DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl By US Ghost Adventures

Washington DC’s Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl mixes spooky tales with old bars, political lore, and a good deal of walking. You begin at Old Ebbitt Grill and finish at The Hamilton, passing sites linked to Mark Twain, President Grant, Prohibition, and restless spirits along the way.

I like the small group limit of 15 and the way the route uses real downtown landmarks rather than isolated haunted attractions. I also like the historical angle: you can learn about a former tavern, a streetcar power station, a famous hotel bar, and the birthplace of the Gin Rickey in one evening.

The main thing to consider is the balance between ghost stories and pub stops. Some tales may feel thin or distant when you hear them outside the buildings, and your drinks are not included in the $36 price.

Key points to know before booking

• Old Ebbitt Grill starts the evening: Begin near one of Washington’s best-known historic restaurants and former presidential watering holes.
• Seven downtown stops fit into about two hours: The route covers a compact part of central Washington DC on foot.
• The ghost stories are tied to real places: Mark Twain, President Grant, Prohibition, and a jealous actor all enter the evening’s tales.
• The Gin Rickey has a local connection: Proper 21 is visited as the place linked to the drink’s development.
• Drinks cost extra: The $36 ticket covers the guided experience, not beer, cocktails, or other purchases.
• Guide quality matters: Guides such as Anton, John, and Dena have been singled out for strong storytelling and friendly conversation, but the experience can vary.

A haunted walk through Washington’s drinking history

This is not a haunted house with actors waiting behind doors. It is a walking tour through central Washington, with stops at bars and historic buildings where your guide tells stories of spirits, old scandals, political deals, and unusual deaths.

That distinction matters. You spend roughly 10 minutes at each listed stop, so the experience works best as a moving history lesson with drinks along the way. If you want theatrical scares, special effects, or long visits inside supposedly haunted rooms, this may feel restrained. If you enjoy old buildings, city lore, and a cocktail in a historic setting, the format makes good sense.

The tour starts at 6:00 pm, a useful time for seeing downtown shift into its evening mood. The meeting point is Old Ebbitt Grill at 675 15th Street NW. The route ends at The Hamilton at 600 14th Street NW, so you finish close to where you started rather than being left in a distant part of the city.

The distance between stops is manageable, but you should still expect to stand and walk for about two hours. A moderate level of fitness is recommended. The route is near public transportation, and service animals are allowed.

Old Ebbitt Grill sets the tone

Old Ebbitt Grill is a fitting starting point. It is presented as one of Washington’s oldest restaurants and a place where presidents have enjoyed drinks. Even before the supernatural stories begin, the setting gives you a sense of how closely food, drink, politics, and power have long been linked in the capital.

Your first stop lasts about 10 minutes, and admission is not included because the tour does not cover your food or drink purchase. If you want to order something here, plan to pay separately. Since the schedule is tight, do not expect a long meal or an extended bar visit at every stop.

I like this opening because it gives the tour a clear sense of place. You are not starting in a generic pub. You are beginning in a restaurant connected to Washington’s political past, which helps ground the ghost stories in real people and real institutions.

Mark Twain’s supposed haunt at Rhodes Tavern

The next stop is on 15th Street Northwest, at the reported location of Rhodes Tavern. The original tavern is tied to a story about Mark Twain, who is said to haunt the site.

The location is important to understand. You are visiting the reported spot rather than taking a tour through a preserved tavern interior. That can limit the atmosphere, especially if you expect a dark room, creaking stairs, or visible traces of the past.

Still, this is the kind of stop that works well for a guide who can explain the site and tell the story clearly. The tale gives you a reason to look at an ordinary stretch of downtown street in a different way. The stop is free and takes about 10 minutes.

The Occidental Grill and Washington’s political secrets

The route then reaches the Occidental Grill, a restaurant associated with major political deals and lingering spirits. This stop shows the tour’s wider purpose. It is not only asking which buildings are haunted. It is also asking what sorts of conversations, bargains, and ambitions have taken place behind Washington’s restaurant doors.

You may find the political background more interesting than the ghost claim itself. Several comments about this tour point to the historical material as its strongest feature, especially for people who prefer facts and local stories to outright scares.

The Occidental is also one of the places where expectations matter. You may hear about a haunted building without entering a private dining room or exploring a back corridor. The route often places you near the location while the guide explains what is said to linger there.

The Round Robin Bar and President Grant

At the Willard Hotel, the tour visits the Round Robin Bar at 1401 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. The bar is said to have been frequented by President Grant, giving the stop a direct link to presidential social life.

The Willard is one of the more atmospheric settings on the route. A grand hotel bar naturally suits stories about former presidents, political insiders, and spirits who never quite left. You can order a drink here if you wish, but the purchase is separate from the tour price.

The stop lasts about 10 minutes, which is enough for a short explanation and perhaps a drink if service is quick. It is not enough for a relaxed cocktail session. I would treat the bar visits as brief windows into Washington’s drinking culture, not as a full pub crawl in the usual sense.

The John A. Wilson Building and the fire story

The John A. Wilson Building occupies the site of a former streetcar power station. The tour connects the location to two workers who were killed in a fire there, and their spirits are said to remain.

This stop adds a darker note to the evening. Unlike the tales tied to famous names and political figures, the story centers on workers and a deadly accident. It also gives you a glimpse of how Washington changed as transportation and public utilities developed.

