New Orleans has a way of mixing history and hauntings, and this ghost tour + pub crawl does it in walking distance. I like that you start at BMC Balcony Music Club with a free shot plus drink specials, then keep rolling through famous French Quarter locations like Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. One thing to consider: this experience is more story-forward than proof-of-real-sightings, so if you want constant spooky moments, you may find it leans toward tragic history and legends.

The pace is built for a fun night out: around 2 hours, small enough to feel lively (max 28 people), and guided by people like Pandi, Clarissa, or Wendy depending on your group. You’ll also get complimentary Mardi Gras beads, and the tour is planned for good weather since you’ll be walking through the French Quarter’s spooky backstreets.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel Right Away

• Free shot at the first bar stop with drink specials and an immediate party vibe
• Indoor bar time at stops known for hauntings, so you’re not just standing outside listening
• Four major stops tied to dark French Quarter lore, including Lalaurie and Lafitte’s
• Bring your camera for the Andrew Jackson Hotel stop, where the guide encourages you to try to capture apparitions on film
• Top-rated storytelling and energy from guides like Pandi and Clarissa, with plenty of humor mixed in
• Mardi Gras beads included so you leave feeling like you joined the night, not just the tour

French Quarter Haunts With a Free Shot: What You Actually Get in 2 Hours

This is a 2-hour ghost tour that also works like a mini party—without turning into a long, exhausting night. You start in the French Quarter area, meet your guide, and head to a first stop where drink specials and a free shot kick off the stories fast. From there, you move through major haunted-feeling spots tied to some of New Orleans’ darkest legends.

Here’s what makes it different from the typical “walk and listen” ghost tour: you don’t stay trapped on the sidewalk the whole time. At least part of the experience is built for being in bars, ordering something, and letting the evening feel social. That matters in New Orleans, where a night out often lives or dies based on the atmosphere you’re in.

Also, the scope is built for people who want more than one kind of haunt. You get a mix of locations tied to legends, tragedy, and French Quarter lore—so you’re not just hearing one theme for two hours straight.

Price and Value: Why $19 Can Make Sense Here

At $19 per person, the biggest value driver is what’s included: you get one shot plus drink discounts, along with Mardi Gras beads and a local/professional guide. In a city where bar time can add up quickly, “one drink that’s already handled” changes how you experience the night.

The other value point is time efficiency. Two hours is long enough to hit multiple sites in the French Quarter and still leave you energy for the rest of your evening. You’re also in a small group setup (max 28 travelers), which usually makes it easier for the guide to keep the storytelling flowing without losing half the crowd.

Now the honest tradeoff: drinking time is not evenly spread across every stop. Some locations are more about the building history and the story, and only certain stops are true bar moments. If your main goal is a nonstop pub crawl with a lot of pour time at every location, you might be happier with a different booze-focused crawl. But if you want a good blend of dark stories + bar-friendly stops, this price often feels fair.

Before You Go: Meeting Point, Footwear, and How to Set Expectations

You’ll start at 507 Frenchmen St, New Orleans and end at MRB Bar & Kitchen, 515 St Philip St. That means you’ll be walking through the French Quarter environment—tight streets, lots of foot traffic, and the kind of night where you’ll want to keep your phone charged.

Plan for a walk that’s active but manageable. The tour is described as an easy walk in multiple guide-driven experiences, and the group size keeps things from feeling chaotic. Still, wear shoes you can stand in and walk in for a couple hours. You’ll spend time moving between stops and listening at each one.

Also set a clear expectation: this is English language storytelling with a professional guide, not a high-tech haunt show. Some guides lean hard into humor and theatrics, and some groups will hear more legend-tragedy history than actual “spotted something weird” moments. That’s normal for this type of French Quarter tour.

One more practical note: the experience requires good weather. If it gets canceled due to weather, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.

Stop 1: BMC Balcony Music Club and That First Free Shot

This is where the tour gets its groove. You meet and mingle with drink specials, then the host gives you a free shot right away. It sets the mood fast—half party energy, half spooky story start.

Timing here is short: about 15 minutes. You’re not getting a long sit-down at this stage. Instead, you’re getting the intro: who you are, where you’re going, and the first batch of haunted French Quarter tales tied to what’s happening in and around that bar setting.

If you want to make the most of the first stop, arrive a few minutes early so you can get your bearings. Once the group moves, you’ll want to stay with the pace.

Stop 2: Lalaurie Mansion and the Story People Still Can’t Let Go Of

Next up is the Lalaurie Mansion, the location associated with American Horror Story filming. Even if you don’t know the show, this stop matters because New Orleans has plenty of places where legend and real tragedy overlap.

You’ll spend about 30 minutes here. That duration is useful. It’s enough time for the guide to connect the mansion’s name to why it’s remembered, not just to recite a scary-sounding plot. This stop tends to be the one that feels heavier. In a good way, if you’re into dark history told clearly.

The tradeoff is also predictable: when the story leans tragic, you might not feel “spooky sparks” the way you do in a bar with drinks and sound. You may feel more of a chill—an atmosphere shift—than a jump-scare moment.

