LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

Hollywood gets stranger after dark. This two-hour walk mixes cocktails, ghost stories, and Old Hollywood landmarks, taking you from Hollywood and Highland to bars and paranormal hotspots tied to famous names. I like the blend of Hollywood history and pub-hopping, and I also like that the route includes places such as Boardner’s, Musso and Frank’s, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and Hollywood Toys and Costumes rather than relying only on spooky storytelling. The main drawback is that the experience depends heavily on the guide and the group. One poor interaction can sour the night, and the alcohol-centered format is not a good match for anyone under 21 or looking for a quiet history walk.

At $30 per person, this is a fair price if you want an entertaining introduction to Hollywood’s darker stories. Drinks cost extra, and entry to Musso and Frank’s is not included, so your final bill will rise. Guide Bob earned special praise for useful drink suggestions and for taking the group to bars that became progressively more polished. Still, two serious reports describe offensive comments within the group and a guide failing to handle a cultural question with care. That is worth keeping in mind before you book.

Key points at a glance

• Boardner’s combines television lore and true-crime history: You hear about its connection to I Love Lucy and a 1940s murder case.
• Musso and Frank’s adds classic Hollywood atmosphere: The stop connects the crawl with Charlie Chaplin and other Old Hollywood figures, but admission is not included.
• The route includes four bars: Your drinks are extra, and one venue has a dress code that bans shorts and sleeveless shirts.
• The Hollywood Wax Museum and Hollywood Toys and Costumes bring the ghost stories outdoors: These stops break up the drinking with paranormal tales.
• Guide quality matters: Bob received praise for drink recommendations and a more refined progression from bar to bar.
• Plan for a two-hour night walk: Meet outside Footlocker at Hollywood and Highland at least 15 minutes early, wearing comfortable shoes.

Why this Hollywood pub crawl is different

Many Hollywood tours stay on the surface. They point out famous buildings, name a few stars, and move on. This one uses bars as its main stages, then threads in stories about people and places linked to Hollywood’s stranger side.

That makes the evening feel more social than a standard walking tour. You are not simply listening while standing on a pavement. You are moving between drinking spots, hearing tales about spirits, scandals, and famous figures, and deciding what to order along the way.

I like this format for a first night in Hollywood. You get a compact look at Hollywood Boulevard and a reason to enter places you might otherwise pass without noticing. The two-hour length also keeps the activity manageable. It is long enough for several stops, but short enough to fit before dinner or after another Los Angeles attraction.

The tradeoff is focus. This is not a serious study of Hollywood history, nor is it a dedicated ghost investigation. The stories are designed to entertain. If you want dates, archival detail, and careful source discussion, you may find the pub crawl light. If you want spooky tales with a drink in hand, the balance works better.

Meeting at Hollywood and Highland

Your starting point is outside Footlocker at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, at the corner of Hollywood and Highland. Look for a guide wearing a black US Ghost Adventures shirt and carrying a lantern. Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure, since finding the meeting point in a crowded entertainment district can take longer than expected.

The Hollywood and Highland area is a practical starting place. It is familiar, central, and easy to identify, but it can also be busy and noisy. Give yourself extra time to locate Footlocker rather than arriving at the last minute with a drink already in mind.

This is a walking activity, so wear comfortable shoes. The route passes along Hollywood Boulevard and between several bars and story locations. The activity information says it is wheelchair accessible, but it also lists people with mobility impairments as unsuitable. That is an important inconsistency. If you have mobility concerns, contact the operator before paying and ask about the exact route, walking distance, and access at each bar.

Boardner’s, I Love Lucy, and a 1940s murder

Boardner’s is one of the most distinctive stops because its story reaches beyond ordinary ghost-tour material. You hear about its connection to I Love Lucy, then move into the darker account of an infamous 1940s murder case.

