A hooded bar sign and a ghost story go together. This Haunted Pub Crawl mixes walking in the French Quarter with timed photo stops at famous haunted sites, then drops you into legendary bars for a real night out. You’ll hear murder-and-mayhem tales that have been retold for generations, but the vibe stays relaxed, social, and focused on New Orleans drinking culture.

I especially like the way the tour is set up around time at the stops, not just sprinting from one spooky point to another. You’re given a guided walk and then real chances to grab a drink, talk, and regroup before the next location—so the stories land without the night feeling rushed. Another standout is the bar selection, including Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, one of America’s oldest bars, which gives the haunting a lived-in feel rather than just a street-corner lecture.

One thing to plan for: drinks aren’t included. If you show up expecting cocktails in the price, you’ll need to budget extra for what you order at each bar—and the walking can feel longer if you’re taking your time at busy stops.

Key points worth knowing before you go

• You’re walking, not riding, so comfortable shoes matter in the heat and crowds.
• Routes can change due to parades, construction, and other street slowdowns.
• Minimum age is 21, and the tour is built for an adult bar scene.
• Photo stops are short (like the 10-minute Lalaurie Mansion stop), so come ready to move.
• Guide personality matters a lot—many visitors single out guides like Gomez, DJ, Wesley, Leah, and Coby for humor and pacing.
• You’ll see major “pass-by” sites (May Bailey’s Place and Vampire Café) even if you don’t get long inside-time.

Haunted French Quarter, with a drink in hand

New Orleans has a particular kind of freedom: walking around with an alcoholic beverage is legal here. That changes how a night like this feels. Instead of treating the pub crawl like a museum tour, you’re allowed to live in the moment—grab a drink, keep moving, and let the streets do their work.

This tour leans more toward haunted bars and haunted restaurants than full-time ghost storytelling. You still get stories—serious ones, too—but the format keeps returning you to the places where New Orleans history sticks to the walls: old bars, alleyways, and the corners where people have gathered for decades.

And because the tour adapts to what’s happening in the city, your route may not match someone else’s exact path on a different night. In New Orleans, that’s normal. It also means you should expect a real-life walking schedule that accounts for street activity.

Price and what $25 really means for your night

At $25 per person for about 2 hours, you’re paying mainly for the licensed guide and the structured route between stops. The practical twist is this: cocktails/drinks aren’t included. So the true cost is your ticket plus what you choose to buy at each bar.

Is it still good value? For me, the best way to judge it is to count what you’re getting for two hours:

• A guided walk through the French Quarter
• Timed stops that include photo time and bar time
• A focus on locations with a reputation for hauntings, not just generic “spooky streets”
• A group setting where the night stays social and fun

If you plan to order at least a couple drinks anyway, the ticket cost starts to feel more like a “pay for the route and stories” fee rather than the entire entertainment budget.

Meeting up at Jax Brewery and starting on solid ground

You’ll meet at the Jax Brewery building just outside of Bon’s New Orleans Street Food. Meeting points matter in the French Quarter because streets look similar fast—so arriving a few minutes early helps you avoid the pre-tour scramble.

From there, the tour guide takes over the flow. You’ll get a guided start in the French Quarter before heading to the first major photo stop. The pace is designed so the group stays together, which is especially helpful if your group includes people who hate getting lost.

Also, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, which is useful if you need routes that work for mobility needs. Just remember it’s still a walking-based experience, so expect street-level conditions.

Stop-by-stop: how the haunted route plays out

French Quarter: the guided warm-up

The early part of the walk is where you get your bearings. You’ll do sightseeing in the French Quarter with a guide leading the way. This is a smart start because it sets the context before the stops that have the strongest visual punch.

If you’re new to New Orleans, I like this approach. You learn the names, the layout, and the storytelling angle first. Then later stops feel less random and more connected.

Lalaurie Mansion: 10 minutes to see it, then move

Next is the Lalaurie Mansion with a 10-minute photo stop. This is one of the locations most people picture when they hear New Orleans haunted history. The short time matters. It means you get enough minutes to take photos and look around, but you should be ready to keep the group moving.

A good way to handle a short photo stop: pick your angle quickly, snap your main photos, then spend the rest of the time listening to what the guide highlights. That way you leave with both the picture and the story.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: where the drinking fits the legend

Then you’ll hit Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar for a 15-minute stop that includes photo time plus time to order beer, cocktails, or spirits (drinks are still not included; you’re buying what you want).

This is one of the coolest parts of the whole concept: the tour doesn’t treat the bar like a detour. It treats it like the point. Lafitte’s is highlighted as one of America’s oldest bars, which gives the haunting a grounded feel. Instead of only imagining the past, you’re standing in a place built for people to linger.

Practical note: bars can be crowded in the French Quarter. If there’s a line, keep your eyes up for space and use the guide’s timing. Many visitors liked that the guide doesn’t rush you out immediately, so you should be able to get a drink and do a quick regroup outside or around the bar area.

