Frequently Asked Questions
Boos! and Booze French Quarter Haunting's Tour
Should I bring a camera on the Boos! & Booze Tour?
Yes! You are welcome to take photos wherever we go. Cameras may record what the eye did not or cannot see.
Cocktail Concierge
What kind of a tour is the Cocktail Concierge?
The Cocktail Concierge is a private food and cocktail walking tour for adults of legal drinking age (21+) only with no set time limit (count on a minimum of 4 hours, but we can certainly tailor it's length to fit your evening) that indulges in bars and restaurants in the French Quarter hand-picked by myself to be worthy of your precious vacation time and money by means of either their libations, bartenders, food, ambience, histories, personalities or even a single cocktail or small plate or all of the above.
What will you share with us on the Cocktail Concierge?
Any relevant history of the establishment, an introduction to the bartender(s), management or proprietor, if possible, and the recommendation of at least one cocktail and/or small plate that is deserving of your palate and expense. Although I will discuss with you any existing history of a recommended cocktail or plate, this is not a food tour in the sense that the history of New Orleans cuisine will be the focus. It is not. This is a fun, relaxed night out with no agenda other than your entertainment and enjoyment of among the most famous and warranted food and cocktail cities in the world.
What is included in the Cocktail Concierge?
My knowledge, expertise, connections and zeal for the simple pleasures of fine food and cocktails, this city, and the unalterable truth that all is right in your world when you are enjoying the above with friends and family in the coolest of establishments. No food or drinks are included.
In addition to the cost of the tour, how much money can we expect to spend on the Cocktail Concierge?
Cocktails in New Orleans range from an average of $8 to $15 each and small plates the same. So if you are a couple on the tour and you each enjoyed a cocktail and split a small plate, the expense is between $24 to $45 at every destination, plus a tip for your server. If we go to four destinations, that will be an average of between $100 to $200 per couple. Consider that this is your dinner and entertainment for the evening, if you choose--or please rock on! and I will most certainly have further recommendations for you--and what you will be spending on a night out in this city, anyway.
How should we dress on the Cocktail Concierge?
Nicely. Business casual. Collared shirts. Jeans, if wearing, must not be torn (even fashionably!) and no shorts, flip flops, sneakers, t-shirts, cut-off shirts or tank tops. This is not to say that we will not be going to a dive. If it's worthy of our attention, we may go there.
What is your philosophy behind the Cocktail Concierge?
All of my tours are built on my passions for this city. Otherwise, I do not create them. For this particular experience, however, I asked myself that if I went to, let's say, Chicago--or any city anywhere, frankly--what kind of excursion would I love to go on that genuinely immerses me in that city, caters specifically to my foodie and cocktail obsessions, but is exclusive and intimate and easily shared with my family and friends without pretense? Answer: the Cocktail Concierge.
I also heard someone say once that, "Drinking to get drunk is like having sex to get pregnant." You may agree or disagree with that statement--and be entertained by it!--but you probably get the intent. Drinking solely to get drunk ignores the mysterious pleasures of a fine cocktail and we take our tippling seriously, but responsibly, in this town. The Spanish understand this: tapas. Have a little something to eat with each drink, not only for the wonderful flavors and experience, but also to take the edge off the alcohol. It's universal.
Do you have substitutions for food lifestyle and allergies on the Cocktail Concierge?
New Orleans food is traditionally engineered for maximum mouth-ma-tainment of the carnivorous kind--most especially including seafood!--frankly, and does not play well with vegan, vegetarian, low salt, gluten-free or kosher lifestyles and diets. Sincere apologies, I recommend that you do not take this tour if you have any of these concerns.
Are gratuities added to our tabs on the Cocktail Concierge?
In New Orleans, gratuities are very rarely added to checks automatically for couples and small groups. If your group is considered large, however, they may be added. Otherwise, it is customary to tip 15% to 20% of your bill, if you feel the service--of course!--was up to your expectations.
How do I book the Cocktail Concierge?
Please contact me via our Contact page and I will answer any questions you may have, coordinate our schedules, set a date and time and where to meet to begin our tour. When we're agreed, I will then email you a link from which to book your Cocktail Concierge from.
French Quarter in 75 Minutes Tour
Does the French Quarter in 75 Minutes Tour go inside any buildings?
