The Drunken Telling of New Orleans Tales

The most unusual part of this French Quarter walk is the freedom to carry a drink as you move through New Orleans. Your guide links bars, courtyards, Jackson Square, voodoo lore, ghost stories, and the Louisiana Purchase into one evening of local tales. The paranormal equipment adds a playful hands-on touch.

I like the way the tour mixes real New Orleans landmarks with tall tales, and I like that you can buy drinks along the route rather than sit through a fixed bar crawl. Guides named Cody and Emily have been praised for humor, personal stories, and strong local knowledge. The main caution is that the quality depends heavily on your guide, and some guests found the delivery flat or the stories less spooky than expected.

Key points to know before you go

• Start beside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: Meet at the courtyard gate at 941 Bourbon Street, not inside the bar and not at a street corner.
• Buy drinks as you walk: You pay for your own alcohol, and the guide does not enter the bars with you.
• Expect stories, not proof of ghosts: The route covers voodoo, vampires, haunted homes, and local legends, but no paranormal encounter is promised.
• Use a real EMF meter: Paranormal equipment is available if you request it at check-in and provide the required contact details.
• Plan for an uneven walk: The tour moves at a moderate pace through old French Quarter streets and lasts about one to two hours.
• Guide style matters: Cody and Emily have received praise for humor and storytelling, while other feedback points to uneven energy and accents that can be hard for some listeners.

A walking tour with a drink in hand

At $35 per person, this is priced as an affordable guided walk rather than a full food, drink, or museum experience. Your ticket covers the guide and roughly two hours of storytelling. Drinks, tips, transportation, and hotel pickup cost extra.

The value depends on what you want from New Orleans. If you would otherwise pay for a ghost walk and then wander the French Quarter on your own, this combines sightseeing with a themed introduction to the neighborhood. If you want a formal history lecture, a quiet architectural tour, or drinks included in the price, this is not the right fit.

The drinking is part of the format, but it is not an organized tasting. The French Quarter has more than 200 bars, and the route passes many of them. You can stop to buy a cocktail and keep walking with it, as local rules allow, but you choose and pay for each drink yourself. The guide waits outside rather than joining you inside.

That arrangement keeps the tour moving, though it can also create delays. A busy bar may take time to serve you, and the operator says the total length can stretch beyond an hour and a half when stops are slow. For the smoothest experience, decide before the tour whether you want frequent drink stops or a stronger focus on the stories.

The name may suggest a rowdy night, but the operator can refuse service to anyone who becomes extremely intoxicated. You are expected to remain with the group, follow the guide, and respect residents along the route. This is still a neighborhood, not a stage set.

Finding the correct meeting place at 941 Bourbon Street

The meeting point is the gate at the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, at 941 Bourbon Street. This detail matters. You do not meet inside Lafitte’s, and the bar’s staff do not run the tour or provide tour information.

Arrive a few minutes early and look for the guide at the courtyard gate. The group leaves at the scheduled time. If you arrive late, the guide may already be on the route and cannot answer the phone while leading the walk. Contact the operator before departure if you are delayed, since a later departure may have room, but a refund is not promised for a missed start.

The tour ends in the French Quarter, close to more restaurants, bars, and nightlife. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you should plan your own way to Bourbon Street and your own return afterward. The meeting area is near public transportation.

The group size can be large, with a stated maximum of 999 people, though the actual number on a given departure can vary. A large group may make it harder to hear on a noisy street, especially if your guide speaks with a strong accent. Some people found this a problem, so sit or walk near the guide when possible.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop and the first stories

The short opening stop near Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop sets the mood. This old Bourbon Street landmark is one of the French Quarter’s best-known historic bars, and the tour uses the setting as a launch point for tales about New Orleans’ darker side.

You are not paying an admission fee to enter a landmark as part of the tour. The value here comes from the guide’s introduction and the atmosphere of starting near one of the city’s oldest-feeling streets. The operator lists this opening stop as about five minutes, so do not expect a long presentation inside the bar.