Pirates Alley: the alley walk that changes the mood fast

You’ll visit Pirates Alley for about 10 minutes. Alleys in New Orleans aren’t just shortcuts. They’re mood-makers. The guide walk through here helps you feel the geometry of the place—narrow streets, sudden angles, and the sense that the neighborhood has always been hiding something.

If you want a photo that feels like a scene, this is the kind of stop where you can get it without needing to wait for a long window. Keep your pace tight though. Alleyways can get slippery and busy.

Pass-bys: May Bailey’s Place and Vampire Café

After that, the tour includes two pass-by stops, each around 5 minutes:

• May Bailey’s Place
• Vampire Café

These are brief, which is a trade-off. You don’t get the same time inside as the bar stop, and you’ll likely only get quick sightlines and a bit of context. Still, pass-bys are useful because they expand your map of what’s in the neighborhood without killing your evening schedule.

If you find a pass-by location you want to explore later, take note of its vibe during the stop. Then you can revisit on your own time after the tour ends.

What makes the experience feel truly fun (not just spooky)

The best haunted tours aren’t about scaring you—they’re about telling you why people believed the stories. This one stays in that lane. It’s meant to be laid back, with a focus on haunted bars and restaurants and true stories tied to French Quarter murder and mayhem passed down across centuries.

A lot of the energy comes from the guide. In the reviews, names come up again and again:

• Gomez (praised for being amazing, funny, and high-energy)
• Wesley / Wes (praised for being enthusiastic and informative)
• DJ (praised for humor and keeping things moving)
• Leah (praised for friendly, knowledgeable storytelling and welcome energy)
• Caroline / Carolyn (praised for strong story delivery)
• Coby (praised for handling the group well and keeping the pace)

You don’t need the “perfect” guide to enjoy this, but guide style clearly affects how lively the night feels. If you like banter and storytelling with personality, you’re likely to have a better time. One visitor even flagged that you should be okay with the guide’s humor and interaction style.

Drink pacing, crowding, and how to avoid a rough night

Because drinks aren’t included, you control your own pace. New Orleans is built for this, so you don’t have to treat the tour like a dry run. That said, the practical challenge is the French Quarter crowd.

Here’s how to handle it:

• Order something that doesn’t require constant attention (quick to drink, easy to manage while walking).
• Use the guide’s stop timing. The bar stops are there for a reason; don’t assume there’s endless time.
• If a bar is crowded, you still have opportunities to step out, reset, and come back.

Several people mention the guide provides an appropriate amount of time at bars, including time to get a drink and use facilities. That’s exactly what you want from a pub crawl: enough breathing room to stay social, without turning it into a long hang where the group stalls.

Also, know this is for adults only. The minimum age is 21, so it’s squarely aimed at a late-night crowd who’s comfortable in bar spaces.

When the route changes (and why that’s not a deal-breaker)

The tour notes that routes are subject to change due to parades, construction, and other street events. In a city like New Orleans, this happens constantly. A modified route can even make the tour feel more real, because you’re responding to what the city is doing that night.

What you shouldn’t do: plan your entire evening clock down to the minute. Instead, treat the tour as a moving part of your schedule. If you’re trying to catch dinner reservations immediately after, give yourself a cushion.

Who should book this haunted pub crawl

This tour is a great fit if you want:

• A fun way to experience French Quarter nightlife with structure
• Haunted storytelling tied directly to places you can see
• Bar time plus photo stops, not just walking and listening
• A tour format that stays social and not overly intense

It may be less ideal if you:

• Expect drinks to be included in the ticket price
• Hate any kind of nightlife energy (bars can be crowded)
• Don’t enjoy a guide who uses humor and interaction as part of the experience

If you’re traveling with friends who want different things—some want spooky stories, others want a good bar night—this layout can satisfy both.

Should you book this haunted pub crawl?

Yes, I’d book it if your goal is a two-hour haunted night that mixes classic New Orleans locations with time to actually enjoy the bars. The ticket cost is reasonable for what you get: a licensed guide, a set route of high-recognition spots (Lalaurie Mansion, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, Pirates Alley), and a format that keeps you moving without making you feel like you’re being rushed.

Just go in with two expectations straight:

• Bring money for drinks since cocktails aren’t included.
• Wear shoes that can handle the French Quarter streets, because this is a walking experience.

If that sounds like your kind of evening, this tour is an easy, high-odds way to get your bearings and your stories—fast.

FAQ

How long is the New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl?

It lasts about 2 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is $25 per person.

Are cocktails included in the ticket price?

No. Cocktails are not included.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at the Jax Brewery building just outside of Bon’s New Orleans Street Food.

What is the minimum age to participate?

You must be at least 21.

Do I need to bring anything?

You should bring a driver’s license and wear comfortable shoes.

Can the route change during the tour?

Yes. Routes can change due to parades, construction, and other events.