REVIEW · NEW ORLEANS COCKTAIL TOURS
New Orleans Bourbon Street Bar Crawl w/ Shots & Souvenir Cup
Bourbon Street turns two hours into a plan. This New Orleans Bourbon Street bar crawl lets you pick a late-afternoon or night slot, so the energy matches your mood from the start. You’ll walk the French Quarter, then hit Bourbon Street with a local guide keeping the group moving.
What I like most is the built-in party momentum. You get welcome shots and you’ll receive a branded Crawl Cup that can help with drink discounts at some bars. One thing to consider: some stops may make shots or discounts conditional on buying a drink, and a few people reported missing the cup perks, so it pays to confirm what is included at each venue.
Key highlights you’ll feel fast

- Pick your vibe with a late afternoon crawl or a livelier evening night-out slot
- Start with a welcome shot plus drinking games right at the first bar
- Crawl Cup for drink deals at select stops (it’s meant to cover more than one bar)
- Four different Bourbon Street style stops with music, specials, and party features depending on the time
- Smallish group size with a maximum of 25 people
- Ends near Jackson Square so you’re not stuck wandering with a sore neck after the crawl
Price and what $35 actually buys you

For $35 per person, you’re paying for three things at once: a guide, a planned route through the key lanes of the French Quarter and Bourbon Street, and bar time that includes games and shots.
The math gets easier if you want structure. New Orleans bar-hopping can turn into wandering, waiting for drinks, and guessing which places are good right now. This crawl keeps it social, keeps it moving, and hands you a built-in excuse to sample several stops without spending your whole night deciding.
Also, the tour is only about two hours. That’s a sweet spot in a city where nights can balloon fast. If you still want to keep going after, you’ll be in a perfect launching point rather than backtracking to your hotel.
More New Orleans cocktail routes from the Sazerac onward
Where you meet Coyote Ugly, and how that helps your night
Your start point is the Coyote Ugly Saloon at 225 N Peters St, just off the edge of the French Quarter near the Mississippi River. It’s a convenient meet spot for rideshare and taxi drops because it’s right on a main corridor you can actually describe.
If you prefer public transit, you can use the streetcar via the Riverfront route to Bienville Station. From there, it’s about a two-minute walk to Coyote Ugly, which is handy if you want your evening to feel flexible.
The tour uses a mobile ticket, so make sure your phone is charged enough. One small tip: New Orleans streets are tight and the crawl is timed, so you’ll feel better if you don’t spend the first ten minutes hunting your confirmation.
Stop 1 at Coyote Ugly: Crawl Cup, first shot, and a group vibe

The crawl begins at Coyote Ugly with a welcome rhythm. You check in, get your Crawl Cup, and receive your first welcome shot right away. That early shot matters because it sets the tone fast, and it usually helps people stop acting like they’re casing the bar for weaknesses.
There are also drinking games at the start. In practice, this is one of the best parts of a bar crawl like this. Games give you an instant social script, so you’re not relying on awkward small talk while everyone figures out the menu.
You’ll also meet your guide and other crawlers here. The group stays relatively small, with a maximum of 25 travelers, which helps the guide manage the energy without the herding-cat feeling.
The French Quarter walk: quick context and a reason to look up

After the warm-up, you’re ready for a first walk through the French Quarter on your way to Bourbon Street. You’re not just moving from bar to bar. You get a story about New Orleans architecture, plus why the city looks the way it does today.
That’s a nice change from the typical bar-crawl approach. It gives you a little meaning for the sidewalks you’re walking, and it keeps the tour from feeling like you’re only chasing drink specials.
One practical detail: the crawl encourages you to fill your Crawl Cup before leaving. New Orleans is one of those places where the “can you drink in the street” question matters, and the tour’s approach is basically to save you the hassle later. If you’re unsure, watch what the group is doing and follow your guide’s cue.
Bourbon Street, four stops, and why the time slot changes everything

Then comes Bourbon Street, the reason most people book in the first place. The tour’s key idea is that the venues are selected based on the moment of the day. If you choose a late afternoon slot, you should expect a different mix of music and party energy than if you choose an evening slot.
Daytime tours may feature a live band, while evening tours lean toward a DJ and nightclub vibe. That doesn’t just affect the soundtrack. It changes the crowd behavior, the pace at each stop, and how loud and busy things feel.
Across your Bourbon Street stretch, you’ll hit four bar stops on the French Quarter and Bourbon Street side. Each venue may offer different party features such as live music, shots, drink specials, karaoke, balconies, and even a nightclub-style stop. In other words, you’re not just repeating the same kind of bar four times.
You can also read our reviews of more drinking tours in New Orleans
Drink specials, the Crawl Cup, and the one thing to watch

