Spooky history on Bourbon in 1 to 2 hours. I love how it anchors the fun to real stops like Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, with stories that swing from seedy history to voodoo, ghost, and vampire-style chills.

I also like the add-on of paranormal equipment, so the “paranormal” part feels interactive, not just spooky talk. You walk, you listen, you play along when it’s offered.

The main thing to keep in mind is that a supernatural sighting is never promised, and the tour is built more like a themed walking show than a guaranteed haunting.

Key highlights before you go

• Start right on Bourbon at 941 Bourbon St, then end around Jackson Square
• Real bar storytelling at Lafitte’s to kick off the night with maximum atmosphere
• Voodoo + paranormal themes layered on top of everyday French Quarter history
• Paranormal gear is check-out and return (and there’s a replacement fee if it’s lost or damaged)
• Moderate walking pace with time that can flex when bars are busy

A Drunk History Walk with Voodoo and Paranormal Gear

This is a New Orleans walking tour that takes the idea of a cocktails-and-stories night and turns it into a guided route through the French Quarter. The pitch is simple: you get history, you get spooky lore, and you hit a couple of bar stops along the way. It’s not quiet museum stuff. It’s street-level storytelling, where pirates, criminals, and nightlife characters become part of the narrative.

What I like most is the way it blends the fun parts with actual place-based context. Instead of “spooky legend, next stop,” you’re given enough background to understand why these locations have such a hold on the city’s imagination. If you want New Orleans flavor that you can feel under your feet, this format works.

You should also know the tone: alcohol is part of the theme, but it’s not part of the ticket. That means you control how tipsy you get, and the guide’s job stays focused on timing, stories, and safe group movement.

Price and value: how $15 plays out in real life

At $15 per person, the value is mostly about what you’re buying: a local licensed guide who leads a themed route and keeps the evening from turning into aimless wandering. That’s the real commodity here. New Orleans is famous for bars and folklore, but it’s the structure that helps you connect dots quickly.

Also, the $15 ticket is your admission to the experience itself. Alcoholic drinks are purchased separately at stop locations. This can be a plus for you if you want to sip casually and still enjoy the stories without committing to a pricey bar crawl. It can be a drawback if you’re expecting the ticket to cover the drinks.

A practical tip: set a loose drink budget before you start walking. That way, you’re not doing math in the moment while you’re trying to listen to a legend.

Where you meet on Bourbon, and where you end near Jackson Square

The tour starts at 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116, at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. You do not meet inside Lafitte’s itself. You’ll want to arrive a few minutes early and check in with the guide where the courtyard gate is.

The end point is listed as Jackson Square. On a real walk route, this matters because you’re setting yourself up for an easy continuation after the tour. If you plan to grab a late snack, find live music, or just stroll the square, finishing there is convenient.

Two logistics points that can quietly make or break your night:

• The tour departs at the scheduled time, and late arrivals won’t be refunded.
• Guides can’t stop to wait if the group is already moving, because they have to stay on schedule and deliver the narration at the planned pace.

If you’re the kind of person who likes to take a slow pre-dinner photo loop on Bourbon, just build in buffer time so you don’t risk missing the start.

Stop 1: Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar and the opening story hook

The first stop is Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. This is where the tour does what it promised on the tin: it sets the tone. Expect a lively storyteller who covers general history and then spices it up with voodoo, ghost lore, and vampire-style intrigue.

This first stop is key for two reasons.

First, it’s an easy “arrival moment.” You’re not wandering cold into the Quarter and trying to figure out what’s happening. You’re given a focal point immediately, with a guide framing what to pay attention to next.

Second, it’s where you learn the tour’s rhythm: how often you move, how much time you get at each bar location, and how the paranormal equipment fits into the format (when it’s available).

One practical drawback to note: bars can get busy, and waiting inside can stretch the total time. That doesn’t mean it’s chaotic. It just means you shouldn’t schedule something rigid right after.

Stop 2: French Quarter walk with the sketchy-history storyline

The second part centers on the French Quarter and focuses on “booze and nefarious history,” including pirates, convicted felons, and nightlife characters. The theme is not subtle. It’s meant to be fun, and it keeps the pace of a walking tour moving.

This stop is where the experience shifts from “bar atmosphere” to “place-based storytelling.” You’ll likely find that the route helps you understand how the French Quarter became what it is today: compact streets, old buildings, and a reputation that’s always been more storybook than sanitized.

What to watch for: the guide isn’t just reciting legends. The point is to connect the lore to the geography, so when you look at a corner later, you have a reason behind the myth. That’s what turns an entertaining night into something you remember the next day.

The drinking part: what’s included, what’s on you

Your ticket covers the guided storytelling and tour route, not drinks. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase during the tour at various stops.

That matters because it changes how you should plan your night.

• If you want to keep control, you can have one drink, sip slowly, and stay comfortable walking.
• If you plan to “party first, listen second,” the moderate pace and dark-sounding stories might feel harder to follow.

There’s also a safety note that’s worth respecting: the operator can refuse service to anyone who becomes extremely intoxicated. So if you’re the type who likes to keep things fun but safe, you’ll fit in well.

