The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl: 7 Bars!

This Edinburgh pub crawl is interesting because it turns a messy, first-night decision into a guided 7-bar route built for meeting people and moving fast through the city. You get a planned start, drink extras included, and the promise of VIP entry at each stop.

Two things I like: the night gives you included shots and a bomb, so you are not constantly calculating the next purchase, and the best hosts mentioned by name, like Tia, Tom, Cameron, and Ester, focus on keeping the group together and the mood social. One drawback to consider is that this is a party-style crawl, so if you hate loud music, tight pacing, or mixed crowds, you may find it less relaxing than a sit-down pub tour.

Key takeaways before you go

• Seven bars in one booked night means less planning and more drinking time
• 6 shots and 1 bomb are built into the experience, so your budget is easier
• Drink discounts plus VIP entry help stretch your night beyond just the included drinks
• City-centre meeting point makes it simpler to find, even on your first evening in Edinburgh
• Hosts steer the energy and the best-reviewed ones keep people included and moving
• Group size can vary, so expect everything from cozy to rowdy depending on the night

Why this 7-bar Edinburgh night is a smart first move

If you are new to Edinburgh, nightlife can feel like a maze. One street has a pub, the next has a club, and you spend time wandering instead of actually enjoying the city. This crawl is built to solve that. The route is designed to get you into multiple venues in a single session, roughly 4 to 6 hours, without you having to guess which places are worth your time.

I also like the clear premise. This is not a museum tour with a single “local history” stop. It is a real Scottish night out format: shots, bar discounts, and a group that is meant to stay social.

The setting helps too. The start is in a central spot, Bar FiftyBar 50 on Blackfriars Street, and the ending stays in the city centre even though the last bar can change nightly. That matters, because you are not dragging yourself across town at the end when energy is low.

Price and what you are really paying for at $20.81

At $20.81 per person, the value idea is simple: you are paying for a bundled night. You are not just renting a guide. You are getting entry advantages and included drinks that can add up quickly if you go out on your own.

Here is what you can count on as part of the deal:

• 7 bars
• 6 shots and 1 bomb
• Drink discounts at selected venues
• VIP entry to the venues on the itinerary
• A host-led structure that keeps you moving through Edinburgh nightlife

What is not included is equally important: you still have to buy extra drinks if you want more than what is built into the crawl. That is normal for a pub crawl, but it helps you avoid the common disappointment of thinking everything is fully paid for.

So how do you judge value? Ask yourself a practical question. If you plan to visit multiple bars anyway, and you know you will buy at least a few drinks, then you are turning some of those purchases into a prepaid night with shortcuts like VIP entry and discounts.

If you only want one or two drinks total, or you want a quiet evening where you can linger, this is not the best fit.

Meet at Bar FiftyBar 50, then follow the group (and the pace)

Your meeting point is straightforward: Bar FiftyBar 50, 50 Blackfriars St, Edinburgh EH1 1NE. The tour ends at a final bar in the centre, and that last stop can change depending on the night.

In real-world terms, this matters because the biggest drag on a pub crawl is usually logistics. Can you find the group? Are you late and missing the early energy? Do you get left behind? This crawl is built around a clear start point and a structured flow, and the better guides are praised for being organized and accounting for everyone.

You should also expect the crawl to feel like it has momentum. Several reviews mention guides keeping people moving and using cues to tell the group when it is time to shift to the next venue. That is great if you like the “go together, drink together, move on together” energy. It is not great if you want to wander off to explore side streets for a slower night.

A note on groups

The tour has a maximum of 75 travelers. In practice, that means the mood can range from friendly and social to loud and crowded. Some nights feel like a party you can ride comfortably. Other nights can feel like you are in a big pack. If you are sensitive to crowds, plan to be flexible and give yourself a way to step outside when you need a breather.

Stop-by-stop: what happens from the first bar to the final drop

Since only the first bar is fixed, I will focus on what the crawl format tends to do at each stage: set the vibe, hand you included drinks, apply discounts, and keep the group cycling through venues. The last bar changes nightly, but it is always in the city centre.

