New Orleans turns spooky with a drink in tow. This French Quarter ghost and vampire pub crawl mixes walking history with a real electromagnetic detector while you sip your way through the Quarter.

I like that it uses a real EMF meter/paranormal detector, not just spooky talk. I also like the guide-led pace and route, which keeps you moving through iconic spots without the stress of planning each turn.

The main thing to know up front is that paranormal results are never guaranteed, so I’d treat this as entertainment plus atmosphere, not a sure-fire ghost sighting.

Real EMF detector use during the walk

Drink-to-go bar stops along a single, easy route

Key stops: Lafittes Blacksmith Shop area, Jackson Square, and more French Quarter sights

Story focus: voodoo-era context, burial customs, and legendary vs. historical vampires

Guide-driven tone: fun, sometimes funny, often dark

No certainty of paranormal activity, even with equipment

Price and What $19.25 Buys You in the French Quarter

At $19.25, this tour sits in the “value-friendly” category for a guided, after-dark French Quarter experience. You’re not just paying for someone to walk beside you—you’re paying for a licensed guide, a structured route, and the special element of an EMF detector being used during the evening.

You’ll also save your decision fatigue. With a set meeting place and a finish point at Jackson Square, you don’t have to guess what’s worth seeing—or where to start tonight. That convenience can be worth real money when you’re juggling dinner reservations and a short trip window.

One more practical note: alcohol is not included. The tour does allow to-go drinks during the route, but you’ll still pay for what you order. For me, that’s fair, because it lets you choose your budget and pace.

Meeting at Lafittes Blacksmith Shop and the Crawl’s Real-World Flow

This starts at 941 Bourbon St, at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar. The tour does not meet inside the bar, and it’s not at a random corner—so arrive a few minutes early and check in with the guide at the gate.

It’s a moderate-paced walking tour, usually about 1 to 2 hours, with extra time possible if bars are busy and the group needs to wait. In a neighborhood where sidewalks are uneven and streets can be hectic, that moderate pace matters. It’s not a sprint, and the guide’s job is to keep the group together.

The route is designed so the ending is simple: you finish at Jackson Square. That’s a smart setup if you want to continue exploring on your own afterward, or if you need a clear place to regroup.

Stop 1: Lafittes Blacksmith Shop and the Quarter’s Dark Story Engine

Your first leg begins right where the French Quarter vibe is thick: the Lafittes Blacksmith Shop area. The tour uses this stop to set the mood with stories about New Orleans history and its darker threads, including hauntings, voodoo, vampires, and ghosts.

This stop also includes some context that you don’t usually get on the typical “photo-and-trivia” type tours. You’ll hear about traditional burial practices, plus love stories that turn tragic. That matters because it explains why some legends feel so personal in New Orleans, not just like Halloween costumes.

Then there’s the vampire angle. The tour highlights the difference between vampires of legend and vampires of history, and it points you toward locations connected to captivity stories. Even if you’re more skeptic than believer, I think it’s compelling because it anchors the spooky theme in real historical framing.

The EMF Meter Moment: When “Spooky” Turns Technical

A standout part of this tour is the use of a real EMF meter/paranormal detector during the investigation. This isn’t just a gimmick description; it’s built into the walk.

If you’re the type who likes to compare readings, this is where you’ll feel the difference from other ghost tours. You can treat it like a science-y experiment with a story theme, and you’ll likely pay more attention to what the guide is measuring and why.

Just keep your expectations grounded. The tour is designed for entertainment, and there’s no guarantee of meaningful readings or any supernatural encounter. The device is there to add structure to the experience—it’s not a promise of proof.

Stop 2: Jackson Square, Julie, and the Carter Brothers Tale

Next up is Jackson Square, which is a good “anchor stop.” It’s central, easy to find, and it gives the evening a natural midpoint instead of feeling like a long line with no rhythm.

This is where you’ll get a set of stories tied to haunting lore and real crime history. The tour includes the home of the most predictable ghost, Julie, and it leans into a tragic love story vibe. It also covers the Carter Brothers, who were tried, convicted, and executed, and who are still seen by some people today.

There’s also a heavier note: the tour references the largest mass murder in New Orleans history, described as unsolved even though ghosts remain in the lore. I like that the guide doesn’t treat this like pure melodrama; it’s presented as stories that shaped how people remember the city.

Stop 3: French Quarter Pub Stops and To-Go Drink Freedom

After Jackson Square, the tour continues through the French Quarter with additional ghost and vampire stories and time for bar stops. You’ll be allowed to stop in local bars and grab to-go drinks along the route.

