Bourbon Street, but with a lesson. I like how this walk mixes French Quarter legends with real local context, and I like the hands-on fun of using an EMF ghost detector while you tour. The main thing to keep in mind is that it’s still a walking tour with bar waits, so timing can stretch, and there’s no guarantee you’ll spot paranormal activity.

You start at 941 Bourbon St, right by Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, then move through the Quarter on a moderate pace for about 1–2 hours. Expect roughly 10 stops total, plus bar stops along the route, with the story keeping you moving the whole time.

If you want a casual start to your night that feels like New Orleans (not a museum lecture), this is a strong pick for the price. If you want a quiet, sit-down tour, or you hate crowds and lines, you may find the bar-hopping element a little chaotic.

Key Things You’ll Notice on This Tour

• Start at 941 Bourbon St near Lafitte’s for an easy, recognizable meeting point in the French Quarter
• Around 10 stops plus bar stops keeps the walk from feeling like one long lecture
• An EMF/ghost detector is provided so the paranormal part is active, not just talk
• To-go drinks are part of the experience, but drinks are not included in the ticket price
• The tone is fun and story-driven, with guides like Cody often praised for pacing and humor
• You stay inside the French Quarter for the full route, which simplifies navigation

Why Drunk History Works in the French Quarter

New Orleans loves two things at once: big stories and big feelings. This tour leans hard into both. You’re walking through a compact area where the buildings, the street layout, and the folklore all overlap, so the history doesn’t feel theoretical.

What makes the concept work is the balance. You get a local guide who tells darker tales, but you also get enough real-world framing to understand why these legends stuck around. And because the tour builds in bar stops and to-go drinks, the mood stays festive without turning into a random pub crawl.

Meeting at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop and Getting Started on Time

You meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon St. The tour does not start inside the bar, so don’t hunt for a door inside. Show up a few minutes early, because the group leaves at the scheduled time and late arrivals won’t be refunded.

This matters more than you’d think because the experience is timed like a relay. The guide has narrations to hit, and they can’t pause the whole group for long photo stops. If you want good photos, grab them quickly from the sidewalk before the guide moves on.

One more practical note: paranormal equipment is tied to the tour’s check-in. If you want to use the EMF detector, you need to request it and provide your name, phone number, address, and booking reference at the start. Then the equipment has to be checked out and returned to staff.

The Lafitte’s Stop: Bourbon Street Snacks and Dark Legends

The first stop sets the vibe. You begin at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar area, and from there the guide talks about the neighborhood’s dark reputation and the supernatural legends people associate with the French Quarter.

Even if you’re not a hardcore believer, this opening works because it gives you something to watch for as you walk. You start noticing how the Quarter’s older architecture and tight street corners make the folklore feel believable in the moment. It’s one thing to hear ghost stories. It’s another to hear them while you’re standing in the places those stories grew up around.

If you’re traveling with friends, this is also a smart kickoff because it gets everyone talking right away. The tour format is set up for questions and reactions, and that’s often where the best moments happen.

Inside the French Quarter: St Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square Story Beats

The route stays inside the French Quarter, and it’s designed so you hit several iconic landmarks along the way. Two highlights are St Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square. Those stops are useful anchors because they ground the eerie talk in actual civic and religious history, not just spooky theatrics.

Here’s what I’d suggest you do at these major sights: don’t treat them like photo stops. Treat them like story stops. The more you listen, the more you’ll notice the contrast—because the guide’s job is to connect the bright, public-facing sites to the legends and tensions that have lived alongside them.

You should also expect other public-facing locations along the way. The tour notes that not every stop appears in the listing, but the overall experience includes about 10 locations with bar stops. In other words, you’re moving from beat to beat, not just walking from one named landmark to the next.

Ghost Hunting 101 With an EMF Meter (No Hype Needed)

The paranormal equipment is one of the most distinctive parts of the tour. You’re given a real EMF meter / ghost detector during the walk as part of the investigation.

This is fun for two reasons. First, it turns the supernatural theme into a game you can participate in. Second, it keeps the tour from feeling like pure storytelling. Even if you interpret results skeptically, you still get the experience of trying—checking readings, comparing moments, and watching how the guide explains what to do with the device.

Be clear on the trade-off: this tour is for entertainment purposes, and there is no promise of encountering paranormal activity. The operator also emphasizes that they can’t make non-human entities appear on cue. So aim for curiosity, not guarantees.

