From restaurants to hotels, New Orleans is a city that you just can’t escape, even after death. The Crescent City is no stranger to the paranormal, and this particular watering hole in the French Quarter has a fascinating history that’s filled with pirates, treasure, and a few paranormal experiences. Better turn some lights on while you read this; we’re about to peek at one of the oldest haunted bars in New Orleans. 

Tucked away in the heart of the Vieux Carre, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar has been a time-honored tradition for locals and tourists looking to quench their thirst with an ice-cold beverage.
Teemu008/Flickr
But it seems to also be a paranormal hotspot for spirits that just continue to frequent the local landmark.

The resilient building escaped two fires at the turn of the 19th century, due it its slate roofing. Architecturally speaking, the building certainly stands out and there’s not another one quite like it in the French Quarter.
Between 1722 and 1732, the building was believed to have been used by the infamous Lafitte Brothers for their Barataria smuggling operations.
Matt/Flickr
There are even some stories floating around that he buried his treasure within the walls of the fireplace.
Lafitte’s is notoriously one of the most haunted bars in New Orleans, and possibly even the country.
bangorpaguy/TripAdvisor
It's also the oldest pub in the entire state.
With a building that’s nearly 300 years old, it’s not uncommon for the ghost stories to run rampant. But over the years, countless patrons have reported seeing and hearing things that simply cannot be explained.
P8176CRmichaelw/Trip Advisor

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Many patrons have claimed to have seen Jean Lafitte himself.
MarkMac69/Flickr
He is often seen in the corner, lurking among the shadows. He just stands there quietly, observing the room. When your eyes finally meet, he vanishes into thin air. Many believe he returns so that he can keep an eye on his treasure.
There’s another spirit that is often seen, or heard rather, upstairs.
Serr72/Trip Advisor
It’s said that the ghost of an unknown female who is thought to have ended her own life upstairs still haunts the area. She is known for approaching visitors and staff and quietly whispering their names into their ears.
But that’s not all.
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The building is believed by many paranormal investigators to host a demonic presence. Many have seen a pair of bright red eyes glowing from the darkest corners of the bar, and are commonly seen floating around the bar staff.
So the next time you find yourself at Lafitte’s and you think you see something out of the corner of your eye, don’t be so quick to brush it off as a sign that you’ve had one too many.
kimo22zein/Trip Advisor
It might just be Mr. Lafitte himself checking in on things.

Of course, we have reports of numerous haunted bars in New Orleans… but how many are haunted by the owners themselves?? Stay in the know about specials, ghost tours, and more on Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar website.

Have you ever been to Lafitte’s? Have you ever had a paranormal encounter? Share it with us in the comments below!

Speaking of historic hotspots, how about a stay in an old firehouse? This themed VRBO vacation rental in NOLA is just the getaway you need to warm up after those haunted chills! Or, for even more haunted New Orleans goodness, check out some of our favorite haunted places in New Orleans on this spooky road trip.

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More to Explore

Haunted Bars in New Orleans & Related Info

Jennifer | July 27, 2023

Is New Orleans haunted?

New Orleans is often considered to be the most haunted city in America. With hundreds of years of cultural history and an exciting, mysterious underbelly of witchcraft and voodoo lore, it's no wonder! But, of course, the validity of these stories depends on who you ask.

That said, if you want to experience some eerie places for yourself, and maybe stay overnight in a supposed haunted hotel or two, Louisiana (and NOLA especially) has more than enough paranormal hotspots to keep your goosebumps popping and the chills coming. Here are just a few of the most haunted places in New Orleans so you can decide for yourself whether ghosts and spooks are fact or fiction:

  • Arnaud's and French 75 Bar
  • Dueling Oak, City Park, New Orleans
  • The Gardette-LaPrete House
  • The Haunted Museum
  • The Hotel Monteleone
  • Jean Lafitte’s Old Absinthe House
  • The Jimani House
  • Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
  • LaLaurie Mansion
  • Le Pavillon Hotel
  • Muriel’s
  • New Orleans Pharmacy Museum
  • St. Louis Cemetery No. 1
  • Sultan’s Palace aka The Gardette-LaPrete House

 

Still craving more spooks, ghouls, and chills? These New Orleans restaurants are all said to be haunted as well.

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Featured Addresses
Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar, 941 Bourbon St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA