Ice-cold fun starts at 9pm. This Queenstown crawl strings together five of the best party bars, with a planned stop at the Queenstown Ice Bar and an actual guide keeping you moving instead of wandering. I especially like that the night has structure, yet you still get time to decide which bars you want to return to.

My other big win is the value: 5 free shots plus free pizza, and drink discounts that last beyond the crawl. The one thing to consider is the timing and alcohol element—since you start at 9:00 PM and the night includes shots, it is not the best fit if you are aiming for an early bedtime or you prefer to skip drinking.

Key highlights you will feel right away

• Start at 9:00 PM at The London Bar (downstairs), next door to Fergburger, so you can get oriented fast
• Ice Bar entrance included (normally $30) with an express security check
• 5 free shots and free pizza to kick off the night without buying everything up front
• Escorted visits to 5 party bars so you spend less time searching and more time socializing
• Bar games with chances to win prizes tied to local activities
• Drink discounts for your entire stay in town so the night keeps paying off afterward

Meeting at The London Bar: your easy starting point at 9:00 PM

This tour begins at 9:00 PM, and your meeting spot is clear: downstairs in The London Bar, 36 Shotover Street, right next door to Fergburger. If you have arrived in Queenstown earlier, this also helps because you can find it again later without stress.

I like meeting points that are easy to recognize on a busy street. Queenstown nightlife can get loud and confusing quickly, and the last thing you want is losing time trying to locate your group. This crawl basically turns that problem into a non-issue.

Once you’re checked in, the guide keeps the rhythm going. You’ll get escorted between bars, which matters because it means you do not spend your evening playing map-guessing games in the cold. You are there to start having fun, not to figure out transit.

Queenstown Ice Bar: why the included entry is the real draw

The Ice Bar stop is the headline, and it is not just a random ticket. The crawl includes the Ice Bar entrance fee, which is normally $30, and you also get an express security check to help you skip the line.

That matters for two reasons. First, an included Ice Bar entry makes the cost feel more realistic, because you are not paying full price on top of everything else. Second, skipping the security line keeps your schedule intact so you do not end up watching other people have the fun while you wait.

Even better, the way the night is set up means the Ice Bar comes later in the tour. You get time to warm up with other bars first, then switch to the cold-and-cool vibe of the Ice Bar when the night is already rolling.

Practical note: you will be in a nightlife setting at night, so dress for Queenstown’s cooler evenings. If you run warm, great. If you do not, layer up before the cold stop.

The 5-bar format: what you gain by being escorted

A bar crawl only works well when it has a plan. This one takes you to five party bars across the evening, guided and paced, so you are not stuck outside asking where everyone is going next.

I like this approach because it solves the biggest bar-crawl problem: choice overload. Queenstown has plenty of options, but when you are tired, hungry, and slightly jet-lagged, deciding can feel like work. The escort removes that friction. You go from one stop to the next, and you can decide what you like as you go.

There is also a hidden benefit: you get a fast sampling of the scene. If a bar fits your style, you can build on it after the tour. If it does not, you are not stuck there all night.

One caution: since you visit multiple bars in one evening, pace yourself. The tour includes shots and pizza, so you might not need to go extra-heavy on drinks at every stop. Pick your moments, stay comfortable, and you will enjoy the whole route more.

$23 pricing: how the free shots, pizza, and discounts add up

At $23 per person for about four hours, the math is pretty compelling—especially if you were already thinking about the Ice Bar.

Here’s what you are getting that shifts the value in your favor:

• Ice Bar entrance fee is normally $30, and it is included
• You get 5 free shots
• You get pizza
• You receive drink discounts during the crawl, and discounts for your entire stay in town

Even if you do not drink much, the inclusion of the Ice Bar entry and the free food still matters. Free pizza is not a tiny detail when you are out at night and trying to keep energy up. It also helps you avoid the common late-night spiral of buying a snack every time hunger hits.

The drink discounts can be the “bonus multiplier” that makes the price feel even better. Because the discounts are tied to your entire stay in town, this tour can turn into a money-saver, not just an entertainment cost.

Bottom line: this is best if you want a guided night out and you plan to make the most of Queenstown’s bar scene rather than treating it like a one-off stop.

Games and prizes: a little structure for a better night

A key difference with this crawl is that it is not just walking and ordering drinks. You will play games during the evening, and there are prizes involved from local activities.

I like this kind of extra layer because it gives you something to do besides stare at menus and scan the room. Games also lower the awkward barrier when you are in a group and want to start interacting quickly. It is a fun way to break the ice, literally and figuratively.

You should expect the vibe to be social and lively. If you prefer a quiet, sit-down wine-and-cheese evening, this may not be your match. But if you want a night that feels like an organized hangout with built-in energy, it works well.

Ending just after midnight: keep the party going, your way

The tour finishes in the last bar just after midnight, but you are not cut off from continuing. That flexibility is useful because it matches how nightlife usually goes: you either want to roll forward, or you want to wrap up when you feel satisfied.

Four hours from a 9:00 PM start puts you in a classic late-night window. You get enough time for multiple stops, plus the Ice Bar moment, without ending at some absurd hour where your next day feels wrecked.

If you are trying to plan around a flight or a busy day, this timing is also easier to work with than tours that run much later. Still, since the crawl is designed for partying, bring your best judgment. Eat, sip water, and do not let free shots turn into free regrets.

Who this Queenstown Ice Bar Crawl suits best

This crawl is a good fit if you:

• Want a guided way to hit five nightlife stops without spending your night lost
• Are interested in the Ice Bar and like the idea of an included entrance fee
• Appreciate a deal that includes food and shots instead of only discounts
• Enjoy social activities like bar games and prize moments

It is also a solid option if you want to pick favorites on the fly. A crawl format gives you short exposure to many places, which helps you decide where you would actually return.

It might not be your best choice if you:

• Want a very quiet night out
• Do not drink and would rather avoid shots entirely
• Are aiming for an early bedtime, since the start time is 9:00 PM

Should you book it?

If you are thinking about going to the Ice Bar anyway, this is an easy “yes” because the entrance fee is normally $30 and is built into the price. Add in the free pizza, 5 free shots, and drink discounts, and the tour starts to feel like a structured night out that pays for itself faster than you might expect.

I would book it when you want convenience, a guide, and a plan. You show up at The London Bar, you get escorted to the stops, and you can spend less time deciding and more time enjoying.

If you hate late starts or you want a low-alcohol experience, consider another style of Queenstown outing. This one is clearly set up for nightlife energy.

FAQ

What time does the Queenstown Ice Bar Crawl start, and where do I meet?

You meet downstairs in The London Bar, 36 Shotover Street, at 9:00 PM.

How long is the experience?

The duration is 4 hours.

What does the $23 price include?

It includes the Ice Bar entrance fee (normally $30), 5 free shots, and pizza.

Do I get express entry for the Ice Bar?

Yes. The experience includes skip-the-line access through an express security check, and you also get free Ice Bar entry later in the tour.

Are there drink discounts?

Yes. You get drink discounts all night, plus drink discounts for your entire stay in town.

Are games included, and are there prizes?

Yes. The crawl includes bar games, with the opportunity to win prizes from local activities.

What should I bring, and can I book flexibly?

Bring your passport. You can reserve now and pay later, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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