Denver Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl

Denver’s best surprise here is the setting: instead of chasing ghosts through a dark building, you walk Denver’s elegant Capitol Hill streets, hearing unsettling stories outside old mansions linked to Millionaires Row. The evening mixes local history and haunted houses with drinks at four bars, so it feels more like a night out than a formal history lesson.

I like the small group size, capped at 20, and the way the route uses real homes such as the Dunning Benedict House, Croke-Patterson-Campbell House, Sheedy Mansion, Whitehead House, and Cottage House. I also like the guide-led storytelling when the right person is working, with Jessica, Kevin, and Kirk earning especially warm praise for humor, detail, and rapport.

The catch is that this is a walking story tour with bar stops, not a tightly managed cocktail crawl. Drinks cost extra, the bars may not reserve a special area, and one past group missed several advertised stops. Guide quality and timing matter more here than they would on a standard sightseeing tour.

Key points to know before you book

• Millionaires Row sets the tone: The tour begins at Pub on Penn with stories about Denver’s former millionaires and the old mansions around Capitol Hill.
• Four bar stops are planned: Pub on Penn, Bar Nun Denver, City O’ City, and Bang Up to the Elephant each offer a chance to buy a drink.
• The houses are the main attraction: Several historic homes provide the backdrop for stories about spirits, former residents, and unsettling encounters.
• Guides shape the evening: Jessica, Kevin, and Kirk have been praised for humor, detail, and friendly delivery, but guide preparation has not been consistent every time.
• You pay for drinks separately: The $36 price covers the guided experience, not alcohol, food, or transportation.
• Expect a moderate walk: Wear comfortable shoes and allow roughly two hours, with the route ending back near the starting point.

Why the haunted mansions matter more than the drinks

The Denver Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl works best when you treat it as a haunted walking tour with drinks, not a bar crawl with a few ghost stories added on. The pubs give you places to pause, but the old houses provide the evening’s real character.

Denver’s Capitol Hill area is a strong setting for this format. The route passes grand homes tied to the city’s wealthy past, then adds stories of deaths, strange sightings, and spirits said to remain behind. You get a glimpse of how Denver grew from a frontier city into a place of imposing mansions and political influence.

That mix gives the tour more substance than a string of random bar stops. I like the idea of hearing about Millionaires Row at the opening pub, then stepping outside into the neighborhood where the stories supposedly took place. The contrast between a busy evening out and quiet residential streets can be more effective than a staged haunted attraction.

Still, keep your expectations sensible. This is storytelling, not proof of the supernatural. The quality depends on how well the guide explains the people, buildings, and legends, and how willing the group is to play along.

Starting at Pub on Penn and Millionaires Row

The meeting point is Pub on Penn at 1278 Pennsylvania Street. The tour starts at 6:00 pm, and the first stop lasts about 15 minutes.

You meet the guide and group here, buy your first drink if you want one, and hear the opening stories about Millionaires Row. This is a useful first stop because it gives you context before the walk begins. The mansions are not just spooky scenery. They represent Denver’s old wealth, ambition, and social history.

The pub itself has drawn mixed reactions. Some people have enjoyed starting with a drink, while one detailed account described the staff as unpleasant. Another earlier account said the bars were not always expecting the group and that seating could be difficult. I would treat Pub on Penn as the launch point rather than a major reason to book.

Drinks and food are on your own tab. Since the first stop is short, avoid ordering anything that takes a long time to arrive. You want to hear the introduction and keep the group moving.

Bar Nun Denver adds a practical pause

The second planned bar stop is Bar Nun Denver, with about 20 minutes set aside. It offers heated outdoor seating, bar bites, and inventive cocktails.

This is one of the more appealing stops if you want something beyond a basic beer. You can buy a cocktail, grab food, and use the pause to get to know the group. The heated outdoor seating may also help on a cool Denver evening, though the experience will still involve walking between stops.

