Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl Party with Free Shot

New Orleans keeps its dead close. This two-hour evening walk mixes French Quarter ghost stories, dark local history, bar stops, and a free shot, making it a good fit for anyone who wants a little folklore with their night out. I like the way the tour puts you near the places tied to its stories, and I also like the friendly guides, especially Pandi and Clarissa, who are praised for their humor, energy, and personal tales. The main drawback is that the pub crawl may feel lighter on drinking than the name suggests, and scheduled stops can sometimes change.

At $19 per person, the tour is priced more like an affordable introduction to New Orleans than a full night of bar hopping. You receive one shot, drink discounts, Mardi Gras beads, and a guided walk through the French Quarter. I would book it for storytelling and atmosphere first, with drinks as a pleasant extra, not the main event.

Key things to know before you book

• A free shot starts the evening: The first stop includes a complimentary shot, plus drink specials and beads.
• The route links famous haunted sites: Expect the LaLaurie Mansion, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, and the Andrew Jackson Hotel when the planned route runs as described.
• The guides make the biggest difference: Pandi, Clarissa, and Wendy receive especially warm praise for their humor, stories, and care with the group.
• This is a walking tour with nightlife mixed in: You will hear plenty of history, but the amount of time spent drinking can vary.
• The group can reach 28 people: That is large enough for a social night out, but still small enough for a guide to keep the group together.
• The tour ends near more nightlife: The final point is MRB Bar & Kitchen on St. Philip Street, with suggestions for carrying on your evening.

What this New Orleans ghost walk is really like

This experience is best understood as a guided French Quarter history walk with a haunted and social angle. You move between old buildings, bars, and streets while your guide tells stories about murder, tragedy, voodoo, spirits, and the people connected with New Orleans over roughly 300 years.

The experience lasts about two hours. It is not a formal haunted-house attraction, and there is no promise that you will see an apparition. The fun comes from hearing unsettling stories in the actual places connected with them, then stepping into a bar where the setting adds to the mood.

I like this format because New Orleans is at its best when history and nightlife share the same street. A story about a cursed house feels more immediate when you are standing outside it at night, and a drink tastes more interesting when the guide has just explained the building’s past.

That said, you should set your expectations carefully. One low-scoring experience described long stretches of quiet walking, limited time in bars, and only a small amount of ghost material. Another account noted that the LaLaurie Mansion and Andrew Jackson Hotel were not visited that night. Routes and storytelling can vary, so book this for the overall evening rather than for one guaranteed stop alone.

Starting at BMC Balcony Music Club on Frenchmen Street

The meeting point is BMC Balcony Music Club at 507 Frenchmen Street. This is a practical place to begin because Frenchmen Street is already one of New Orleans’ main nightlife areas, so you can arrive early and get your evening started nearby.

The opening stop lasts about 15 minutes. You head inside for drink specials, meet the guide and the group, and receive your free shot while the first stories begin. The host also hands out Mardi Gras beads, which adds a bit of playful New Orleans color without requiring you to buy anything extra.

This opening is more than a check-in. It sets the tone for a social group outing rather than a solemn history lecture. If you are traveling with friends, it gives everyone a quick chance to settle in and order a drink before the walking begins.

The free shot is included, but other drinks are not listed as included. Drink discounts are part of the package, yet you should still expect to pay for anything beyond the one shot. If you are joining mainly for cocktails or beer, ask the guide about the specials at each stop before ordering.

LaLaurie Mansion and New Orleans’ darker stories

The listed route includes roughly 30 minutes around the LaLaurie Mansion, a building famous for its grim past and familiar to viewers of American Horror Story. The guide uses the site as a setting for stories about cruelty, suffering, and the darker side of old New Orleans.

This stop is likely to appeal most if you enjoy history with a disturbing edge. It is not presented as a museum visit, and admission inside is not included. The value is in hearing the story at the building itself, then considering how much of the legend has grown over time.

The guide’s style matters here. Pandi and Clarissa are repeatedly praised for making difficult material entertaining without losing the sense of place. Clarissa is also known for sharing ghost photographs and personal stories, while Pandi is praised for keeping groups engaged with local facts and unusual details.

Keep in mind that the route is not fixed in every account. At least one outing skipped this mansion and the Andrew Jackson Hotel, two of the stops that mattered most to that group. If LaLaurie Mansion is your main reason for booking, confirm the evening’s route with Big Easy Walking Tours before you go.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, where the pub crawl feels most real

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar is the most important drinking stop on the planned route. The stop is listed at about 30 minutes, giving you time to enter, look around, order a drink, and listen to stories about pirates, ghosts, and the building’s long connection with New Orleans folklore.

This is the part most likely to match the pub crawl promise. You are not just hearing about a haunted bar from the sidewalk. You get to step inside and enjoy the atmosphere while the guide explains why the place has become part of the city’s ghost-tour tradition.

The setting does much of the work. Lafitte’s is known for its old-world character, and the low-light bar atmosphere suits stories about phantoms and pirates. I would treat the drink stop as a chance to absorb the setting rather than expect a full party session.

The amount of drinking can be the weak point. Some accounts describe only one substantial bar stop, with limited time to order. Another experience included two bars but still felt too short for a true bar crawl. The tour provider describes storytelling as the central purpose, so anyone seeking a drink-heavy night should choose a regular pub crawl instead.

