Ghost hunting and bar stops beat a museum. This New Orleans Drunk History walk mixes French Quarter legends with real local stops, including Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop and the big landmarks around Jackson Square. Two things I like a lot: you get a guide who tells the stories with energy, and you also get to use a real EMF meter to try to spot paranormal activity.

You’ll be moving at a moderate pace for about 1–2 hours, with multiple bar stops along the way, so it feels like an evening plan, not a lecture. The tour also leans into spooky themes like ghosts, voodoo ceremonies, and vampires, while still grounding it in the neighborhood’s history and texture. One drawback to plan around: the tour isn’t a guaranteed ghost sighting show, and the walking route can get delayed by bar crowds or weather.

Key things to know before you go

• Real EMF equipment: you’re given a paranormal detector to use during the tour, with check-out and check-in rules.
• French Quarter focused: the walking stays inside the French Quarter for the main portion of the experience.
• Bar stops are part of the route: you can grab to-go drinks, but drinks are not included.
• A local guide steers the night: multiple guides are credited for humor, pacing, and crowd control in the busy Quarter.
• Expect around 10 stops: not every location listed is visited; you’ll hit a mix of sights and bar stops.
• No private-property hopping: all stops are on public areas, so you won’t be wandering into locked-up spaces.

Entering Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Energy on Bourbon Street

This tour starts right where the French Quarter story gets loud: 941 Bourbon Street, at the courtyard gate attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. You don’t go inside the bar as part of the tour, but you’ll use it as your landmark to meet up and get oriented. In a neighborhood full of competing plans, a clear starting point matters.

From the moment you check in, you’re doing two things at once. First, you’re getting your bearings in a maze of narrow streets, doors, and courtyards. Second, you’re shifting your brain into story mode, where the guide connects what you see to what the neighborhood claims happened here.

A practical note: arrive a few minutes early. The tour starts on schedule, and late arrivals can miss the group. I’d also keep your phone charged; during tours, the guide can’t take calls after departure.

The Route: What 10 Stops Looks Like in Real Life

The tour covers about 10 locations, plus bar stops, and stays inside the French Quarter for the duration of the walk. That design makes sense if you want variety without spending your whole night bouncing around New Orleans.

Here’s how it typically feels on the ground:

• You’ll have short bursts of walking between sights.
• Each stop comes with a story, then you move on quickly.
• Bar stops slow things down a bit, since you’re grabbing drinks to-go or stepping into a bar briefly.

Some people are surprised by the number of stops versus the time they expected. That’s not necessarily bad—it usually means the guide keeps moving and the route is active. Just know that if your idea of a tour is one long stop with lots of drinking, this isn’t built for that.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar Stop: Dark Legends and a Cold Start

Your first stop is at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, which is a big deal on Bourbon Street for anyone who likes old-school New Orleans vibes. The story focus here is the neighborhood’s darker side—think ghosts, vampires, and voodoo legends tied to the French Quarter’s reputation.

This opening works because it sets tone fast. You’re not easing in with light facts about architecture. You’re getting the “why people talk about this place” energy right away, then you carry it forward as you walk.

You’ll also hear that the group will investigate paranormal activity using a real EMF meter / ghost detector. That promise is part of the fun of this tour: you’re told you’ll actually try equipment during the walk, not just hear spooky talk.

French Quarter Story Mode: Jackson Square Area and the Supernatural Thread

After the start, the tour continues with the French Quarter as the home base, including major landmarks like Jackson Square and the area around St. Louis Cathedral. That combination is a smart move because those spaces are iconic even if you’re not a history nerd.

The content leans into supernatural forces—ghosts, voodoo ceremonies, and other haunting legends that people associate with the Quarter. The key is how the guide delivers it: multiple guests have praised guides for being funny and engaging without turning it into a parody.

Also, because the tour is walking-based, you’ll see how these legends live in the street layout. Courtyards, doorways, and the way buildings line up on narrow streets can make any story feel more believable.

Bar Stops and To-Go Drinks: How the Night Actually Works

This is where the tour gets its name, but it also has a built-in reality check.

Drinks are not included, and you purchase along the route. The tour does offer to-go drink options, so you can keep walking without spending the entire night seated. That’s a real advantage if you want the social vibe but you also want to see things.

So what should you do with your expectations? Think of the bar stops as part of the storytelling setting. You’re not buying tickets for a drink package. You’re paying for a guided route with planned pauses where you can grab a drink if you want.

If you’re the type who loves tasting new local cocktails, you’ll likely have fun with the guide’s suggestions. Many guests specifically mention the bar recommendations and how it helped them find good places to continue after the tour.

