Cheers New Orleans! Cocktails, History, Voodoo & Paranormal Tour

New Orleans history gets a livelier telling when it comes with pirate lore, voodoo, vampires and a stop at one of the French Quarter’s best-known bars. This walking tour starts by Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar and threads its stories through the neighborhood, with time to buy a drink along the way.

I like two things about the format: the guide connects familiar landmarks with lesser-known bars, and paranormal equipment gives ghost-story fans something to try beyond listening. Guides Coty and Cody have been praised for friendly storytelling and for answering questions, so this can be a good first-night introduction to the Quarter.

The main consideration is that this is a paid walking tour with drinks extra, not a bar crawl with beverages included. The route and duration can change with bar waits, and the operator does not promise a ghost sighting. Arrive on time, wear shoes for uneven streets, and treat the supernatural part as entertainment rather than a guarantee.

• Start at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: Meet outside at the gate to the courtyard, not inside the bar.
• Hear the Quarter’s darker tales: Expect general city history mixed with stories about pirates, felons, voodoo, ghosts and vampires.
• Buy drinks as you go: Alcohol and snacks are not included in the $15 ticket.
• Try paranormal equipment: Equipment is provided and must be returned to the guide before you leave.
• Finish near Jackson Square: The route ends in the heart of the French Quarter.
• Plan for a flexible pace: The walk takes about one to two hours, with busy bars potentially slowing things down.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar sets the scene

The meeting point is at 941 Bourbon Street, on the sidewalk by the gate to the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. It is an evocative place to begin a tour built around New Orleans legends, but the guide meets you outside, not inside. The tour company is not affiliated with the bar, so think of it as a landmark and meeting point, not part of your ticket.

From there, the guide sets the tone with broad French Quarter history before adding its more scandalous edges. The tour is billed as a mix of history, voodoo, ghost and vampire stories, with tales of pirates, convicted felons and women who worked in the sex trade. That combination is the point: you get the city’s past as a lively narrative, not a formal lecture.

The company was created in 2014 by Ashli Stratman, and the business is family-owned and operated. The tour is led by a local licensed guide. Coty and Cody are names associated with recent tours, though the spelling differs in the available details. The strongest practical signal is what those guides did well: they were described as friendly, answered questions and made the stories engaging. If you enjoy asking how a local legend fits into the city’s broader past, bring your questions.

A French Quarter walk with a drink in hand

The second part of the experience is a walking route through the French Quarter, ending at Jackson Square. The guide points out historic places and tells stories as the group moves, with stops at famous bars and less obvious drinking spots. The exact route can change, so don’t count on a fixed list of venues beyond the starting point.

That mix of celebrated bars and smaller finds is useful if you are new to the area. You can get oriented while hearing stories that give the streets a little more meaning than they have on a map. It is also a social way to spend an early evening, particularly if you want a guided outing that feels looser than a conventional history walk.

Drinks are available for purchase at stops along the way, but they are not included in the ticket price. Some bars may be busy, and waiting inside can stretch the tour beyond an hour. The stated duration is about one to two hours, so keep your plans afterward flexible. If you prefer not to enter a bar, the route may include walk-up windows where you can buy a drink. Not every bar allows children inside, so families should bear that in mind.

The tour allows guests to drink during the walk, but the guide can refuse service to anyone who appears extremely intoxicated. That is sensible on old, uneven streets, where keeping your feet and staying with the group matters more than squeezing in another round.

Voodoo, vampires and paranormal gear

The ghost stories are part of the entertainment, not a promise of a supernatural encounter. The tour covers voodoo and paranormal subjects alongside history, and paranormal equipment is available for guests who want to take part in that side of the experience. You check it out from the guide and must return it before leaving the group.

There is a $250 charge for equipment that is lost or damaged, so handle it carefully and make sure it is back with the guide before you go. The operator is clear that no one can guarantee you will see a ghost, vampire or other supernatural being. You may hear stories and use the equipment, but the tour does not claim it can make anything appear.

That honest limit is worth keeping in mind. If you want a night of spooky storytelling, this format should suit you. If your main goal is proof of paranormal activity, you may find the experience less satisfying. The guide’s stories and the historic setting are the reliable parts; a supernatural sighting is not.

You can take photos, and the operator encourages them. Audio and video recording are not allowed. The rules also ask you to stay with the group, avoid wandering off to take pictures, and respect private homes along the route. This is a neighborhood as well as a place of nightlife, and the guide needs to keep the group moving.

What $15 buys, and what it does not

At $15 per person, the tour is an inexpensive way to combine a guided Quarter walk with a little bar-hopping and storytelling. Your ticket covers the local guide and walking tour. It does not cover drinks, snacks or gratuities, so your total spend will depend on what you buy along the route and whether you choose to tip.

I see the best value here in the combination. You are not paying for a drink package or a long museum-style talk. You are paying for a local guide to give structure to an evening, connect the neighborhood’s history to its darker legends, and lead you to places you might not have chosen on your own. If you were already planning to explore the Quarter and stop for a drink, the guided storytelling adds a useful layer.

The trade-off is that the low ticket price does not make the outing fully predictable. Bar waits can affect the timing, and tours may be changed, delayed or canceled if minimum numbers are not met. The booking terms say tickets are non-refundable for cancellations made by the customer; if the operator cancels because the minimum is not reached, you may be offered another date or experience, or a refund. The operator also says tours run rain or shine, though it reserves the right to cancel or reschedule in certain conditions.

Timing, meeting point and walking comfort

Arrive a few minutes before the scheduled departure and check in with the guide at the meeting point. Tours leave on time, and a late arrival can mean missing the group. If you are running late, contact the operator before departure; once the walk starts, the guide may not be able to answer calls while leading the group.

The tour moves at a moderate walking pace, and the route uses old, uneven streets and walkways. Wear shoes you can walk in, and keep an eye on your footing, especially if you plan to have drinks. Weather matters too: New Orleans can be hot or cold, and the tour runs in rain unless the operator cancels or reschedules it. Bring clothing suited to the forecast.

The listed start and end points make this easy to pair with other Quarter plans: you meet on Bourbon Street and finish at Jackson Square. The exact route may change without notice, and the duration can stretch when bars are crowded. Give yourself room in the evening rather than booking a tight dinner reservation immediately afterward.

Service animals are allowed, and the tour is described as suitable for most participants. That does not erase the practical challenge of uneven pavement, a moderate-paced group walk and bar stops. If those are concerns for you, contact the operator before booking to ask about your particular needs.

Who will enjoy this tour most

This experience makes the most sense for someone who wants a lively first introduction to the French Quarter, enjoys local stories and is happy to buy drinks as they go. It also suits a group of friends looking for an evening walk with a theme, rather than a bar crawl focused only on drinking.

History fans should come ready for an informal mix. You will hear about the city’s past, but the tour leans into stories of crime, voodoo, ghosts and vampires. If you prefer detailed historical analysis with dates and extended discussion, check whether that style matches what you want. The available description emphasizes entertaining storytelling and a moderate-paced walk.

For paranormal enthusiasts, the equipment adds a hands-on element, but the guide is not promising a haunting. For families, check the route and age suitability in advance, since some bars do not admit children. And if you dislike walking while holding a drink or prefer a strict end time, the variable stops may not be for you.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want an affordable, sociable way to hear French Quarter history with a generous helping of ghost lore, voodoo and local color. The guide is the key value: you get a walking route, stories and bar suggestions in one short outing. Coty and Cody have been praised for friendly, engaging delivery, though the guide on your date may differ.

Skip it if you need drinks included, a guaranteed schedule, or proof of paranormal activity. For a $15 ticket, it offers a lot of character, provided you arrive on time, budget separately for drinks and stay open to a route that may move at the pace of the bars.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at 941 Bourbon Street, on the sidewalk by the gate to the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. It ends at Jackson Square.

How long does the tour last?

Plan for about one to two hours. The timing can vary, especially if the group waits at busy bars.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Drinks and snacks can be purchased at stops along the route, but they are not included in the $15 ticket.

Is paranormal activity guaranteed?

No. The tour includes ghost stories and paranormal equipment, but the operator does not guarantee that you will see a ghost or other supernatural being.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Some bars do not allow children inside. Walk-up drink windows may be available, but check with the operator if you are planning to bring children.

What happens if I arrive late?

Tours leave at the scheduled time, and late arrivals may miss the group without a refund. Contact the operator before departure if you expect to be late.

What happens if the tour is canceled because too few people booked?

If the minimum number of participants is not met, the operator may offer another date or experience, or a full refund.