French Quarter Drunken Ghost and Vampire Tour

New Orleans does spooky storytelling better than almost any American city, and this French Quarter walking tour mixes dark tales with casual bar stops. You’ll hear about Voodoo, old burial customs, tragic romances, alleged vampires, and famous ghosts while carrying drinks you buy along the way.

I like the easy route from Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar to Jackson Square, and I like that the guide uses a real EMF meter rather than relying only on theatrical storytelling. The main concern is reliability: several bookings have been canceled or missed, so I would not place this tour on the one free evening of a short New Orleans visit.

Key points to know before booking

• The walk begins at 941 Bourbon Street: Meet at the courtyard gate beside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, not inside the bar and not at a street corner.
• The stories mix fact and folklore: Expect New Orleans history, burial customs, Voodoo, vampire legends, ghosts, tragic love stories, and crime tales.
• Drinks are optional: You may buy alcohol at stops along the route, but drinks are not included in the $19.25 price.
• The EMF detector is part of the fun: You can request paranormal equipment at check-in, but you are responsible for returning it safely.
• Coty and Cody receive the strongest praise: Their warm, funny delivery and local knowledge have made a clear difference on many departures.
• The timing is flexible: Plan on one to two hours, since busy bars, weather, or route changes can stretch the outing.

A spooky walk through the French Quarter

This is not a haunted-house attraction with actors jumping from dark corners. It is a moderate-paced walk through public streets, with a guide pointing out places tied to old crimes, ghost stories, vampire lore, and New Orleans history.

That distinction matters. If you want a polished theatrical show, this may feel loose and informal. If you like hearing a local guide explain why a building, courtyard, or street has a sinister reputation, the format works well.

The tour costs $19.25 per person, which is a low entry price for a guided walk in the French Quarter. You still need money for drinks, and gratuities are not included. At this price, I see the tour mainly as an affordable introduction to the Quarter’s darker side, not as a full evening of entertainment.

The advertised rating is 4.1 out of 5 from 52 ratings, but the spread is wide. Many high scores praise guides such as Coty and Cody for being funny, personable, and well informed. Several low scores report cancellations, no-shows, or delayed refunds. That gap is important when deciding how much of your itinerary to build around it.

Finding the meeting point at Lafitte’s

The starting 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 bar’s staff do not run the tour or provide tour information.

I would arrive several minutes early and look for the guide at the courtyard gate. The instructions are unusually specific because guests have waited in the wrong place, including near the street corner or inside the bar. The guide leaves at the scheduled time, and late arrivals may not receive a refund.

This is also the point where you can ask about the paranormal equipment. The tour uses a real EMF meter, or electromagnetic field detector, as a playful way to investigate possible activity. If you check out equipment, you must provide identifying information and return it before leaving. Damaged or missing equipment can result in a $250 charge, so handle it carefully.

Lafitte’s and the opening stories

The tour begins around Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, one of the French Quarter’s best-known atmospheric drinking spots. You will hear about the surrounding architecture and the city’s past before moving into the ghost and vampire material.

The opening section is useful because it gives the stories a setting. Old buildings, narrow streets, courtyards, and traditional burial practices all help explain why New Orleans folklore feels so closely tied to the city itself. You are not simply hearing a list of ghost names. You are walking through the places used to frame those stories.

The guide may discuss the difference between vampires of legend and vampires connected to historical claims or reported incidents. That approach gives the subject a little balance. The tour treats the supernatural as entertainment and local folklore, not as a promise that you will see an actual vampire or ghost.

Guide quality matters here. Coty and Cody receive the strongest praise in the available feedback, with high marks for humor, local details, and an easygoing manner. One small group even ended up with a nearly private outing, while another large group of 16 people found the guide able to keep the evening entertaining.

The experience can vary by guide. One account described a friendly guide who spent too much time talking about himself, and another felt the walk was more about general facts than ghosts or vampires. I would ask questions and let the guide know which subjects interest you most.

Jackson Square and Julie’s tragic story

The route finishes at Jackson Square, after stops around the French Quarter and nearby bars. One key story concerns Julie, described as one of the city’s most predictable ghosts and the subject of a tragic love story.

The emotional stories are an important part of the tour. This is not only a parade of murders and monsters. You may hear about love that ends badly, people trapped by social rules, and lives shaped by the city’s old customs. Those stories can make the walk feel more human, even when the supernatural details remain unproven.

Jackson Square is a practical ending point. You finish in one of the Quarter’s most recognizable areas, with access to nearby streets, restaurants, bars, and transportation. The tour does not return you to Bourbon Street, so remember that your walk back to your hotel or next stop is your responsibility.

Another story concerns the Carter Brothers, who were tried, convicted, and executed but are still said to appear in the area. You may also hear about what is described as New Orleans’ largest mass murder, an unsolved crime whose ghosts supposedly remain.

These tales can be grim. If you prefer light ghost stories with little crime or violence, this is not the best match. The guide may use humor, but the material includes murder, executions, captivity, and tragic deaths.

The French Quarter route and bar stops

The walking portion lasts about one hour in the basic itinerary, while the full tour can run from one to two hours. The difference depends partly on how long the group waits inside bars and how busy the stops are.

You can buy drinks to go along the route or stop inside local bars if permitted. Alcohol is not part of the ticket, and prices are set by the businesses you visit. One past outing included several drink stops and a Ghost Buster cocktail, but you should not assume that every departure will follow the same bar lineup.

