DC does cocktails with a side of ghosts. This Washington DC haunted pub crawl turns the city’s oldest drinking spots into a walking storyline, with 8 haunted sites (including four pubs) in just two hours.

What I like most is how the tour blends bar culture with political scandal and prohibition-era crime, so you’re not just hearing spooky tales—you’re picking up DC context with every sip.

I also love the showpiece moments, like sharing brandy with the spirit of Ulysses S. Grant at Round Robin and hearing the dark, secret-history side of politicians and power players. One drawback: a few bar stops can feel tight or busy, so if you hate crowds or you want a super-quiet drink, plan accordingly.

Key highlights to look for

• 8 haunted sites in 2 hours, including 4 pubs
• Brandy with Ulysses S. Grant at Round Robin
• Prohibition-era bootlegger stories and political backroom drama
• A grisly murder tale tied to the National Theatre
• Signature cocktails or mocktails (your choice), plus appetizers you can order
• A lively group night led by a guide in a black US Ghost Adventures t-shirt with a lantern

Meeting at the Old Ebbit Grill with a lantern

The night kicks off at the Old Ebbit Grill, 675 15th Street NW (right in the heart of downtown DC). Your guide shows up in a black US Ghost Adventures t-shirt and carries a lantern, which sets the tone fast: this is a city-walk with a bit of theater, not a museum lecture.

Before you head out, I recommend doing two quick things:

• Lace up comfortable shoes (you’ll be on foot for the full two hours).
• Have a photo ID or passport ready, since you’ll need it for entry requirements.

Then you’re off, moving between classic, time-worn pubs and historic stops that have been part of DC life for generations. The whole concept is simple: in DC, business has long been handled at the bar, and this tour uses that reality as its stage.

What I love about 8 haunted stops (and how not to rush them)

A lot of ghost tours can feel like a sprint—quick “spooky” and then off to the next stop. Here, the pacing is built around multiple short haunted moments, so you actually get to enjoy each location as more than a background setting.

You’ll make eight stops total, with four of them focused on pubs. At each pub-style stop, the tour leans into DC’s long relationship with drinks, deals, and gossip. It’s part history lesson, part pub night.

To get the most out of it, I’d treat the tour like a guided bar-hopping lesson:

• Listen for the story hook first (the scandal, the crime, the rumor).
• Then connect it to the place in front of you—how a city building looks now versus what it might have meant back when the power players were regulars.

Also, since you’ll be with a group, think of the tour as a social format. You’re meant to mingle, share reactions, and enjoy the drinking games as long as you stay within the rules (no smoking, and video recording isn’t allowed).

The Round Robin stop: brandy with Ulysses S. Grant

If you like DC history that feels human—messy, political, and very much flavored by alcohol—this is one of the best stops on the route.

At Round Robin, you’ll share a brandy with the spirit of Ulysses S. Grant. It’s a strong moment because it links one of the biggest presidential names in US history to the everyday reality of DC drinking culture. This isn’t just “look at a plaque.” You’re participating in a ritual that turns the building into a story you can carry with you.

Practical note: brandy sharing is the kind of activity that works best when you go in with an open mind (and a plan to pace yourself for the rest of the night). Since food and drinks are not included in the tour price, you may want to decide in advance how many paid drinks you’re comfortable ordering.

The National Theatre story: a darker kind of DC intrigue

One of the stops is tied to the National Theatre, where the tour shares a grisly murder story. That’s a classic DC-style ingredient: the city didn’t just run on speeches and banquets. It also ran on rumors, leverage, and conflict.

What makes this stop work is the way the tour connects the macabre to the political machine around it. The ghosts aren’t random. They’re attached to the people, the power, and the scandals that shaped decision-making. If your idea of fun includes learning how history can be both theatrical and brutal, you’ll get a lot out of this segment.

If you’re sensitive to heavy themes, keep that in mind. The tour mixes playful pub energy with real dark history, including murder and scandal.

Prohibition bootleggers: the backroom deals part

A core theme here is the spirits of prohibition-era bootleggers. That means your tour guide isn’t only pointing out haunted corners—they’re also telling you how illegal alcohol and political influence often traveled together.

The tour frames bootlegging as more than crime. It’s shown as a social and political tool: backroom conversations, shady deals, and the kind of access that can make a rumor matter.

This part of the experience is especially fun if you like political trivia with a drink in hand. And even if you skip heavy spirits, the tour format still works because you can go with signature cocktails or mocktails at the stops where you’re ordering.

Rhode’s Tavern and the DC drinking DNA

Another stop is the site of Rhode’s Tavern, which ties into DC drinking history and the kind of stories that get passed down because they’re too good not to repeat. The tour emphasizes how the tavern era didn’t just create nightlife—it created networks.

