San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

San Francisco keeps its ghosts close. This two-hour walk pairs documented hauntings with old bars, giving you a spirited look at the city’s darker past without turning the evening into a staged scare show. I like the small maximum of 15 people, and I like that the guides focus on researched local stories rather than vague campfire tales. The main drawback is that bar hours can change the route, especially on Sundays.

You begin at High Horse on Washington Street and finish at Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar on Wentworth Place. Drinks cost extra, and the tour may begin early for some night owls. Still, guides such as Ben, Taylor, Mark, Mike, Silver, Michaela, and Michael have earned praise for clear storytelling, local knowledge, and a relaxed manner.

Key points at a glance

• Three named bar stops plus a wider four-bar route: The published route names Old Ship Saloon, Hungry I, and Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar, while the tour description promises four bars overall.
• San Francisco history with a ghostly edge: Stories include a lingering spirit, the Miner’s Ghost, and a cook with missing fingers.
• Small groups matter: The maximum is 15 people, and some departures have been as small as two people.
• Guides make the evening: Ben, Taylor, Mark, Mike, Silver, Michaela, and Michael are praised for storytelling, history, patience, and personal touches.
• Oakley may join the hunt: Some departures include the guide’s dog, Oakley, who has become a memorable part of the experience.
• Sunday needs a little flexibility: Some bars may be closed, with alternate stops used instead.

What this haunted pub crawl is really like

This is not a ghost-sighting guarantee. It is a walking history tour with drinks, old streets, and stories about people and places tied to San Francisco’s more troubling chapters.

That distinction matters. You might see a darkened doorway or feel a chill in a quiet alley, but the real payoff is hearing why a certain building or street has a ghostly reputation. The tour includes documented accounts and researched stories, so the mood depends more on the guide’s delivery than on theatrical effects.

You also get a useful introduction to the oldest section of the city. The route connects several bars and paranormal locations, allowing you to move through the neighborhood rather than sit in one place listening to a lecture. I like that format because the setting does part of the work. A story told outside an old building feels more immediate than the same story in a modern visitor center.

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the group can include no more than 15 people. That limit helps keep the evening conversational. On one departure, only two people arrived, and the tour still went ahead. That is a nice sign for anyone worried about a small booking being canceled.

Starting at High Horse on Washington Street

Meet at High Horse, 582 Washington Street, San Francisco. This is where you get your bearings and begin with the history of the area, including the story of a particular ghost said to linger nearby.

The first stop sets the tone. You are not simply being told that a place is haunted. You hear about the neighborhood’s past and the person connected with the haunting. The exact story can vary with the guide, which is part of the appeal of a guide-led evening, though it also means your experience depends on who leads the group.

Plan to arrive ready to walk and ready to buy your own drink. The price covers the tour, guide, fees, and taxes, but not beverages. One useful detail from the experience is that some people only needed to purchase a drink at the first bar, rather than at every stop. That may depend on the evening and the bar, so bring enough money for drinks without assuming you must order one each time.

Old Ship Saloon and the weight of its past

The Old Ship Saloon is listed as a 10-minute stop. You can enjoy a drink in this historic saloon, a place associated with considerable human suffering.

Ten minutes is not a long bar visit. Think of it as a focused pause in the walking route, not time for a full meal or a leisurely round. The value comes from the guide’s explanation of the setting and the story attached to it.

This stop may appeal most if you enjoy places where ordinary details carry historical weight. A bar can seem casual and social, yet the story behind it may involve hardship, violence, or loss. That contrast gives the tour its best moments.

Keep in mind that the published route calls for four bars, but only three bar names are listed in the supplied details. High Horse is the meeting point, and the other named stops are Old Ship Saloon, Hungry I, and Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar. The exact fourth stop may be confirmed by the guide or adjusted during the evening.

Hungry I and the haunted street

The next named stop is Hungry I, also listed for about 10 minutes. Here you hear about the ghosts associated with the street and have the chance to order a drink.

The route’s rhythm becomes clear here: walk, hear a story at a paranormal site, enter a bar, then continue to the next location. This keeps the evening moving and gives you time to talk with the rest of the group.

The best guides add small human details. One story that stayed with many participants involved a cook with missing fingers. It is the kind of grim, specific tale that can turn a normal street into a place you see differently. If you prefer polished legends with no unpleasant details, this may be a little much. If you enjoy macabre local history, it is exactly the sort of story you came for.

Hungry I also helps create the social side of the night. The group is small enough to meet other people without being swallowed by a large crowd. A family group, solo participant, or pair can all fit into the format, though the bar setting naturally suits adults who enjoy an evening drink.

The Miner’s Ghost and the darker side of the city

Between the bar stops, the guide discusses the Miner’s Ghost and some of the area’s darker past. This is where the experience moves beyond the usual haunted-house formula.

San Francisco’s past is full of ambition, sudden wealth, hard labor, and human cost. The Miner’s Ghost story gives the guide a way to connect the supernatural with real conditions in the city. You are not just collecting ghost names. You are hearing how people lived, suffered, and disappeared from the record.

