Ft. Lauderdale: Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

Ghost stories taste better with a drink. Fort Lauderdale’s Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl combines local legends, up to four bars, and short walks through some of the city’s spookier corners. I like the small-group feel of a guided night out and the fact that the route changes with the season and day of the week. I also like the well-researched stories, especially those tied to real places such as the King Cromartie House and Esplanade Park.

The main thing to consider is that this is not a polished sightseeing tour with a fixed route. Stops can change, time at each pub may range from 15 minutes to an hour, and transportation is not included. If you need a fully predictable schedule or have mobility limitations, this may not be the best fit.

Key points to know before you go

• Start at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila: Meet at 21 W Las Olas Blvd, where your guide wears a black US Ghost Adventures shirt and carries a lantern.
• King Cromartie House sets the spooky tone: Expect stories about one of Fort Lauderdale’s most famously haunted buildings.
• Old Coyote Ugly adds a darker local story: Your drink stop comes with tales connected to the city’s mob-related past.
• Esplanade Park brings the ghost stories outdoors: Listen for the spirits said to haunt the park, including reports of wailing.
• The route is flexible: You may visit up to four pubs, with the exact lineup changing by season and weekday.
• The price is moderate for a guided night out: At $30 per person, you are paying for the guide, research, and storytelling, while drinks remain your responsibility.

Starting at Bodega on Las Olas Boulevard

Your evening begins at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, 21 W Las Olas Blvd in downtown Fort Lauderdale. This clear starting point matters because a pub crawl is much easier when you know exactly where to meet, especially if you are joining after dinner or arriving from another part of town.

Look for a guide wearing a black US Ghost Adventures T-shirt and carrying a lantern. That lantern is a practical marker in a busy nightlife area, and it fits the mood without turning the meeting point into a theatrical production.

The tour lasts two hours, so you should arrive ready to walk and spend time standing. Comfortable shoes are a must. Bring clothing suited to the weather, since part of the experience takes place outdoors and Fort Lauderdale evenings can feel different depending on the season.

The first drink is part of the opening experience, but additional drinks are not included in the $30 price. Plan your budget accordingly. If you want a full evening of cocktails, the total cost will be higher than the advertised tour price.

How the changing route affects your night

The crawl can include up to four watering holes, but the exact order and selection vary by day of the week and season. That flexibility can work in your favor. It allows the guide to adjust the route and keep the evening connected to current opening hours and local conditions.

The tradeoff is simple: you cannot count on visiting every named location. King Cromartie House, Old Coyote Ugly, Original Fat Cats, and Esplanade Park may be included, but the lineup is not guaranteed for every departure.

Time at each stop can range from 15 minutes to one hour. That is a wide spread. A short stop gives you a quick look and keeps the route moving. A longer stop gives you more room to order a drink, listen to the story, and settle into the setting.

I would treat the route as a guided introduction to Fort Lauderdale’s haunted side, not as a bar-hopping checklist. The quality of the night depends more on the guide’s storytelling and the group’s mood than on ticking off every address.

King Cromartie House and Fort Lauderdale’s haunted past

The King Cromartie House is one of the main reasons to choose this crawl over a standard pub tour. The house is known locally for its ghost stories, and the guide shares the background that gives the building its eerie reputation.

This stop works best for you if you like stories tied to specific places. You are not simply hearing a generic tale about ghosts. You are standing near a named Fort Lauderdale site while the guide explains its connection to local lore.

The experience does not promise paranormal proof, and you should not expect a staged haunted-house attraction. The appeal is the atmosphere, the setting, and the way a good guide connects old stories to the streets around you.

One of the strongest parts of this tour is the research behind the storytelling. Guide Jesus earned especially strong praise for his detailed accounts and his enthusiasm. His stories were compelling enough to prompt fact-checking, and the facts reportedly held up. That is useful information if you care about local history as much as spooky entertainment.

Another guide, Joe, was praised for making the evening fun and educational, even when the group was very small. That tells you something important about the format: the experience does not rely only on a large crowd creating energy. A capable guide can carry the night through conversation and storytelling.

Old Coyote Ugly and the mob connection

Old Coyote Ugly provides one of the more unusual stops on the route. Instead of focusing only on ghost lore, the guide connects the bar to Fort Lauderdale’s mob-related history.

That change of subject helps keep the tour from becoming repetitive. Two hours of ghost stories could begin to blur together, but a story about organized crime gives the evening another angle. You get a look at the city’s darker past through both supernatural tales and real-world history.

You should allow time for a drink here if the stop appears on your route. The pub portion is not merely a backdrop for the guide’s talk. It is part of the social side of the experience, giving you a chance to relax before heading to the next haunted point.

Still, remember that the exact stop is subject to change. If Old Coyote Ugly is not included on your night, the guide will direct the group to another participating pub or location. The flexible route is useful, but it means you should not book this tour solely for one particular bar.

Original Fat Cats and the social side of the crawl

Original Fat Cats is another possible stop. The supplied details do not specify a particular legend or historical subject connected with this bar, so I would not promise a specific story before you arrive.

What you can expect is the general rhythm of the crawl: walk to a local pub, hear part of the evening’s history, and have time for a drink before moving on. That pace suits you if you want a casual night out with a theme rather than a formal lecture.

