French Quarter Drunken Ghost and Vampire Tour

New Orleans gets especially strange after dark, and this tour leans into that mood with ghost tales, vampire lore, old burial customs, and drinks carried from French Quarter bars. I like the real EMF detector, which gives the group something to handle and test rather than simply listening to spooky stories. I also like the route, which finishes at Jackson Square and leaves you in a useful spot for dinner or more nightlife.

The price is low for a guided evening walk, especially if you enjoy the social side of a pub crawl. The main caution is reliability: several departures have been canceled or missed, and the strict no-refund terms can make a last-minute problem costly. Arrive early, keep your phone available, and have a backup plan.

Key points to know before booking

• The meeting point is precise: Meet at the courtyard gate attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, not inside the bar or on a nearby street corner.
• The route mixes folklore and documented events: Expect stories about Voodoo, vampires, tragic love, historic crimes, burial customs, and French Quarter buildings.
• You can buy drinks along the way: Alcohol is not included, but to-go drinks are allowed during the walk, subject to the guide’s safety rules.
• The EMF meter is part of the fun: Paranormal equipment can be checked out, but it must be returned and may carry a $250 replacement charge if lost or damaged.
• Guide quality matters: Cody, Coty, and Gabe are among the guides associated with the tour, with Cody and Coty receiving especially warm praise for their humor and local stories.
• The schedule can shift: The walk lasts about one to two hours, depending partly on waits at bars, weather, heat alerts, and group numbers.

A ghost walk that doubles as a French Quarter night out

This is not a quiet cemetery visit or a formal history lecture. It is a moving pub crawl through the French Quarter, with the city’s old buildings providing the backdrop for stories about ghosts, vampires, Voodoo, murders, and doomed romances.

That mix is the real appeal. You get a short introduction to New Orleans history, then move from one location to another while your guide ties the streets and buildings to darker tales. The stories are meant to entertain, but the route also touches on traditional burial practices and the difference between vampires of legend and people historically accused of vampirism.

I would book this as an evening activity for friends, couples, or families with older children who enjoy spooky material. It works best if you want a social night out with some local color, not a tightly scripted academic tour.

The tour is advertised at $19.25 per person. That is a fair starting price for a one to two hour guided walk, but remember that your drinks cost extra and gratuities are not included. The value depends heavily on the guide and the group. A lively guide can turn a simple walk into a memorable night. A less engaging guide may leave you feeling that you paid for a bar crawl with a few ghost stories attached.

Finding Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar before departure

The tour begins at 941 Bourbon Street, beside the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. This detail matters. You do not meet inside the bar, the bar staff do not run the tour, and the guide may not be standing on the corner.

Arrive several minutes early. The operator says the group leaves at the scheduled time, and late arrivals may not receive a refund. Once the walk begins, the guide is expected to manage the group and narrate, so do not count on reaching someone by phone after departure.

This is one place where a screenshot of the meeting instructions helps. Bourbon Street can be noisy and confusing, especially at night. Look for the courtyard gate rather than wandering into the bar to ask for directions.

The tour can hold up to 50 people. That is a fairly large group for narrow French Quarter sidewalks, so your position near the guide may affect how well you hear. The operator also requires everyone to remain with the group. You can take photos, but you should not walk away from the group or ask the guide to stop for a private photo break.

Lafitte’s and the opening stories

The first stop is listed as Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, but the important part is the surrounding French Quarter streets and buildings. From the start, the guide begins connecting the architecture to New Orleans stories about hauntings, Voodoo, ghosts, burial customs, and vampire lore.

The opening section helps set the tone. You are not simply being led from bar to bar. You are being shown how the city’s old buildings, courtyards, narrow streets, and burial traditions feed the local ghost stories.

One especially useful feature is the comparison between legendary vampires and historical people described as vampires. That distinction gives the tour a little more substance than a string of supernatural claims. You may hear about documented sightings, people who claimed to be modern vampires, and the stories tied to places such as the Ursuline Convent and the early vampire legends of New Orleans.