Yes! the tour includes entrance into the 1850 House Museum, the last remaining original row house on Jackson Square.
Does the French Quarter in 75 Minutes Tour include an alcoholic beverage?
No.
Does the French Quarter in 75 Minutes Tour go to a cemetery?
The French Quarter in 75 Minutes Tour is an inexpensive express tour around Jackson Square only. It does not go to a cemetery or discuss cemetery history.
Sin & Gin Prohibition Cocktail Crawl
How old do I have to be to take the Sin & Gin Prohibition Cocktail Crawl and what kind of alcoholic drink is the provided go-cup, if I am 21+ years old?
You must be an adult of legal drinking age (21+) to take this tour, and if you would like to include one alcoholic beverage in your purchase price, please choose that option while booking. No other drinks are included in the price of the tour. The included beverage is either a Bourbon Street style go-cup drink, like, and including, a Hurricane, or a beer. This is not a classic cocktail--a martini, vodka tonic, etc.--just your all-around, easy-going, fruit juice & boozy concoction or a beer. You will be shown a menu on the tour from which to choose your included drink. You will also have ample opportunity to purchase additional drinks, if you like, but are not obligated to buy drinks at any stop.
I just want to hang out with my friends and get drunk at different bars that you bring me to. Is the Sin & Gin Tour for me?
By all means, y'all, have fun! But this is not a drunken bar crawl. This tour relates the history of Prohibition and the 1920's and the history of cocktails in the establishments that craft them. If you just want to get blottoed...go drinking. You don't need to pay for a tour for that.
What tours do you offer, how long are they and how much do they cost?
We have a Haunted Bar Crawl called the Boos! and Booze French Quarter Haunting's Tour (must be 21+ years old to take this tour), a Top 5 Travel + Leisure New Orleans Tour, that is approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes long and costs $34 or $29 per guest, depending on if you would like one drink included or no drink included.
We have a 1920's themed cocktail tour called the Sin & Gin Prohibition Cocktail Crawl (must be 21+ years old to take this tour), that is, also, approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes long and costs $34 or $29 per guest, depending on if you would like one drink included or no drink included.
Our French Quarter History Tour, the French Quarter in 75 Minutes, is approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes long, includes entrance to a museum, and costs $19 per guest.
And our Cocktail Concierge (must be 21+ years old to take this tour) is a 4+ hour Private Tour ONLY, that stops at bars and restaurants for cocktails and small plates and costs $200, TOTAL, for the first 1-4 guests and then $50 for each guest thereafter. No drinks or food are included.
We want to experience an intimate tour with fewer guests: do you offer that?
Yes. We do. The city of New Orleans allows tour companies to take a maximum of 28 guests on walking tours. Some companies meet or exceed this number regularly. We don't. We max out our tours at 12 guests...wait! Let's qualify that. Our booking engine max's out at 12 guests, but if you arrive with a friend or two that suddenly want to come along they are most welcome! Rest assured, however, we keep our tours intimate and never allow the number of guests to endanger that. Private tours may waive this maximum limit.
What is your cancellation policy?
We go out if gutter punks are cooking eggs on the pavement. We go out if it's raining shrimp. If we need to cancel a tour for any reason, we will contact you. If we cannot reschedule your tour before you leave, we will refund your money. Otherwise, we will refund you fully for cancellations made by you at least 24 hours in advance of your tour departure time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance of your tour departure time and No-Shows are not refunded.
Are reservations required for your tours?
Yes. You may book online or call. We also take last-minute reservations if we have openings. If the site engine will not allow you to book because of a short time window, please call us directly: 504.616.0630.
Do you accept walk-up business at your starting locations?
You are welcome to join a tour before it begins if the tour has not exceeded the maximum number of guests (12). Cash only, please, for payment. We are not equipped to take credit card payments on the street. PLEASE NOTE: If the tour has no guests previously booked, we will not be waiting for walk-up business at our starting locations.
Are there any special requirements on your tours?