Bar 1: Bar FiftyBar 50, your kick-off point

You start at Bar FiftyBar 50. This is your “everyone gather here” moment. The best version of the night is when you arrive early enough to get settled before the group fully forms. One negative experience mentions a long wait at the first stop while everyone gathered, so if you are the kind of person who hates waiting, show up a bit ahead of time.

What to expect: an easy first drink, group orientation, and the vibe-setting start that gets you ready to meet strangers. A lot of the praise circles back to hosts making people feel included quickly, which is exactly what you want from bar one.

Bars 2 to 3: when the night becomes social

After the start, the crawl usually hits the stage where conversation starts happening between people who did not know each other before. This is the zone where the host matters most. Guides praised by name, including Tia, Tom, Cameron, and Esther, are repeatedly described as funny, friendly, and good at including everyone.

What you should plan for: more energy, more music, and more group interaction. The crawl is also where you will feel the benefits of drink discounts. Even if you do not buy every single discounted item, knowing discounts exist helps you spend with less second-guessing.

Possible drawback: if your guide is having an off night, or if the group is large, you can feel a bit of churn, like you are moving from venue to venue before you fully catch your breath.

Bars 4 to 5: included shots, the rhythm of discounts, and the big “party shift”

You should expect the included drinks to be a key part of the middle of the crawl. The experience includes 6 shots and 1 bomb across the night. Those included drinks are a major part of the pricing logic, but they are also simple by design, not gourmet cocktail craft.

I would treat those included shots as “part of the fun, not the whole menu.” If you want specific flavors or higher-end drinks, you will probably want to plan for buying some extras.

This is also often the stretch where some bars feel more lively, and the night can drift into dance-club territory rather than quiet pub chat. One review explicitly points out that it can feel more like a bar-and-club hop than a classic pub crawl. So if you prefer real ale tastings and low-volume conversation, keep your expectations calibrated.

Bar 6: the momentum bar, when you decide how you want to spend

By now, you have two realities: you are close to the end, and you are also more affected by alcohol than you were at the start. That is when smart planning helps.

Here is what to do:

• Decide early if you will keep buying drinks, so you do not feel surprised later.
• Keep an eye on the included drinks schedule so you do not miss a shot or the bomb moment.
• If the venue is packed, step out for air. It keeps you from hitting the “done with everything” wall.

If the group is large, you might also wait a little longer to get served. That happens in busy venues and is not unique to this crawl. Just do not mistake a crowded bar for a bad host. It is often just the city’s night demand.

Bar 7: the changing final stop in the city centre

The ending bar changes nightly, but it stays in the centre. This final venue is where you see how the night actually worked for you. If you found your people, this is where you linger. If you did not, you still get a structured close instead of wandering around alone.

One of the most useful details from the overall experience is that the ending is still city-centre. You are not stuck with a long ride home that eats your energy. For solo travelers, that matters a lot, because it protects the whole trip rhythm.

The guides are the secret ingredient, and names keep popping up

A pub crawl lives or dies on the host. The people who had the best nights consistently mention the guide’s personality, organization, and ability to mix the group.

Praise highlights include:

• Tia described as friendly, energetic, and great at pulling people in without forcing it
• Mark praised for being superb and for making sure everyone is included and accounted for
• Tom repeatedly credited with funny hosting and strong pacing
• Ester praised for being kind and hilarious, and for helping solo travelers feel safe in a foreign city
• Cameron praised for being friendly and professional, explaining rules and keeping the group together
• Adam praised for knowledge and for making the night feel memorable

That matters for you because it tells you what to look for at the start. When a host quickly explains expectations and keeps the group structured, you spend less time worrying and more time enjoying. When a host is annoyed or disorganized, the night can feel tense fast.

Also, listen to the cues. A few reviews mention the use of a horn when it is time to move on. That kind of loud, clear signaling is how large groups avoid getting scattered into the night.

