New Orleans: VIP Bar and Club Crawl Tour with Free Shots

Nightlife starts with a game. This three-hour New Orleans bar crawl mixes VIP entry with flip cup, free shots, and stops at four party venues, giving you a ready-made night out instead of leaving you to guess where to go. I like the easy social setup, especially if you are visiting alone or want to meet people from several countries. I also like that entrance fees and drink specials are included in the $59 price.

The main catch is that the exact venues are not named in advance, and the quality of the drinks and guide service can vary. One strong guide, Jason, earned special praise for being pleasant and fun, while one poor experience involved a guide disappearing after the first bar. Bring your ID, wear a shirt with sleeves, and keep track of the group.

Key things to know before you book

• Flip cup starts the night: The opening drinking game gives you a quick way to meet the group before moving between venues.
• Four venues in three hours: Expect a fast-moving evening, with roughly enough time for a drink or short visit at each stop rather than a long stay anywhere.
• $59 includes more than admission: Entrance fees, VIP access, free shots, drinking games, and exclusive drink specials are part of the price.
• Jason has earned high praise: If he is leading your night, you may get the warm, upbeat hosting style that helped one participant call the tour worth the money.
• The meeting point is easy to spot: Sign the waiver before arrival, then look inside for the large purple check-in table.
• This is strictly for adults: You must be at least 21, and you need a passport or ID card.

What the $59 New Orleans bar crawl actually offers

At $59 per person, this tour is priced as a packaged night out rather than a simple guided walk. You are paying for entry to four venues, skip-the-line treatment, hosted games, free shots, and drink specials. That can be good value if you plan to visit several places anyway, since cover charges can add up quickly on a busy night.

The value depends on how much you drink and how much you value structure. If you would rather choose one bar and settle in, this is not the best use of your money. If you want to move around, meet people, and avoid standing in lines, the package makes more sense.

The phrase free drinks should be read sensibly. The included benefits specifically list free shots, while the description also refers to free drinks at each venue and special drink offers. The exact number, size, and type of included drinks are not stated, so I would not book this expecting unlimited alcohol.

Your $59 also buys a host for the evening. That matters in New Orleans, where a night out can become less fun if you are stuck working out where to go next. The guide handles the group, introduces the activities, and helps keep the evening moving.

Starting at the large purple table

Before you arrive, sign the waiver through the link in your confirmation email. This is a small step, but do it before reaching the meeting point so check-in does not eat into your three-hour tour.

Once inside, find the large purple table. That is the check-in spot, and it gives you a clear landmark rather than an uncertain street-corner meeting. You will need a passport or ID card, so do not rely on a photo of your identification unless the provider specifically accepts it. The stated requirement is a passport or ID card.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to make your own way to the meeting point and arrange your own return afterward. Plan that return before drinking, and keep the meeting instructions handy in case the group moves on while you are at the bar.

The tour is conducted in English. It suits people who are comfortable joining a group and following a guide through several venues. It is less suited to anyone looking for a quiet, private evening or a highly tailored nightlife plan.

Flip cup turns strangers into a group

The opening activity is a game of flip cup, with the alcohol provided. This is more than a party extra. It gives people a reason to talk right away, which can be useful if you arrive alone or with only one other person.

A drinking game also sets the tone clearly. This is a social party tour, not a food tour, cocktail class, or cultural walk. You should expect noise, quick introductions, and a group that is ready to start drinking early.

The game may be the moment when you decide if the tour suits you. If you enjoy friendly competition and casual conversation, it can make the rest of the evening feel easier. If you dislike drinking games or do not want alcohol at the first activity, you may find the format uncomfortable.

You do not need to treat every activity as a contest. The useful part is meeting the people around you and learning who is in your group before the evening moves on.

Four stops, four chances to compare New Orleans nightlife

After the opening game, the group visits four bars or party venues. The venues are not named in the booking information, so you should think of this as a hosted route rather than a promise of four specific famous clubs.

That uncertainty has both good and bad sides. It gives the provider room to use different venues, but it also means you cannot compare the route with your favorite bar list before paying. If a particular club is the reason you want to go out, book that venue separately instead.

The first stop is important because it sets the pace. One participant had a poor night when the first bar did not seem to know what was happening, and the guide then disappeared after that stop. That is not the normal outcome suggested by the overall 4.5 rating, but it is a useful warning: keep your guide’s contact or group instructions available, and confirm where the group is going next before stepping outside.

At each venue, you can expect some combination of a free shot, a special drink offer, and VIP entry. Since the exact drink details are not listed, ask the guide what is included at each stop before ordering anything. That simple question can help you avoid confusing a free shot with a discounted cocktail.

Four stops in three hours means the pace is brisk. You are likely moving on before you have time to study every menu or settle into one conversation for a long stretch. I see that as a strength for a first night in New Orleans, since you get a broad sample of the party circuit. It is a weakness if you prefer slow drinks and long conversations.

The stops also create natural reset points. If you do not connect with the first part of the group, you have three more chances to meet someone new. The guide and group games help, but you still need to take some initiative.