The drink option changes the tone. With a beverage in hand, the walk feels more like a social pub crawl than a formal history lesson. You can also skip alcohol and use the bars mainly as brief breaks. To-go drinks are useful if you prefer not to enter a crowded bar, and the tour notes that windows or takeout options may be available.

The French Quarter has uneven and worn pavement in places. Wear shoes that can handle a moderate walk, and keep your drink secure while moving with the group. The guide cannot stop for long photo breaks or wait while people wander off, so take pictures as the group pauses.

The group can reach up to 50 people. That is a large maximum for a story-based walk, though actual numbers may be much smaller. A small group gives you more room to ask questions and follow the EMF activity. A full group may feel less personal, especially near busy bars.

What the paranormal detector adds

The EMF meter gives the tour a hands-on element. Instead of only listening to stories, you may get a chance to test an area and watch the device respond to electromagnetic fields.

I would treat this as a prop for curiosity rather than proof of ghosts. Phones, electrical systems, and nearby equipment can affect readings, and the operator clearly says that no paranormal encounter is guaranteed. That honest warning is useful. You should book this for the stories and the walk, with the detector as an extra bit of fun.

Photos are encouraged, but audio and video recording are not allowed during the tour. You must remain with the group, and you may not enter private property or ring doorbells at homes along the route. The French Quarter is a lived-in neighborhood, so respectful behavior matters.

Children under 18 need a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise. Some bars do not allow children inside, though to-go options may help. The tour is open to most people and service animals are allowed, but the moderate walk, uneven pavement, and bar setting may not suit every family.

Guide style can shape the whole evening

The best accounts give Coty and Cody credit for making the walk work. Their strengths include humor, clear storytelling, local recommendations, and an ability to mix history with spooky material. One highly positive outing praised the guide’s hospitality and suggested taking the tour early in a New Orleans stay, since the information helped with later choices about places to eat and drink.

That is sound advice. If you book it, I would schedule it near the start of your visit. You may learn about streets, bars, and buildings you can revisit later. The tour also gives you a quick orientation to the French Quarter without requiring a long commitment.

The weaker accounts point to two risks. First, the guide may focus more on general city facts than ghosts and vampires. Second, the tone can depend heavily on the person leading the walk. The company has used guides including Coty, Cody, and Gabe, and the personal style may differ from one departure to another.

I would go in ready to ask for the material you want. If you care most about vampire lore, ask for the historical cases and the Ursuline Convent connection. If you prefer architecture and city history, say so early. The guide can usually shape the balance better when the group expresses an interest.

Price, timing, and the cancellation risk

At $19.25, the ticket is inexpensive for a one to two hour guided walk in the French Quarter. The price covers the guide and the walking tour, but not drinks or tips. If you buy several drinks, your final cost can rise quickly, so set a budget before the first stop.

The larger issue is schedule reliability. Several people have reported that the guide did not arrive or that the tour was canceled close to departure. Other cancellations were tied to extreme heat, severe weather, or not meeting the minimum number of participants. The operator may offer another time, future credit, or a refund when the company cancels, but the posted conditions also say that tours are rain or shine and that sales are final in many situations.

The booking platform’s standard policy allows a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. Within 24 hours, changes and refunds are generally not accepted. If you are visiting New Orleans for only one night, I would book this only if you have a backup plan.

You should also give the operator a working mobile number. Updates, delays, and cancellations are commonly sent by text or email. Check your messages before heading to Bourbon Street, especially during very hot weather or when storms are expected.

Who should book this French Quarter ghost walk

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy:

• Local legends mixed with documented crimes and city history
• A relaxed walk with optional drinks
• Guides who use humor and personal storytelling
• A low-cost introduction to the French Quarter
• Hands-on paranormal equipment without a promise of proof
• A social evening that can stretch beyond one hour

I would be cautious if you need a firm schedule, dislike bar stops, want a strictly factual history tour, or expect to see a ghost. The tour operator plainly says that no supernatural encounter can be guaranteed.

It may also be a poor fit for anyone uncomfortable with murder stories, executions, alleged captivity, or tragic romances. The tone is entertaining, but the subject matter is not always light.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an inexpensive, informal night walk that combines French Quarter history, ghost tales, vampire lore, and the chance to buy a drink along the way. The strongest guides, especially Coty and Cody, can turn it into a funny and memorable introduction to New Orleans.

I would not make it the only plan for a short visit. The number of no-show and cancellation complaints is too high to ignore, even though many completed outings receive excellent marks. Schedule it early in your stay, confirm the meeting point, monitor your phone, and keep another evening option ready.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

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

Do I meet inside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar?

No. You meet outside at the courtyard gate. The tour does not meet inside the bar, and the bar staff are not connected with the tour.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Jackson Square in the French Quarter.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one to two hours. The exact length can change because of bar wait times, traffic, weather, or route changes.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase along the route at your own expense.

Does the tour guarantee that I will see a ghost or vampire?

No. The tour is for entertainment, and no paranormal encounter is guaranteed.

Is paranormal equipment used?

Yes. A real EMF meter, also called a paranormal or ghost detector, is used. Equipment must be checked out and returned to a staff member before you leave.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 18 need a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise. Some bars may not allow children inside, though to-go options may be available.

What happens if I arrive late?

Tours leave at the scheduled departure time. Late arrivals may not receive a refund, so arrive a few minutes early and contact the operator before departure if you expect to be late.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund under the stated cancellation policy. Cancellations within 24 hours generally are not refunded.