French Quarter Drunken Ghost and Vampire Tour

Ghost stories are better with a drink in hand. This French Quarter walk mixes New Orleans history, vampire lore, and haunted tales with stops where you can buy drinks to go. I like the easy route from Bourbon Street to Jackson Square, and I like that you can test the spooky claims with a real EMF paranormal detector. The main concern is reliability, since several recent bookings were canceled or left waiting for a guide.

The tour costs $19.25 per person, before drinks and gratuity, which is a fair price for roughly one to two hours of storytelling. I also like the chance to hear about burial customs, tragic romances, Voodoo, and documented vampire stories instead of getting only a string of jump scares. Still, this is a walking history-and-entertainment tour, not a guarantee of supernatural activity.

Key things to know before you book

• The meeting point is specific: Meet at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, not inside the bar and not simply at a street corner.
• The route ends at Jackson Square: You get a useful French Quarter walk, with stories and drink stops along the way.
• Coty and Cody receive the strongest praise: These guides are repeatedly described as funny, personable, and good at mixing local history with spooky tales.
• You pay for your own drinks: Bars and takeout windows are available, but alcohol is not included in the $19.25 ticket.
• The paranormal detector is real equipment: You may request an EMF meter, but you must check it out and return it before leaving.
• Cancellations are the biggest risk: The tour can change or be canceled for weather, heat, low enrollment, or scheduling problems, so keep a backup plan.

What this French Quarter tour actually is

This is a moderate-paced walking tour with a pub-crawl flavor. It is designed for people who want a little history, a little horror, and a drink along the way. The tour lasts about one to two hours, with the exact length affected by bar waits and the pace of the group.

I would think of it as a moving conversation through the French Quarter rather than a staged haunted house. You walk public streets, stop near historic buildings, hear stories tied to specific places, and sometimes investigate with an EMF meter. The tour is for entertainment, and no one can promise that a ghost, vampire, or other supernatural being will appear.

That distinction matters. If you want carefully sourced New Orleans history with spooky material woven through it, this should suit you. If you expect a dramatic apparition on cue, you may leave disappointed. The experience itself makes that point clearly, and the practical value lies in the guide’s storytelling, local context, and route.

The group can reach up to 50 people, so the atmosphere may vary. A small booking could feel relaxed and personal, while a full departure may feel more like a public walking tour. Some of the strongest praise has gone to Coty or Cody, who is described as funny, friendly, and able to hold a group’s attention. Other guide experiences appear more mixed, so the individual guide can make a real difference.

Starting at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

The meeting point is at 941 Bourbon Street, beside the courtyard gate attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. This detail is easy to miss, so arrive a few minutes early and look for the guide outside. Do not go into the bar expecting the staff to check you in. The tour operator is not affiliated with the bar, and the bartenders do not manage the tour.

Lafitte’s is a useful starting point because it immediately puts you in the old French Quarter setting. From here, the guide begins with architecture and local history before moving into stories about hauntings, Voodoo, vampires, ghosts, and New Orleans burial customs.

I like this opening approach. New Orleans supernatural stories make more sense when you understand the city’s buildings, cemeteries, burial practices, and long record of violence, romance, and religious tradition. The setting does much of the work, and you do not need special equipment to enjoy the first part of the walk.

The timing is strict. The group leaves at the scheduled departure time, and a late arrival may mean missing the tour with no refund. If you are staying somewhere unfamiliar, give yourself extra time to find the courtyard gate. The French Quarter can be confusing, especially at night, and this is not a meeting point where you want to arrive at the last second.

Stories of ghosts, vampires, and tragic love

The storytelling covers several kinds of New Orleans lore. You hear about traditional burial customs, historic crimes, Voodoo, ghost sightings, and romances that end badly. The guide also explains the difference between vampires of legend and people described as vampires in historical accounts.

That last distinction gives the tour more substance than a basic spooky walk. You are not simply asked to accept every tale as fact. The material includes folklore, documented incidents, local stories, and claims about supernatural activity. I like that mixture, as long as you listen with a sense of humor and keep your expectations realistic.

One featured story concerns Julie, described as one of the city’s most predictable ghosts. Her story is tied to a tragic love affair, which fits the tour’s general style: a real place, an emotional story, and a supernatural ending.

You also hear about the Carter Brothers, who were tried, convicted, and executed, yet are still said to appear to some people. Another stop relates to New Orleans’ largest mass murder, an unsolved crime whose ghosts are said to remain. These stories give the walk a darker edge, but the guide’s presentation matters. The strongest accounts describe Coty or Cody as able to add humor without losing the unsettling side of the material.