This is where the tour’s “drunken” side becomes practical. To-go drinks help you keep moving and keep the energy up, especially when the group is hopping from place to place. If you want the night to stay fun and not constantly revolve around ordering, this format can work well.

One small bonus if you’re a fan of New Orleans kitsch: you may spot or hear about themed treats nearby. For example, one review highlights grabbing something like a blood bag from the Vampire Cafe as a silly add-on. That’s not the core of the tour, but it fits the atmosphere.

Guide Style: Why Cody, Coty, and Gabe Show Up in the Best Experiences

The tour lives or dies by the guide’s storytelling style. In the strongest reviews, names like Cody/Coty and Gabe come up repeatedly, and the common thread is a mix of humor with sharp local detail.

I like that the best guides seem to balance spooky with human stories. Instead of making everything about jump-scare drama, they connect the legends to architecture, burial customs, and the city’s history of rumors that became part of its identity.

You’ll also see how guides handle the social side. Some groups end up with a more lively feel because the guide keeps the pace moving and sets expectations clearly. If you’re hoping for an energetic evening with dark comedy and real local texture, choose a time slot that gives you enough daylight buffer for dinner beforehand.

What the Tour Rules Mean for Your Night (Without Overcomplicating It)

This is a walking tour, and the route includes older, uneven streets. You should plan for comfort: shoes you can handle for a solid walk, and a phone ready to use if you get any schedule updates.

Audio or video recording is not allowed. Photos are encouraged, and time-stamped photos are taken at the meeting location at the start of the tour. That’s useful if you want a quick memory without having to coordinate every shot yourself.

If you’re excited about the EMF angle, note that paranormal equipment can be used during the tour, but it has strict check-in and tracking rules. Equipment must be requested at check-in, and if anything is lost or damaged, there’s a $250 fee stated for each piece. GPS-marked tracking is also mentioned, so treat the gear carefully.

When Heat, Delays, or Cancellations Enter the Picture

New Orleans can be brutal in summer, and this tour can be affected by real-world conditions. One cancellation case discussed an extreme heat warning with triple-digit heat index values, and the tour was delayed until a later departure time for safety.

Another pattern from the lower ratings is simple: people reported no-shows, late notices, or last-minute cancellation. Some of those situations look weather-related, but others sound like service breakdowns. That doesn’t mean every night is a problem, but it does mean you should build in a backup plan.

If you have only one night in town, I’d avoid scheduling this as your single must-do with no other options. Instead, pair it with flexible plans afterward—especially if you plan to keep the evening going in the Quarter after the tour ends.

Who Should Book This Tour, and Who Might Skip It

This tour fits best if you want a fun, structured French Quarter night with real stories and some adult-style pub-crawl energy. It’s also a strong match if you like history that leans dark, and if you enjoy the challenge of hearing legend vs. recorded context.

You might skip it if you mainly want a quiet, sit-down ghost story with minimal walking. The format includes bar stops and movement, plus the possibility of waits if places are crowded.

It also helps to be clear about your goal: if you want certainty of paranormal proof, you’ll be disappointed. If you want entertainment with a tool-driven twist and a guided walk through the Quarter’s story hotspots, you’ll likely have a better time.

Should You Book This French Quarter Drunken Ghost and Vampire Tour?

If your ideal evening is a guided walk through the French Quarter with vampire-and-ghost lore, to-go drink stops, and a real EMF detector moment, I think this is a good pick. The value is hard to ignore at $19.25, and the end at Jackson Square makes the night easy to extend or wrap up.

I’d book it with one condition: expect storytelling plus atmosphere, not guaranteed paranormal activity. Also, because some reports mention no-shows or late cancellations, plan a backup activity nearby so your night doesn’t collapse if the schedule changes.

FAQ

How long is the French Quarter Drunken Ghost and Vampire Tour?

Tours last about 1 to 2 hours, with a moderate walking pace. The duration can run longer if the group needs to wait inside bars.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

You meet at 941 Bourbon St at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafittes Blacksmith Shop Bar. The tour ends at Jackson Square.

Are drinks included in the price?

Alcoholic drinks are not included. Drinks are available to purchase, and the tour allows to-go drinks along the route.

Is the tour truly paranormal-themed, or is it mostly history?

It’s designed around ghost and vampire stories alongside historical context. A real electromagnetic radiation detector/EMF meter is used during the tour.

Can I bring a service animal?

Service animals are allowed.

Is the tour recorded or can I film it?

Audio or video recording devices are not allowed during the tour. Photos are encouraged.