Tours/New Orleans/New Orleans Original Craft Cocktail Walking Tour
New Orleans Original Craft Cocktail Walking Tour
4.6(683)New Orleans2h–2h 30min
VIATOR4.6(487)TRIPADVISOR4.7(196)
+13 photos
At a glance
Duration
2h–2h 30min
Price from
$28 / person
Location
New Orleans, United States
Rating
4.6 / 5 · 683 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 28
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Gray Line New Orleans
Meeting point
Gray Line Lighthouse on the Steamboat NATCHEZ dock (Toulouse Street at the Mississippi River)
Description
Enjoy French Quarter courtyards, classic cocktails, and entertaining history! Did you know that the word “cocktail” originated in New Orleans? In a city that fosters creativity and breathes inspiration, it’s no wonder the history is so closely entwined with a culinary culture. On this small group tour you’ll drink in the rich history of the city as you explore the French Quarter, where the hour is always happy. If you don’t finish your drink, ask for a “to go cup.” This is not a bar crawl. It's history… with a twist!
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
4:00 PM
Next available
Mon, Oct 12
Adult (ages 21+)
$28
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 11.
Tour Options
VIP UPGRADE - 4:00pm Tour 2 hours
Option includes 3 full craft cocktails and an additional 30-minute stop at Fritzel's European Jazz Pub featuring live music!
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
4:00pm Tour 2 hours
Option includes 1 full cocktail with the ability to purchase more drinks during the tour. NOT Included: Fritzel's Stop
Duration: 2 hours
Itinerary
French Quarter
120 min
Embark on your exploration of New Orleans’ cocktail culture from the Gray Line Lighthouse Ticket Office, right on the Mississippi River in the city’s French Quarter. Your group of like-minded 21-and-up revelers will travel the neighborhood’s historic streets, ducking in and out of watering holes and restaurants in buildings that still stand as beautiful examples of French and Spanish Colonial Architecture.
While it’s easy to get lost in the history of your surroundings, the real stars of the tour are the cocktails. Listen in as your guides reveal the stories behind each inventive libation and the characters that brought them to life. Learn the story of the Sazerac, which dates back to 1850.
Enter the Court of Two Sisters’ Carriageway Bar through the charm gates, wrought in Spain and blessed by Queen Isabella. Now a restaurant world-famous for its jazz brunch and courtyard canopied by a 130-year-old wisteria vine, the block has maintained a lively history since 1726.
St. Louis Cathedral
At the intersection of two cobblestone alleys in the shadows of the St. Louis Cathedral, is a
legendary pirate hangout. There you’ll meet the “green fairy” known as Absinthe, the mystical herbal elixir that induced intoxicating creativity in many authors, artists, poets, and musicians.
Peychaud's
Relax in the former residence of Antoine Peychaud, the Creole apothecary who prescribed and dispensed his patented herbal Peychaud’s Bitters, which would later become the key ingredient in the Sazerac, America’s first cocktail and the official cocktail of New Orleans.
Fritzel's European Jazz Bar
30 min
*UPGRADED EXPERIENCE ONLY* - There’s nothing like soul-stirring jazz to raise your spirits. Your tour ends on a high note at Fritzel's, not your typical dive bar. This jazz pub features the who’s who of New Orleans jazz, drawing jazz aficionados from around the world. You're welcome to stay for the show, then walk to dinner at one of many fine French Quarter restaurants nearby.
What's included
Included
3-4 Stops at Iconic French Quarter Establishments
Guided New Orleans Original Cocktail Walking Tour
1 or 3 classic cocktails, depending on option selection, including taxes and service gratuities
Expert Local Tour Guide
Not included
Gratuities
Additional beverages are available for purchase
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.6
683 reviews
5
548
4
66
3
33
2
19
1
17
How it compares in New Orleans
Starting price $28 is 30% below the typical $40 for tours of similar length in New Orleans
Excurgo comparison of 706 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Wheelchair accessible
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
In order to help preserve the French Quarter from vehicular traffic, it is requested that you please walk, if possible, to the convenient tour departure point - just a short stroll from most downtown hotels.
Due to the historic nature of the tour, some venues are not accessible to guests traveling in wheelchairs. Special arrangements can be made with your tour guide at the beginning of the tour.
Minimum age is 21 years
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does New Orleans Original Craft Cocktail Walking Tour take?
New Orleans Original Craft Cocktail Walking Tour lasts about 2h–2h 30min. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does New Orleans Original Craft Cocktail Walking Tour cost?
Prices start at $28 per person for this New Orleans experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There are 2 booking options, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does New Orleans Original Craft Cocktail Walking Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 4:00 PM.
Can I cancel New Orleans Original Craft Cocktail Walking Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Gray Line Lighthouse on the Steamboat NATCHEZ dock (Toulouse Street at the Mississippi River). Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is New Orleans Original Craft Cocktail Walking Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 28 participants.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Wheelchair accessible Due to the historic nature of the tour, some venues are not accessible to guests traveling in wheelchairs. Special arrangements can be made with your tour guide at the beginning of the tour.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is New Orleans Original Craft Cocktail Walking Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 4.6 out of 5 across 683 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Gray Line New Orleans.