You’ll also hear details tied to Washington’s older power centers, including the idea that liquor cabinets in the White House were once raided during a chaotic moment (as part of the larger story the guide brings to the group). The overall payoff is that you stop seeing DC as only monuments and start seeing it as a city of rooms where influence was traded.

If you’re visiting DC for the first time, this helps you build a mental map. You’ll remember more than names and dates because the stories are anchored to places that still look like you could step into them.

How the bar crawl flows: drinks, mocktails, appetizers, and games

Let’s be clear about the money and the menu. The tour price includes the guide, visits to eight haunted sites (including four pubs), and drinking games. Food and drinks are not included, which matters for your budget.

That also explains why the experience can feel different person to person:

• If you plan to order cocktails at multiple pubs, the tour becomes a full nightlife evening.
• If you mostly go for mocktails or one paid drink, you’ll still get the stories, but the “bar night” part will be lighter.

You might notice that the tour mentions signature cocktails and mouth-watering appetizers prepared by top bartenders and chefs. The key is that these are part of what you can order during stops—not included by default. So decide what kind of night you want: tasting-heavy or story-heavy.

One more rule to respect: video recording isn’t allowed. If you like taking photos, follow the on-the-ground guidance from your guide, but don’t count on filming anything.

Who leads the stories, and why that matters

A ghost tour lives or dies on the guide. From past groups, names like Anton, EJ, Mary, Dena, Tristan, and John have been associated with energetic storytelling and blending DC history with spooky scenes.

The consistent element is your guide’s presence: lantern, black US Ghost Adventures t-shirt, and a clear focus on both haunted lore and political context. I like that the stories are built for a group night, so the guide keeps things moving while still giving you the backstory.

If you ask questions, you’ll get more out of it. This is the kind of tour where the facts and the atmosphere go together.

Timing, weather, and the walking reality

This experience runs for 2 hours and goes rain or shine. That’s good news if you hate planning around weather, but it does mean you should come prepared with weather-appropriate clothing.

You’ll also want to think about the walking pace. It’s not described as a wheelchair-friendly route, and it’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If you have balance or mobility limitations, it’s better to skip and choose a different DC ghost tour format.

One more practical tip: if you’re going on a night when DC streets are packed, the bar environment may feel like it’s operating at full capacity. That can affect how welcoming the stop feels once your group arrives.

Price and value: is $30 a good deal?

At $30 per person for a two-hour outing, this is priced like a budget-friendly activity, not a luxury event. The math works because you’re getting:

• Eight haunted locations
• A live guide
• Drinking games
• Four pub-style stops in a prime downtown area

The trade-off is that the tour itself doesn’t include food or drinks. So the real cost depends on what you order. In my view, the value is best if you actually plan to participate in the pub part—at least a couple of ordered drinks (cocktail or mocktail), plus any appetizers you want.

If you’re expecting the entire night’s bar tab to be covered, you’ll be disappointed. But if you want a fun group way to learn DC stories and then spend the rest of the evening continuing the night your way, this price is reasonable.

When this tour might not be your best match

This tour is not suitable for:

• People under 21
• People with mobility impairments

Beyond that, there’s a “vibe” consideration. Some bar stops can be busy, and if you’re hoping for a relaxed, spacious drink with plenty of room to settle in, you might feel like you’re intruding on a working bar night. It’s not a reason to avoid the tour for everyone, but it’s worth factoring into your expectations.

Also, because the tour runs rain or shine, bring a plan for wet weather—like a jacket you’ll actually want to wear for two hours outside.

Should you book the Washington DC Ghosts Boos and Booze tour?

I’d book this if you want a DC night that feels social and story-driven, not just “walk past a landmark.” The best fit is someone who likes:

• Haunted history mixed with political scandal
• Pub culture as the storytelling backdrop
• A short, efficient route that still gives eight haunted stops
• Joining drinking games and going along with a fun group rhythm

Skip it if you’re sensitive to darker themes like murder stories, you hate crowded bar settings, or you’re looking for a tour where drinks and food are included.

If you want a memorable way to spend an evening in DC without spending all day planning, this tour offers a good blend of ghost lore, DC power history, and a genuine pub-night feel—all wrapped into a tidy two-hour format.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

Meet your guide at the Old Ebbit Grill, 675 15th Street NW, Washington D.C., 20001.

How long is the Washington DC Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

How much does it cost?

It costs $30 per person.

What is included in the price?

You’ll get a visit to 8 historic haunted sites (including 4 pubs), a tour guide, and drinking games.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Is the tour for people under 21?

No. It is not suitable for people under 21.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour runs rain or shine.

Is smoking or video recording allowed?

Smoking is not allowed, and video recording is also not allowed.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, comfortable shoes, and weather-appropriate clothing.