Cheers New Orleans! Cocktails, History, Voodoo & Paranormal Tour

The best thing about this New Orleans tour is its mix of walking, drinks, and dark local stories. You begin at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, then move through the French Quarter while your guide connects old streets and bars with tales of pirates, convicted felons, voodoo, vampires, and ghosts. It is history with a mischievous grin.

I like the low $15 price and the freedom to buy only what you want at the bars. I also like the guide’s local angle: Coty and Cody are named as guides, and the tour includes bars you might miss without someone leading the way. The main drawback is that the tour is non-refundable, can run anywhere from one to two hours, and depends heavily on the guide showing up on time and keeping the group moving.

Key points to know before you book

• Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar is the meeting point: Meet outside, at the gate of the courtyard, not inside the bar.
• Drinks cost extra: The $15 ticket covers the guide and walking tour, but you buy cocktails, other drinks, and snacks along the route.
• The stories are the main event: Expect general French Quarter history mixed with voodoo, paranormal, vampire, pirate, and crime tales.
• Paranormal equipment is available: You can check out equipment during the tour, but you must return it before leaving.
• The walking pace is moderate: Old, uneven streets and busy bars can slow the route, so wear practical shoes.
• The price is unusually modest: At $15, this is a budget-friendly introduction, provided you accept the strict cancellation terms.

What this French Quarter walk is really about

This is not a bar crawl in the usual sense. It is a guided story walk that uses bars as pauses in a larger tale about New Orleans. You walk through one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods while your guide explains its more troublesome characters and stranger legends.

The mood is informal. You may hear about pirates, convicted felons, ladies of the night, voodoo traditions, vampires, ghosts, and other supernatural claims. The tour is designed for entertainment, but it also gives you a quick way to get oriented in the French Quarter.

I would treat it as a first-evening activity. It can help you learn the basic shape of the Quarter, find a few drinking spots, and decide which stories or places deserve a closer look later. The tour is not built as a formal academic history lesson, and the paranormal material is not presented as a guaranteed scientific encounter.

The company has operated since 2014 and is family owned and operated by Dustin Fisher, a retired U.S. Army sergeant, and Ashli Fisher. Ashli created this tour and owns the company and trademark for it and related tours. That long-running local operation matters because the experience depends on a guide who can tell stories while moving a group safely through crowded public streets.

Starting at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

Your meeting point is 941 Bourbon Street, at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. You do not meet inside the bar, and the tour company is not affiliated with the bar itself. That distinction is easy to miss, so arrive a few minutes early and look for the guide outside.

Lafitte’s is a fitting place to begin. It gives the tour an old French Quarter setting from the first minute, and the guide uses the opening stop to establish the tone. Expect general New Orleans history, then a turn toward darker stories and supernatural folklore.

The first stop is listed as lasting about an hour, though the whole experience can last from one to two hours. The actual length depends partly on wait times inside bars. If a stop is crowded, the group may spend longer getting served or moving through the space.

That variable timing can be useful if you want a relaxed night out, but it may frustrate you if you have dinner reservations or another timed activity. I would avoid booking this immediately before a show, dinner, or airport transfer.

Walking through the French Quarter with a drink in hand

The route continues through the French Quarter and finishes near Jackson Square. The tour keeps to public property and does not enter private buildings or private land. You remain with the group and walk at a moderate pace.

Drinks and snacks are not included. You buy them at stops along the route, which lets you control your spending and alcohol intake. That is a real advantage over a package that forces every participant to pay for a set number of drinks.

The tradeoff is that your final bill can rise quickly if you order cocktails at several bars. At $15, the ticket is inexpensive, but you should judge the total cost by adding whatever you plan to drink.

Some stops may offer walk-up windows, which can help anyone who does not want to enter a bar. This may also help groups with different comfort levels, though children are not allowed inside every bar. The tour description does not promise a fixed list of bars, so expect the route and stops to change.

That flexibility is part of the local feel. You are not simply following a rigid checklist. At the same time, it means you should not book this expecting a guaranteed visit to a particular bar beyond the starting point at Lafitte’s.

Stories of voodoo, vampires, and the city’s darker side

The storytelling covers broad New Orleans history, then adds the subjects people usually associate with the city’s shadowy side. You may hear about voodoo, ghosts, vampires, pirates, criminals, and women who worked in the city’s red-light world.

The appeal is the range. One minute you are learning about the neighborhood, and the next you are hearing a strange tale tied to a building, street, or bar. This keeps the walk moving and gives you more than a standard drinking outing.

I would keep your expectations in the right place. The tour is for entertainment, and all information comes from research used by the guides and authors. The company does not promise a ghost, vampire, demon, spirit, or other supernatural being will appear.

That honest warning is useful. Paranormal equipment can add fun for people who enjoy ghost investigations, but it is not proof that you will see anything unusual. Guests have taken photos they believed showed paranormal activity, yet the tour makes no guarantee. If you need a documented haunting, this is the wrong product. If you enjoy a good story and a little uncertainty, it fits better.

Paranormal equipment and the rules that matter

The tour provides paranormal equipment for use during the walk. You check it out at the start and return it to the guide before leaving the group. A $250 fee applies if the equipment is lost or damaged.

