Edinburgh: The Original Pub Crawl 7 Bars 7 Shots & Discounts

The night starts with a shot and a question: where next? This six-hour crawl links seven Old Town bars with a local guide, seven included drinks, VIP entry, and discounts that can make the $20 price look very fair. I like the easy way it takes the guesswork out of Edinburgh nightlife, and I like the social side, especially for solo visitors who want company from the first bar.

The biggest plus is the guides. Tiana, Tom, Adele, Lewis, Adam, Esther, Cameron, Robin, and others have earned praise for keeping groups together, explaining the plan, and helping people feel included. I also like that the route involves walking through the Old Town rather than sitting in one venue all night. The catch is simple: this is a drinking party, not a quiet introduction to Scottish pub culture, and the exact bars can vary.

Sunday is a calmer choice, but it may not deliver the biggest crowds. The included drinks are also selected by the provider, so you do not choose six cocktails or premium pours yourself. If you want traditional pubs, ask what is planned, since at least one person found the mix less Scottish than expected.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven Old Town bars in six hours: You move through a string of venues instead of committing to one place.
• Six shots plus one bomb: The title says seven shots, but the details describe six selected shots and one opening bomb.
• Guides make or break the night: Tiana, Tom, Adele, Lewis, Adam, and Esther receive especially warm praise for energy and group care.
• A strong solo option: The built-in group makes it easier to meet people, and several solo visitors made friends for the rest of their trips.
• Good value at $20: Seven entries, seven included drinks, and no cover charge offer a lot before you buy anything else.
• Dress and ID rules are strict: Bring a passport or ID card, and skip sandals, flip-flops, open-toed shoes, sportswear, and costumes.

Starting inside Bar 50 in Edinburgh’s Old Town

Your meeting point is inside Bar 50. That matters because you are not left standing on a street corner trying to spot a guide among other nightlife groups. You check in indoors, meet the guide, and begin with the group already gathered around you.

The experience is in English and runs for six hours. It is designed as a moving night out, not a formal history walk, so expect social energy, drinks, music, and plenty of standing. You will also walk between venues in the Old Town, which gives the night a little more sense of place than simply entering one large club.

The opening drink is described as one bomb, followed by six shots selected by the provider. The wording can be confusing because the product title refers to seven shots. I would read the offer as seven included drinks in total, made up of one bomb and six shots. If the exact drinks matter to you, ask the guide at the start.

Your guide explains the rules and keeps the group moving. Past guides have included Tom, Tiana, Adele, Lewis, Adam, Cameron, Esther, Robin, and others. Their personalities differ, but the strongest pattern is clear: the guide is not just handing out drinks. The guide is the person who brings strangers together and keeps the evening from becoming a series of disconnected bar visits.

Stop one: the opening drink and first introductions

The first stop is where you get your bearings and decide how social you want to be. The provider promises one bomb to start the night, so this is not a slow, gentle beginning. You can expect the group to loosen up quickly, introduce themselves, and learn how the evening will work.

This first stage is useful for solo visitors. The social pressure is lower when everyone is there for the same reason, and the guide can help people start talking. Several people who arrived alone described the crawl as a good way to meet new friends, with some continuing to explore Scotland together afterward.

There is a practical point here: pace yourself. Seven included drinks do not mean you must consume everything quickly, and the six-hour schedule gives you time. Food is not included, so eat beforehand or plan to buy something during the night if a stop allows it. You should not treat the free drinks as a race.

Stops two and three: finding bars you might miss

The next part of the route moves through more Old Town venues. The exact names are not fixed in the information provided, so I would not promise a particular bar or club on a particular night. That flexibility is part of the point: the guide chooses places that fit the evening, the group, and the door conditions.

The benefit is convenience. You do not need to research seven venues, check dress codes one by one, or work out which door has a queue. The guide leads the group, and the package includes VIP entry with no cover charge at the venues visited that night.

That can be worth more than it first appears. Edinburgh nightlife can become expensive when you add admission fees, drinks, and the cost of getting between places. At $20, the crawl gives you a planned route and seven included drinks before you spend on anything extra.

The tradeoff is that the group may not linger wherever you personally like best. If you discover a favorite pub, the crawl still has to move on. You are buying variety and access, not a long, relaxed evening in one room.

Stops four and five: changing pace and atmosphere

By the middle of the night, the route should give you a sense of how different venues handle Edinburgh’s nightlife. Past experiences included varied bar moods, karaoke, dancing, and games such as beer pong. Those details depend on the venue and guide, but they show the kind of evening this is: active, loud, and built around participation.

This is where guide quality matters most. A good guide keeps the group informed, notices who has fallen behind, and makes it easier for quieter people to join in. Tom received praise for explaining what each bar offered and for finding accessible routes and seating for a visually impaired group. Esther and Robin were praised for keeping people rallied up, while Tiana was repeatedly described as energetic, welcoming, and careful about safety.

Large groups can be fun, but they can also feel impersonal. One group reached about 40 people, and the guide worked hard to include everyone. Smaller groups have their own advantage: you may talk with nearly everyone and build stronger connections. The size can change from night to night, so do not book expecting a fixed group atmosphere.

