Avalon at 4 pm turns into bar-crawl fun. This 2-hour Catalina Happy Hour Tour threads you through some of the best spots in town with a local guide, so you spend less time guessing and more time sampling. You’ll taste 5+ cocktails and specialty shots plus light bites, with interactive games that keep the whole thing moving.

I especially like that the experience includes a lot of what usually adds up fast: snacks, bottled water, and both server and bartender gratuities. I also like the extra local brainpower, from bar tips and late-night snack ideas to a guidebook with recipes, maps, and guest coupons.

The main thing to consider is the price. At $370, it’s best if you’re committed to the whole drinks-and-games plan, since substitutes for non-drinkers are available but they still need a regular ticket.

Key things to know before you go

• A tight 2-hour schedule: you’ll be hopping and tasting, not doing a slow crawl.
• 5+ cocktails and specialty shots: think multiple pours and guided pacing.
• Apps to soak the buzz: light appetizers help you keep going.
• Included gratuities and water: fewer surprises at the end.
• Interactive games with your guide: the group stays lively, not just walking.
• A guidebook you can use later: recipes, maps, and coupons for round two.

Starting at Coyote Joe’s: a simple meetup with everything you need

The tour starts at Coyote Joe’s Bar and Restaurant, 113 Catalina Ave in Avalon, at 4:00 pm. That’s a nice practical choice because it’s an obvious place to meet, and the tour wraps back at the same location.

Bring your ID for check-in. You’ll also want to have your mobile ticket ready. This is a 21+ tour, so if anyone in your group isn’t old enough, this isn’t the right fit.

One more logistics detail that matters: transportation to Catalina Island is not included. If you’re building the day around a 4 pm start, you’ll want to make sure you’re already on the island and not racing a ferry.

How the Avalon happy-hour format works in a fast 2 hours

This tour is built around a guided night out that’s part tasting session, part game night. Your local guides bring you to the bars and restaurants they think you should know, and you’ll sample drinks along the way instead of ordering blindly.

The pacing is the point. You’ll likely be feeling it by the time you wrap up, since the tour includes multiple cocktails and shots (the tour description calls out six specialty cocktails and shots). That doesn’t mean you’ll be stuck afterward, but it does mean your dinner plans should be realistic.

A helpful way to think about it: you’re not just buying drinks. You’re buying someone else’s planning. The guide also shares practical town tips as you go, like which bartenders to trust for a good pour and where to handle common annoyances like bathroom locations.

What you’ll actually taste: cocktails, shots, and award-winning appetizers

You can expect 5+ creative cocktails and specialty shots. The tour also specifically notes sampling six specialty cocktails and shots, so it’s clearly designed to give you variety, not just one signature drink.

Along with the alcohol, you’ll get light appetizers and snacks. These are there for two reasons. First, they help you enjoy the drinks more (less burn, more balance). Second, they make the tour feel like a full plan for early evening, not just a stop-and-go sampling.

There’s also bottled water included. That’s a small detail, but it’s a big deal on a bar-focused experience. It helps you pace yourself and still feel good enough to enjoy the rest of your night in Avalon.

If you don’t drink alcohol, substitutions are available—but you’ll still need to purchase a regular priced ticket. So this is not a bargain for the designated driver. It’s really for the group experience, where the structure and guide-led pacing matter.

Games and local tips: why it feels social, not scripted

A lot of bar crawls turn into a line of people following a guide. This one tries to avoid that with interactive games. The idea is simple: you’re at the bars anyway, so the guide adds activities that keep the energy up and reduce the awkward moment of standing around between drink stops.

The guide also acts like a cocktail concierge. You’ll get suggestions for:

• bar choices that match what you like
• best late-night snack stops
• bathroom locations to avoid (straight talk like this is genuinely useful)
• bartenders who can mix drinks the right way

That practical local knowledge is part of the value. Avalon can be charming, but it’s also the kind of place where you can waste time wandering around the wrong blocks. A guide who knows what’s good and where you’ll have the easiest time can save your evening.

The guidebook with recipes, maps, and coupons you can use later

You get an exclusive guidebook designed for what happens after the tour too: recipes, maps, and guest coupons. That means you can revisit what you liked and not lose the details once you’re back from the bar scene.