You must be 21 years old or older to drink alcoholic beverages. In addition: We require a minimum of 2 guests to run a tour, the exception being Private Tours and the Cocktail Concierge. Also: These are walking tours on streets and sidewalks that have holes, cracks and dips. We will be negotiating stairs. Wear comfortable, protective shoes. It's also warm (and can be downright hot) in the summer months, so hats, umbrellas, sunblock, water and light clothing are recommended. In the winter months, however, it can be chilly. Dress warmly if necessary.
Do you offer discounts on your tours?
Sure! If you are in the Military or a Senior, let us know. We will give you a discount off the current ticket price. The exception to this is the Cocktail Concierge. There are no discounts for this tour.
Do you include an alcoholic beverage on your tours?
Yes! The Boos! & Booze Tour and the Sin & Gin Tour provide adults of legal drinking age (21+) with one alcoholic beverage in a "go-cup", if they choose to get one while booking. "Go-cups" facilitate the New Orleans tradition of legally drinking alcoholic beverages on our streets. No other drinks are included in the price of the tour.
Do you offer Private Tours?
Yes! We also offer hybrid tours where you may combine the elements of all of our offered tours--or any combination thereof. For more information, please see Private Tours.
How do I know that we will be getting the guide I read about in all your reviews?
Most tour companies use substitute tour guides. We don't. Not ever. Not ever never. We have only one guide. Me, the one you read about in our reviews, so you know my work is approved by others like you.
Does the Boos! and Booze French Quarter Haunting's Tour go inside haunted buildings?
Yes! We are among the select few tour companies that actually go inside haunted establishments. Most don't. They remain in the street for the entire tour. And we'll hear stories in the street, as well. But we are the only tour company allowed to do haunting's tours in our haunted indoor locations. We have exclusive access into one-of-a-kind, behind-the-scenes environments where ghosts walk.
How old do I have to be to take the Boos! & Booze Tour and what kind of alcoholic drink is the provided go-cup, if I am 21+ years old?
You must be an adult of legal drinking age (21+) to take this tour, and if you would like to include one alcoholic beverage in your purchase price, please choose that option while booking. No other drinks are included in the price of the tour. The included beverage is either a Bourbon Street style go-cup drink, like, and including, a Hurricane, or a beer. This is not a classic cocktail--a martini, vodka tonic, etc.--just your all-around, easy-going, fruit juice & boozy concoction or a beer. You will be shown a menu on the tour from which to choose your included drink. You will also have ample opportunity to purchase additional drinks, if you like, but are not obligated to buy drinks at any stop.
Is the Boos! & Booze Tour theatrical?
The story narration is dramatic, but costumes are not worn.
Does the Boos! & Booze Tour visit the LaLaurie mansion?
No. The LaLaurie mansion is at the other end of the French Quarter from where we tour. We developed this tour to take advantage of our one-of-a-kind, behind-the-scenes access into haunted locations. The LaLaurie mansion is a private residence that is surrounded nightly by tour groups that cannot go inside. If you would like to attend a tour that goes there, we are happy to recommend one to you.
Does the Boos! & Booze Tour go to a cemetery?
No. The cemetery is outside the French Quarter and closes daily in the afternoon, before our tour departs.
I just want to hang out with my friends and get drunk at different bars that you bring me to. Is the Boos! & Booze Tour for me?
By all means, y'all, have fun! But this is not a drunken bar crawl. This tour relates haunting's stories and the history of cocktails in the establishments that craft them. If you just want to get blottoed...go drinking. You don't need to pay for a tour for that.
I want to enjoy the ghost stories, but I don't drink. Can I still go on the Boos! & Booze Tour?
Yes! Absolutely.
Where do your tours depart from and end and what time do they start?
The French Quarter in 75 Minutes Tour departs from directly in front of St. Louis Cathedral, in Jackson Square, at 11am on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and ends at the statue of Andrew Jackson in Jackson Square.
The Boos! & Booze Tour departs from in front of Arnaud's Restaurant, 813 Rue Bienville, in the French Quarter at 5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, and ends near Jackson Square.
The Sin & Gin Tour also departs from in front of Arnaud's Restaurant, 813 Rue Bienville, in the French Quarter, but at 4pm on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays, and ends near Jackson Square, as well.
The Cocktail Concierge has no set start time and no set departing or ending locations. They all vary depending on the tour.
PLEASE NOTE: If any of our tours have no guests previously booked, we will not be waiting for walk-up business at our starting locations.