Ghost stories and a drink break in New Orleans. This haunted pub crawl turns famous French Quarter locations into a guided night out, with a free shot waiting at the first bar.

I like that it’s not just spooky talk from the sidewalk: you’re actually guided through the dark history tied to the places you stop. I also see the difference in the hosts, with energetic guides such as Pandi and Clarissa bringing stories to life. The main drawback to weigh is that it’s more history and storytelling than wall-to-wall supernatural sightings, and that included alcohol is just one shot, so you’ll likely buy more if you want a heavy buzz.

Key Highlights You’ll Feel Immediately

• A real bar stop on the route: you’ll head inside one of the stops early, not just linger outside.
• Free shot to start the fun: you get a shot at the first location, plus drink specials and discounts.
• Haunted stops in the heart of the French Quarter: Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, the Lalaurie Mansion area, and more.
• Camera prompt for paranormal seekers: you bring your phone/camera for the Andrew Jackson Hotel stop.
• Small-ish group size: up to 28 people keeps the vibe more social than chaotic.
• Host energy matters here: guides like Pandi and Clarissa are repeatedly praised for pacing and storytelling.

French Quarter Ghost Tour With Bar Access (and Party Energy)

This is a 2-hour ghost tour and haunted pub crawl designed for people who want their New Orleans evening to include both stories and social time. You meet at 507 Frenchmen St and wrap up at MRB Bar & Kitchen, 515 St Philip St, right in the French Quarter swirl where you can keep the night going.

You’ll be in a group of up to 28 travelers, and the route is built for walking between a set of major stops rather than endless wandering. It’s offered in English, with a mobile ticket, and you’ll have a local/professional guide who’s handling the timing, introductions, and story beats.

One practical note: the tour is weather-dependent, so plan for a night that can run a little differently if it’s raining or otherwise rough. Comfortable shoes matter here. The French Quarter is charming, but it’s also full of uneven sidewalks and quick transitions between streets.

If you’re looking for a “sit down, sip slowly, hear one story” style experience, this isn’t that. It’s more of a guided walk-night that hits one included drink moment plus discounted drinks, with a party-friendly tone.

The First Stop at BMC Balcony Music Club: Free Shot Welcome

Your evening starts at BMC Balcony Music Club, and the mood is intentionally upbeat. At this stop, you’ll meet and mingle as the group gathers inside, and you’ll get drink specials while the host kicks off the darkest stories of New Orleans.

The headline at this first location is simple: you get a free shot. That’s a big part of the value at a $19 price point, because it lowers the barrier to enjoying the tour like a night out instead of a dry history lesson. You’ll also get a quick orientation from your guide before the next moves, which helps if you’re new to the French Quarter.

Time here is short (about 15 minutes), so treat it like your warm-up lap. If you want a drink, this is your moment to get it and get settled before the route expands into the more famous haunted sites.

Lalaurie Mansion Stop: American Horror Story Meets Real Tragedy

Next comes the Lalaurie Mansion stop, where the stories lean into the infamous past of the building and the people associated with it. You’ll spend about 30 minutes here, which gives the guide enough time to explain context rather than just tossing out spooky bullet points.

A key detail for pop-culture fans: the mansion is connected to filming for American Horror Story. Even if you haven’t seen the show, this connection helps the guide ground the narrative—why the Lalaurie name echoes through New Orleans lore, and why this location keeps showing up in ghost stories.

This is also one of those stops where you’ll want to slow down and really listen. The best ghost tours don’t rely only on chills; they show how history, rumor, and architecture blend. If you love hearing the “how did this become legend” part, this is the kind of stop that rewards attention.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: Pirates, Phantoms, and a Proper Drink Break

Then you hit Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, another 30-minute stop built for story + atmosphere. This is one of the biggest draws because it’s a place where legends have stuck around for a long time.

The standout angle here is that you’re not just passing by and looking at the door. This tour is designed as a ghost tour with bar access, and Lafitte’s fits that “spirits roam” mood perfectly. The history is framed around pirates and hauntings, which makes the stories feel like they belong to the bar—not tacked on from the guide’s imagination.

You’ll get time to sip and settle back into the group rhythm. This is also where the evening becomes easier for many people: walking plus a drink break is a strong recipe for a tour you’ll actually enjoy, even if you’re not the type who gets excited about ghost hunts.

Andrew Jackson Hotel Stop: Cameras, Film, and French Quarter Backstreets

Your final haunted stop is the Andrew Jackson Hotel (a French Quarter Inns hotel), another 30-minute segment that leans into paranormal curiosity. This one comes with a prompt: bring your camera and look for apparitions on film.

Now, be practical about this. The tour doesn’t promise proof, and no guide can guarantee what a camera might capture. Still, the fun is in participating—standing where the guide suggests, observing the space, and letting the story shape what you notice.

