Spooky stories, then a proper drink break. This 2-hour crawl is built around true, documented hauntings and a max 15-person group that keeps the whole night feeling social, not crowded. You’ll wander San Francisco’s older streets while a guide ties each spooky beat to place, time, and local legend.

I like the way the evening mixes short history moments in between bars, so you’re not just standing around waiting for the next round. The best part is the pacing set by guides such as Ben and Taylor, who turn the macabre into an easy, listenable story with plenty of context.

One thing to plan for: drinks aren’t included, and bar hours can affect what’s open when you show up (so come ready for a little flexibility).

Key highlights I’d circle before you book

• Four bar stops in roughly two hours, with quick story breaks between
• Documented ghost stories tied to specific corners of the city
• Small group size (up to 15) for more conversation and questions
• Extra fun touches like card tricks and even Oakley, the ghost-hunting dog
• Admission is free at the listed saloon stops, so you’re mainly paying for the guide and your drinks

A $36 haunted pub crawl that’s built for a quick, fun night

San Francisco can feel like two different cities after dark: the skyline version and the older, shadowier streets beneath it. This tour leans into the second one, with a spooky pub crawl that runs about 2 hours and stays tight enough for a good dinner plan after.

At $36 per person, you’re not paying for “unlimited drinks.” You’re paying for structure: a guide, researched and documented stories, and a route that hits four bars with paranormal history beats in between. For many people, that’s the value—someone else handles the timing and the storytelling, and you just show up ready to walk and listen.

High Horse start and Lion’s Den finish: how the route feels

You meet at High Horse (582 Washington St, San Francisco, CA 94111) and end at Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar (57 Wentworth Pl, San Francisco, CA 94108). It’s a walking tour with moderate physical fitness needed, which usually means comfortable shoes and a willingness to keep moving for short stretches.

Because it’s set up as a pub crawl, you’re spending most of the time on your feet only in manageable chunks. Also, the tour runs in English, and it’s near public transportation, which helps if you don’t want to rely on rideshare for a short night out. And yes—service animals are allowed, which is good to know if you’re traveling with one.

What makes the ghost stories work: documented, location-based, and not just scary for scary’s sake

A lot of ghost tours fall into two buckets: spooky vibes only, or super academic lectures with no fun. This one lands in a better middle. You’ll hear well-researched stories of hauntings, with documented accounts and specific local connections—so the “why” behind the legends matters.

You start with a stop focused on the history of the area and one particular ghost who still lingers. Then you hit another storytelling moment centered on the Miner’s Ghost and darker history tied to that neighborhood. Even if you don’t fully buy into the supernatural, the details give you something to chew on afterward: names, timelines, and why certain places became the city’s go-to spooky addresses.

I also like that the tour doesn’t pretend fear is the main goal. It’s more like: here’s the story, here’s the setting, and here’s a reason people keep talking about it.

Stop-by-stop: the haunted pubs and what each one adds

History prelude: ghost who still lingers, then Miner’s Ghost

Before you even settle into bar time, you’ll get the route’s foundation. These early stops are where your guide sets the stage—what happened in the area, what makes the spot meaningful, and how the ghost story became part of San Francisco’s lore.

Then the tone shifts darker with the Miner’s Ghost. This is one of those parts where the “haunted” theme ties directly to the human side of the past—when you hear the context, the scary parts land harder because you’re not just hearing a random legend. If you like ghost stories with real-world anchors, this pacing is a big win.

Old Ship Saloon: a drink in a historic room

Your first full bar stop is The Old Ship Saloon. The tour gives you about 10 minutes there, and you can enjoy a drink while you take in the saloon’s atmosphere—framed as a place that’s seen plenty of human suffering.

Practically, this is a good first stop because it resets your energy. You’ve done some walking and listening, and now you get a little time to sit, sip, and let the stories settle in. It also helps that the tour lists admission ticket free for this stop, which keeps the experience from turning into a “pay extra at the door” situation.

Small caution: since the tour is centered around bars, you’ll want to pace your drinking. Two hours goes by fast, and the last thing you want is to miss the final stop because you got too comfy at the first one.

Hungry I: street-side haunting between drinks

Next up is Hungry I, also with about 10 minutes. This is positioned as a stop where you’re in the midst of the ghosts that haunt the street—so the guide’s talk here tends to feel more grounded in place than in spectacle.

