French Quarter stories hit different at night. This New Orleans Drunk History walking tour mixes street history with voodoo lore, ghost-and-vampire sightings, and a couple of bar stops—so the dark side of the city feels close, not dusty.

What I love most is the way the guide turns landmarks into characters. In reviews, guides like Coty and Donna get praised for making the stories funny, sharp, and easy to follow—without turning it into a lecture.

My only real caution is that the ticket price covers the walk and guide, not the drinks, so you’ll want to budget extra if you plan to sample a bar or two. Also, video recording is not allowed during the tour.

Key highlights at a glance

• A scripted-feeling street show, minus the theater: You get history plus punchy storytelling as you walk.
• Above-ground burial vaults explained: You’ll hear why the city’s graves are built the way they are.
• Marie Laveau stops, with real places attached: Voodoo gets grounded in locations tied to her legacy.
• French Quarter legends: ghosts and vampires: You’ll hunt for the spots linked to reports of hauntings.
• Bar refills built into the route: You can grab a drink (it’s optional), then keep moving.
• Meeting right at the nightlife edge: It starts at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop’s courtyard gate on Bourbon Street.

Where the tour starts: Lafittes courtyard gate on Bourbon

The tour meets on the sidewalk at the legendary Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar address—941 Bourbon Street. One important detail: don’t go inside. You meet at the gate of the courtyard attached to the bar, right out front.

This matters because the whole evening has a nightlife pace. If you arrive a couple of minutes early, you’ll be standing where you need to be and won’t rush your way into the group.

What you actually walk through: Vieux Carré landmarks plus dark stories

You’re in the Vieux Carré (French Quarter) for the whole experience, moving street to street as the guide replays New Orleans founding-era chaos and later supernatural talk. Expect stops that connect to major history and equally major rumors: the Louisiana Purchase was signed here, and you’ll also see the St. Louis Cathedral area as part of the route.

The best part is the contrast. You’ll hear about traditional burial rituals and why the vaults are above ground, then a block later the conversation flips to pirates, prostitutes, and convicted felons—and how their lives tangled with how the city became the city.

That mix is exactly why this kind of tour works. New Orleans doesn’t separate “serious” from “spooky” the way other places do. Here, both show up on the same street corners.

Burial vaults and the city’s rules for the dead

One standout theme is the city’s burial practices—especially the above-ground vaults. If you’ve ever wondered why New Orleans looks like it has mausoleums everywhere, this is where you get the story behind it.

The guide frames it as more than a fun fact. You learn how the rituals made sense in their time, and how the physical design of the cemetery culture created a lasting cityscape. It’s a useful mental model for seeing the Quarter differently, even after the tour ends.

Founding characters: pirates, prostitutes, and convicted felons

The French Quarter has always been a magnet for people who don’t fit politely into a history textbook. During this walk, you’ll hear how pirates, prostitutes, and convicted felons get folded into New Orleans’ origin story.

You should treat these parts like cultural storytelling—loud, messy, and human. The point isn’t to sanitize the past. It’s to show you what the city was like before it became a postcard, and how those reputations shaped the streets you’re standing on.

If you like “why is this building here?” kinds of explanations, this section is the kind of material that turns random facades into a map of consequences.

Voodoo in real locations: Marie Laveau and sites tied to her

Voodoo shows up as a core thread, not just a spooky soundtrack. You’ll get an explanation of how the practice took root in New Orleans, and you’ll hear about Marie Laveau, often called the voodoo queen.

What I like is that the tour doesn’t stop at the legend. You’ll visit locations connected to her legacy—including a property given to her as payment for her magic, plus sites where voodoo ceremonies were held.

Even if you’re not into the supernatural angle, I still think these stops are worth it. They show how belief systems, community networks, and survival strategies shaped daily life—then left traces that tourists can still see today.

The paranormal hunt: vampires, ghosts, and a haunted-house stop

This tour leans into the supernatural the way New Orleans leans into everything: as story, symbol, and local tradition. As you walk, you’ll investigate reports of vampires and ghosts still roaming the streets—plus where the guide says you’ll find the most predictable hauntings.

