New Orleans Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

Ghost stories taste better with a drink. This New Orleans haunted pub crawl combines researched tales, historic French Quarter stops, and time in old bars where the past is part of the decor. I like the mix of spooky storytelling and local history, and I like that you choose your own drinks instead of paying for a fixed package. The main concern is guide consistency, since one poor experience involved missed meeting details, too few pubs, and a late start.

For $36, the tour offers about one hour and 45 minutes of walking and storytelling. That is fair value if you want an entertaining introduction to French Quarter legends, but less so if your main goal is a serious pub crawl with plenty of time inside each bar.

Key things to know before you book

• Four-bar concept: The experience is promoted as a crawl with haunted places between stops, though the detailed route names three principal bars. Confirm the evening’s exact route with your guide.
• Jackson Square meeting point: Arrive 15 minutes early at Jackson Square, where the tour begins and ends.
• History comes first: The stories cover pirates, Voodoo, murder, hotel ghosts, and the darker side of New Orleans architecture.
• Drinks cost extra: You choose and pay for your own drinks, with no required package.
• Walking tour format: The route stays around the French Quarter, with short stops at historic buildings and bars.
• Guide quality matters: Guides such as Royale have been praised for clear history and local tips, but one badly organized outing had serious timing and route problems.

What the New Orleans Ghosts Boos and Booze crawl is really like

This is not a haunted house with actors jumping from closets. It is a walking tour through old New Orleans, where the buildings, courtyards, hotels, and bars provide the mood. The ghost stories are tied to reported events and local legends, with drinks added along the way.

The tour lasts roughly 105 minutes. That is enough time to see several notable corners of the French Quarter, but not enough for long visits at every bar. You should think of it as a history walk with pub stops, not a full evening of drinking.

I like that the experience does not force a drink purchase. You can choose a beer, cocktail, or nonalcoholic option at each stop, depending on your mood and budget. The tradeoff is that your final cost depends on what you order.

The group can include up to 50 people. That is a fairly large group for narrow French Quarter streets and quiet storytelling. A strong guide can keep the group together and make the tales easy to follow. A scattered guide can make the evening feel disorganized very quickly.

Starting in Jackson Square after dark

The meeting point is Jackson Square, and you should arrive 15 minutes before the official start. This is a sensible place to begin. The square is one of the city’s most atmospheric public spaces, with the cathedral, old buildings, and iron fencing creating an immediate sense of place.

The square itself is said to be haunted, so the tour begins with a story rather than a simple roll call. You may hear about reported spirits before the group even walks to its first building.

This first stop also gives you a chance to find the guide, settle in, and get oriented. That matters here. One poor outing began late because the guide was not at the meeting point, so arriving early is wise and keeping the booking details handy is even wiser.

The tour returns to the meeting point at the end. That makes the route useful if you have dinner plans nearby or want to continue exploring the French Quarter on your own.

The Omni Royal Orleans and French Quarter hotel legends

The Omni Royal Orleans is one of the first major story stops. This elegant hotel dates through the long history of the French Quarter and has a reputation for unexplained activity.

The experience also connects the hotel with an iconic Led Zeppelin song. That musical detail gives the story a pop-culture hook, while the hotel’s ghost reports supply the darker side. You get a sense of how old buildings in New Orleans collect legends over time.

You do not need to expect a supernatural event here. The value is in hearing how the hotel’s reputation developed and seeing a landmark that you might otherwise pass without understanding. The guide’s storytelling makes a big difference, especially when a stop is viewed from outside rather than explored indoors.

The bookstore, Voodoo shop, and stories between bars

The route includes additional French Quarter stops that are not all bars. One building dates to 1834 and is associated with reports of strange sounds and sensations from people who spent time inside. The guide uses these accounts to show how ghost stories attach themselves to ordinary places, including a bookstore.

Another stop focuses on a Voodoo shop that opened in 1996. Here, the guide explains the place of Voodoo in New Orleans culture and the beliefs connected with the living and the dead.

This portion of the walk gives the tour more substance than a simple list of ghost sightings. You are hearing about local belief, folklore, death, and the way commercial spaces use the city’s supernatural reputation. Still, the balance may not suit everyone. If you want a drink in hand at nearly every stop, these history-focused pauses will feel like a detour.

Pirate’s Alley Cafe and the city’s pirate past

Pirate’s Alley Cafe is one of the main drinking stops. The guide links the cafe with New Orleans pirate stories and gives the group time for a round.

This is a useful pairing. You get a historic tale, then a chance to order something and talk with the people in your group. The stop is listed at about 15 minutes, so you should not expect a long meal or a relaxed bar session.

The pub stop also shows the tour’s central idea: New Orleans history is not kept behind museum glass. It lives in old cafes, bars, hotels, and houses that still function as part of the city. I like that approach. It gives the evening a sense of place rather than turning the French Quarter into a stage set.

Your drink is not included. That can be a benefit if you want control over spending, but remember that three or four purchases can make a $36 tour cost noticeably more by the end of the night.

The Ice House Bar at the Provincial Hotel

The Ice House Bar, located at the Provincial Hotel, is presented as one of the more active paranormal stops. The hotel and bar have a troubled past, and reports of strange activity come from staff as well as people on the tour.

The scheduled stop is about 20 minutes, which is longer than some of the earlier pauses. That gives you more time to listen and order a drink, though the actual time inside may depend on the group and the bar’s conditions.

