The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl: 7 Bars!

Seven bars in one night is less a pub sampler than a fast-moving introduction to Edinburgh after dark. This crawl trades a fixed list of historic taverns for a hosted route through bars and, on some nights, clubs, with drinks, discounts and a ready-made group to help you get going.

I like the low entry price and included drinks, which make the night easier to plan, and the social format, especially if you arrive solo or want to meet people early in your trip. The catch is that the venues change, the group can be large, and the night may feel more like a party crawl than a quiet tour of traditional pubs.

• Seven venues in four to six hours: Expect a brisk evening, not a long stay at every stop.
• A meeting point in the Old Town: Start at Bar Fifty, 50 Blackfriars Street.
• Six shots and one bomb included: Extra drinks are at your own expense.
• VIP entry and selected discounts: Useful when the group moves on to busy venues.
• A changing route: The final bar is in the city centre, but the exact venues vary nightly.
• A social, high-energy format: Hosts such as Tom, Esther, Cameron and Tia have helped bring groups together.

Seven bars, with the route changing nightly

The crawl begins at Bar Fifty, at 50 Blackfriars Street, and moves through seven bars before finishing at a city-centre venue. The exact stops are not fixed, so you cannot plan around a particular pub, music style or closing venue. That flexibility lets the organisers adapt the night, but it also means you should book for the guided outing, not for access to a named bar.

The venues may have different moods, and the route can include bars and clubs rather than only old-fashioned pubs. Some people enjoy that mix: one night might build from a relaxed first stop toward louder, busier rooms. If you picture candlelit corners, cask ale and long talks with a bartender, this may not be your kind of pub crawl.

The big practical benefit is that someone else makes the choices. You do not need to research seven places, work out where to go next or persuade a group of strangers to move along. Your guide sets the pace and the next destination, while VIP guestlist entry is included at all venues on the route.

The trade-off is limited control. A few people have found the bars too busy, the music too loud or the wait for service too long. If a specific atmosphere matters more to you than a ready-made night out, it may be better to choose your own places.

Starting at Bar Fifty on Blackfriars Street

Arrive at the stated meeting point, Bar Fifty, 50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh EH1 1NE. The tour ends at its last bar, which changes nightly but remains in the city centre. Make a note of the guide’s instructions before the group sets off, since your final stop may not be the place where you began.

The opening can feel a little loose while the group assembles. One account describes a long wait at the first bar, while another notes that the whole group did not come together straight away. If you are short on time or have dinner plans, remember that the advertised four to six hours is approximate, and allow room for a slower start.

Once everyone is together, the host explains the rules and how the night will run. Strong hosts have been singled out for checking that people are accounted for, naming the departure time at each venue and keeping the group included. Cameron, Esther, Tia, Tom, Adam, Justin and Tiana are among the hosts people have praised, though you cannot count on a particular guide for your date.

What the six shots and one bomb really mean

The price is $20.81 per person, and the package includes six shots, one bomb, drink discounts at selected bars and VIP entry. That is a useful bundle for a night out, especially if you plan to have a few drinks anyway. It is not an all-you-can-drink ticket: any extra drinks are yours to buy from the bar.

The details of the included pours are not spelled out. You know the count, but not the size, spirit, flavour or which stop serves each one. Treat them as small included drinks rather than six full-size cocktails, and do not assume that every venue will offer one shot just because there are seven bars.

There is also a practical caution about the shots. One participant described an included pour as sugary and said a drink purchase was needed alongside it. That may not describe every stop or night, but it is a reason to keep your expectations modest and ask the host how the included drinks work when you arrive.

The discounts can add value if you intend to buy more, but they apply only at selected bars and clubs. The amount and terms are not specified, so I would not build a strict drink budget around an assumed percentage off. Think of the discounts as a potential saving, not a guarantee that every drink will be cheap.

A guided group, not a private night out

The social side is the main reason to book. You arrive with strangers, but a good host has an easy job to do: make introductions, set a welcoming tone and give people a reason to talk before the first round is over. Solo visitors, couples and groups of friends can all take part, and accounts describe groups that included people from different countries and backgrounds.

Host quality can shape the whole evening. Tia and Esther have been praised for helping people mingle, while Tom and Cameron have been described as funny, friendly and attentive. Those are examples of the kind of hosting that can turn a string of bars into a shared night, but no particular personality or style is guaranteed.

The group may be small or large. The maximum is 75 people, and accounts describe groups of more than 40 as well as small gatherings. A large group can make the night feel lively and give you plenty of chances to meet people, but it can also mean slower service, more time spent gathering everyone and less personal attention from the guide.

