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

Bourbon Street is the kind of place that makes more sense with a plan. This crawl gives you one: start at Coyote Ugly, meet a guide and a small group, play drinking games, then move through four bars toward the heart of the French Quarter. Jason is especially praised for keeping birthdays and mixed groups involved, while other guides, including Josh, Autumn, and Ben Wah, have also earned strong marks.

I like the easy meeting point near the Riverfront streetcar and the fact that your $35 includes a crawl cup, welcome shots, guide, games, and entry fees for the night tour. I also like the choice of an afternoon slot with live music or an evening slot with a DJ and nightclub feel. The catch is important: shots and discounts have not always worked exactly as advertised, and one group reported being overcharged at a bar.

Key points to know before you book

• Start at Coyote Ugly: Check in at 225 North Peters Street, just two minutes from the Bienville streetcar station.
• Four stops in about two hours: The route moves through the French Quarter and Bourbon Street, with the final venue near Orleans Street and Jackson Square.
• Choose your mood: Afternoon crawls feature a live band, while evening outings lean toward DJs and a nightclub atmosphere.
• Expect group games and welcome shots: The first shot comes at check-in, with additional shots and drink specials at some stops.
• The cup has practical value: Your Crawl Cup is meant to provide drink discounts during your wider New Orleans visit, though availability has occasionally been a problem.
• Wear walking shoes: The bars are close enough to reach on foot, but Bourbon Street pavement and a full night of standing call for sneakers.

Starting beside the French Quarter at Coyote Ugly

The crawl begins at Coyote Ugly Saloon, 225 N Peters St. This is on the edge of the French Quarter, close to the Mississippi River, and it is a sensible place to meet if you are using a taxi or rideshare. The Riverfront streetcar is also handy. Take the Riverfront route to Bienville Station, then walk about two minutes.

At check-in, you receive the Crawl Cup and a welcome shot. The group gathers, introductions begin, and the guide uses drinking games to get people talking. This opening matters because a bar crawl can feel awkward when everyone arrives in separate groups. A good host gives you a reason to interact before the first walk.

Jason receives the strongest praise for this part of the experience. People describe him as funny, attentive, protective, and good at bringing shy members into the activity. That is useful if you are celebrating a birthday, traveling with a mixed-age adult group, or arriving alone and hoping to meet people.

The cup is meant to be more than a keepsake. You can fill it before leaving, and it is tied to drink discounts at participating bars during your time in New Orleans. Still, check that you receive one at the start. One group reported that cups were unavailable and had to be promised by mail, so this is a detail worth confirming before the group leaves Coyote Ugly.

A short French Quarter walk with a bit of context

The first walk takes roughly ten minutes. You move from the meeting point through the French Quarter toward Bourbon Street, with the option to carry a drink outdoors. New Orleans allows drinking in the street, which changes the rhythm of the walk. You are not rushing from one doorway to the next. You can keep the group moving while taking in balconies, old facades, music spilling from bars, and the people heading in the same direction.

The guide also shares a short explanation of New Orleans architecture and why the city looks the way it does today. Do not book this for a full architecture tour. The history portion is brief, but it adds useful context to what you are seeing and gives the walk more purpose than simply crossing a few blocks.

The route is part of the value. A first-time visitor may know Bourbon Street by name but not know where to begin, which doors are worth entering, or how to keep a group together. Here, the guide handles the transitions and points you toward a planned set of venues.

You should still pace yourself. The welcome shot, games, and street drink arrive early. Eat before you come, drink water, and do not treat the included alcohol as a challenge. One birthday group specifically advised eating first, hydrating, wearing tennis shoes, and keeping spare phone storage available for photos.

Four Bourbon Street stops, four different moods

The main part of the outing lasts about 80 minutes. The exact bars can change with the time slot and the mood the company is trying to create. Possible features include live music, karaoke, balconies, drink specials, shots, and a nightclub during evening crawls.

That flexibility is useful because Bourbon Street changes by the hour. A late afternoon group can settle into a more relaxed start with live music. An evening group is more likely to encounter a louder club setting and a DJ. If you want conversation and a gentler pace, choose the earlier option. If your priority is dancing, birthdays, and late-night energy, book the evening slot.

At each venue, the guide keeps the group moving and may organize a game or drinking activity. The people in your group matter almost as much as the bars. Several strong experiences came from birthday parties, bridal groups, couples, and solo participants mixing together. The better guides keep that blend from becoming four separate friend circles.

The route ends at Bourbon Street Honky Tonk, 727 Bourbon St, or another nearby venue on Bourbon Street near Orleans Street. From there, you are about a block from St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square. That is a good finish because you can keep going on Bourbon Street, move toward the square, or arrange a ride from a familiar central area.

What the $35 price really covers

At $35 per person, this is inexpensive for a guided night out if you use the included features. You receive a two-hour crawl, four planned bar stops, a professional guide, drinking games with included alcohol, welcome shots at some venues, drink specials, the cup, and entry fees associated with the night tour.

The value is strongest for people who would otherwise pay cover charges, wander between bars without knowing where to go, or spend the first hour deciding what to do. A guide also helps with the social side. You are not simply buying drinks. You are buying a route, introductions, games, and a reason to move through Bourbon Street instead of staying in the first bar.

