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

New Orleans nightlife gets moving fast on this three-hour VIP bar crawl, which takes you through four party venues with line-skipping entry, free drinks, and a guide to keep the group together. You start with flip cup and free alcohol, then move from bar to bar with drink specials waiting at each stop.

I like the simple value: your $59 covers entrance fees, VIP admission, free shots, and drinking games. I also like the social setup. The opening game gives solo visitors and small groups an easy way to meet people, and guide Jason has earned praise for being both pleasant and fun.

The weak spot is organization. One bad experience involved a bar that did not seem ready for the group, followed by a guide who disappeared after the first stop. That may be an isolated night, but you should still save the meeting details and stay alert when the group moves.

Key points to know before you go

• Four venues in three hours: Expect a quick-moving night, not a long stay at one bar.
• VIP entry is the main practical perk: You should not need to wait in the regular ticket line at each stop.
• Flip cup starts the social side: The first drinking game helps break the ice before the crawl gets underway.
• Jason is a guide name worth noting: He is specifically praised for a friendly, fun approach.
• The $59 price includes more than admission: Entrance fees, VIP access, free shots, games, and drink specials are part of the package.
• Bring the right essentials: You need a passport or ID card, must be at least 21, and cannot wear a sleeveless shirt.

What the $59 New Orleans crawl actually includes

At $59 per person, this tour is priced for people who want a ready-made night out rather than a self-guided search for bars. Your fee covers admission to four venues, VIP access, free shots, drinking games, and special drink offers at each stop.

That matters in New Orleans, where cover charges can add up quickly if you visit several places on your own. The value is strongest if you plan to visit all four venues and make use of the included drinks. If you only want one relaxed cocktail in one bar, the price makes less sense.

The package does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. You need to reach the meeting point yourself, and the activity ends after the three-hour crawl rather than providing a ride home. Plan your transport before the first drink, not after the last one.

The free drinks are part of the appeal, but they also shape the pace of the night. You are moving from venue to venue while taking part in games and social activities, so this is not a quiet cocktail tasting. It suits an energetic evening more than a careful study of New Orleans mixology.

Starting at the purple check-in table

Before arriving, sign the waiver using the link in your confirmation email from Crawl New Orleans. This is a small step, but it saves time at check-in and avoids fumbling with your phone while the group is getting ready to leave.

Once you arrive, go inside and look for the large purple table. That is the stated check-in point. The simple landmark should make the start easier, though you still need to allow enough time to find the venue and complete the check-in process.

Bring a passport or ID card. The activity is for people aged 21 and older, and you should expect to show identification. A sleeveless shirt is not allowed, so pack a regular shirt if you are planning a hot-weather night out.

There is no hotel pickup, so the start and finish are your responsibility. I would keep the confirmation email handy, save the meeting information offline, and make sure your phone has enough battery to handle directions and group messages.

Flip cup gives the night an instant start

The crawl begins with flip cup, with the alcohol provided. This opening game is more than a quick drinking challenge. It gives you a reason to speak with people you have just met, which can be useful if you are alone or traveling with only one companion.

This is one of the stronger parts of the format. A normal bar crawl can begin with strangers standing around in separate clusters. A team game gets everyone involved at once, although it will not appeal to anyone who prefers a quiet first drink.

The licensed party guide leads the activity and helps set the tone. Guide Jason is named in the available feedback as especially pleasant and fun, which matches the role this tour needs. The guide is not only there to point toward the next bar. The guide also keeps the social energy moving and explains the games and drink arrangements.

Keep your expectations sensible. The information promises free shots and games, not a full meal, a cocktail lesson, or a history tour. Eat before you arrive and treat the included alcohol as part of the entertainment rather than the main reason to drink as fast as possible.

Four venues, four chances to keep the night moving

After the opening game, the group moves through four of New Orleans’ bars and party venues. The exact venue names are not provided, so you should book this for the crawl format and benefits rather than for one particular bar.

Each stop is designed to be short enough to fit into the three-hour schedule. You receive VIP admission and an exclusive drink special at each venue, with free drinks included along the way. The result should feel like a sampler of the city’s nightlife rather than a deep visit to any single place.

Here is how to think about the four stops:

The first venue: This is where the group settles into the evening after check-in and the initial game. It is the point at which you learn how well the group is organized. One poor experience reported confusion at the first bar, so it is worth confirming the next meeting point before the group moves on.

The second venue: By this point, the social side should be easier. You already know a few names, and the drink special gives you a reason to order without paying the full standard price. Keep close to the guide, especially if the venue is noisy or crowded.

The third venue: This is where the quick pace may become noticeable. Three hours across four places leaves limited time at each stop. If you find a bar you love, you may have to accept that the crawl will not linger there.

The fourth venue: The final stop completes the included route and gives you another chance to use the special offer or free drink. Since hotel drop-off is not included, you should know how you will get back before the night ends.

