August 22, 2025
New Orleans doesn’t just tell enigmatic spooky stories, it lives them. Boasting haunted mansions and mysterious alleys to bars where the spirits come in multiple forms, this city is dripping in eerie charm and untold tales. The line between the living and the spirit world is delightfully blurred. New Orleans has long embraced a reputation of refuge for the lost souls wandering the streets of the French Quarter. Here, we celebrate death in life with a “Second Line,” and befriend the many spirits who have not crossed over yet and are living amongst us. It’s said that when some people die, they never cross over because they have unfinished business to tend to or even a burning love so deep they could never leave it behind. Sometimes that love is a home, right here in the heart of New Orleans.
We would like to suggest some special places to find history with a splash of mystery, hauntingly good spirits and cocktails to die for. Immerse yourself in a spirited New Orleans experience!
Muriel’s
801 Chartres St. in Jackson Square
muriels.com
No trip to the French Quarter during the witching season would be complete without sipping spirits with the spirits in Muriel’s Séance Lounges. These two decadent rooms tucked away in a cool corner on the second floor evoke the darker underbelly of the French Quarter. This is where decadence runs rampant! It’s a cross between the Moulin Rouge and a bordello with Parisian furnishings. The Séance Lounges and balcony are a place to enjoy the spirits of your choice, both real and ethereal.
On March 21, 1788, the Great New Orleans Fire started on Good Friday and burned most of the buildings in the French Quarter. During the tragedy, the mansion that is now Muriel’s was burned. Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan built his dream home here, restoring it to the original grandeur for his family. Although Jourdan dearly adored his beautiful home, he was a man who could never quench his thirst for the thrill of gambling. In 1814, he wagered his beloved home in a poker game and crushingly lost the one thing he treasured most in life. The shock of the loss was so intense that before having to vacate the premises and hand over his beloved treasure, he tragically committed suicide on the second floor in the same area where Muriel’s Seance Lounges is today. He’s still there today in spiritual form, appearing as a glimmer of sparkly light wandering around the Séance Lounge. He never left his true love and home in New Orleans; he continues to reside here to this day.
There’s another mischievous ghost in their Courtyard Bar that roams the property. Glasses have flown from behind the bar to the brick wall across from it and shattered. Many paranormal investigations revealed unexplainable strange shadows, knocks on the brick wall, and unknown voices. The resident ghosts are harmless and very entertaining. A table is always reserved for Mr. Jourdan set with bread and wine.
If you dare, treat yourself to Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. All beers, house pours, red and white wines, and their delicious Bloody Mary are $6. Their Bloody Mary mix is made in-house with a very rich Sacramento Tomato Juice. During Happy Hour, the Balcony and Séance Lounge are available for cocktail enjoyment. This allows guests to take in the old-world opulence and history of the quieter end of the Quarter while imbibing.
Procure a cocktail from the downstairs bar, meander past the Ghost Table, and then amble up the stairs to take in the atmosphere of their Séance Lounge. You'll love the cool, dark, and haunted ambiance, as well as their delicious libations. A good choice is the Vampire's Kiss, with Blood Orange Vodka, a Balsamic gastrique, and a splash of cranberry juice, shaken and strained into a martini glass and garnished with an orange peel. Another favorite is Honey Child, with muddled basil leaves and blackberries, simple syrup, lemon juice and Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka, all shaken and strained and served in a martini glass garnished with a basil leaf.
Vampire Apothecary
725 St. Peter St.
vampireapothecary.com
Vampire Apothecary offers a themed dining experience alongside a range of cocktails and tarot readings. It boasts a dark, immersive atmosphere with bayou witch and vampire decor. Sample their creative cocktails for hydrating, blood cleaning and rejuvenating. They know mortals must eat, so they offer a fine selection of delightful cuisine to suit the day walkers’ palate. Don’t miss their raw oyster Happy Hour every day from 4 until 7 p.m.!
Come dressed as your favorite witch for their annual Witches Brunch on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 11:30 a.m. A delicious buffet created by Executive Chef Chris Dunn will be served with elegant presentation. Mischievous brooms will mystify and there will be a book signing by owner, Marita Crandle for her new book, Mosquito Southern Vampires Part II. They have a vampire lounge upstairs, so make sure to ask to see the Casket Girl Attic; they may even give you an invitation to their little vampire speakeasy!
