Queenstown: Ice Bar Crawl

REVIEW · QUEENSTOWN

Queenstown: Ice Bar Crawl

  • 4.841 reviews
  • 4 hours
  • From $23
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Operated by Kiwi Crawl · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Ice-cold fun meets an easy plan. This Queenstown crawl pairs a proper night-out vibe with Ice Bar access and a guide to keep you moving. I like the structure: you get escorted to 5 party bars, plus 5 free shots and pizza. The free drink discounts for your whole stay are a real bonus if you’re staying local and hopping around. One thing to consider: it starts at 9:00 PM, so it’s not your sleepy, early-evening style of activity.

The meet-up is right in the action at The London Bar (36 Shotover Street), next door to Fergburger. From there, the night runs for about 4 hours, finishing just after midnight, with plenty of time to keep going on your own. If you’re the type who likes choosing your own favorites, this tour actually helps you find them fast.

Ice-themed bars can feel seriously cold, so you might want a warmer layer ready for when you hit the Ice Bar. And if you’re trying to keep your spending tight, remember the included treats are capped: it’s 5 free shots and pizza, then it’s on you for everything after that.

Key things I’d bet you’ll notice fast

Queenstown: Ice Bar Crawl - Key things I’d bet you’ll notice fast

  • 5 bar stops with an escort so you don’t waste the night hunting for the next place
  • Ice Bar entrance included (normally priced higher on its own)
  • 5 free shots + free pizza keeps the first part of the night feeling like a win
  • Games and prizes add energy beyond just lining up for drinks
  • Drink discounts for your entire stay can stretch your budget if you plan to bar-hop again
  • Skip-the-line express security check means less standing around

How the 9:00 PM Ice Bar Crawl Works in Queenstown

Queenstown: Ice Bar Crawl - How the 9:00 PM Ice Bar Crawl Works in Queenstown
This tour is built for one thing: a smooth, social night out in Queenstown without having to plan every turn. You start at 9:00 PM and roll through 5 bars with a live English-speaking guide keeping the timing together.

The biggest practical value is friction removal. In Queenstown, you can absolutely bar-hop on your own. But the crawl model saves you from the usual problems: figuring out where people are going, losing time to late starts, and spending your night zig-zagging across town without a plan.

You’ll hit the Ice Bar partway through the evening, with entrance included in the tour package. The night wraps just after midnight, but you’re not trapped on a schedule after that.

You can also read our reviews of more drinking tours in Queenstown

Starting at The London Bar (36 Shotover Street) for a quick start

Queenstown: Ice Bar Crawl - Starting at The London Bar (36 Shotover Street) for a quick start
The meeting point is downstairs in The London Bar, 36 Shotover Street, right at the start time: 9:00 PM. It’s next door to Fergburger, which makes it easy to confirm you’re in the right place without overthinking it.

Why this matters: the first stop sets your pace. If you’re trying to maximize your time, arriving a few minutes early lets you get settled before the group moves. It also helps you lock in any drink discounts that are part of the deal, since the tour starts the discounted portion from the beginning.

The London Bar also acts like a “basecamp” feel: you’re getting into the nightlife mood right away, not waiting around for the rest of the group to gather somewhere obscure.

Five Bars, One Easy Plan: What the Escort Actually Gives You

Queenstown: Ice Bar Crawl - Five Bars, One Easy Plan: What the Escort Actually Gives You
Instead of wandering, you’ll be escorted to 5 of the best party bars Queenstown has to offer. The tour design is simple: one guide, one group flow, and a sequence of venues.

That escort is more than convenience. It’s a way to avoid a common bar-crawl trap: everyone spends the first hour arguing about where to go next, and then the night speeds up so fast you barely remember what you picked.

Here, the guide keeps you moving and helps you sample a range of Queenstown nightlife styles in one go. At the end, you’re typically in a good position to decide which places you’d return to on your own later, rather than guessing blindly.

One potential drawback: if you personally prefer deep dives into one specific bar, a multi-stop format can feel a little fast. The tour is about trying a lot, not lingering.

The Ice Bar entrance fee is the anchor of the value

The Ice Bar is the star attraction, and it’s built into your night. The tour includes the Ice Bar entrance fee, which is listed as normally priced at $30 on its own. That matters because it turns your $23 ticket into something that feels less like paying for a crawl, and more like getting the Ice Bar experience at a discount while also getting extras.

Also note: the plan includes an express-style approach with an express security check, which helps you get through quicker than you might on your own.

When the Ice Bar comes up later in the tour, you’re not spending your night doing paperwork, waiting in lines, or paying full retail and then trying to make up the cost with other stops. You’re already holding the ticket value in your pocket.

Free shots, pizza, and games: why the night feels like a show

This isn’t just a walk-and-drink situation. You’re set up with 5 free shots and free pizza through the evening. That’s a big deal for value and for pacing. Early on, it means you’re not constantly weighing whether the first rounds are worth the cost. It also helps keep the group feeling upbeat.

