Tbilisi: City Pub Crawl with welcome shots in game format

Tbilisi comes alive after dark. This four-hour pub crawl gives you an easy way to sample the city’s Sololaki nightlife, meet people from several countries, and let a guide handle the evening’s route. I especially like the short walks between bars and the use of games to get strangers talking.

The strongest points are the variety of bars and the friendly hosts. Guides such as Dmitry, Nino, Liza, Lera, Daria, Oleg, and Alexandra are repeatedly praised for keeping the group involved and looking after people during the night. The main caution is simple: this is a drinking-focused social event, and entry is subject to dress rules and sobriety checks. A small group can also make the night feel quieter.

The tour costs $31 per person and runs on Friday and Saturday nights from 9 p.m. until midnight. That is fair value if you want five venues, five welcome shots, games, photos, and a ready-made social circle. It is less useful if you prefer a calm bar, a late dinner, or choosing each stop yourself.

Key details before you book

• Five venues in one night: The route moves through local bars and finishes at Woland’s Speakeasy.
• Short walks in Sololaki: Each transfer takes about 5 to 10 minutes, so you spend most of the evening inside bars rather than in transit.
• A game-based format: Contests and group games help break the ice, especially if you arrive alone.
• One free shot per bar: Five welcome shots are included, but any extra alcohol, water, food, hookah, or other orders cost extra.
• Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m.: The event lasts about four hours and is aimed at people aged 21 to 60.
• Dress carefully: Casual clothes are fine, but sportswear, sandals, and flip flops are not suitable for the venues.

Starting at Crossroads Bar on Shalva Dadiani Street

The listed meeting point is Crossroads Bar, 30 Shalva Dadiani Street, marked by an orange flag. One piece of the booking information also names Bar22 at 22 Galaktion Tabidze Street, so I would confirm the exact starting point before setting off. The more detailed meeting instructions identify Crossroads, but this small conflict is worth clearing up.

Arrive ready to begin at 9 p.m. You need a passport or ID card, and a copy is accepted. This is not the sort of tour where you should arrive in beachwear after a day at the sulfur baths. Wear neat, casual clothes and proper shoes.

The opening stop is important because the group is still forming. Some people will arrive alone, others with friends, and the guide’s first job is to get everyone speaking. The games give the evening a structure, rather than leaving you to stand awkwardly beside strangers while holding a drink.

That format has real value in Tbilisi. You can certainly visit bars independently, but a group activity removes the first awkward step. You have an instant reason to talk, and the guide can introduce people who might otherwise never meet.

First local bar: 40 minutes to find your rhythm

The first local bar lasts about 40 minutes. You receive the first welcome shot, meet the group, and begin the games. The exact bar can change depending on the evening’s events, so you should expect a social stop rather than a fixed sightseeing attraction.

I like the pacing here. Forty minutes is long enough to talk with several people but short enough to keep the night moving. The first stop also lets you judge the group’s mood. If you enjoy easy conversation and playful contests, the evening should gather speed quickly. If you dislike drinking games or meeting strangers in groups, this is where you may decide that the format is not for you.

Guides have received praise for being flexible. Dmitry was described as an excellent host who adjusted well to the group, while Liza was praised for taking people to places they would not have chosen alone. That points to the guide as a major part of the experience. The bars matter, but the person leading the group sets the tone.

The welcome shot is included, but only one drink per bar is covered. It does not mean unlimited drinks, and you pay for anything else you order. Keep that distinction clear from the beginning.

Second local bar: 45 minutes and a change of mood

The second bar gets roughly 45 minutes. By now, people have learned names, joined the games, and started to settle into the evening. This is often when a small gathering either becomes a real group or remains a loose collection of strangers.

The route is planned around current nightlife, including parties, concerts, or occasions when dancing on the bar may be part of the night. That makes the experience less predictable than a standard bar tour. You may find a concert atmosphere at one stop and a quieter local room at another.

The changing mood is one of the tour’s better features. You are not paying to sit in five similar pubs. The stops are intended to feel different, and the available comments describe a mixture of bar styles. Brett specifically praised the choice of venues and their different character, while other comments point to unusual places that are easy to miss if you are simply walking through central Tbilisi.

Still, you should keep expectations sensible. The route and events can change, and there is no promise of a particular band, party, or level of crowd. If you need a fixed timetable and guaranteed entertainment at every stop, this is not the right night out.

Third local bar: 45 minutes of games and conversation

The third local bar also takes about 45 minutes. At this stage, the games are less about introductions and more about keeping the energy going. The activity can be especially useful for solo participants, since it keeps conversation from breaking into a few separate pairs.

The social side is the heart of the experience. Several people have praised the chance to meet an international group, make friends, and share an evening with people they would not otherwise know. One participant described the format as a good way to bring strangers together, while another valued the international atmosphere and compared it to the social spirit of an exchange program.

That does not mean every group will have the same chemistry. One attendee had fun but found the group very small. A small group can be more personal, but it may also mean fewer people to meet and less noise in the bars. Group size is not provided in advance, so you should accept some variation.

The guide’s role becomes even more important here. Hosts including Aliaksandra, Georgi, Alex, Oleg, Alena, and Lera have been praised for running entertaining activities and keeping the group comfortable. If you are worried about arriving alone, the host-led games are a useful safety net.

Walking through Sololaki between stops

The bars and clubs are in Tbilisi’s Sololaki district, with no more than 5 to 10 minutes of walking between venues. That is a practical design choice. You do not lose half the night waiting for taxis, and you get a little fresh air between drinks.

