River City: Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl

Ghost stories taste better after dark. River City: Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl mixes San Antonio history, haunted buildings, and downtown drinks into a compact evening walk. I like the unusual range of stops, from a former battlefield tavern to an old theater, and I like that the tour stays small, with no more than 20 people.

The guide is a big part of the experience. Paul is praised for his humor and lively storytelling, while Amorette is known for drink suggestions and an easygoing style. The main thing to consider is that this is a short pub crawl, not a full dinner or bar-hopping marathon. Some stops last only 10 minutes, and drinks are not listed among the inclusions.

Key points to know before you go

• Six haunted downtown stops: Visit a tavern, hotel, cocktail bar, theater, restaurant-bar, and historic hotel.
• A two-hour evening walk: The tour begins at 6:00 pm and returns to the starting point.
• Stories are the main attraction: Your guide provides the historical background and ghost tales.
• The Lady in Red cocktail: At the Haunt Bar, you can order a drink tied to a tragic local legend.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is 20 people, which should make it easier to hear the guide.
• Best for curious adults: The tour suits people who enjoy spooky stories, downtown scenery, and a casual drink stop.

Starting at the Crockett Tavern on Bonham Street

The tour begins at 320 Bonham at 6:00 pm, outside the Crockett Tavern. This is more than a convenient meeting point. The tavern is said to have been built on a battlefield, giving your guide an immediate way to connect San Antonio’s past with its ghost stories.

You spend about 15 minutes here, with no separate admission charge. That short opening stop sets the tone: you are not entering a formal museum or watching a staged show. You are standing in the city and hearing stories tied to the buildings around you.

I like this beginning because it gives the crawl a sense of place before the drinks enter the picture. The city itself becomes part of the experience. The drawback is that the format depends heavily on the guide. A good storyteller can make a brief stop memorable, while a less engaging delivery would leave the opening feeling quick.

Paul has received particular praise for being funny and entertaining. If he leads your group, expect a relaxed presentation rather than a solemn lecture. The tour can also be led by Amorette, whose approach includes drink recommendations and plenty of information delivered in an informal way.

The Emily Morgan Hotel and its restless rooms

The next stop is the Emily Morgan Hotel at 611 South Presa Street. You spend about 10 minutes here, hearing about strange activity connected with the building. The details to watch for are simple but effective: a phone that may ring on its own, or a door that may open without anyone touching it.

This is one of the shorter stops, so do not expect a long indoor investigation. The appeal comes from the contrast between an operating hotel and the unexplained incidents linked to it. You are looking at an ordinary downtown building while listening for signs that it may not be entirely ordinary.

I find this type of stop works best when you keep your expectations in check. The tour presents ghost stories and reported activity, not scientific proof. If you enjoy atmosphere, old buildings, and the possibility of something strange happening, this can be fun. If you want dramatic effects or guaranteed paranormal activity, the 10-minute visit may feel limited.

The stop also shows why comfortable shoes matter. The crawl moves between several downtown locations, and you will be spending the evening on foot rather than riding in a vehicle.

Ordering the Lady in Red at St. Anthony’s Haunt Bar

At 300 East Travis Street, the crawl reaches the Haunt Bar at St. Anthony’s. This stop lasts about 15 minutes and adds the clearest drink-focused moment to the evening.

The featured drink is the Lady in Red cocktail. Its name comes from a tragic story about a woman who took her own life after being left at the altar. You can order the cocktail while your guide explains the tale behind it.

This is a smart match between story and setting. Instead of hearing about a ghost in a nameless street, you have a themed drink in a bar linked to the legend. Amorette has been praised for offering useful drink recommendations, so you may want to ask for guidance if you are unsure what to order.

Keep the timing in mind. Fifteen minutes is enough for a quick drink order and a short story, but not enough for a relaxed evening at the bar. I would treat this as one tasting stop within the larger walk, not the place to settle in for dinner.

The supplied details do not list drinks as part of the $36 price. Plan your spending with that in mind. The tour price covers the guide and historical stories, while any drink you order should be treated as an additional purchase unless the operator tells you otherwise.

The Majestic Theatre and San Antonio’s stage ghosts

The crawl continues to 224 East Houston Street, home of the Majestic Theatre. The visit lasts about 10 minutes.

The Majestic is one of San Antonio’s oldest theaters and is associated with many spirits. That setting gives the tour a change of mood. A tavern and a hotel suggest private stories and isolated incidents. A theater brings in performers, audiences, backstage spaces, and decades of public life.

You may appreciate this stop even if you are not especially interested in ghosts. Historic theaters are naturally atmospheric, and the building’s age gives the guide plenty of context for stories about people who passed through it. The stop also adds variety, keeping the tour from becoming a series of similar bar visits.

Since the listed time is short, the focus is on hearing the story from outside or nearby rather than taking a full theater tour. Do not book this experience expecting a performance, a backstage visit, or extended interior access. The value here is the guide’s account and the chance to connect a well-known downtown building with San Antonio’s supernatural folklore.