The best way to use this moment: treat it like a short storytelling window. Stand where the guide suggests, listen with attention, and don’t feel like you need to finish a full drink in one gulp. If you’re the type who likes to look around as you listen, this is where you’ll get the most out of it—because the “where” matters.

Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar: the last pour and the final word

The tour ends with Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar, another 10-minute stop. The pitch is playful—don’t run into any ghosts when you leave—but what matters most is that you’re ending with a drink and a final round of story energy.

This final stop is also your easiest time to ask quick questions you might not have wanted to interrupt during earlier parts. It’s the point where you can sort out what scared you most, what you found credible, and what felt like classic neighborhood lore. And if you want photos, this is usually the best moment since you’re not trying to rush into a new bar immediately.

The real star: guides who know how to make spooky history fun

Guides seem to make or break this experience, and the pattern is clear: they’re great at turning the material into an evening, not a monologue. Names that show up include Ben, Taylor, Mark, Michael, and Silver, along with Michaela—and the common thread is a lively, organized storytelling style.

I especially like when a guide adds little layers that keep the group engaged. Some nights feature things like card tricks, and there’s also mention of Oakley, a ghost-hunting dog, which adds a charming twist for people who want spooky without it getting too intense.

There’s also a practical upside to the small group: even when it’s not full, the tour still runs like a real event. One booking noted it was just the two of them, and the guide kept the experience going strong. That’s a sign of how the tour is designed—small group energy, not “we’ll wing it if few people show up.”

Price and value: what you’re actually paying for

Let’s be honest: $36 can feel like a bargain or like a lot, depending on what’s included. Here’s the straightforward math.

You’re paying for:

• the guided route and timing (about 2 hours)
• professional guides
• intensely researched true stories and documented accounts tied to the places
• all fees and taxes
• mobile ticket
• and the structure of four bar stops plus in-between history

You’re not paying for:

• drinks (they’re explicitly not included)
• private transportation (not offered)

So your “real cost” depends on how many drinks you choose. In a pub crawl, you should expect at least one paid drink during the night. If you keep it to one drink per stop (or even fewer), you’ll likely feel like you got a lot out of the price. If you go heavy on alcohol, it stops being a value deal fast—though, to be fair, that’s not a tour problem.

The value comes from the storytelling and the route. You could pay for individual bar entries and do a self-guided ghost walk, sure. But with this format, you get the context and the pacing without hunting down clues in an app.

Day-to-day reality: bar hours and quick substitutions

This is one practical thing I think you should plan for with any pub crawl: bars aren’t guaranteed to be open at all times. In at least one case tied to a Sunday, some stops were closed and the group went to alternate bars with ghost stories instead.

That tells me two things. First, bring flexibility—this tour is designed to keep moving even when a bar isn’t cooperating. Second, don’t treat the stop list like sacred scripture. If you go in expecting a consistent “drop-in at each exact bar no matter what,” you might feel mildly let down. If you go in expecting guided story beats with bar atmosphere, you’ll likely enjoy it more.

Who should book this tour (and who might want a different vibe)

This crawl is a strong match if you:

• like spooky city stories that are tied to real locations
• want a short evening plan without a whole-night commitment
• enjoy meeting people in a small group setting (max 15)
• don’t mind walking at a moderate level for about two hours
• prefer an English-guided experience

It’s less ideal if you’re looking for a “sit down and watch a show” experience. This is still a walking pub night. Also, if you’re trying to drink only soft beverages and never buy anything at bars, the experience may feel less aligned with how the stops are set up.

Should you book San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze?

If you want a compact night that mixes documented ghost stories with actual bar atmosphere, I’d book it. The small group size, guided storytelling, and the focus on specific haunted history make it feel more intentional than your average “wander and hope” ghost tour.

I’d only hesitate if your budget depends on drinks being included, or if you don’t handle walking-friendly activities well. Otherwise, this is an excellent way to see a different side of San Francisco—one where the streets have names, the past has teeth, and your evening ends at a bar instead of back at a hotel.

FAQ

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

It runs for approximately 2 hours.

What does it cost?

The price is $36.00 per person.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How large is the group?

There is a maximum of 15 travelers.

What’s included in the $36 price?

It includes all fees and taxes, professional tour guides, and researched true stories with documented accounts.

Are drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included in the price.

Where do I meet, and where does it end?

You start at High Horse, 582 Washington St, San Francisco and end at Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar, 57 Wentworth Pl, San Francisco.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.

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