True crime and cocktails sounds wild, but New Orleans makes it work. This 2 hour French Quarter crawl strings together real places like Jackson Square, Supreme Court steps, and Storyville era drinking stops, with stories about murderers, the Ax Man, and even JFK assassination connections.

I like that the guide line-up is consistently strong, with people calling out performers like Wesley, Gomez, Jenna, Jamie, and DJ for pacing, humor, and keeping the group engaged. My other favorite is the mix of “where it happened” location moments and bar-to-bar storytelling, not just names and dates. The one drawback to keep in mind is that the tone can run very heavy on gruesome detail, and in at least a couple cases the vibe drifted into more haunted or cursed material than some people wanted.

Key Takeaways Before You Go

• French Quarter, on foot: You get classic landmarks plus bar stops, without hopping around town.
• Iconic Storyville stop: May Bailey’s Place is built into the route, and it is credited as the first licensed brothel in New Orleans.
• JFK thread in the Quarter: You walk near Supreme Court steps and learn about New Orleans links to the JFK assassination.
• Chilling Ax Man focus: The crawl includes the Ax Man’s reign of terror as a named highlight.
• Smart guide matter: Strong story delivery is a major theme, with guides like Wesley and Gomez repeatedly praised.

Why This True Crime Pub Crawl Fits the French Quarter

New Orleans is a city of layers. Old streets, old buildings, and old rumors all overlap, so it makes sense to hear the darker stories while you are standing in the spaces where locals still point and gesture.

This crawl is also built for people who like their history with momentum. You are not just reading plaques. You are moving through the Quarter, grabbing a drink at each stop, and letting the guide connect the dots between landmarks and alleged crimes like the Ax Man and notorious murderers.

Starting at Bon’s, and What “Mobile Ticket + 6:00 pm” Means

The tour starts at Bon’s New Orleans Street Food, 620 Decatur St Unit 1B, at 6:00 pm. You will use a mobile ticket, and the confirmation comes at booking, so you can travel light.

The practical win here is timing. A 6:00 pm start hits that sweet spot where it is still daylight enough to enjoy Jackson Square and river views, but the bars are ready for night energy. And because the group stays small, with a maximum of 28 travelers, you usually get better attention from the guide than on huge bus-style tours.

Jackson Square to Washington Artillery Park: Cabildo, Presbytere, and River Views

You kick things off with a photo-op at Jackson Square while learning about the Cabildo and Presbytere. It is a great start point because the square is easy to find and instantly sets the scene, even if you have never been to the Quarter before.

Then you walk up toward Washington Artillery Park for a view of the Mississippi River. That viewpoint matters more than it sounds. It gives you a quick geography lesson, so later stories about the city feel grounded in the way the Quarter sits beside the river.

Tip for you: plan to wear shoes you can handle on uneven, busy streets. The French Quarter can be slick, crowded, and not always friendly for strollers or mobility needs.

Supreme Court Steps and the JFK Thread Through New Orleans

Next, you walk on the steps of the Supreme Court Building and hear about connections New Orleans has to the JFK assassination. Even if you already know the broad story, hearing it tied to a specific local setting changes the way it lands. This is one of those “you are standing where the guide points” moments.

This stop also works because it shifts the tone. You move from generic haunted vibes to a specific, named historical narrative that the guide can anchor to place. It is the kind of stop that makes the tour feel more like a guided night walk than a bar crawl with trivia.

May Bailey’s Place: Your Storyville-Era Cocktail Stop

At May Bailey’s Place, you stop for a cocktail at a former brothel that is credited with being the first licensed brothel in New Orleans. You only linger about 10 minutes, so it is not a slow sit-down moment. Think “quick taste of the place and the story” rather than a long hang.

This is one of the most meaningful stops on the route for anyone who likes the legal and social context behind nightlife. The tour is not just saying brothels existed. It frames it as part of how New Orleans operated, right down to the idea of licensing.

Important practical note: admission ticket is free for this stop, but alcoholic beverages are not included, so you will still want cash or a card ready for your drink.

Jimani Lounge and Restaurant: A 15-Minute Stop With a Gruesome Story

Your next bar stop is Jimani Lounge and Restaurant, where you get about 15 minutes to grab a cocktail and hear a more direct, gruesome narrative.

This stop is usually where the crawl leans hardest into true crime details. If you like a guide who can keep the room engaged while telling heavier stories, this is the moment to pay attention. If you prefer lighter history or you are sensitive to graphic content, you will want to decide ahead of time how much of the “gruesome story” style you want in your evening.

Again, drinks are on you, since alcoholic beverages are not included.

Storyville, the Tango Belt, and the Ax Man’s Reign

Between stops, the crawl ties key themes together: Storyville, the Tango Belt, and the Ax Man’s reign of terror. Even without a long museum lecture, this is a useful way to learn. You get the big picture while you are moving from location to location.