The Earl Grey French 75 is a decadent mocktail that uses a house made, cold infused, semi-sweet Earl Grey tea simple syrup, a squeeze of lemon juice and alcohol-free champagne. The Blessed Screw combines Von Payne Whiskey, dark crème de cocoa and a light splash of orange juice topped with smoke. The creme de cocoa adds a perfume bottom note to add depth to the Von Payne while the orange juice is a top note to brighten it. The smoke brings complexity to this enchanting cocktail. The Alchemist’s Elixir is a visually stunning and magical cocktail based on well balanced science. Butterfly peaflower-infused gin and elderflower liqueur which adds a delicate floral sweetness are served up with lime juice on the side. When added to the cocktail, the pH level and thus the color changes!
Sylvain
625 Chartres St.
sylvainnola.com
A stone’s throw from Jackson Square, Sylvain is located inside a former carriage house. Yes, this restaurant and bar once served horses hay! The most storied of its residents is Aunt Rose, a Madame who owned a brothel in Storyville, New Orleans’ red-light district at the time. Aunt Rose was described as over 6 feet with flaming red hair. Sylvain’s owners show her Southern hospitality by making sure to leave a Sazerac on the bar for her to enjoy every night. Locals say that if you want to meet Aunt Rose, order her namesake cocktail, Aunt Rose’s Ginger Boom Boom. The cocktail doesn’t seem to be on Sylvain’s menu lately; perhaps it was spirited away because guests were having too many encounters with the ghost of Aunt Rose? Sylvain is celebrating their 15th anniversary in October. Order a Defiant Jazz with Mezcal, Salers Gentiane Liqueur, and fresh watermelon and lime juice. Or maybe try Precious Cargo with a luxurious blend of Pisco, Dry Curaçao, vanilla, aperitif and lemon juice. My personal go-to is the Pho-loma, a delightful mixture of Sông Cái Vietnamese floral gin, grapefruit, makrut lime and citrus juices. These cocktails may facilitate you meeting Aunt Rose!
May Baily's Place
Dauphine Orleans Hotel
415 Dauphine St.
dauphineorleans.com
Step into history at May Baily's Place, a hidden gem where the hauntingly good spirits of the past meet the spirits of the present. This haunted New Orleans bar, once a legendary 19th-century brothel, invites you to indulge in sultry sips surrounded by burlesque art, indulgent fabrics, and a history that might just give you a spine-tingling experience. May Baily's was one of the first and most notorious licensed bordellos in the mid-to-late 19th century. This historic Victorian boudoir-inspired hotel bar invites guests to indulge in sultry sips surrounded by burlesque art, indulgent fabrics, debaucherous history and haunted visitors.
Before being a brothel, the building was a convent that served as a hospital during the Civil War. The ghosts of these Confederate soldiers roam the haunted hotel and bar with their well-dressed ladies of the night. A high-ranking General has been seen pacing the courtyard worriedly. The ghost of a wayward gal, perhaps a Baily employee, has reportedly haunted the bar for the last 40 years, moving around the liquor bottles and locking men in the bathroom. May Baily's sister, Millie Baily, is said to hang around in her wedding dress which her fiancé never got to see. To escape the bordello life, Millie got engaged to her one true love. Unfortunately, on the couple’s wedding day, her betrothed was killed during a gambling brawl. The ghosts of Baily and her fiancé, a Civil War soldier, frequently haunt the historic hotel grounds, Baily in her wedding dress and her fiancé in his uniform. Maybe you can share a dance with Jewel and her companion orb in the "Quadroon" Ballroom?
Check out their engaging events including Drag Brunches, Murder Mystery Nights and Speed Dating, all designed to bring even more energy and unforgettable experiences to May Baily’s. Meanwhile, settle in with Some Like it Tart with a lemon shrub, thyme, simple syrup, sherry, soda water, a splash of tonic and lemon bitters. Perhaps Miss Kitty would better suit you with honeysuckle vodka, fresh strawberry puree, lime juice, orgeat and champagne. Their classic Pimms Cup is among the best in town with Pimm’s No.1, infused with herbs, house made sour and ginger ale, garnished with a cucumber slice.
