REVIEW · NEW ORLEANS, USA
New Orleans Bourbon Street Bar Crawl w/ Shots & Souvenir Cup
Bourbon Street starts with a shot. This two-hour crawl gives you a simple way to meet people, sample four French Quarter bars, and get moving without planning every stop yourself. I especially like the choice between a calmer late-afternoon outing and a louder evening crawl, plus the local guides who add games, stories, and practical advice.
I also like the Crawl Cup, which serves as both a souvenir and a way to access drink discounts at some bars. The $35 price can be good value if you use the included shots and drink specials. Still, you should read the alcohol terms carefully: free shots may vary by venue, and some drinks or shots may require a purchase.
Key points to know before booking

- Start at Coyote Ugly: Check in at 225 N Peters Street, receive your cup and first welcome shot, and meet the guide.
- Four stops in about two hours: The route moves from the French Quarter toward Bourbon Street, with bars, pubs, live music venues, and possibly a nightclub.
- Choose your mood: Daytime outings feature a live band, while evening crawls lean toward DJs and a nightclub feel.
- Guides make the difference: Jason receives especially strong praise, while Josh, Ben Wah, and Autumn are also singled out for friendly, engaging hosting.
- Bring practical gear: Wear sneakers, eat beforehand, hydrate, keep extra cash handy, and allow for a fair amount of walking.
- Expect changing venues: The exact bars depend on the time slot and the atmosphere the operator wants that day.
What this Bourbon Street crawl is really like

This is a social drinking outing, not a quiet history walk with a few cocktails added on. You join a group of up to 25 people, play drinking games, walk through the French Quarter, and visit four venues chosen for their music, drinks, and party atmosphere.
I like the format because it removes much of the guesswork from a night on Bourbon Street. You do not need to compare menus, wonder which doorway is worth entering, or organize a group that keeps changing its mind. A guide gathers everyone, keeps the pace moving, and points you toward the next stop.
The experience is also built around meeting people. Birthday groups, couples, solo participants, family groups, and friends may all share the same crawl. That mix can work very well if you enjoy introducing yourself and joining group games. It can work less well if you want a private evening with your own party.
The score of 4.8 from 60 ratings and a 93 percent recommendation rate reflect how strongly the experience depends on the guide and the group. Jason is praised repeatedly for being funny, attentive, and protective of the group. Josh, Ben Wah, and Autumn also receive warm mentions. A lively group can make the night memorable, while a quiet or poorly matched group may require more effort from you.
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Starting at Coyote Ugly on North Peters Street
The meeting point is Coyote Ugly Saloon at 225 N Peters Street, near the edge of the French Quarter and the Mississippi River. This is a useful location because a taxi or rideshare can drop you near the front door.
Public transportation is also straightforward. Take the Riverfront streetcar to Bienville Station, then walk about two minutes to the saloon. That makes the starting point easier to reach than a meeting place hidden deep inside the Quarter.
At check-in, you receive the Crawl Cup and a welcome shot. The opening half hour includes drinking games and time to meet the guide and other people in the group. This is important because the crawl does not begin with strangers silently following a flag. You get a chance to loosen up and learn who you will be spending the next two hours with.
Coyote Ugly is part of the party, not just a ticket office. Expect a loud, social start. One caution: a participant found drinks there expensive, so do not assume every drink at the starting bar will fit the tour’s advertised value. The included shot and crawl activities are separate from anything else you choose to order.
Walking from the French Quarter to Bourbon Street

After the opening games, the group heads through the French Quarter toward Bourbon Street. This walk takes about 10 minutes, though the total time around the first stop is much longer.
The guide shares a short explanation of New Orleans architecture and why the city looks the way it does today. That history is not the main event, but it gives the walk some purpose. You are not simply moving from one bar to another. You get a quick introduction to the buildings, streets, and old Quarter setting around you.
You may fill the Crawl Cup before leaving. New Orleans allows people to carry drinks in the street, which changes the feel of the walk. You can continue the social part of the evening while moving between venues rather than treating each bar as a sealed-off stop.
I would still pace yourself here. A cup that can be refilled, welcome shots, and drinking games can add up quickly, especially in warm weather. Eating before arrival and alternating alcoholic drinks with water are sensible choices, even though the experience is designed for party lovers.
Four venues along Bourbon Street

The Bourbon Street portion lasts about 80 minutes. The stops may include live music, shots, drink specials, karaoke, balconies, and a nightclub on evening outings. The exact venues are not fixed, which lets the operator adjust the route for the time of day.
The daytime version features a live band. This suits you if you want music and a social setting without the full late-night club feel. The evening version features a DJ and nightclub atmosphere, so it is the better choice for birthdays, bachelor or bachelorette parties, and anyone who wants Bourbon Street at its loudest.
The four-stop promise sounds precise, but the experience inside each bar can vary. Some venues may offer a welcome shot without conditions. At others, the shot may be tied to buying a drink. One participant reported receiving shots at only two bars, while another said one shot required a purchase. A further account described discounts that changed depending on whether the free shot was accepted.
That does not mean the crawl has no value. It means you should treat the included alcohol as a benefit that may vary by stop, not as four guaranteed full drinks with no purchase required. Ask the guide what is included at each venue before ordering. Check the bill before paying, too. One group was charged for nine drinks when it believed it had ordered three, although the manager corrected the problem.
The venues themselves seem to be one of the strongest parts of the outing when the group and guide are a good match. You might hear live music in one place, join a game in another, and finish at a DJ-led venue or club. The variety keeps the two hours from feeling like four copies of the same bar.
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The Crawl Cup and drink value

