San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

San Francisco’s oldest streets make a fine stage for ghost stories, and this two-hour haunted pub crawl mixes local history with drinks in old bars. You’ll hear documented tales of lingering spirits, the Miner’s Ghost, and a cook with missing fingers while walking between atmospheric stops.

I like the small group limit of 15, which gives the guide room to adjust the pace and answer questions. I also like the human touch: guides such as Ben, Taylor, Mark, Silver, and Michaela have earned praise for strong storytelling, while Mark’s dog Oakley sometimes joins as a very cute ghost hunter.

The main drawback is timing. Some sessions start early, and Sunday hours can mean closed bars and alternate stops. Drinks cost extra, and although the tour is described as including four bars, the detailed route names three stops, so the exact lineup may change.

Key points to know before booking

• Documented ghost stories: The tour focuses on researched accounts tied to San Francisco’s darker past, not just made-up jump scares.
• Three named bar stops: The Old Ship Saloon, Hungry I, and Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar are listed, with alternate venues possible.
• Small groups: The maximum is 15 people, though some departures may be much smaller.
• Drinks are extra: The $36 price covers the tour and fees, but not what you order at the bars.
• Guides shape the experience: Ben, Taylor, Mark, Silver, and Michaela have all been praised for their storytelling and personal style.
• Walking is part of the night: You need a moderate level of fitness, with time spent moving between bars and paranormal sites.

Why this pub crawl works in San Francisco

San Francisco has no shortage of ghost tours, but this one takes a useful middle path. It is not simply a bar hop with spooky decorations, and it is not a silent walk from one haunted building to another. You move through historic streets, pause for stories, then step into a bar where the setting adds to the tale.

That combination matters. A story about an old saloon lands differently when you are sitting inside one. The tour uses the city itself as its backdrop, with the bars serving as places to hear more about the people, accidents, violence, and hard lives connected to the area.

The emphasis is on true haunted history. That does not mean you are promised a ghost sighting. One past participant plainly noted that no ghost appeared, but still had a wonderful time learning about San Francisco’s past. That is the right way to approach this outing: the stories and setting are the main event, while paranormal activity is a bonus.

At $36 per person, the value depends on what you want from the evening. You are paying for about two hours of guided walking, researched stories, access to a small-group format, and a planned route through several bars. You still pay for drinks, so budget beyond the ticket price.

I think the price is fair for someone who wants both a city walk and a casual night out. It is less appealing if you are mainly looking for a long bar session, since each listed bar visit is short and the route keeps moving.

Starting at High Horse on Washington Street

The meeting point is High Horse, at 582 Washington Street. This puts you in the older part of San Francisco, where the streets themselves help establish the mood before the first story begins.

The opening section introduces the area and a particular ghost said to remain there. The guide also explains the setting’s past, giving you enough context to understand why the place has attracted stories of hauntings.

This is a good point to arrive ready to listen rather than treating the first bar only as a place to grab a drink. One person arrived early hoping to drink at the first bar, only to find it closed on a Sunday. That is a useful warning: do not assume every venue will be open before the official start, especially on a quieter day.

The company includes all fees and taxes, but not beverages. You can buy a drink if the bar is open and operating, but the tour price itself does not include one.

The Old Ship Saloon and its darker past

The Old Ship Saloon is the first named stop. You have about 10 minutes here, with time to enjoy a drink and hear about a place described as having witnessed considerable human suffering.

A short stop keeps the evening lively, but it also means you should not expect a full meal or a long sit-down visit. This is a moving walking tour with drinks along the way, not a pub meal paired with a lecture.

The setting is part of the appeal. Historic bars can make abstract stories feel more immediate, especially when the guide connects a site to specific people and events. The tour’s researched approach should suit you if you prefer a story with a documented local connection rather than a generic haunted-house performance.

If you want to order something, remember that drinks are extra. The information provided does not specify a required drink purchase at every stop. One past outing required a drink only at the first bar, so the cost can be lower than you might expect, but you should still plan to pay for anything you order.

Hungry I and the ghosts of the street

The second named bar is Hungry I, where you spend roughly 10 minutes. Here the focus shifts toward the ghosts associated with the street and the surrounding buildings.

This part of the route shows why the walking sections matter. The stories are not confined to a single room. You hear about the street, the people who passed through it, and the lingering presence tied to the area. The experience works best if you pay attention to the transition between stops instead of viewing the bars as separate attractions.