Rampart Treehouse
740 N. Rampart St.
ramparttreehouse.com
Rampart Treehouse serves a rich pizza and salad menu with vegan options, unique cocktails, and a house made radler and shandy, THC Seltzer, wine and craft beer. It’s a unique space with artsy decor and a whimsical casual vibe. From floor to ceiling, one can admire artwork from artists around the world. You'll find yourself enjoying hand-crafted cocktails under a magnolia tree with over 500 hand-painted flowers and you may feel like you are a kid in a treehouse. Ask your bartender to tell you about how the lounge was once haunted by the ghost of the voodoo queen, Marie Laveau … and if it still is? This building was once a pharmacy in the 1930s called “Bel-Vue Drugs.” There are numerous accounts detailing haunting stories surrounding Marie Laveau. One account from the 1930s involves a customer named Elmore Lee Banks who witnessed the pharmacist suddenly drop a bottle of pills, run back to the storage area, and quickly bolt the door behind him. A well-dressed elderly woman had just come through the door. She began laughing hysterically and sat next to Elmore. After regaining her composure, she asked politely, “Do you know who I am?” “No ma’am, I don’t,” he responded. Disappointed with his answer, she slapped him and quickly pulled out a pinch of brownish powder from her bag and flicked it into his face. Overcome by the powder’s strong odor, the man fell to the floor and lost consciousness. Waking up a minute later, he looked up and saw the woman floating up and gravitating slowly out the front door and up toward St. Louis Cemetery No.1. Trembling, he accused the pharmacist of drugging him. The pharmacist denied the man’s allegations and told him he had encountered the Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau.
While looking over your shoulder for Marie, try a unique twist on a classic, the Black Walnut Sazerac. It skillfully combines rye whiskey, black walnut liqueur, and Peychaud's and orange bitters. Maybe the Crescent City Cider is more your style with spiced rum, pear liqueur, lemon, and dry cider. My favorite “picker-upper” is the Pistachio Cold Brew Martini with pistachio cream liqueur, cold brew liqueur and cold brew coffee.
Ghost Bar
606 Iberville St.
facebook.com/GhostBarNewOrleans
Ghost Bar is a laid-back cocktail bar with a ghost theme offering beer, pizza and great cocktails. It’s a great place to catch a Saints game! Who Dat? Their S'mores is a bewitching brew with classic S'mores flavor in a chocolatey dessert martini. It has a graham cracker rim with a roasted S'more garnish. Their Cereal Killer is a delicious vodka martini that tastes exactly like "after-cereal milk" featuring a fun fruity pebble rim. The Pear Potion is a glowing green cocktail made with pear infused with spooky smoke and a gummy worm garnish that will cast a spell on your taste buds. Wherever you go, keep looking over your shoulder this bewitching season! Immerse yourself in the rich history, mystical ambiance and celebratory spirit that makes the French Quarter so special!
We would like to suggest some special places to find history with a splash of mystery, hauntingly good spirits and cocktails to die for. Immerse yourself in a spirited New Orleans experience!
Muriel’s
801 Chartres St. in Jackson Square
muriels.com
No trip to the French Quarter during the witching season would be complete without sipping spirits with the spirits in Muriel’s Séance Lounges. These two decadent rooms tucked away in a cool corner on the second floor evoke the darker underbelly of the French Quarter. This is where decadence runs rampant! It’s a cross between the Moulin Rouge and a bordello with Parisian furnishings. The Séance Lounges and balcony are a place to enjoy the spirits of your choice, both real and ethereal.
On March 21, 1788, the Great New Orleans Fire started on Good Friday and burned most of the buildings in the French Quarter. During the tragedy, the mansion that is now Muriel’s was burned. Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan built his dream home here, restoring it to the original grandeur for his family. Although Jourdan dearly adored his beautiful home, he was a man who could never quench his thirst for the thrill of gambling. In 1814, he wagered his beloved home in a poker game and crushingly lost the one thing he treasured most in life. The shock of the loss was so intense that before having to vacate the premises and hand over his beloved treasure, he tragically committed suicide on the second floor in the same area where Muriel’s Seance Lounges is today. He’s still there today in spiritual form, appearing as a glimmer of sparkly light wandering around the Séance Lounge. He never left his true love and home in New Orleans; he continues to reside here to this day.
There’s another mischievous ghost in their Courtyard Bar that roams the property. Glasses have flown from behind the bar to the brick wall across from it and shattered. Many paranormal investigations revealed unexplainable strange shadows, knocks on the brick wall, and unknown voices. The resident ghosts are harmless and very entertaining. A table is always reserved for Mr. Jourdan set with bread and wine.