The route also includes places connected with supposed vampire activity, including stories about victims being held captive. There is discussion of the Ursuline Convent and its connection to early vampire tales in the United States, as well as the idea of present-day vampires in the French Quarter. Some of this is folklore, some is historical discussion, and some belongs to modern local legend.

Jackson Square and the final stretch

The tour finishes in Jackson Square, giving you a clear endpoint in one of the French Quarter’s best-known public spaces. Along the way, you continue hearing stories about buildings, crimes, ghosts, and vampire lore while moving through the neighborhood.

Jackson Square is a practical ending. You are not dropped at a private residence or an obscure side street. From there, you can continue exploring the Quarter, find a bar or restaurant, or make your way toward another part of New Orleans. The end point also makes this tour useful as an early-evening orientation walk, provided the departure time works for your plans.

The route takes place on public property. You should stay with the group, avoid trespassing, and respect the people who live in the French Quarter. Do not ring doorbells or block sidewalks for photographs. The streets and walkways can be old and uneven, so wear stable shoes and watch your footing, especially after a drink.

The operator says that audio and video recording are not allowed, while photos are encouraged. If you want to take pictures, do so without wandering away from the group. The guide needs to keep moving, and the tour is not built around long photo stops.

Using the EMF paranormal detector

The paranormal equipment is one of the more unusual features for a $19.25 walking tour. A real electromagnetic field meter, often called an EMF meter, is available for use during the experience. You need to request the equipment at check-in and provide your name, phone number, address, and booking reference.

The equipment must be returned before you leave. The operator says each item is marked and tracked, with a $250 charge for equipment that is lost or damaged. That is a serious responsibility, so do not treat the meter like a toy or hand it casually to someone else in your group.

I like this feature because it gives you something active to do. Instead of only listening to the guide, you can take part in the investigation. But an EMF reading does not prove that a ghost is present. Electrical activity can have ordinary causes, and the tour itself does not promise paranormal contact.

The best way to enjoy the equipment is as part of the fun. Let it add suspense to the walk, but judge the stories on their historical and storytelling value too. The detector is a bonus, not the reason to book the tour by itself.

Drink stops and the meaning of drunken

The word drunken in the title signals the mood more than an included feature. Alcoholic drinks are not part of the ticket price. You can stop at local bars or purchase drinks from takeout windows along the route, but you pay for everything you order.

This arrangement gives you flexibility. You can buy a drink, skip the alcohol, or use the stops as short breaks. One particularly enthusiastic account mentions several drink stops and a Ghost Buster cocktail at a local bar. Another suggests that the guide offered good bar and food recommendations.

Do not assume the tour will visit a fixed number of bars. The route and stops can change, and busy venues may slow the group. One person who otherwise enjoyed the walk wanted more drink stops, which tells you something useful: this is not necessarily a full pub crawl with a drink in every venue.

You also need to pace yourself. The group walks through public streets, and the operator can refuse service to anyone who is extremely intoxicated. If you become too impaired and the guide cancels your participation, the terms say you will not receive a refund.

For families, the bar element needs planning. Children under 18 require a parent or guardian, and not every bar allows children inside. Takeout windows provide an alternative, but the operator does not promise that every stop will work for children.

Guide quality matters more than the ghost count

The clearest strength of this experience is the guide. Coty, also spelled Cody in some accounts, receives repeated praise for being funny, personable, entertaining, and well informed about New Orleans buildings and history. Several descriptions say he made the tour feel authentic rather than overly rehearsed.

One group had what felt like a private tour because only two people attended, while another group of 16 enjoyed his patience and delivery. That range shows how much the group size can change the experience. With fewer people, you may ask more questions and have more room to interact. With a larger group, you get a social night out, but it may be harder to hear or engage.

Not every experience is equally strong. One person felt the guide talked more about himself than about New Orleans. Another said the tour delivered interesting facts but not enough ghosts or vampires. That is a fair warning if the supernatural material is your main reason for booking.

I would book this for the guide-led atmosphere, local stories, and French Quarter setting, not for guaranteed scares. A good guide can make a disputed tale entertaining without pretending that it is proven fact. The best accounts suggest that Coty or Cody does exactly that.

Price, value, and what you really pay

At $19.25 per person, the ticket is inexpensive by New Orleans tour standards. You receive a licensed local guide and a walking experience lasting about one to two hours. Drinks, tips, and any extra purchases cost more.

The value is strongest if you want a short evening activity that combines sightseeing and entertainment. You get a route through the French Quarter, stories tied to actual locations, possible drink stops, and access to a paranormal detector. You do not get admission to a private haunted building, a meal, transportation, or alcohol.

