Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl

Montreal’s Haunted Pub Crawl mixes three Irish-style pubs with ghost tales, grisly folklore, and true crime. At McKibbin’s, Sir Winston Churchill Pub, and Hurley’s, guides such as Jason, Max, Donovan, and Cara tell stories tied to Montreal’s darker past. The drinking is optional, but the storytelling is the main event.

I like the short walks between stops and the way each pub gives the stories a moody setting. I also like the modest price, $26.29, which buys 2.5 hours of guided entertainment while you pay only for the drinks you choose. The main catch is that this is a seated storytelling tour, not a fast-moving crawl through haunted streets.

Key points to know

• Three named pubs: McKibbin’s, Sir Winston Churchill Pub, and Hurley’s Irish Pub.
• A story-heavy format: Expect ghost lore, true crime, pub history, and dark Montreal tales at each stop.
• Little walking: The bars are close together, but you may encounter stairs and older, less accessible pub interiors.
• Drinks cost extra: You order and pay for alcohol at regular bar prices, with no tour discount.
• English only: The guided experience is offered in English and normally lasts about two and a half hours.
• A compact downtown route: Meet on Bishop Street, less than two blocks from Sherbrooke Street, and finish on Crescent Street.

Montreal ghost stories, told over a pint

This tour works best when you think of it as a seated ghost show held in three pubs. You are not roaming from cemetery to cemetery with a lantern. The guide tells stories inside the bars, then the group moves to the next stop.

That distinction matters. Some of the tales concern hauntings in the pubs, while others come from elsewhere in Montreal. You may hear about ghosts, violent deaths, strange local legends, and true crime that has become part of the city’s folklore.

The guides bring different personalities to the job. Jason has been praised for animated storytelling and a strong command of the material. Max has a theatrical style, while Donovan has been described as especially energetic and interactive. Anton, sometimes listed as Antoine, has also hosted the tour. Your guide will vary, so the tone may range from comic and lively to more serious and historical.

I like this variety. A good storyteller can make a familiar bar feel briefly strange. But the format places a lot of weight on the guide. If you want constant walking, quick scares, or short stories with little background, the sessions may feel too long.

McKibbin’s and the opening tales

The tour begins at McKibbin’s, at 1426 Rue Bishop. Arrive for the 3 p.m. start, and use the exact address provided when booking. The name McKibbin’s is associated with more than one location, and going by the pub name alone can send you across town.

The opening stop lasts about 45 minutes. Here, the guide introduces the mysterious McKibbin’s Irish Pub, then moves into stories about the ghosts of Griffintown and the famous McTavish ghost tale.

This is also where you learn the rhythm of the afternoon. You sit, listen, and order a drink if you want one. The guide may cover several connected stories before the group moves on. That makes the first stop a useful test: if you enjoy local folklore with historical background, you are likely to settle in. If you expected a quick drink and one spooky anecdote, you may start wondering when the walking begins.

The pub setting helps. You are not standing on a street corner trying to hear a guide over traffic. Still, a bar is a working business. Staff must take orders, deliver drinks, and process payment. Allow time for that, and do not expect your beverage to arrive the moment the story starts.

Sir Winston Churchill Pub and darker Montreal lore

The second stop is Sir Winston Churchill Pub, often called Winnie’s. It is another 45-minute session, with stories about the pub, Nick Auf de Mar’s ghost, and a Montreal vampire serial killer.

This portion shows the tour’s wider scope. The story material is not limited to ghosts attached to the chair where you are sitting. You may hear about people and events from other parts of the city, connected through Montreal’s darker folklore.

That broad approach is a strength if you want context. The tour gives you more than a collection of pub superstitions. It also explains how crime, death, old buildings, and local storytelling shape a city’s haunted reputation.

It can also be the point where the experience feels too much like a history talk. One unhappy participant described leaving because the stories seemed long and not always connected to the bar. That criticism is worth taking seriously, even though other people found the detailed storytelling captivating. The best choice depends on your taste: you should book this for spoken stories, not for a highly active walking route.

Bar hours and operations can also change. A previous tour had to adapt when a pub closed unexpectedly. That problem was linked to pandemic conditions and does not describe a normal visit, but it shows why the operator may need to adjust the route. The guide has previously continued with a changed plan when one stop was unavailable.

Hurley’s and the final ghost stories

The crawl finishes at Hurley’s Irish Pub, at 1225 Rue Crescent. This final 45-minute stop covers Hurley’s burning lady ghost, the ghosts of Club le Cinq, and the well-known Mary Gallagher story.

Hurley’s is a fitting finish because the tour can become more conversational here. You have already learned the format, heard several tales, and had time to decide how much you want to drink. The final stop may leave room for questions and discussion about paranormal experiences, local legends, and the city’s unsettling past.

