New Orleans Bourbon Street Bar Crawl w/ Shots & Souvenir Cup

Bourbon Street is a lot to take in at once: music spills from doorways, bars crowd the street, and the party keeps moving. This two-hour crawl gives you a guide, a small group, and four planned bar stops, so you can sample the scene without having to plan every turn yourself. I especially like the choice between a more relaxed late-afternoon outing and a livelier night crawl.

I also like the souvenir Crawl Cup, which comes with drink specials at some bars, and the chance to hear a little about New Orleans architecture on the walk into the French Quarter. One thing to keep in mind: shots and drink deals can vary by venue, so do not count on a free shot at every stop or assume all drinks are included in the $35 price.

At a glance

• Four bar stops take you from Coyote Ugly Saloon to Bourbon Street venues selected for the time of day.
• A Crawl Cup and welcome shot are part of the experience, with drink specials available at some bars.
• Afternoon and evening options have different moods: daytime tours feature a live band, while evening tours have a DJ and nightclub atmosphere.
• The guide sets the pace with drinking games, group introductions, local recommendations, and a short architecture story.
• The group is capped at 25 people, giving the crawl a social feel without the scale of a street-wide party.
• Budget beyond the $35 ticket for drinks you buy, and check shot and special terms at each venue.

Starting at Coyote Ugly Saloon

The crawl begins at Coyote Ugly Saloon, 225 N Peters St, near the edge of the French Quarter and the Mississippi River. It is a practical meeting point: a taxi or rideshare can drop you at the front door, and Bienville Station on the Riverfront streetcar route is about a two-minute walk away.

You check in, receive your Crawl Cup, and meet the guide and the rest of the group. The opening stop lasts about 30 minutes, with a welcome shot and drinking games to help break the ice. If you arrive alone, this first stretch matters. It gives you a chance to find a friendly face before the group heads into the busy streets.

Guides are a big part of what makes this kind of outing work. Jason is a name that comes up often, with comments also praising guides such as Josh, Autumn, and Ben Wah. You cannot count on a particular guide when you book, but the role is clear: keep the group together, help the mood along, and offer local tips as you move between bars.

The welcome shot is included, but that does not mean your other drinks are. Coyote Ugly can also feel pricier than the later stops, so check the menu before ordering anything beyond what the crawl includes. If you want to keep costs in check, ask what comes with your ticket and what is an extra charge before you start a tab.

Walking from the Quarter toward Bourbon Street

After the first stop, the group walks through the French Quarter toward Bourbon Street. This part is short, about 10 minutes, but it gives the outing a little more shape than simply going from bar door to bar door. The guide shares a story about New Orleans architecture and how the city came to look as it does today.

The route also introduces one of the city’s unusual party customs: open containers are permitted in the street in New Orleans. The tour notes that you can fill your Crawl Cup before leaving the first bar. Still, keep an eye on your drink and follow your guide’s directions as the group moves along.

Wear comfortable shoes. The walk between venues is part of the crawl, and Bourbon Street can be crowded, especially during a lively evening slot. You are not signing up for a history walk, but this brief transition offers a welcome pause between drinks and gives you a glimpse of the Quarter beyond the bar interiors.

Four stops on Bourbon Street

The main portion of the tour lasts about 80 minutes and includes four bar, pub, club, or live music stops in the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street. The exact venues can change with the time slot and the atmosphere on the night. That flexibility is useful: a late-afternoon crawl may suit a more relaxed start, while the evening option leans toward a DJ and nightclub feel.

The venues may include live music, karaoke, balconies, drink specials, shots, or a nightclub. You are getting a sample of Bourbon Street’s changing mix rather than a fixed line-up of named bars. If there is one kind of venue you most want to see, ask the operator before booking whether that is likely on your chosen time slot. The itinerary does not promise a specific bar.

The guide helps the group move as a unit, while drinking games and introductions keep the stops social. Birthday groups, friends, couples, and solo participants can all fit in, though the experience is plainly built around drinking and meeting people. If you prefer quiet conversation, a slow dinner, or a deep look at local history, this will not be the best use of your evening.

Be clear-eyed about the shots. A welcome shot is included at the start, and multiple venues may offer shots to the crawl. But the number and terms can vary. Some participants have found that a shot at a particular bar required buying a drink first, while others describe shots at several stops. Ask before ordering, and do not treat every free shot or discount as guaranteed.

The same goes for drink specials. The Crawl Cup is meant to bring discounts at some bars during your outing, but the exact deal depends on the venue. Check what the special covers and whether it applies with a shot or another purchase. A little clarity at the bar can prevent the sort of bill confusion that can sour a good night.