The tour also includes love stories that end badly. This is a good change of pace from murder and monsters. New Orleans folklore often works best when it mixes romance, grief, family conflict, and superstition, and those tales can make the older buildings feel more personal.

Jackson Square and the darker stories

The walk finishes at Jackson Square, one of the most useful places to end. You are near restaurants, bars, riverfront sights, and public transportation, so you do not need to retrace the route after the tour.

Along the way, the group hears the story of Julie, described as one of the city’s most predictable ghosts. Her tale is tied to a tragic love story, giving the tour one of its more emotional episodes.

You also hear about the Carter Brothers, who were tried, convicted, and executed, yet are still said to appear in the area. Another story concerns the location of the largest mass murder in New Orleans history, an unsolved crime whose alleged ghosts remain part of local lore.

These stories are presented for entertainment, and the operator is clear that no paranormal encounter is guaranteed. That honesty is worth keeping in mind. You might see an unusual reading on the detector or capture an odd photograph, but you should not book this expecting a ghost to appear on schedule.

The final section is strongest for people who enjoy atmosphere and storytelling. If you need every claim separated into verified fact and legend, ask questions as you go. A good guide should make clear when you are hearing documented history, local tradition, or supernatural folklore.

Using the EMF meter on a haunted walk

The paranormal detector is a real electromagnetic field meter, often called an EMF meter. It gives you a simple activity during the walk and lets the group investigate instead of only listening.

You must request the equipment at check-in. The operator requires your name, phone number, address, and booking reference before lending it out. The equipment is marked and tracked, and it must be returned to a staff member before you leave.

Treat it carefully. The stated replacement fee is $250 for a lost, damaged, or missing piece of equipment. Do not hand it casually to a child or set it down on a busy sidewalk.

An EMF reading does not prove that a ghost is present. Electrical wiring, phones, signs, appliances, and other sources can affect a meter. Still, the device adds a hands-on layer to the experience and can make the tour more engaging for a group that likes testing things for itself.

Photography is encouraged, but audio and video recording devices are not allowed. That rule is easy to overlook, so keep your phone available for pictures rather than filming the entire walk.

The drink stops and the meaning of drunken

Alcoholic drinks are not included in the ticket. You can buy drinks at local bars along the route and carry them with you, though the specific stops may change. Some locations may offer to-go windows or drinks for people who do not want to go inside.

This is why the word drunken appears in the title. The tour is designed to pair ghost stories with a casual French Quarter pub crawl. One bar drink mentioned in the tour experience is a Ghost Buster, and the Vampire Cafe is another stop associated with the route.

Do not assume you will spend a fixed amount of time inside each bar. The total duration can stretch toward two hours if a bar is busy. That can be pleasant if you want a relaxed night, but frustrating if you have a dinner reservation or another timed activity.

The operator can refuse service to someone who becomes extremely intoxicated. If your group is drinking, pace yourself. The French Quarter streets can be uneven, crowded, and difficult to navigate after dark, and you are expected to stay with the group.

Children under 18 need a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise. Not every bar allows children inside, but to-go windows may offer an alternative. Families should confirm the plan before booking rather than assume every stop will be child-friendly.

How much value do you get for $19.25?

At $19.25, the ticket is inexpensive for a guided walk in the French Quarter. You are paying for the guide, the stories, the route, and access to the group activity with the paranormal equipment. Drinks, gratuities, and any food are extra.

The best value comes when you treat the tour as three things at once: an orientation walk, a ghost story session, and a relaxed night out. The route introduces you to places you might otherwise pass without noticing, while the guide can point out architectural details and suggest bars or restaurants for later.

The weaker value appears if you want a highly focused ghost investigation. The tour includes plenty of general New Orleans facts, and one account described it as more interesting local information than ghost material. That is not necessarily a fault, but it tells you what to expect. The experience mixes history, humor, folklore, drinks, and paranormal play.