That mix gives the stop two moods. The television link brings a familiar piece of American entertainment into the night. The murder story shifts the tone toward crime and unease. I find that contrast useful because it shows how Hollywood nightlife can carry several layers at once: glamour, comedy, celebrity, and tragedy.

Boardner’s also gives the guide a chance to explain why a bar can become part of local folklore. The place is not presented only as a room where you buy a drink. It becomes a setting tied to stories people continue to repeat.

You should expect to pay for your own drink here. The price includes entry to four bars, but not beverages. Ask the guide for a recommendation if you are unsure what to order. Bob received particularly strong praise for helping people choose drinks, which matters on a crawl with several stops and different styles of bar.

Musso and Frank’s and the Old Hollywood names

Musso and Frank’s brings the most recognizable Old Hollywood names into the crawl. The stories connect the restaurant with figures such as Charlie Chaplin, Jean Harlow, and Marilyn Monroe, and the stop asks you to consider who might still be lurking in its back corners.

The attraction here is atmosphere. Musso and Frank’s is presented as a place where Hollywood icons once moved through the room, making it a natural setting for tales about lingering spirits. Even if you are doubtful about ghosts, the celebrity connections give the stop a strong sense of place.

There is one practical catch: entry to Musso and Frank’s is not included. The tour information lists four bars as part of the experience, but Musso and Frank’s is specifically excluded from the admission arrangement. That means you should not assume every stop works the same way. Budget for your own drinks and any separate cost connected with this venue.

The guide may also use this part of the walk to place Hollywood personalities in context. The names are famous, but the value comes from seeing them connected to actual locations rather than hearing a list of stars in the abstract. You walk where those stories are set, which makes the material easier to remember.

The Hollywood Wax Museum and Hollywood Toys and Costumes

Between the drinking stops, the crawl visits the Hollywood Wax Museum and Hollywood Toys and Costumes. These are described as paranormal hotspots where ghost hunters have reported unsettling encounters.

These locations help the evening avoid becoming four consecutive bar visits. You get a change of scene and a chance to hear about reported activity in places associated with Hollywood’s public image. The contrast is part of the fun: one moment you are considering a cocktail, and the next you are listening for signs of something less ordinary.

The option to rent an EMF detector adds a hands-on element. It does not guarantee a supernatural encounter, and you should treat the device as part of the entertainment rather than scientific proof. Still, it gives you something to watch during the stories and may make the walking sections more engaging.

The ban on video recording is important here and throughout the tour. Do not plan on filming the guide, the stories, or the stops. Smoking is also not allowed. These rules may feel strict for a casual pub crawl, but knowing them in advance keeps the evening simple.

Four bars, extra drinks, and a rising level of style

The crawl includes entry into four bars, while drinks are separate. That pricing structure is common for a pub walk, but you should calculate the real cost before booking. At $30, the tour fee is reasonable for a guided two-hour route with several venues. Add cocktails, mixers, and a tip, and the night will cost more than the headline price.

The progression between bars is one of the more appealing features. Bob was praised for recommending drinks to different people and for taking the group to bars that became increasingly classy. That suggests the route is not just a series of similar pubs. The later stops may feel more polished, giving the evening a sense of movement.

I would set a drink budget before you begin. You do not need to order at every stop simply because you are on a pub crawl. You can ask about the available choices, pick a drink that suits you, and keep enough energy for the walking and storytelling.

The guide’s role is especially important here. A good guide can help you choose a drink, explain the atmosphere of each stop, and keep the group moving. The guide also needs to make the stories understandable to people who are not steeped in American television and Hollywood history.

What the Old Hollywood stories offer international visitors

The tour is built around American entertainment history. That can be a strength if you already know the names, but it may require more explanation if you are visiting from outside the United States.

One visitor from the United Kingdom described feeling dismissed after asking about unfamiliar figures and said the guide laughed rather than answering the questions. That is a serious concern. A good Hollywood tour should welcome questions from people who did not grow up with I Love Lucy, Charlie Chaplin, Jean Harlow, or Marilyn Monroe as part of their everyday cultural reference points.

