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

New Orleans history gets more entertaining when it comes with a drink in hand. This $15 walking tour starts beside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar, then winds through the French Quarter with stories of pirates, felons, ladies of the night, voodoo, vampires, and ghosts. Guides such as Coty and Cody have been praised for keeping the talk lively and answering questions.

I like the mix of well-known bars and lesser-known drinking spots, and I like that the paranormal equipment is included rather than sold as an extra. The main drawback is the firm schedule: arrive late, get too intoxicated, or expect a guaranteed ghost sighting, and you may be disappointed.

Key points to know before you book

• Starts beside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar: Meet outside, at the gate to the attached courtyard on 941 Bourbon Street. The tour does not meet inside the bar.
• Ends at Jackson Square: You finish in a useful central spot for dinner, more sightseeing, or another French Quarter drink.
• Costs $15, drinks extra: That low price pays for the walking tour and guide, not cocktails, snacks, or gratuities.
• Covers more than ghost stories: Expect general New Orleans history, voodoo, pirates, criminals, vampires, and paranormal tales.
• Paranormal gear is available: You can check out equipment during the walk, then return it before leaving the group.
• Plan for one to two hours: The route is moderate-paced, but busy bars can make the tour run longer.

A boozy history lesson through the French Quarter

This tour works because it does not treat New Orleans history as a museum lecture. You move through the streets, pause at bars, and connect the buildings around you with stories of crime, superstition, drink, and survival.

The French Quarter is one of the oldest parts of New Orleans, and the route gives you a quick way to get oriented. You are not simply handed a list of dates. Instead, the guide uses the neighborhood’s darker characters and stranger legends to explain why the quarter has such a strong identity.

The tone is meant to be entertaining. You will hear about pirates, convicted felons, ladies of the night, voodoo practices, vampires, and alleged hauntings. Some stories are historical, some belong to local legend, and some sit in the gray space between the two. A good guide helps you enjoy the tale without pretending every ghost story has been proven.

That balance matters. The company is clear that the tour is for entertainment and does not promise paranormal activity. If you want a guaranteed apparition, this is the wrong outing. If you enjoy hearing how a city turns old crimes and local folklore into living stories, the format makes good sense.

Meeting at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

The tour begins at 941 Bourbon Street, on the sidewalk by the gate to the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar. You should arrive a few minutes early and check in with the guide before departure.

This detail is important because you do not meet inside the bar. The tour company is not affiliated with Lafitte’s, so do not assume the staff inside can check you in or direct you to the group.

Lafitte’s is a fitting starting point for a tour built around old New Orleans stories and drinks. It is also on Bourbon Street, where crowds, music, traffic, and pedestrians can make a meeting point harder to spot than it sounds. Save the address in your phone, look for the courtyard gate, and keep your mobile number active in case the operator sends a delay notice.

The company takes departure times seriously. The guide leaves at the scheduled time, and a late arrival may mean missing the tour without a refund. If you are running behind, contact the operator before the start time. Once the group has left, the guide may not be able to answer the phone while walking and narrating.

What happens on the French Quarter walk

From the starting point, the guide leads a moderate-paced walk through the French Quarter toward Jackson Square. The route can last about an hour, though the stated range is one to two hours.

The difference comes mainly from the bar stops. A crowded bar can slow the group, and the company warns that waiting inside may extend the outing. That is not necessarily a flaw. It means the pace is not locked to a stopwatch, but it also means you should not schedule a dinner reservation immediately after the tour.

You will hear general history along with the more theatrical material. The guide may explain how pirates, criminals, and other rough characters fit into New Orleans’ past, then shift to voodoo, vampire, or ghost stories. The appeal is the change of mood. One minute you are looking at an old street or building, and the next you are hearing about a strange death, a local belief, or a supernatural claim linked to the neighborhood.

The guide is the heart of the experience. Coty and Cody are names associated with recent departures, and both have been described as friendly, entertaining, and able to answer questions. Your exact guide may differ, but the tour depends on a strong storyteller who can keep the group together while making the history feel personal.

Lafitte’s, famous bars, and unexpected stops

Drinks are not included in the $15 ticket. You buy alcohol and snacks along the route, at the stops you choose.

That arrangement keeps the base price low and gives you control over your spending. You can order a drink at several stops, skip a round, or use a walk-up window if you prefer not to enter a bar. Some bars do not allow children inside, so families should pay attention to the route and use the available walk-up options when appropriate.

I like the fact that the route includes both famous bars and places you might not have found on your own. The value is not in a free cocktail. It is in getting a local guide to connect the stops and point out drinking places beyond the most obvious Bourbon Street choices.

Still, you should budget for the drinks. A $15 ticket can look like a bargain, but your total cost depends on what you order and how many stops you make. Gratuities are also not included and are recommended.

Because alcohol is part of the format, know your limit. You are allowed to drink during the tour, but the operator can refuse service to anyone who becomes extremely intoxicated. If your conduct causes the tour to end for you, there is no refund.

Voodoo, vampires, and paranormal equipment

The supernatural side gives this walk its strongest hook. New Orleans has a long tradition of voodoo stories, ghost lore, vampire tales, and haunted-place legends. The tour uses those subjects to add a spooky layer to the neighborhood’s documented past.

The paranormal equipment is available to participants at no extra charge. You check it out at the beginning and return it to the guide before leaving the group. The company warns that lost or damaged equipment can result in a $250 charge, so handle it carefully and do not walk away with it when the tour ends.

You may take photos, and they are encouraged. Audio and video recording devices are not allowed. You also need to stay with the group instead of wandering off to take pictures. That rule can feel strict, but it keeps the guide on schedule and prevents one person from delaying everyone else.

The sensible way to approach the equipment is as a playful tool, not scientific proof. The operator makes no promise that you will encounter a ghost, vampire, demon, spirit, or any other supernatural being. You may hear stories and possibly capture an unusual image, but no paranormal event is guaranteed.

That frank warning is useful. It keeps the tour from selling false certainty. You book this for stories, atmosphere, and a little theatrical fun, not for a supernatural demonstration on demand.

The walk to Jackson Square

The tour finishes at Jackson Square, a practical end point in the center of the French Quarter. From there, you can continue exploring, find a meal, or make your own way to another part of New Orleans.

Ending at the square also gives the outing a clear shape. You begin on Bourbon Street, pass through older neighborhood streets and drinking spots, then finish near one of the quarter’s best-known public spaces. The tour is not a loop, so plan your transportation accordingly.

The streets and walkways in this part of town can be old, uneven, and worn. Wear comfortable shoes, watch your footing, and keep your personal belongings secure. The walk is described as moderate, and most people can participate, but it is still a walking tour in a historic neighborhood rather than a seated bar crawl.

The route may change without notice. Stops, timing, and the exact path can shift because of crowds, bar conditions, traffic, or other local problems. You should treat the published route as a guide to the experience, not a minute-by-minute promise.

Is $15 a good value?

Yes, if you see the ticket as a low-cost introduction to the French Quarter rather than a package with drinks included.

For $15, you get a licensed local guide, a walking route, storytelling, and use of paranormal equipment. That is a fair price for an outing that can fill an hour or two and help you get your bearings on your first evening in New Orleans.

The price is especially useful for a first night. You can learn the basic shape of the French Quarter, hear stories that may influence the rest of your sightseeing, and stop for a drink without committing to a costly dinner show or large organized excursion.

The value drops if you want a tightly researched academic history tour, a quiet walk, or an all-inclusive drink package. The storytelling leans toward scandal, folklore, and the supernatural. That is the point, but it will not suit every interest.

Remember the extra costs. Drinks, snacks, and the guide’s gratuity are separate. You may also spend more if the group makes several stops and you order at each one.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would choose this for adults who want a social way to see the French Quarter. Couples, friends, and small groups looking for an easy first-night activity should find the combination of walking, drinks, and dark stories appealing.

It can also work for visitors who have already seen the major sights and want a different angle on the neighborhood. The less obvious bar stops are useful if you want a local guide to take you beyond the standard Bourbon Street circuit.

Families need to plan with care. Some bars do not admit children, although walk-up drink windows may be available. The subject matter also includes crime, sexual history, death, voodoo, and supernatural stories, so it is not designed as a child-focused history walk.

You should skip it if you dislike group rules, cannot walk at a moderate pace, or need a firm finish time. I would also avoid booking it as your only plan on a day when you cannot tolerate heat, cold, or rain. The tour runs rain or shine unless the operator cancels, and New Orleans weather can be very hot or surprisingly cold.

Booking, weather, and cancellation cautions

Confirmation is sent at booking, and the operator uses text and email for delays, changes, and cancellations. Give a working mobile number and check your messages before setting out.

The tour requires a minimum number of participants. If that number is not reached, the company may cancel close to the departure time and offer another date or experience, or provide a full refund. It is wise to keep a backup plan, especially if this is your only evening activity.

The experience is otherwise non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. That includes cancellations, amendments, weather complaints, and missing the departure. Rain does not automatically stop the tour, so dress for the forecast and wear shoes suitable for wet or uneven streets.

Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but the operator does not accept responsibility for injuries, lost property, or problems caused by ignoring group instructions.

Should you book Cheers New Orleans?

Book it if you want an inexpensive, lively introduction to the French Quarter with drinks purchased along the way. The guide-led route, unusual bar stops, and mix of history with voodoo and paranormal tales give you more than a basic pub walk.

Set your expectations correctly. You are paying for storytelling, not alcohol, a private tour, or a guaranteed ghost encounter. Arrive early, keep your phone available, stay with the group, and allow up to two hours.

For a first night in New Orleans, I think the $15 price makes this an easy add-on for the right audience. Choose it for the personalities, stories, and neighborhood feel. Skip it if you want a precise historical lecture, a quiet evening, or a flexible cancellation policy.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at 941 Bourbon Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116, on the sidewalk at the gate of the courtyard attached to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar.

Does the tour meet inside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar?

No. You meet outside at the courtyard gate. The tour company is not affiliated with the bar at that address.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Jackson Square in the French Quarter.

How long does the experience last?

The walking tour lasts about one to two hours. It may run longer when bars are busy and the group has to wait.

Are drinks included in the $15 price?

No. Alcoholic drinks and snacks are purchased separately at stops along the route. Gratuities are also not included.

Is paranormal activity guaranteed?

No. The tour does not guarantee that you will see or encounter a ghost, vampire, spirit, or other supernatural being.

Can I use paranormal equipment during the tour?

Yes. Equipment can be checked out at the start and must be returned to the guide before you leave the group. Lost or damaged equipment may result in a $250 charge.

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

You will be offered a different date or experience, or a full refund. The operator may contact you by phone, text, or email.