Bar Nun has received specific praise as a favorite stop. That makes sense in the context of this tour. After the first mansion stories, a comfortable bar with food and creative drinks gives the evening a change of pace.

Do not assume the $36 covers your order. The admission price includes the guide and tour, while alcohol and food remain separate. If you want drinks at every stop, budget above the advertised price.

The Dunning Benedict House and Cheesman Park

The route then turns toward the Dunning Benedict House, once owned by Walter Scott Cheesman, the person associated with Cheesman Park.

This stop connects the ghost tales to a larger piece of Denver’s past. You hear why Cheesman Park has a reputation for being haunted and how the area’s history feeds the stories told there. The value is not just in hearing that a place is spooky. You get a sense of why this particular neighborhood has attracted legends for so long.

The supplied schedule does not assign a separate time to each mansion. That means the guide may stop outside, tell a focused story, and move on rather than lead you inside. You should expect exterior views and spoken history, not house tours.

This is also one reason comfortable footwear matters. The tour covers several points on foot, and the historic homes are spread through the neighborhood rather than gathered in one building.

Croke-Patterson-Campbell House brings the darker stories

The Croke-Patterson-Campbell House is presented as one of the most haunted homes on the route. Here, the guide tells stories about unsettling encounters connected with the property.

This part of the tour will appeal to you if you prefer specific locations over general ghost lore. A named house gives the story an anchor. You can look at the architecture, place the tale in the neighborhood, and compare the old home with the surrounding streets.

The best guides use photographs, videos, and first-person accounts to make these stops easier to picture. One especially praised guide, Jessica, was noted for answering questions and sharing more than one story per building. That kind of detail can turn a quick sidewalk stop into the heart of the evening.

The weaker version is much thinner: a short memorized paragraph, little historical background, and no chance to ask questions. One unhappy account described exactly that problem. I would book this only if you enjoy the guide-led format and accept that the storytelling may vary from night to night.

Sheedy Mansion and the Whitehead House

At Sheedy Mansion, the stories focus on disgruntled ghostly workers from earlier days. This adds a different angle to the usual haunted-house tale. The spirits are not simply mysterious figures appearing in hallways. They are linked to work, status, and the people who served wealthy households.

The Whitehead House brings another set of stories about spirits said to remain in the home. The tour focuses on what happened after Whitehead first moved in, along with first-person encounters and darker explanations for the reported hauntings.

These stops show the route’s main strength: the stories are tied to individual buildings and characters. I find that more interesting than hearing a broad collection of anonymous ghost tales. You can remember a name, a house, and a particular incident.

You should also know that the full list of homes may not fit into every two-hour outing. One person enjoyed the guide but noted that several listed stops were skipped because of time. The practical lesson is simple: think of the route as a selection of mansion stories, not a guaranteed visit to every named house.

The Cottage House closes the mansion section

The Cottage House provides a change from the grand homes around it. It was one of many cottages in the area, so its smaller scale makes it feel out of place among the mansions.

The main spirit is thought to be a woman named Madge. Hearing her story gives the final residential stop a more personal focus, and the contrast between the cottage and larger homes helps explain how the neighborhood once looked.

This is the kind of detail I appreciate on a walking tour. You are not only told that a building is haunted. You also learn how it differs from the homes around it and why its story has its own identity.

Again, the house is viewed from outside, and the exact order or inclusion of stops may depend on the guide’s route and available time.

City O’ City brings food and drink into the mix

City O’ City is planned as the third numbered bar stop, with about 15 minutes for a craft beer or cocktail.

The menu is described as broad enough to suit different tastes, which can help a mixed group. Some people may want a beer, while others prefer a cocktail or a quick bite. This is a short stop, so it is better for sampling a drink than settling in for a full meal.

The pub crawl format works well here because the evening does not become one long walk through residential streets. You get regular breaks, chances to use the restroom, and a place to chat with the other people in the group.

