Bourbon Street, with a history twist. This New Orleans Drunk History Tour mixes French Quarter legends with real city stops like Jackson Square and St Louis Cathedral, plus a chance to use a paranormal EMF meter while you walk and sip.

I really like the guide-led pacing and the way the stories connect to the streets. Multiple people rave about a guide named Cody for turning spooky tales into clear, funny, street-level history, and I like that the tour builds in bar recommendations so you have an easy start to your night.

One caution: drinks are not included, so you’ll be buying your own to-go sips, and the paranormal side is entertainment, not a guarantee. Also, there are some harsh reports about no-shows and last-minute cancellations, so you should show up on time and keep a backup plan.

Key highlights at a glance

• Start at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop (941 Bourbon St) on the sidewalk gate, right where French Quarter nightlife begins
• French Quarter only for the whole tour, with a mix of landmark sights and darker legends
• About 10 stops plus bar stops, usually 1 to 2 hours at a moderate walking pace
• EMF ghost detector included for use, with an important reality check on results
• To-go drinks from neighborhood bars, making it feel more like an evening plan than a museum tour
• Guide Cody gets named often for story delivery, humor, and keeping the group moving

Bourbon Street Stories, Then a French Quarter Ghost Hunt

This tour is exactly the kind of New Orleans evening plan that works when you want something more fun than another museum checklist. You’ll walk in the French Quarter, stop at landmark spots, and get a running story about ghosts, voodoo, vampires, and the supernatural forces people claim still linger here.

The “drunk history” part is not about chaos. It’s about pairing history and lore with real nightlife logistics: bar stops, to-go drinks you purchase along the route, and a guide who knows how to keep a group on schedule even when the streets get crowded.

And the best part is that it’s not only spooky. The tour frames the dark legends alongside how the neighborhood developed, so the stories feel rooted in place, not just costume-and-noise theater.

Starting at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, and What That Sets Up

Your meeting point is 941 Bourbon St, at the sidewalk gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. The important detail is that tours do not meet inside the bar. You’ll check in outside with your group, and the operator takes time-stamped photos at the start.

Why I like this start: it puts you right in the action fast. If you’re visiting for the first time, Bourbon Street can feel like a blur. Starting here means you get orientation immediately, then the guide steers you toward the quieter, more historical corners of the Quarter where the legends feel more believable.

Practical note: late arrivals do not get a refund, and the guide won’t wait if the group has started. So build in buffer time, especially if you’re taking public transit or walking in from nearby hotels.

How the Walk Works: 10 Stops, Landmark Sights, and Bar Windows

The tour stays inside the French Quarter the whole time, and you’re looking at a total route that includes about 10 locations, plus bar stops. The advertised duration is roughly 1 to 2 hours. It’s a moderate pace, but it can run longer if bars are busy and the group has wait time.

The highlights include historic sights like St Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square, which are good anchors because they give the neighborhood a “big picture” feel. You’re not wandering randomly. You’re moving between recognizable places and the darker stories that people connect to the same blocks.

On the nightlife side, you’ll make bar stops where you can buy drinks and take them to go. Some stops are described as windows or to-go service, which matters if you’re trying to keep the evening light, avoid long bar lines, or just want to keep walking without getting stuck.

A balance to keep in mind: you’re not going to get every detail at every single corner. The tour is designed for motion. Even in positive reviews, the vibe is casual and story-driven, not a slow, deep lecture.

Stop-by-stop vibe: where the tour feels most meaningful

Even though the route changes, the tour structure is built around two main anchors: starting at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop area, then spending the rest of the night in the French Quarter.

• Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar area: This is more than a meeting spot. It’s treated as a launch point into the neighborhood’s dark reputation and longstanding nightlife culture. You start with the tone set: legends, ghosts, and voodoo talk right from the beginning.
• French Quarter landmark energy (Jackson Square, St Louis Cathedral): These are the moments that help the stories make sense. Instead of only hearing about eerie buildings, you get the visuals that define the neighborhood.
• Hidden-in-plain-sight paranormal moments: The tour also includes places tied to ghost lore, vampires, and supernatural rumors. It’s the kind of walking where you notice details you would normally blow past, like doors, courtyards, and the way blocks curve and funnel you deeper into the Quarter.

One real-world note from the way people describe it: groups can be large, and other similarly themed tours may run around the same time. That means you should expect street traffic, foot traffic, and normal Bourbon Street distractions. The guide’s job is to keep you moving and keep the story intact.

The Paranormal Equipment: Using an EMF Meter on the Street

If you’re thinking about the ghost detector, here’s the clean reality. The tour provides a real EMF meter that’s used during the walk for paranormal activity investigation.

What I like about this is that it gives you a hands-on prop, so the spooky part feels interactive instead of purely theatrical. You can use the equipment during the tour, but it has to be checked out at the beginning and returned to staff before you leave.

Important constraints:

• All tours are for entertainment purposes only.
• There is no guarantee you’ll encounter paranormal activity.
• The operator is explicit that they cannot produce supernatural experiences on demand.

You’re also dealing with old, uneven streets. So if you’re focused on the meter reading, keep an eye on your footing. Don’t sprint, don’t stop in the middle of sidewalks, and don’t block pedestrian flow.

Also, the tour warns about the cost if equipment is lost or damaged: a fee of $250 is listed for missing or damaged items. So treat it like it’s fragile, because it is.

Guide Cody’s storytelling style, and why it matters more than the props

Many of the strongest reviews name a guide called Cody. People credit Cody with being engaging, funny, and very good at keeping a group interested while walking through a crowded neighborhood. Several mention that the tour is more history than straight-up drinking, and that Cody’s delivery turns the whole night into a story you remember.

That lines up with how this type of tour succeeds. You can buy a ticket to a route. You can’t buy charisma. The difference between a good tour and a forgettable one is whether the guide can connect legend to place, keep the pace smooth, and handle a group that includes people who are here for history, people who are here for the paranormal angle, and people who just want a fun start with bar stops.

One nice detail from the reviews: Cody is often described as down to earth, story-telling without costumes and over-the-top theatrics. That matters if you dislike gimmicks and prefer a guide who feels like a local friend who knows the neighborhood myths.

Price and Value: What $21 Does, and What It Does Not

At $21 per person, this tour sits in the “affordable evening” category. You’re paying for a guide-led walking route, entry to a structured experience, and access to the paranormal equipment for use during the tour.

What you should budget separately is drinks. Drinks are not included. The tour is set up so you buy to-go drinks at neighborhood bars along the way. That means your total night cost depends on what you order and how many bar stops feel worth it to you.

So is it good value? For the right traveler, yes, because you’re getting several things at once:

• a guided French Quarter route that includes big-name sights
• an entertaining local guide who turns lore into a moving story
• planned bar stops so you don’t have to guess where to go next
• a hands-on EMF meter experience, even if results are unpredictable

For the traveler who wants everything included, this will feel incomplete. At that point, you might prefer a dinner-and-drinks tour instead.

Who this tour is best for (and who should skip it)

This works best if you want:

• a first-night introduction to the French Quarter, with structure
• a mix of landmark sights and darker lore
• an interactive paranormal angle, even if it’s not guaranteed
• a fun, walk-and-sip format that helps you meet the city in motion

It might not be ideal if you:

• want a long, slow history lesson with minimal walking
• hate unpredictable street crowds
• expect the tour to force a paranormal event
• need a strict, everyone gets the same drink included budget

If you’re the type who enjoys alternative stories and doesn’t take ghost lore too seriously, this is a great fit. If you’re the type who wants scientific accuracy, the operator’s entertainment-first stance will be a reminder to keep expectations realistic.

Safety, walking conditions, and group rules you should know

You are walking on old, uneven, sometimes dilapidated streets and walkways. The tour explicitly warns about the uneven ground and places responsibility on participants to avoid obstructing sidewalks or streets.

Other rules that affect your experience:

• You must stay with your group the whole time.
• You can’t walk off for photos while the tour is moving.
• The guide has to keep schedule, so there is limited flexibility for detours.
• Alcohol is allowed, but the operator can refuse service to people showing signs of extreme intoxication.

If you tend to wander, this is not the best tour for that habit. Think of it like a guided night route, not free-form sightseeing.

The one drawback I can’t ignore: no-shows and last-minute surprises

Most reviews are strongly positive, especially about the guide and the fun mix of history and bar stops. But there are also several very negative reviews describing no-shows or problems on the day of the tour, plus a few issues involving cancellations or refund requests.

So here’s my practical advice: treat it like an evening plan, not a sacred appointment. Show up early, check the meeting point carefully (outside at the gate, not inside Lafitte’s), and keep a Plan B for if the tour is canceled or doesn’t start on time.

In a city where weather can flip fast, and where evening schedules can get disrupted, it’s smart to have backup options anyway.

Book it or skip it? My decision guide

Book the New Orleans Drunk History Tour if you want a guided French Quarter night with:

• landmark stops like Jackson Square and St Louis Cathedral
• a story-led guide, with Cody frequently praised for delivery
• bar stops with to-go drinks you can control
• an EMF meter experience for entertainment value, not guarantees

Skip or at least rethink if you:

• need drinks included in the price
• hate walking in crowds and want a slower pace
• only want guaranteed outcomes (the ghost part is explicitly not guaranteed)
• can’t risk a schedule problem on your trip days

For many first-timers, this tour is a fun way to get oriented quickly and learn the lore that locals repeat. For experienced visitors who already know every corner, you might feel you want more time in fewer places. The sweet spot is that “I want a fun night with a guide” moment.

FAQ

Where does the New Orleans Drunk History Tour start?

The tour starts at 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116, at the sidewalk meeting point at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar.

How long is the tour?

The walking tour lasts about 1 to 2 hours approximately, with a moderate pace. It may run longer if there are waits inside bars.

Does the tour include drinks?

No. Drinks are not included. You can purchase drinks along the route from neighborhood bars.

Does the tour include landmark stops like Jackson Square and St Louis Cathedral?

Yes. The tour highlights include visiting historic sites, including St Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square.

Is the paranormal activity guaranteed?

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

What paranormal equipment is provided?

The tour uses a real EMF meter, described as a ghost or paranormal detector, during the experience.

Can I use the paranormal equipment during the tour?

Yes, but it must be checked out at the beginning of the tour and returned before you leave. A $250 fee is listed for lost, damaged, or missing equipment.

Are alcohol and to-go drinks allowed during the tour?

You are allowed to drink alcoholic beverages during the tour, and to-go drinks/windows are offered along the route for guests. The operator can refuse service if someone is extremely intoxicated.

Is audio or video recording allowed?

Audio or video recording devices are not allowed during the tour, but photos are encouraged.