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

New Orleans knows how to turn an ordinary night into a loose, social party, and this three-hour crawl gives you a simple way to join in. For $59, you move through four bars and clubs with VIP entry, free shots, drink specials, and a licensed guide keeping the evening moving.

I like the built-in social games, especially flip cup with drinks provided. I also like the four-stop format, since you get more than one venue without having to plan the route or stand in each entry line.

The main caution is that this depends heavily on good group management. One recent outing had confusion at the first bar and a guide who disappeared afterward, while Jason received especially strong praise on another night. Stay alert, keep the meeting details handy, and do not wander off alone.

Key points at a glance

• Four nightlife stops in three hours: You get a quick tour of several New Orleans party venues rather than spending the whole night in one place.
• Flip cup starts the evening: The opening drinking game gives solo visitors and small groups an easy way to meet people.
• VIP entry is included: You do not pay separate entrance fees or wait in the normal ticket line at each stop.
• Free shots and drink specials: Each venue includes a free drink opportunity, though the quality and type of drinks may vary.
• Jason is a guide name worth noting: One especially positive outing praised Jason for being pleasant and fun.
• Strict age and dress rules apply: You must be at least 21, bring a passport or ID card, and avoid sleeveless shirts.

Starting at the purple check-in table

The evening begins at the stated meeting point, where you go inside and look for the large purple table. This is not a hotel pickup service, so you need to make your own way there and arrive ready to check in.

Before arrival, sign the waiver through the link in your confirmation email from Crawl New Orleans. That small task matters. If you leave it until the last minute, you may be sorting out paperwork while the group is getting organized.

Bring a passport or ID card. The age rule is firm: this activity is only for people 21 and older. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed, so pack a shirt with sleeves if you are dressing for a warm New Orleans night.

The meeting instructions are simple, but nightlife tours can move quickly once the group gathers. I would save the confirmation email on your phone and make sure you know how to identify the guide before the first stop. That is especially useful because the guide is the person who connects the check-in, games, venue entries, and later meeting points.

Flip cup gets strangers talking

The first social push comes through flip cup, with the alcohol provided. This is a useful design choice. A bar crawl can feel awkward during its first 20 minutes, particularly if you arrive alone or with just one friend. A game gives everyone something to do besides stand around making small talk.

You can expect a party-first mood rather than a historical or cultural introduction to New Orleans. The value here is social. You meet people from different places, form quick teams, and get a sense of who is staying with the group for the night.

The free drinks also help the $59 price make more sense, though you should not treat them as an unlimited bar tab. The description promises free shots and a free drink opportunity at each venue, plus exclusive drink specials. It does not promise a particular brand, cocktail, or drink size.

That distinction is worth keeping in mind. One four-star assessment specifically wished for better drinks. I would book this for the group energy, access, and convenience first, and view the included alcohol as part of the package rather than the main reason to go.

Four venues, one fast-moving night

The core of the outing is a route through four bars and party venues. The specific names are not provided, so I cannot tell you which musical style, crowd, or room layout to expect at each stop. What you can count on is variety in the broad sense: four different places in one evening, with entry handled as part of the tour.

That pace has two clear benefits. First, you avoid spending the whole night debating where to go next. Second, you get a quick taste of several venues and can form your own opinion about which setting suits you best.

There is also a tradeoff. Three hours across four stops leaves limited time at each one, especially once you account for walking, check-in, group movement, and ordering drinks. If you want a long conversation in one quiet bar, this is the wrong format. If you like a change of scene and a steady party rhythm, the short visits are part of the appeal.

The guide should lead you from one venue to the next and explain where to regroup. Pay attention when that happens. A reported bad night involved a bar that did not seem prepared for the group, followed by uncertainty when the guide could not be found. That appears to be an exception rather than the general promise of the tour, but it shows why you should keep your phone charged and stay close to the group.

What VIP access is worth at $59

The package costs $59 per person. At face value, that is not the cheapest way to spend three hours in New Orleans. Its value comes from combining several costs and chores into one booking:

• Entry fees at the venues
• VIP admission
• A free shot at each stop
• Drinking games
• Drink specials
• A guide who organizes the night

If you would otherwise visit four places and pay entry at each, the package can be reasonable. It also saves you from guessing which venues are accepting visitors, finding the entrances, and working out a route as the night unfolds.

The skip-the-line promise matters most on a busy night. You are paying for time and simplicity as much as for drinks. Getting past a long entrance queue means more time inside the venues and less standing on the street trying to decide what comes next.

Still, value depends on how much you drink and how much you enjoy group nightlife. Someone who prefers one inexpensive bar may spend less by planning independently. Someone who wants a guided party, four stops, and included entry may find the $59 fee fair.

I would also keep expectations realistic about the free shots. The package includes them, but no detailed drink menu is supplied. If drink quality matters more to you than the social setting, the included options may feel less impressive. The safest way to judge the price is to see the drinks as a bonus attached to access and organization.

The guide can make or break the evening

A licensed party guide is supposed to keep the night on track, explain the games, guide the group between venues, and help you receive the promised access. That role is central. This is not a self-guided list of bars where you simply collect coupons.