Because the tour begins beside an active drinking spot, the first minutes can be noisy. That is part of the character, but it also means this experience favors lively storytelling over polished museum interpretation. A guide with energy can make the setting work very well. A less animated guide may leave the opening feeling thin.

This is where the different guide reports matter most. Cody has been praised for combining city history with humor, while Emily has been described as friendly, funny, and easy to listen to. Other feedback found Cody’s delivery too quiet or not animated enough. Your enjoyment will depend more on presentation than on the basic route.

The French Quarter, from the Louisiana Purchase to Jackson Square

The central walking section moves through the Vieux Carré, the French Quarter’s historic name. You will hear about the location where the Louisiana Purchase was signed in 1803, then visit the area around St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square.

These stops give the supernatural material a useful foundation. New Orleans ghost stories make more sense when you know the streets, courtyards, old homes, and political events that shaped the neighborhood. The tour does not treat history and legend as separate worlds. It moves between documented events, local stories, and the darker tales that have grown around them.

Jackson Square is one of the clearest sightseeing moments on the route. The cathedral and surrounding square are major French Quarter landmarks, and this stop helps you get oriented. You should not expect a long architectural lecture or a reserved viewpoint for photographs. The pace is designed to keep the group moving, and the guide cannot stop for long individual photo breaks.

The route takes place on public property. There is no entry into private homes or restricted locations. You are asked not to ring doorbells, trespass, or wander away from the group for pictures. Those rules are sensible in a residential quarter where tourists and local life share the same narrow streets.

Ghosts, haunted houses, and the limits of the paranormal

The tour promises several classic New Orleans themes: the city’s most predictable ghost, its most haunted house, and places linked to vampire sightings. These stories are the entertainment core of the experience, and the guide adds local detail and humor as you walk.

The word predictable is part of the fun. You are not signing up for a scientific investigation or a guaranteed supernatural event. The operator is clear that no ghost, vampire, spirit, demon, or other nonhuman presence is assured. That honesty is useful because paranormal tours can easily oversell what they deliver.

A real EMF meter is available for use during the walk. If you want to handle the equipment, request it at check-in and provide your name, phone number, address, and booking reference. The equipment must be checked out and returned to staff before you leave. A $250 charge applies to lost, damaged, or missing equipment, so treat it carefully.

The meter adds an interactive element, especially for people who enjoy testing the atmosphere of a location. It does not turn the tour into a controlled investigation, and an EMF reading is not proof of a ghost. Think of it as a prop for exploring the stories with the group, not as a scientific conclusion.

Photos are allowed and encouraged, but audio and video recording devices are not allowed during the tour. If paranormal activity is the main reason you are booking, keep expectations modest. The strongest part is the storytelling and the old-quarter setting, not a promised supernatural result.

Marie Laveau and New Orleans voodoo

The voodoo section focuses on Marie Laveau, one of the most famous figures in New Orleans legend and history. You will hear how voodoo came to the city, learn about Laveau’s reputation as the Voodoo Queen, and see property said to have been given to her as payment for magic.

The route also includes places associated with voodoo ceremonies and modern paranormal activity. This gives the subject a physical connection to the neighborhood rather than reducing it to a few spooky names. You walk through locations tied to the city’s stories while the guide explains how those stories have been passed down.

This is an area where the guide’s tone matters. A thoughtful storyteller can explain voodoo with respect while still discussing its supernatural reputation. A weaker presentation may lean too hard on spectacle. The available feedback suggests that some guides bring warmth and personal detail, while others play down the creepy material or deliver it without enough energy.

You should also remember that the tour is designed for entertainment. It is not presented as a formal religious study or an expert academic seminar. If you want a detailed treatment of voodoo practice, this walk may serve as an introduction, but you will need another source for fuller context.

How long it takes and how hard it feels

The advertised duration is approximately two hours, but the practical range is one to two hours. The tour uses a moderate walking pace. Delays inside busy bars can make the route longer, while a smaller group and quick drink stops may keep it closer to the shorter estimate.

