Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl

REVIEW · MONTREAL

Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl

  • 4.5108 reviews
  • 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
  • From $26.29
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Operated by Haunted Montreal · Bookable on Viator

Three haunted pubs, one spooky afternoon. This is a guided haunted pub crawl that starts on Bishop Street and moves through three well-known Irish spots, with Montreal ghost lore woven into each stop. You’ll hear famous local tales tied to the neighborhoods around downtown, plus darker legends that go beyond friendly folklore.

Two things I really like: you get a small-group experience (up to 25 people) and the pacing keeps you inside the action without turning it into a long walking tour. I also love the actor-style storytelling—you’re not just reading a sign, you’re getting a performance that makes the history feel personal, even when the stories get intense.

One drawback to plan for: the pubs are old, so there may be stairs and some spots can be awkward for anyone with mobility limits. Also, it’s more “order a drink, listen, repeat” than “roam the streets,” so if you want constant outside walking, this may feel slow.

Quick Hits Before You Go

Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl - Quick Hits Before You Go

  • 3 stops in about 2.5 hours with around 45 minutes per pub
  • McKibbin’s, Sir Winston Churchill Pub, and Hurley’s are the guaranteed locations
  • Mobile ticket and guided experience in English
  • Low-walking format, but expect stairs once you’re inside
  • Ghost-and-history stories can be PG-13, and your guide can adjust if needed

Bishop Street Start: Easy to Find, Easy to Settle

The crawl starts at McKibbin’s (1426 R. Bishop, Montréal). From there, you’re in a central pocket—close to Sherbrooke Street, with the walking between stops kept short enough that you don’t spend the whole afternoon on your feet. It’s also near public transportation, which matters in Montreal, where parking can be… spicy.

The timing is set for an afternoon hang: the start time is 3:00 pm and the whole thing runs about 2 hours 30 minutes. I like this start because you can still do other sightseeing later in the day without feeling like you lost half a day to “one activity.” You’ll end at Hurley’s Irish Pub (1225 Rue Crescent), right in the downtown mix.

Before you go, check your ticket on your phone. You’ll receive a mobile ticket, and it helps to have it ready at the meeting spot instead of digging around once you’re there.

You can also read our reviews of more nightlife experiences in Montreal

Stop 1: McKibbin’s Irish Pub and the Griffintown Ghost Stories

Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl - Stop 1: McKibbin’s Irish Pub and the Griffintown Ghost Stories
At the first stop, you’ll settle into McKibbin’s for about 45 minutes. This is the tone-setter: an Irish pub atmosphere paired with Montreal ghost lore connected to the area’s darker corners. You’ll hear about the mysterious pub history, the ghosts of Griffintown, and the McTavish ghost story, which is one of the famous names that keeps showing up in Montreal haunt chatter.

Why this first stop works: it gives you a map for how the evening will sound. Montreal has a lot of layered history, and the guide’s job here is to connect the ghost stories to real places and real eras—so later tales don’t feel like random campfire scares. The admission part is free for the tour stops, so you’re not paying extra just to sit and listen, but drinks are still at standard bar prices.

Practical note: some people find the pub layout a little step-heavy. If you’re sensitive to stairs, it’s worth remembering early on that “old pub building” often means uneven entrances and steps to seating.

Stop 2: Sir Winston Churchill Pub and Nick Auf de Mar’s Legend

Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl - Stop 2: Sir Winston Churchill Pub and Nick Auf de Mar’s Legend
Next up is Sir Winston Churchill Pub, again for about 45 minutes. Here, the stories turn more edge-of-your-seat. You’ll hear about Nick Auf de Mar’s ghost and Montreal’s vampire serial killer legend, tying together local history with truly unsettling paranormal claims.

This stop is also where you’ll see how much your guide can handle the real-world curveballs of pub life. Bars sometimes shift hours or close unexpectedly due to staffing issues. When that happens, the tour may adapt on the spot so you still get a full experience—just not always in the exact same way. If you’re the type who hates surprises, mentally prep for a Plan B.

What I like about this stage: it balances the “ghost story” energy with the kind of true-crime storytelling that keeps people quiet and listening. If you’re okay with darker tales, this pub tends to be the one that grabs attention fast.

Stop 3: Hurley’s Irish Pub and Mary Gallagher’s Burning Lady

Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl - Stop 3: Hurley’s Irish Pub and Mary Gallagher’s Burning Lady
The final stop is Hurley’s Irish Pub for about 45 minutes, and it’s a strong closer. This is where the tour leans into multiple famous Montreal accounts: the burning lady ghost story, the ghosts tied to Club le Cinq, and the very popular Mary Gallagher ghost story.

It’s a good finale because it doesn’t rely on just one theme. You get a mix of eerie accounts—some are more emotional and haunting, others are more like the kind of local legend people pass around with a half-smile. One review noted that the route also hits a great downtown area where you’ll likely spot well-known street art landmarks (including the area linked with Leonard Cohen murals), which adds a sense of place without turning the experience into a checklist tour.

This stop also tends to feel less rushed. Since you’re near the end, people often ask questions and share their own ghost-related interests. That’s the point where the performance and the group vibe can meet in the middle.

What the 2.5-Hour Timing Really Feels Like

Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl - What the 2.5-Hour Timing Really Feels Like
On paper, you get three pubs, each with about 45 minutes, plus short walks between locations. In practice, the tour is designed so you’re not doing a lot of long-distance marching. The walking is kept minimal, which is ideal if you’re pairing this with other Montreal sightseeing and you don’t want sore feet to ruin your evening.