I like that the tour does not treat these topics as random add-ons. The Ax Man is presented as a central highlight, and the Storyville era framing helps explain why certain bars and streets feel like they have their own built-in lore.

If you are a true crime fan, this section is probably your favorite because it gives you names, eras, and a sense of how fear and violence became part of the city’s identity.

Drinks, Cash, and the Real Costs of a $37 Night

The tour costs $37.00 per person and lasts about 2 hours. You are paying for a licensed guide, guided movement through major landmarks, and included stop time at places like May Bailey’s Place (with free admission for that stop). You are not paying for the drinks themselves, because alcoholic beverages are not included.

So the real value depends on what you order. If you treat the cocktails as part of the experience, this price can feel fair for a guided, location-based night. If you plan to skip alcohol completely, you may still enjoy the stories, but the experience will feel more limited than the people who are fully in the bar mode.

One review tip worth listening to: bring cash for smaller stops where paying quickly helps the group keep moving.

What the Guides Are Doing Right, From Wesley to Jenna and Gomez

This tour’s reputation leans hard on the guide experience, and the names repeat for a reason. People mention guides like Wesley and Gomez for story delivery that mixes humor with real sources. Others call out Jenna for clear communication and for adding more information than they expected.

A few guide style notes you can use to choose your vibe:

• You want someone who keeps the group on topic even when conversation gets lively. Jenna and other guides are described as good at that.
• You want suspense and pacing. Jaime and Wes are praised for building tension.
• You want local flavor beyond the same old talking points. Multiple people mention that bar choices feel like local favorites, not standard tourist traps.
• You value respectful storytelling. One review specifically praises a guide for remembering names and for aiming to respect the victims.

Also, one person noted an ending with singing when guided by Gomez. That is not guaranteed based on the info you have, but it does hint at an energetic, personality-driven tour style.

Walking Pace, Route Changes, and Staying Comfortable

The crawl is active. Expect walking through the French Quarter streets, which can mean tight corners, crowded sidewalks, and uneven ground. The tour notes that historic Quarter streets can challenge travelers with mobility issues, so choose your shoes and plan your pace accordingly.

Routes can change due to parades, festivals, or construction. That matters because the schedule is built around real locations and bar stops. If you are the type who hates last-minute changes, tell yourself now that you are going to roll with it.

Group size is capped at 28, and that usually supports a livelier night walk where you can still hear the guide without shouting.

Who Should Book This Crawl (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a strong fit if you:

• love true crime storytelling and want it tied to place
• enjoy bar stops as part of the experience, not just a background detail
• want landmark context, like Jackson Square and river views, mixed into your evening
• appreciate guides who talk with personality, not just read facts

It may be less ideal if you:

• do not drink at all, since the stops revolve around cocktails
• prefer lighter ghost-story vibes over factual true crime, because some people felt the tone shifted too far into haunted or cursed material at the end
• get bothered by feeling rushed, since a couple reviews described uneven pacing on certain parts

Price and Value: Is $37 Worth It for About 2 Hours?

For $37, you are buying a licensed guide, a structured route, and included access to at least one stop where admission is free. The big value is the combination: you get major Quarter landmarks, plus themed true crime stops in actual bar spaces.

If you were to walk the same areas alone, you would still see Jackson Square and likely enjoy river viewpoints. But you would miss the through-line that connects the Ax Man, notorious murderers, and JFK assassination claims to the specific spots you visit.

So I think the decision comes down to one thing: do you want a guide to do the storytelling work for you? If yes, this is the kind of price that makes sense for a two hour evening.

Should You Book This True Crime Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want a focused, guided night in the French Quarter that blends landmarks with bar stops and true crime themes like the Ax Man and Storyville era drinking. The biggest selling point is the guide quality, with names like Wesley, Gomez, Jenna, and Jamie showing up again and again for pacing, humor, and keeping the experience engaging.

Skip it if you are sensitive to gruesome details, or if you are hoping for a purely historical, low-intensity tour. Also, if you cannot do lots of walking or the French Quarter streets feel like a problem, plan for that ahead of time.

If you go in knowing it is part crime story, part drinking stops, and all about an energetic guide-led route, you will likely have a fun, memorable evening.

FAQ

How long is the True Crime Pub Crawl?

It is about 2 hours.

How much does it cost?

It costs $37.00 per person.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 6:00 pm.

Where does the tour meet and end?

It starts at Bon’s New Orleans Street Food, 620 Decatur St Unit 1B, New Orleans, LA 70130, and ends back at the meeting point.

Is a licensed guide included?

Yes. A licensed guide is included.

Are alcoholic beverages included in the price?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of 28 travelers.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellation within 24 hours is not refundable.