Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl

Montreal’s haunted pub crawl puts the city’s ghost stories where they belong: inside old drinking rooms, with a beer or cocktail nearby. You’ll hear tales of the Griffintown ghosts, the McTavish ghost, Nick Auf de Mar, Montreal’s vampire serial killer, and the burning lady at Hurley’s.

I like the short distances and the chance to hear several stories in one afternoon without trudging across town. I also like the rotating cast of guides, including Jason, Anton, Max, Cara, and Donovan, because the strongest guides bring their own timing and theatrical style. The main caution is that this is a storytelling tour held in pubs, not a walking ghost tour. If you expect constant movement, quick spooky tales, or visits to cemeteries, you may find the format slow.

Key things to know before you book

• Three pubs, 45 minutes each: The tour visits McKibbin’s, Sir Winston Churchill Pub, and Hurley’s Irish Pub, with roughly equal time at each stop.

• The stories come first: You sit in the pubs while the guide tells tales tied to Montreal’s ghosts, crimes, buildings, and grim past.

• Very little walking: The route begins on Bishop Street, under two blocks from Sherbrooke Street, and ends on Crescent Street.

• Drinks are extra: You buy alcoholic beverages directly from each bar at regular prices, with no tour discount or included drink.

• Guide style matters: Jason, Anton, Max, Cara, and Donovan have each led this experience, but the tone can vary from animated and funny to more lecture-like.

A haunted afternoon in downtown Montreal

The tour begins at 3 p.m. at McKibbin’s, 1426 Rue Bishop. This puts you in a convenient downtown area close to Sherbrooke Street and public transit. The end point, Hurley’s Irish Pub at 1225 Rue Crescent, is also central, so you can continue your evening nearby rather than returning to the starting point.

The basic rhythm is simple. You meet the guide, settle into a pub, hear a set of stories, order drinks if you wish, and then move to the next bar. The listed schedule allows about 45 minutes at each pub, making the full outing approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

That timing is useful if you want a gentle afternoon plan. You are not racing between landmarks, and you do not need to reserve a whole night. At the same time, 45 minutes can feel long if the storytelling does not grab you. This is the most important choice you are making: you are booking a seated performance with drinks, not a pub-to-pub walk filled with constant sightseeing.

McKibbin’s and the ghosts of Griffintown

The first stop is McKibbin’s Irish Pub, where the tour introduces the mysterious stories connected to the bar and nearby Montreal locations. The planned subjects include the ghosts of Griffintown and the famous McTavish ghost story.

Griffintown gives the first stop a wider Montreal setting. The stories are not limited to whatever has supposedly happened inside the bar. You’ll hear about hauntings and dark incidents linked to the city, then connect those tales to the atmosphere of the pub.

That broader approach will suit you if you enjoy ghost stories with historical background. The strongest guides do more than announce that a room is haunted. They explain the people, deaths, crimes, or local events that gave each story its shape. Jason, in particular, has been praised for detailed delivery, humor, and enthusiasm, while Anton has been noted for his strong storytelling and command of the material.

The tradeoff is focus. Some of the stories are about Montreal rather than the exact table or room where you are sitting. If you want a tightly themed account of one pub’s resident ghost, ask yourself if citywide folklore will be enough.

McKibbin’s is also where expectations can go wrong before the tour even begins. The starting address is specifically 1426 Rue Bishop. Montreal has more than one McKibbin’s location, so use the full street address rather than searching only for the pub name. Driving can be frustrating in central Montreal, and parking is described as scarce and expensive. Public transit or a rideshare is the easier plan, especially if you intend to drink.

Sir Winston Churchill Pub and darker tales

The second stop is Sir Winston Churchill Pub, often called Winnie’s. Here the stories shift toward Nick Auf de Mar’s ghost and Montreal’s vampire serial killer.

Those subjects give the middle section a darker tone. You are not getting only traditional haunted-house folklore. The crawl also uses true crime and unsettling Montreal history, which helps explain why the material can feel more serious than a standard bar tour.

I like that the route does not treat every ghost tale as a jump scare. The experience is aimed at adults who enjoy the odd overlap between local history, crime, legend, and supernatural belief. A rainy afternoon can add to the mood, though the tour does not depend on weather because the storytelling takes place indoors.

The pub format also has a practical side. When you arrive, you can order a drink at regular menu prices while the guide prepares the next story. Alcohol is not included, and there are no special prices for people on the crawl. You should budget for beverages separately from the $26.29 tour price.

The main weakness here is the possibility of waiting. A group arriving together must order through the bar’s normal service, and the staff may need time to handle everyone. That pause is part of how a real pub works, but it can interrupt the flow. One useful suggestion is to treat the drink as part of the pacing rather than expecting it to appear instantly.

Past disruptions have also affected this stop. A pub has occasionally closed unexpectedly, including during the Covid period, and guides have had to adjust the route. Those older incidents do not tell you what will happen on your date, but they show why the exact stop order and venue availability can sometimes change.

Hurley’s and the burning lady

The final planned stop is Hurley’s Irish Pub at 1225 Rue Crescent. The featured story is the burning lady ghost, followed by tales connected with Club le Cinq and the popular Mary Gallagher story.

Ending at Hurley’s makes sense for the evening. You are already on Crescent Street, near restaurants and nightlife, and the last pub gives you a natural place to stay for another drink or meal afterward. One particularly positive account described the final pub as a place where people continued discussing paranormal experiences well after the formal storytelling.

The final stop may also be the best fit if you enjoy a social finish. By this point, the group has spent time together at two pubs, and conversation can become part of the pleasure. You can compare the different stories, debate which tale sounds most believable, and decide how much of Montreal’s ghost lore you are willing to accept.