The end point is practical, too. You finish on Crescent Street, rather than returning to Bishop Street. That places you in a central downtown area with plenty of options for continuing your afternoon, though the tour itself does not include a final drink or food.

A small limitation is the lack of a snack option. The tour price covers the guide only. Drinks and any food must be purchased separately at regular prices. If you plan to drink at all three pubs, eat beforehand or budget for bar food if available.

How much walking is really involved

This is a low-walking experience. The three pubs are in the downtown area, and the advertised format gives you roughly 45 minutes at each location. You do not spend half the tour walking through Old Montreal or visiting cemeteries.

That makes the crawl appealing in poor weather. One person found a rainy afternoon especially atmospheric, but the tour does not depend on rain to work. You spend most of the time indoors, which can be useful on a cold or wet Montreal day.

The low walking does not mean the tour is easy for everyone. Older pubs can have stairs and tight areas. The experience is not recommended for people with serious mobility limitations. If you need a more accessible option, the provider also offers walking tours described as fully accessible, but those are separate experiences and are not included here.

For getting to the start, use public transportation, a rideshare, or a taxi if possible. Parking downtown can be difficult and expensive. If you drive, carefully check the meeting address rather than searching only for the pub’s name.

The $26.29 price and what you receive

At $26.29 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for a guided afternoon lasting about two and a half hours. You are paying for a host, research, storytelling, and access to a planned route through three pubs. You are not paying for drinks, food, reserved beverages, or special bar discounts.

That can be good value if you want a structured activity but do not need a full meal or included alcohol. A drink at each stop can quickly cost more than the ticket, so set a separate beverage budget. You can also attend without drinking, although the pub setting naturally suits people who want to order something.

The maximum group size is listed as 25. That is still a fairly large group for an intimate storytelling session. Some older descriptions referred to a smaller group, but the current capacity is much higher. Do not book this expecting a private tour or a tiny gathering.

The experience is booked, on average, about 20 days ahead. That does not guarantee a sellout, but it suggests you should reserve ahead if the 3 p.m. time suits your schedule.

Who will enjoy the storytelling style

I would choose this for someone who enjoys ghost lore, old crimes, and the uneasy space between documented history and legend. It also suits solo visitors. Several guides have a friendly, conversational style, and a pub gives you an easy place to listen without needing to keep pace with a walking group.

Friends and couples can make a good afternoon of it. You can order drinks, compare your reaction to the stories, and continue your evening from the Crescent Street finish. The experience also works for people new to Montreal who want a darker introduction to the city.

Families should note the tone. The material includes violent deaths, grisly history, and true crime. One description called the content suitable around a PG-13 level, with the possibility of trimming the stronger parts. If you are booking for younger participants, ask ahead about the level of detail.

This is less suitable for someone who wants a loud, spontaneous bar crawl. The guide talks for substantial stretches, and the group remains at each pub for about 45 minutes. You may spend more time listening than mingling.

Practical details that can make or break the afternoon

The meeting point is McKibbin’s, 1426 Rue Bishop, with a 3 p.m. start. The tour ends at Hurley’s Irish Pub on Rue Crescent. The route begins near Sherbrooke Street and stays in a central part of Montreal.

Bring your mobile ticket and check the address before leaving. The exact meeting location matters because there are multiple McKibbin’s locations. If you arrive at the wrong one, downtown traffic and parking may make it difficult to catch the group.

The tour is offered in English. Alcohol is not included, and there is no special drink price for participants. Wear shoes that are comfortable for a short amount of city walking, but do not dress as if you are preparing for a long hike.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start. Cancellations or changes inside that window are not refunded or accepted. The tour also requires a minimum number of people, so a cancellation by the operator for that reason results in a different date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want a guided storytelling session with drinks nearby, short walks, and a steady supply of ghost tales and dark Montreal lore. The strongest part of the experience is the guide. Jason, Max, Donovan, Anton, and Cara have each brought different energy to the role, and a strong performance can make the old pubs feel genuinely eerie.

Skip it if you want a fast-moving crawl, outdoor haunted sites, cemetery visits, or a drink included in the price. You should also think twice if long spoken stories test your patience. At 2.5 hours, this is not a quick sampler.

For the right audience, $26.29 is a fair buy. You get three pubs, a central route, and a focused look at Montreal’s unsettling side. Just arrive at the correct Bishop Street address, budget for your own drinks, and go in expecting a pub-based ghost show rather than a walking tour.

FAQ

Where does the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl start?

It starts at McKibbin’s, 1426 Rue Bishop, Montréal, Quebec, H3G 2E6. The start time is 3 p.m.

Where does the tour end?

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

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes. The three listed pub stops are planned for about 45 minutes each.

Which pubs does the tour visit?

The route includes McKibbin’s, Sir Winston Churchill Pub, and Hurley’s Irish Pub.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included. You can buy drinks at the bars at their regular prices, with no special tour discount.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The guided tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 25 participants.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.