At $35 per person, the price is reasonable for a structured two-hour night if you use the included features. Your package includes the guide, four venue stops, drinking games with alcohol, welcome shots at multiple venues, drink specials, the Crawl Cup, and entry fees associated with evening tours.
The cup is more than a keepsake. It can provide access to drink discounts during the rest of your trip, though the exact savings depend on the bar and what you order. That gives the cup some ongoing value if you plan to spend more time on Bourbon Street afterward.
The price becomes less attractive if you expect several large drinks, a guaranteed shot at every bar, or no additional spending. You will likely want extra money for drinks, tips, and any bar purchase needed to qualify for a shot. The experience description uses the language of multiple shots and specials, but the conditions are not uniform at every stop.
I would view the $35 as payment for organization, entry access, a guide, group activities, and some included alcohol. It is not an all-inclusive drinking package. If you are comfortable with that distinction, the value is solid. If you want to control every drink and spend as little as possible, visiting fewer bars on your own may suit you better.
The guides matter more than the route

The strongest praise centers on the hosts. Jason is mentioned again and again for keeping people involved, looking after the group, and making birthday celebrations feel special. He is described as funny, thoughtful, honest, and attentive. Those qualities matter on Bourbon Street, where a group needs someone to keep track of the next stop and help solve small problems.
Josh receives praise for making the experience enjoyable, while Ben Wah is singled out as a great host. Autumn is also praised for creating an interactive crawl with games and a good group atmosphere.
This is a useful clue when choosing your date. The route may change, but a personable guide can make the difference between standing around with a drink and actually joining the evening. The experience is best for people who will participate, talk with others, and respond to the guide’s invitations to play games.
There is one practical limit: guide quality cannot fully control every bartender, crowd, or billing issue. If something seems wrong, raise it immediately and keep your receipt. The provider has shown a willingness to correct at least one billing complaint, but prevention is easier than chasing a problem later.
Timing, walking, and what to bring

Although the activity lasts about two hours, you should not treat it as two hours of sitting. You walk between the French Quarter and Bourbon Street, then continue moving between venues. Comfortable sneakers are a smart choice. One birthday group specifically advised wearing tennis shoes, eating first, hydrating, and bringing extra cash.
The late-afternoon slot is likely the better fit if you want a gentler start, live music, and more time afterward for dinner or another activity. The night slot is the stronger pick for a club atmosphere, DJs, and a louder party.
Keep your phone charged and make room for photos. One birthday group joked about clearing phone storage, a practical tip when the night includes group pictures, music, and short videos. Also arrange your return plan before the final stop. The crawl ends at Bourbon Street Honky Tonk at 727 Bourbon Street, near Orleans Street, one block from St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square.
That ending location is convenient for continuing your night, but it also means you are not returned to Coyote Ugly. Plan to walk, use a rideshare, or connect with public transportation from the French Quarter after the crawl.
Who should book this experience

I would recommend this for solo people who want an easy social introduction to Bourbon Street, couples looking for a lively night out, and groups celebrating birthdays or milestone events. The format gives you a ready-made plan and a chance to meet people beyond your own party.
It also works well if you want a taste of several Bourbon Street venues without committing to one bar. The local guide, games, and changing settings add more structure than simply wandering down the street.
I would be more cautious about booking if you dislike loud venues, drinking games, group introductions, or changing plans. This is not ideal for someone seeking a polished cocktail crawl, detailed architectural tour, or quiet evening.
Most participants can take part, and the group limit of 25 keeps the outing from becoming enormous. Still, 25 people is enough to make the experience feel social and occasionally crowded. You should also be comfortable walking and standing for much of the outing.
Booking, cancellation, and final practical advice
You receive confirmation when booking, and the activity is available in English. Free cancellation applies when you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that period are not refunded, and the operator may cancel if the minimum number of participants is not reached, offering another date or a full refund.
Before you go, I would do four things:
- Eat a proper meal first.
- Wear sneakers and bring water.
- Carry extra money for drinks, tips, and possible purchase requirements.
- Ask exactly what each free shot or discount includes.
Those steps address nearly every complaint connected with the experience. They also let you focus on the best parts: the music, the games, the guide, and the easy movement from one Bourbon Street venue to the next.
Should you book the Bourbon Street Bar Crawl?
Book it if you want a social, alcohol-centered introduction to Bourbon Street and value having a guide organize the night. At $35, the package is a fair deal when the group is lively, the guide is engaged, and you make use of the included shots, games, cup, and drink specials.
Go in with realistic expectations. The exact bars can change, shot offers may come with conditions, and extra drinks can cost more than expected. For a birthday, first night in New Orleans, girls trip, or solo evening when you want company, this crawl has a lot going for it. For quiet drinks, exact venue control, or a fully inclusive price, choose another plan.
FAQ
How long does the Bourbon Street bar crawl last?
The experience lasts approximately two hours.
How much does the bar crawl cost?
The listed price is $35 per person.
Where does the crawl begin?
It begins at Coyote Ugly Saloon, 225 N Peters Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130.
Where does the crawl end?
It ends at Bourbon Street Honky Tonk, 727 Bourbon Street, near Orleans Street.
How many bars or venues are included?
The crawl includes four stops at bars, pubs, clubs, or live music venues in the French Quarter and on Bourbon Street.
Is the Crawl Cup included?
Yes. The Crawl Cup is included and may provide drink specials during your trip at participating venues.
Are shots included?
Yes. The package includes welcome shots at multiple venues and drinking games with included alcohol. Shot availability and purchase conditions can vary by venue.
Can I choose a daytime or evening departure?
Yes. You can choose between a late-afternoon option and a night-time option.
What is different about the daytime and evening crawls?
Daytime outings feature a live band. Evening outings feature a DJ and nightclub atmosphere, and associated entry fees are included for night tours.
How far in advance can I cancel?
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 start time are not refunded.
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