These descriptions are about the structure, not promises of specific music, décor, or drink menus. The venues can vary, and the best stop for you may not be the best stop for another person. The reliable parts are the four-stop plan, group format, VIP admission, and included drink benefits.

Skip-the-line entry can be worth more than it sounds

VIP access is useful when a venue has a long entrance queue. You avoid paying separate entrance fees and should be able to enter with the group rather than waiting in the standard line.

The value depends on the night. If lines are short, VIP access matters less. If the bars are busy, skipping the queue saves time in a three-hour tour, where every minute counts. That is why the admission benefit is more important here than it might be on a single-bar visit.

The tour also removes much of the guesswork. You do not need to choose four places, check cover charges, or work out which bar to try next. You can focus on the night and let the guide handle the basic route.

There is a tradeoff. A planned crawl gives you less control. You may prefer to stay longer at one venue, skip a stop, or choose a calmer place. This tour is best for people who want motion and company, not for those who want to set their own pace.

A social night, not a quiet New Orleans evening

The strongest reason to book is the chance to meet people from different places in a setting designed for conversation. The flip cup game, group movement, and shared drink specials all make it easier to connect than simply walking into a bar alone.

I would particularly recommend it to solo visitors, pairs, and small groups who want company for a night out. It can also work for a birthday or celebratory evening, provided everyone in the group is comfortable with drinking games and a lively bar setting.

The phrase party guide tells you what sort of night this is. You should expect an outgoing atmosphere and active participation. Someone who dislikes games, free shots, or moving between several venues may find the format tiring.

The activity is offered in English, and the live guide explains the evening in English. That is useful for a group with mixed backgrounds, but it does mean you should be comfortable following instructions and meeting points in English.

What can go wrong, and how to protect your night

The supplied information includes one serious organizational complaint: the first bar did not appear to know about the tour, and the guide was then hard to find. You should not ignore that possibility simply because most of the available feedback is positive.

The best practical response is simple:

• Keep the confirmation email and waiver details on your phone.
• Save the provider name, Crawl New Orleans, before you arrive.
• Ask where the group is going next before leaving each venue.
• Stay near the guide when the group moves.
• If the group splits, confirm the meeting point instead of guessing.

This is not a reason to reject the tour. Most organized nightlife experiences depend on good communication, and one weak evening does not prove that every departure will have the same problem. Still, the warning matters because losing a group during a bar crawl can quickly turn a paid tour into an ordinary night out with extra confusion.

Guide quality also matters. Jason is specifically praised for being pleasant and fun, and that is exactly what can make this format work. A good guide turns a collection of strangers into a group. A poor handoff between venues has the opposite effect.

Is the booking policy flexible enough?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. That gives you a reasonable safety net if your New Orleans plans change.

You can also reserve now and pay later. This is useful if you are arranging several activities and do not want to pay for every booking at once. Check the available start times before committing, since the tour lasts three hours and the exact departure time depends on availability.

The tour does not list hotel pickup, so flexibility applies to the booking, not the evening’s transport. You still need to arrange your own way to the meeting point and your return afterward.

Who should book this bar crawl?

Book it if you want a structured nightlife plan with four venues, free shots, drinking games, and a guide. It is a good match for people who want to meet others and avoid long entrance lines.

It also makes sense if you are new to New Orleans and would rather not spend your first night comparing bars and cover charges. The group format gives you a ready-made route and a social starting point.

Think twice if you want a food-focused tour, a history lesson, or a slow evening at one carefully chosen bar. The experience is about access, movement, and company. The exact character of each stop is less certain than the overall crawl format.

Should you book the New Orleans VIP crawl?

At $59, I see fair value if you use the included admission, free shots, games, and drink specials across all four stops. The best parts are the social opening with flip cup, the chance to meet new people, and the time saved by VIP entry.

I would book it for an outgoing night with friends or for a solo evening when you want company. I would skip it if you dislike drinking games, need hotel transport, or want complete control over where you spend the night.

Go prepared with valid ID, a non-sleeveless shirt, a signed waiver, and a clear plan for getting home. Stay close to the guide, confirm each next stop, and you will give this fast-moving New Orleans night its best chance to deliver.

FAQ

How long does the New Orleans bar crawl last?

The activity lasts three hours.

How many venues does the tour visit?

The crawl moves through four bars and party venues.

What is included in the $59 price?

The price includes entrance fees, VIP admission, free shots, drinking games, and exclusive drink specials at each stop.

Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Where do I check in?

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

Do I need to sign a waiver?

Yes. You should sign the waiver before arriving. The link is provided in the confirmation email from Crawl New Orleans.

What identification should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card.

Can people under 21 join the tour?

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

What clothing is not allowed?

Sleeveless shirts are not allowed.