Drinks, discounts, and included shots: how to avoid disappointment

This crawl includes 6 shots and 1 bomb, plus drink discounts at selected bars. It does not include extra drinks, so your personal spend still matters.

Here is the practical way to handle the included drinks so you do not end the night grumpy:

• Treat included shots as “fun extras,” not as your main drink plan.
• If you have a strong preference for a certain beer, spirit, or mixer, assume you will be buying some of it.
• Use the discounts to fill in gaps economically. Even small savings can help you afford one or two upgrades you actually want.

One critical review says the free shots were not what they expected, with the included shot described as a simple mix rather than a satisfying drink. I cannot confirm what any single shot tasted like, but I can help you manage the risk: go in expecting simple, pre-measured included shots. If your focus is on craft cocktails, this may not match your style.

Timing, planning, and why 4 to 6 hours is the sweet spot

The crawl runs about 4 to 6 hours. That length is a compromise. Long enough to hit multiple venues and feel like you had a full evening. Short enough that you are not spending your whole night stuck in a slow queue.

Still, timing matters:

• If you want the best chance at a smooth start, arrive a little early for Bar FiftyBar 50.
• If you have dinner plans, eat first. Waiting to eat later can make you feel sluggish before bar 4.
• If you want to sleep before a big day, you might still choose this, but treat it like a controlled night out. Keep water nearby, pace your drinks, and do not chase every single bar moment.

Booking is also commonly made in advance. On average, this is booked about 19 days ahead. If you are traveling during peak times, early booking helps you lock in a spot and reduces last-minute scramble.

Who this pub crawl suits best (and who should skip it)

This is a good match if you want:

• A first-night in Edinburgh option with less planning stress
• A social setting where you meet people quickly
• A night that leans into nightlife, not quiet pub crawling
• Included drinks and a structured plan to help you budget

It might be the wrong match if you:

• Want a calm, slow, “sit and sip” pub experience
• Hate loud venues and music
• Plan to drink very little and would rather just buy a couple things on your own
• Get easily irritated by crowds or occasional waiting, since group size can run big on some nights

Age-wise, the reviews include mentions that the crowd can skew younger, and some people felt it leaned toward that energy. The tour description itself does not set an age limit in what you provided, but the nightlife format clearly has a party vibe. If you are traveling as an older couple who wants classic pubs and quiet chat, I would consider your comfort with club-style atmosphere first.

Should you book the Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl?

I think you should book it if you want a structured, social Edinburgh nightlife evening with multiple stops, included shots, and perks like VIP entry and drink discounts. At $20.81, the value is strongest when you plan to do more than one bar anyway and you want the route taken care of.

Skip it if you want a slow, traditional pub crawl, or if you are the type who needs lots of space and control. On some nights, the group size and venue energy can be intense, and that can drain the fun if your expectations are different.

If you do book, go in with the right mindset: this is a party-style crawl with guided pacing. Show up early enough for a smooth first stop, use the discounts and included shots as part of the experience, and let the host keep you moving. That is when this kind of night feels like a win instead of a chore.

FAQ

What is the starting point for the Edinburgh pub crawl?

The tour starts at Bar FiftyBar 50, 50 Blackfriars St, Edinburgh EH1 1NE, UK.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends in a final bar in Edinburgh city centre. The exact venue changes nightly.

How long is the pub crawl?

It runs about 4 to 6 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is $20.81 per person.

What is included in the price?

You get 7 bars, 6 shots, 1 bomb, drink discounts, and VIP entry, plus the guided crawl experience.

Are extra drinks included?

No. Extra drinks are not included, and you must buy them from the bar if you want more.

Is the tour ticket mobile?

Yes, it is a mobile ticket.

What language is the tour offered in?

The crawl is offered in English.

How many people can be on the tour?

It has a maximum of 75 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy if plans change?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the experience may be rescheduled or refunded if canceled due to poor weather.