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

The night starts before the first bar. This New Orleans crawl gives you VIP entry to four venues, free shots, drink specials, and a licensed guide to keep the group moving. I like the built-in flip cup game, which breaks the ice fast, and I like the chance to meet people from several countries without planning the whole night yourself. The main drawback is that the quality of the evening can depend heavily on the guide and how well each bar is prepared.

At $59, the price can make sense if you use the included admission, shots, games, and specials. Still, you should arrive ready for a social, alcohol-focused night, not a quiet tour of New Orleans culture. Wear a shirt with sleeves, bring your passport or ID card, and keep the meeting instructions handy.

Key points to know before you go

• Four venues in three hours: You move through several New Orleans party spots rather than settling into one bar for the whole night.
• Flip cup starts the social side: The opening drinking game gives solo visitors and small groups an easy way to meet.
• Free shots are included: You receive a shot at each venue, along with special drink offers.
• VIP access saves time: Skip-the-line admission can matter on a busy night, when queues outside clubs move slowly.
• Jason has earned special praise: One positive account singled out Jason for being pleasant and fun, though guide performance may vary.
• It is strictly 21 and older: You need a passport or ID card, and sleeveless shirts are not allowed.

What this New Orleans night is really selling

This is not a history walk, food tour, or polished show. It is a social night built around movement, drinks, games, and easy introductions. You meet at the designated check-in point, join the group, and let the guide handle the route between four bars or clubs.

That arrangement has a clear benefit. You do not need to compare venues, work out cover charges, or decide where to go next at midnight. The guide gives your night a basic shape, and the group gives you people to talk with from the first stop.

The tradeoff is control. You do not choose every bar, set the pace, or know the exact venue lineup in advance from the information provided. If you want a carefully selected cocktail crawl or a strong local food angle, this will not be the right fit.

I see the experience as a party starter for people who want company. It can be especially useful on a first night in New Orleans, when you want to get out but do not yet know the nightlife scene.

Meeting at the large purple table

Your first practical task is simple but important: sign the waiver before arriving. The waiver link is sent in your confirmation email from Crawl New Orleans, so take care of it before you leave your hotel or rental.

At the meeting location, go inside and look for the large purple table. That is the check-in point. This detail may sound minor, but nightlife meeting spots can become confusing once crowds, music, and multiple entrances enter the picture.

Bring your passport or ID card. The tour is only for people aged 21 and over, and you should expect identification checks at the venues. A phone photo of an ID may not be accepted, so carry the required document itself.

Dress rules matter here. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed, so pack a shirt with sleeves even if New Orleans feels hot. You do not want to lose access to a prepaid night because of a simple clothing issue.

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off. You make your own way to the meeting point and return on your own after the three-hour crawl. Plan your route before drinking, and do not assume the tour includes transportation.

The opening flip cup game

The night begins with a flip cup game, with the alcohol provided. This is more than a gimmick. A bar crawl can feel awkward during the first twenty minutes, especially if you arrive alone or with just one friend. A group game gives everyone a reason to speak.

You do not need to be a serious competitor. The value is in the quick introductions and the shared silliness. If you dislike drinking games, you may find this opening less appealing, but the social purpose is clear.

I would use this first stop to learn the basic rhythm of the group. Find out who is staying for the full route, listen for the guide’s instructions, and make sure you know where to meet after any free time. A good start can shape the whole evening.

This is also a sensible moment to pace yourself. The night includes a shot at each venue, and the opening game adds alcohol before the crawl has properly begun. You can enjoy the social side without treating every included drink as an obligation.

Moving through four New Orleans venues

After the opening activity, the tour continues through four bars or party venues. The exact names are not provided, so you should think of this as a flexible nightlife route rather than a fixed list of famous clubs.

Each stop includes VIP admission, a free shot, and an exclusive drink special. The savings come from combining those benefits. If you would otherwise pay an entrance fee at each club and buy a drink at every stop, the $59 fee becomes easier to justify.

The four-stop format also gives you options. One venue may suit your mood better than another, and changing locations prevents a slow start at one bar from defining the whole night. On the other hand, three hours across four places leaves limited time at each stop.

That pace may feel just right if you enjoy variety. You get a sample of the nightlife rather than spending the whole evening in one room. If you prefer settling into a table, talking at length, or ordering carefully made drinks, the repeated moves may feel rushed.

The guide’s role matters here. A licensed party guide is meant to direct the group, explain where to go, and keep the evening organized. One strong account praised Jason as pleasant and fun, which captures the best version of this format: a guide who keeps introductions easy and the group moving without making the night feel like a roll call.

You should also keep your own eye on the group. A negative experience described a bar that did not seem prepared for the tour, followed by confusion when the guide disappeared after the first stop. That may be an isolated failure, but it is a useful warning. Pay attention to the next meeting point, keep the guide’s contact details available if supplied, and do not wander off without knowing where the group is headed.

