Shots and stories on Bourbon Street. This two-hour New Orleans bar crawl turns the French Quarter into a guided party plan, with welcome shots and an easy start right at Coyote Ugly. I especially like that you can pick a late-afternoon or night time slot, so the energy matches what you feel like doing.

You also get a Crawl Cup right away, plus group drinking games powered by included alcohol. Guides like Jason and Josh are known for keeping the pace fun and the group engaged, which matters when you’re doing four bar stops on foot.

One thing to weigh: while you’ll get shots and specials along the way, the exact way shots are handled at each stop can vary, and a couple of people reported issues with promised souvenir cups. So I’d treat this as a party with structure, not a strict drink-by-drink guarantee.

Key things I’d zero in on before you go

• Time slot choice: late afternoon for a looser vibe, night for more DJ/nightclub energy.
• Check-in at Coyote Ugly: easy taxi/rideshare drop-off and close to the streetcar.
• Crawl Cup from minute one: helps you take advantage of drink discounts at some bars.
• Games right away: you start with drinking games at the first stop, not after you’ve already settled in.
• Four bar stops, French Quarter to Bourbon Street: you’re walking the big corridor without doing the planning.
• Wear shoes for standing and walking: sneaker advice shows up for a reason on Bourbon Street.

Entering The Party Plan: Coyote Ugly and your first shot

Your tour starts at Coyote Ugly Saloon on N Peters Street, right on the edge of the French Quarter and close to the Mississippi River. It’s an area where you can easily meet a group without hunting for an obscure address. And if you’re arriving by rideshare or taxi, this is one of those pickups where the driver can drop you at the front door and you can actually begin.

Check-in is straightforward: you grab your Crawl Cup, get your first welcome shot, and meet your guide and the rest of the crawl group. The tour is set up with small-ish groups (up to 25), which helps a lot on Bourbon Street. With fewer people, you’re less likely to get lost in a crowd when the music and people spike.

A practical tip: this is a walking bar crawl. You’ll be on your feet through the French Quarter and down Bourbon Street, so plan for a lot of short moves—entering, exiting, ordering, and regrouping.

Picking the late afternoon vs night slot changes everything

This crawl isn’t one-size-fits-all. You can choose between a more relaxed late afternoon start or a livelier night-time slot, and the venues and vibe adjust to match.

Daytime tends to feel more like a fun guided stroll with music in the background—your daytime run may include a live band. Evening crawls shift toward DJ and nightclub energy, with stops that can include bigger party cues like karaoke, balconies, or a nightclub feel. The point isn’t just volume. It’s pacing. Night crawls often have louder scenes, faster-moving lines, and more distractions.

If you want the history story plus shots without feeling like you’re fighting for space, pick the late afternoon slot. If you want Bourbon Street at full volume and you’re ready for a more intense party atmosphere, the night slot is the better match.

The French Quarter walk: quick history, big payoff

After check-in and drinking games at Coyote Ugly, you head into the French Quarter on your way to Bourbon Street. Expect a short guided walk that includes a story about the architecture of New Orleans and why the city looks the way it does today. This is not a long museum lecture. It’s more like a sense-maker—small context that helps you look at the buildings instead of just staring at signage and neon.

Then comes a key practical moment: you’ll want your Crawl Cup filled before you leave the next stop. In New Orleans, you can drink in the street when you have the right setup, and the tour reminds you of that. This matters because it can change how fun the walk feels. If you show up with an empty cup, you’re stuck waiting, and Bourbon Street doesn’t slow down for anyone.

Bourbon Street stops: four venues, party activities, and real walking

Once you hit Bourbon Street, the tour becomes the experience most people came for. The format is simple: you move between four different bar stops, and each venue brings its own style—some lean toward live music, some toward shots and drink specials, and some toward karaoke or nightlife energy depending on your time slot.

The crawl is built for “party with momentum.” You’re not left wandering for long stretches. Instead, your guide keeps you grouped, leads you from stop to stop, and helps you avoid the awkward moment of entering a bar unsure what’s happening.

What you should expect at the bars:

• Drink specials tied to the Crawl Cup
• Shots offered at some venues (often as welcome or activity-driven moments)
• Group games that keep the crowd interacting
• A mix of atmospheres, from bar/pub energy to music-heavy spots

That said, here’s the honest part. A few experiences have been inconsistent around the exact way “free shots at every bar” works, and at least one person described having to buy a drink first to receive a shot. Another theme: souvenir cups are promised, but a couple of people said they didn’t get them as expected.

So if you’re budgeting tightly or you have a strong “I only want guaranteed freebies” mindset, keep expectations flexible. If you’re going for fun and you’re okay with some variation by bar, you’ll likely have a great time.

The Crawl Cup: how it can save money and why you should use it

The Crawl Cup is a big part of the value. You get it at the start, and it’s branded for drinks discounts at some bars. That means this isn’t just a souvenir. It can be a tool to make Bourbon Street less expensive.

Here’s how to make it work for you:

• Use it as soon as you arrive at each stop, since discounts are tied to the cup at participating venues.
• Keep an eye on the wording at the bar. If a discount or shot offer is conditional, ask what qualifies.
• Don’t assume every stop will run the exact same promotion.

