Ghosts and cocktails in the same 90 minutes. I like the way this tour pairs tight, researched haunting stories with a straightforward walking route that still gives you time to enjoy each stop. I also like that the guide role can feel like local history you actually want to hear, not a scripted scare show. The one possible drawback: the experience can run a little uneven if your guide’s timing or delivery misses the mark, so show up on time and pay attention to where you’re told to meet and end.

This is an English-language pub crawl built for mingling on the move. You get a mobile ticket, a group capped at 50, and a plan that returns you to where you started in Jackson Square.

At $36 for about 1 hour 45 minutes, it’s a solid value if you’re in the mood for atmosphere and stories. Drinks are not included, which can be good (you pick what you want), but it also means you should budget extra on top of the ticket price.

Key things to know before you go

• Four bar stops plus haunted-site moments between them keeps the energy moving.
• Jackson Square as the launch point sets the mood fast, before you even hit the pubs.
• Researched ghost storytelling is the main event, not just building names and spooky words.
• Voodoo and pirate lore show up on the route, tying local culture to the hauntings.
• Drinks not included means flexibility, but you’ll spend on what you choose.
• Group size max 50 makes it social without being a huge stampede.

Spoooky walking pub crawl: what $36 really buys you

You’re paying $36 for a guided route through some of the most memorable corners of the French Quarter area, with a mix of bars and scary story stops. The haunted part is the point, and it’s designed around a steady walking pace rather than long waits in lines.

The value lands best if you want two things at once: a guided “why this place matters” narrative and a chance to have a drink at multiple classic bars. Since drinks are not included, this tour doesn’t lock you into one beverage choice. You can match the mood to your taste, from something light and sweet to something stronger after the darker stories.

One more practical note: there’s an optional EMF detector rental for $6, but it’s not part of the core. If you’re hoping for tech-based proof, you should know the tour is built around stories first, with any gadgets left as a bonus.

Jackson Square: where the tour starts and the night gets strange

Jackson Square is where you meet, and the timing matters. Plan to arrive about 15 minutes early, because that’s when the tour begins its lead-in. This park is known for a lot of local haunting chatter, and the atmosphere there is already half the experience.

You may even notice how people react when they hear stories in that space. It’s wide open, old, and visually dramatic, which helps ghost stories land. Also, starting here gives you an easy mental map. After that, you’re walking into tighter streets and closer-to-bar spaces where the mood feels more immediate.

Downside? Jackson Square is also a busy public space. If you’re sensitive to crowds, go early in the time window so you can meet calmly and get oriented before the group funnels in.

Omni Royal Orleans: elegant hauntings and the Lez Zeppelin connection

Next up is the Omni Royal Orleans area, where the tour leans into an unexpectedly fun detail: this hotel is linked to the inspiration behind an iconic Lez Zeppelin song. That kind of pop-culture hook is useful, because it keeps the mood from turning into pure grimness.

From there, the guide focuses on why this elegant property shows up in the city’s paranormal talk. The whole point here is contrast: a grand hotel facade in a historic neighborhood, paired with stories that make it feel less polished and more human-scale spooky.

This stop is a shorter one, so you’re not stuck waiting. You’ll get just enough time to learn the story beats and move on, which keeps the crawl from dragging.

The 1834 bookstore stop: first-hand accounts in an old building

Between the major hotel and bar moments, you’ll hit a building dating back to 1834. The focus here is a bookstore, with stories tied to patrons who reported unexplained events inside the shop.

This is the kind of stop that works well on a walking tour. Instead of only talking about famous landmarks, you’re learning how ordinary business spaces can turn into legend. You also get a clearer sense of how locals narrate hauntings: not just “it’s spooky,” but “people felt something happened here.”

The catch: because this stop is story-driven rather than bar-driven, it can feel lighter if you’re expecting long time inside a drinking venue. Think of it as the narrative hinge that turns the evening from “cool buildings” into “why people believe.”

The voodoo shop moment: culture, respect, and the living story

New Orleans voodoo isn’t just a theme you read about on a postcard. On this route, you’ll stop at a voodoo-oriented shop that opened in 1996 and became known as a reputable place to buy related goods.

The guide’s angle here is important. Instead of treating it like Halloween props, the story centers on how voodoo is discussed culturally in the city and what people say it means for both the living and the dead. That framing helps you understand why the hauntings aren’t purely supernatural-flavored entertainment. They’re also tied to belief systems and community memory.

Time is limited at each stop, so you’re not shopping for long. But you’ll likely walk away with a better sense of context before moving back into pirate tales and bar legends.

Pirate’s Alley Cafe: pirates, rounds, and a darker backstory

Pirate’s Alley Cafe is where the tour pulls you into New Orleans pirate lore. The street name alone sets expectations, but the guide adds the history angle so the pirate references feel grounded instead of random.

This stop is paired with the bar vibe you came for. The tour frames it as a place that looks friendly on the outside, while having a darker past the guide wants you to hear.

