Cusco: Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks

REVIEW · PISCO SOUR & NIGHTLIFE

Cusco: Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks

4.6 · 57 reviews 4 hours From $20 Operated by Original Perú · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Cusco nights move fast. This 4-hour Cusco pub crawl strings together 3 bars and a club with skip-the-line entry, plus included cocktails and shots. It’s a simple way to see more of the nightlife without wasting time figuring out which line moves quickest.

I also like how the night is built for meeting people. You start with an icebreaker at a famous restobar overlooking the historic center, then you keep the momentum with promotions, discounts, and a set 1-hour rhythm at each stop. The main thing to consider is that it’s not a sit-and-watch tour: expect stairs and hills, and the plan runs rain or shine (not extreme weather).

Key takeaways before you go

  • Skip-the-line entry plus free entrance at each bar/club, so you’re not stuck waiting
  • Included drinks and shots: 1 cocktail or beer, then an alcoholic shot, a pisco shot, and a Machu Pichu shot
  • 4 hours, 3 bars + a club, with 1-hour stays and a night that ends after dancing
  • Walking-based itinerary, with a taxi used on Saturdays to avoid the worst climbs
  • Day-to-day venue swaps, so your exact bars can differ (craft brewery, hostel party vibe, and sometimes extra clubs)

What $20 Buys You in a Cusco Pub Crawl (and Why That Matters)

Cusco: Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks - What $20 Buys You in a Cusco Pub Crawl (and Why That Matters)
For $20 per person and about 4 hours, this pub crawl is mostly a value play. You get a hosted night out with skip-the-line access and multiple included drinks, which is usually where nightlife costs quietly explode in Cusco.

Here’s what’s actually included: you’ll receive 1 cocktail or beer, plus three shots during the tour (an alcoholic shot, a pisco shot, and a Machu Pichu shot). On top of that, the night includes a pub crawl bracelet for access and promotions/discounts on food and drinks at stops along the way.

What you should know is that you’re not just paying for alcohol. You’re paying for:

  • Cover-charge and queue avoidance (separate entrance)
  • A planned route so you don’t guess where the party is
  • A social structure (icebreakers and group flow), which is gold if you’re solo or new to town

The one budget caution is straightforward: extra drinks and food cost extra. This tour gives you a strong start, but you’ll still decide how far you want to take it once the included drinks are done.

Where You Start: San Blas Square and That First Restobar View

Cusco: Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks - Where You Start: San Blas Square and That First Restobar View
You meet in San Blas square, specifically above the big water fountain, at the top of the wide fountain with stairs. The guide team is easy to spot in orange shirts or sweaters that say Cusco Pub Crawl.

If you’re arriving late or just can’t find the group, you can contact them at the first bar via WhatsApp and get a live location update.

Once you’re gathered, the night begins at a famous restobar with a privileged view of the historic center of Cusco. This first stop does two jobs:

  1. It gets you oriented fast, visually and socially.
  2. It works as a reset before the bar-hopping starts—icebreaker games help everyone settle in.

If you’re the type who worries about feeling awkward in a group setting, this is where the tour earns its keep. You’re not dropped into a club with no context; you start with something calm enough to talk.

The Night’s Structure: 3 Bars, 1 Club, and a 1-Hour Rhythm

Cusco: Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks - The Night’s Structure: 3 Bars, 1 Club, and a 1-Hour Rhythm
The format is simple and predictable. You’ll visit 3 bars and a club. At each stop, you stay about one hour, and then you move on with the group.

The big practical point: the whole thing is mostly walking because the venues are close to each other. Cusco’s hills are real, though. The tour also notes that on Saturdays, they may take a cab to avoid the most brutal climb.

Even if you’re not a big walker, this can still work well because:

  • the pacing is structured (you don’t wander for long)
  • the group moves together
  • taxis are used on the tougher day

Your comfort is the only variable you control. Bring comfortable shoes. If you’re thinking about going out in something cute but painful, swap to support. Cusco stairs will turn regrets into cardio.

Included Drinks: Cocktail, Pisco Shot, and the Machu Pichu Moment

Cusco: Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks - Included Drinks: Cocktail, Pisco Shot, and the Machu Pichu Moment
This is one of the tour’s strongest selling points: you start with one included drink and then get three shots during the route.

Included drinks are:

  • 1 cocktail or beer
  • 1 alcoholic shot
  • 1 pisco shot
  • 1 Machu Pichu shot

A pisco shot matters in Peru because it’s part of the culture, not just a random “freebie.” The tour also includes a Machu Pichu shot, which is a fun theme for a place named after Machu Picchu. The point isn’t sophistication—it’s that you’re trying local-style nightlife without paying full price at each stop.

Also, the tour throws in promotions and discounts at the bars and for food. That can make a real difference if you decide you want more than your included drink.

One consideration: the tour prohibits intoxication, and that’s not just moralizing. It’s a safety rule. Plan to drink at a pace you control, especially if you’ll still be on your feet for stairs and short walks between venues.

Skip-the-Line Access: No Cover Charges and Separate Entrance

Cusco: Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks - Skip-the-Line Access: No Cover Charges and Separate Entrance
Cusco nightlife can be busy, and lines can eat your whole evening. This tour is set up to avoid that waste.

You get:

  • skip-the-line entry through a separate entrance
  • free entrance at all bars and clubs on the tour
  • the entry price and admission handled as part of the plan

In practical terms, you’ll spend more time inside the venues and less time waiting outside. That’s especially helpful if you want to start on time and keep the 4-hour schedule intact.