Still, do not assume the crawl includes snacks. Alcohol is excluded, and a snack option is not listed as part of the tour. Eat beforehand or plan food afterward if a drink-only afternoon will not suit you.

What the guide actually controls

The guides are the heart of this outing. The provider uses performers and storytellers, and the best accounts describe guides who are funny, animated, friendly, and highly engaged. Jason has received repeated praise for bringing stories to life. Donovan has been singled out for passion and interaction, while Anton and Max have also been described as strong storytellers. Cara has been noted for an energetic and friendly presentation.

That range matters. A lively guide can make a seated pub talk feel like a performance. Good timing, expressive delivery, and a willingness to chat can turn an ordinary room into a convincing setting for a ghost story.

But your experience can vary with the individual guide and with the group’s mood. Some participants have found the presentation too long or too much like a history lesson. That criticism is worth taking seriously, even though most of the published score is strong, at 4.7 out of 5 with 91 percent recommending the experience.

The operator’s own description of the tour makes the format clear: ghost stories are delivered inside the pubs because carrying alcohol between bars is not legal in Montreal. That explains why you do not spend much time walking outside. It also explains why the experience may feel slower than crawls in cities where a guide can tell stories on the street while the group moves between bars.

If you prefer dark history, true crime, and folklore mixed together, you’ll probably enjoy the longer explanations. If you want a quick punchline, a drink, and immediate movement every few minutes, book a conventional pub crawl instead.

Group size, pace, and personal space

The stated maximum is 25 people. That is still small enough for a guide to address the group directly, but it is not an intimate six-person outing. An earlier description apparently caused confusion about a six-person limit, yet the current information gives a maximum of 25.

A larger group affects the feel in two ways. It can make the social side more entertaining, particularly if you come with friends, but it can also make ordering drinks and settling into a room take longer. You may sit with people you have just met, and the guide must project across the group.

The advertised duration is about two and a half hours, divided into three 45-minute pub visits. One past account described a delayed start while late arrivals joined, but the practical advice is straightforward: arrive early, check the exact address, and allow time to get inside and find the group.

The route involves only a short walk between pubs. That is a plus on a cold or rainy Montreal afternoon, and it makes the crawl manageable for most people. The buildings are old, though, and some pubs have stairs. The experience is not recommended for people with serious mobility limitations or wheelchair users. The provider identifies other Montreal walking tours and a paranormal investigation as more accessible alternatives, but those are separate activities.

Is $26.29 good value?

At $26.29 per person, the price is reasonable if you want a guided story session plus access to three well-known pubs. You are paying for the guide, the research, the performance, and the structure of the afternoon. You are not paying for alcohol, reserved drinks, snacks, or a special menu.

The value improves if you would already spend the afternoon buying a few drinks and looking for something to do. Instead of sitting in one bar and searching for Montreal ghost stories on your phone, you get a planned route and a host who connects the tales to local places.

The value drops if you mainly want a traditional sightseeing walk. There is little outdoor touring, and many stories concern locations elsewhere in Montreal rather than places you will pass on foot. You should also add the price of your drinks before deciding if this fits your budget.

For a first visit to Montreal, the tour can serve as a light introduction to the city’s less polished past. It is especially useful if you enjoy learning how local legends form around crimes, buildings, and long-remembered tragedies.

Who will enjoy this pub crawl?

I would recommend it most to:

• Friends who want a low-key afternoon activity with drinks
• Solo visitors who enjoy meeting a group around a shared theme
• Couples who like ghost stories, true crime, and local folklore
• Montreal newcomers who want dark stories alongside basic city history
• People who prefer minimal walking and indoor stops
• Anyone who enjoys theatrical storytelling more than paranormal proof

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone seeking a fast-moving crawl, a cemetery visit, or a serious paranormal investigation. This is not a haunted-house attraction, and there is no promise of seeing a ghost. The point is the story, the setting, and the fun of deciding what you believe.

The tour is offered in English only. Most people can participate, but the stairs and old pub layouts matter. If you are sensitive to graphic accounts of death, torture, or violent crime, ask yourself how much grim material you want with your afternoon drink.

Booking and practical details

You receive confirmation when booking, and the ticket is mobile-friendly. Keep the full starting address available on your phone. Do not rely on the pub name alone, since duplicate locations can cause a costly missed start.

The meeting time is 3 p.m. at McKibbin’s on Rue Bishop. Public transportation is recommended in the central area, and a designated driver is essential if you plan to drink. Since no alcohol is included, you control how much you spend and consume at each stop.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted and are not refunded. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, so if the provider cancels for that reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want three indoor pub stops, local ghost lore, and a guide-led performance with very little walking. The strongest guides, especially Jason, Anton, Max, and Donovan, can make the afternoon funny, eerie, and surprisingly informative.

Skip it if your idea of a pub crawl means walking through the city, hearing one short story at each corner, and moving on quickly. You’ll get more from the tour if you arrive ready to sit, listen, order your own drinks, and enjoy Montreal’s darker folklore at a measured pace.

At $26.29 before drinks, it is a fair-value introduction to haunted Montreal, with the main risk being a mismatch between your preferred pace and the tour’s seated storytelling format.

FAQ

How long does the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 3 p.m.

Where does the pub crawl begin?

It begins at McKibbin’s, 1426 Rue Bishop, Montréal, Quebec H3G 2E6.

Where does the pub crawl end?

It ends at Hurley’s Irish Pub, 1225 Rue Crescent, Montréal, Quebec H3G 2B1.

Which pubs does the tour visit?

The planned stops are McKibbin’s, Sir Winston Churchill Pub, and Hurley’s Irish Pub.

Are alcoholic drinks included in the price?

No. You can buy drinks at each bar at regular prices, but alcohol is not included and there are no special tour discounts.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $26.29 per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. English is the listed tour language.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted or refunded.