If you’re managing your pace, this is a smart moment to have your first “okay, now I’m officially doing the crawl” drink. It’s early enough that you’re not exhausted, and it’s late enough that the stories have already warmed you up.

Small consideration: because the tour is still building toward the heavier stops, don’t overdo it here if you want to fully enjoy the later mansion-style narratives.

Ice House Bar at the Provincial Hotel: checkered past and after-hours talk

The Ice House Bar of the Provincial Hotel is one of the most talked-about spots for paranormal reports on this route. The building and bar are described as having a checkered past, and the stories focus on activity both during normal hours and after.

What makes this stop feel different is the sense that you’re being told to listen for patterns. The guide connects reports not only from bar staff, but also from tour participants. That matters because it shifts the mood from “someone claimed one weird thing once” to “people keep noticing strange moments here.”

This is also where many people start to feel that classic New Orleans cocktail-and-story rhythm. If you like an evening that blends atmosphere with narrative, this is a key payoff stop.

LaLaurie Mansion: stunning building, brutal history

Then the tour turns serious at LaLaurie Mansion. The story here centers on the mansion’s beauty paired with an ugly past—turmoil, struggle, heartbreak, and revenge.

This is not the quick, playful stop. It’s the kind of moment where you’ll feel the guide slowing down and putting more weight on what happened and why it’s remembered. In a city where history repeats in different forms, this mansion story shows how the “haunted” label is tied to real human suffering.

Practical thought: if you prefer lighter entertainment, you may want to pace your drink here. The mansion stop is emotionally heavier than the pirate-and-bar stops, even if the tour keeps moving on foot.

The 1829 hotel house: an ax-murderer story that sticks

After LaLaurie, the route keeps the darker tone with another building dating back to 1829. The guide frames it as haunted, with a connection to an ax murderer and serial killer, plus stories that focus on the memories of victims said to remain trapped.

This is the stop most likely to get under your skin. It’s also the one where you might find yourself adjusting your expectations: this isn’t just ghost sightings and creaky sounds. It’s crime-history-adjacent storytelling, told with a haunting emphasis.

The good news is you still have the rest of the crawl to reset your mood afterward. In fact, the tour itself sets you up for that with the next stop at Lafitte’s, where the vibe shifts toward classic pirate-bar comfort.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: old-school NOLA and a soothing daiquiri idea

The final bar stop is Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, described as one of the oldest bars in America and a must-see when you’re in New Orleans. It’s also framed as an iconic pirate hangout, which ties the evening’s themes together nicely.

What I like about ending here is the tone shift. After heavy history, the story returns to the city’s older folklore and bar culture. The guide recommends the iconic daiquiris, which fits the idea of letting something sweet and cold cut through the chills.

This is also where you’re more likely to feel like you’re finishing a real night out rather than just checking boxes. You’ll still be hearing stories as you go, but the setting feels like a payoff: old bar, strong local identity, and enough time to linger without rushing.

Pace, drinks, and the guide factor (learn fast, don’t get lost)

The crawl is about 1 hour 45 minutes, with short stops that usually run around 15 to 20 minutes each. That pacing works because it keeps you from standing around. It also means you should be ready to listen while walking, then pause long enough to ask your own questions if your guide welcomes them.

The drinks question is simple: drinks are not included. That’s actually a smart setup for most people. You can order what you like instead of accepting whatever comes with the ticket. If you want a specific cocktail, save the best choice for later stops where the mood matches the story weight.

One more thing: guide delivery matters. The positive experiences highlight guides who bring both local history and small practical tips about the area. There’s also evidence that a poor timing or meeting-location mismatch can lead to a weaker version of the crawl, with fewer bar moments and fewer story beats delivered well. My advice is boring but effective: show up early at Jackson Square and confirm you’re with the right group before you start drinking.

Should you book New Orleans Ghosts Boos and Booze?

Book it if you want a guided haunted walking tour that stays social, hits classic bars, and keeps moving without turning into a museum lecture. It’s a great fit for first-timers who want the Quarter’s story texture in a single evening, and it’s also a fun way to split the difference between spooky history and a night out.

Skip or be cautious if you dislike darker crime-history narratives. LaLaurie and the 1829 ax-murder story can feel intense, even when told as part of a ghost-focused pub crawl. Also, because the experience quality depends heavily on timing and guide execution, don’t cut it close on arrival—plan to be early at the start point.

If you’re the type who enjoys local legend, a good daiquiri, and a route you can repeat later on your own, this crawl is a fun use of a night in New Orleans.

FAQ

How long is the Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl?

It runs for about 1 hour 45 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $36.00 per person.

Where does the tour meet and where does it end?

The meeting point is Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA 70116, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

What’s included in the ticket price?

You get a knowledgeable guide, chilling and thrilling ghost stories, and thoroughly researched history. Stops include admission ticket entries marked as free.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, so you can choose what you order.

Is an EMF detector available?

An EMF detector rental or purchase is available for $6, but it is not included in the tour price.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How many bar stops are part of the crawl?

The crawl includes stops at four bars, with haunted spots in between.

Can I get a refund if my plans change?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.