This is also the stop where you’ll likely feel the tour’s overall style most clearly. The evening is shaped less like a jump-scare event and more like guided story theater, with plenty of time to process what you heard.

After this, you’ll leave with the guide’s recommendations for how to continue the party in the Big Easy. Ending near MRB Bar & Kitchen makes sense: you get a practical handoff to your next plan while you’re still in tour mode.

What $19 Buys: Shots, Discounts, Beads, and a Local Guide

Let’s talk value. At $19 per person, the tour is fairly priced for New Orleans, especially because it includes:

• ONE shot (served at the first stop)
• drink discounts
• complimentary Mardi Gras beads
• admission ticket access at the stops
• a local/professional guide

If you’ve ever paid for “ghost tours” that mostly consist of a lecture with no fun payoff, this one has built-in rewards. That free shot is doing real work in the math. Even if you only have one drink beyond the shot, the included alcohol helps you justify the cost as an evening out.

The discount part matters too. The guide is bringing you to specific bar stops, which means you’re more likely to buy where you’re already being guided. And the beads aren’t just decoration; they give the night a Mardi Gras flavor that matches the French Quarter mood.

So who gets the best deal? People who want a guided route through famous haunted sites and who enjoy mixing drinks with history in small doses.

The Walking Pace, Drinking Expectations, and Guide Style

Here’s the balanced truth that helps you choose well: this is not a tour where you’re guaranteed endless drinking or constant spooky sightings. It’s built around storytelling at selected locations, with the “pub crawl” feel coming from inside-bar time, specials, and discounts.

Some people love that. Others come hoping for more frequent ghost encounters or more drinking minutes. If you’re in the first camp, you’ll probably have a great night. If you’re in the second, I’d plan to top up your drinks on your own after the included shot.

Guide personality seems to be a major factor in how enjoyable the tour feels. Names like Pandi and Clarissa show up with strong praise for humor, energy, and keeping stories moving. Wendy also appears as a guide name tied to a positive experience, including the idea that the route is manageable and the guide provides an insider take.

A small caution: a few experiences can differ from the exact stop list due to circumstances like timing or on-the-ground issues. If your top two stops are non-negotiable—like Lalaurie Mansion or the Andrew Jackson Hotel—keep expectations flexible and ask your guide at the start how the night is flowing.

Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Might Skip It)

This works especially well for:

• couples and friend groups who want a fun, social New Orleans night
• people who enjoy French Quarter legends more than formal museum-style history
• anyone who wants a ghost tour that includes an actual bar experience early
• first-timers who want a curated path to major haunted stops

It might be a mismatch if:

• you want long stays in each haunted location
• you expect lots of confirmed paranormal “proof”
• you want heavy drinking as the main event

The tour also tends to suit people who like a mix of spooky stories and practical city recommendations. Ending with suggestions for where to continue helps you turn one planned activity into a full evening.

When to Book and What to Bring

This experience is commonly booked ahead—on average about 22 days in advance—so I’d lock it in early if your travel dates are tight, especially during busy seasons.

Weather matters. You’ll want a plan for rain, since the tour requires good weather. If the forecast looks sketchy, bring a light layer or compact rain gear and keep your footwear practical.

For the experience itself, pack:

• comfortable walking shoes
• your camera or phone for the Andrew Jackson Hotel stop
• an open mind about how stories evolve in New Orleans

If you like guiding your own night, consider arriving ready to drink slowly. You’ll get a shot at the start, but the evening continues through stops where you may want to order additional drinks at your own pace.

Should You Book This Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl?

I’d book it if you want a French Quarter ghost tour that feels like nightlife: a guided route, real haunted stops, one included shot, and time inside a bar. At $19, with the shot, beads, and drink discounts included, it’s a solid value if you’re aiming for an evening that’s part storytelling, part party.

I’d think twice if your priority is high-volume alcohol or nonstop spooky visuals. This tour is more about the stories tied to specific places than about delivering constant paranormal spectacle.

If your group likes history with a dark edge, this is one of the easiest ways to get it while still enjoying the city after dark.

FAQ

How long is the ghost tour and pub crawl?

It runs for about 2 hours (approximately).

Where do we meet, and where does it end?

You meet at 507 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116 and end at MRB Bar & Kitchen, 515 St Philip St, New Orleans, LA 70116.

What does the price include?

The tour price includes a local/professional guide, access to the haunted locations on the route, one shot, drink discounts, and complimentary Mardi Gras beads.

Is the free shot part of the package?

Yes. The first stop includes a FREE SHOT, and the tour also lists ONE shot as included.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 28 travelers.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and it’s near public transportation.

What’s the cancellation policy and how does weather affect it?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours in advance. If the experience is canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.