I would pay close attention during the outdoor sections. The bars provide warmth, a drink, and conversation, but the streets provide the physical setting. Look around as the guide points out the places tied to the stories. The tour is most effective when you let the location and the narrative meet.

The walking requirement is moderate rather than extreme, but you should be comfortable on your feet for roughly two hours. The operator recommends a moderate level of physical fitness. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar closes the evening

The tour ends at Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar, 57 Wentworth Place. This is the final named bar stop, and it is where the experience officially finishes.

The closing joke in the route description is that you should avoid running into ghosts on your way out. The real benefit of ending at a bar is practical: you can stay for another drink or leave when the tour ends, instead of needing to make your way back to the starting point.

The listed stop lasts about 10 minutes, so do not assume the tour includes a long final stay. If you want more time at the bar, you can ask about remaining after the guided portion, but the provided details do not promise extended service or reserved seating.

Because the route ends in a different place from where it starts, check the address before booking. High Horse and Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar are not the same location. That one-way format is convenient if you plan to continue your evening in the area, but less convenient if you left belongings near the starting point.

Guides are the heart of the experience

The strongest part of this crawl is the guide. The names that come up most often are not important because of celebrity. They matter because different guides add different touches.

Ben is praised for engaging stories and a broad account of San Francisco history. Taylor is described as warm and well informed, and she kept a very small departure running even when only two people attended. Mark is remembered for patience, card tricks, and a friendly manner. Mike is praised for city knowledge and card tricks, while Oakley, the dog who sometimes joins him, has become a favorite part of the outing.

Silver is especially suited to people who enjoy storytelling. Her style has been described as calm and vivid, with enough detail to make past eras feel close. Michaela also received praise for taking care of the group when communication with the company beforehand had been difficult.

That last point is worth noting. The guide can make up for a less polished booking process, but you should still confirm your meeting details and arrival time. The experience itself is praised much more consistently than the company’s pre-tour communication.

Price, drinks, and the value of two hours

At $36 per person, this is a fair price if you want a guided evening walk with history and ghost stories. The fee includes all taxes and fees, a professional guide, and the storytelling. It does not include drinks or private transportation.

The value depends on what you compare it with. You are not paying for a full dinner, reserved tables, or a theatrical production. You are paying for access to a guide who links several bars and paranormal sites into one organized route.

For me, the small group limit improves the value. A large pub crawl can become noisy and impersonal. Here, you have a better chance to hear the story, ask a question, and speak with the guide. If your group is very small, the pace may feel almost private.

The tour lasts about two hours, which is long enough for a taste of the neighborhood without taking over your entire night. Some people wished it started later and lasted longer. If you want a late-night pub crawl, check the departure time carefully before booking.

Sunday closures and other practical details

Bar closures are the main operational concern. On one Sunday, two scheduled bars were closed, so the guide used alternate bars instead. That did not ruin the tour, but it did mean the group could not visit every planned interior.

This is a good reason to keep your expectations flexible. The stories and route may remain strong even when a door is shut, but a specific bar atmosphere cannot be guaranteed. If entering each listed pub is essential to you, ask about operating hours before booking.

The experience is near public transportation, and private transportation is not included. You receive confirmation at booking, and the mobile ticket makes arrival simple. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Inside that window, changes and refunds are not accepted.

The tour is conducted in English. The group maximum is 15, and service animals are allowed. The moderate fitness requirement means you should be comfortable walking between the stops and standing during the stories.

Who will enjoy this most

I would choose this for you if you like local history with a spooky edge, prefer small groups, and enjoy meeting in bars rather than riding in a vehicle. It works well for couples, solo participants, friends, and families whose older members are comfortable in a pub setting.

It is also a good choice if you want an easy first-night activity in San Francisco. The route gives you a sense of the historic area, and a good guide can point out details you might miss on your own.

I would skip it if you want guaranteed ghost sightings, a late-night party, or a drink included in the price. You should also reconsider if you dislike walking, grim stories, or schedule changes caused by closed bars.

Should you book the San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze crawl?

Book it if the combination of serious local stories, historic drinking spots, and a small group sounds better than a loud bar crawl. The guides are the biggest reason to go, and the most praised guides add humor, history, card tricks, or even a friendly ghost-hunting dog.

Go with flexible expectations. The tour may use alternate bars, the evening may start earlier than you prefer, and no ghost is promised. But for $36, you get a focused two-hour introduction to San Francisco’s haunted side, with a guide who can turn ordinary streets and old bars into something worth remembering.

FAQ

How much does the San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl cost?

The price is $36 per person. All fees and taxes are included, but drinks are not included.

How long does the haunted pub crawl last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at High Horse, 582 Washington Street, San Francisco, California 94111.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar, 57 Wentworth Place, San Francisco, California 94108.

How many bars are included?

The tour description includes stops at four bars, but the named route details identify Old Ship Saloon, Hungry I, and Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar. The exact fourth stop may vary.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 15 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.