Afternoon music or a late-night club feel

Your time slot shapes the character of the crawl more than the route does. Daytime tours feature a live band, which can make the outing feel more like a music-and-pub walk. Evening tours feature a DJ and nightclub atmosphere, with a later, more energetic pace.

Choose late afternoon if you want to start your night with a group activity and still have time afterward to eat or explore on your own. Choose the evening slot if your main aim is to join Bourbon Street’s party scene. Either way, the crawl ends at a Bourbon Street venue, and you can stay in the area after the tour if you want to continue your night.

The group size has a practical upside. With a maximum of 25 people, the guide can usually keep the party moving and help participants connect, though 25 is still enough for the group to feel lively. On a particularly busy night, expect some waiting and noise. Bourbon Street is not a hushed setting, and the tour does not try to make it one.

What the $35 price covers

At $35 per person, the ticket includes the two-hour guided crawl, four bar stops, the Crawl Cup, drinking games with included alcohol, welcome shots at multiple venues, drink specials, and associated entry fees on night tours. That is a reasonable price if you value having a guide, a ready-made group, and a plan through a part of town where choices can be overwhelming.

It is not an all-you-can-drink ticket. The inclusion of shots and the cup should not be mistaken for a full bar tab, and your total will depend on the drinks you choose to buy. The Crawl Cup may help reduce costs through specials, but those discounts are available only at some bars and terms may differ.

For better value, eat beforehand, drink water, and set a spending limit before the first stop. Bring a payment method for any extra drinks, and ask staff to confirm the price and any conditions before ordering. Those small habits matter in a fast-moving bar setting, where a group order or noisy room can make it harder to catch details.

The finish near Jackson Square

The crawl ends at Bourbon Street Honky Tonk, 727 Bourbon St, near Orleans Street. That puts you about a block from St Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square, a handy location if you want to keep exploring the Quarter or find your way back toward the river.

The stated duration is about two hours, so plan your evening around that rather than treating the crawl as a quick one-hour stop. The group activity ends at the venue, but your night does not have to. You can stay in the area afterward, though the guide’s organized portion is over.

Who will enjoy this crawl

This is a good fit if you want a social introduction to Bourbon Street, enjoy drinking games, or are celebrating a birthday or group occasion. It can also work for solo visitors who want company and a guide to set the first few stops. The most consistent strengths are the guides’ efforts to involve people, the lively group atmosphere, and the chance to meet other people from different places.

It is less suited to anyone looking for a quiet evening, a detailed history tour, or a precise promise of which bars they will visit. Families can book, but the activity itself is centered on alcohol and nightlife, so consider whether that is a comfortable fit for everyone in your party.

The tour is offered in English, uses a mobile ticket, and is near public transportation. Most people can participate, and the group is limited to 25. It averages about 25 days between booking and the tour date, so it is sensible to plan ahead if you have a particular evening in mind. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time; cancellations inside that window are not refunded.

Should you book it?

Book this crawl if you want a ready-made way to meet people, sample several Bourbon Street bars, and let a local guide handle the route. The $35 fee makes sense for the cup, games, guide, and planned stops, provided you understand that extra drinks cost more and shot offers can vary.

Skip it if you want a calm night, guaranteed shots at every bar, or a fixed list of venues. For the best chance of a smooth evening, arrive ready to walk, eat first, wear sneakers, and ask about drink prices before ordering. If those terms suit you, the crawl can be a fun, social start to a New Orleans night.

FAQ

How long does the Bourbon Street bar crawl last?

The crawl lasts about two hours. The opening stop is around 30 minutes, the walk toward Bourbon Street takes about 10 minutes, and the main bar portion is about 80 minutes.

How many bars does the tour visit?

The crawl includes four bar, pub, club, or live music stops in the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street. The specific venues can vary by time slot.

What is included in the $35 ticket?

The ticket includes the guided two-hour crawl, four stops, a Crawl Cup, drinking games with included alcohol, welcome shots at multiple venues, drink specials, and entry fees for night tours.

Are drinks included throughout the tour?

No. The ticket includes some alcohol as part of drinking games and welcome shots, but it does not cover all drinks. You may need to buy a drink to receive a shot at some venues.

What is the Crawl Cup for?

You receive a branded Crawl Cup at the start. It is intended to provide access to drink specials at some bars during the crawl.

Where does the crawl start and end?

It starts at Coyote Ugly Saloon, 225 N Peters St, and ends at Bourbon Street Honky Tonk, 727 Bourbon St, near Orleans Street.

Is there a daytime and an evening option?

Yes. Daytime tours feature a live band, while evening tours have a DJ and nightclub atmosphere.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 25 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.