If you dare, treat yourself to Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. All beers, house pours, red and white wines, and their delicious Bloody Mary are $6. Their Bloody Mary mix is made in-house with a very rich Sacramento Tomato Juice. During Happy Hour, the Balcony and Séance Lounge are available for cocktail enjoyment. This allows guests to take in the old-world opulence and history of the quieter end of the Quarter while imbibing.
Procure a cocktail from the downstairs bar, meander past the Ghost Table, and then amble up the stairs to take in the atmosphere of their Séance Lounge. You'll love the cool, dark, and haunted ambiance, as well as their delicious libations. A good choice is the Vampire's Kiss, with Blood Orange Vodka, a Balsamic gastrique, and a splash of cranberry juice, shaken and strained into a martini glass and garnished with an orange peel. Another favorite is Honey Child, with muddled basil leaves and blackberries, simple syrup, lemon juice and Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka, all shaken and strained and served in a martini glass garnished with a basil leaf.
Vampire Apothecary
725 St. Peter St.
vampireapothecary.com
Vampire Apothecary offers a themed dining experience alongside a range of cocktails and tarot readings. It boasts a dark, immersive atmosphere with bayou witch and vampire decor. Sample their creative cocktails for hydrating, blood cleaning and rejuvenating. They know mortals must eat, so they offer a fine selection of delightful cuisine to suit the day walkers’ palate. Don’t miss their raw oyster Happy Hour every day from 4 until 7 p.m.!
Come dressed as your favorite witch for their annual Witches Brunch on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 11:30 a.m. A delicious buffet created by Executive Chef Chris Dunn will be served with elegant presentation. Mischievous brooms will mystify and there will be a book signing by owner, Marita Crandle for her new book, Mosquito Southern Vampires Part II. They have a vampire lounge upstairs, so make sure to ask to see the Casket Girl Attic; they may even give you an invitation to their little vampire speakeasy!
The Earl Grey French 75 is a decadent mocktail that uses a house made, cold infused, semi-sweet Earl Grey tea simple syrup, a squeeze of lemon juice and alcohol-free champagne. The Blessed Screw combines Von Payne Whiskey, dark crème de cocoa and a light splash of orange juice topped with smoke. The creme de cocoa adds a perfume bottom note to add depth to the Von Payne while the orange juice is a top note to brighten it. The smoke brings complexity to this enchanting cocktail. The Alchemist’s Elixir is a visually stunning and magical cocktail based on well balanced science. Butterfly peaflower-infused gin and elderflower liqueur which adds a delicate floral sweetness are served up with lime juice on the side. When added to the cocktail, the pH level and thus the color changes!
Sylvain
625 Chartres St.
sylvainnola.com
A stone’s throw from Jackson Square, Sylvain is located inside a former carriage house. Yes, this restaurant and bar once served horses hay! The most storied of its residents is Aunt Rose, a Madame who owned a brothel in Storyville, New Orleans’ red-light district at the time. Aunt Rose was described as over 6 feet with flaming red hair. Sylvain’s owners show her Southern hospitality by making sure to leave a Sazerac on the bar for her to enjoy every night. Locals say that if you want to meet Aunt Rose, order her namesake cocktail, Aunt Rose’s Ginger Boom Boom. The cocktail doesn’t seem to be on Sylvain’s menu lately; perhaps it was spirited away because guests were having too many encounters with the ghost of Aunt Rose? Sylvain is celebrating their 15th anniversary in October. Order a Defiant Jazz with Mezcal, Salers Gentiane Liqueur, and fresh watermelon and lime juice. Or maybe try Precious Cargo with a luxurious blend of Pisco, Dry Curaçao, vanilla, aperitif and lemon juice. My personal go-to is the Pho-loma, a delightful mixture of Sông Cái Vietnamese floral gin, grapefruit, makrut lime and citrus juices. These cocktails may facilitate you meeting Aunt Rose!
May Baily's Place
Dauphine Orleans Hotel
415 Dauphine St.
dauphineorleans.com
Step into history at May Baily's Place, a hidden gem where the hauntingly good spirits of the past meet the spirits of the present. This haunted New Orleans bar, once a legendary 19th-century brothel, invites you to indulge in sultry sips surrounded by burlesque art, indulgent fabrics, and a history that might just give you a spine-tingling experience. May Baily's was one of the first and most notorious licensed bordellos in the mid-to-late 19th century. This historic Victorian boudoir-inspired hotel bar invites guests to indulge in sultry sips surrounded by burlesque art, indulgent fabrics, debaucherous history and haunted visitors.