What VIP access means at night

VIP access sounds grand, but in practical terms it mainly means you can skip the regular ticket line and avoid standard entrance fees included in the tour. On a busy New Orleans night, that can save both time and irritation.

The benefit is strongest when a venue has a long queue. You spend more of your three hours inside the bars instead of waiting outside. It also removes one small decision at every stop: you do not have to wonder if the cover charge is worth paying.

VIP does not mean a private room, reserved table, or premium seating. None of those extras are listed, so do not book this expecting bottle service or a club-hosted night. The offer is about admission and access, not luxury treatment.

That distinction helps you judge the price fairly. You are paying for a guided social plan, entry to four venues, free shots, drinking games, and drink specials. You are not paying for a full evening of unlimited drinks or hotel transport.

Is $59 good value?

At $59 per person, I would judge the cost by how much of the package you use. If you visit four places, claim the included shots, use the specials, and avoid several entrance fees, the price can be reasonable.

The value is less clear if you do not drink much, skip the games, or leave after the first stop. The tour is designed around alcohol, so non-drinkers and light drinkers may not receive the same benefit from the package.

The price also buys convenience. You do not have to research a route through New Orleans nightlife, gather a group from scratch, or negotiate entry at each bar. For someone new to the city, that planning help has real value.

There is a social value too. You may meet people from all over the world, and the format encourages conversation rather than leaving you to approach strangers in a crowded bar. That can be worth more than a modest drink discount if you are traveling alone.

I would not choose it purely as the cheapest way to drink. Instead, compare it with what you would spend on admission and several drinks during a normal night out. If your plan already includes four venues, the package is easier to defend.

Who will enjoy this crawl most?

This tour suits you if you like loud rooms, group games, quick introductions, and changing venues. It is a good match for solo visitors, pairs, and groups of friends who want to meet other people instead of staying in their own circle.

It also works for anyone who wants a simple first-night plan. You arrive at the meeting point, join the group, and let the guide set the route. You do not need a detailed nightlife map.

The format may be less suitable if you want romance, quiet conversation, a cocktail lesson, or a strong sense of place. It does not promise local food, live music, historical commentary, or a carefully explained look at New Orleans neighborhoods.

You should also be comfortable with some uncertainty. The venue list is not specified, and the night may feel better or worse depending on the guide, the crowd, and each bar’s readiness. I would choose it for the social structure, not for a guaranteed list of famous clubs.

Practical tips for a smoother night

Sign the waiver before you arrive. This removes one task at check-in and helps the group get moving.

Wear a shirt with sleeves and bring your original passport or ID card. These are the two most direct ways to avoid trouble at the door.

Eat before the tour and pace yourself. You have the opening flip cup game plus a free shot at each of four stops. Included alcohol is an option, not a target.

Keep your phone charged. You may need directions to the meeting point, and you want a reliable way to stay in touch if you become separated from the group.

Listen closely when the guide announces the next venue. The negative account of a guide disappearing shows why you should know the next stop rather than follow blindly.

Use the drink specials selectively. A discount only saves money if you actually want the drink. The free shots and game already provide plenty of alcohol for one evening.

Allow time to get home after the three hours. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, and the experience ends in nightlife areas where transport can take planning.

Cancellation and booking details

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your New Orleans schedule is still changing.

The activity lasts three hours, but the available starting times can vary. Check the date and time before booking, especially if you have dinner reservations or another evening event.

The live guide speaks English. No other guide language is listed.

Should you book the New Orleans VIP bar crawl?

Book it if you want a ready-made party night with four venues, free shots, games, and a built-in social circle. The $59 fee is reasonable when you use the admission benefits and drink specials, and a strong guide such as Jason can make the night easy and fun.

Skip it if you want a reliable club list, quiet drinks, hotel transport, or a polished cultural tour. The experience depends on group energy and guide organization, and one poor night can feel disjointed when a venue is not prepared.

My practical call: choose this for a social night, not a guaranteed luxury night. Complete the waiver, bring ID, wear sleeves, eat first, and stay alert to the group’s meeting points. Those small steps give you the best chance of getting the fun, easygoing evening this tour is built to provide.

FAQ

How long does the New Orleans bar crawl last?

The tour lasts three hours.

How many venues does the tour visit?

The crawl takes you through four bars or party venues.

Is VIP admission included?

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

Are free drinks included?

Free shots are included at each venue, along with exclusive drink specials. The information does not state that all drinks are free.

Does the tour include drinking games?

Yes. The evening begins with a flip cup game, and drinking games are included.

What should I bring?

Bring your passport or ID card. You should also complete the waiver before arriving.

Can I wear a sleeveless shirt?

No. Sleeveless shirts are not allowed.

Is the activity open to people under 21?

No. The activity is only for people aged 21 and over.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the meeting point, and hotel drop-off is not included.