. That mix is useful if you want variety, but it will not satisfy someone seeking a calm, carefully planned pub evening.

Should you book the Edinburgh pub crawl?

Book it if you want an efficient introduction to Edinburgh nightlife, enjoy meeting strangers, and like the idea of seven venues without planning the route yourself. It is particularly well suited to solo visitors, younger adult groups, and anyone who wants a social first night in the city.

Skip it if you dislike group schedules, do not want several shots, or would rather spend a whole evening in one excellent pub. The $20 price is strong for the included drinks, entry benefits, and guide support, but the real product is the organized social experience.

For the best balance, eat first, pace the shots, check the start time, and think of the six shots as optional fuel rather than a challenge. If you can do that, this crawl offers an easy, lively way to meet people and sample several sides of the Old Town after dark.

FAQ

Where does the Edinburgh pub crawl start?

Meet your guide inside Bar 50 in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

Where does the activity end?

The crawl ends back at Bar 50, the same place where it begins.

How long does the pub crawl last?

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

How many bars will I visit?

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

Are drinks included?

Six shots selected by the activity provider are included. Food and additional drinks are not included.

Are cover charges included?

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

What identification should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card.

Who cannot join this activity?

The crawl is not suitable for pregnant women or children under 18. The live tour is conducted in English.