The streets and sidewalks of the French Quarter can be old, uneven, and worn. Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably, and stay alert around curbs and crowded areas. The operator does not accept responsibility for injuries caused by the route, so this is not the time for unstable footwear or distracted walking.

Most people can take part, and service animals are allowed. Children under 18 need a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise. Some bars do not allow children inside, although to-go windows along the route can provide another option.

New Orleans weather can change the feel of the experience. Tours run in rain and in both hot and cold conditions unless the operator cancels. Bring suitable clothing and water, especially when the forecast is hot. The operator says canceled departures may be rescheduled or credited, while the booking terms also state that a full refund may be offered if poor weather causes a cancellation. For any change, watch your phone and email for updates.

What the 3.9 rating tells you

The experience has a 3.9 rating from 12 ratings, which points to an enjoyable but uneven product. The strongest praise centers on guides who combine humor, local facts, and personal stories. Cody has been singled out for keeping the history interesting, and Emily for being friendly, funny, and well informed.

The weaker feedback focuses on guide energy, sound, and pacing. One person waited at the meeting point after a late schedule change and reported that the guide never arrived. That is a serious service concern, even though it may not reflect every departure. Another person found the tour too long after about 90 minutes, while a different person found the guide’s accent difficult to follow.

I would treat this as a guide-dependent evening rather than a fixed performance. When the storyteller is lively, the combination of walking, drinks, history, and spooky lore can be a good way to spend an evening. When the delivery is quiet or rushed, the same route may feel ordinary.

Who should book this French Quarter walk?

I would recommend it to adults who want a relaxed introduction to New Orleans after dark or during an afternoon arrival. It fits people who like local legends, casual history, and the option to buy a drink without committing to a formal pub crawl.

It is also a good match for friends who want a social activity with a theme. The drink stops give you chances to set your own pace, and the EMF meter adds a talking point for paranormal fans. History-minded visitors can enjoy the Louisiana Purchase and Jackson Square stops, but should expect a light, entertaining treatment rather than a full historical tour.

I would skip it if you need a guaranteed ghost encounter, included drinks, exact timing, or a highly polished lecture. I would also think twice if you dislike crowds, uneven pavement, bar noise, or tours that may change route and duration.

Book only after reading the cancellation terms carefully. Tickets are generally nonrefundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. The operator may cancel if minimum numbers are not reached, in which case an alternative or refund is offered. Keep your phone number accurate so you can receive text updates about delays or cancellations.

Should you book The Drunken Telling of New Orleans Tales?

Book this tour if you want entertaining French Quarter stories with the freedom to buy drinks along the way. At $35, it offers a reasonable introduction to landmarks, Marie Laveau, voodoo, ghosts, and vampires, especially when your guide has the humor and warmth praised in the best feedback.

Skip it if your priority is serious history, guaranteed paranormal activity, or a carefully controlled schedule. The route is familiar, the guide quality can vary, and the experience is at its best when you treat the spooky claims as stories to enjoy rather than facts you must believe.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116.

Do I meet the guide inside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar?

No. You meet at the courtyard gate outside. The tour is not affiliated with the bar, and the bartenders do not have tour information.

Where does the tour end?

It ends in the heart of the French Quarter, near restaurants, bars, and nightlife.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about one to two hours. The exact length can vary, especially if drink stops are delayed by busy bars.

Are drinks included in the $35 price?

No. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase along the route, but you pay for them separately.

Can I walk with a drink during the tour?

The tour allows you to purchase drinks to go and carry them while walking through the French Quarter, subject to local rules and the guide’s instructions.

Does the guide go inside the bars?

No. The guide waits outside while you stop to buy or refill a drink.

Will I definitely see a ghost or vampire?

No. The tour does not guarantee paranormal activity or an encounter with a ghost, vampire, spirit, or other supernatural being.

Can I use paranormal equipment?

Yes. An EMF meter and other paranormal equipment may be available. Request equipment at check-in, provide your name, phone number, address, and booking reference, and return it before leaving.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under 18 must have a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise. Some bars do not allow children inside, though to-go windows are available along the route.