The ticket also works well for a first visit because it may help you notice buildings and streets you would otherwise pass without context. One person specifically wished they had taken the tour earlier in their trip, since the guide pointed out places worth returning to later.

I would budget for the ticket, at least one drink if that is part of your plan, and a tip for the guide. Gratuity is not included. If the tour runs closer to two hours because of bar waits, the low ticket price still compares well with many short city walks, but the value depends heavily on the guide showing up and the tour running as scheduled.

Reliability, weather, and cancellation concerns

This is the area where I would be most careful. Several recent bookings describe a guide who did not arrive, a cancellation sent near the start time, or a refund that was still pending. Other accounts describe helpful messages, alternate departure times, and a tour that went ahead successfully.

The operator can cancel for low enrollment, weather, heat advisories, or other conditions. In July 2025, a departure was delayed because New Orleans faced an extreme heat warning with heat index readings forecast as high as 114 degrees. Offering later departures in that situation was a sensible safety decision, but it still disrupted plans for people with early flights.

The general booking terms say you may cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the start time. They also say that changes inside 24 hours are not accepted. The information also includes different language about weather cancellations, including the possibility of a replacement date, tour credit, or refund, so read the exact terms attached to your booking and keep your phone available for text updates.

I would not schedule this on the final night of a short New Orleans visit if missing it would ruin your plans. The tour is often booked about 16 days ahead, but advance booking does not remove the possibility of a low-enrollment or operational cancellation. A backup evening plan is sensible.

Practical advice for a smoother evening

Arrive early at the courtyard gate at 941 Bourbon Street. Do not wait inside Lafitte’s, and do not rely on the bar staff to find your guide.

Wear comfortable shoes with good grip. The tour is a moderate walking experience on old streets and walkways, and the operator accepts no responsibility for injuries caused by uneven surfaces.

Bring water, especially in warm weather. New Orleans can be very hot and humid, and the route is outdoors even though you may enter bars. Check the forecast before leaving, but remember that rain does not automatically mean the tour will stop.

Keep your phone charged and provide a working mobile number. Text messages are the main way the operator sends delays, cancellations, and changes. Contact the operator before the departure time if you are lost or running late. Once the group has left, the guide may not be able to answer the phone.

If you want the paranormal equipment, request it at check-in. Handle it carefully and return it before leaving. Keep the $250 replacement charge in mind.

Who should book this tour?

I think this tour suits adults and older teenagers who enjoy local history with a spooky edge. It is particularly good for people who want a social evening walk, the option to buy drinks, and stories that range from tragic romances to crimes and vampire lore.

It also suits repeat visitors who have already seen the main French Quarter sights and want a different way to look at familiar streets. The architecture, burial customs, and darker local stories add useful context.

I would choose another activity if you want a formal historical tour, a guaranteed paranormal event, or a long pub crawl. I would also hesitate if your schedule cannot absorb a delay or cancellation. The price is low enough to make the gamble manageable for many people, but a missed tour can still cost you a valuable evening.

Should you book the French Quarter Drunken Ghost and Vampire Tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, informal French Quarter walk with ghost stories, vampire lore, optional drinks, and a chance to use an EMF meter. The best guide experiences sound genuinely fun, especially when Coty or Cody leads the group and balances humor with useful local detail.

Go in expecting storytelling, not proof of the supernatural. Confirm the meeting point, arrive early, monitor text messages, and keep a backup plan because recent scheduling problems are the tour’s biggest weakness. For $19.25, it can be a memorable night in New Orleans, but only if you are comfortable with some uncertainty.

FAQ

How much does the French Quarter Drunken Ghost and Vampire Tour cost?

The listed price is $19.25 per person. Alcoholic drinks and gratuities are not included.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately one to two hours. Bar wait times can make the walk longer.

Where does the tour meet?

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

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Jackson Square in the French Quarter.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Are drinks included in the ticket?

No. You may buy drinks at bars or takeout windows along the route, but you pay for them separately.

Can I use a paranormal detector?

Yes. A real EMF meter is available, but you must request it at check-in, provide the required booking details, and return it before leaving the tour.

Is paranormal activity guaranteed?

No. The tour does not guarantee that you will see or encounter a ghost, vampire, spirit, or other supernatural being.

Can children join the tour?

Children under 18 must have a parent or guardian unless a guide authorizes otherwise. Not all bars permit children inside, although takeout options may be available.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start for a full refund under the stated cancellation policy. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded. Weather, minimum enrollment, and operator cancellations may follow separate arrangements, so check the terms attached to your booking.