Edinburgh: Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots

Seven bars and six shots is a fun equation.

This pub crawl is built for Edinburgh’s Old Town streets: you follow an expert guide, skip cover charges, and get VIP entry while moving between seven bar stops. It also doesn’t make you guess what to drink, since you receive six shots selected for your group.

I like the way the guides keep the night easy to manage, especially when they’re juggling a bigger group and making sure everyone stays together. One thing to consider: it’s a 5-hour night out with lots of walking and standing, and it’s not suited to everyone (it’s not for children under 18, and it’s not suitable for pregnant women).

Key highlights to know before you go

• Start at Bar 50, then work your way through Edinburgh’s Old Town bar scene
• 6 shots picked for you, so you don’t spend the night debating what to order
• VIP entry plus no cover charges, which is a real value saver in busy spots
• Seven venues in about five hours, keeping momentum instead of wasting time in lines
• English-speaking live guides who actively manage the group
• Solo-friendly vibe, with lots of opportunities to meet new people

Meeting at Bar 50 and how the night gets rolling

This crawl starts right where it should: inside Bar 50 in Edinburgh’s Old Town. That matters more than you might think. If you’ve ever tried to piece together a nightlife plan on your own, you know how quickly the night can turn into standing around, misreading a line, or choosing a place that looks fun but isn’t right for your group.

Here, the guide handles the logistics. You’ll meet your host at the start, then you’ll walk between venues as a group for the full 5 hours. The tour ends back at the meeting point, so you’re not left thinking about transportation or how to retrace your steps late at night.

What also helps: you’re not guessing which venues are worth it. The crawl focuses on “best places” energy—places you might not find as fast on your own, especially if you’re short on time or you want the night to feel like a proper event.

Seven Old Town bars: what you’re paying for beyond drinks

You’re signing up for seven bar stops in one guided evening. The big value isn’t just that you get multiple places to drink—it’s that the tour is designed to reduce the friction that kills a night out.

In Edinburgh, certain venues can be packed, and getting inside can be the whole battle. This crawl includes VIP entry and emphasizes no cover charges, so you’re not paying extra just for the privilege of walking through the door. That’s a huge deal when you’re comparing this to piecing together your own route.

The bar mix is also part of the point. You’ll see a range of vibes, from traditional pub energy to hipper spots that shift the mood as the night goes on. One highlight that stood out in the guide-led experience is ending up at a high-energy place like Drop Kick Murphy’s, where the whole group atmosphere changes from casual sips to something closer to drink-and-dance mode.

A practical drawback: because you’re visiting seven places, you’ll feel the pace. Even if the stops are fun, it’s not a slow pub lunch situation. If you like long conversations and leisurely browsing of menus, you’ll want to pace yourself with water and a calmer drinking rhythm.

The six shots: how to think about them (and not get wrecked)

This tour includes 6 shots selected for you. That means no decision fatigue. You don’t have to ask what the guide thinks you should try, and you don’t have to waste time comparing what everyone at the table wants.

The shots are part of why the crawl works as a structured experience. Each bar stop isn’t just about ordering; it’s about hitting a planned moment in the evening. If you’re traveling with friends, it’s a built-in way to keep the group aligned. If you’re solo, it’s also a social tool: people end up talking while waiting for the next shot and comparing what they were served.

Here’s the “grown-up fun” advice: shots move fast, and the tour runs for five hours. I’d plan to drink water between venues, and I’d think about eating before you meet your guide. Food isn’t included, so your best move is to show up with your energy steady, not hungry and suddenly overconfident.

Also note the tour isn’t for kids, and it’s not for everyone who needs special considerations. If you’re avoiding alcohol for any reason, this might not be your best match since the whole structure centers on drinking at set moments.

VIP entry and no cover charges: how this saves real money

At $20 per person, the math works best when you consider what’s bundled in. You’re getting:

• A guide-led walk through seven venues
• 6 shots included
• VIP entry and no cover charge at the venues you visit
• A 25% discount in selected bars and clubs

Even if you would only want to visit a few spots on your own, cover charges and entry lines can add up fast. The discount doesn’t replace that value, but it’s a nice extra if you decide to order beyond the included shots once you’re inside.

The key is you’re paying for fewer headaches. That can be worth a lot on a busy weekend night in Old Town. You’re not stuck negotiating who stands where, you’re not hunting for the right doorway, and you’re not wasting prime night hours trying to figure out what’s open and worth it.

Your guide matters: the difference between a walk and a night out

The guide is the engine of the whole crawl. In the best examples, guides didn’t just lead the route—they actively made people feel comfortable and kept the group together.