The tour also includes a story about the Miner’s Ghost and some of the area’s darker past. Another tale concerns a cook with missing fingers, a detail memorable enough to become one of the evening’s signature stories. These stories suggest a mix of tragedy, odd local detail, and old urban folklore.

The material may feel more historical than frightening. That is a strength if you enjoy San Francisco history, but a limitation if you want actors, special effects, or a steady stream of scares. Nothing in the experience promises a theatrical haunted house.

The final stop at Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar

The tour ends at Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar, at 57 Wentworth Place. The listed route gives you about 10 minutes here, and the evening closes with a drink and one final chance to hear about the area’s ghosts.

Ending at a bar gives you an easy place to continue your night, though the tour itself does not include private transportation afterward. The route is built around walking and public transit access, so plan your return before you set out.

The description jokes about leaving without running into any ghosts. That captures the tone well. This is meant to be spooky and social, not grim. You can enjoy the tales, meet people in a small group, and then carry on with dinner or another drink.

The detailed route names the Old Ship Saloon, Hungry I, and Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar. Elsewhere, the experience is described as including four bars, and one session used alternate bars because two planned venues were closed on a Sunday. I would treat the exact bar count as flexible and confirm the current stops if a particular venue matters to you.

What guides add to the experience

The guide is the most important variable here. Ben has been praised for engaging stories and city history. Taylor has been described as warm and well informed on both San Francisco’s past and its ghost lore. Mark is known for a relaxed manner, card tricks, patience, and sometimes bringing Oakley, the ghost-hunting dog.

Silver’s style is especially story-focused, bringing the period being described to life. Michaela has also received praise for taking care of the group once the walk began, even when communication before the tour was not ideal.

Those details help you picture the experience. This is not a fixed audio tour where every group gets an identical delivery. Your evening will depend on the guide’s personality, the size of your group, the open bars, and the questions people ask.

Small groups help. The cap is 15, and some departures have had only two people. A tiny group can feel almost like a private walk, with more room to set the pace and ask about San Francisco’s buildings and legends. A larger group will be more social, but still far more manageable than a mass-market tour.

Timing, walking, and practical comfort

The activity lasts about two hours. It is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket, so you can keep the booking confirmation on your phone.

You should expect to walk between bars and paranormal locations. A moderate level of physical fitness is required, though the supplied details do not give a total distance, number of stairs, or exact walking time between stops. Wear shoes you can comfortably use on city streets.

The early start is worth considering. One person enjoyed the stories but wished the tour began later and lasted longer. If you want a late-night atmosphere, check the departure time before booking. An earlier outing may feel more like a history walk with drinks than a midnight ghost hunt.

Sunday operations can also change the route. Two bars were closed during one Sunday session, and alternate venues were used. The guide still provided the stories, but you may not enter every location originally expected.

Service animals are allowed, and the tour is near public transportation. No private transport is included. The meeting point is High Horse, and the planned end is Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted.

Who will enjoy this tour most

I would recommend this for you if you like local history with a social edge. It suits couples, solo visitors, friends, and families with older children who can manage the walking and bar settings. The small format makes it easy to meet other people without feeling lost in a crowd.

It is also a good choice if you want a guided introduction to one of San Francisco’s oldest areas. The ghost stories give the walk a theme, but the city history gives it substance.

You may want something else if you need guaranteed access to specific bars, a late start, included drinks, or a dramatic paranormal production. The route can change, bars may close, and the experience depends on storytelling rather than special effects.

I also would not book it expecting proof of ghosts. You might find the stories eerie, but no apparition is promised. The strongest reason to go is the combination of researched tales, old streets, and atmospheric bars.

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

Book it if you want a compact, social introduction to haunted San Francisco, with a guide who can add local detail and personality. The $36 fee is reasonable for the two-hour walk, especially if you keep drink spending modest.

Before booking, check the start time and accept that the bar lineup may shift. If that flexibility works for you, this is an easy way to add an unusual evening to a San Francisco visit. If you want a full night of drinking or a guaranteed scare, choose a different kind of tour.

FAQ

How much does the San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze crawl cost?

The listed price is $36 per person. Drinks are not included, although all fees and taxes are included.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

The planned ending is Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar, 57 Wentworth Place, San Francisco, California 94108.

How many bars are included?

The experience is described as visiting four bars, while the detailed route names the Old Ship Saloon, Hungry I, and Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar. Alternate bars may be used if a venue is closed.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. You pay separately for drinks.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

What is the maximum group size?

The maximum is 15 people.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included. The tour is near public transportation and ends at Lion’s Den Lounge and Bar.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.