If you’ve ever missed the best part of a night because you were stuck in a slow queue, this is the part you’ll appreciate most.

Day-to-Day Venues: Craft Brewery, Hostel Party Energy, and Possible Extra Clubs

Cusco: Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks - Day-to-Day Venues: Craft Brewery, Hostel Party Energy, and Possible Extra Clubs
One thing I like about this pub crawl is that it’s not always locked into the same exact bars. The tour says the itinerary varies depending on the day and that you’ll get the best places on the list.

What you might see on different nights:

  • a craft brewery
  • a hostel stop where the party feels like something out of a movie
  • sometimes two clubs instead of just one, depending on the day

So instead of you spending the whole night at the same type of venue, you’re mixing vibes: restobar → bar → club energy. That variety helps if you’re picky about music styles or atmosphere.

You might also run into live bands at some point. The tour explicitly mentions live music as part of the kind of experience you could enjoy, and that can make the night feel more connected to local scene than just a generic circuit.

The Group Experience: Languages and How the Guide Keeps You Included

Cusco: Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks - The Group Experience: Languages and How the Guide Keeps You Included
This tour is run by English/Spanish/French-speaking hosts. That matters because nightlife conversations move fast, and language barriers can make you feel like you’re watching from the sidelines.

One guide name that comes up in the info is David. In at least one case, David was praised for running the group smoothly: making sure people weren’t left behind and keeping things inclusive. There’s also mention that when the group had only one person who wasn’t Spanish-speaking, David made sure people shifted to English so the conversation included everyone.

That’s the difference between a pub crawl that’s just logistics and one that’s actually social. If you want a night where you can relax into the group rhythm, this style fits.

What to Bring (So You Don’t Spend the Night Fighting Your Own Plan)

Cusco: Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks - What to Bring (So You Don’t Spend the Night Fighting Your Own Plan)
The tour is clear about what helps.

Bring:

  • comfortable shoes
  • change of clothes
  • passport or ID card (a copy is accepted)

Also expect:

  • some stairs and up/down walking because Cusco has hills everywhere
  • the tour runs rain or shine (but not in extreme conditions for safety)

And don’t bring:

  • bare feet
  • unaccompanied minors (it’s not suitable for people under 18)
  • anything that turns into intoxication

If you’re thinking of packing light, still don’t skip the shoes and a spare layer. Cusco weather can shift, and wet ground plus stairs is not where you want poor grip or a sore ankle.

Potential Trade-Offs: Who This Fits Best (and Who It Might Not)

Cusco: Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks - Potential Trade-Offs: Who This Fits Best (and Who It Might Not)
This is a nightlife tour. That means the “fit” is about energy level and comfort with movement.

It’s a good match if you:

  • want structure (3 bars + club, each for about an hour)
  • want social time without doing a ton of planning
  • like the idea of included pisco shots and themed drinks
  • prefer walking routes, or you’re okay with a taxi on tougher days

It may not be ideal if you:

  • hate stairs or get uncomfortable with uphill walking
  • want total control over every stop (this is guided and scheduled)
  • prefer a quiet night out rather than a party-focused circuit

The tour does include taxi support if you can’t reach a venue, and it notes that taxis are cheap and the walking segments are usually no more than about 10 minutes between stops. That helps if you’re slower, but it’s still better to show up ready to walk.

How the Night Ends: One Big Finish at the Club

Cusco: Pub Crawl with Skip-the-Line Access and Drinks - How the Night Ends: One Big Finish at the Club
You’ll finish at a club, with the tour described as going until you can’t dance anymore. That’s the whole mood, and it matches the format: the last leg is where the energy peaks.

Because the tour duration is 4 hours total, you’re not signing up for a half-day commitment in a way that steals your morning. You’re getting a concentrated nightlife hit: pre-party social start, bar circuit, then club finish.

Should You Book This Cusco Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want a low-stress, good-value way to do Cusco nightlife with skip-the-line entry, included drinks, and a plan that keeps you moving without you mapping every turn.

Skip it (or choose a different night option) if stairs and walking between venues sounds miserable, or if you’d rather pick venues one by one at your own pace.

My practical advice before you go:

  • Wear shoes you trust on uneven stone and stairs.
  • Eat beforehand, especially if you plan to try all the included shots.
  • If you’re worried about language, know the tour operates in English, Spanish, and French, and the guide approach includes keeping people included.

If your goal is a fun, social Cusco night with fewer hassles and clear value, this pub crawl checks the boxes.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Cusco pub crawl?

The tour lasts about 4 hours, with stops that typically run for around one hour each.

How many places do we visit?

You visit 3 bars and then finish at a club.

What drinks are included?

You get 1 cocktail or beer, plus 3 shots: 1 alcoholic shot, 1 pisco shot, and 1 Machu Pichu shot.

Do I need to pay cover charges at the bars or club?

No. The tour includes skip-the-line entry and free entrance through a separate entrance, with admission handled as part of the experience.

Where is the meeting point in Cusco?

You meet in San Blas square above the big water fountain, at the top of the wide fountain with stairs. Guides wear an orange shirt or sweater that says Cusco Pub Crawl.

Is transportation included?

Transportation is not included. The tour notes that on Saturdays a taxi may be used to avoid a steep climb, and the team can assist with taxis if you can’t reach a venue.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, a change of clothes, and your passport or ID card (a copy is accepted).

Does the tour run in the rain?

Yes, it runs rain or shine, but not in extreme weather conditions for safety.

What are the age limits?

The tour is not suitable for children under 18.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.

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