Advertisement Baltimore 'Tipsy Tours' offer 1 part history, 1 part booze 2-hour guided bus tour celebrates drinking, gives unique city perspective Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A new and quirky guided tour through Baltimore lets its passengers tip a few back and play some drinking games while learning about the city’s history and neighborhoods.The new Tipsy Tours by the company Baltimore Rent-A-Tour are being touted as two-hour guided bus tours that are one part history, one part drinking game."It is the history nerd in me trying to entice people to learn with alcohol," said tour director Chris Riehl during a media sneak preview on Friday night.Learn more: Tipsy ToursWhether you’re new to Baltimore, just visiting or have been here for a while and want to learn more about the history of your surroundings, the tours offer a unique perspective into Baltimore's history, some of which those of us who have lived in the area for several years didn't even know.The tours start with an hour-long happy hour at varying bars in the downtown area, which include food specials and free cocktail samples.From there, fellow imbibers get to hop on a luxury motor coach, complete with restroom, for a two-hour tour of the many downtown neighborhoods, including historic Fells Point and Federal Hill, Canton, Mount Vernon and the Inner Harbor.The trip is BYOB, but history buffs -- or those who just have a competitive spirit -- will get the chance to win some sample-size alcohol bottles during varying contests that could include answering trivia questions or finding unique 15-star U.S. flags placed throughout the city.On the trip, riders will learn quirky, little-known facts about Baltimore, including how the popular Canton neighborhood got its name, what the H&S Bakery in Fells Point is famous for, how a failed love affair led to the empire that is Johns Hopkins, and how the Orioles were involved in the creation of both duckpin bowling and the country's first sports bar.The tour also shows how the city was integral during many of the country's most important wars, including the War of 1812, the Civil War, and even how it holds one of the last remaining icons from the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II.Those who are most interested in the booze factor will learn a thing or two about that, too, including how the infamous Owl Bar at the Belvedere Hotel would inform patrons it was safe to consume alcohol during Prohibition, what happened to Natty Boh's other eye, or where the famous but troubled Edgar Allan Poe had his last drink.The buses can accommodate up to 54 people per tour. A tour costs $50 a person, but for a limited time, the company is offering a deal through Living Social for $25.Private customized tours for groups of all shapes and sizes are also available, from groups who are history fans to those looking to have fun on a bachelorette party. The bus can pick those groups up wherever they choose, and they'll make stops along the way if desired. Prices vary depending on the private tour.For more information on the Tipsy Tours, click here.