Cheers New Orleans! Cocktails, History, Voodoo & Paranormal Tour

New Orleans tells its best stories after dark. This low-cost walking tour mixes French Quarter history with bar stops, voodoo lore, vampire tales, and paranormal equipment, giving you a lively way to get oriented in the city. I like the $15 price and the chance to visit both famous bars and lesser-known drinking spots. I also like that local guides, including Coty and Cody, have been praised for friendly storytelling and for answering questions clearly.

The main drawback is that drinks are extra, timing can stretch from one to two hours, and the no-refund terms are strict. This is also a walking tour on old, uneven streets, so comfortable shoes and a close eye on your belongings matter.

Key points at a glance

• Start at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: Meet outside at 941 Bourbon Street, not inside the bar.
• Finish at Jackson Square: The route leaves you near one of the French Quarter’s best-known public spaces.
• History with a spooky twist: Expect pirates, convicted felons, ladies of the night, voodoo, vampires, ghosts, and paranormal stories.
• Drinks cost extra: You may buy alcohol and snacks at stops along the way, but the $15 tour price covers only the guide and walking tour.
• Paranormal gear is available: Equipment is checked out at the start and must be returned before you leave.
• Rain or shine: New Orleans heat, cold, and rain can all affect your comfort, and the tour generally continues in poor weather.

Why this $15 tour makes sense in New Orleans

At $15 per person, this is one of the cheaper ways to get a guided introduction to the French Quarter. You are paying for a licensed local guide, a walking route, and the stories, not for drinks or entry to a private attraction.

That distinction matters. If you buy several cocktails, your final cost will depend on your own spending. You can keep the outing inexpensive by treating the drinks as optional, or turn it into a full bar crawl with a larger tab. The tour gives you the framework, while you decide how much to drink.

I like this setup because New Orleans is easier to understand when you hear its stories in the streets where they took place. A guide can point out old buildings, courtyards, bars, and corners that are easy to pass without noticing. The history also has a playful edge, with scandal and supernatural tales mixed into the city’s more serious past.

The company has operated since 2014 and is family owned by Dustin Fisher, a retired US Army sergeant, and Ashli Fisher. Ashli Stratman is credited with creating the tour, and the company places strong emphasis on local storytelling and memorable experiences. The description also says Ashli has received honors for her New Orleans tours. I would treat those claims as background, while judging the experience mainly by the guide you get on the night.

Meeting outside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

Your meeting point is on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, at 941 Bourbon Street. You do not meet inside the bar, and the tour company is not affiliated with the business at that address.

This is an important detail. Bourbon Street can be noisy and confusing, especially after dark, so arrive a few minutes early and look for the guide at the courtyard gate. The group leaves at the scheduled time. If you arrive late, the guide may already be leading the group away and may not be able to answer the phone while narrating.

Lafitte’s is a fitting starting point for this type of outing. The tour begins with general New Orleans history, then adds tales of crime, voodoo, ghosts, and vampires. The first section is listed at about one hour, although the full walk may last closer to two hours if the group waits to enter busy bars.

You should not expect a formal indoor presentation. This is a moderate-paced walking tour, with storytelling along public streets and stops along the route. The pace is meant to keep the group moving, so it is not ideal if you want long pauses for photographs or extended time at each location.

French Quarter stories with a darker edge

The core of the tour is a walking lesson in the French Quarter’s less respectable past. The subjects include pirates, convicted felons, ladies of the night, voodoo, vampires, and paranormal activity.

That mix explains the tour’s tone. You are not signing up for a dry architectural lecture or a straight historical survey. The guide uses the city’s notorious characters and strange legends to keep the walk entertaining. I like this approach for a first evening in New Orleans, when you want context but do not want to sit in a classroom.

The stories are presented as entertainment and local lore. The company is clear that it does not promise a ghost sighting or any other supernatural encounter. That honesty is useful. You might see unusual photographs or use the paranormal equipment, but the guide cannot make a spirit, vampire, demon, angel, or other supernatural being appear.

The historical material is also based on public research collected by the tour authors and guides. If you want a heavily documented academic history tour, this may feel too loose. If you enjoy stories that sit between history, legend, and folklore, the format should fit better.

Bar stops, optional drinks, and the practical rhythm

Drinks and snacks are not included. You can purchase them at various places along the route, including bars and walk-up windows. Some bars do not allow children inside, so families should be prepared for the group to use an outdoor service window when available.

This is an important point for planning. The tour lets you drink while walking with the group, but you should not treat it as a license to get heavily intoxicated. The operator can refuse service to anyone who appears extremely drunk, and you may not receive a refund if your conduct causes the tour to end for you.

I recommend pacing yourself. The stories are easier to follow when you are lightly refreshed rather than unsteady, and the French Quarter’s uneven streets are less forgiving after several drinks. The best value comes from choosing one or two stops that interest you instead of buying something at every opportunity.

The route includes famous bars as well as places you might not find on your own. That local guidance is one of the stronger reasons to book. You are not simply being pointed toward the most obvious Bourbon Street venues. The guide helps shape the night around places connected to the walk.

Still, bar access can vary. Busy venues may cause delays, and the company can change the route without notice. If you need a tightly timed evening, leave extra room after the tour rather than booking a dinner reservation immediately afterward.

Paranormal equipment and what it really adds

The tour provides paranormal equipment for people who enjoy ghost stories. You check it out from the guide at the beginning and return it before leaving the group.

