From Cocktails to Jazz

From Cocktails to Jazz

Your cocktails and jazz tour begins in Jackson Square where you’ll find many of the best bars of the French Quarter are only a stone’s throw away. Don’t expect to spend much time on Bourbon Street though. While it has its place in New Orleans nightlife, we will be going beyond the tourist trail to show you what really makes New Orleans’ cocktail culture unique.

For our first cocktail stop we will travel back to the 1700s and visit a bar which used to entertain some of the most eccentric characters in New Orleans history. Here, we will taste an infamous drink of the city and learn how it has influenced New Orleans drinking culture today. We will then visit one of your guide’s favorite bars and taste a drink so good you’ll forget there’s alcohol in it.

Next up, we will sample the ‘official cocktail of New Orleans’-- the Sazerac. One of the first cocktails ever invented, it’s definitely tasty enough to stand the test of time. Our final cocktail stop will be at one of the classiest establishments in town to try one of the city’s most esteemed drinks-- the Ramos Gin Fizz. After your first sip, you’ll truly understand why New Orleans has been called, “the cradle of civilized drinking.” There will be an opportunity to rest your feet or grab a bite to eat before the jazz portion of the tour begins.

Your guide can recommend some good eats, depending on your preferences. Then we’ll head over to the historic and beautiful Louis Armstrong Park in the Tremé neighborhood. Within the park, we will talk about the historical origins of jazz and discuss one of the jazz greats, Armstrong himself. From here, we will make our way to the popular Marigny neighborhood, a hip nightlife area that’s home to the famous Frenchmen Street, where you’ll find the largest concentration of live music venues in the city. Being with a local, you’ll have access to the best options, depending on the day of the week, time and band schedules. And to top it off, you will receive a beer on us at one of the stops. You’re very welcome to purchase additional beverages as and when you want them.

We’ll also be on the lookout for impromptu street performances, which always make the night special. And if the timing and mood is right, we’ll get behind the scenes with one of the bands in between sets. Your cocktails and jazz tour ends at the nightly art market, another lively spot where the city’s artists show off their best work, from handmade sculptures to local photography. If, (well, let’s be honest - when), at the end of the tour you're still craving more, your guide will point out other great locations in the area for dinner, drinks and of course, more great music!

Schedule:
Daily; 2:00pm
Black-out Dates:
(2019) Jan 1, March 2, 3, 4, 5, July 4, November 28, Dec 24, 25, 31

Duration:
6 Hours

Meeting Point:
Jackson Square (next to Andrew Jackson statue), 700 Decatur Street, New Orleans, LA 70116

End Point:
Palace Art Market, 619 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116

Additional information:
Please wear casual clothes appropriate for the weather, and comfortable walking shoes. This tour features a couple of cocktails which include dairy ingredients such as eggs and/or milk. Discounts are available for vegans or people with lactose-intolerance, and the guide can assist with recommendations for customers to purchase his/her own drinks during the tour.
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, five cocktail samples, small snack, one beer, and one street car ticket (if applicable).
Exclusions: Additional drinks, food, souvenirs, tips and gratuities for the guide and tips and gratuities for the musicians.
Restrictions: This tour is 21+ only. You must bring government-issued photo ID as proof of age. Passports and/or driver’s licenses are acceptable.