This is one of the places where expectations matter. The guide can tell you about reported activity, but no supernatural event is guaranteed. If you enjoy the suspense of possibly hearing or feeling something unusual, the stop should work well. If you need proof, cameras, or a formal investigation, this is not that kind of experience.

An EMF detector is not included. Rental or purchase costs $6, so you can add one if you want a playful paranormal tool. It is optional, and the tour does not require you to use one.

LaLaurie Mansion and the darker side of the route

LaLaurie Mansion is one of the most recognizable and disturbing addresses on the walk. Its beautiful exterior contrasts sharply with stories of cruelty, suffering, revenge, and loss connected with the house.

The guide uses this stop to discuss the people associated with the mansion and the legends that continue to surround it. This is not light ghost-story material. Some of the subject matter involves violence and abuse, so the stop may feel too grim for young children or anyone looking for a purely playful evening.

I appreciate the inclusion of this history because it keeps the tour from becoming only a string of amusing ghost anecdotes. At the same time, the guide needs to handle the subject with care. Good storytelling should give attention to the victims rather than treating suffering as a cheap thrill.

The 1829 hotel and the ax-murderer story

Another hotel on the route dates to 1829 and is linked with an ax murderer and serial killer. The story centers on victims who are said to remain trapped in the building.

This is the kind of stop that makes the tour’s title clear. You are not only hearing about old architecture. You are hearing about murder, memory, and the belief that violent deaths leave a mark on a place.

The stop is also a natural bridge back to the drinking portion of the evening. After a story like this, the next bar feels less like a random refreshment break and more like a chance to reset before the final tale.

The exact hotel is not identified in the provided route details, so you should let the guide supply the name and background during the walk. That uncertainty is worth noting if you want to research each site before booking.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar and the final drink

The last named bar is Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, one of the oldest bars in the United States and a major French Quarter landmark. Its connection with pirates makes it a natural ending for a tour that has already touched on New Orleans sailors, outlaws, and spirits.

The guide recommends the bar’s daiquiris. Drinks are extra, but this is the kind of stop where ordering a local favorite can be part of the fun. You can also skip the recommendation and choose something else, since the tour does not dictate what you must buy.

The scheduled visit lasts about 20 minutes. That is enough for a drink and a final story, but not enough for a full dinner or a long night at the bar. When the stop ends, the activity returns to Jackson Square rather than leaving you at the final bar.

One practical issue deserves attention: the overview describes four bars, while the detailed route specifically names Pirate’s Alley Cafe, the Ice House Bar, and Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. Since routes and bar access can vary, ask the guide at the beginning how many drinking stops are planned that night.

Guide quality can make or break the evening

The most important variable here is the guide. A strong guide can connect the French Quarter’s buildings, beliefs, crimes, and legends into one clear story. Royale, in particular, has been praised for explaining the area’s history and adding useful local tips.

The experience provider also describes the stories as thoroughly researched. That should appeal to you if you want more than recycled ghost jokes. The best version of this tour gives you context about the city, not just claims that a particular room is haunted.

But the supplied feedback also reveals a serious weakness. One outing reportedly began about 20 minutes late, had trouble finding the guide at the meeting place, visited only two pubs, included just one true ghost story, and ended away from the advertised meeting point. The guide was also described as scattered and unsure of the planned route.

That is not a small complaint. For a short tour, losing 20 minutes can change the whole evening. If you book, arrive early, confirm that you are with the correct guide, and ask what the route includes before setting off.

Is $36 a fair price?

At $36 per person, the price is reasonable for a guided French Quarter walk with several historic stops and organized storytelling. You are paying for the guide, the route, and the research behind the tales.

You are not paying for drinks, gratuity, or the optional $6 EMF detector. If you order at three or four bars, your actual evening cost may be much higher than the advertised price.

The value is strongest if you already plan to spend the evening in the French Quarter and want a structured introduction to its darker stories. It is weaker if you want a large number of drinks, long bar visits, or a serious paranormal investigation.

The free cancellation policy helps reduce the risk. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, the payment is nonrefundable, and late changes are not accepted.

Who should book this haunted pub crawl?

I would recommend it to adults who enjoy local history with a spooky edge, first-time visitors who want an evening orientation to the French Quarter, and anyone who likes hearing a story before ordering a drink.

It may also suit you if you prefer choosing your own beverages and want a walking tour rather than a bus ride. Most people can participate, service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

I would be more cautious if you dislike group tours, have limited walking tolerance, or want a tightly controlled itinerary. The group can reach 50 people, and the bar count or pacing may not match your expectations.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Jackson Square in New Orleans and ends back at the meeting point.

How early should I arrive?

You should meet at Jackson Square 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Drinks are not included, so you can choose and pay for the beverages you want.

Is the EMF detector included?

No. An EMF detector can be rented or purchased for an additional $6.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately one hour and 45 minutes.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refundable.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a social French Quarter walk built around ghost stories, historic buildings, and a few drinks. Its best features are the setting, the mix of folklore and history, and the freedom to choose your own bar orders.

Before you pay, accept two limits: the tour may be more history walk than pub crawl, and the guide’s organization matters greatly. Confirm the meeting point, ask how many bars are planned, and arrive early. If the evening runs well, $36 buys a lively introduction to New Orleans after dark.