Also read the rules once, then follow them. Audio or video recording devices are not allowed during the tour, but photos are encouraged. Equipment has to be checked out at the start and returned before you leave, and there’s a high fee ($250) for losing, damaging, or missing it. That means you should treat the device like borrowed gear, not like a souvenir.

To-Go Drinks and Bar Stops: How the Night Gets Built

This is where the tour earns its name, but not in the way some people expect. Drinks are not included in the ticket price. Instead, you sip to-go drinks you purchase along the route from neighborhood bars.

So you get a structured route with social time built in, but you still control what you buy. That can be a real value for you, because it prevents one-size-fits-all pricing. If you want a light drink, you can get a light drink. If you want something stronger, you can, too—but you’re also responsible for how you feel.

Alcohol is allowed during the tour, but the operator reserves the right to refuse service if someone is extremely intoxicated. That’s not meant to spoil the fun. It’s a safety and crowd-control necessity in a packed Quarter.

The other practical point is pacing. The tour is moderate-paced, but bar crowds can slow things down. That’s why the duration is listed as roughly 1–2 hours. If your evening has a strict reservation right after, build in a buffer.

Price and Value: What $21 Buys You

At $21 per person, you’re paying for three things: a local guide, a group walking experience, and access to the themed format (including permission to use the paranormal equipment on tour). You are not paying for drinks, and you’re not paying for private access to buildings.

That’s why the value is strongest if you want:

• A guided story experience that’s not too long
• An easy way to get oriented in the French Quarter
• A mix of landmarks plus spooky legend flavor
• A social start to your night without committing to a full pub crawl

Where the value can feel weaker is if you expected a heavy emphasis on paranormal results or if you needed more time at fewer stops. Some people felt the walking beat moved quickly and that there wasn’t enough time per location. The tour format is built for many stops, so you should be ready for shorter, punchier story segments instead of one deep stop for a long time.

The Best Fit: Who Should Book This Tour

This tour suits you if you want New Orleans storytelling in a light, fun format. You’ll probably enjoy it most if you like:

• Local legends, including voodoo-era folklore and supernatural themes
• Walking and people-watching in the Quarter
• A guided start that helps you plan the rest of the night

It also fits couples and small groups who want a shared “we learned something odd and fun” experience before heading out on Bourbon Street.

If you’re sensitive to crowds, street-level uneven sidewalks, or bar lines, consider another option. The tour operates in old, uneven streets, and the operator warns that this is part of the reality of the route.

One Caution: Operational Risk With Any Small Tour

I can’t ignore the less cheerful side of the record. There are reports of no-shows and last-minute cancellations in a few instances, along with frustration about how quickly issues were handled after booking. That doesn’t mean it will happen to you, but it does mean you should plan smart.

My advice: treat this as a great experience, not as your only plan. If you’re on a tight schedule, have a backup activity nearby that won’t derail your day.

Also, time the rest of your evening so you’re not trapped if the tour runs late. The guide may need to pause for bar wait times, and sometimes updates happen via text or email.

Should You Book the New Orleans Drunk History Tour?

Book it if you want a low-cost, story-led walk that feels like New Orleans at street level—complete with landmark context, bar stops, and hands-on paranormal equipment. It’s also a great first-night activity because it gets you oriented fast and gives you ideas for what to do next.

Don’t book it if you need strict timing, a guaranteed paranormal sighting, or an experience that avoids nightlife chaos. And if you’re the type who hates surprises, remember that bar crowds and walking schedules can shift the feel of the evening.

If you do book, show up early, bring your curiosity, and plan for a fun walk that’s more about stories and atmosphere than guaranteed ghost sightings.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans Drunk History Tour?

Tours run about 1 to 2 hours, and the duration can vary depending on waits inside bars along the route.

How much does it cost?

The tour is priced at $21.00 per person.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116.

Does the tour include drinks?

No. Drinks are available to purchase along the route, and the tour includes to-go drink stops.

Is alcohol allowed during the tour?

Yes. Guests are allowed to drink alcoholic beverages during the tour, though the operator can refuse service to anyone who is extremely intoxicated.

Is paranormal equipment included or provided?

You can use paranormal equipment during the tour. Equipment must be checked out at the beginning, and it must be returned to staff before you leave.

Can I record video or audio during the tour?

No. Audio or video recording devices are not allowed during the tour.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

What happens if the tour is canceled due to poor weather or not enough travelers?

If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. If canceled because the minimum traveler requirement isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different experience/date or a full refund.