Guide choice can shape the evening. Cody and Coty are associated with many of the strongest comments about humor, local knowledge, storytelling, food suggestions, and an easygoing style. Gabe is also described as funny and enthusiastic. Since guide assignments can change, you should not assume a particular person will lead your departure.

The biggest concern: cancellations and communication

This is the point I would take most seriously. Several scheduled departures have been canceled, and some people reported waiting at the meeting point without seeing a guide. Other departures were moved because of severe heat, weather, or changing conditions.

Some cancellations were tied to a documented extreme heat warning in New Orleans, with heat index readings forecast as high as 114 degrees. For an outdoor walking tour, postponing during that kind of alert is sensible. The problem is not always the reason for a change. It is the risk that a cancellation or communication failure can disrupt a short visit.

The operator says updates are sent by text or email, so use a working mobile number and check messages before leaving for the meeting point. The minimum group requirement also means a departure can be canceled close to the start time if not enough people book.

The terms are strict. You can receive a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are generally not accepted. If the operator cancels because of weather or minimum numbers, you may be offered another date, another experience, a future credit, or a refund, depending on the situation.

I would not schedule this on the same evening as a cruise departure, airport transfer, or prepaid dinner that cannot be moved. Give yourself room for a late start, a route change, or a cancellation.

Walking conditions and practical comfort

This is a moderate-paced walking tour on public streets. The French Quarter has old, uneven walkways, and the operator does not accept responsibility for injuries caused by street or sidewalk conditions.

Wear shoes with good grip. New Orleans can be very hot and humid, but cold weather also occurs, so check the forecast and dress for the conditions. The tour runs rain or shine unless the operator decides conditions are unsafe or the minimum group is not met.

Bring water, especially during warm months. A drink stop is not the same as regular hydration, and alcohol can make heat feel worse. A small bag is easier than a large backpack on crowded sidewalks.

Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. Most people can take part, but anyone with limited walking ability should ask questions before booking because the route involves moving between several French Quarter locations.

Who should book this French Quarter ghost tour?

I would choose it if you want an affordable first-night activity that helps you get oriented while adding spooky stories and drinks. It suits adults who like casual group outings, couples seeking a low-cost evening, and friends who want a little structure before heading deeper into Bourbon Street nightlife.

It is also a good fit for people who enjoy local folklore but do not need a guaranteed supernatural event. The stories cover enough ground to give you a taste of New Orleans history, crime, romance, burial customs, and vampire lore.

I would hesitate if you dislike group walks, cannot tolerate schedule changes, or need a tour built around strict historical proof. I would also skip it for very young children if the bar stops are central to your plans, since not every bar permits children inside.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the idea of a French Quarter pub crawl with ghost stories sounds better than a formal lecture. At $19.25, it is a reasonable way to spend one to two hours, provided you budget extra for drinks and tips.

Go in expecting atmosphere, humor, local tales, and a hands-on EMF meter, not a guaranteed encounter with a ghost or vampire. Most important, keep your schedule flexible and watch for text updates. If you can handle that uncertainty, the route and price make this a tempting addition to a New Orleans visit. If your evening is tightly planned, choose an activity with firmer departure guarantees.

FAQ

Where does the French Quarter Drunken Ghost and Vampire Tour meet?

Meet at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans. The tour does not meet inside the bar or on a nearby street corner.

Where does the tour finish?

The walk ends at Jackson Square in the French Quarter.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about one to two hours. The exact length can vary because waits inside bars may delay the group.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase along the route, but they are not included in the ticket price.

Is the paranormal detector included?

A real EMF meter, also called a paranormal or ghost detector, is used during the tour. You must request equipment at check-in, use it carefully, and return it before leaving.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 18 must have a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise. Not every bar allows children inside, though to-go options may be available.

What is the cancellation policy?

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. If the operator cancels because of poor weather or insufficient numbers, you may be offered another date, another experience, or a refund.