A highlight is the stop at the most haunted house in the city. One review specifically points to the American horror story–style house as a memorable moment, which gives you an idea of the vibe you’ll encounter: the Quarter’s spooky reputation made physical.

A quick reality check, though. This is not an academic ghost study. It’s a guided night walk where the facts and legends are braided together for entertainment and context.

If you want pure skepticism, you might find the tone a little playful. If you like legends with a “here’s why people believe this” explanation, you’ll probably have a great time.

Bar stops and how the refills work on this walk

Yes, the tour is called Drunk History, but you control the alcohol part. Drinks are not included, and the bar stops are built into the pacing so you don’t lose the story momentum.

You’ll pass dozens of bars at every turn. There are times when the guide will wait outside while the adults go inside to refill their cups, then you regroup and keep walking.

A practical upside: the bar stops are also a New Orleans crash course in what “historic bar culture” looks like. You’re not just ordering something random. You get the context of why certain places have reputations—and that makes the drinks feel like part of the show rather than a detour.

If you’d rather not drink, you can still enjoy the history and atmosphere. Just plan to stay close to your group, and be ready for the route to keep moving even when you’re skipping a refill.

Price and value: $28 for a 2-hour French Quarter night

At $28 per person for two hours, the tour is priced like a solid “experience ticket,” not a full meal-and-transport package. Since drinks are extra, the final cost depends on your own pace.

Here’s the value equation that makes sense for this tour:

• You’re paying for a guide to connect landmarks to stories.
• You’re getting multiple themes in one loop: burial practices, founding characters, voodoo lore, and paranormal legends.
• You’re also getting structured access to bars without needing to research every stop alone.

If your main goal is nightlife, you might end up wanting more drink time than this offers. If your goal is stories in a concentrated walking format, this price usually feels fair—especially if the guide’s style clicks with you.

Reviews repeatedly praise guides like Coty and others for humor, pacing, and answers to questions. That matters, because in a tour like this, the guide’s voice is the product.

Practical tips so you enjoy the walk (not just survive it)

Start with the basics: wear comfortable shoes. Two hours sounds short until you remember the French Quarter is cobblestone, tight corners, and stops that require you to keep track of where the group is.

Also note two boundaries that help the experience run smoothly:

• Video recording is not allowed.
• The supplier can refuse service if someone is extremely intoxicated, with no refund if that happens.

I’d also treat the night like you’ll be outside for the duration. Even if you take a quick break for a drink, you’re still walking most of the time.

Finally, if you’re solo or traveling with a smaller group, this can feel safer and more personal. Private group options are available, and in practice reviews mention situations where only two people joined, which can turn the tour into a more focused conversation.

Who should book this tour—and who might skip it

This fits best if you want a night in the Quarter that mixes history with legend. It’s especially good for people who like:

• voodoo and Marie Laveau stories tied to actual sites
• ghost-and-vampire lore as part of local culture
• a bar-in-the-mix format without committing to a full pub crawl
• guides who tell stories with energy and humor, like Coty

You might skip it if you want a quiet, strictly academic history walk. Also, if you hate bar stops or you don’t plan to spend on drinks, the concept of refills and multiple bars might feel less appealing.

Should you book the New Orleans Drunk History Walking Tour?

I think you should book it if you want one strong night that gives you a new lens on the French Quarter: burial vault logic, founding-era outlaws, voodoo sites, and spooky “reports” all connected by a living guide. The $28 price works best when you treat it as a guided storytelling experience and add only the drinks you actually want.

I’d book this tour early in your trip if possible. It helps you recognize the places you’ll pass later—and it gives you a framework for understanding why the Quarter’s myths keep sticking around.

If you like to walk, laugh, and learn the dark side without taking it too seriously, this one’s a good match.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans Drunk History Walking Tour?

The tour duration is 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $28 per person.

Where do I meet the guide?

Meet your guide on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70116. Tours do not meet inside the bar.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Drinks are not included. The tour includes passing bars and optional stops for refills.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

Is video recording allowed during the tour?

No. Video recording is not allowed.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, since it is a walking tour.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes, the live tour guide is English.