London : Central London Bar Crawl with discounts on drinks

London’s West End is a lively place to spend an evening, and this crawl gives you a simple way to move between four central bars and clubs without paying an entry fee at each door. You meet near Piccadilly Circus, collect a wristband and head out with a guide and a group.

I like two things here: four welcome shots are included, and the wristband offers discounts on selected drinks, advertised at up to 60 percent. The short walks between venues also keep the night moving without turning the crawl into a long trek.

The main consideration is the pace and setting: this is a six-hour group night out, not a guided tour of London’s landmarks or pub history. You’ll need to be 18 or older, bring valid ID and be comfortable with a late finish.

• Four venues, one West End evening: The crawl starts at Simmons Bar near Piccadilly Circus and finishes at The Roxy.
• A welcome shot at every stop: Four shots are included, one at each venue.
• A wristband for selected drink deals: Discounts can reach 60 percent, and drinks are advertised from £2.50.
• Short walks between listed stops: The itinerary gives two five-minute walks between venues.
• A clear meeting signal: Look for the guide holding a giant inflatable banana outside Simmons Bar.
• A group night, not a sightseeing tour: Guides stay with the party, but the focus is socialising and nightlife.

Starting the night near Piccadilly Circus

Your meeting point is Simmons Bar Piccadilly Circus, in Golden Square. The guide’s giant inflatable banana should make the group easier to spot among the evening crowds. The stated meeting window is between 8:45 and 9:50 pm, so check your booking details for the precise time to arrive.

At the meeting point, a guide scans your ticket and gives you a wristband. That wristband is central to the deal: it provides access to the included venues and discounts on selected drinks. Bring a valid passport or ID card, as the event is for adults aged 18 and over.

The organizers describe this as a Friday and Saturday event. The listed duration is six hours, so plan for a late night rather than a quick round of drinks. The itinerary names Simmons Bar as the starting point and The Roxy as the finish, but it does not identify all four venues by name in advance.

Four venues, with the details that matter

The basic format is easy to understand: meet the group, visit four central London bars or clubs, and move between stops on foot. Two walks in the listed route take about five minutes each. That makes the crawl practical if you want to sample a few places without planning every door and route yourself.

The first named stop is Simmons Bar, where you meet the guide and get your wristband. The itinerary then allows 55 minutes at a local bar before a five-minute walk to another local bar, with another 55 minutes there. The route ends at The Roxy. The available schedule does not spell out the names or exact sequence of every venue, so don’t count on being able to choose a particular club or plan around a named bar.

This degree of structure suits a night out more than a bar-by-bar cultural tour. You have a group and a guide to keep the party moving, but you should expect the venues themselves to be places for drinks and dancing, not stops with formal commentary. If you are more interested in London’s architecture, history or food scene, choose a daytime walk instead.

What the shots and wristband are worth

Four welcome shots are included, one at each venue. They add a small included treat to every stop, but they are not a substitute for the drinks you may want to buy during a six-hour evening. Additional drinks are not included, and neither is a cloakroom.

The wristband offers discounts of up to 60 percent on selected drinks. The phrase selected drinks is important: the discount does not necessarily apply to every item on a menu, and the maximum discount is not a guaranteed saving on each purchase. Drinks are advertised from £2.50, but the final price depends on what you order and which venue you are in.

I’d judge the value by how you plan to use the evening. If you want to visit several bars and clubs, would otherwise pay entry at the door, and expect to buy drinks, the included access and deals may make the ticket worthwhile. If you prefer one quiet bar or don’t drink alcohol, much of the package will matter less. The free shots are part of the offer, but you are not obliged to drink them.

There is a price detail worth checking before you book. The experience is presented at $18 per person, while the practical information also gives a ticket price of £20. Those amounts may reflect different display or booking details, so check the total and currency shown at checkout rather than assuming they are interchangeable.

The group is part of the experience

This is designed as a social night, with guides staying with the group as you move between venues. That can be useful if you’re in London on your own, travelling with a small party, or simply keen to meet people beyond your usual circle. You have an easy opening for conversation: everyone has gathered for the same night out.

The emphasis on the guides is one of the strongest signals about what the experience is like. A French participant who went on a Saturday night described the two guides as exceptionally welcoming, kind and cheerful, and said the concept made them keen to repeat it on another London visit. The comment does not give their names, so there’s no particular guide to request, but it points to a practical advantage: a warm welcome can make a group event feel easier from the start.

Guides speak English and French. If you need one of those languages, this is useful to know, though the information does not say which language a particular guide will use on a given night. The group format also means the evening is less flexible than going out on your own. You’ll follow the crawl rather than spend as long as you like at one venue.

Who will get the most from this crawl

I’d consider this a good fit if you want a ready-made night out in the West End, enjoy meeting new people, and value having venue entry arranged for you. The guide and group remove some of the guesswork from choosing where to go next, while the short walks help keep the route manageable.

It may also suit a weekend visitor who wants to make an evening of central London without building a bar itinerary from scratch. The meeting point is close to Piccadilly Circus, and the route stays within the city center. Just remember that this is nightlife, with a late start and a six-hour duration, so it is not an ideal pick if you want an early night.

I would skip it if you’re looking for a small, quiet tasting, a food-focused evening, or a detailed introduction to London’s past. There is no promise of a particular music style, crowd size or named venue beyond Simmons Bar and The Roxy, so choose it for the social format and included deals, not for a specific club experience.

Sportswear is not allowed. The information does not specify a full dress code, so if you’re unsure what to wear, check with the operator before setting out rather than guessing. You should also carry ID even if you look well over 18.

Booking details to check before you go

The crawl runs on Fridays and Saturdays, lasts six hours and has starting times that depend on availability. The meeting window is given as 8:45 to 9:50 pm. Because that is a broad window, make sure you know your assigned meeting time and arrive at Simmons Bar in Golden Square.

The booking terms allow free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also offered, which can help if your plans are still taking shape. Confirm the price and currency at checkout, particularly given the separate $18 and £20 figures.

Should you book the West End crawl?

Book it if you want four central venues, free entry, a shot at each stop and drink discounts, all wrapped into a guided group night. Its best value is for someone who intends to go out anyway and likes the company and structure of a crawl. The warm, helpful approach praised in the French-language account is another encouraging sign, though no guide names are provided.

Think twice if you want to choose every venue yourself, avoid group events or keep your evening short. The crawl’s appeal is its easy, social format, not a bespoke route or a deep look at London. If that matches your idea of a night out, check the exact meeting time, bring ID and confirm the final ticket price before booking.

FAQ

Which days does the crawl run?

It runs every Friday and Saturday. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet your guide outside Simmons Bar Piccadilly Circus, in Golden Square. The guide will be holding a giant inflatable banana.

What time should I arrive?

The stated meeting window is between 8:45 and 9:50 pm. Check your booking details for the time that applies to your ticket.

How old do I need to be?

You must be at least 18 years old. Bring a valid passport or ID card.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes entry to all four venues, four welcome shots, a wristband with discounts on selected drinks, and guides who party with the group.

Are drinks included beyond the welcome shots?

No. Additional drinks are not included, though the wristband offers discounts of up to 60 percent on selected drinks. Drinks are advertised from £2.50.

What languages do the guides speak?

Guides speak English and French. The information does not specify which language will be used on a particular night.

Can I cancel and receive a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.