Stops six and seven: the final push

The last two venues are where the night becomes less about discovering places and more about staying with the group and enjoying the momentum. Some people will have dropped out by then, especially on a Sunday or after several drinks. That does not necessarily ruin the night, but the mood may shift as the group gets smaller.

The crawl promises free entry at every venue visited, so you avoid the awkward final decision over whether the next door charge is worth paying. You also receive 25 percent discounts in selected bars and clubs. The word selected matters: the discount does not apply everywhere in Edinburgh, and the details of participating venues can vary.

I would keep your own spending under control here. The $20 entry price covers the core package, but food, extra drinks, and anything beyond the included offers cost more. If you are on a strict budget, set a limit before you leave. The free entry helps, but nightlife spending can still rise quickly.

The route ends after about six hours. The details do not specify one fixed final venue or hotel transport, so you need to make your own way back afterward. Do not assume the guide will return you to your accommodation.

What the $20 price really buys

At $20 per person, this is priced as an affordable night out rather than a premium cocktail tour. You receive:

• A guide for the evening
• Seven bar visits
• Six selected shots
• One opening bomb
• VIP entry and no cover charge at the visited venues
• 25 percent discounts in selected bars and clubs

Even if you value only the admission savings and included drinks, the price can work well. The larger value is the route. You pay to skip the research, avoid some queues, and meet a ready-made social group.

You should also notice what is not included. Food is extra, hotel pickup is not provided, and regular drinks beyond the included seven are your responsibility. If you want a tasting tour with carefully chosen local beers, detailed pub history, or a meal, this is not the right product.

The activity has a 4.4 rating from 754 reviews, which fits the overall picture: strong satisfaction, with the experience depending heavily on your guide, group, and expectations. The best nights are social and energetic. The less successful fit is someone hoping for a quiet, traditional pub crawl with long stops and detailed commentary.

The guides are the main attraction

The most praised part of this experience is not a particular bar. It is the human work of the guides.

Tiana is frequently singled out for creating a safe, lively atmosphere and making people feel included. Tom is praised for humor, organization, and his ability to help a group bond. Adele gets credit for keeping people smiling, while Lewis is described as energetic and fun. Adam receives praise for extra recommendations and for making solo visitors comfortable.

The strongest practical example comes from a group that included visually impaired people and a guide dog. Tom used accessible routes, helped with menus, arranged comfortable seating, and made sure the group moved safely. The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, though you should still contact the provider about your particular needs before booking because seven venues and Old Town streets can present different conditions.

Guide quality can never be guaranteed by name. Staff schedules change, and the guide you meet may not be one of the people praised above. Still, the repeated pattern gives you a useful clue: the provider puts real weight on group management and atmosphere.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this crawl if you are traveling alone, visiting Edinburgh for a short stay, or want a lively first night without spending hours researching bars. It is also a good fit for friends who want to meet other people rather than stay in their own small circle.

The experience suits people who like:

• Dancing, karaoke, games, and a loud social mood
• Moving between several venues
• Meeting people from different countries
• Drinking at a quick but manageable pace
• Having a guide handle entry and route planning

It is less suitable if you are pregnant, under 18, or looking for a quiet evening. Children under 18 cannot join. You also need suitable footwear and clothing: sandals, flip-flops, open-toed shoes, sportswear, and costumes are not allowed. Bring a passport or ID card.

Sunday can be a good choice if you prefer less crowded bars. It may also feel quieter, with fewer people staying through the full route. Friday or Saturday could offer a livelier atmosphere, but the exact mood depends on the date and venue schedule.

Small details that improve the night

Eat before you arrive because food is not part of the package. Wear comfortable closed shoes, since you will walk between Old Town venues and stand for much of the night.

Keep your phone charged and save the provider’s WhatsApp number. The instructions specifically ask you to use WhatsApp if you have problems, so it is worth having that contact ready.

Bring identification even if you look clearly over 18. The requirement is a passport or ID card, and leaving it behind could stop you from joining the night.

Finally, stay with the group. The guides work hard to keep people together, but busy streets and crowded bars make it easy to wander off. The experience is safer and more enjoyable when you pay attention to meeting times and follow the guide to the next venue.

Should you book Edinburgh’s Original Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, social introduction to Edinburgh nightlife and you are happy to let the guide choose the route. The combination of seven bars, seven included drinks, free entry, and discounts is strong value at $20, especially for solo visitors.

Skip it if your idea of a Scottish night means one traditional pub, local ale, quiet conversation, and plenty of time in each place. You may also want to pass if you dislike drinking games, loud rooms, or a moving schedule.

For the best fit, go with an open evening, comfortable shoes, a meal already eaten, and realistic expectations. This is a guided party through the Old Town, not a pub-history lesson. If that sounds like your kind of night, the price makes it an easy Edinburgh booking.

FAQ

How long does the Edinburgh pub crawl last?

The activity lasts six hours.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet your guide inside Bar 50.

How many bars are included?

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

How many drinks are included?

The details describe six shots selected by the provider and one bomb to start the night, making seven included drinks in total.

Is entry included?

Yes. VIP entry and no cover charge are included for the venues visited during the crawl.

Are discounts included?

Yes. You receive 25 percent discounts in selected bars and clubs.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card. Comfortable closed footwear is also important because sandals, flip-flops, and open-toed shoes are not allowed.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.