Stop 3: Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, Pirates, and Spirits in Real Time

After the mansion, you shift back into a bar setting at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. This is one of the French Quarter stops you’ll hear about even if you don’t plan ghost tours. The reason is simple: it’s a place where people already want to hang out, and the guide adds the haunted angle.

You’ll spend about 30 minutes at this stop, and this is where the “ghost tour + pub crawl party” concept feels most real. You’re not just hearing stories—you’re in a famous watering hole tied to pirate lore and lingering legends.

If you like bar atmosphere, this stop is a highlight for the simple reason that the location does some of the work for you. The guide’s job is to connect the dots. Your job is to take a second, look around, and let the room do its thing.

Stop 4: Andrew Jackson Hotel and the Try-To-Catch-Apparitions Moment

The final main stop is the Andrew Jackson Hotel (listed as a French Quarter Inns hotel). This is where the tour leans more toward the “camera and legends” side of things.

The guidance here is direct: bring your camera to try to capture apparitions on film. You’ll get about 30 minutes at this location, with the guide moving you through spooky backstreet legends and the kind of stories people love to repeat in New Orleans.

One honest note: this is still a story-led tour. “Try to catch something on film” isn’t the same as guaranteed results. But the suggestion encourages you to slow down, pay attention, and treat the stop like part of the experience—not just a photo opportunity.

Also, don’t ignore the street around you. French Quarter legends often feel more believable when you can see the angles and shadows that stories usually reference.

How the Guide Makes or Breaks the Night

Guides are a huge part of why this tour scores so highly. People mention names like Pandi and Clarissa with energy, humor, and fast-moving storytelling. You’ll often hear praise for guides being fun, friendly, and able to keep the group engaged without turning it into a lecture.

You may also notice that the guides handle pacing differently:

• Some groups get more storytelling variety and more humor.
• Some guides focus more on historical tragedy.
• Some tours emphasize the “party + spook” vibe more strongly at the bar moments.

If your group cares about different styles, ask your guide early what their focus is that night. You can also speak up during the tour if you want more bar time versus more stops. Since it’s guided, you should feel comfortable adjusting your mindset to match what you’re seeing.

Drinking Time Reality Check: Free Shot Plus Discounts, Not a Nonstop Pour

Let’s be practical about the drinking component. The included deal is one free shot plus drink discounts. That’s valuable, but it doesn’t automatically mean every stop is a full bar hangout with lots of extra alcohol.

Some people love the balance, especially because it keeps the group moving and the stories rolling. Other people have expected more drinking time and found the bar stops limited. Both reactions make sense, because some stops are about the building and the legend, not about ordering rounds.

If you’re the type who wants to drink steadily, do two things:

• Plan to treat the first bar stop as the moment to fully tap into the included shot and specials.
• Order smart at the bar stops rather than hoping every stop turns into a long drinking break.

What the Ending Feels Like: Leaving With Stories and a Night Plan

You finish at MRB Bar & Kitchen at 515 St Philip St. That’s a useful ending point because it puts you in the middle of the French Quarter party zone rather than walking you to a remote location where you’d have to reset your night.

Also, part of the experience is leaving with recommendations for how to keep partying in the Big Easy. Even if you already planned a route, it’s helpful to get a local guide’s suggestions based on what’s happening that night.

Best For Who: Couples, Friends, and First-Time French Quarter Fans

This tour is ideal if you want a fun, social night that also teaches you about New Orleans with a spooky spin. It tends to fit well for:

• Couples who want something different than dinner and a stroll
• Friends who want an easy walking plan plus bar time
• People new to the French Quarter who want major stops in one organized route

It also works for groups that like variety: a mansion stop for darker history, a major iconic bar for atmosphere, and a hotel stop for camera/legend style moments.

One more thing: it’s capped at 28 travelers, and the experience notes it’s near public transportation and allows service animals. So it’s designed to be workable for a broad range of visitors.

A Quick Booking Decision: Should You Book It?

Book this if you want:

• Ghost stories with real French Quarter bar energy
• A plan that lasts around 2 hours and leaves you ready to keep going
• Included extras like a free shot, Mardi Gras beads, and drink discounts
• A guide-led night with people like Pandi or Clarissa driving the fun

Skip it (or consider a different option) if you mainly want:

• A long, nonstop bar crawl with lots of drink time at every stop
• Constant “spooky sightings” instead of history and legends

If you’re torn, here’s my simple test: if you’ll enjoy a night where you mix dark history + a drink or two + a few photo attempts, this is a strong pick for New Orleans.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The tour costs $19.00 per person.

How long is the tour?

It lasts about 2 hours.

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.

What’s included in the price?

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

Is alcohol included, and are drinks discounted?

Yes. The experience includes one shot, and drink discounts are included as well.

Which locations will you visit?

You’ll visit BMC Balcony Music Club, Lalaurie Mansion, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, and the Andrew Jackson Hotel.

Does the tour let you go inside bars?

Yes. The experience is described as allowing you to go inside bars and get a drink.

Is it available in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

How big are the groups?

The tour has a maximum of 28 travelers.

What happens if weather is bad?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

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