Ghosts and cocktails meet on Bourbon. This is a $15 storytelling walking tour where you mix French Quarter history with voodoo, ghost, and vampire tales, plus bar stops along the way. I like that it’s anchored by a local licensed guide and timed to keep moving, even while you stop for a drink. I also like that it gives you paranormal equipment for the fun, spooky angle. One thing to keep in mind: supernatural sightings aren’t guaranteed.

The tour runs about 1 to 2 hours at a moderate pace, starting at 941 Bourbon St and ending near Jackson Square. It’s run by a small, family-owned company that has operated this concept since 2014, and that experience shows in the way the tour is designed to feel like an easy first night out in New Orleans. You’ll get city history told in plain language with plenty of personality, and you’ll see key parts of the French Quarter as you walk.

Alcohol isn’t included, but you’re encouraged to buy drinks as you go, and the guide may adjust the vibe if someone gets too intoxicated. Photos are encouraged, but audio or video recording devices are not allowed during the tour. If you’re expecting a quiet museum-style experience, this isn’t that kind of night.

Key things to know before you go

• Bourbon St start at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop courtyard: meet by the gate, don’t wait inside.
• Two main story blocks: Lafitte’s area lore first, then a French Quarter walk through the darker legends.
• Paranormal equipment is included: check it out, use it on the tour, and return it before you leave.
• Drinks are purchase-on-your-own: bar stops are part of the show, not included in the ticket.
• No supernatural promises: it’s realistic entertainment, not a guaranteed ghost hunt.
• The tour is time-driven: the route depends on the schedule and bar crowding, so show up early.

What You Get for $15 in New Orleans

For $15, the value here isn’t in a fancy add-on. The value is in getting a guided walking night that combines three things people usually pay separately for: local storytelling, bar stops, and spooky theming.

You’re not paying for unlimited drinks. You’re paying for a guided experience that makes your French Quarter evening feel organized, social, and themed. And because the tour includes paranormal equipment, it gives you a way to participate instead of just listening.

Also, the duration is short. About 1 to 2 hours means you can still fit in dinner after, or keep the night going without the tour swallowing your whole evening. That matters in New Orleans, where plans can multiply fast once you’re walking the Quarter.

Meet on Bourbon Street: Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Courtyard, Not the Bar Interior

The tour starts at 941 Bourbon St at the sidewalk meeting point by the courtyard gate attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. You do not meet inside the bar, and the guide is starting on schedule.

This detail matters because the French Quarter can be busy, and “I’ll just be there in a minute” turns into “I missed the start.” The tour guide takes the group out at the scheduled time, and if you arrive even a few minutes late, you may not find the guide at the meeting spot anymore.

You’ll also want to plan around the walking. The company notes moderate pace and uneven, older streets. That’s not a reason to skip the tour, just a reminder to wear shoes you’re comfortable walking in, especially if you add a drink or two later.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar Stop: Voodoo, Ghost, and Vampire Storytelling

Stop one is the Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar area, and the tone is “step in, listen up, and take in the atmosphere.” This is where the tour sets expectations: you’ll get general New Orleans history, then the darker flavor—voodoo, ghost, and vampire stories—layered on top.

The bar stops are part of the format. The tour isn’t a lecture that ends at a doorstep. It’s designed so you’re walking and switching context, with chances to purchase drinks along the way. You’ll also use paranormal equipment during the experience if you want to play along.

One of the nicest touches is the kind of hosting you’re likely to run into. In the guide feedback, Coty and Cody come up as friendly, informative people who keep the energy up. That’s what you want on this kind of tour: someone who can balance facts with creepy storytelling without making it feel mean-spirited or forced.

A possible drawback at this stage is simple: bars can get busy. If you end up waiting to go in or waiting for the group to regroup, your 1-hour expectation can stretch toward 2 hours.

The French Quarter Walk: Sketchy History, Pirates, Felons, and the Rest

After Lafitte’s, you shift into the wider French Quarter story. This part is built around the idea that the Quarter has always had a shadow side, and the tour frames the famous neighborhood through characters and events that sound straight out of a thriller.

You can expect themes like pirates, convicted felons, and ladies of the night. It’s not about sanitized tourism. It’s about the French Quarter as it developed—plus the voodoo and paranormal angle that people associate with the city today.

This section is also about walking the neighborhood in a guided way. If you’ve only visited the Quarter for photo stops, this tour can give you a storyline so you’re not just looking at street corners. You start connecting street names, landmark vibes, and the “why does this place feel haunted” feeling to the kind of history the guide tells.

