Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl Party with Free Shot

New Orleans does not need much help feeling haunted, but this tour adds a party-friendly twist: you hear grim French Quarter tales, step into old bars, and get a free shot at the start. I like the way guides such as Pandi and Clarissa mix local history with ghost photos, voodoo stories, and humor.

I also like the low $19 price and the easy walking route from Frenchmen Street through the French Quarter. The main caution is that the actual route can vary. At least one scheduled stop was missed on a tour, and some outings may feel more like a history walk with drinks than a true ghost hunt.

Key things to know before you book

• The free shot comes at BMC Balcony Music Club, along with drink specials and Mardi Gras beads.
• LaLaurie Mansion and the Andrew Jackson Hotel are outdoor story stops, not standard interior tours.
• Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar adds real atmosphere, but bar time may be limited.
• Pandi and Clarissa receive especially strong praise for lively storytelling, humor, and personal ghost accounts.
• This is a social walking tour for up to 28 people, not a quiet paranormal investigation.
• The $19 fee is good value if you want history, nightlife, and a little spooky theater in one evening.

A ghost tour built for a night out

This experience works best when you want your New Orleans evening to begin with a story, a drink, and a group of fellow night owls. It is not presented as a scientific search for proof of ghosts. Instead, it uses the French Quarter’s murders, fires, scandals, voodoo traditions, and old buildings as the setting for a lively two-hour walk.

That distinction matters. You may hear about apparitions, haunted rooms, and photographs said to show something unusual, but much of the substance comes from the city’s documented and legendary past. One especially critical assessment found the ghost content light and the walking stretches quiet. If you want nonstop scares or a long pub crawl, this may feel restrained.

For $19, though, the mix is appealing. You receive one alcoholic shot, drink discounts, Mardi Gras beads, a local guide, and a walk through some of the French Quarter’s best-known dark-history sites. A single drink in New Orleans can easily take a sizable bite from that price, so the tour can pay off even if you treat the supernatural claims as entertainment.

Starting at BMC Balcony Music Club on Frenchmen Street

The meeting point is BMC Balcony Music Club at 507 Frenchmen Street. This opening stop is designed to get the group together before the walking begins. You head inside, look for drink specials, and receive the complimentary shot while the guide starts the evening’s darker tales.

I like this setup because it solves a common problem with group tours: standing on a sidewalk trying to identify strangers. Here, you have a bar as a clear meeting place, a drink option, and a chance to meet the guide and the rest of the group.

The shot is one per person, not an open bar. Drink discounts are included, but you should still expect to pay for anything beyond the included shot. This first stop lasts about 15 minutes, so it is a quick welcome rather than a long drinking session.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Pandi is often singled out for warmth, humor, and strong command of local stories. Clarissa is praised for energy, ghost photographs, personal accounts, and the way she looks after the group. Wendy has also been described as funny and engaging, while Quay led at least one outing. Since guide assignments can change, you should not assume you will receive a particular person unless the operator confirms it.

LaLaurie Mansion and the darker side of the French Quarter

The route then heads toward the LaLaurie Mansion, one of New Orleans’ most notorious addresses. The building became widely known for stories of cruelty and murder connected to Madame Delphine LaLaurie, and its image gained a new audience after its appearance in American Horror Story.

The stop is scheduled for about 30 minutes. Expect to hear the story from outside and see the building as part of the French Quarter streetscape. Do not book this expecting an interior house visit. The supplied details identify admission as free, and the tour format is a walking history presentation rather than access to private rooms.

This is one of the strongest stops for people who enjoy the link between real events, folklore, and popular culture. The guide can explain why the house has such a fearsome reputation, while the surrounding streets add a sense of place that a museum display cannot match.

It is also the stop most likely to disappoint someone who expects a theatrical haunted attraction. The power comes from the story and the setting, not from actors, special effects, or guaranteed paranormal activity.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, where the pub crawl becomes real

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar is the clearest match for the tour’s pub-crawl promise. The old bar is tied to pirate legends and ghost stories, and its age gives the stop a stronger atmosphere than a modern drinking venue. The plan allows about 30 minutes here, enough time to order a drink and listen to the guide.

I like this part because the history is attached to a place where you can actually sit and drink. That makes the tour different from ghost walks that point at bars but never take you inside. You can use the stop to try a drink, ask the guide for ideas about continuing your evening, or simply enjoy the unusual setting.

Keep your expectations measured. One less favorable experience found only a short drinking period and fewer bar stops than expected. The tour description names several spirited locations, but the actual balance between walking, storytelling, and drinking can shift from night to night. The group may spend more time outside than you imagine.

If you are booking mainly for bar hopping, confirm the current route before paying. If you want an atmospheric historic bar paired with ghost lore, Lafitte’s is likely to be the most satisfying stop.

