Entry No. 6 — the New Orleans file — filed under: witchy
Hex: Old World Witchery
A working witchcraft shop on lower Decatur staffed by practicing witches, geared as much to serious practitioners as to the curious. It stocks spell candles, occult books, incense, jewelry, potions, and even broomsticks, and offers psychic readings in-house. The same operation runs HexFest, an annual witchcraft and magic gathering in the city.
The story
Lower Decatur is where the French Quarter sheds its frat-party polish and gets a little grimy, quiet, and strange. At number 1219, behind a unpretentious storefront, Hex stands as a serious sanctuary for old-world witchery. You aren't stepping into a tacky souvenir shack hawking plastic voodoo dolls—the shop is operated by practicing witches who treat magic as an craft rather than a novelty.
Step past the threshold and the air hits you immediately: a thick, layered haze of copal, dragon’s blood incense, and essential oils. Floor-to-ceiling shelves are stocked with hand-poured spell candles, custom potion oils, rare occult texts, dried herbs, and actual handmade broomsticks. Whether you need a specific resin for a home blessing or just want to pick through their collection of ritual jewelry, the staff on the floor can walk you through the specifics of intent and tradition without a shred of theatrical pretense.
The New Orleans outpost shares roots with a sister location in Salem, Massachusetts, forming an axis between America's two iconic occult capitals. Beyond the retail counter, the same crew organizes HexFest—an annual gathering that draws elders, authors, and practitioners from across the country to New Orleans for intensive workshops and rituals.
What it's like
Inside, the vibe is subdued and respectful, smelling strongly of burning resin and essential oils. Browsers are welcome to wander the herb and oil shelves uninterrupted, but if you want one of their in-house psychic readings, don't rely on luck—walk-in slots evaporate quickly on weekends, so book online or call ahead before walking down Decatur.
The move: Have a practicing witch do a couples reading, then build matching spell-candle kits from the herb and oil shelves.
- 📍 French Quarter (lower Decatur)
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1219 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA 70116
Hours: Added 2026-06-22 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Cane & Table — Walk just a few doors down Decatur to decompress over classic rum cocktails in a dim, colonial-style dining room and courtyard.
- Voodoo Authentica of New Orleans Cultural Center & Collection — Head three blocks up Dumaine to compare Hex's European witchery traditions with a practitioner-run New Orleans Voodoo shop and temple.
- LaLaurie Mansion (exterior) — Cut one block inland to Royal and Governor Nicholls to view the notorious exterior of the Quarter's most haunted historic home.
Good to know
Do I need to book a psychic reading in advance?
Walk-ins are taken if a reader is open, but slots fill quickly during peak times and weekends. Booking in advance via their website or calling the shop directly is strongly recommended.
Is Hex just a tourist gimmick or a real occult shop?
It caters to curious walk-ins, but it is fundamentally a working witchery shop. It's staffed by practicing witches and stocked with legitimate ritual tools, raw botanical ingredients, and academic occult texts.
What is HexFest?
HexFest is an annual witchcraft and magic conference in New Orleans organized by the shop's founders, featuring workshops, panel discussions, and rituals led by prominent occult authors and elders.
Where on Decatur Street is Hex located?
It sits at 1219 Decatur Street, on the lower stretch of the French Quarter near Governor Nicholls Street, far down from the noise of Bourbon Street.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: hexwitch.com · hexfest.com · Yelp · neworleans.com
last checked: 2026-06-22