A small group can go either way. It may feel awkward if you hoped for a packed party, yet it can also make conversation easier. If the group starts slowly, give the evening more than the first stop before deciding whether it suits you. Some nights gather momentum as people get to know one another and the venues become livelier.

How the pace and venues affect your night

Four to six hours is a long evening, especially if you are jet-lagged or have spent the day sightseeing. The crawl is built around moving from bar to bar, so the pace matters as much as the number of places. You may have time to settle in at each stop, but there is no promise of a long visit or a seat.

The guide keeps the group moving, and the crawl’s seven-stop format is part of the appeal. You get a quick look at several parts of Edinburgh nightlife without needing to map the route yourself. But if you fall behind, you may feel pressure to catch up; one unhappy account describes the host warning the group not to lag. Keep an eye on the agreed departure time and let the guide know if you need help.

The music and crowd can vary by venue and by night. A Tuesday may be quieter than a weekend, and a bar that suits one group may feel too busy or too club-like to another. The route’s changing nature is worth repeating: you are buying a guided night with a series of stops, not a promise of specific pubs or a set musical style.

That distinction matters if you care about local character. The organiser began the crawl in 2013 with a stated aim of showing backpackers, students and locals a night out shaped by local tastes. Still, this is primarily a social party experience, not a history walk or an in-depth lesson in Edinburgh’s drinking culture. If your goal is to learn about the city’s pubs, you will need to ask your host questions along the way.

Is $20.81 good value?

For $20.81, the package combines seven venue visits, six shots, one bomb, selected drink discounts and VIP entry. Those inclusions can make the price worthwhile if you would otherwise pay for entry, sample several places and buy drinks during the night. The guide and group are part of the value too: you are paying for a ready-made plan as much as for the drinks.

The value is less compelling if you drink little, dislike large groups or prefer to choose your own bars. You still have to pay for any extra drinks, and the included pours are not described in enough detail to judge their size or quality in advance. The price is modest, but it does not guarantee a quiet local pub crawl or a particular set of venues.

I would compare it with the cost of a self-planned night, not with a guided sightseeing tour. If making friends and moving through several nightlife spots sounds worth the fee, it is an affordable way to start. If you would rather stay in one good pub and talk, spend the money on a drink and pick a place yourself.

Who should book this Edinburgh crawl?

This suits solo visitors who want company, couples looking for an energetic night and friend groups who would rather follow a host than organise a route. It can also work well on your first evening in Edinburgh, when a guided night out gives you a quick sense of the city’s after-dark options and may introduce you to people you see again during your stay.

It is less suited to anyone seeking a calm, intimate evening or a guaranteed tour of historic pubs. The crowd often skews young, with one account describing mostly people in their twenties, though the experience is not presented as age-specific. If you are older or simply prefer quieter rooms, you may still have fun, but go in expecting a party-oriented group rather than a subdued pub visit.

A good host can make the difference. If your guide is warm and attentive, the introductions and shared route can make a solo evening feel easy. If the host is less engaged, or if you dislike moving with a large group, the same structure can feel impersonal. Book for the format and the chance to meet people, not on the assumption that every night will have the same energy.

Practical details before you go

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives at booking. It has a maximum of 75 participants, and most people can take part; service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted, and cancellations inside that window are not refunded. The experience requires good weather and a minimum number of participants; if poor weather or a shortfall cancels the event, you are offered another date or a full refund.

My verdict: book for people and pace

Book this if you want a sociable, guided night that takes the planning off your hands. Seven stops, included shots, discounts and VIP entry make the $20.81 price attractive for a party-minded evening, and a friendly host can turn a group of strangers into good company.

Skip it if you want a carefully chosen list of traditional pubs, control over how long you stay or a quiet night with reliable venue details. The best way to enjoy it is to arrive with an open schedule, moderate expectations about the included drinks and a willingness to move with the group.

FAQ

Where does the pub crawl start?

It starts at Bar Fifty, 50 Blackfriars Street, Edinburgh EH1 1NE.

Where does the pub crawl end?

It ends at the final bar, which changes nightly. The final venue is in Edinburgh city centre.

How long does the experience last?

The approximate duration is four to six hours.

What is included in the price?

The experience includes seven bars, six shots, one bomb, selected drink discounts and VIP entry to the venues on the route.

Do I have to pay for extra drinks?

Yes. Any extra drinks you want must be purchased from the bar.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time. If the event is cancelled because of poor weather or because the minimum number of participants is not met, you are offered another date or a full refund.