REVIEW · NEW ORLEANS
Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl Party with Free Shot
Book on Viator →Operated by Big Easy Walking Tours · Bookable on Viator
Ghosts, drinks, and French Quarter streets in one night.
This 2-hour tour mixes haunted New Orleans storytelling with actual bar time, starting with drink specials and a free shot right away. You’ll move through several well-known spooky locations where the city’s dark past is part of the walls, not just part of the script.
I love two things most: you can go inside bars (not just peek from the sidewalk), and you get the social energy of a pub crawl while still hearing real place-based stories. The Mardi Gras beads and drink discounts make the whole evening feel like you’re hanging with locals who know where the fun turns creepy.
One thing to keep in mind: the vibe can lean more toward history and tragedy than dramatic sightings. And while the itinerary lists multiple big-name stops, a few people have said not every stop was included on their specific night—so stay flexible and pay attention to the route as you go.
In This Review
- Key highlights to know before you go
- A two-hour ghost tour that’s really a pub crawl
- Price and value: what $19 really buys you
- Meeting on Frenchmen Street: logistics that affect your night
- Stop 1: BMC Balcony Music Club and your free-shot start
- Stop 2: Lalaurie Mansion stop with the American Horror Story link
- Stop 3: Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar for inside-bar listening
- Stop 4: Andrew Jackson Hotel and the camera moment
- How much is “haunting,” and how much is history?
- Who this ghost pub crawl is best for
- Guide style matters: you might want to request Clarissa
- Tips to make your night go smoother
- Should you book this ghost tour and haunted pub crawl?
- FAQ
- How long is the ghost tour and haunted pub crawl party?
- How much does the tour cost?
- Where does the tour start and end?
- What’s included in the price?
- Are drinks included, or do I pay for everything?
- What language is the tour offered in?
- How big is the group?
- Is there free cancellation?
- Is the tour tied to weather?
Key highlights to know before you go

- Free shot kick-off: You start with drink specials and a free shot early in the night.
- Inside-bar access: At least some stops let you step into the bar, order a drink, and listen in.
- French Quarter landmarks with a reputation: Locations tied to infamous New Orleans stories are all walkable from the start point.
- Camera time at the final stretch: You’re encouraged to bring a camera for the “apparitions on film” moment.
- Small group feel: Up to 28 people, so it doesn’t turn into a stampede.
- Good value if you like bar hopping: For $19, you’re not just paying for narration—you’re getting a shot plus discounted drinks.
A two-hour ghost tour that’s really a pub crawl

If you’re picturing a sit-still, whisper-only ghost tour, this one is more fun than that. It’s built around the French Quarter nightlife rhythm: meet, walk, stop in, get a drink, hear a story, repeat. The format fits perfectly if you want a “starter” activity before you find your own late-night plans.
At $19 per person and about two hours total, you’re buying convenience and energy. You get a guided route through multiple haunted-feeling spots, plus at least one included alcoholic shot. That matters because New Orleans can be pricey if you’re trying to bar hop on your own without a plan.
The tour also ends where the party is easy to continue. You don’t finish stranded in the middle of nowhere; you finish back in the French Quarter area with another bar option waiting.
You can also read our reviews of more nightlife experiences in New Orleans
Price and value: what $19 really buys you

Let’s talk straight value. Nineteen dollars can feel small for a guided experience, but this one stacks the benefits:
- One included shot plus drink discounts at the stops
- Complimentary Mardi Gras beads
- A local/professional guide leading the whole walk
- Access to a few high-profile haunted locations over a tight timeline
So you’re not paying only for fear. You’re paying for a guided evening plan that naturally leads to spending time in bars. If you already planned to drink anyway, the included shot and discounts can make the tour feel like the cheapest ticket into a more organized night.
If you’re not a drinker, the value drops a bit, because the experience is clearly designed around bars and spirits. Still, you can enjoy the storytelling—just have your expectations set to “fun spooky tour,” not “movie-style haunt.”
Meeting on Frenchmen Street: logistics that affect your night

The tour starts at 507 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116, and it ends at MRB Bar & Kitchen, 515 St Philip St, New Orleans, LA 70116. That’s a useful spread because both are in the French Quarter orbit, meaning you’re not spending your limited time on long commutes.
You’ll need a mobile ticket, and the tour is offered in English. It’s also limited to a maximum of 28 travelers, which helps keep the group manageable on crowded sidewalks.
A quick practical note: this experience runs on a schedule and depends on good weather. If weather cancels it, you should expect a different date or a full refund. For planning, I’d still bring a light layer and consider comfortable shoes—this is walking through neighborhoods where the “stroll” part adds up.
Stop 1: BMC Balcony Music Club and your free-shot start

Your first stop is BMC Balcony Music Club. The time on this one is short—about 15 minutes—but it’s intentionally front-loaded with atmosphere.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Meet and mingle
- Drink specials
- A FREE SHOT given as the host starts the stories
- A jump into the darker side of New Orleans history immediately
This is a smart opener because it gets you settled with your group and your drink before the ghost stories get heavier. You also get a chance to ask questions and learn how your guide handles the pacing—whether they’re quick and punchy or more theatrical.
Potential downside? If you’re hoping for a long, deep briefing at each stop, this first one won’t be it. It’s meant to get you moving and keep the energy high.
Stop 2: Lalaurie Mansion stop with the American Horror Story link

