New Orleans: Guided Bourbon Street Bar Crawl with Shots

Bourbon Street is best known for its noisy, anything-goes nightlife, and this two-hour crawl gives you a simple way to step into it with a group. I like that welcome shots and a souvenir cup are included, and that the route mixes different kinds of bars rather than sticking to one room.

I also like the chance to catch live bands or DJs, try karaoke, and hear a local guide add context between stops. The trade-off is that additional drinks cost extra, and the quality of the evening depends heavily on how engaged your guide is. This is a social night out, not a detailed history tour.

At a glance

• Meet inside Coyote Ugly Saloon: Look for your guide at the big purple table.
• Bring your ID: The crawl is for people 21 and older.
• Your cup can save on drinks: It gives you access to specials, but it does not cover all drinks.
• Expect a mix of venues: The route may include live music, balcony access, karaoke, and drinking games.
• Plan for two hours on foot: Comfortable shoes are a smart choice.
• Ask about the tour’s flow: A recent account described a guide who gave little explanation and did not clearly signal the finish.

Starting at Coyote Ugly on Bourbon Street

The meeting point is inside Coyote Ugly Saloon, where you’ll find the guide at the big purple table. The setting suits the tour: this is not a quiet introduction to New Orleans nightlife, but a loud, social start where you meet the rest of the group and get the evening moving.

The first stop includes a welcome shot, which helps break the ice if you arrive alone or with just one companion. A souvenir crawl cup is also included. Keep it handy, since it serves as your pass to drink specials at participating bars.

Arrive ready to show a passport or ID card. The tour is strictly for people aged 21 and over, and carrying identification is a sensible precaution even if you are clearly of legal drinking age.

Walking from the French Quarter to the bars

After meeting the group, you walk through the French Quarter toward the Bourbon Street stops. The listed walk between the starting point and the Quarter is short, about five minutes, while the guided portion on Bourbon Street lasts around an hour and a half.

The route is on foot, so wear shoes you can manage on a night out. The schedule includes a brief spirits stop, sightseeing, and a photo stop, but the heart of the tour is moving between bars and spending time inside them.

Bourbon Street is a public, high-energy stretch of nightlife, and the crawl makes it easier to try more than one venue without having to decide where to go next. That convenience is part of the value: your guide chooses the stops, and the group moves together. The drawback is that you have less control over which bars you visit and how long you stay at each one.

What the stops can offer

The venues are meant to show different sides of Bourbon Street nightlife. Some have balcony access, where you can look down on the street activity; others feature live bands or DJs. The mix gives the two hours a changing rhythm instead of leaving you in one bar all night.

There is also a karaoke stop, where you can take the microphone or simply watch. Drinking games and local drinks add to the group atmosphere, though neither is a requirement for having a good time. If you prefer to take it easy, you can enjoy the music and conversation without matching anyone else drink for drink.

The tour description promises stories about the area as you go. That can make the bar-hopping more rewarding, since you get some local context along with the nightlife. Still, it is worth keeping expectations in proportion: the scheduled focus is bars and social activity, not a long walking lecture about New Orleans history.

One important variable is the guide’s style. Jason has been praised by name for getting a group to have fun, but you are not guaranteed a particular guide. A recent account described an outing where the guide offered little explanation, spent much of the time talking with people at the venues, and did not make the ending clear. If you want more context, ask early what to expect from the guiding and whether the group will hear stories at each stop.

Shots, the cup, and what your $35 covers

At $35 per person, the price covers the walking tour, a local guide, a souvenir cup, and welcome shots. That is a reasonable starting price for a guided night out, especially if the cup’s specials fit the drinks you plan to order.

But do not treat the booking price as the full cost of the evening. Additional drinks are not included, and the cup gives access to specials rather than making drinks free. Keep enough money available for anything you order beyond the included welcome shots.