I especially liked how guides such as Robyn, Adam, Tom, Lewis, Esther, Cameron, Justin, and Abby came across in a consistent way: friendly, funny, and tuned in to group energy. Multiple stories emphasized that guests felt safe and included, including solo travelers. One person even credited the guide with helping the group bond, which is the whole point if you’re trying to meet people without it feeling forced.

There are also examples of real care beyond the script. In at least one case, Tom helped visually impaired friends get to each bar using more accessible walking routes, and even managed the details so the group could stay comfortable at each stop. That kind of attention makes a big difference when you’re relying on someone else to coordinate a fast-moving evening.

One more detail I’d take seriously: guides manage timing. One of the practical skills mentioned in the experience is keeping everyone together and staying on schedule, so you don’t end up drifting and missing the next venue.

Walking the back streets: part fun, part timing

This crawl includes walking through Edinburgh’s Old Town back streets to reach the best places. That’s not just sightseeing fluff; it’s how you avoid the most obvious tourist traffic and still end up at lively spots.

Expect a steady walking rhythm. Since the tour runs about five hours and hits seven venues, your time at each stop is limited. The good news is the format keeps the night moving. The trade-off is you won’t have hours to linger in one bar unless the group pace stretches a bit.

If you have mobility needs, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, and at least one guide experience highlighted taking accessible routes. Still, I’d plan for a walking-heavy experience overall and consider how comfortable you are with short distances repeated multiple times.

Who this pub crawl fits best

This is a great fit if you want Edinburgh nightlife without planning stress. You’ll likely enjoy it if:

• You’re traveling with friends and want a shared plan that keeps you together
• You’re a solo traveler and want structured social time (the tour format makes meeting people easier)
• You like a mix of pub vibes, not just one kind of bar
• You want value built around shots, entry, and cover-charge skipping

It’s not a match if you prefer calm, long stays or if you need a fully alcohol-free experience. And based on the stated limits, it’s not suitable for children under 18 and not for pregnant women.

Also, if you’re someone who gets overwhelmed in larger groups, consider that tours can include sizable parties. One account described a group of 30+, which suggests you may be in a lively crowd rather than a quiet, intimate dinner-table setting.

Price and value: is $20 really worth it?

Let’s talk value plainly. The cost is $20 per person for a 5-hour guided night covering seven bars plus 6 shots. Add in VIP entry and no cover charges, and it stops being just “you pay for drinks.”

In practice, you’re paying for:

• Access (VIP entry and no cover charges)
• Structure (a set route through multiple venues)
• Included spending (six shots handled for you)
• Extras (a 25% discount in selected bars and clubs)

If you’d normally end up paying cover fees plus trying to buy multiple drinks at several places, the crawl can feel efficient. If you’re only interested in one or two drinks total, then it could feel like you’re paying for more drinking than you need.

The sweet spot is when you want an actual evening out—an organized route that prevents wasted time and keeps you from falling into the tourist-trap cycle of “one place was fun, the rest was a letdown.”

Practical tips so your night stays fun

Bring passport or ID card, since it’s required. Also, remember that food isn’t included, so plan to eat before you meet your guide (or you’ll end up making quick snack decisions while your group is moving).

Pace yourself. Six shots sounds manageable until you add the walking, the crowded venues, and the fact that the mood changes as the night goes on. Water helps. So does switching to slower drinks if you’re still standing and socializing after the included shots.

One more practical note: keep your phone charged or bring a small power bank. The tour ends back at Bar 50, but you’ll want a reliable way to check meeting details and confirm you’re keeping up with the group.

Should you book the Edinburgh 7 bars and 6 shots crawl?

I’d book this if you want a lively, guided Old Town night with built-in value: VIP entry, no cover charges, seven venues, and six shots selected for your group. The best part is that the guides seem to do more than lead—they help people feel safe, included, and on schedule, which makes a real difference if you’re solo or traveling with mixed comfort levels.

Don’t book it if you’re looking for a slow evening, strict control over every drink, or a non-alcohol-centered plan. It’s designed to be a proper pub crawl pace, not a leisurely tasting tour.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Edinburgh pub crawl?

It runs for about 5 hours.

What does the tour cost?

The price is listed as $20 per person.

Where does the tour start?

You meet your guide inside Bar 50.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included in the ticket price?

It includes a pub crawl to 7 bars, 6 shots selected by the provider, VIP entry and no cover charge, and a 25% discount in selected bars and clubs, along with an English live tour guide.

Is food included?

No, food is not included.

Is there a hotel pickup or drop-off?

No hotel pickup or drop-off is included.

What language is the guide?

The tour guide is live and English-speaking.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it’s listed as wheelchair accessible.

Do I need ID?

Yes. You should bring a passport or ID card.

Is it okay for minors or pregnant travelers?

No. It’s not suitable for children under 18, and it’s not suitable for pregnant women.