Adventure Collective
Scandalous Cocktail Tour with Nola Historic Tours in New Orleans - New Orleans

Scandalous Cocktail Tour with Nola Historic Tours in New Orleans

New Orleanseasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

2–3 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for most adults capable of walking moderate distances on paved city streets.

Overview

Take a 2.5-hour stroll through New Orleans’ French Quarter with Nola Historic Tours and uncover the scandalous origins of classic cocktails alongside tales of jazz, crime, and intrigue. Perfect for anyone looking to sip deeply from the city’s rich history.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Scandalous Cocktail Tour

2.5 hours • Ages 21+ • Grab some drinks and take a tour!

Select participants and date

Adventure Photos

Scandalous Cocktail Tour photo 1

About This Adventure

Booking in Advance Recommended

Duration

2.5 hours

About

For this scandalous New Orleans city tour, meet at Pat O’Brien’s in the Vieux Carré, where locals have been enjoying a tipple since the end of prohibition. Then head off for an exploration of the city’s storied watering holes such as the Carousel Bar, the Riviera, Tony Seville's Pirate Alley Cafe, and others.

Discover where, why, and how legendary libations from the Sazerac to the Pimm’s Cup were first concocted. Alongside cocktails, uncover the city’s astonishingly scandalous past and present… Learn about the “oldest profession”, visiting Storyville – the city’s former red light district – and the Tango Belt, where many of New Orleans famous jazz bars, saloons, cabarets, and dance halls can be found.

Walk through locales of ill-repute, from Norma Wallace’s last brothel to Blaze Starr’s Bourbon Street Burlesque. See the sites of some of the US’s most infamous cases of organized crime – from Jean Lafitte’s piracy to the first home of the American Mafia. Also, visit the streets and alleyways where true crime both ancient and modern has taken place. From the local Jack the Ripper, the Axeman, to the disappearance of the “Italian Vanna White” in 1994 – unsolved crimes and mysteries abound.

Discover the New Orleans conspiracy connection to the John F. Kennedy Assassination. Learn more about Tennessee Williams as you soak up the setting of Streetcar Named Desire and other plays. Recover from it all with an optional Creole meal at Muriel’s restaurant – the epitome of decadence and opulence in a city that has no shortage of all this and more.

What to Know

  • You must bring your I.D. on this tour
  • Please remember to wear comfortable shoes
  • Drinks are available for purchase along the tour route

Adventure Tips

Bring Valid ID

You must be 21+ and carry government-issued identification to participate and purchase drinks.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

The tour covers several blocks on city streets; sturdy footwear ensures comfort throughout.

Pace Your Drinking

Enjoy responsibly—the tour includes multiple tasting stops, so drink water between cocktails.

Book in Advance

Popular and limited in size, reserving ahead guarantees your spot on this unique cultural adventure.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Urban birds like herons along the riverfront
  • Squirrels in city parks

History

The tour covers Storyville, New Orleans’ official red light district from 1897 to 1917, a nexus for early jazz musicians and vibrant nightlife.

Conservation

Preserving New Orleans’ historic district means balancing tourism with local culture, encouraging responsible patronage and minimal disturbance to this fragile urban heritage.

Select participants and date

Adventure Hotspots in New Orleans

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Comfortable walking shoes

Essential

Supportive shoes ensure comfort on historic uneven sidewalks and cobblestones.

Photo-friendly smartphone or camera

Capture the distinctive architecture and vibrant street scenes along the route.

Light jacket or layers

Essential

Fall evenings can turn cool; layering keeps you comfortable between stops.

fall specific

Reusable water bottle

Essential

Stay hydrated walking in summer heat and between cocktail tastings.

summer specific