Jason is the clearest named example. One outing singled him out as pleasant and fun, which is exactly what you want from a guide on a social evening. A good guide sets a friendly tone without forcing anyone to participate beyond their comfort level.

The mixed experience also deserves direct attention. One outing reported that the first bar did not know what was happening and that the guide later disappeared, leaving the group unsure where to go. I cannot tell you why that happened or whether it reflects a wider pattern, but you should understand the practical risk: the quality of a nightlife crawl can vary with the guide and the coordination at each venue.

My advice is simple. At every stop, note the next meeting point and time. Keep the guide’s contact details if they are supplied, and do not assume you can find the group again by wandering into the next venue. A little attention protects the part of the tour you paid for.

Who will enjoy this New Orleans night out

This tour suits you best if you want a ready-made social evening. It is particularly useful for solo visitors, couples who want to meet other people, and small groups that prefer not to plan a route through New Orleans nightlife.

You should also enjoy loud, active party settings and be comfortable with drinking games. The format encourages interaction, and flip cup is not a quiet introduction. You can participate at your own pace, but the atmosphere is built around joining the group rather than watching from the edge.

It may not suit you if you are looking for live music details, food, local history, or a carefully selected cocktail program. None of those are promised. The focus is bars, clubs, drinks, games, and moving on to the next venue.

The age restriction is clear, and the dress rule is easy to miss. People under 21 cannot join, and sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Bring an accepted ID even if you look well over 21, because the activity specifically tells you to carry a passport or ID card.

Planning the three-hour schedule

The stated duration is three hours, with starting times depending on availability. That makes this an evening starter or a compact nightlife sampler, not an all-night commitment.

You will likely want to eat before arriving, since food is not included in the package details. The supplied information focuses on drinks and party games, with no meal or snack included. Starting with a proper meal also lets you enjoy the social side without treating the free shots as dinner.

Since hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, plan your route to and from the meeting point in advance. The tour handles entry and group movement during the activity, but you are responsible for getting to the large purple check-in table and leaving afterward.

The reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your schedule is still changing. You can hold a place without paying immediately, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Check the current starting time when booking, since availability controls the exact schedule.

Making the most of the included drinks

The free shots and drink specials are a practical perk, but you do not have to treat every included drink as an obligation. You can take part in the games and social side without drinking beyond your comfort level.

Ask the guide what is included at each venue before ordering anything extra. The offer is described as free shots and exclusive drink specials, not unlimited drinks or a fully open bar. Knowing the difference helps you avoid an unpleasant surprise at the end of the night.

Drink quality may vary from stop to stop. One positive four-star assessment still pointed to a need for better drinks, so I would keep your expectations moderate. The strongest part of the package is the combination of access, games, and social structure.

You should also keep track of your belongings as the group moves. No storage or personal item service is included, and the tour can involve several venue changes in a short time. Carry only what you need for identification, payment, and getting home.

What the mixed rating tells you

The overall rating is 4.5 from 39 reviews, which suggests the tour usually delivers a good night for its intended audience. The highest praise centers on the guide and the blend of drinks with a lively group setting. Jason, in particular, received a warm personal recommendation.

The lower rating is important because it points to a specific weakness, not just a vague complaint. If a venue is not prepared for the group or the guide becomes hard to find, the benefits of VIP access and a planned route quickly lose their value.

I would read that as a reason to stay organized, not as an automatic reason to avoid the tour. Nightlife operations can depend on the individual evening, the guide, and venue coordination. The tour offers a strong structure, but you still need to listen for instructions and keep contact information available.

Should you book the Crawl New Orleans bar crawl?

Book it if you want a social, drink-focused evening with four venues, organized games, free shots, and VIP entry for one $59 price. It is a practical choice when you would rather meet people and follow a guide than plan every stop yourself.

Skip it if you prefer quiet bars, specific music venues, high-end drinks, or a flexible night where you can stay as long as you like in one place. The fast pace and group format are central to the experience.

My call: book this when the social side matters most, especially if you are visiting alone or with a small group. Arrive with your waiver done, wear a shirt with sleeves, bring ID, and stay close to the guide. Those simple steps give you the best chance of getting the fun, easy night that this $59 package is designed to provide.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans bar and club crawl?

The activity lasts three hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $59 per person.

How many venues does the crawl visit?

The tour takes you through four bars and party venues.

Are entrance fees included?

Yes. Entrance fees and VIP admission are included.

Are free drinks included?

Yes. The package includes free shots and free drinks at each venue, along with exclusive drink specials. Specific drink brands and sizes are not provided.

Does the tour include drinking games?

Yes. Drinking games are included, with flip cup used to start the evening.

Who leads the tour?

A licensed English-speaking party guide leads the activity. Jason is one guide who has been specifically praised for being pleasant and fun.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card. You should also complete the waiver through the link in your confirmation email before arrival.

Are sleeveless shirts allowed?

No. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed.

Can people under 21 join?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You must make your own way to the meeting point and check in at the large purple table.

Where do I check in?

Go inside to the large purple table for check-in. Complete the waiver before arrival using the link in your confirmation email from Crawl New Orleans.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Do I have to pay when I reserve?

No. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.