Wear shoes that can handle walking on city streets. Sandals and flip flops are not allowed, and sportswear can lead to refusal at the door. The rules are not minor suggestions. Each venue has face control and a dress code, and staff may also refuse entry to anyone who appears too intoxicated.

That last rule benefits everyone in the group. A pub crawl can quickly become unpleasant if one person drinks far beyond the pace of everyone else. The sensible approach is to treat the included shots as optional fuel for the social evening, not as a challenge to finish the night as quickly as possible.

You are also responsible for your own extra orders. Water, meals, hookah, and additional alcoholic drinks are not included. If you want to keep the total cost close to $31, stick to the included shot at each venue and check the price before ordering anything else.

Ending at Woland’s Speakeasy

The route finishes at Woland’s Speakeasy. It is a useful final stop because the evening ends in a named venue rather than simply dissolving on a street corner. The exact entertainment can vary, but previous nights have included karaoke in an underground bar.

That karaoke detail gives you a good sense of the tour’s style. This is not designed as a formal introduction to Georgian wine, cocktails, or bar culture. It is a lively group night with games, drinking, music, and a succession of venues. The finish is meant to keep the group together for one last shared activity.

You can leave at the end of the four hours, or continue your night independently if you choose. The tour itself runs from 9 p.m. to midnight. Since the final stop is part of the included route, you do not need to plan a separate late-night destination just to make the evening feel complete.

Photos are included, which is a nice extra for a social event. They give you something to keep from the night and may help you stay in touch with people you meet.

What the $31 price really covers

At $31, the cost is reasonable for a four-hour hosted night if you intend to visit several bars anyway. You receive entrance to five bars or clubs, one welcome shot at each, an English or Russian-speaking guide, group games, and photos.

The value is not mainly in the alcohol. Five small shots alone would not justify the full price. You are paying for the route, access, introductions, group activities, and the convenience of moving through the nightlife with someone who knows where the evening is happening.

That makes the price more attractive for solo visitors and first-time visitors to Tbilisi. You do not have to research five venues, work out the order, or persuade a group of strangers to join you. The guide takes care of the structure.

The value falls if you already know Tbilisi well, dislike group activities, or plan to order several drinks and food at every stop. Extra purchases are paid directly in the bars, so budget beyond the ticket price if you want more than the five included shots.

The booking terms are flexible. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start for a full refund, and you can reserve while paying later. Check the available start time when booking, although the stated schedule is Friday and Saturday at 9 p.m.

Who will enjoy this Tbilisi night out?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Solo visitors who want an easy way to meet people
• Friends who enjoy games, music, and a busy evening
• People aged 21 to 60 who are comfortable in bars
• First-time visitors who want local nightlife without planning every stop
• Anyone who enjoys changing venues and mixed international company

The tour is not suitable for people under 21, pregnant women, or people with heart problems. It is also listed as unsuitable for people over 60. Those restrictions matter because the evening involves several bars, walking between them, alcohol, and late hours.

You should also skip it if you want a quiet night or a food-centered experience. Additional meals are not included, and the tour is built around drinks and social games. Eat beforehand or plan food separately, since no meal is part of the package.

My practical advice for a better evening

Arrive at the correct bar early enough to find the orange flag and meet the guide. Because the meeting information includes both Crossroads Bar and Bar22, confirm the location before the day of the tour.

Bring your passport or ID card, or an accepted copy. Wear casual clothes that look suitable for a city bar, along with closed, comfortable shoes. Leave sportswear, flip flops, and beach sandals at your accommodation.

Set a personal drinking pace. You do not have to order beyond the included shot, and staying clear-headed gives you a better chance of enjoying the games and getting into every venue.

Carry a payment method for extras. Water, food, hookah, and all additional drinks cost more. If your budget is tight, decide in advance how much you want to spend beyond the ticket.

Finally, keep your expectations flexible. The route is adjusted for current events, so the night may include a concert, a party, or dancing on the bar. That uncertainty is part of the fun, but it also means the exact bars and atmosphere are not fixed.

Should you book the Tbilisi City Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want a social, organized introduction to Tbilisi nightlife and like the idea of five different bars in one night. The best parts are the short walks, the changing bar styles, and the guides who use games to turn a group of strangers into a temporary party.

Skip it if you avoid alcohol, want a relaxed dinner, or prefer choosing your own bars. Also think twice if you dislike dress checks, late nights, or group contests.

For the right person, $31 buys more than five welcome shots. It buys a plan, a guide, access to several venues, and a good chance of meeting people during your first or next night in Tbilisi. Just dress properly, confirm the meeting point, and keep your drinking under control.

FAQ

When does the pub crawl run?

It runs every Friday and Saturday evening, beginning at 9 p.m. and lasting until about midnight.

Where is the meeting point?

The detailed meeting point is Crossroads Bar at 30 Shalva Dadiani Street, marked by an orange flag. Another part of the information names Bar22 at 22 Galaktion Tabidze Street, so confirm the location before the tour.

How many bars are included?

Entrance to five bars or clubs is included. The route begins at Crossroads Bar and finishes at Woland’s Speakeasy, with three local bar stops listed between them.

Are drinks included in the price?

You receive one free welcome shot at each bar, for five shots in total. Additional drinks, water, food, hookah, and other orders cost extra.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour is offered with a live guide in English or Russian.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card. A copy is accepted.

What should I wear?

Wear casual clothes and proper shoes. Sportswear, sandals, and flip flops are not allowed.

Who can join the pub crawl?

All participants must be older than 21. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with heart problems, people under 21, or people over 60.