Admission is not included, though the itinerary does not suggest a separate paid attraction at this point. You are mainly stopping outside or near the building to hear the account. The story depends heavily on the guide’s delivery, so this is one of the places where a strong storyteller can make the setting feel more immediate.

The National Theatre and a jealous actor

The National Theatre is another stop on the route. It is associated with the spirit of a jealous actor, adding a classic theater ghost to the evening.

The supplied schedule gives no duration for this stop, unlike most of the others, so you should not assume a long visit or interior access. The tour is built around hearing the story at or near the site.

The theater setting gives the guide a natural way to talk about performers, rivalry, and the idea that a dramatic life might continue after death. It is a familiar ghost story pattern, but its value depends on how well the guide connects it to the actual building and Washington’s performing arts past.

Proper 21 and the Gin Rickey connection

Proper 21 is the most distinctive stop for anyone interested in cocktails. The tour identifies this location as the place where the Gin Rickey was developed.

That detail gives the pub crawl a concrete payoff. Even if you are not strongly interested in ghosts, you have a reason to stop and consider ordering the drink. The Gin Rickey is made with gin, lime, and soda, but this tour’s supplied details only promise the location connection, not a complimentary cocktail or a required tasting.

Your drink is not included in the $36 ticket. This is worth repeating because the name Booze and Booze can suggest a package that includes drinks. It does not. You pay for anything you order at Proper 21 and at the other bars.

This stop may be the best fit for people who want a social evening with a little history. You can enjoy the story, choose your own drink, and continue along the route without needing to commit to a full meal or a bar tab at every stop.

The Hamilton and the Man in the Green Hat

The tour finishes at The Hamilton, a large downtown venue at 600 14th Street NW. Here you hear about the Man in the Green Hat, who is said to have supplied alcohol to members of Congress during Prohibition.

It is a fitting final tale because it combines politics, secrecy, alcohol, and an enduring ghost story. The stop also gives you an easy place to continue your evening after the tour. The experience ends here, but any further drinks, food, or entertainment are your responsibility.

The ending point is practical. You are still in central Washington, close to public transportation and within reach of many other downtown options. Since the start and finish are only a short distance apart, you do not need to arrange a taxi or special ride back to your starting point.

How much value do you get for $36?

The ticket costs $36 per person. That is a fair price if you see the experience as a guided two-hour walk with a small group, several historic stops, and organized storytelling. It is less appealing if you expect multiple included drinks or substantial time inside each bar.

Your real cost depends on your choices during the evening. One or two cocktails can quickly push the total well above the ticket price. Some stops are at places where drinks may be expensive, so check the menu before ordering if you are keeping to a budget.

The small group helps the value. A maximum of 15 people gives the guide a better chance to answer questions and keep the group together. It also makes the stops less chaotic than a large city tour. One important caveat is that the tour may feel shorter when attendance is very low. A previous participant on a two-person departure found that the experience did not last the full two hours.

I would book it for the guide and the setting, not for the drinks alone. A good guide can make the Washington stories memorable without needing theatrical tricks. Guides named Anton, John, and Dena have been praised for friendly conversation, strong local information, and effective ghost storytelling. At the same time, some departures have suffered from weak story delivery or ghost tales that felt forced.

The guide can make or break the night

This tour relies on the person leading it. The best version gives you clear background on each location, answers questions, and keeps the pace lively while moving through downtown.

John has been praised for combining Washington history with haunting stories. Anton has been described as especially enjoyable on a smaller departure. Dena has also received strong approval for her presentation and ghost tales. Those names suggest that the company has capable guides, but you should understand that the assigned guide can differ from one date to another.

The mixed response to the supernatural material is useful when setting expectations. Some people want more ghost content and find the stories too light. Others prefer the historical information and see the ghost angle as an entertaining extra. I would describe the experience as spooky history with drinks, not a full-blooded scare tour.

Who should book the DC Ghosts pub crawl?

I think this tour fits:

• Couples who want an evening activity beyond a standard dinner
• Friends looking for a social walk with optional drinks
• Visitors interested in presidential, political, and Prohibition stories
• People who enjoy folklore but do not need jump scares
• First-time visitors who want to see several downtown landmarks at night
• Small groups who value a guide-led experience with time for questions

I would be more cautious if you want a serious cocktail crawl, because the stops are short and drinks are extra. I would also think twice if you dislike ghost stories or expect to enter every building and inspect each haunted room.

The tour is offered in English, confirmation is provided when you book, and the maximum group size is 15. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 6:00 pm start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this haunted pub crawl?

Book it if you want Washington history with a supernatural edge, a compact downtown route, and the chance to order a drink at places tied to local lore. The Gin Rickey stop and the Round Robin Bar give the evening a clear identity beyond generic ghost stories.

Skip it if you want included alcohol, serious scares, or long, relaxed visits in each bar. At $36 before drinks, the value depends on how much you enjoy the guide’s storytelling and the city history.

For the best match, arrive ready to walk, budget separately for drinks, and treat the ghost tales as folklore layered onto Washington’s political and social past. If your guide is as engaging as John, Anton, or Dena, the result should be a pleasant and unusual way to spend two hours downtown.

FAQ

How long does the DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at The Hamilton, 600 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 6:00 pm.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Drinks are not included, and you pay separately for anything you order at the bars.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $36 per person.

How large is the tour group?

The tour is limited to a maximum of 15 participants.

Is transportation included?

No. Transportation is not included. The experience is a walking tour through central Washington DC.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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.