The Andrew Jackson Hotel and French Quarter backstreets

The planned route also includes about 30 minutes near the Andrew Jackson Hotel, a French Quarter Inns property associated with paranormal stories. The guide encourages you to keep your camera ready for unusual images and uses the surrounding backstreets to discuss local legends.

This section gives the walk a change of pace. Instead of staying around one famous building, you move through smaller French Quarter streets where the architecture, shadows, and narrow passages create much of the mood. You may find the setting more memorable than any single ghost claim.

Again, this is an exterior sightseeing stop rather than a hotel visit. The information provided does not promise entry into guest areas or rooms, so you should not expect a private investigation. The guide’s stories and your view of the building are the main attractions.

If you enjoy taking photographs, this is one place to have your phone or camera ready. Still, a strange blur in a photograph is not guaranteed, and the tour does not promise a paranormal encounter. The appeal is the combination of old buildings, local legends, and nighttime atmosphere.

The guides shape the whole evening

The strongest part of this experience is the guide. Pandi is repeatedly praised for her entertaining stories, easy manner, and ability to keep a group moving while still making time for photos and drinks. She has also been described as helpful with larger groups and good at showing people where to stand so the sidewalk remains clear.

Clarissa receives especially strong praise for her energy, warmth, ghost photographs, theories, and storytelling. One group even continued its evening after the formal tour because she offered suggestions for music stops and stayed friendly beyond the scheduled walk.

Wendy is described as humorous and engaging, with a good insider view of the neighborhood. Quay receives less enthusiastic feedback about the tour itself, though the account still described him as pleasant. That contrast shows how much this experience depends on who leads your group and how the guide balances stories, walking, and drinks.

You cannot usually choose the guide, though you can note that Pandi and Clarissa are frequent favorites. The best guides make this feel like a personal introduction to New Orleans, not a memorized march between addresses.

Price, group size, and the value of the free shot

At $19 per person, this is a low-cost way to fill two hours in the French Quarter. The price includes a professional local guide, one alcoholic shot, drink discounts, Mardi Gras beads, and access to a route built around several famous haunted locations.

The value is strongest if you want three things at once: a short walking tour, some local history, and a social start to your night. You would pay much more for a private guide, while this group experience keeps the cost down and gives solo visitors or couples a chance to meet other people.

The value is weaker if you judge the tour by the number of bars visited. The title suggests a lively crawl, but the actual experience can include more sidewalk storytelling than drinking. I would think of the free shot as a bonus and the bar access as part of the setting, not as an open-ended drinking package.

The maximum group size is 28 people. That is manageable for a walking tour, but a group this size can make it harder to hear on a crowded street or gather quickly inside a busy bar. Arrive at the start point on time so you do not have to chase the group through the French Quarter.

Walking comfort and timing tips

The route covers several French Quarter locations, and the tour lasts about two hours. You should be comfortable walking and standing for much of that time, even though the route is described as an easy walk by one highly praised guide.

Wear shoes that handle uneven city pavement. Keep your belongings close, especially when the group stops on busy streets or moves through crowded nightlife areas. A small bag is easier to manage than anything bulky.

Start with enough time to find BMC Balcony Music Club at 507 Frenchmen Street. The tour ends at MRB Bar & Kitchen, 515 St. Philip Street, so you finish in a useful part of the French Quarter rather than being returned to the starting point.

The tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, the meeting area is near public transportation, and most people can participate. The activity requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, the payment is not refunded, and changes are not accepted. That rule matters in New Orleans, where storms can appear quickly, so check the forecast before the deadline.

Who should book this ghost tour?

I would recommend it to friends on a weekend in New Orleans, couples who want a playful evening activity, and anyone who likes local history but does not want a long formal lecture. It also suits people who want a simple way to start a night in the French Quarter.

It is a particularly good fit if you enjoy stories about voodoo, haunted buildings, old crimes, and strange local legends. The experience can also work for a birthday or girls’ weekend, especially when the group wants beads, a shot, photographs, and a few recommendations for later.

I would hesitate if you want a serious paranormal investigation, guaranteed access to every listed stop, or a true bar crawl with several long drinking sessions. The tour’s strongest promise is its storytelling, not the amount of alcohol.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you see it as a low-cost ghostly history walk with one included shot, not as a two-hour drinking marathon. At $19, the combination of a guide, famous French Quarter locations, drink discounts, beads, and a social atmosphere offers good value.

For the best experience, arrive ready to walk, keep an open mind about ghost stories, and confirm the current route if LaLaurie Mansion or the Andrew Jackson Hotel is essential to your plans. If Pandi or Clarissa leads your group, expect a particularly lively evening, but any guide may shape the balance between history, legends, and bar time.

FAQ

How long does the Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl Party last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at BMC Balcony Music Club, located at 507 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at MRB Bar & Kitchen at 515 St. Philip Street in New Orleans.

Is a drink included in the price?

One alcoholic shot is included. Drink discounts are also included, but additional drinks are not listed as complimentary.

Which locations are included on the planned route?

The planned route includes BMC Balcony Music Club, the LaLaurie Mansion, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, and the Andrew Jackson Hotel area. Stops may vary, so confirm the route if one location is especially important to you.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 28 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded or accepted.