Spooky stories with a drink in hand can be fun. This French Quarter Drunken Ghost and Vampire Tour mixes local legends, tragedy, and a real EMF meter on a guided walk from Bourbon Street toward Jackson Square.

I like the simple setup: you start at a clear meeting point outside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop and then spend your 1–2 hours moving through the spookiest sights without getting lost. I also love the tone—people say the best guides keep it funny and history-heavy at the same time, with guides named Cody or Coty often singled out for great pacing and stories.

One thing to consider: this is a walking pub crawl with outside stops, so if you’re not into heat, noise, and bar crowds, you’ll want to plan your timing carefully (especially in peak summer conditions).

Key Points You Should Know Before Going

• A real EMF meter is part of the experience: you’ll use a paranormal/ghost detector (EMF-style) during the tour, not just talk.
• The route is built around landmark stories: Lafitte’s area, Jackson Square, and key French Quarter stops each match a specific legend.
• Drink stops are on the itinerary, but alcohol isn’t included: you can buy alcoholic drinks along the way and grab to-go where allowed.
• It’s paced for a moderate walk: some delays can happen if bars are busy, but it’s designed to keep moving.
• No private property and no trespassing: everything stays on public areas, and you won’t be directed into closed-off spaces.
• Group size stays under 50: you won’t be packed in like a mass-market bus tour.

Meeting Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Courtyard Gate on Bourbon Street

Your tour begins at 941 Bourbon St, at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. The key detail is that you meet at the gate outside the bar’s courtyard area—you do not meet inside Lafitte’s. It also matters that you should not hunt for the group on a random street corner; the correct spot is specific.

This is one of the best things about tours like this: getting oriented fast. Bourbon Street can feel like sensory overload, so having one clean landmark helps you start the night on the right foot. You’ll also check in at the scheduled time, and the tour starts when it’s supposed to—late arrivals may miss the group.

The 1–2 Hour Walk from Bourbon Street to Jackson Square

The tour runs about 1 to 2 hours. On paper, that sounds short. In the French Quarter, short can still mean a lot of story-time because the streets are compact and full of old architecture.

The tour ends at Jackson Square, which is convenient because it’s a natural “walk-off” point. If you want to keep exploring afterward, you’re basically already in the middle of the most scenic, photo-friendly zone.

Stop 1: Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar and Haunted French Quarter History

Stop one is built for atmosphere. You’ll admire French Quarter architecture while the guide ties the area to older city practices and darker tales, including hauntings, Voodoo, vampires, and ghosts.

This stop is also where the tour promises an investigation-style moment. You’ll hear about traditional burial practices and other tragic love stories that end in heartbreak. The tour also discusses the difference between vampires of legend and vampires of history, plus locations associated with vampire captivity stories.

What you should expect here:

• A guided walk-and-story format while you stand in the right spots to see the buildings
• A transition from general “spooky history” into the tour’s paranormal detector portion

Practical note: this tour uses a real EMF meter / ghost-paranormal detector. That doesn’t mean it will magically guarantee results, but it does mean you’re participating in an activity, not just listening.

Stop 2: Jackson Square for Julie, the Carter Brothers, and an Unsolved Mass Tragedy

Stop two is where the stories turn especially heartbreaking. You’re allowed to stop in local bars along the route and grab to-go drinks where available, then you return to the story at Jackson Square.

Here you’ll hear about Julie, described as New Orleans’ most predictable ghost, and you’ll get a tragic love-story framing for why that legend stuck around. The guide also covers the Carter Brothers, including that they were tried, convicted, and put to death, and that some people still claim to see them.

This is also connected to the largest mass murder in New Orleans history, described as unsolved—yet the “ghosts remain.”

Stop 3: French Quarter Drink Stops with Ongoing Vampire and Ghost Stories

Stop three is where the tour works like a pub crawl. You keep moving through the French Quarter while the guide blends:

• more ghost-and-vampire lore
• historical building context
• and additional drink stops along the route

The “fun” of this portion is that it doesn’t feel like you’re stuck at one or two fixed monuments. You’re seeing more of the neighborhood while the guide keeps pulling the thread from one legend to the next.

What Makes the Ghost-and-Vampire Stories Feel Different Here

If you’ve done “ghost tours” before, you’ll know the common pattern: a guide tells spooky tales, maybe with one photo stop. This tour tries to add two layers.

First, it emphasizes local context. Instead of treating the French Quarter like a stage set, the guide ties the stories to actual places, architecture, and older city practices—especially around burials and how different eras handled grief and death.

Second, it distinguishes between legend and “history.” That matters, because it keeps the tour from becoming pure fantasy. The guide’s framing on vampires is especially specific: you’re taught the difference between well-known vampire myth and the idea of vampire stories as something that’s been claimed through time.

And that mixing of lore + place is what people seem to like most when the guide is firing on all cylinders. In the same group of stories, you can get light humor, then a darker turn, then back to a historical connection again.

How Drink Stops Work (and How to Keep It Fun)

You won’t be served included alcohol as part of the price. Alcoholic drinks are available to purchase on the route, and the tour is designed around the idea that you’ll buy what you want.

