New Orleans: Guided Bourbon Street Bar Crawl with Shots

Reviewed · FRENCH QUARTER TOURS

New Orleans: Guided Bourbon Street Bar Crawl with Shots

4.2 · 12 reviews 2 hours From $35 Operated by Crawl New Orleans · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Bourbon Street can be loud, so this adds structure. This guided bar crawl turns the chaos into a simple plan: meet at Coyote Ugly Saloon, break the ice with welcome shots, and then move bar-to-bar with your group while you’re chasing live music and party energy. I especially like two things: you’re not wandering solo, and the crawl cup is built for drink specials so you can control costs a bit.

One thing to keep in mind: the exact vibe can vary by guide and stops. One unhappy booking described an overly fast, light-on-explanations experience plus an unexpected niche venue, so if you want a very talky, strictly “classic Bourbon Street only” night, consider messaging your comfort level upfront.

Key Things You’ll Notice on This Bourbon Street Bar Crawl

New Orleans: Guided Bourbon Street Bar Crawl with Shots - Key Things You’ll Notice on This Bourbon Street Bar Crawl

  • Coyote Ugly Saloon is the anchor point, so meeting is straightforward.
  • A crawl cup acts like your ticket to drink specials at participating stops.
  • You start with welcome shots designed to get your group talking fast.
  • Expect variety: DJ sets, live bands, karaoke, and party games.
  • The tour is 2 hours, which helps you enjoy Bourbon Street without losing the whole night.

Starting at Coyote Ugly: The First 10 Minutes Matter

New Orleans: Guided Bourbon Street Bar Crawl with Shots - Starting at Coyote Ugly: The First 10 Minutes Matter
The night begins inside Coyote Ugly Saloon on Bourbon Street. You meet your guide inside the venue, at the big purple table. That detail matters because Bourbon Street is packed, and having a clear, visible spot keeps you from doing the usual street scavenger hunt.

After introductions, you do the down-a-shot moment that’s meant to break the ice. This is more than just booze—it’s a social tool. In practice, it helps you feel like you’re part of something right away instead of standing awkwardly near the door waiting for the tour to start.

Then you get your souvenir crawl cup. This is your practical advantage for the night. The cup is how you tap into special drink offers during the crawl, which can help you avoid the “everything costs full price” trap that hits a lot of bar-hopping plans.

The Route: 2 Hours of Walking, Short Stops, and No Big Travel Times

New Orleans: Guided Bourbon Street Bar Crawl with Shots - The Route: 2 Hours of Walking, Short Stops, and No Big Travel Times
This is a 2-hour experience, and that time box shapes everything. You’ll be walking along Bourbon Street with breaks that feel like quick transitions rather than long excursions. There’s a short walk from the French Quarter area to Bourbon Street, and then the guided portion is where the pacing does its job—enough time at each place to feel the atmosphere, not so long that you get stuck in one room.

One practical benefit of a guided crawl is that you don’t have to constantly decide. You’re going from one scene to the next: different bars, different entertainment energy, and different music styles. If you’re on a first visit, that matters. Bourbon Street can blur together fast when you’re DIY. With a guide, the night gets clearer: you’re there for a sequence of experiences, not just a line of drinks.

The crawl also includes a sightseeing moment and a photo stop. That’s useful because it gives you a quick chance to step back from the bar screens and street activity for a second—just long enough to reset and make the night feel like an actual plan.

Welcome Shots and the Crawl Cup: How to Think About Value

New Orleans: Guided Bourbon Street Bar Crawl with Shots - Welcome Shots and the Crawl Cup: How to Think About Value
The price is $35 per person, and the inclusions are what define whether it feels like a smart deal. You’re paying for:

  • a walking tour
  • a local guide
  • a souvenir cup
  • welcome shots

Notably, additional drinks are on you. That can sound obvious, but it’s the key to judging value. The crawl cup is where you’re most likely to offset the “extra cost” factor, because it’s specifically meant to unlock drink deals at stops during the tour.

Here’s how I’d treat it: plan your spending around the specials rather than treating every venue as a separate budget decision. If you’re trying to keep costs predictable, having the cup in your hand changes the math. You’re not guessing whether you should buy now or later—you’re using the system the tour gives you.

Also, the cup is not just for the deal. It’s a visible signal that you’re part of the crawl, which can make it easier to get served at the right time and stay with the group during the movement between bars.

What You Actually Do at Each Stop (and Why It Works)

New Orleans: Guided Bourbon Street Bar Crawl with Shots - What You Actually Do at Each Stop (and Why It Works)
This crawl is built around variation, and the included activities help it stay fun even if you’re not the type who loves bar-hopping for its own sake.

Live music shows up in different forms

The vibe isn’t one-note. The tour’s highlights point to live music across multiple venues, including everything from DJs to live bands. That variety keeps the sound fresh. It also helps if you and your group don’t all agree on what kind of music you want—there’s usually something for different tastes as you move.

