Edinburgh Old Town: Pub Crawl with Shots & Club Entry

Summary

Edinburgh nightlife adventure with free shots, club access and local laughs in Old Town

You’ll jump right into Edinburgh’s Old Town nightlife—five bars, free shots at each stop, no lines at clubs, and plenty of new friends along the way. Guides share quirky stories between drinks while you collect photos (and memories) as you go. Expect laughter, odd conversations, and that feeling when you realize you’re part of something fun for just one night.

What’s the experience like?

“You’re not gonna remember all of this tomorrow,” our guide grinned, handing out those neon-green wristbands at the first stop near Stockbridge Market. I was already laughing because someone behind me tried to pronounce “Auchentoshan” and absolutely mangled it (I’m not judging — I didn’t even try). The place smelled like old wood and something sweet and sharp, maybe cider? Anyway, we’d barely finished the first free shot (Apple Sourz, nothing dangerous) before half the group was swapping stories about terrible flatmates. It felt easy — like we’d known each other longer than ten minutes.

I didn’t expect to actually learn anything on a pub crawl in Edinburgh but our guide, Jamie, kept pointing out weird little details as we zigzagged through Old Town. There’s this alley where apparently some poet used to drink himself silly — Jamie swore it’s true. The cobblestones were slick from rain but nobody seemed to care; everyone just moved closer together under doorways or laughed when someone slipped (nobody fell, just wobbles). By the third bar I’d lost track of how many different accents I’d heard. The music changed every time — one place had old folk tunes, then suddenly we were somewhere pulsing with bass so strong you could feel it in your chest.

The night blurred a bit after that — not in a bad way, just a lot of faces and flashes from that “big fancy camera” they kept waving around. At one point someone handed me a drink deal menu and I ordered something blue without knowing what it was. There’s a photo somewhere of us all trying to squeeze into one booth for a group shot (I’m half-hidden behind a Scottish guy named Callum who told me he’s never actually done this crawl before either). We skipped every line at the clubs — honestly felt like cheating — and ended up dancing until my shoes started sticking to the floor. I still think about that view outside one of the bars: wet stone glowing under streetlights, voices echoing off walls older than my country.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Edinburgh Old Town pub crawl

• Meet at the meeting bar
• Visit at least 5 Old Town venues
• Enjoy free shots at each venue
• Get free entry to all venues
• Access exclusive drink deals
• Receive free photos from the night

Top questions

How many bars are included on the Edinburgh pub crawl?

The tour includes at least five venues in Edinburgh's Old Town.

Is there free entry to all pubs and clubs?

Yes, free entry and queue-jump access are included for every venue on the crawl.

Are drinks included on the pub crawl?

You get a free welcome shot at each bar plus exclusive reduced drink deals with your wristband.

What age do you have to be for this Edinburgh bar crawl?

The minimum age is 18 years old. Valid photo ID is required.

Can stag or hen parties join the main pub crawl?

No, stag or hen groups or single-sex groups larger than five are not accepted on the main crawl due to past issues.

Where does the pub crawl start?

The meeting point is near Stockbridge Market in Edinburgh.

Is transportation provided during the tour?

No transportation is provided; venues are within walking distance in Old Town.

Are photos from the night included?

Yes, you get free access to all photos taken by guides during the night.

What’s included

Your evening includes queue-jump entry to five Old Town venues around Edinburgh plus a welcome shot at each stop (think Apple Sourz or similar), exclusive wristband drink deals throughout the night, and full access to all those candid photos snapped by your guide—no need to worry about missing any moments while you dance or laugh your way through each bar and club.