The tour does allow practical bar behavior:

• You can stop in local bars along the route.
• You can grab to-go drinks where it’s allowed.
• Bars can be busy, which can add a little time and affect pacing.

The trade-off is also real: you’re walking through a party neighborhood, so expect crowd noise and the occasional “wait for the next step.” Still, the overall structure keeps you moving, and the pacing is described as moderate.

Safety note you should take seriously: the tour operator says they can refuse service to anyone showing signs of extreme intoxication. That’s not just legal cover—it’s also how they keep the group functioning.

The EMF Detector Moment: What You’re Really Signing Up For

This tour uses a real electromagnetic radiation detector described as a paranormal/ghost detector, and an EMF meter is used during the investigation-style portions.

Here’s the honest value of that setup: it adds a hands-on element that turns the night into an activity. You’re not just asked to believe. You’re asked to participate while the guide explains what they’re looking for.

At the same time, you should go in with the right expectations. The tour is described as entertainment purposes only, and there’s no guarantee you’ll encounter paranormal activity. In other words, if you want science proof, you won’t get it here. If you want a fun ritual-like night where the guide mixes stories and a detector for atmosphere, this fits well.

Also pay attention to the rules around paranormal equipment:

• Equipment can be checked out.
• It’s tracked (marked and tracked via GPS).
• If something is lost or damaged, a $250 fee is mentioned.
• You need to request it during check-in if you’re interested.

So if you’re the type to set devices down casually, adjust your behavior. Treat it like borrowed gear that has to come back intact.

Rules That Matter in the French Quarter (So You Don’t Lose Time)

A few “small” rules make a big difference on a short walking tour:

• No audio or video recording is allowed during the tour.
• Photos are allowed and encouraged, and time-stamped photos are taken at the meeting location at the start.
• The tour stays on public property and does not enter private property.
• You’re told not to ring doorbells of private homes and to respect residents.

If you keep those in mind, you’ll avoid the two quickest ways a tour gets awkward: getting too curious about private entrances, or trying to record during story time when the guide needs to control the group.

Guides Can Make or Break This Tour

The experience seems to rise or fall with the guide’s energy and storytelling flow. In the feedback, guides such as Cody and Coty come up repeatedly, often for being fun, funny, and strong on French Quarter facts. You’ll also see mention of guides like Gabe, with notes about humor and enthusiasm.

That pattern makes sense for this kind of tour. When you’re mixing drink stops with spooky history, timing and voice matter. A guide who can thread it together—without rushing—makes the night feel like a story with momentum rather than a checklist of stops.

Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Should Skip It)

This tour fits you if you want:

• a French Quarter ghost tour that still feels social
• a drink-friendly walking format with history
• an EMF detector moment for participation
• stories that connect the French Quarter to tragedy, legends, and folklore

You might think twice if:

• you hate walking (even moderate pace) or struggle in heat
• you want a strictly quiet, museum-style tour
• you dislike bar crowds or waiting for entry in busy spots
• you’re hoping for guaranteed paranormal results

It also helps to consider group dynamics. The tour has a maximum of 50 travelers, which is fairly manageable, but it’s not a private stroll.

Should You Book the French Quarter Drunken Ghost and Vampire Tour?

My take: this is a good value for what it tries to deliver—an easy-to-follow French Quarter night that’s part ghost storytelling, part pub crawl, and part hands-on detector moment.

At $19.25 per person, you’re paying for:

• a licensed guide
• a set route with multiple landmark stories
• drink stops along the way (with alcohol purchased separately)
• the EMF detector activity for atmosphere and participation

If you book, do it with the right mindset: this is entertainment with rules, not a paranormal lab and not a guaranteed ghost sighting. Also plan for the weather. The tour is run rain or shine, and New Orleans heat can change the whole experience fast.

If you want a spooky night that still feels social and keeps moving, this is a solid choice.

FAQ

How long is the French Quarter Drunken Ghost and Vampire Tour?

Tours last about 1 to 2 hours. The walk is moderate paced, and the total time can stretch depending on how busy the bars are.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. The tour does not meet inside the bar.

Where does the tour end?

The tour concludes in Jackson Square.

Is alcohol included in the ticket price?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included. Drinks are available to purchase along the route, and the tour allows to-go drinks along the way where permitted.

Do you actually use an EMF/paranormal detector?

Yes. The tour uses a real electromagnetic radiation detector / EMF meter (a paranormal/ghost detector) during the experience.

Are ghost or vampire encounters guaranteed?

No. The tour is described as entertainment purposes only, and there’s no guarantee you’ll see paranormal activity.

Can I take photos or record video?

Photos are encouraged. Audio or video recording devices are not allowed during the tour.

Can I use paranormal equipment during the tour?

You can use paranormal equipment, but it must be checked out at the beginning of the tour. The equipment is tracked, and a $250 fee is mentioned for lost, damaged, or missing items.

Is the tour rain or shine?

Yes, the tour is described as rain-or-shine. Weather and conditions can still affect the schedule, so be ready for real outdoor walking time.