A New Orleans ghost story usually has a catch. This one is more of a night out: you walk the French Quarter with a drink in hand while your guide points out the spots tied to old murder and mayhem. I especially liked how the stops are built around real drinking locations (not just photo ops), and how guides like Gomez or DJ turn history into a funny, easy-to-follow route. The only real downside to plan for is that the tour price covers the guide, but cocktails are not included, so you’ll pay for your own drinks at each stop.

You also get a laid-back pace: photo stops are short, bar time is real, and the stories match the mood of New Orleans—dark, but never stuffy. The route can shift if the city is dealing with a parade or construction, so go in with flexibility. Overall, at 4.6 with hundreds of ratings, this is the kind of haunted crawl where the guide can make or break the night—and the good news is, they usually nail it.

Key Points Before You Go

• You’ll stop at famous haunted bar locations like Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop and Lalaurie-area lore
• Short photo moments, then real bar time so you can actually order and talk
• Guides bring the humor and crowd control; names you may hear include Gomez, DJ, Wesley, and Carolyn
• Routes aren’t guaranteed to be identical every night due to parades, construction, and local conditions
• You buy the drinks; your $25 ticket is for the licensed guide and guided stops

Why This Haunted Pub Crawl Feels Like a Proper New Orleans Night

New Orleans works differently after dark. In many parts of the city, you can legally walk around while holding an alcoholic drink, and this tour is designed for that exact rhythm—walk, hear a story, stop for a drink, repeat.

What I like is the balance. You’re not stuck listening to a lecture for two straight hours, and you’re not doing a gimmicky jump-scare route either. The focus stays on haunted bars and restaurants, with French Quarter stories that connect the buildings and alleyways to what people did there—centuries ago.

One more practical plus: the experience is intentionally laid back. Even if you’re new to ghost tours, it doesn’t feel like you have to know anything ahead of time. You just show up, bring good walking shoes, and let the guide lead.

Getting Started at Jax Brewery Near Bon’s Street Food

Your night starts at the Jax Brewery building, just outside Bon’s New Orleans Street Food. The meet-up is set up so the guide can line you up quickly and get moving without wasting time.

This matters because New Orleans can feel chaotic when you’re only half sure where to go. If you’re the type who hates standing around, arrive a few minutes early so you’re ready to start on schedule.

Also, the tour is English-language, and it’s set for adults only—minimum age is 21. If your group includes someone younger, you’ll need a different plan for them.

The French Quarter Walk: Murder-and-Mayhem Stories on Foot

Once you begin, you’ll spend time in the French Quarter with a guided walk and sightseeing. This is where the tour earns its name, because the stories aren’t floating in the air—they’re tied to streets, corners, and the kind of narrow spacing New Orleans does so well.

Expect a mix of spooky and historical storytelling, delivered in a way that fits a social group setting. If you’ve ever been on a tour where everyone’s too quiet, this probably won’t be that. Guides often use humor and banter to keep the group engaged—especially ones like DJ or John Gomez, who many people singled out for being funny and on point.

A small consideration: the French Quarter can get crowded. You might not always get perfect spacing, so wearing shoes you can walk in for real is a must.

Lalaurie Mansion: A Quick Photo Stop With Heavy Atmosphere

Next up is the Lalaurie Mansion area, where you’ll have a 10-minute photo stop. This isn’t a long stay, so think of it as a moment to orient yourself and let the guide’s story land.

Even with the short time, the impact can be strong because you’re seeing a physical place people associate with grim events. The key is to use the moment well: take the photo, look around, and pay attention when your guide explains why this location is talked about in the haunted New Orleans conversation.

If you dislike uncomfortable history, you might find this stop tougher than the rest. But if you’re here for the darker side of the French Quarter, this is exactly the kind of location that makes the crawl feel real.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: Beer and Cocktails in an Old Bar

One of the best parts of this tour is the stop at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, where you get about a 15-minute photo stop and bar time. This is the kind of place you might pass on your own without realizing what you’re stepping into—on the tour, it becomes a story anchor.

People love this stop because it’s practical. You’re not standing outside for long; you’re actually inside (or at least right by) a famous bar setting, with time to order beer, cocktails, or spirits and reset between spooky stories.

Why that matters: the tour isn’t just about being scared. It’s about being in New Orleans, with time to enjoy the city and not feel rushed. If your group wants both ghosts and a drink that tastes good, this is the bar you’re really coming for.

Pirates Alley: The Alley-Run Moment That Makes It Feel Haunted

You’ll also go through Pirates Alley, with around 10 minutes to visit and walk. This is one of those New Orleans spaces where the architecture and the street design do half the work for you.

Even if you’re skeptical about ghosts, this kind of alley forces your brain to picture the past. That’s where good guiding helps: your guide connects what you see now to what happened in the neighborhood back when the stories started traveling.

If you’re the type who takes photos constantly, keep an eye on the pacing. Alley time is fun, but your group needs to stay together for the next stops.

The Pass-By Stops: May Bailey’s Place and Vampire Café

You’ll pass May Bailey’s Place (about 5 minutes) and also pass Vampire Café (another 5 minutes). These aren’t built as long stops. They work more like story beats—quick moments that broaden the haunted map in your mind.

