French Quarter folklore with a free shot. This Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl Party threads through the dark corners near Frenchmen Street, mixing classic haunted sites with real bar stops. I love the free shot kickoff at BMC Balcony Music Club and I love that you step inside watering holes, so the night feels like a party, not a lecture.

Guides like Pandi and Clarissa tend to bring the stories to life with personality, humor, and details you can connect to what you’re seeing in the streets. You’ll get the Lalaurie Mansion story (the same location tied to American Horror Story) and ghost-camera-style moments that make people stop and look around.

One possible drawback: you’re still mostly on foot and the spooky part can lean more toward history and tragedy than constant sightings. On nights when timing is tight, not every planned stop may land perfectly, so keep your expectations flexible.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel On This Night

• FREE shot at the first bar stop with a “meet and mingle” vibe right away
• Real interior bar time at places like Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, not just passing by
• Lalaurie Mansion stop with a pop-culture hook tied to American Horror Story
• Andrew Jackson Hotel photo moment for people who like capturing apparitions
• Mardi Gras beads included so the party energy starts early
• Small-ish group size (max 28) for a night that moves at a walkable pace

A French Quarter Ghost Tour That Actually Feels Like a Pub Crawl

New Orleans is one of the easiest cities in the world to turn into a horror movie. It has wrought-iron balconies, crooked little lanes, and long-ago tragedies still attached to real buildings. This tour uses that setting well, guiding you through the French Quarter and nearby streets while the guide connects the dots between what happened and what you can see.

What I like most is that it does not treat booze like an afterthought. You get drink discounts, and the schedule builds in a real bar moment early so you’re not waiting until the last stop to feel the fun.

If you want a strictly “sit and listen” ghost tour, you might find this one too social. But if you want spooky stories plus an excuse to keep moving and ordering a drink, it fits.

Price and Value: Why $19 Can Work (If You Want This Style)

At $19 per person for about 2 hours, the value mostly comes from what’s included: one complimentary shot, drink discounts, a local/professional guide, and complimentary Mardi Gras beads. For a city where even basic drinks add up fast, the free shot and discounts help you feel like you got something concrete, not just a walking ticket.

The cap also helps. A maximum of 28 people is large enough to stay lively but small enough that the guide can usually keep the group together. And since the tour uses a mobile ticket, you’re not stuck hunting for paper at the start.

The key question is not whether the tour is cheap. It’s whether you want a night that mixes bar culture with ghost lore. If you do, the math is usually in your favor.

Where You Meet (and How to Plan Your Evening)

The tour starts at 507 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116 and ends at MRB Bar & Kitchen, 515 St Philip St, New Orleans, LA 70116. That start-to-finish layout matters because it puts you in the middle of two popular French Quarter zones, so after the tour you can keep wandering without feeling stranded.

This is a near-public-transportation kind of activity, and service animals are allowed. It’s also designed so most travelers can participate, but it is still a walking tour. Wear shoes that can handle uneven sidewalks and sudden crowd jams.

One more practical note: the experience requires good weather. If rain or storms roll in, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund, so keep an eye on the forecast.

Stop 1: BMC Balcony Music Club and the Free Shot Starter

Your night begins with a “meet and mingle” setup at BMC Balcony Music Club. The schedule is short here—about 15 minutes—but the point is clear: get everyone comfortable, start the stories, and get the first drink moment rolling.

You’ll be directed toward drink specials, and the host includes a FREE shot while the guide starts the darker New Orleans history. This is where the tour earns its pub-crawl name. Instead of waiting, you feel the party energy right away.

What to expect:

• A quick intro and an early shot
• The first wave of spooky storytelling paired with bar chatter
• A group rhythm shift from “finding each other” to “walking and listening”

Possible drawback: because it’s time-boxed, you may not get to linger and chat long at this first spot. Go with the mindset that you’re starting strong and moving on.

Stop 2: Lalaurie Mansion and the American Horror Story Link

Next up is the Lalaurie Mansion stop. This part lasts about 30 minutes, giving the guide enough time to connect the legend to the real place and the kind of cruelty New Orleans history is known for.

The big hook here is the connection to American Horror Story, which helps you understand why the mansion has become a modern pop-culture reference point. Even if you’re not into horror TV, the setting itself pulls you in—because it looks like a place built to remember secrets.

What makes this stop valuable:

• You’re not just hearing a ghost tale; you’re seeing a landmark with real-world tragedy attached
• The guide’s pacing here is usually strong enough to help you pay attention while you’re standing in the open air

One thing to keep in mind: if you came hoping for constant paranormal sightings, this portion can feel more like history and aftermath than spooky “proof.” That said, it’s often the most memorable stop because it anchors the evening in a specific story.