Reviews(683)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
C
Corrine_s
September 27, 2026 · via Viator
Think twice before doing this
It was walking and standing in extremely hot weather we got to sit 1 time and enjoy a cocktail. She stopped and talked and talked and talked in the blazing sun every time we walked a hundred feet. There were no choices given to the cocktails so sickingly sweet to all booze several couple left the tour because of this this was more about history and architecture than cocktails. Not what I signed up for super disappointed
Operator response
Corrine, we appreciate your input. The heat is something we have tried to control for years, but almost impossible. It is indeed a walking tour with short stops at locations that welcome them.
K
Kirk_W
September 15, 2026 · via Viator
Great tour...
Great tour
Leslie did a great job showing our group around the French quarter explaining some of its history and introducing us to bars we may have missed otherwise, all together it was a great experience
Operator response
Thank you Kirk. Your 5 star review really made our day at Gray Line.
W
William_B
July 3, 2026 · via Viator
We got to the meeting...
We got to the meeting point 10 minutes later due to traffic and the group already had left. The lady at the ticket there was nothing to do and we were out of luck.
Operator response
We want all our guests to enjoy their experience with us. We regret that we could not delay the tour. If we inconvenience others by delaying their tour we are not providing the best service to the most guests.
B
Brian_Q
May 13, 2026 · via Viator
Book Brandy!
Brandy was very personable, friendly, and informative. I would highly recommend booking with Brandy!! Let her know Tri-Pod sent you! Trish says hi!
Operator response
How precious - we will certainly share with Brandy. Thank you for recommending this true New Orleans tour.
C
Christopher_S
April 30, 2026 · via Viator
Great way to spend an afternoon
Robi did a fantastic job weaving together the history of New Orleans with the way the different described drinks interacted. We had a great time and would highly recommend.
Operator response
Your high recommendation means so much to us, and especially to our guide Robi!
K
Kellie_M
April 16, 2026 · via Viator
It was a fun, informative...
It was a fun, informative experience! Our group was easy and Val, our tour guide was knowledgeable and super personable!
Operator response
Thanks so much for the great review on the tour and your guide Val.
C
Chuck_L
March 22, 2026 · via Viator
Cheap drinks at Fringe bars
After so many great Viator tours, this one missed the mark totally. We had a cocktail tour in the past in NOLA and was 5-star. The tour took us to 4 bars. For the “VIP” package, which cost an addition a $40, you got two drinks at 2 of the bars, and the other 2 bars were pay as you go, or cash only. The tour was excessively lengthy, running over its 2hour timeframe by 40 minutes, making us late to dinner. The bars were all over the place and we did a fair amount of walking with a group of 12. Lots of history shared , but unbalanced with time allowed and purpose of tour. The last cocktail tour was very well made drinks in glass , this tour was sloppy made drinks in plastic cups- definitely not worth $20 a drink!!!! Overall, not well organized, and no value.
Operator response
We certainly are disappointed to learn that your tour did not meet your expectations. Your comments will be discussed with the tour manager. The tour is posted at 2hr and 30minutes, so that would be 10 minutes over. Plastic cups do allow guests to leave with their cocktails, but glass containers are not allowed on the street. That is for everyone's safety.
M
Matthew_T
February 27, 2026 · via Viator
Cocktail Tour in NOLA
We really enjoyed the history lesson of NOLA and the French Quarters. Cocktails at Peychauds were really good!
Operator response
We always enjoy the reviews of this particular tour. It is an intimate look at the French Quarter after dark. Thank you.
C
Cathleen_H
February 6, 2026 · via Viator
Fun!
Everyone in our group upgraded to the VIP package with three full size cocktails. The jazz club at the end is the real deal…great music. The tour guide Katherine was interesting and shared a lot of New Orleans history. Based on the tour description, we expected to go to three bar/restaurants and the jazz club. We actually went to five, which was excellent, however cocktails were cash and carry at the extra two establishments. We weren’t expecting to pay more during the tour. We could have chosen not to partake, but when in Rome…
Be sure to eat and carb up before you go! Enjoy!
Operator response
It sounds like an evening to remember! Katherine wants to not only inform and entertain, she wants to be certain that you leave with a smile and a song in your heart. Thanks so very much for all the details.
C
Carolyn_E
January 28, 2026 · via Viator
Very well organized! ...
Very well organized! There was quite a bit of walking but we had 5 breaks with a chance to sit at each location. The drinks were great and Val was really good at keeping the conversation going. She really knows her NOLA history.
Operator response
The Cocktail Tour is an interesting combination of Tales of the City, true history, and introduction to the drinks born in New Orleans. Val is an expert at sharing all of that and more.
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