Then there are bar games with the opportunity to win prizes. Games do two things on nights like this:

  1. They turn a line-up culture into an interactive vibe.
  2. They help you meet people without needing to start a conversation from scratch.

A balanced note: the games and prizes might not be why you go if you want a quiet or classy drink experience. But if your goal is energy, it’s part of the point of the crawl format.

Drink discounts for the rest of your stay

Queenstown: Ice Bar Crawl - Drink discounts for the rest of your stay
One of the most practical perks here is drink discounts for your entire stay in town. That’s exactly the sort of benefit that can make a tour feel like it’s paying you back after the tour ends.

If you’re staying a few nights, discounts can reduce the cost of:

  • a second round at your favorite stop
  • a return visit to the Ice Bar-area area vibe
  • trying another bar without paying full price every time

This is also where the multi-stop setup helps. Because you sample multiple venues during the crawl, you’re more likely to find one you actually like. Then the discounts become useful rather than theoretical.

Timing, pacing, and how late-night this really is

The tour runs for 4 hours and finishes in the last bar just after midnight. In practical terms, that means you should treat this as your main nightlife block, not a quick warm-up before dinner.

If you’re trying to see Queenstown by day—views, hikes, early restaurants—this is still doable. Just don’t plan anything that requires an early start the next morning, unless you’re great at bouncing back quickly.

It’s also worth planning your night around the fact that the group is moving through venues at set times. If you want to pop into a shop or stop somewhere for a late bite, you’ll need to either do that before the tour or after the crawl ends.

Practical tips before you go (so nothing ruins your night)

Queenstown: Ice Bar Crawl - Practical tips before you go (so nothing ruins your night)
Here’s what I’d do to avoid annoying surprises with this kind of tour:

  • Bring your passport. The tour notes a passport requirement. Don’t assume you can skip it.
  • Arrive a few minutes early. The meet-up is downstairs at The London Bar at 9:00 PM. Getting there on time helps you start smoothly.
  • Plan for bar-night temperatures. You’re going to an ice-themed venue, so a warmer layer is a sensible idea even if the rest of Queenstown feels mild.
  • Set a drink budget for after the freebies. The included treats are clear: 5 free shots and pizza. Past that, your spending depends on what you order.
  • Use the crawl to pick your next favorite. The tour’s structure is perfect if you want to taste a bunch of places and then decide where you’d actually want to return.

One more practical point: the tour language is English, and it’s a live guide. That helps if you’re not comfortable winging details on your own.

Who this Queenstown Ice Bar Crawl is best for

This experience fits best if you:

  • want a guided night out with a clear starting point and timing
  • like meeting people and joining a group vibe
  • want the Ice Bar without buying just the ticket and hoping you enjoy the rest of the night
  • are the type who enjoys games and extra entertainment, not just drinks

It might feel less ideal if you:

  • prefer going bar-to-bar at your own exact pace
  • want a quieter, low-energy evening
  • don’t want any structured activities like games

Based on the overall rating of 4.8 and the consistent praise for the night’s flow and guide energy, it’s clearly hitting a sweet spot for party-minded visitors.

Price and value: why $23 can feel like more than it looks

At $23 per person, the math gets interesting fast. The big value anchor is the Ice Bar entrance fee, listed as normally $30 by itself. That means your ticket is already covering one major cost even before you factor in the rest.

Then you add:

  • 5 free shots
  • free pizza
  • express security check
  • escorted access to 5 bars
  • drink discounts for your entire stay
  • games with prizes

Now, no deal is perfect. The biggest trade-off is you’re buying convenience and coverage in exchange for control. You don’t get to linger forever in one venue, and your included food/drinks have limits. But for most people planning a first-time Queenstown night, it’s a strong value mix: one ticket gets you into the big attraction and keeps the night moving.

Should you book this Ice Bar Crawl with Kiwi Crawl?

I’d book it if your goal is a fun, social Queenstown night where you don’t have to think too hard. The price-to-inclusions ratio is strong thanks to the included Ice Bar entry and the added freebies. The structure also helps you figure out which bars you’d return to after the tour ends, which is a smart way to avoid wasting a trip on places you don’t love.

I’d skip it if you want a slow evening, or if you dislike a party format with games and multiple stops. Also, if you’re sensitive to late-night timing, remember it starts at 9:00 PM and ends just after midnight.

If you’re open to nightlife and want your Ice Bar visit to feel like part of a full Queenstown night rather than a standalone stop, this crawl is an easy yes.

FAQ

Where does the Queenstown Ice Bar Crawl start?

You meet downstairs in The London Bar at 36 Shotover Street at 9:00 PM. The London Bar is next door to Fergburger.

How long is the tour?

The duration is 4 hours, finishing in the last bar just after midnight.

What’s included in the $23 price?

It includes Ice Bar entrance (normally $30), 5 free shots, and pizza. You’ll also be escorted to 5 bars and get drink discounts for your stay.

Do I need to bring anything specific?

Yes. The tour notes that you should bring a passport.

Is there a security line to deal with?

The tour includes an express security check, which helps you skip the line.

Is it easy to change your plans?

You get free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and there’s also reserve now & pay later available.

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