The pub stops also make this experience a reasonable choice for couples and friends who want an activity after dinner. You can share the stories, compare reactions, and enjoy the social atmosphere without committing to a long tour. At two hours, it is short enough to fit into a wider Fort Lauderdale evening.

For solo participants, the guide matters even more. Joe and Jesus were both praised for being friendly, engaging, and fun, which suggests that the tour can still work when the group is tiny. One departure had only one participant, yet the guide continued with the planned experience and included a look at a fire station along the way. That kind of flexibility can make a big difference if you are traveling alone or visiting during a quieter period.

Esplanade Park and the sound of spirits

Esplanade Park changes the mood again. Here, the haunted stories move into an open outdoor setting, where the guide talks about spirits said to frequent the park and reports of wailing.

An outdoor stop can feel more atmospheric than a story told inside a bar. You have the night air, the surrounding streets, and a little more space for your imagination. At the same time, the effect depends on weather and noise. You may need to listen closely, particularly if the area is active.

This is one reason to bring weather-appropriate clothing. Fort Lauderdale is often warm, but comfort still matters when you are standing outside while listening to a story. The tour does not include transportation, so you will walk between stops and handle your own journey to and from the meeting point.

The park stop is also a good reminder to keep your expectations realistic. The tour invites you to listen for the wailing of spirits, but it does not guarantee a paranormal encounter. Think of it as local folklore presented in the places where those stories live.

What the $30 price really covers

At $30 per person, the tour is priced as an affordable guided evening rather than an all-inclusive nightlife package. Your fee covers the two-hour crawl, the guide, the research behind the stories, and the guided visits between pubs and haunted sites.

Drinks are not listed as included beyond the initial meeting drink, so you should plan to pay for what you order along the way. Transportation is also not included, and tips for the guide are separate.

The value depends on how you use the tour. If you only want access to bars, $30 may feel unnecessary. You can visit Fort Lauderdale pubs on your own. But if you want someone to connect those places to ghost stories, mob history, and local background, the fee is reasonable.

I see the strongest value in the guide’s role. A good guide turns a regular walk between bars into a story-led night. Jesus was praised for both accuracy and enthusiasm, while Joe was praised for keeping the experience enjoyable and informative. Those qualities are more valuable here than fancy production.

The score attached to the experience is excellent, but the number of available ratings is small. I would treat that as encouraging rather than definitive. The detailed praise points to strong guiding, but the changing route means your exact evening can still differ.

Who will enjoy this Fort Lauderdale tour?

I would recommend the crawl to adults who enjoy ghost stories, local history, and a relaxed drink-led evening. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors, and anyone who wants a light activity after spending the day at the beach or exploring downtown.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy a little uncertainty. The exact bars may change, and the time at each stop can vary. That is part of the charm for some people, but it may frustrate you if you want a strict schedule.

This is not a good match for people with mobility impairments. The tour involves walking between pubs and haunted stops, and no transportation is provided. Smoking is not allowed, and video recording is not permitted, so you should be ready to experience the tour without filming it.

The tour is in English only. If you want the stories in another language, this is not the right choice.

Practical tips for a smoother evening

Arrive at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila with enough time to locate the guide. Look for the black shirt and lantern rather than relying on a large sign or formal check-in desk.

Wear shoes that can handle walking and standing. You will move between indoor and outdoor locations, so light, weather-appropriate clothing is the sensible choice.

Keep your drink budget separate from the tour fee. The $30 price does not cover transportation, guide gratuity, or all drinks during the evening.

Do not plan a tightly timed event immediately afterward. The tour is scheduled for two hours, but changing stop times and walking between locations can make a rigid connection inconvenient.

If your plans are uncertain, booking offers useful flexibility because you can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are still arranging the rest of your Fort Lauderdale stay.

Should you book the Boos and Booze crawl?

Book it if you want a friendly, story-led night that mixes Fort Lauderdale pubs with haunted places. The best reason to go is the guide’s storytelling, especially if you get someone as enthusiastic and well prepared as Jesus or Joe.

Skip it if you need a fixed route, guaranteed access to one particular bar, or a fully accessible experience. The crawl works because it is casual and flexible, but those same traits mean the evening is not tightly controlled.

For $30, you get a focused two-hour introduction to Fort Lauderdale’s ghost lore and darker local stories. Add the cost of drinks and a tip, wear comfortable shoes, and arrive ready to listen. If that sounds like your kind of night, this is a good-value way to see a less polished and more playful side of the city.

FAQ

Where does the haunted pub crawl meet?

All tours meet at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, 21 W Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.

How will I recognize the guide?

Your guide will wear a black US Ghost Adventures T-shirt and carry a lantern.

How long does the tour last?

The pub crawl lasts two hours.

How many pubs will the tour visit?

The crawl can visit up to four watering holes. The exact lineup changes depending on the day of the week and the season.

Which places might be included?

Possible stops include the King Cromartie House, Old Coyote Ugly, Original Fat Cats, and Esplanade Park.

Are drinks included in the price?

The tour information describes meeting the guide for a drink at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila, but it does not include all drinks as part of the $30 price. Plan to pay for additional drinks yourself.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation is not included, so you will need to make your own way to the meeting point and between the tour’s stops.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?

No. The live tour guide conducts the experience in English.