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

New Orleans nightlife gets moving fast on this three-hour bar and club crawl. You begin with flip cup and free drinks, then move through four venues with skip-the-line entry, drink specials, and a licensed party guide keeping the group together.

I like the easy social setup, especially if you are traveling alone or want to meet people from several countries. I also like the clear value: four venues, entrance fees, free shots, and games are included for $59. The catch is that nightlife can be unpredictable, and one reported outing had confusion after the first bar, so you will want to pay attention to the guide and meeting instructions.

Key points to know before you book

• Four venues in three hours: This is a quick-moving night out, not a long stay at one bar.
• Flip cup starts the evening: The opening drinking game gives you an easy way to meet the group.
• VIP admission is included: You can skip the regular ticket line at each stop.
• Guide quality matters: Jason has been praised for being pleasant and fun, but keeping track of the group is important.
• Bring valid identification: The tour is only for people age 21 and older.
• Dress carefully: Sleeveless shirts are not allowed, so check your outfit before leaving.

Starting at the purple check-in table

Your night begins at the designated venue, where you should look for the large purple table and check in with the party staff. You must complete the waiver before arrival, using the link in your confirmation email from Crawl New Orleans.

That small task matters. A nightlife tour is not the place to discover that your paperwork is unfinished while the group is already moving. Complete the waiver ahead of time, bring your passport or ID card, and arrive ready to check in without slowing down the evening.

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to make your own way to the meeting point and arrange your own trip home afterward. Since the event involves several drinking stops, plan that return journey before the first shot, not after the last one.

The tour is offered in English with a live guide. Starting times vary, so check availability when you book. The scheduled length is three hours, which gives the evening a brisk pace.

Flip cup gets strangers talking

The opening flip cup game is more than a drinking contest. It gives you a reason to speak with people right away, which can be useful if you arrive alone or with only one friend.

The drinks for this first game are included. That helps the group loosen up without everyone immediately reaching for a wallet. It also sets the tone clearly: this is a social party outing, not a quiet cocktail crawl or a guided tour about New Orleans architecture.

You should expect a noisy, outgoing atmosphere. The experience is built around drinking games, quick introductions, and moving as a group. If you prefer careful tastings, small bars, or long conversations with a bartender, this format may feel rushed.

I see the opening game as one of the stronger parts of the tour. It gives the guide a chance to organize the group and gives you a simple way to meet people from different places. The best approach is to join in at your own comfort level. You do not need to become the loudest person in the room to get something from it.

Four stops, four chances to keep the night moving

The route takes you to four New Orleans bars and party venues. The individual venue names are not provided in advance, so you should book this for the group nightlife format rather than for a particular club or bar.

At the first stop, the main benefit is a quick start with organized entry and a free drink. The guide should help gather the group, explain the evening, and get everyone through the door. This is also where the value of the tour begins to depend on good coordination. If the bar staff are not expecting the group, delays can eat into your short three-hour schedule.

The second stop gives you another chance to use the included drink offer and meet people who may have joined the conversation during the first venue. The group atmosphere can become more natural here, since you have already shared a game and a first stop.

The third venue keeps the pace going with another exclusive drink special or free drink. By this point, you may appreciate not having to work out where to go next. New Orleans has plenty of nightlife choices, but a ready-made route saves you from standing outside venues, comparing cover charges, or arguing over the next destination.

The fourth stop is the final chance to use the crawl’s VIP admission and continue the party with the group. Since the tour lasts only three hours, the stops are likely to be focused rather than extended. If you want a full night at one club, you may prefer to stay at the final venue after the tour ends, though no extension or extra arrangements are included.

The biggest practical advantage is not simply the number four. It is the reduced friction. You have a guide, a route, admission arrangements, and drink offers in place. The tradeoff is less freedom. You are following the group schedule, and a venue that does not suit your taste may still be part of the evening.

What VIP entry is worth at $59

The price is $59 per person. To judge that fairly, add up the parts that can otherwise cost money: entrance fees, admission to four venues, free shots, the opening drinking game, and drink specials at each stop.

That can be a fair deal if you intend to visit several nightlife venues anyway. You are also paying for the convenience of having the route handled and for the social structure that brings the group together. For a solo visitor, that social side may be as useful as the included drinks.

The value is weaker if you planned to visit only one bar, do not drink much, or dislike moving every 30 to 45 minutes. The description does not give the size of each drink, the exact brands, or the full value of the specials. One piece of feedback specifically called for better drinks, so you should not book this expecting premium pours.

