About this tour
When Sarah from our team ran this Edinburgh bar crawl, we kicked off at 9 PM from Pilgrim Bar and worked through five venues before ending at Hive nightclub. You're moving between old pubs and dance spots across the city centre with a mixed crowd of solo travellers and groups, all wearing the same wristband. It's four hours of drinking, dancing, and mingling — the sort of night that either becomes a highlight or a blur, depending on your pace. Entry to all bars and the nightclub is locked in, plus you get five shots and selected drink deals along the way. At £15, it's a solid-value intro to Edinburgh's after-dark scene.
Highlights
- Five different bars plus a nightclub — varied vibe from chill pubs to dance floors
- Entry and nightclub access included; you're not negotiating doors or queues
- Professional photos taken throughout — actual proof you did it
- Five complimentary shots built into the crawl
- International crowd makes it easy to meet strangers and form groups
- Live music and DJs at most stops keep energy up
- Guided route means no time wasted figuring out where to go next
What to expect
You'll meet your host at Pilgrim Bar right on 9 PM — don't be late, as the group moves together from there. The pace is steady: roughly 40 minutes to an hour per venue, enough time to get a drink, chat, and move on before the crawl feels rushed. Pilgrim and The Three Sisters tend to be more traditional pub settings; Finnegan's Wake brings the Irish vibe; Frankenstein is a bit more theatrical. By the time you hit Hive, it's a full nightclub environment with DJs and dancing. The shot rounds happen at scheduled stops (though venue stock can affect this). You'll be walking, so comfortable shoes matter. The crowd is genuinely mixed — lots of backpackers and solo travellers, which means conversation happens naturally. By hour three, your group will have bonded or fractured into smaller friend groups, and that's fine.
The photography is a nice touch; they're not intrusive, just grabbing candid moments. Don't expect to meet Edinburgh locals — this is a tourist-focused crawl. The walk between bars isn't brutal, but you're covering ground, so pace yourself on alcohol early on.
What travellers say
- Good value — entry, nightclub, and shots bundled into one price
- Removes the guesswork of where to go next in an unfamiliar city
- Genuinely welcoming for solo travellers; group format breaks the ice
- Varied venues keep the night from feeling samey
- Professional photos give you something to keep from the night
- You're still buying most drinks; budget beyond the £15 fee
- Shots subject to venue availability — not guaranteed
- Crowded and touristy; unlikely to meet local Edinburghers
- Not suitable if pregnant, with spinal injuries, or cardiovascular concerns
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
At £15 with entry, shots, and drink deals factored in, the maths works. You're not haggling at venues or getting stung with surprise cover charges. Solo travellers genuinely do well here — the group dynamic takes the edge off showing up alone. The variety of venues means you're not stuck in one vibe all night.
Shots are subject to what each bar has in stock, so don't assume five guaranteed. You're still buying most of your own drinks beyond the complimentary shots; budget for four hours of drinking on top of the crawl fee. It gets busy on weekends, so expect crowded bars and slower service. The walk involves stairs and uneven pavements in parts of Edinburgh — check yourself physically before committing. Not suitable if pregnant or with certain mobility issues. Peak times are Friday and Saturday nights; weekdays are quieter.
Comfortable walking shoes, cash for tipping/extra drinks, a jacket (Edinburgh gets cold at night).
Host, all venue entry, nightclub entry, wristband, photos, five shots, selected drink deals.
Most drinks, food.
Variable, but typically 20–40 people. Start time: 9 PM sharp.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original Global Hobo summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.