That fee is important enough to remember. Keep the equipment secure, follow the guide’s instructions, and do not leave it behind while taking photos or ordering a drink.

Photos are encouraged, but audio and video recording devices are not allowed. You also cannot walk away from the group to take pictures. The guide must keep the tour moving, so this is not a slow photography walk.

The rules make more sense in the French Quarter, where sidewalks can be crowded and streets can be uneven. Stay alert around old walkways, do not block traffic, and respect homes along the route. You are specifically asked not to ring doorbells or trespass on private property.

How the guides shape the experience

The guide matters more here than almost any other feature. This is a story-led tour, not a museum visit with fixed displays. A warm, lively storyteller can make a familiar ghost tale enjoyable, while a flat delivery would leave the walk feeling thin.

Coty is praised for being friendly, informative, and willing to answer questions. Cody is also named as an excellent guide who helped a couple and another couple learn about New Orleans during their first night in town. Since both names appear in the available information, check your confirmation for the guide assigned to your departure.

The strongest part of the guide’s job is connecting the stories to the route. You are not only hearing a list of odd facts. You are walking through the neighborhood as the guide points out its famous places and less obvious drinking stops.

Still, the experience can vary with the person leading it, the size of the group, bar wait times, and the mood of the night. The maximum listed capacity is 999 people, though the actual group size for your departure is not provided. Ask questions early, stay close, and make the most of the guide’s attention before the group spreads out.

Is $15 a good value?

Yes, if you want a short introduction to the French Quarter and plan to buy drinks anyway. The ticket includes a licensed local guide and a walking route from Bourbon Street to Jackson Square. At $15, that is a reasonable price for a history-focused evening activity.

The value is strongest for first-time visitors who want orientation without paying for a long premium tour. You get local stories, bar suggestions, and a chance to see the Quarter while learning about its more notorious characters.

The price is less attractive if you are looking for a polished, fixed-route experience with drinks included. Your purchases are separate, and the tour may last only about an hour if bar waits are short. You also pay for the storytelling rather than entry to historic buildings or private sites.

I would budget for drinks separately and decide in advance how many stops suit you. The tour allows alcohol, but the guide can refuse service to anyone who becomes extremely intoxicated. If your behavior causes the tour to be canceled, there is no refund.

Timing, weather, and practical planning

Arrive early. Tours leave at the scheduled time, and late arrivals may not receive a refund. If you think you will be late or lost, contact the operator before departure. Once the guide leaves, the guide cannot stay on the phone while leading the group.

The tour runs in rain or shine. New Orleans can be very hot, but it can also turn cold, so check the weather and dress for the conditions. Comfortable shoes matter more than dress shoes because the route uses old, uneven streets and sidewalks.

Bring a working mobile phone and make sure the booking has the correct number. Text messages are the main way the company sends updates about delays, changes, or cancellations. A tour can also be canceled if the minimum number of participants is not met, sometimes as late as an hour before departure.

If the operator cancels for that reason, you may be offered another date or experience, or a full refund. If you cancel, ask for a change, or simply decide not to attend, the experience is non-refundable. That is a strict policy, so do not book until your plans are firm.

The tour is near public transportation, service animals are allowed, and most people can take part. You should still be comfortable walking at a moderate pace and managing uneven surfaces.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would choose this for adults who like local legends, casual walking, and a drink along the way. It suits a first evening in New Orleans, especially if you want an easy way to learn the French Quarter before exploring it on your own.

It also works for couples or small groups who want an informal night activity rather than a serious historical lecture. The combination of bar stops and odd stories gives you plenty to talk about afterward.

Families should check the bar policy before booking. Some stops do not allow children inside, though walk-up drink windows may be available. The tour’s supernatural themes may also be too dark for young children.

I would skip it if you dislike walking, need a guaranteed end time, want every drink included, or expect paranormal activity on demand. The tour is built around stories and atmosphere, not proof of ghosts.

Should you book Cheers New Orleans?

Book it if you want a low-cost, relaxed introduction to the French Quarter with a licensed guide, flexible bar stops, and plenty of strange local lore. The $15 ticket is fair, and the ability to buy your own drinks keeps the basic price down.

Go in prepared for a variable route, strict cancellation terms, uneven streets, and no guarantee of supernatural activity. Arrive early at the Lafitte’s courtyard gate, keep your phone available for updates, and let the guide set the pace.

For a first night in New Orleans, this is a fun way to get your bearings while hearing the city’s less respectable stories. Just remember that the cocktails are extra, the ghosts are optional, and the clock starts when the guide leaves.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Meet at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. Do not wait inside the bar.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends near Jackson Square in the French Quarter.

Are drinks included in the $15 price?

No. The ticket includes the local licensed guide and walking tour. You buy alcoholic drinks and snacks separately at stops along the route.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one to two hours. It can run longer or shorter within that range depending on wait times at the bars.

Will I definitely see a ghost or vampire?

No. The tour includes paranormal stories and equipment, but there is no guarantee that you will see a ghost, vampire, spirit, or other supernatural being.

What happens if I lose the paranormal equipment?

You must return the equipment to the guide before leaving. A $250 fee is charged for lost or damaged paranormal equipment.

Can I cancel for a refund?

No. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed after booking. If the operator cancels because the minimum number of participants is not met, you may receive a different date or experience, or a full refund.