If you’re hoping for extra bar time at every stop, this is where expectations should stay realistic. Think of these as short street-level snapshots, not full hangout breaks.

That said, even a quick pass can be helpful. You get names and locations you might want to revisit later if you’re curious.

How the Route Shifts When the City Gets Busy

New Orleans doesn’t run on perfect schedules. Your route may change due to parades, construction, or other local happenings.

I actually think this is part of the charm if you’re prepared. Instead of feeling like you’re on rails, you’ll get a guide who adjusts on the fly—often based on what’s happening that night. The tour is built to be flexible, and guides can modify the order to help you maximize what you experience.

Practical advice: keep your brain in tonight-mode, not clock-mode. If you’re doing this as part of a bigger itinerary with a restaurant reservation right after, give yourself buffer time.

Drink Strategy and Budget Reality (Cocktails Are Not Included)

Here’s the straightforward part that can surprise people: the tour price is $25 per person, but cocktails are not included. In other words, you’re paying for the guide and the guided route; you’re buying your own drinks at the stops.

So how do you enjoy it without going over budget? I’d plan for at least one drink during your main bar stop, and then decide how much you want to add. Because the pacing includes short photo stops, you’ll likely have fewer opportunities to make multiple purchases in a single location than you might on a longer crawl.

Also, bar choices can mean crowding. Some bars will be busy in the evening, and you might need to wait your turn to order or find space. If your group is chatty, that’s fine—you’ll just want to time your drink ordering smartly.

Pro tip: bring your driver’s license. You’re told to bring it, and in a bar-heavy experience, that’s usually about being able to verify age quickly when needed.

The Guides Make or Break It: Gomez, DJ, Wesley, and More

If you want the most value from this tour, pick the nights with guides who can command the room. The consistent pattern in the feedback is that the guides are energetic, funny, and good at keeping the group together without rushing people out.

You may hear names like Gomez, who gets praised for being amazing and story-driven, or DJ, repeatedly mentioned for humor and for being funny in a way that still carries real history. Wesley and Leah also come up as standout guides, with people highlighting how informative and friendly they were.

Some people specifically noted the right balance: spooky enough to be fun, and paced so you can grab a drink, use the restroom, and breathe for a minute instead of being hurried through.

And for groups: if you’re bringing friends who don’t want a super serious ghost lecture, you’ll likely appreciate the banter style. One common theme was that you should be ready to enjoy the guide’s comedic energy—not just sit there silently waiting for the next stop.

Pacing, Timing, and What Two Hours Really Means

The tour runs about 2 hours, and that duration can feel both shorter and longer depending on crowd levels and how your group behaves.

Short photo stops (like Lalaurie) keep things moving. Longer bar moments (like Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop) give you time to order and talk. And pass-by stops keep the haunted theme broad without burning the clock.

In practice, this is a good length for a first-night activity. You’ll get an overview of the haunted French Quarter feel, while still having time afterward to explore on your own—maybe even revisit a stop you liked best.

One word of caution: some people noted the tour was longer than they expected. That’s usually a sign that the timing felt fuller due to bar crowds, extra group chat, or how long it took to settle into each stop. If you have a hard deadline after the tour, plan your schedule with extra wiggle room.

Wheelchair Access and Comfortable Shoes

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible. You’ll still be walking through parts of the French Quarter, so comfort matters for everyone in the group.

Bring comfortable shoes. Even when stops are short, you’ll be moving through streets that don’t always feel friendly if your footwear is wrong. This is not the time for brand-new shoes you haven’t broken in.

Who This Haunted Pub Crawl Is Best For

This tour works well if you:

• want a social, adult-only night with drinking and ghost stories
• like the French Quarter and want haunted stops that are actually places you can step into
• enjoy humor with your history, not a strict lecture vibe

It may be less ideal if you:

• don’t want to spend extra money on drinks (since cocktails are not included)
• dislike crowded bars or tight street conditions
• have a low tolerance for darker stories tied to real locations

Should You Book This New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl?

I’d book it if you want a fun, grown-up New Orleans night that uses famous locations—Lalaurie-area lore, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, Pirates Alley—without turning into a long, heavy ghost seminar. At $25 for two hours with a licensed guide, it’s good value as long as you budget for drinks and expect the route to change when the city is busy.

If you want a calm experience with no drinking involved, this probably isn’t your match. But if you’re here for New Orleans after dark—the stories, the atmosphere, and the chance to enjoy a few bars—the haunted pub crawl format is a smart way to do it.

FAQ

What is the price and duration?

The haunted pub crawl costs $25 per person and lasts about 2 hours.

Are cocktails included in the price?

No. Cocktails are not included, so you’ll pay for your own drinks at the bars.

Where do we meet for the tour?

Meet at the Jax Brewery building just outside of Bon’s New Orleans Street Food.

Is there an age limit?

Yes. The minimum age to participate is 21.

What’s included in the tour ticket?

A licensed guide is included.

Can the route change during the tour?

Yes. Routes are subject to change due to things like parades, construction, and other conditions.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.