The price is less attractive if you expect every stop to provide a completely free shot and cheap drinks without conditions. Several accounts describe shots at two or more locations, but others say a free shot required buying another drink. One person also found the drinks at the second bar expensive and reported a serious billing error, with three drinks charged as nine.

My advice is simple: ask the bartender to confirm the price before ordering, watch the receipt, and do not assume every special applies automatically. The cup may bring discounts, but the exact offer can differ by venue. Treat included shots as part of the package, not as a promise that you will receive the same drink at every stop.

The guides make or break the night

The clearest strength of this crawl is the guide. Jason is repeatedly singled out for creating a welcoming group, looking after people, and making birthdays feel special. Josh is also described as a strong host, while Autumn and Ben Wah receive praise for being funny, personable, and engaging.

That personal role matters in a city where the bars can be loud and crowded. A guide who explains where the group is going, keeps people together, and checks that everyone is having a good time can turn a basic bar route into a social evening.

The experience is not a private tour. The maximum group size is 25 people, so the energy depends on the mix of the night. A lively group can make games and introductions fun. A quiet group may require more effort from you. The crawl is at its best when you take part instead of waiting for the guide to entertain you from start to finish.

You should also expect some variation between guides and venues. The company has received very high overall marks, but not every outing has been equally smooth. A guide cannot control a slow bar, an unfriendly bartender, or a billing mistake, although the company did respond to at least one complaint by offering to correct the problem.

Afternoon music or nighttime club energy

The timing choice is more important than it first appears. The afternoon option is aimed at a calmer start and features a live band. It suits a first day in New Orleans, a group that wants music without a full nightclub push, or anyone who prefers to finish earlier and continue exploring the Quarter at their own pace.

The evening option is louder and more party-focused. Expect a DJ and a nightclub feel, with the possibility of dancing and a later finish. This is the better fit for a birthday, bachelor or bachelorette outing, or a group that wants Bourbon Street at its most theatrical.

Neither option is a serious food or history experience. You get a short architecture explanation, but the purpose is social drinking. If you want detailed stories about the Quarter, plan a separate walking tour. If you want a guided introduction to the bar scene, this format makes sense.

Practical advice for a smoother crawl

Arrive ready to walk and stand. The stops are within the French Quarter and Bourbon Street, but the pavement can be tiring, especially after several drinks. Sneakers are the sensible choice.

Eat before the meeting time. The included shots come early, and some people will want to order additional drinks. Water is equally important. You can have a better time if you pace yourself rather than trying to match the fastest person in the group.

Bring extra cash for drinks, tips, and purchases that are not covered by the crawl. Keep your phone secure and charged. The group may be moving through crowded streets, and the birthday atmosphere can lead to plenty of photos and videos.

The meeting point is convenient, but Coyote Ugly itself may feel expensive if you decide to buy extra drinks there. You do not need to treat the opening bar as your main drinking stop. Check in, collect your cup, take part in the welcome activity, and let the guide explain what is included before ordering more.

Confirmation is provided at booking, and mobile tickets are accepted. The activity is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the company sets a maximum of 25 people and requires a minimum number to operate. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted. If the company cancels because the minimum is not met, you are offered another option or a full refund.

Who should book this Bourbon Street crawl

I would recommend it to adults who want a social introduction to Bourbon Street without planning every stop themselves. It is particularly well suited to birthday groups, couples who enjoy meeting people, solo visitors who want company, and first-time New Orleans visitors who want an easy night out.

It is also a reasonable value for a group that wants a guide and included entry rather than paying cover charges at random venues. The small drink cost can rise, but the starting price is low enough to leave room in your budget for extra orders.

I would be cautious if you want quiet conversation, carefully controlled drink service, or a fixed list of bars. The group may be loud, the drinks may be costly at some stops, and the route can change by time slot. Anyone uncomfortable with drinking games or group participation may find the format tiring.

Should you book it?

Book this crawl if your ideal Bourbon Street night includes shots, games, live music or a DJ, and meeting other people. The $35 price is fair when the cup, guide, entry, and included drinks all arrive as promised. Jason and the other named guides have shown that a good host can make the evening feel personal rather than mechanical.

Go in with realistic expectations. Confirm what each shot or discount includes, check drink charges, pace yourself, and make sure you receive the souvenir cup before leaving the first bar. If you do that, this is a practical way to get your bearings, sample several Bourbon Street venues, and keep the night moving.

FAQ

Where does the Bourbon Street bar crawl begin?

It begins at Coyote Ugly Saloon, 225 N Peters St, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130.

Where does the crawl end?

It ends at a Bourbon Street venue near Orleans Street, close to St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square. The listed ending venue is Bourbon Street Honky Tonk at 727 Bourbon St.

How long does the experience last?

The crawl lasts approximately two hours. About ten minutes are used for the walk from the French Quarter toward Bourbon Street, with about 80 minutes at the main bar stops.

How many bars do you visit?

The experience includes four stops at bars, pubs, clubs, and live music venues in the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street.

Are drinks and shots included?

The package includes drinking games with alcohol, a first welcome shot, and shots or drink specials at some venues. The exact shot arrangement can vary, and some free shots may require you to purchase another drink.

Should I choose the afternoon or evening time?

Choose the afternoon slot if you prefer a more relaxed outing with a live band. Choose the evening slot if you want a DJ, nightclub atmosphere, and a louder party setting.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the experience are not refunded or accepted.