If you’re bringing someone who doesn’t drink, it’s still possible to enjoy the route. Just know the format is built around bars and alcohol culture, so non-drinkers should be ready for that reality.

Paranormal equipment: check out, use it, return it

This tour includes a bonus for people who like ghost stories: paranormal equipment is provided. The equipment is checked out at the start and must be returned before the guest leaves the tour.

There’s also a clear financial rule: a $250 fee will be charged for lost or damaged equipment. So keep it with you, handle it carefully, and don’t treat it like a souvenir.

Also, this is important for expectations management: there is no guarantee you’ll see paranormal activity. The operator is explicit about this. What you’re doing is using realistic tools as part of a themed experience, not trying to force the universe to produce a ghost on command.

If you go in with that mindset, you’ll probably enjoy the equipment more, because it becomes part of the fun game rather than a promise.

Timing, pace, and how to dress for a French Quarter night

The tour runs about 1 to 2 hours. It’s a moderate-paced walking tour, and the exact duration can stretch depending on wait times inside bars.

That’s why your footwear matters. The Quarter is historic, which also means uneven sidewalks and older streets. Wear shoes you’d be happy to stand and walk in for an hour or two, especially at night.

Weather matters too. This is a rain-or-shine activity. New Orleans can swing from hot to cooler evenings fast, and you’ll be walking. Bring a light layer if you get chilly.

Photos are encouraged, but audio or video recording devices are not allowed during the tour. If you’re the type who likes to film everything, you’ll need to switch to still photos and good old-fashioned memory.

Finally, the company takes time-stamped photos at the meeting location at the start of each tour. It’s part of their process for keeping track of groups.

Small-business energy and local guide impact

One reason this tour has an identity is that it’s operated by a small, family-owned business that has been running since 2014. The founder is also the creator of the tour concept and trademarks for it and related experiences.

That history shows up in the tone: this isn’t a generic template. It’s built like a route with personality, and the guides are local licensed storytellers. In practical terms, it helps you get answers when you ask questions and keeps the experience from feeling like you’re just following a slideshow.

You’ll also notice that the guide’s job includes timing the bar stops and keeping the narration on schedule. The tour is built around group movement, so you should expect a “walk, listen, stop, sip, move” flow.

Who should book this, and who might not

This fits best if you want:

• A guided French Quarter route instead of wandering without direction
• Voodoo and paranormal themes mixed with actual history context
• A lively night that still gets you oriented in the city

It might not be your match if you:

• Want a quiet, academic history lecture
• Need guaranteed supernatural evidence
• Are very sensitive to walking and standing at bars for short periods

If you do enjoy storytelling and you like the idea of pairing “facts and fiction” in the French Quarter, you’re exactly the right audience.

A balanced look at the “what if something goes wrong” side

Like any small walking tour, timing depends on check-in and group coordination. The operator can’t answer phones after a tour departs, and guides may not stay at the meeting point if you arrive late. So do yourself a favor: keep your mobile phone available, confirm your start time, and arrive early enough to avoid stress.

Also, the tour is subject to change without notice. Routes can shift, and the operator reserves the right to adjust the route based on conditions.

If you hate uncertainty, this might feel like too much. But if you’re fine with flexible storytelling and staying in the moment, that’s part of what makes New Orleans nights work.

Should you book Cheers New Orleans: Cocktails, History, Voodoo & Paranormal?

Book it if you want a fun first-night French Quarter plan that mixes history + spooky lore with actual guided pacing. At $15, you’re paying for the structure and the local storyteller, not for drinks or a guaranteed paranormal event. If you keep your expectations realistic and treat the paranormal gear as part of the game, it can be a great way to start the evening already knowing where you are and why the streets matter.

Skip it if you need guaranteed hauntings, want drinks included, or can’t handle walking and standing in bar lines for short waits.

If you book, come with good shoes, arrive early at the Lafitte’s courtyard gate, and decide your drink pace before you start. Then let the guide do the work of turning street corners into stories.

FAQ

How much does the Cheers New Orleans tour cost?

The price is $15.00 per person.

How long does the tour last?

It runs about 1 to 2 hours (approx.), with a moderate walking pace. Time can be affected by how busy bars are.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar at 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Jackson Square, New Orleans, LA 70116.

Are alcoholic beverages included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included. Drinks and snacks can be purchased along the route at different locations.

Does the tour provide paranormal equipment?

Yes. Paranormal equipment is provided as a bonus for people who like paranormal stories.

Is paranormal activity guaranteed?

No. The tour is for entertainment purposes only, and there is no guarantee you will encounter any paranormal activity.

What are the rules for paranormal equipment?

Equipment must be checked out at the beginning of the tour and returned to the guide before you leave the tour group. A $250 fee applies for lost or damaged equipment.

Can I record audio or video during the tour?

No. Audio or video recording devices are not allowed. Photos are allowed and encouraged.

Is the tour refundable if I cancel or if it rains?

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. Tours are rain-or-shine events. If the tour is canceled because the minimum number of travelers isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.