History by Day or Drinks by Night: Two Fun Ways to Explore Pirate New Orleans

When you visit New Orleans, you expect food, music, and chaos. But there’s one thing travelers don’t always expect—pirates. Real ones. Brothers Jean and Pierre Lafitte carved their legend into the streets of the French Quarter, and today their stories are alive and well through two top-rated experiences: Pirates of the Quarter’s daytime history tour and the infamous Pirate Pub Crawl.

Both offer completely different vibes—one rich with history, one fueled by rum—and both are rated 5 stars across the board. In fact, Pirates of the Quarter is a Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award winner two years in a row, putting it among the top experiences in the world.

So whether you’re a family searching for authentic history or a group of friends craving a wild night out, there’s a pirate experience made for your adventure.

Why Pirates Still Rule the French Quarter

Before New Orleans was the birthplace of jazz, and long before Bourbon Street became an all-night party, the city was shaped by smugglers, privateers, and outlaws. The Lafitte brothers weren’t movie-style cartoon pirates—they were cunning businessmen, master negotiators, and sometimes reluctant heroes.

From the shadowy waterways of Barataria Bay to the secret dealings with merchants, politicians, and society’s underbelly, pirates played a shocking role in shaping the city. And when the British came rolling in during the War of 1812, it was these same “criminals” who stepped up and helped Andrew Jackson defend New Orleans.

This legendary mix of danger, rebellion, and unexpected loyalty is what makes pirate history so fascinating—and why visiting New Orleans without exploring its pirate roots is like skipping beignets or pretending you don’t hear that brass band behind you.

Daytime Adventure: The Pirates of the Quarter Walking Tour

If you’re the type who wants real history, incredible stories, and a guide who knows the Lafitte timeline better than they know their grocery list, the Pirates of the Quarter daytime tour is your perfect match.

What It’s Like

You’ll ramble through the French Quarter streets with a salty pirate guide who brings the early 1800s to life with humor, grit, and storytelling. These aren’t dry textbook facts—this is history that actually happened on the very streets you’re walking.

Along the way, you’ll learn:

• How Jean and Pierre Lafitte built a smuggling empire

• Why everyone—from merchants to madams—worked with them

• The secrets of the French Quarter’s alleyways, rendezvous spots, and safe houses

• How the pirates stepped in during the Battle of New Orleans and helped turn the tide

• What everyday life was like in a city where rules were… flexible at best

Families love it. History buffs love it. Even people who normally fall asleep during tours end up hooked.

Why It’s Top-Rated

The daytime tour holds a perfect 5-star rating because the experience is equal parts fun and educational. Every guide is a character, every stop on the route reveals something you wouldn’t learn in school, and every moment feels like stepping inside a living story.

It’s perfect for:
✔ Families
✔ Couples exploring the Quarter
✔ Solo travelers
✔ History lovers
✔ Anyone seeking a unique, local experience

Nighttime Chaos: The Pirate Pub Crawl

If the daytime tour gives you the history, the Pirate Pub Crawl gives you the other side of New Orleans—the wild, unfiltered, and slightly inappropriate one.

This is not your average bar tour. Expect laughter, drinks, and stories your guide definitely should not tell in daylight.

What It’s Like

Your pirate guide leads you through the French Quarter’s bars and alleyways as you sip drinks, hear outrageous tales, and discover the scandalous side of New Orleans history. The stories are dirtier. The jokes are darker. And the laughs are louder.

You’ll hear:

• Filthy pirate stories that never make it into textbooks

• Scandalous tales from New Orleans’ past

• The shocking truth about brothels, barrooms, and Bourbon-street madness

• Why pirates were some of the original “influencers” of early New Orleans nightlife

Every stop is a place where the drinks are cold, the atmosphere is rowdy, and the pirate guide somehow knows everyone behind the bar.

Why Travelers Love It

This nighttime experience is 100% fun and absolutely unforgettable. It’s consistently rated 5 stars, drawing groups from around the world looking for a unique way to drink through the city. You’ll laugh, you’ll drink, and—you guessed it—you might just learn a few horrible things.

It’s perfect for:
✔ Bachelor & bachelorette groups
✔ Friends’ trips
✔ Birthday crews
✔ Nightlife lovers
✔ Anyone who wants to mix booze with history

Which Tour Is Right for Your Trip?

Here’s the break-down:

Choose the Day Tour if…

• You want real history and storytelling

• You enjoy walking tours

• You’re traveling with kids or family

• You love learning weird, fascinating facts

• You want a memorable morning or afternoon in the French Quarter

Choose the Pub Crawl if…

• You want to drink, laugh, and maybe overshare

• You’re traveling with friends

• You like your history spicy, inappropriate, and hilarious

• You’re celebrating something

• You want an unforgettable night out

Truth is, many travelers book both. They get the history by day and the party by night, and together it creates the ultimate pirate-themed New Orleans experience.

Why Travelers Keep Coming Back

Pirates of the Quarter isn’t just “another tour company.” It’s a locally built, locally run experience created by people who truly love pirate history and the wild culture of New Orleans.

Winning the Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice Award two years in a row means these tours rank among the top 10% of attractions worldwide—a huge honor driven by real traveler reviews.

Guests consistently praise:

• The guides’ energy and knowledge

• The perfect balance of humor and history

• The unique pirate theme that fits the city perfectly

• The storytelling that turns real events into unforgettable experiences

• How much fun they have compared to standard tours

For many travelers, these tours become the highlight of their trip.

Book the Experience That Fits Your Adventure

Whether you want to dive into smuggling and naval battles or drink your way through dirty pirate stories, Pirates of the Quarter offers a one-of-a-kind New Orleans experience.

History by day. Drinks by night. Pirate fun all around.

Whichever path you choose, you’re guaranteed:
⭐ A fully immersive experience
⭐ A fun, charismatic pirate guide
⭐ 5-star storytelling
⭐ Memories you won’t forget

Ready to explore pirate New Orleans your way?

👉 Book your daytime history tour or the nighttime Pirate Pub Crawl today.
Choose the one that fits your trip—or go big and do both.

More French Quarter ideas here: Things to do in the French Quarter