True Crime Pub Crawl in New Orleans

New Orleans crime stories come with a side of place on this two-hour French Quarter walk. You’ll hear about the Ax Man, alleged local connections to the JFK assassination and the brothels of Storyville, while stopping at bars tied to the city’s past.

I like the mix of landmark history and bar stops, which gives the stories a setting instead of treating them as a string of grisly tales. I also like that guides such as Wes, Gomez and Jamie are known for adding local context and making room for questions.

The trade-off: this is a walking pub crawl, not a sit-down history talk, and drinks are not included in the $37 price. The route may change, and the French Quarter’s old streets can be hard to manage if you have mobility issues.

• Jackson Square sets the scene: Start with views of the Cabildo, Presbytere and Mississippi River from Washington Artillery Park.
• Storyville comes with a real bar stop: May Baily’s Place is credited with being New Orleans’ first licensed brothel.
• Crime stories range widely: Expect accounts of the Ax Man and the alleged JFK connections, among other subjects.
• Jimani is both a pub stop and a story location: The guide shares a gruesome crime story there.
• Budget for drinks: The tour costs $37 per person, but alcohol and parking are extra.

A French Quarter walk with crime at its center

The True Crime Pub Crawl starts at 6 pm at Bon’s New Orleans Street Food, at 620 Decatur Street. From there, a licensed guide leads a walk through the French Quarter that links crime stories to historic buildings, streets and bars.

The route is about two hours, and the group can include up to 28 people. That size leaves room for a lively evening, though it can mean you need to stay close to the guide to catch every detail, especially when the streets are noisy.

This is not a tour devoted only to one case or one era. The subjects range from the Ax Man’s reign of terror to alleged French Quarter connections to the JFK assassination, with Storyville and the Tango Belt adding a look at the city’s past nightlife.

The balance depends in part on the guide. Wes, Gomez, Jamie, Jenna, DJ, Richard and Candy are among the guides named by people who have taken the tour. Their styles differ, but the recurring strengths are clear: lively storytelling, local context, humor and an ability to keep a group engaged. Gomez, in particular, has been praised for citing sources and adding personal perspective.

Jackson Square and the river view

The walk begins with a photo stop at Jackson Square, where the guide introduces the Cabildo and Presbytere. These historic buildings help orient you to the French Quarter before the tour turns toward its crime stories.

From there, you walk up to Washington Artillery Park for a view of the Mississippi River. It’s a useful pause in a tour built around dark subjects: a chance to look outward and take in the city’s setting before moving on to more unsettling stories.

This opening also shows the tour’s broader appeal. Even if you already know the headline crime stories, the landmarks and local history give the walk a wider frame. Guides have been praised for folding in details about New Orleans beyond the crimes themselves, so you’re not simply moving from one grisly account to the next.

Bring a phone or camera if you like taking pictures, but keep an ear open while the guide speaks. The early stops are not just scenic; they establish the context for the neighborhoods and institutions that come up later.

The Supreme Court and JFK allegations

Another stop takes you to the steps of the Supreme Court Building, where the guide discusses New Orleans connections to the JFK assassination. The description is careful to frame these as alleged connections, not settled fact.

That distinction matters. True-crime tours can blur the line between documented history and speculation, particularly when a famous case is involved. Here, you can listen for how the guide presents the material and ask questions if you want to understand which parts are claims and which are established details.

The subject gives the walk a different scale. The earlier stories are closely tied to particular streets and bars; the JFK material connects the French Quarter to a national event and its theories. If you are mainly coming for local crime lore, this stop may feel like a change of direction, but it adds variety to the evening.

May Baily’s Place and Storyville

May Baily’s Place is a particularly distinctive stop: a former brothel credited with being the first licensed brothel in New Orleans. The tour allows about 10 minutes there, and you can buy a cocktail while hearing about its place in the Storyville era.

The drink is optional and not covered by your ticket. That is worth knowing before you arrive, especially if you plan to stop at every bar. The tour price includes the guide, not alcohol, so your final spend will depend on what you order.

The setting makes this stop more than a quick drink break. Storyville and the Tango Belt offer a window into the city’s historic nightlife, and the guide connects that past to places you can see and enter today. Still, the route is subject to change, so don’t treat any individual bar as guaranteed.

May Baily’s also illustrates the tour’s particular appeal: history served in a working bar rather than a museum room. That can make the past feel close at hand, though you should expect a casual pub atmosphere rather than a formal lecture.

Jimani Lounge and the darker stories

At Jimani Lounge & Restaurant, the group stops for about 15 minutes. The guide shares a gruesome story connected to the location, and you can order a drink if you wish.

This is where the tour’s tone can turn decidedly dark. Some people are drawn to the detail; others may find the graphic accounts more than they want with their evening drink. If you enjoy true crime but prefer a lighter touch, keep in mind that the tour is designed around murder stories, not just spooky atmosphere.

The Jimani stop also offers a practical advantage: the guide’s stories are grounded in actual places, and the bar gives the group a natural place to pause. The pace is not all walking and listening. You’ll have some time to order and talk, though 15 minutes is not a long bar visit.

Guides have been praised for treating victims with respect as they tell the stories. That matters on a tour where the subject is real harm, and it helps keep the evening from feeling like crime reduced to spectacle.

The Ax Man, murder cases and changing routes

The Ax Man’s reign of terror is one of the tour’s advertised subjects. Other crimes may come up as well. Wes, for example, has covered the Zack and Addie murder-suicide and murders on the 700 block of Ursuline Avenue, alongside the Ax Man cases.

Those details show why the experience can vary from one outing to another. Guides bring their own stories and local knowledge, and routes can change because of parades, festivals or construction. One evening may emphasize one set of cases; another may spend more time on a different part of the Quarter.

That flexibility is useful in a city where street conditions and events can disrupt a planned walk. It also means you should think of the route as a framework rather than a fixed checklist. If you have your heart set on a particular bar or story, ask the guide whether it is likely to be included, but be prepared for changes.

A few guides have added personal touches beyond the main crime material. One tour ended with singing, and another guide bought the group shots. Treat these as individual gestures, not part of what the ticket promises.

What $37 gets you, and what it does not

At $37 per person, the main value is a guided evening that combines local history, crime stories, landmarks and bar visits. You’re paying for the guide and the structure: someone to connect the stories to the streets and help you find bars you might not choose on your own.

The ticket does not include alcohol or parking fees. If you plan to have cocktails at several stops, budget extra. Some people found the drinks enjoyable and appreciated the guide’s recommendations, while others would have liked more drink choice. You can still join the walk without ordering at every bar.

The tour has a 4.9 rating from 80 reviews, and 98% of participants recommend it. Those figures are encouraging, but they do not guarantee a perfect fit: one person may love the gory detail, while another may prefer less haunted or curse-related material. The tour’s center of gravity is true crime, but the guide’s style can shape the evening.

The average booking window is 28 days. If you have a particular evening in mind, planning ahead is sensible, especially during busy periods. Confirmation is provided at booking, and free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time.

Who will enjoy the walk

This tour is best for you if you like true crime, enjoy a good storyteller and want a history walk with bar stops built in. It suits couples, solo visitors and families who are comfortable with mature crime topics. The group can reach 28 people, so expect a shared experience rather than a private conversation with the guide.

It also works well if you’ve been to New Orleans before. The local history and neighborhood stories can give familiar streets a new angle, and the guides may bring in material beyond the cases you already know.

It is less suited to non-drinkers who want a traditional pub crawl, or to anyone who dislikes graphic crime details. You can skip alcohol, but the bars are part of the format. And while most people can participate, the old French Quarter streets may pose challenges if you have mobility limitations.

The start and end point are the same, at Bon’s New Orleans Street Food. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is offered in English. The route can change with parades, festivals or construction, so leave room for a slightly different walk than you expect.

Should you book the True Crime Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want two hours of New Orleans history told through crimes, local landmarks and neighborhood bars. The combination is more distinctive than a standard pub crawl, and the best guides bring humor, personal knowledge and a clear sense of how the stories fit the city.

Skip it if you want a quiet history lecture, dislike gruesome material or need a fully predictable route. At $37, it’s a fair value for a guided walk, provided you remember that drinks cost extra. If the subject appeals and you can handle some grim detail, this is a lively way to spend an evening in the Quarter.

FAQ

How long is the True Crime Pub Crawl?

It lasts approximately two hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 6 pm.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at Bon’s New Orleans Street Food, 620 Decatur Street, Unit 1B, New Orleans, LA 70130.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the meeting point.

Are drinks included in the $37 ticket?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is parking included?

No. Parking fees are not included.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How large can the group be?

The maximum group size is 28 travelers.

Does the route always visit the same places?

No. Routes may change because of parades, festivals or construction.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.