Think of the $59 as a package price for access and organization, with drinks as part of the bonus. It is not a luxury nightlife experience. It is a practical way to put several stops and a group atmosphere into one evening.

The guide can make or break the night

A good party guide has two jobs. The first is to keep energy high. The second, and more important one, is to make sure nobody is left wondering where to go next.

Jason has been praised for being pleasant and fun, qualities that fit this kind of outing. A guide who welcomes newcomers, explains the games, and gives clear directions can turn a loose group of strangers into a friendly one within minutes.

Still, you should stay alert when the group changes venues. One reported night involved a bar that did not know what was happening, followed by a guide disappearing after the first stop. That is not the expected standard, but it shows why you should confirm the next meeting point before leaving each venue and keep the guide or group contact in sight.

This is especially important if you step away from the group, visit the restroom, or arrive late at a stop. The tour is not a private escort service. You are part of a moving group, and basic attention on your part helps the night run smoothly.

The overall rating is 4.5 from 39 reviews, which points to a generally positive experience but not a flawless one. The praise centers on the guide and the fun, social setup. The concerns center on drink quality and organization. That is a useful pattern to keep in mind.

Who will enjoy this New Orleans night out

I would consider this tour a good match for:

• Solo adults who want an instant social setting
• Friends looking for a ready-made party route
• People visiting New Orleans for a short stay
• Anyone who wants to avoid regular entrance lines
• Adults who enjoy drinking games and meeting new people
• First-time nightlife visitors who would rather not choose four venues alone

You should think twice if you want a calm evening, a food-focused night, live music at a specific venue, or time to settle into one place. The experience is also a poor fit if you do not drink, since free shots, drinking games, and drink specials are central to the plan.

It is strictly for people age 21 and older. You need a passport or ID card, and the supplied requirements say sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Wear something suitable for a night out, but check that it meets the entry rule before you leave.

How to get more from the three-hour format

The best way to approach this tour is to treat it as a social sampler. You are not getting a detailed look at four carefully selected venues. You are getting a guided route through four party stops, with entry and drink perks already arranged.

Arrive with the waiver completed. Keep your identification easy to reach at check-in. Since no hotel transportation is included, know exactly how you will reach the purple check-in table and how you will return to your accommodation.

Use the first game to introduce yourself to people. If you wait until the third venue to start talking, you may find that the group has already formed smaller circles. A simple question about where someone is visiting from usually does the job.

Pay attention to instructions before the group leaves each venue. Ask where the next stop is, and do not assume you can find everyone later. The tour’s convenience depends on staying with the moving group.

Pace yourself, too. The crawl includes free shots and drink offers, but you do not have to consume every drink immediately. Three hours across four venues can become tiring quickly, especially if you begin with a game. Drinking water and eating beforehand are sensible choices, though food is not included.

Booking flexibility and practical details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available, which can help if your New Orleans plans are still shifting.

The activity lasts three hours, but the exact start time depends on availability. The tour is conducted in English, and the guide leads the group between the venues. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so transportation remains your responsibility.

Free cancellation is useful here because nightlife plans can change. If you are booking around a concert, dinner, or another evening event, check the starting time carefully. A three-hour tour with four stops needs a firm block of time.

No special suitability details beyond the age restriction are supplied. If you have concerns about venue access, clothing, or other personal needs, confirm them with the provider before booking rather than assuming every stop will work for you.

Should you book the Crawl New Orleans bar crawl?

Book it if you want a lively, social night with a fixed route, free shots, drinking games, and VIP entry at four venues. At $59, the package can make sense for anyone who would otherwise pay several cover charges and wants help meeting people.

I would be more cautious if drink quality matters greatly to you or if you need perfect timing and firm venue coordination. The experience appears to depend heavily on the guide, and the contrast between Jason’s praised hosting and one poorly organized outing is worth noting.

My practical verdict: this is a good-value party sampler for outgoing adults who treat the tour as a group night rather than a premium bar experience. Complete the waiver, bring ID, avoid sleeveless shirts, stay near the guide, and keep your expectations focused on fun and convenience.

FAQ

How long does the New Orleans bar crawl last?

The tour lasts three hours.

How many venues does the tour visit?

The route includes four bars and party venues in New Orleans.

Are drinks included in the price?

Free shots, drinking games, and exclusive drink specials at each stop are included. The exact drinks and serving sizes are not specified.

Is VIP admission included?

Yes. Entrance fees and VIP admission are included, along with skip-the-line access at each venue.

What should I bring?

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

Can people under 21 join the tour?

No. The activity is not suitable for anyone under 21. Sleeveless shirts are also not allowed.