That equipment gives the spooky section a more active feel. Instead of only listening to stories, you have something to handle and watch during the walk. For a group of friends, it can add a playful activity to the evening and give the guide another way to discuss alleged paranormal events.

There is also a clear financial responsibility. You can be charged $250 for lost or damaged equipment. Keep it secure, follow the guide’s instructions, and do not leave it behind while taking photos.

The company does not promise a supernatural encounter. You may capture an unusual image, but no result is guaranteed. I see this as a fun extra, not a reason by itself to book the tour. People who want evidence-based ghost research may find the experience too casual. People who enjoy spooky storytelling without demanding proof will likely have a better time.

Audio and video recording are not allowed during the tour, though photographs are encouraged. That rule lets the guide keep control of the group and continue the narration without stopping for recording equipment.

What the guides bring to the experience

The guide matters more here than any single stop. This tour depends on timing, personality, and the ability to tell a story while keeping a walking group together.

Feedback has specifically praised Coty and Cody. Coty was described as friendly and entertaining, while Cody was praised for making the group feel welcome and answering questions. Those details point to the best version of this outing: a guide who turns the walk into a conversation instead of reciting a script.

The company also says its guides are licensed and local. That does not mean every guide will use the same tone or tell every story in exactly the same way. The route and information may change, and the guide must keep the group moving on schedule.

One serious service failure has also been reported, involving a guide who did not appear and a phone that went unanswered. That appears to be an exception among the available feedback, but it is worth acknowledging because the tour has strict departure rules. Save the company’s contact information, arrive early, and make sure your mobile number is correct so you receive any text updates.

Walking conditions, weather, and group rules

The tour uses public property and moderate-paced walking routes. New Orleans sidewalks and streets can be old, uneven, and damaged in places. Wear shoes with good support, and be careful after dark or after drinking.

The tour runs in rain or shine unless the operator cancels or reschedules. New Orleans can be very hot, but cold weather is also possible. Bring water, dress for the forecast, and consider a light rain layer. There is no promise of a weather refund.

You must stay with the group. The guide cannot stop the walk every time someone wants to wander off for a photograph. Do not block sidewalks, enter private property, ring doorbells, or disturb residents. The French Quarter is a working neighborhood, not only a nightlife district.

Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the combination of walking, uneven streets, bars, and late-evening conditions may not suit everyone. If you have mobility concerns, contact the operator before booking and ask about the current route.

Who will enjoy this French Quarter night walk

I would choose this tour if you want a lively first look at New Orleans and enjoy stories with a little menace. It suits couples, groups of friends, and solo visitors who want a guide to set the evening in motion.

It is especially useful on your first night because it combines orientation, local history, and a few possible drink stops. You finish at Jackson Square, so you can continue exploring the French Quarter afterward if you still have energy.

This is a good match for you if:

• You enjoy ghost stories, voodoo lore, vampire tales, and city scandals.
• You want a low-priced guided walk rather than a long museum visit.
• You like stopping for drinks but want to choose and pay for them yourself.
• You are comfortable walking at a moderate pace.
• You prefer a guide with a strong personality and a relaxed, entertaining style.

I would look elsewhere if you need guaranteed paranormal activity, a fixed bar schedule, a quiet history lecture, or a fully accessible route with no uneven pavement. It is also not the right pick if you dislike strict departure rules or non-refundable bookings.

Booking details worth knowing before you pay

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour is sold by mobile ticket. Reservations often happen well in advance, with an average booking window of about 43 days, so popular dates may be worth securing early.

All sales are treated as final. The stated policy does not allow refunds or changes if you cancel or ask to amend the booking. If the minimum number of participants is not reached, the operator may cancel and offer another date, another experience, or a full refund.

The operator may also delay, reschedule, or cancel because of weather or other serious conditions. Updates are commonly sent by text, so provide a working mobile number and check your messages before departure.

There is no set promise that the walk will last exactly one hour. It may run from one to two hours, with delays possible when bars are crowded. Plan the rest of your night with breathing room.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a cheap, social introduction to the French Quarter with drinks available along the way and plenty of spooky flavor. The strongest points are the $15 entry price, the local guide, the blend of history and folklore, and the chance to see bars you might otherwise miss.

Skip it if your main goal is serious paranormal investigation, guaranteed bar entry, or a polished, tightly timed production. The experience is informal, weather-dependent, and shaped by the guide and the evening crowd.

For most visitors who like a little history with their cocktails, it is a sensible way to start a New Orleans night. Arrive early at the courtyard gate, wear sturdy shoes, pace your drinks, and treat the ghosts as part of the story rather than a promised sighting.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

It begins on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans. Do not meet inside the bar.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Jackson Square in the French Quarter.

Are drinks included in the $15 price?

No. Alcoholic drinks and snacks cost extra and can be purchased along the route at various locations.

How long does the tour last?

The walking tour lasts about one to two hours. The timing can vary, especially if the group waits at busy bars.

Is paranormal activity guaranteed?

No. The operator clearly states that no ghost, vampire, spirit, demon, angel, or other supernatural encounter is guaranteed.

Can children join the tour?

Children may encounter restrictions because some bars do not allow them inside. The route may include walk-up drink windows for people who do not enter a bar, but the experience itself centers on alcohol and adult-themed history.