Before being a brothel, the building was a convent that served as a hospital during the Civil War. The ghosts of these Confederate soldiers roam the haunted hotel and bar with their well-dressed ladies of the night. A high-ranking General has been seen pacing the courtyard worriedly. The ghost of a wayward gal, perhaps a Baily employee, has reportedly haunted the bar for the last 40 years, moving around the liquor bottles and locking men in the bathroom. May Baily's sister, Millie Baily, is said to hang around in her wedding dress which her fiancé never got to see. To escape the bordello life, Millie got engaged to her one true love. Unfortunately, on the couple’s wedding day, her betrothed was killed during a gambling brawl. The ghosts of Baily and her fiancé, a Civil War soldier, frequently haunt the historic hotel grounds, Baily in her wedding dress and her fiancé in his uniform. Maybe you can share a dance with Jewel and her companion orb in the "Quadroon" Ballroom?
Check out their engaging events including Drag Brunches, Murder Mystery Nights and Speed Dating, all designed to bring even more energy and unforgettable experiences to May Baily’s. Meanwhile, settle in with Some Like it Tart with a lemon shrub, thyme, simple syrup, sherry, soda water, a splash of tonic and lemon bitters. Perhaps Miss Kitty would better suit you with honeysuckle vodka, fresh strawberry puree, lime juice, orgeat and champagne. Their classic Pimms Cup is among the best in town with Pimm’s No.1, infused with herbs, house made sour and ginger ale, garnished with a cucumber slice.
Rampart Treehouse
740 N. Rampart St.
ramparttreehouse.com
Rampart Treehouse serves a rich pizza and salad menu with vegan options, unique cocktails, and a house made radler and shandy, THC Seltzer, wine and craft beer. It’s a unique space with artsy decor and a whimsical casual vibe. From floor to ceiling, one can admire artwork from artists around the world. You'll find yourself enjoying hand-crafted cocktails under a magnolia tree with over 500 hand-painted flowers and you may feel like you are a kid in a treehouse. Ask your bartender to tell you about how the lounge was once haunted by the ghost of the voodoo queen, Marie Laveau … and if it still is? This building was once a pharmacy in the 1930s called “Bel-Vue Drugs.” There are numerous accounts detailing haunting stories surrounding Marie Laveau. One account from the 1930s involves a customer named Elmore Lee Banks who witnessed the pharmacist suddenly drop a bottle of pills, run back to the storage area, and quickly bolt the door behind him. A well-dressed elderly woman had just come through the door. She began laughing hysterically and sat next to Elmore. After regaining her composure, she asked politely, “Do you know who I am?” “No ma’am, I don’t,” he responded. Disappointed with his answer, she slapped him and quickly pulled out a pinch of brownish powder from her bag and flicked it into his face. Overcome by the powder’s strong odor, the man fell to the floor and lost consciousness. Waking up a minute later, he looked up and saw the woman floating up and gravitating slowly out the front door and up toward St. Louis Cemetery No.1. Trembling, he accused the pharmacist of drugging him. The pharmacist denied the man’s allegations and told him he had encountered the Voodoo Queen, Marie Laveau.
While looking over your shoulder for Marie, try a unique twist on a classic, the Black Walnut Sazerac. It skillfully combines rye whiskey, black walnut liqueur, and Peychaud's and orange bitters. Maybe the Crescent City Cider is more your style with spiced rum, pear liqueur, lemon, and dry cider. My favorite “picker-upper” is the Pistachio Cold Brew Martini with pistachio cream liqueur, cold brew liqueur and cold brew coffee.
Ghost Bar
606 Iberville St.
facebook.com/GhostBarNewOrleans
Ghost Bar is a laid-back cocktail bar with a ghost theme offering beer, pizza and great cocktails. It’s a great place to catch a Saints game! Who Dat? Their S'mores is a bewitching brew with classic S'mores flavor in a chocolatey dessert martini. It has a graham cracker rim with a roasted S'more garnish. Their Cereal Killer is a delicious vodka martini that tastes exactly like "after-cereal milk" featuring a fun fruity pebble rim. The Pear Potion is a glowing green cocktail made with pear infused with spooky smoke and a gummy worm garnish that will cast a spell on your taste buds. Wherever you go, keep looking over your shoulder this bewitching season! Immerse yourself in the rich history, mystical ambiance and celebratory spirit that makes the French Quarter so special!