Next up is the Lalaurie Mansion, where you’ll spend about 30 minutes. This stop is built for people who like their haunting stories tied to recognizable New Orleans names.
What makes this location interesting is the cultural footprint:
- The mansion is linked to American Horror Story filming, so it already has a pop-culture layer in your mind.
- The tour focuses on the horrendous stories associated with the place as part of the broader French Quarter haunting timeline.
In practical terms, this stop is where the tour often shifts from party energy toward heavier legend. You’ll want to be ready for that mood change. If you want your whole night to feel like a comedy set, this is the part where it turns more serious.
Also, because you’re outside and walking through the neighborhood, be ready for the usual French Quarter reality: crowds, street noise, and people passing by. It doesn’t ruin the experience, but it can affect how clearly you hear every detail.
You can also read our reviews of more drinking tours in New Orleans
Stop 3: Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar for inside-bar listening

Then you hit Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar for another 30 minutes. This is one of the stops people remember because it connects two things that New Orleans does well: old-world atmosphere and wild stories.
What you can expect from this location:
- A “sip where pirates plotted” kind of vibe
- An emphasis on how phantoms linger where people drink and gather
- A bar setting that supports the tour’s main promise: some ghost tours keep you outside—this one gets you into the bar scene
This is also a good stop for your personal pacing. If you want to take photos, order another drink, or just absorb the mood for a minute, you’ll likely have enough time to do it without feeling rushed.
One caution: because this is a real bar with real patrons, there’s no guarantee the environment will feel perfectly quiet. You’re choosing this tour because you want the buzz. If you’re expecting a library-level soundscape, adjust your expectations.
Stop 4: Andrew Jackson Hotel and the camera moment

Your last named stop is the Andrew Jackson Hotel area. You’ll get about 30 minutes here, and the tour leans into a fun, spooky gimmick.
The key detail: you’ll be encouraged to bring your camera to try for apparitions on film. Whether you get anything is up to the universe, but it gives you a reason to look closely and stay playful instead of rolling your eyes and rushing to the next bar.
You’ll also explore the spooky backstreets of the French Quarter filled with paranormal legends. This is where the tour feels most like a guided stroll—less about one building and more about the feeling of walking through a place layered with stories.
How much is “haunting,” and how much is history?

This is where you should calibrate your expectations.
The tour is clearly built on storytelling—the kind that uses well-known locations and dark local events to explain why the area feels haunted. That means you’ll often get:
- tragedy-themed legends
- infamous local details
- a sense of place that’s more atmospheric than supernatural
Some people come in craving clear evidence of ghosts or spooky sightings. If that’s you, you might feel the tour is more “history with a creepy grin” than “proof of the paranormal.” On the other hand, if you love New Orleans for its layered past—slavery-era legacies, voodoo culture, tragic events, and famous names—this format hits a sweet spot.
The good news: the included shot and bar stops keep the mood light enough that you don’t feel like you’re trapped in a lecture.
Who this ghost pub crawl is best for
I think this tour fits best if you are:
- traveling with friends or a partner and want an easy, social night plan
- a French Quarter first-timer who wants a guided way to learn why certain streets feel different
- someone who likes bar atmosphere and doesn’t mind some crowd noise
It also works well for people celebrating a birthday or a girls weekend vibe. The added touches—like beads and drink specials—make it feel like more than just a walk with facts.
If you’re the type who hates walking, the tour might test your patience. It’s still reasonable at about two hours, but you’ll be on your feet and moving between spots.
Guide style matters: you might want to request Clarissa
One of the biggest differences between “good” and “great” tours in New Orleans is the guide’s storytelling style. This tour has had standout hosts, with names that keep showing up like Pandi, Clarissa, Wendy, and Quay.
What matters for you:
- Some guides bring a high-energy storytelling style that keeps the group laughing and paying attention.
- Some guides are more history-forward and may spend more time on tragedy than spooky sightings.
If you care a lot about the vibe, it’s worth seeing whether Clarissa is available when you book. People strongly respond to her energy and the way she mixes stories with practical directions on where to stand.
Tips to make your night go smoother
A little prep goes a long way on a bar-based ghost tour.
- Wear shoes you can walk in. French Quarter sidewalks add up fast.
- Bring a camera if you want to participate in the last-stop photo moment.
- Go with a party mindset, but pace your drinks. You’re walking and listening, not sitting.
- Have your expectations set: you’re here for haunted storytelling and bar atmosphere more than lab-grade paranormal evidence.
- Stay aware of timing. The stop durations are short, so if you’re ordering, do it quickly when your guide builds in drink time.
Should you book this ghost tour and haunted pub crawl?
Book it if you want a fun spook night that combines guided stories with actual bar access and included perks. At $19, it’s a strong value if you like the idea of hearing New Orleans legends while sipping at places like Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar.
Skip it or think twice if you need:
- long, detailed “ghost case file” stories at each location
- a guarantee that every listed stop will happen on your exact night
- a tour that feels quiet and strictly supernatural
My best advice: if you’re visiting New Orleans and you want one easy, organized activity that gets you into the French Quarter mood fast, this is a solid choice. It’s built for a night you’ll remember for both the stories and the atmosphere.
FAQ
How long is the ghost tour and haunted pub crawl party?
It’s listed as about 2 hours.
How much does the tour cost?
The price is $19.00 per person.
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?
The tour includes one alcoholic shot and drink discounts, plus complimentary Mardi Gras beads, a local/professional guide, and visits to haunted bars and locations.
Are drinks included, or do I pay for everything?
You get ONE shot included, and you’ll also have drink discounts during stops.
What language is the tour offered in?
The tour is offered in English.
How big is the group?
The tour has a maximum of 28 travelers.
Is there free cancellation?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Is the tour tied to weather?
Yes, it requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.