Still, don’t expect a “sit down for five minutes per pub” experience. You’ll be ordering drinks, listening to stories, and resetting your attention multiple times across the evening. If you’re the kind of person who gets impatient in lines or struggles with bar ordering when it’s crowded, it can slow you down at each stop.

A small group helps here. With a maximum of 25 people, you’re not stuck in a massive pack where everyone is shouting over each other. The goal is a more personal feel—enough space to keep the storytelling clear and the tour moving.

Price and Value: Why $26.29 Can Be a Good Deal

Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl - Price and Value: Why $26.29 Can Be a Good Deal
The price is $26.29 per person, and that’s for the guided tour. Drinks are not included, and there are no special discounts for being on the tour—so expect to pay regular bar prices.

Here’s the value math that makes sense for this kind of experience:

  • You’re paying for a guide to deliver three themed storytelling sessions tied directly to Montreal’s haunted lore.
  • You’re getting time in three established pubs without paying any extra “admission fee” to sit in and participate.
  • You’re paying for a performance that can turn local myths into something you can remember later, instead of just “facts you skimmed.”

If you plan to have at least one drink anyway (and you probably will, because you’re in three pubs), the extra cost of the tour can feel like a fair swap for skipping a generic bar night. If you’re planning to skip alcohol, you’ll still hear the stories, but you should be aware that the atmosphere is built around a pub setting.

Book early if you can. The tour is commonly booked about 20 days in advance on average, so popular days can fill up before you decide.

Drinks, Comfort, and the Small Things That Matter

Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl - Drinks, Comfort, and the Small Things That Matter
Let’s talk logistics that actually impact your comfort. First: there’s no drink bundle. Alcoholic beverages are purchased at regular prices at each bar.

Second: plan for stairs. The crawl is low-walking, but the reality of older pub interiors can mean steps or uneven access between seating areas. One hint you’ll appreciate if mobility matters: this tour is described as not recommended for serious mobility issues because the haunted pubs can have stairs and were not designed for wheelchair access. If you need fully accessible options, you’ll want to look at other Montreal experiences from the same provider instead of forcing it here.

Third: the stories can be intense. One review mentioned it’s PG-13, with an option to clip those parts. That’s useful to know if you’re bringing teens or you prefer lighter ghost tales. You don’t need to be squeamish, but you should expect the guide to include some darker content.

If you want the smoothest experience, arrive a bit early so you have time to order before the first story starts. Once you’re seated, focus on the performance and let the tour do the moving for you.

Storytelling Style: When It Feels Fun vs When It Misses the Mark

Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl - Storytelling Style: When It Feels Fun vs When It Misses the Mark
The biggest strength of this crawl is how the guide performs. Multiple guide names show up in people’s accounts—Jason, Anton, Donovan, Max, Cara, Antoine—and the common thread is energy and pacing. You’ll hear layered stories with a mix of ghost legend and local dark history, and the guides tend to keep the room engaged without turning it into a straight lecture.

That said, it’s still a pub crawl. If your idea of a haunted tour is mostly street wandering with quick ghost beats, you might feel stuck on the inside parts longer than you expected. This is a tour for people who want to hear stories in context—inside the exact rooms where the lore is said to live.

I also like that the experience is flexible in the face of bar closures. When a scheduled pub can’t operate normally, the guide may adjust the stop plan rather than cancel everything mid-afternoon. That reduces the chance your day turns into wasted planning.

Who Should Book This Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl

This is a good fit if you want:

  • A short, guided haunted experience that doesn’t take over the whole day
  • Three themed stops with Montreal ghost stories tied to specific pubs
  • A nightlife-ish activity that still feels like learning instead of just hanging out

It’s also a nice choice for solo visitors or friends because the group size is capped at 25, and the pub setting makes it easy to talk without feeling like you’re in a museum with rules and silence.

It may not be the best choice if:

  • You can’t handle steps inside older buildings
  • You want lots of outdoor walking and sightseeing between stories
  • You strongly prefer lighter ghost tales only

If you’re on the fence, think of it this way: this is a guided night of stories with drinks available, not a walking tour with optional alcohol.

Should You Book It? My Practical Take

Book it if you like ghost stories with Montreal-specific names and places—especially the kind that mix folklore with darker local legends. The format is efficient: three pubs, short walks, and a guide who keeps the mood moving. For the price of $26.29, you’re paying for three performances plus the guided structure that makes it easy to relax and just enjoy the evening.

Skip it if you’re expecting lots of outside wandering, or if you need a fully step-free experience. Also, if you don’t want darker themes, read the room and be ready for PG-13 content with possible clipping.

If you do book, I’d show up on time, keep your phone ticket ready, and plan to spend a little extra on a drink or two at regular bar prices. Then settle in—because once the stories start, this crawl becomes the kind of Montreal memory that sticks.

FAQ

What pubs does the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl visit?

It visits three pubs: McKibbin’s, Sir Winston Churchill Pub, and Hurley’s Irish Pub.

How long is the tour?

The tour runs about 2 hours 30 minutes, with roughly 45 minutes at each pub stop.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Do I need to pay for admission at the pubs?

The tour includes guided access, and the listed admission for each stop is free. Drinks are not included.

Are alcoholic drinks included in the price?

No. Alcoholic beverages are purchased separately at regular prices in the bars, and there are no special discounts for being on the tour.

Where do I meet the tour?

Meet at McKibbin’s at 1426 R. Bishop, Montréal, QC H3G 2E6.

Where does the tour end?

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

How big is the group?

The maximum group size is 25 travelers.

What’s the cancellation policy?

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

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