The Esquire Theater and post-Prohibition nightlife

At 115 East Commerce Street, you visit the Esquire Theater for about 15 minutes. The venue opened the day after Prohibition ended, a detail that immediately gives it a strong character.

That opening date links the building to San Antonio’s return to legal drinking and nightlife. Since then, the location has attracted many patrons and, according to its ghost stories, many spirits as well. This stop fits the pub-crawl theme better than the Majestic Theatre, since the building’s story is closely tied to drinking culture.

I like the way this visit broadens the historical scope of the tour. You are not hearing only about deaths and haunted rooms. You are also hearing how local entertainment and drinking changed over time.

The 15-minute stop should give the guide enough time to explain the building’s past without slowing the whole group. Still, the experience remains an outdoor or brief-visit storytelling format rather than a full historical tour of the Esquire. If you want detailed architecture or a long look inside, this may not satisfy you. If you like a quick story with a strong connection to the evening’s theme, it fits well.

The Sheraton Gunter Hotel and the wet-cement story

The final haunted stop is the Sheraton Gunter Hotel. Here, you hear the story of a woman who was buried in wet cement, followed by reports of continuing spiritual activity.

The story is darker than the cocktail legends and more unsettling than a phone ringing in an empty room. It gives the last part of the crawl a strong finish because it is memorable, grim, and tied to a specific place.

You spend about 15 minutes at the hotel. As with the other locations, the experience centers on the guide’s account. There is no promise of a ghost sighting or a paranormal investigation. You are getting a narrated visit to a building with a disturbing story attached to it.

This final stop also reinforces the tour’s balance between history and folklore. The evening is not simply a list of haunted bars. Hotels, theaters, and taverns all become windows into how San Antonio’s downtown developed and how stories survive around old buildings.

What the $36 price really covers

At $36 per person, the crawl is reasonably priced if you want a guided evening activity with several locations. You are paying for about two hours of organization, local storytelling, and a route that connects six stops. The guide’s personality matters greatly here, since the tour does not rely on expensive attractions or special equipment.

The value is strongest for someone who would otherwise spend the evening walking downtown without context. Instead of simply passing the Emily Morgan Hotel or the Majestic Theatre, you get a reason to pause and hear what makes each place unusual.

The price does not appear to include cocktails, food, or admission to an attraction. The listed inclusions are an experienced guide and historical stories. I would budget separately for any drinks, especially the Lady in Red cocktail.

This is also not the best value for someone seeking a long meal, several full-size drinks, or a formal ghost-hunting session. The tour is short and story-driven. Its job is to connect places and legends, not to provide a complete night out on its own.

Group size, timing, and practical comfort

The tour lasts approximately two hours and begins at 6:00 pm. It ends back at the meeting point on Bonham Street, which makes the route easier to plan than an outing with a distant finish.

The maximum group size is 20 people. That is large enough to create a social atmosphere but small enough that you should have a reasonable chance of hearing the guide. A smaller group can also make brief stops feel less crowded.

The tour is near public transportation, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed. Since the experience involves moving between downtown locations, wear comfortable shoes and keep your evening schedule flexible around the two-hour duration. The exact walking distance is not provided, so the operator is the right source if you need that detail before booking.

A mobile ticket is provided, and the tour is offered in English. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour is often reserved about 16 days ahead, so booking earlier is sensible if your San Antonio dates are fixed.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, based on the stated policy.

Who will enjoy this haunted pub crawl?

I would recommend it to you if you like local legends, historic buildings, casual walking tours, and a drink with a story attached. It also works well for couples and friends looking for an unusual evening activity rather than a standard bar crawl.

The guide style may appeal to you if you prefer humor and conversation over a formal lecture. Paul’s praised approach is funny and entertaining, while Amorette’s style includes drink advice and an informal atmosphere. The strongest element is clearly the human delivery of the stories.

Families should consider the adult pub setting and the darker material before booking. The supplied information does not give a minimum age, so ask the provider if that matters for your group.

You may want something else if you need guaranteed ghost activity, substantial food, long visits inside each building, or a fully scheduled tasting menu. The crawl is best understood as a guided downtown walk with haunted stories and optional drinks.

Should you book River City: Spirits & Spirits?

Book it if you want a social, two-hour introduction to San Antonio’s haunted side, especially if you enjoy hearing stories from an entertaining guide. The six stops give the evening variety, and the $36 fee is fair for a small-group route with local context.

I would be more cautious if your main goal is heavy drinking or a serious paranormal investigation. The stops are brief, drinks are not listed as included, and the supernatural claims are presented as stories rather than proven events.

For most people who like history with a spooky edge, this is an easy evening choice. Reserve ahead if possible, arrive ready to walk, and bring extra money for a cocktail or two.

FAQ

Where does the haunted pub crawl begin?

It begins at 320 Bonham, San Antonio, Texas 78205.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 6:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point on Bonham Street.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $36 per person.

What is included in the price?

The price includes an experienced guide and historical stories.

Are drinks included?

Drinks are not listed among the inclusions. You should plan to pay separately for any cocktail or other drink you order.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket.

Can I cancel for a full 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.