Karaoke and party games keep the energy social

A karaoke bar is part of the experience. You might end up singing, or you might just enjoy the show and the laugh-factor. Either way, it creates something harder to get when you’re wandering alone: a shared moment.

Then there are drinking games. That’s exactly the sort of activity that can turn strangers into a group because everyone’s participating together. If you’re looking for a night where the fun is guided, this is a big reason the crawl format works.

You’ll get local color from the guide

You should expect your guide to share stories about the area while you move between venues. That’s not just entertainment filler. It helps you understand what you’re seeing—why a bar is where it is, what to notice on the street, and how Bourbon Street got its reputation.

One caution: an unhappy booking criticized a guide for not interacting much and not explaining the activity properly. So if you’re the type who really values history and stories, the experience may feel more social than educational depending on the guide.

Live Music, People-Watching, and the Bourbon Street Feel

Bourbon Street is famous for being… Bourbon Street. The tour leans into that. You’ll be walking through the entertainment corridor, moving from one venue to another while the street hum stays in the background.

Two things I’d call out about how this feels:

  1. You get the buzz without planning the whole night. You’re present for the party, but you’re not responsible for finding the next spot.
  2. You get more momentum. In a DIY crawl, people often slow down and get picky. With a guide setting the pace, you keep flowing.

One more nuance from the data: the tour is described as having your guide take you to Bourbon Street’s best bars. That’s the promise. In reality, the “best” part can mean different things to different people—more famous, more fun, more lively. If you want something specific (for example, more mainstream nightlife vs. more niche themes), think about checking your comfort level.

Comfort, Shoes, and When You’ll Want to Choose a Different Plan

This tour runs rain or shine, so you’ll want to dress for weather changes and still be able to walk comfortably. The tour data also calls out that you should wear comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes. That’s not optional on Bourbon Street—your day-to-night legs will thank you.

Age matters too: it’s not suitable for people under 21. That’s the line the activity uses, so plan accordingly.

Accessibility note: some venues may have limited accessibility for wheelchairs. Non-folding wheelchairs are not allowed. If you need special accommodations, this is one of those times where you should confirm details before you go, not after you arrive.

One Small Reality Check: Stops and Vibes Can Be Uneven

New Orleans: Guided Bourbon Street Bar Crawl with Shots - One Small Reality Check: Stops and Vibes Can Be Uneven
The overall rating is 4.2 with 12 reviews. That’s generally solid, but it also signals that not every experience hits the same mark.

The biggest red flag that appears in the negative feedback is guidance and stop selection. One person said the guide didn’t explain much, required paying for drinks to get a shot that was described as free, and ended up at a fetish shop bar—something they felt didn’t fit a New Orleans bar crawl theme. Another comment criticized the guide for not closing the tour clearly until the group asked.

What that means for you: treat this as a fun, social experience first. If you want a strict checklist of mainstream Bourbon Street venues, or you’re sensitive about certain types of adult-themed stops, it’s smart to ask the guide how the night is structured before it starts. You can also ask what the entertainment style will be (karaoke, games, live music) so your expectations match what you’re getting.

If You Need Proof of a Great Guide, Look for Names Like Jason

One review highlighted a guide named Jason, calling the experience awesome and saying the group had a blast. I can’t guarantee every guide hits the same notes, but it does suggest that when the guide is engaged, this crawl really can deliver that “friends fast” energy.

The point isn’t just the name. It’s that the format depends on the guide’s momentum. When they’re active, clear, and upbeat, the experience feels smoother and more fun from the first shot to the last photo.

Should You Book This Bourbon Street Bar Crawl?

Book it if you want a social, guided Bourbon Street night with built-in entertainment like live music and karaoke, plus a practical crawl cup that helps you tap into drink specials during the tour. It’s also a good pick if you’re short on time, because the 2 hours keeps you from turning one big night into an exhausting one.

Skip or rethink it if:

  • you strongly prefer lots of history and slow, story-focused pacing
  • you’re not comfortable with the adult, sometimes edgy side of Bourbon Street nightlife
  • you need high accessibility and can’t be flexible with venue stairs or layouts

If you do book, go with the mindset that this is a party plan with structure—not a quiet cultural tour. You’ll get more out of it that way, and the night tends to run smoother.

FAQ

FAQ

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet your guide inside Coyote Ugly Saloon on Bourbon Street, at the big purple table.

How long is the Bourbon Street bar crawl?

The tour duration is 2 hours.

How much does it cost?

It costs $35 per person.

What’s included in the price?

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

What’s not included?

You’ll need to pay for additional drinks on your own.

Do you go to multiple bars with entertainment?

Yes. The experience includes stops at different venues and highlights mention live music, including DJs and live bands, plus a karaoke bar.

Is there a chance to play drinking games?

Yes. The tour includes drinking games as part of the party atmosphere.

Is the tour available in bad weather?

The tour operates rain or shine.

Is it only for adults?

Yes. It’s not suitable for people under 21.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, plus comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes.