A Spirited Review of the 2025 ‘New Orleans Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl’
You know, New Orleans at night is kind of something else entirely. As I was saying, the daytime’s energy, which is pretty much full of jazz and bright colors, it just sort of gives way to this whole other feeling. Honestly, the gas lamps cast these long, flickering shadows down the cobblestone alleys of the French Quarter. We decided to check out the Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl, basically because everyone says you have to do a ghost tour here. I mean, we figured mixing a little bit of local history with a few good drinks couldn’t be a bad way to spend an evening, right? It’s almost a city requirement. The idea of hearing some spooky stories while actually holding a drink seemed, well, pretty much perfect for a vacation mindset, you know?
Setting the Spooky Scene: What the Crawl is Really Like
So, our group, you know, we gathered at this pre-arranged spot just as the sun was dipping below the city’s old buildings. Actually, the air was still warm and smelled a little like rain and sweet cocktails from the nearby bars. Our guide for the evening, a guy named Jasper, really set the mood from the very start. At the end of the day, he wasn’t just wearing a costume; he, like, seemed to carry the weight of the city’s weird history in the way he spoke. The group size was, sort of, just right. You know, not so big that you felt lost in a crowd, but definitely big enough to have a good collective gasp when a story hit its peak. Jasper clearly explained that this wasn’t really a “jump-scare” kind of thing. Instead, it was more or less about the stories, the atmosphere, and of course, the booze. The whole feeling was just a bit more about creepy history than it was about outright terror, which to be honest, was a relief for some of us.
First Stop: The Phantom of Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop
Alright, so our first stop was the famous Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. I mean, this place is literally one of the oldest bars in the whole country. As a matter of fact, it’s lit almost entirely by candlelight, which just, you know, makes it feel like you’ve stepped back about 200 years. It’s really dark inside. Jasper gathered us in this shadowy corner and started telling stories about Jean Lafitte, the pirate. He, sort of, painted this picture of deals being made in the dark and whispered secrets. He told us that some people, you know, have seen this shadowy figure standing by the fireplace, maybe Lafitte himself still watching over his old business. We grabbed our first drinks here, and honestly, sipping a cold beer in that candlelight while hearing ghost stories was an absolutely fantastic start to the whole evening. You could almost feel the history in the air, you know?
“You’re not just walking through streets; you’re, like, walking through layers of stories. And honestly, some of those stories, well, they just don’t want to end.”
Next Up: Muriel’s and the Ghost Who Loves His Table
Seriously, our next location, Muriel’s Jackson Square, was a little different. Unlike the dark and rustic vibe of Lafitte’s, this place was, like, very grand and a bit elegant. It’s one of those beautiful old New Orleans buildings with balconies and fancy decorations. But, you know, it has its own resident spirit. Jasper told us the story of Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, a man who, well, lost the house in a poker game and was so heartbroken he took his own life right there on the second floor. As a matter of fact, the restaurant now keeps a table permanently reserved for his spirit. They, like, set it with bread and wine every single night. It’s pretty wild. Obviously, looking at that empty table while hearing the tale of a man who just couldn’t bear to leave his home… that sent a very real shiver down my spine. We, you know, had a Hurricane cocktail here, which felt pretty much on-brand for the city.
The Libations and Spirits: A Look at the “Booze”
So, you might be wondering about the “booze” part of the name. Actually, it works out pretty well. You basically buy your own drinks at each stop. Some people might not like that, but honestly, it means you can drink what you want and, you know, at your own pace. At some spots, the tour has these little deals worked out, like, maybe a special spooky-themed drink or a slight discount, which is a nice touch. For instance, one bar offered a drink called the “Ghostly Go-Cup,” which was kind of fun. The real benefit, in a way, is that having a drink just sort of helps you relax and get into the storytelling atmosphere. It makes the whole thing feel more like a night out with friends who happen to be, like, really into ghosts. And by the way, in New Orleans, you can take your drink with you in a plastic cup, so you can just keep sipping as you walk from one haunted place to the next. It’s pretty great.
The Guide: Your Storyteller for the Supernatural
Frankly, a tour like this is only as good as its guide, and Jasper was absolutely excellent. He wasn’t just reciting a script, you know? At the end of the day, he was a genuine storyteller. He paused for dramatic effect, he made eye contact with people, and he answered questions with this real passion for the city’s strange past. For example, he’d point to a specific window and tell you not just the ghost story, but also a little bit about the architecture or the family who lived there. That kind of detail just makes the whole experience feel more real. It’s really the guide who connects the drinks, the history, and the haunted tales into one cohesive, fun experience. He made us feel like we were, sort of, getting an inside look into the city’s secrets. Without a good guide, you’re pretty much just walking from bar to bar. Read our full review: [2025 New Orleans Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl Full Review and Details]
Is This the Right New Orleans Tour for You?
So, is this tour a good choice? Well, if you’re looking for an over-the-top, terrifying, haunted house experience, then this probably isn’t it. But, if you, like, enjoy history, a good story, and a few drinks in some of the most atmospheric bars you’ll ever visit, then yes, it’s absolutely fantastic. It’s honestly great for couples, groups of friends, or even a solo traveler who wants a safe and structured way to explore the French Quarter at night. You don’t have to be a hardcore believer in ghosts to have a good time; skeptics in our group seemed to enjoy the historical tales just as much. Just be sure to wear some really comfortable shoes, because you do a fair amount of walking on those old, uneven sidewalks. And, of course, please drink responsibly. You want to remember the ghost stories the next day, right? See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now ([Book Your Haunted Pub Crawl])
Key Takeaways from the Experience:
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The tour is more about creepy historical stories and atmosphere than jump scares, you know.
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As a matter of fact, you buy your own drinks, which lets you control your spending and what you drink.
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The quality of the guide is what really makes the experience, and ours was honestly fantastic.
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You, like, get to visit some truly historic and atmospheric bars in the French Quarter.
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It’s a really great way for adults to get a dose of New Orleans’ haunted history in a fun, social setting.
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Honestly, you should definitely wear comfortable shoes for all the walking involved.