The Andrew Jackson Hotel and French Quarter backstreets

The Andrew Jackson Hotel, part of the French Quarter Inns group, is another planned stop. The guide uses the hotel and nearby streets to discuss apparitions and local paranormal legends. You are encouraged to bring a camera in case you capture something unusual, though no photograph is guaranteed to show anything supernatural.

The stop is listed at roughly 30 minutes. As with the LaLaurie Mansion, expect an exterior look and storytelling rather than a general invitation to explore hotel rooms. The value comes from hearing how legends attach themselves to old buildings and from seeing the quieter backstreets away from the busiest commercial blocks.

This portion also shows why comfortable shoes matter. The tour is an easy walk for many people, but it involves moving between several French Quarter locations and standing while the guide speaks. Wear footwear you can use for two hours, and keep your group together when the streets are crowded.

One important practical note: the advertised sequence is not guaranteed on every outing. A past tour did not reach the LaLaurie Mansion or Andrew Jackson Hotel, which was a serious disappointment for someone who had chosen the experience for those locations. Ask at the start if all planned stops are still on the route.

What the storytelling is really like

The strongest version of this tour depends on the guide. Pandi and Clarissa receive repeated praise for keeping the group engaged, explaining local history clearly, and adding personality rather than simply reciting dates. Clarissa is also noted for showing ghost photographs and sharing personal stories. Pandi has been praised for fascinating tales, good crowd care, and helpful recommendations for the rest of the night.

That personal touch matters in New Orleans. The city’s ghost stories can sound familiar if delivered as a list of haunted addresses. A good guide gives each place a human story, explains the local theories, and knows when to add humor. Some guides also discuss voodoo, and one outing included a voodoo blessing ceremony with Kalindah Lavaux. That kind of special event is not something you should count on, but it shows how the evening can shift when local traditions become part of the program.

The weaker version is less focused. You may spend long stretches walking quietly between stops, hear more tragedy and general city history than ghost sightings, and get less time for drinks than the title suggests. This is why your expectations should match the format: it is a guided New Orleans history walk with a haunted and social angle.

Price, group size, and the value of the evening

At $19 per person, the tour is priced below many longer city excursions. The cost includes one shot, drink discounts, Mardi Gras beads, and a professional local guide. You will still buy additional drinks yourself, so the final cost depends on how much you order.

The group can reach 28 people. That is small enough for a guide to keep a group moving, but large enough that you should not expect a private experience. A large group can also make it harder to hear on a busy street or to gather inside a compact bar.

I see the best value here for a first evening in New Orleans. You get a quick introduction to the French Quarter, a few famous haunted addresses, and suggestions for where to continue afterward. Several guides have stayed with groups after the official tour or offered music and nightlife recommendations, but that is a personal choice by the guide, not a promised part of the service.

The experience is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. It begins at 507 Frenchmen Street and ends at MRB Bar & Kitchen, 515 St. Philip Street. Both points are in the French Quarter area, so the end location is useful if you want to continue the night nearby.

Who should book this ghost tour

I would choose this tour for couples, friends, birthday groups, and anyone who wants a relaxed introduction to New Orleans after dark. It has enough history to give your evening some shape, but enough social time to feel like a night out rather than a formal lecture.

It suits you especially well if you:

• Enjoy ghost legends but do not need proof of the supernatural.
• Want to visit at least one historic bar during a guided walk.
• Like humorous storytelling and meeting other people.
• Want a low-cost activity before dinner, music, or more drinks.
• Appreciate guides who can add local recommendations.

I would look elsewhere if your main goal is a serious paranormal investigation, a long pub crawl, or guaranteed access to every advertised location. The title suggests plenty of drinking, but the actual experience can lean more heavily toward walking and storytelling.

The route is generally manageable for most people, and most participants can take part. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation. The activity requires good weather and a minimum number of bookings. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are not accepted.

Should you book the Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want value, local stories, one included shot, and a social French Quarter walk. The price is fair, the setting does much of the work, and guides such as Pandi and Clarissa can make the evening lively and memorable.

Go in expecting a haunted history tour with a drink stop, not a bar crawl packed with alcohol or a guaranteed parade of ghosts. Before booking, ask about the current route if LaLaurie Mansion or the Andrew Jackson Hotel is essential to your plans. With that understanding, this is an easy, affordable way to start a New Orleans night.

FAQ

How long does the Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at BMC Balcony Music Club, 507 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans. It ends at MRB Bar & Kitchen, 515 St. Philip Street, New Orleans.

Is a drink included in the price?

One alcoholic shot is included. Drink discounts are also offered, but additional drinks are not stated as included.

Which places does the tour visit?

The planned stops include BMC Balcony Music Club, the LaLaurie Mansion, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, and the Andrew Jackson Hotel. The route can vary, so these stops are not guaranteed on every outing.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity accepts a maximum of 28 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.