This is where the couple of mixed experiences come in. One person said they didn’t receive souvenir cups when they were promised, and another said shots didn’t happen exactly as expected at each stop. Those reports don’t mean it will happen to you, but they do tell you to be a grown-up about it: if something seems off, check politely and early rather than waiting until you’re at the next venue.

Meeting-point logistics that actually matter

The start location is a practical win: it’s designed to be easy to reach by rideshare/taxi. It’s also close to the streetcar. If you’re taking public transit, you can use the streetcar route by getting off at Bienville Station, then walk about two minutes to Coyote Ugly.

That proximity helps for two reasons:

1) You lose less time getting oriented.

2) You’re less stressed about being late, and the guide can keep the group on schedule.

Also note the tour ends on Bourbon Street near Orleans Street, around a block from St Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square, at a venue on/near Bourbon Street. That’s useful because after the crawl, you can decide whether to keep partying or pivot toward nearby sights.

Pacing, group size, and how to not get left behind

The crawl is about two hours total. Within that time, you’re covering enough ground to feel the length of Bourbon Street without spending your whole day walking. But two hours still adds up when you’re going bar-to-bar and standing in lines.

With a maximum group size of 25, the tour has room for social energy without feeling like a school bus. Still, Bourbon Street is crowded. When you move into busy areas, watch where your guide turns and where the group clusters. Don’t drift off to check doorways or menus.

One small but repeated piece of advice from people who did the crawl: wear tennis shoes. That isn’t just style. It’s comfort and balance for uneven pavement and long standing.

Hydration and food also matter. If you go in hungry, the early shots can feel too intense too fast. If you drink too quickly without eating, you’ll feel it before stop three.

Price and value: is $35 worth it?

At $35 per person for about two hours, you’re paying for more than just drinks. You’re paying for:

• A guided route through the French Quarter into Bourbon Street
• Welcome shots and included alcohol with games
• A structured party format so you don’t have to plan four separate bar stops
• A Crawl Cup that can trigger discounts at some bars
• A guide who keeps the group moving and lowers the awkwardness of ordering alone

If you were going to do a self-planned crawl anyway, the guide and structure can be the difference between fun and frustration. Self-guided bar hopping means you waste time figuring out where to go, and you often end up paying “first place you see” prices.

If you’re not a bar person—if you prefer quiet sightseeing and you don’t want the drinking games—then $35 won’t feel like value. This is built for the Bourbon Street scene, not for a low-key stroll.

Who this fits best (and who should skip it)

This crawl fits best if:

• You want Bourbon Street energy but still want help navigating it
• You like meeting people and joining group games
• You’re okay with a party environment and a bit of variety at each stop
• You want a fast, guided way to cover four bar venues in a short time

You might skip it if:

• You want guaranteed freebies at every single bar no matter what
• You prefer a quiet, sit-down tour with lots of time for photos and history
• You’re sensitive to crowded nightlife scenes

For birthdays and milestone trips, this kind of structured party can be a strong pick, especially because the guide and group activities help create momentum from the first stop.

When you run into issues: what to do on Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street can be chaotic, and bar staff have their own rules. That’s why a couple of reported problems matter, even if they seem like outliers.

One person described a stop where the number of drinks charged didn’t match what they thought would happen, and they said it was handled by a manager afterward. Another mentioned trouble with promised shot or cup expectations. In both cases, the best move is to address it calmly and early at the bar you’re currently in, not later.

If your Crawl Cup or a promised promotion isn’t working:

• Show the cup and ask what discount applies.
• Ask whether a shot offer is conditional on ordering another drink.
• If it’s not resolved quickly, ask your guide to step in.

Your guide is part of the value. Use that fact while you’re still at the venue, not after you’ve walked away.

Should you book this Bourbon Street bar crawl?

If you want a guided, short-duration party plan that covers four bars and includes shots and games, this is a good bet for New Orleans. The $35 price makes sense when you use the Crawl Cup discounts and you’re actually interested in Bourbon Street nightlife.

Book it if you’re choosing the late afternoon slot for a gentler pace or the night slot for DJ-and- nightclub energy. Skip or adjust expectations if you need strict guarantees about free shots at every venue or souvenir cups with zero hassle.

If your main goal is sightseeing, pick a history-focused walking tour. If your goal is Bourbon Street with a guide and built-in fun, this one is designed for exactly that.

FAQ

How long is the Bourbon Street bar crawl?

It runs for about 2 hours.

Where do we meet, and where do we end?

You meet at Coyote Ugly Saloon at 225 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130. The crawl ends at a venue on Bourbon Street near Orleans St, close to St Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square.

How many stops and bars are included?

The crawl includes four stops across French Quarter and Bourbon Street bar/pub/club/live-music venues with a local guide.

What do I get besides drinks?

You receive a branded Crawl Cup, which can be used for drinks discounts at some bars. You also get welcome shots and participate in drinking games with included alcohol.

Is there live music or a DJ?

Daytime tours can feature a live band. Evening tours have a DJ and a nightclub vibe.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.