Stop 3: Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar for Pirate Legends and After-Dark Drinking

This is the stop that many people feel most strongly about. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar is a famous French Quarter address, and the tour leans into its legend: pirates plotting, old tavern lore, and the idea that spirits linger where people used to drink and scheme.

This stop runs about 30 minutes. The practical win is that this is one of the clearest “go inside and enjoy the bar” moments. In other words: you’re not only hearing about a watering hole—you’re standing in it.

What you should do during the time:

• Order your drink early so you’re not stuck waiting while the group moves
• Listen closely while the guide explains the stories tied to the room and the building’s reputation
• Snap a photo if it’s allowed and you can do it quickly without blocking others

Why it’s a highlight:

• It matches the tour’s promise to get you into bars, not just beside them
• It’s a natural place to loosen up, so the rest of the walking feels less like homework

Balanced expectation: a couple of unhappy reviews pointed out that the bar-focused part can feel lighter than some people expect. If your idea of a pub crawl is multiple long drinking sessions, you may want to plan extra time elsewhere after the tour ends.

Stop 4: Andrew Jackson Hotel and the Camera-On Apparition Moment

Your final story-heavy stop is the Andrew Jackson Hotel area, also around 30 minutes. Here, the tour adds a fun, practical twist: bring your camera and look for possible apparition-style images.

This doesn’t mean you’ll catch a ghost on command. But it does create a shared activity for the group: people slow down, frame shots, and pay attention to lighting and timing. Even if you get nothing, it turns the “what if” into something you’re doing together.

What this stop gives you:

• A shift from the bar vibe back to street-corner spooky atmosphere
• A guided prompt to look around, not just listen
• A moment that’s easy to remember later because it has a simple action attached

If you’re a photo person, this is the kind of stop you’ll appreciate. If you’re not, just treat it as a time to absorb the legends and then get ready to move on.

How the Tour Lands at MRB Bar & Kitchen (and Your Best Next Move)

The tour ends at MRB Bar & Kitchen on St Philip St. Ending there is convenient because it leaves you in the French Quarter with food and drink options close by, instead of sending you back to wherever you started.

The guide also wraps things up with recommendations on how to continue your party in the Big Easy. In practice, this means you can ask the guide what nearby spots fit your mood: more live music, another bar, or a quick bite so you don’t wreck your next day.

My advice after the tour:

• If you want to keep drinking, do it in small steps so you don’t lose the evening
• If you want to keep exploring, use the ending location to branch into nearby streets while you still have the stories fresh in your head

What I’d Watch Out For Before You Book

This is a fun, story-driven night, but it’s not built like a full nightclub crawl. Expect mostly walking, guided stops, and short bar moments rather than long free-for-all drinking time.

Also, timing can affect what happens at every stop. One low-star scenario noted that some planned stops did not happen as expected. That’s rare, but it’s a reminder to keep your expectations flexible—especially on busy nights.

Finally, if you only want spooky sightings and not history, you might feel like the “spook” is more about the tales and the places than constant paranormal proof. The tour’s strength is connecting you to the city’s darkest lore while you’re moving through it.

Who This Tour Suits Best (and Who Might Want a Different Fit)

You’ll probably love this tour if:

• You want ghost stories tied to real French Quarter locations
• You like a guide who can keep energy up, with personality and humor
• You want bar time plus a free shot, not a long all-day activity
• You’re traveling with friends or as a couple and want something social but not complicated

You might skip it if:

• You expect multiple long bars with lots of included drinks
• You want a heavy focus on paranormal activity over tragic history
• You are very sensitive to walking and prefer seated activities

Should You Book This Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl?

Book it if your ideal New Orleans night is: spooky locations, a guided story pace, and at least one real chance to drink while you learn. For $19, getting a free shot, drink discounts, Mardi Gras beads, and a professional guide makes it a solid value when you want fun with context.

Skip or adjust your expectations if you’re chasing constant supernatural sightings or a long, alcohol-heavy crawl. This tour is more “stories in the streets” than “party all night in bars,” even though it does start with that free shot.

If you do book, a smart move is to dress for walking and plan your other plans around a lively evening. Then let the guide do what guides do best: turn familiar buildings into places you’ll remember.

FAQ

How long is the ghost tour and haunted pub crawl?

It runs for about 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $19.00 per person.

What’s included with the ticket?

You get one complimentary shot, drink discounts, complimentary Mardi Gras beads, and a local/professional guide.

Is the tour in English and how big is the group?

The tour is offered in English and has a maximum of 28 travelers.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at 507 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116 and ends at MRB Bar & Kitchen, 515 St Philip St, New Orleans, LA 70116.

Does it run in bad weather?

It requires good weather. If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, you won’t receive a refund.