This matters more than it sounds. When you’re tasting multiple cocktails and shots in a short window, your memory can blur fast. Having the recipes and mapping tools helps you turn the night into real follow-up, whether you’re coming back tomorrow or just want to recreate something at home.

It’s also a nice way to extend the tour beyond the two hours. You’re not only paying for the drinks; you’re paying for a usable local reference.

Price and value: when $370 feels worth it

Let’s talk straight value. The listed price is $370 for the experience, which is steep compared with a basic walking tour. But this format includes a lot that many people end up paying separately:

• alcoholic beverages included
• snacks and bottled water included
• server and bartender gratuities included
• a local guide running the route and pacing
• a guidebook with recipes, maps, and coupons

That inclusion list can make a big difference. If you were trying to replicate this on your own, you’d likely spend money on drinks, food, and tipping anyway. Here, those pieces are bundled so you can focus on enjoying the night.

Still, it’s not for everyone. If you only want one drink, you’ll feel overcharged. If your group is mostly non-drinkers, the substitution policy doesn’t turn the tour into a budget-friendly option. And if you hate feeling buzzed, you may find the schedule doesn’t match your pace.

The best match is a group that wants a structured Avalon night: drink variety, a bit of friendly competition from the games, and clear guidance on where to go next.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip)

This is a strong fit if you:

• enjoy trying multiple cocktails and specialty shots
• want help choosing bars instead of wandering
• like a social plan that keeps moving
• appreciate getting local tips that go beyond obvious sightseeing

This is probably not your best choice if you:

• are price-sensitive and just want a light drink outing
• need a quiet, low-energy evening
• don’t drink and were hoping for a lower-cost option (regular ticket is still required)
• have health conditions that could be aggravated by alcohol-focused activity (the tour advises being in good health)

Group size is also capped at 16 travelers. That’s large enough to be lively, but small enough that the guide can keep the flow.

Quick practical tips to make the most of your night

A few common-sense moves will help you enjoy this tour fully:

• Plan dinner timing. You’ll likely be feeling the alcohol by the end, so keep your post-tour meal flexible.
• Pace your water. Bottled water is included, so use it.
• Eat a little before the tour if you can. The light apps help, but having some food in your system keeps everything more comfortable.
• Keep your expectations realistic. This is 2 hours of guided tastings, not an in-depth exploration of every corner of Avalon.

Also, don’t underestimate the benefit of having the guide’s bathroom and late-night snack tips. Those tiny details can make a tour feel smooth.

Should you book the Catalina Happy Hour Tour?

Book it if you want a fun, guided way to sample multiple cocktails, get light appetizers, and leave with practical Avalon know-how in your pocket. The included gratuities, water, and the guidebook add real value if you’re planning to drink and explore anyway.

Skip it if the $370 price tag makes you wince, if you’re not interested in the drinks-and-shots portion, or if you’re trying to keep the evening low-key. And if you’re the “we’ll see” type, keep in mind the tour needs a minimum group size to operate.

If your goal is a lively, structured Avalon night that feels like local friends showing you the best stops, this hits that sweet spot.

FAQ

Where does the Catalina Happy Hour Tour start?

It starts at Coyote Joe’s Bar and Restaurant, 113 Catalina Ave, Avalon, CA 90704, with the tour ending back at the same meeting point.

What time does the tour run, and how long is it?

The start time is 4:00 pm, and the duration is about 2 hours.

How many drinks and snacks are included?

The tour includes 5+ creative cocktails and specialty shots plus light appetizers and snacks. Bottled water is also included.

What are the age requirements and do you need to drink alcohol?

You must be 21+ to participate. Substitutions are available for those who do not drink alcohol, but they still need to purchase a regular priced ticket.

What does the price include?

Included items are a local guide, food and drink tastings, snacks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, and server and bartender gratuities. Guide gratuities are not included (optional).

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience’s start time. Within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded.

You Might Also Enjoy

Whale Watching on 2 Level Big Boat with Breakfast and Drinks INCLUDEDDancer Cruise Isla Mujeres Snorkel Food and Drinks IncludedDeluxe Los Angeles 5-Hour Limo Tour with Drinks IncludedBooze, Brothels & The Bard: A Walking Tour of London’s Bawdy Borough