Using the EMF Meter: Fun Physics With Strict Rules

One of the most distinctive parts of this tour is the use of a real EMF meter during the walk. If you’re into weird little experiments—tracking, checking, comparing—that’s exactly the style of activity that turns a ghost story tour into something you can participate in.

Just don’t treat it like magic. This is explicitly for entertainment, and there’s no guarantee you’ll encounter paranormal activity. The goal is the attempt: you’ll get to use equipment and “try to detect ghosts” as you move between stops.

The equipment rules matter:

• You request or check out the equipment during the tour.
• You must return it before you leave.
• There’s a $250 fee listed for lost, damaged, or missing equipment.

So if you take the EMF meter, be careful with it—don’t drop it, don’t pass it around, and keep it in a safe pocket or hold it properly.

The Guide Factor: Why Cody’s Storytelling Gets Mentioned

A huge part of why this tour rates well is the delivery. The same guide name, Cody, shows up repeatedly in positive feedback—credited for being informative, entertaining, and good at keeping a group together in a crowded Quarter.

What I’d take from that, as advice for you: show up ready to listen and let the guide run the rhythm. If you wander off for photos or you break from the group, the tour gets harder to manage and you can miss later stops.

You’ll also benefit from the guide’s local framing. This tour isn’t just “spooky for spooky.” It ties the legends to what’s on the street—so the stories feel connected to the place, not floating above it.

Pace, Crowds, and Weather: The Parts That Can Shift

The tour is described as moderate paced walking, and the duration is typically 1–2 hours. Time can stretch if bars are busy, since the group needs to handle those pauses in real time.

Weather matters here too. New Orleans can swing fast—hot then cool, or suddenly rainy. The tour is rain-or-shine in the operator details, but heavy weather can still affect how long things feel comfortable.

If you’re touring on a tight schedule, keep a little buffer after your tour. You’ll finish in the heart of the French Quarter, which is perfect for dinner and night wandering, but you don’t want to be sprinting to catch a reservation the minute you’re done.

Value for $21: When This Is a Great Deal

At $21 per person, this tour competes well with other French Quarter activities because you get a package-style experience:

• a guided walk
• a set route with multiple stops
• bar pauses where you can grab drinks
• and optional paranormal equipment use

It’s not a bargain if you want an all-inclusive bar crawl with free alcohol. Drinks are on you. It’s also not a bargain if you expect guaranteed paranormal events. The company is clear that there’s no guarantee you’ll see anything supernatural.

But for the sweet spot—someone who wants a fun, local-feeling walk that mixes history and spooky lore with real participation—this price can feel like a solid entry into the Quarter’s night culture.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)

This is a great fit if you:

• want an easy way to learn the French Quarter story without hiring a private guide
• like ghost lore and alternative explanations for what you see around Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral
• enjoy walking with a group and stopping for drinks along the way
• want to do something playful that still feels tied to actual locations

I’d think twice if you:

• hate walking and need a mostly seated experience
• strongly prefer to avoid any alcohol-related environment
• want a tour that includes drinks in the ticket price
• are the type who will be upset if the EMF meter doesn’t magically confirm ghosts

Should You Book the New Orleans Drunk History Tour?

Yes, if you’re aiming for an entertaining French Quarter evening with real local stops, a guide who can keep the group engaged, and a hands-on paranormal element. The best version of this tour is the one where you lean into the stories, enjoy the bar pauses, and treat the EMF meter as part science experiment, part fun.

But I’d also go in with two sensible precautions. First, build in some time flexibility, because bar crowds and weather can affect pacing. Second, keep a backup plan for your night in case plans shift—this is a walking tour with scheduled departure, and the operator notes that routes and timing can change.

If you want a low-cost way to turn the French Quarter from scenery into a story you can repeat later, this one is worth putting on your list.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans Drunk History Tour?

The walking tour lasts about 1 to 2 hours, with the exact time influenced by bar wait times and the group keeping schedule.

Where does the tour start?

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

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends in the heart of the French Quarter.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are available to purchase along the route.

Does the tour include a guide?

Yes. A local guide runs the group tour.

Do we actually use paranormal equipment?

Yes. A real EMF meter / ghost detector is used during the tour, and you can request to use the equipment.

Is it allowed to bring children?

Children under 18 are not admitted without a parent or guardian unless authorized by one of the tour guides. Some bars may not allow children.

Is alcohol allowed during the tour?

Alcohol is allowed during the tour, but the operator can refuse service to anyone showing signs of extreme intoxication.

Can I record video or audio on the tour?

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

What is the cancellation timeframe?

The booking info lists free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The operator terms also describe no refunds in some situations, so it’s best to review your confirmation details for your exact booking.