I would not book this expecting a formal, classroom-style introduction to American culture. I would book it only if you are comfortable with a casual, story-driven approach and willing to ask questions early. The guide’s tone can shape the whole night, so respectful communication matters as much as the locations.

There was also a report of racist comments from another person in the group, which caused the tour to end early for part of the party. That is not a normal feature of the activity, but it shows why group behavior matters on a small social tour. If a situation becomes offensive, tell the guide clearly and ask how it will be handled.

Dress, age rules, and what to bring

You must be at least 21 to join. Bring photo identification, and a copy is accepted according to the tour information. Even if you are clearly over 21, carrying ID is the sensible choice because alcohol is part of the activity.

Do not wear shorts, sleeveless shirts, or tank tops. One bar has a dress code, and the activity specifically warns against clothing that may not be accepted. Comfortable trousers or another neat casual outfit are the safest choice.

The tour runs rain or shine. Check the forecast and choose shoes that can handle a wet walk if needed. The combination of rain, Hollywood pavement, and several stops is not a reason to cancel, but it is a reason to dress sensibly.

You should also avoid planning anything that requires filming. Video recording is not allowed. A phone for directions or emergencies is one thing, but the activity is designed around listening and participating rather than documenting every moment.

Who will enjoy this two-hour night out

I would recommend this experience to adults who want a social evening with a spooky theme and a strong Hollywood setting. It suits first-time visitors who want to see several famous locations without committing to a long tour.

It is also a good fit for people who enjoy celebrity stories but do not need every claim treated as historical fact. The appeal comes from the combination of real places, famous names, local legends, and drinks.

You may want to skip it if you are not interested in alcohol, dislike group activities, or want a quiet and detailed history tour. It is also a poor choice if you cannot comfortably walk between locations or need a fully predictable accessibility setup.

The rating of 4.4 from 23 reviews suggests a generally positive experience, but the small number of ratings leaves room for variation. The praise for Bob shows how much the guide can improve the evening. The negative accounts show the other side: poor handling of questions or offensive group behavior can have a major effect.

Is LA Ghosts Boos and Booze worth $30?

At $30, I think the tour offers fair value if you use it as a guided introduction to Hollywood nightlife and ghost lore. You receive a two-hour route, a live English-speaking guide, entry to four bars, and access to stories connected with Boardner’s, Musso and Frank’s, the Hollywood Wax Museum, and Hollywood Toys and Costumes.

The cost becomes less attractive if you expect drinks to be included. They are not. Musso and Frank’s also requires separate consideration, and you should add a tip for the guide. The final amount depends on how much you order.

My advice is to book this if the main attraction is the mix of Hollywood names, haunted tales, and a social night out. Arrive early, dress for the bar with the strictest code, carry ID, and set a drink budget. If you want a polished, inclusive experience, pay attention to the guide’s attitude at the start and speak up if questions are brushed aside.

The tour includes free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now while paying later. That gives you some flexibility, but the most important decision is whether the format suits you. For the right group, it can be a lively way to see Hollywood after dark. For a serious history fan or anyone sensitive to poor group management, I would choose a different tour.

FAQ

How long is the LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl?

The pub crawl lasts two hours. Starting times vary, so check availability when booking.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet outside Footlocker at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California. The guide wears a black US Ghost Adventures shirt and carries a lantern.

Are drinks included in the $30 price?

No. Drinks are not included, and you should also plan for a guide tip. Entry to four bars is included, but entry to Musso and Frank’s is not.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable shoes and avoid shorts, sleeveless shirts, and tank tops. One bar has a dress code, and the tour runs rain or shine.

Can people under 21 join?

No. The activity is for people aged 21 and over, and you should bring an ID card. A copy is accepted.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. The experience also offers a reserve now and pay later option.