On the other hand, a 15-minute stop can feel rushed if the bar is busy. The earlier issue with venues not always having a reserved area is worth keeping in mind. You may need to order quickly and find space as a group rather than expect a private table.

Bang Up to the Elephant is the final stop

The tour wraps up at Bang Up to the Elephant, a bar and restaurant known for quirky drinks and a distinctive atmosphere. The planned stop lasts about 15 minutes.

This is a strong finish on paper because the venue gives the final drink a sense of occasion. The guide says goodbye here, and you can order something unusual before the evening ends. Bang Up to the Elephant received particularly positive comments for its atmosphere.

The activity information says the tour ends back at the meeting point, so check the guide’s directions before separating from the group. The stop itself is the final planned venue, but the end point is listed as the original meeting location. That small detail matters if you are arranging a ride or making dinner plans.

What $36 buys you

At $36 per person, the value is fair if you want a guided night walk, local ghost stories, and a few chances to buy drinks. You are paying for about two hours, a professional local guide, researched history, and the organization of the route.

You are not paying for alcohol, meals, taxis, or entry to a private attraction. If you have three or four drinks, the total cost can rise quickly. I would compare the price with a standard walking tour plus your own bar visits, then ask how much you value having the stories organized and delivered for you.

The small maximum of 20 people is a real advantage. It is easier to hear a guide on a sidewalk, ask questions, and keep the group together. One person specifically liked the smaller weekday group and noted that it suited a quieter evening. If you want a loud party crawl with a packed crowd and many venues, this probably is not the right pick.

Guide quality can make or break the night

The strongest feedback centers on the guides. Jessica has been praised for being friendly, prepared, and willing to answer questions. Kevin earned praise for his delivery and rapport, while Kirk was described as humorous and able to keep the group entertained with several stories per building.

Good guides also use photos and videos, which can help when you are standing outside a house after dark. A visual reference makes old buildings and past residents easier to picture.

But the experience is not uniform. One guide was criticized for failing to introduce herself, giving little background, and leaving suddenly at the end while the group was left with her drink tab. That is not a minor flaw. It affects trust and can sour an otherwise pleasant evening.

The rating of 4.4 from 53 reviews suggests a generally positive experience with a meaningful minority of poor outings. I would book with the understanding that guide performance is the largest variable.

Who should book this Denver pub crawl

I would recommend it to you if you enjoy:

• Ghost stories tied to real buildings
• Short walks through historic neighborhoods
• Small group activities
• Casual drinks rather than a formal tasting
• A social evening that does not require a full meal
• Local guides who add humor and personal storytelling

It is a good fit for solo visitors too. The stops create natural chances to meet people, and the format gives you something to discuss as you walk.

I would be more cautious if you want a polished bar crawl with reserved seating, included drinks, or a fixed list of every stop. The tour is also a poor match if you dislike walking, expect to enter the mansions, or want firm evidence rather than folklore and local legend.

Wear comfortable shoes, arrive ready to pay for your own drinks, and keep the evening flexible. The tour is offered in English, service animals are allowed, and public transportation is nearby. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 6:00 pm start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted.

Should you book the Denver Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl?

Book it if the main draw is haunted Denver told on foot, with a few bars to break up the stories. At $36, it offers reasonable value when the guide is prepared and the group stays on schedule. Jessica, Kevin, and Kirk represent the kind of engaging hosts who can make the mansions memorable.

Skip it if your priority is a carefully managed drinking tour. The bars may not have reserved space, your drinks are extra, and not every evening reaches every advertised house. For the best chance at a good outing, choose a night when you want stories, history, and a relaxed social walk, not a packed party.

FAQ

Where does the haunted pub crawl begin?

It begins in front of Pub on Penn at 1278 Pennsylvania Street in Denver, Colorado.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 6:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours.

Which bars are included?

The planned stops are Pub on Penn, Bar Nun Denver, City O’ City, and Bang Up to the Elephant.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Alcoholic beverages and food are not included, so you pay for them separately.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted and are not refunded.