There is also a detail worth clarifying at the start. One participant reported being asked to buy a drink to receive a shot they understood to be free. The stated inclusion is welcome shots, so it is fair to ask your guide which shots are covered and whether any later shot comes with a purchase condition. A quick question before ordering can prevent an awkward surprise at the bar.

The best value comes if you enjoy the group format and make use of the cup’s deals. If you only want one drink, dislike crowds, or would rather choose each bar yourself, the price may feel less compelling. You are paying not just for drinks, but for a guide-led route and a ready-made social plan.

The group atmosphere, with room for personal choice

The crawl is designed to help people meet. You share a welcome shot, walk between venues together, and have easy openings for conversation through music, games, and karaoke. If you are visiting with friends, it offers a structured night out; if you are on your own, the group setup can make starting conversations easier.

That social format is not for everyone. The venues may be loud, and the group’s energy can shape the evening. You may find yourself in a bar that is not your personal taste, or at a stop where you would rather listen than join in. The tour is at its best when you can go with the flow while still choosing how much you drink and participate.

One attendee who singled out Jason as a great guide also described the group as having a blast. That is a useful sign of what the tour can be when the guide sets a welcoming tone, though it is not a guarantee of the same guide or group on your date.

The tour also includes a visit to a fetish-themed bar, according to one account of the route. The listed stops can vary, and that venue may not suit everyone. If you have firm preferences about the kinds of bars you are comfortable visiting, ask the provider before booking rather than assuming every stop will be a standard music bar.

Timing, weather, and access

The crawl lasts two hours and operates rain or shine. Check the available starting times before booking, and plan your evening around the fixed duration. The tour ends on Bourbon Street, rather than returning to the original meeting point, so consider that when deciding what you want to do afterward.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. You will be walking between venues, and you may be standing in bars or moving around while music plays. A light layer or rain protection may be useful depending on the forecast, since the tour does not stop for weather.

Accessibility is limited at some venues. Non-folding wheelchairs are not allowed, and some bars may have limited wheelchair access. If you need specific access arrangements, contact the provider before booking to confirm whether the route can accommodate you.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at once. Those terms are useful if your New Orleans plans are still shifting, but do check the exact start time and availability for your date.

Who will enjoy this Bourbon Street crawl

I would choose this tour if you want a social night out and like the idea of several bars without having to plan the route yourself. It is especially suited to adults who enjoy live music, karaoke, group games, and the loose, theatrical side of Bourbon Street.

It may also work well for a solo visitor who wants company for an evening. The welcome shot and shared walk offer natural ways to meet people, and the guide gives the group a central point of contact. Just remember that the activity is centered on nightlife, not on a quiet, in-depth account of the French Quarter.

I would look elsewhere if you want an intimate bar crawl, a highly specific selection of venues, or a guaranteed history-focused tour. The crawl’s appeal is variety and group energy, and the guide’s involvement matters. A lively guide can turn a sequence of bars into a good shared evening; a passive one can leave you feeling that you are simply following the group from door to door.

Should you book it?

Book this crawl if you are 21 or older, comfortable in busy bars, and want a guided, social way to sample Bourbon Street in two hours. The included welcome shots and cup help the $35 price make sense, provided you budget separately for extra drinks.

Before you commit, consider whether you are comfortable with venue variety, including the possibility of a bar that is not your usual scene. If that suits you, this can be a fun, low-planning night out. If you want a polished history tour or control over every stop, choose a different way to explore.

FAQ

How much does the Bourbon Street bar crawl cost?

It costs $35 per person. Additional drinks are available to purchase and are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts two hours. Check availability for the starting times offered on your date.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet inside Coyote Ugly Saloon on Bourbon Street. The guide will be at the big purple table.

What is included in the price?

The price includes a walking tour, a local guide, a souvenir cup, and welcome shots.

Is the tour suitable for anyone under 21?

No. The tour is not suitable for people under 21.

What language is the tour in, and does it run in the rain?

The tour is in English and operates rain or shine.