The other practical perk: you’re not trying to figure out where to go next. You’re led from stop to stop, so you can focus on the stories and the drinks, instead of constantly checking your map.

Paranormal Equipment: Use It for Fun, Not Certainty

The tour provides paranormal equipment for participants who want it, and there’s an important responsibility piece. You’ll check it out at the beginning and you must return it before leaving the tour group. The stated consequence for lost or damaged equipment is a $250 fee.

Also, set expectations correctly. The company is explicit that paranormal activity can’t be guaranteed. The tour is realistic entertainment, and you’re not promised that you’ll see a ghost, vampire, demon, or anything non-human on demand. The best way to enjoy the equipment is like you’d enjoy a prop in a suspense movie: you’re participating in the mood, not trying to force proof.

If you love ghost lore, this still has a strong appeal. Paranormal equipment turns the tour from passive listening into an activity. Even if nothing dramatic happens, you’ll still be part of the shared experience, and that’s where the fun usually lands.

Drinks, Bar Stops, and the Pace You’ll Actually Feel

This tour is a “drinks and stories” format, but it’s not an open bar. Alcoholic beverages are not included, and drinks/snacks are purchased along the route at various bars.

That affects how you plan your night. You’ll want to pace your own drinking since the route involves walking and regrouping. The tour operator notes they can refuse service to someone who is extremely intoxicated, which is a good safety rule even if you’re only out for one or two drinks.

As for pacing, the company calls it moderate. Bar crowding and wait time inside venues can slow things down, which is why the tour can land anywhere from 1 to 2 hours.

Practical advice for comfort:

• Wear shoes that handle uneven sidewalks.
• Bring a little water planning, since the French Quarter can feel long even on short walks.
• Keep an eye on time and don’t drift off. The tour rules say you should stay with your group, and the guide can’t stop the tour to let people wander off for photos.

Photos, Recording Rules, and How to Capture the Night

You’re allowed to take photos and you’re encouraged to. The company also notes time-stamped photos are taken at the start of each tour at the meeting location.

But there’s a line for recordings: audio or video recording devices are not allowed during the tour. That’s a helpful constraint to know up front. It also means the tour experience stays focused on what’s happening live—stories and bar atmosphere—rather than turning into a constant filming session.

If you love taking pictures, you’ll still have plenty of chances. Just follow the group schedule and aim your photos during stops rather than trying to step away mid-walk.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who It Doesn’t)

This is the kind of tour I’d point you to if you want a fun first night in the French Quarter and you like your history with a spooky soundtrack. It’s especially good if you enjoy:

• short guided walking with a clear start and finish,
• bar stops that feel integrated into the story,
• voodoo, ghost, and vampire themes told in plain language,
• the chance to use paranormal gear for interaction.

It may not fit if you need guaranteed supernatural experiences. The tour specifically says you shouldn’t expect that. It also might not be ideal if you want a quiet, sit-down format or if you dislike drinking-related bar hopping (even though drinks are optional and you can buy what you want or skip it at some stops).

Because the end point is near Jackson Square, it’s also a good choice if you’re already thinking about finishing your evening in that general area. You can roll right into more walking and people-watching afterward.

Final verdict: Should you book Cheers New Orleans?

I’d book it if you’re trying to mix three goals into one stop: French Quarter orientation, spooky New Orleans storytelling, and a social night that doesn’t require planning every minute. The price is low enough that you can justify it as entertainment value, and the time length is short enough that it won’t derail your whole day.

I would not book it if you’re expecting a ghost sighting on cue or if you get cranky when group tours are affected by bar crowds. Also be realistic about alcohol: drinks aren’t included, and the walking is part of the design.

If you do book, the best “make it go well” moves are simple: arrive a few minutes early at the Bourbon meeting gate, check that your mobile ticket is ready, and remember the paranormal equipment has to be returned before you leave the group. Do that, and you’re set up for exactly the kind of creepy-fun New Orleans night this tour is built around.

FAQ

How long is the Cheers New Orleans tour?

It lasts about 1 to 2 hours, depending on wait times inside bars and the pace of the group.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes a local licensed tour guide, the admission ticket, and the walking tour duration. Paranormal equipment is provided during the tour.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included. Drinks and snacks can be purchased along the route at various locations.

Where do I meet the tour guide?

Meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, LA 70116.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA 70116.

Is paranormal activity guaranteed?

No. The tour is for entertainment purposes only, and there is no guarantee you will encounter paranormal activity.

Are audio or video recordings allowed?

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