New Orleans Original Craft Cocktail Walking Tour

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!

1. 1

   French Quarter

   2 hours

   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.

2. 2

   Stop 2

   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.

3. 3

   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.

4. 4

   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.

5. 5

   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.

• 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

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.