Skip-the-line access can be the real value

The strongest practical feature is the VIP admission. You are not simply being shown where the venues are. The package is designed to move you past normal ticket lines at each stop.

That benefit matters most on a busy night. Waiting outside can take a large bite out of a three-hour tour, especially when you are visiting several places. Skip-the-line entry keeps the route moving and makes the included stops worth more than a list of addresses.

VIP access does not mean every part of a venue will be reserved for your group. The available details promise admission and line-skipping, not a private room, reserved table, or bottle service. Keep your expectations at that level.

The same point applies to drink specials. Specials can lower the cost of the night, but they are not the same as all drinks being free. If your budget is tight, decide how much you want to spend beyond the tour price before you start.

The guide can make or break the evening

A good party guide has two jobs: keep the group together and keep the mood easy. The best evidence here comes from the praise for Jason, who was described as pleasant and fun and helped make the whole night feel worth the money.

That kind of host is valuable because a bar crawl can otherwise become a loose collection of people walking between places. A guide who explains the next step, starts the games, and makes introductions gives the evening a clear rhythm.

There is also a reason to stay alert. One person reported that the guide disappeared after the first venue, leaving the group unsure where to go. It was a serious failure, even though it appears to be an outlier beside the 4.5 rating from 39 reviews.

At check-in, note the guide’s name and make sure you know the next venue before leaving each stop. If the group separates, do not assume everyone knows the plan. A quick confirmation can prevent a simple mistake from turning into a lost night.

Drink quality may also be uneven. One four-star rating praised the guide but said the drinks needed improvement. Since the package focuses on access, specials, and shots rather than premium cocktails, you should not choose this tour mainly for top-shelf liquor.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this crawl to adults who want an active night with a social structure. It is particularly useful if you are traveling alone, visiting New Orleans for a short stay, or arriving without a fixed nightlife plan.

It can also work well for a small group that wants to meet other people rather than remain at one table. The drinking games create an easy opening, and the four venues keep the night from feeling stuck in one place.

You may not like it if you:

• Prefer quiet cocktail bars
• Want to select every venue yourself
• Dislike drinking games
• Need a slow meal or seated evening
• Expect premium drinks as part of the price
• Want hotel transportation included

The tour is not suitable for anyone under 21. It also has a dress rule that prohibits sleeveless shirts, so pack a shirt with sleeves even if the New Orleans weather is warm.

Practical timing, clothing, and ID advice

The stated duration is three hours, but the start time depends on availability. Check the available times before booking and leave enough room before and after the crawl. You do not want to rush to the meeting point or assume the tour will carry you through the entire night.

Wear comfortable shoes. The package involves several venues, and even without a detailed route, moving from place to place is part of the plan. Choose clothing that meets the no-sleeveless-shirts rule and suits a nightlife setting.

Carry your passport or ID card. The experience is for people aged 21 and older, so proper identification is essential. A waiver must also be completed before arrival.

Pace yourself. The tour provides alcohol from the first flip cup game and continues with drinks or shots at each stop. You can enjoy the social side without accepting every pour, and water breaks are a smart idea even if they are not listed as part of the package.

Cancellation and booking flexibility

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. That is useful if your New Orleans plans are still shifting.

The reserve-now, pay-later option also lets you hold a place without paying immediately. Check the final booking terms shown for your date, but the stated policy allows you to keep plans flexible while deciding how the evening fits into your trip.

Because starting times vary, look at the available schedule before committing. The three-hour length is fixed in the activity details, but the exact time of night will affect the feel of the bars and how the crawl fits with dinner or another show.

Should you book the New Orleans VIP bar crawl?

Book it if you want a ready-made party night, four venues, free shots, games, and a better chance of avoiding lines. At $59, it can be fair value when you use the admission and drink benefits and would otherwise pay several cover charges.

I would especially consider it for a first night in New Orleans or for a solo visit. The guide, flip cup game, and group format solve the hardest part of going out alone: getting started.

Skip it if you want a carefully chosen list of named clubs, refined drinks, or a relaxed pace. The exact venues are not guaranteed in the information provided, and drink quality may not impress everyone. Go in for the social energy and convenience, not for a luxury bar program.

The best approach is simple: sign the waiver early, bring your ID, wear sleeves, confirm each next stop, and pace yourself. If you do that, this tour offers a practical way to meet people and sample New Orleans nightlife without spending the whole evening in line.

FAQ

How much does the New Orleans VIP bar crawl cost?

The price is $59 per person.

How long does the bar crawl last?

The experience lasts three hours.

How many venues does the tour visit?

The tour takes you to four bars or party venues.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees and VIP admission are included.

Are free drinks included?

The experience includes free shots, drinking games, and exclusive drink specials. The description also refers to free drinks at each venue, but it does not state the exact number or type.

Where do I check in?

Go inside to the large purple table for check-in.

Do I need to complete a waiver?

Yes. You should sign the waiver before arrival using the link in your confirmation email.

What identification should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card.

Can people under 21 join the tour?

No. The experience is not suitable for anyone under 21.