The Crawl Cup is a branded souvenir you’ll use during the crawl. The promise is that it helps with drinks discounts at some bars, which is exactly what you want on Bourbon Street, where prices can jump once the music gets louder.
Here’s the practical catch. Some guests reported that shots or discounts were conditional. That can look like: you get a free shot only after you order something, or discounts work only if you accept the free shot. One review even complained about being charged for more drinks than expected.
So do yourself a favor. At each stop, confirm what your Crawl Cup covers and whether a shot is truly included automatically, or only after purchase. Don’t be shy about asking in plain language. A quick check saves a lot of frustration when a bar is busy and staff are moving fast.
Pacing and walking reality (the part people feel the next day)

This is not a sit-and-stare tour. You’ll be walking between bars, and Bourbon Street is a mix of packed sidewalks and short bursts of space where you can breathe.
Because the crawl is about two hours, the pace is meant to keep energy up. You’ll likely feel it in your feet. If you want to enjoy the whole experience, wear comfortable sneakers and plan to hydrate.
Also, eat before you start. Even with shots included, you don’t want your night to be decided by your stomach. A good meal helps you stay social through all four stops without getting sluggish.
Your best fit: who should book this crawl

This works best if you want a party-style night in New Orleans without spending your time map-checking or bar-checking.
I’d especially recommend it if:
- You’re traveling with friends or a small group and want a built-in way to meet people
- You like the idea of shots plus drinking games early, then walking into Bourbon Street energy
- You want someone else to handle timing and bar selection while you focus on having fun
- You want a guided walk through the French Quarter with a quick architecture story, not just a line of bars
If you’re the type who wants quiet, museum-level history or lots of downtime, this probably isn’t your ideal match. The crawl is about atmosphere and nightlife momentum.
A note on the guide experience
A strong part of this kind of tour is the guide. In the data you provided, the guide experience is often praised, with names such as Jason, Josh, and Autumn showing up. That suggests the company uses hosts who can keep groups entertained and moving.
Even with a great guide, bar crawls still depend on how the bar itself runs that night. Crowds at Bourbon Street can change by the hour. Your goal is to go with a flexible mindset and let the guide set expectations, then ask questions when something feels unclear.
Where the crawl ends, and why that matters
The tour ends at Bourbon Street Honky Tonk, 727 Bourbon St, near Orleans St. It’s close to Jackson Square and about a block from St Louis Cathedral, which is a big deal for two reasons.
First, you finish in a walkable zone where you can choose what comes next, whether that’s dessert, live music elsewhere, or a calmer street nearby. Second, you’re not left at some random spot where you need a long taxi ride just to reorient.
If you plan to keep partying, this ending location is convenient. If you’re ready to wind down, it gives you easy options to head toward quieter parts of the Quarter.
Cancellation and timing, in plain terms
The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before start time, the paid amount isn’t refunded.
As for timing, the tour duration is about two hours, with the first stop lasting roughly 30 minutes, then you move through short segments on the way to the Bourbon Street stretch. Slots run in either late afternoon or nighttime energy, so pick based on how loud you want your evening to be.
Should you book this Bourbon Street bar crawl?
If your idea of a great New Orleans night is controlled chaos, friendly strangers, and hopping between several Bourbon Street venues in a couple of hours, I think this is a smart buy for the money. The combination of a guide, planned stops, welcome shots, games, and the Crawl Cup concept is exactly the kind of structure that makes a bar crawl feel worth your time instead of random.
Book it if you want:
- A fast start with welcome shots and games
- Four stops and a guided walk through the French Quarter
- A finish near Jackson Square so you can keep going or switch gears
Skip it or rethink if:
- You hate nightlife pricing games and want fully transparent shot-by-shot inclusion
- You’re looking for a calm, low-key evening
- You want perks to be guaranteed without any conditions (a few people reported that wasn’t always how it played out)
If you do book, my best advice is simple: confirm what your Crawl Cup includes at each stop, keep an eye on the drink count if staff are charging, and wear shoes made for standing and walking. You’ll enjoy this night much more when you’re not dealing with avoidable surprises.
FAQ
How long is the New Orleans Bourbon Street bar crawl?
It runs for about 2 hours.
Where do I meet the tour?
You meet at Coyote Ugly Saloon, 225 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130.
How many bars will I visit?
You’ll have 4 stops across the French Quarter and Bourbon Street bars and venues.
What’s included in the crawl?
The crawl includes the 2-hour bar crawl, the Crawl Cup, drinking games with included alcohol, shots at multiple venues, drink specials, and a professional Bourbon Street bar crawl guide.
Do daytime and evening tours feel different?
Yes. Daytime crawls feature a live band, while evening crawls feature a DJ and a nightclub vibe.
What does the Crawl Cup do?
It’s a branded souvenir cup that is offered for drinks discounts at some bars during your trip.
Is the tour group size limited?
Yes, the maximum group size is 25 travelers.
Is the ticket mobile and in English?
Yes, you get a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English.
Can I cancel and get a full refund?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Canceling less than 24 hours before start time is not refunded.
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