Spooky drinks beat museum silence. This DC haunted pub crawl turns bar time into a moving story that covers politics, prohibition, and a few truly odd corners of the city in just 2 hours. You’ll meet your guide at the Old Ebbitt Grill with a lantern in hand, then work your way through vintage spots where the chatter has lasted longer than you’d expect.

Two things I like a lot: the tour packs 8 haunted sites (with 4 pubs) into a tight loop, and the guide-led stories are clearly built for a fun night, not a lecture. I’ve heard rave comments tied to guides like Anton, EJ, Mary, Dena, Tristan, and John, and that track record matters when you’re paying for an evening experience.

One consideration before you book: food and drinks aren’t included in the price. So you’ll want to budget for what you order at the bars, and you’ll also need to be okay with walking a bit (and with the fact that it’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments).

Key things worth knowing before you go

• Grant’s ghost at Round Robin: share brandy with Ulysses S. Grant as part of the stop’s story.
• Four pub stops inside the eight-site route: it’s not just sightseeing from the sidewalk.
• Prohibition-era bootlegger vibes: the tour leans into the era of backroom liquor and political favors.
• National Theatre murder tale: one stop centers on a grisly incident tied to DC lore.
• Drinking games are included: the evening has structure, not just “wander and listen.”
• No video recording: you’ll want to plan for photos without recording.

Start at Old Ebbitt Grill, then follow the lantern

Your night kicks off at the Old Ebbitt Grill (675 15th Street NW, Washington, DC). Look for your guide wearing a black US Ghost Adventures t-shirt and carrying a lantern. That’s not just for atmosphere. It’s genuinely the easiest way to spot your group fast, especially since you’ll be stepping in and out of busy downtown blocks.

This is a walking tour, and it runs rain or shine. Bring comfortable shoes you trust for uneven sidewalks and quick transitions between pub doors. Also pack weather-appropriate clothing, because you’ll still be outside even if the stories move indoors.

One more practical note: the tour is in English, and the pace is built for staying social. If you’re the type who likes to ask questions, you’ll have chances to do that as you go bar to bar.

The 2-hour format: 8 haunted sites, 4 pubs, and built-in games

At a glance, this sounds simple: eight stops in two hours. In practice, it’s a well-paced way to experience DC after dark without losing the evening to transit.

Here’s the structure you can expect:

• 8 historic haunted sites total
• 4 of those stops are pubs
• drinking games are included

Those included games matter. They keep the group engaged, and they turn the “waiting while everyone orders” moments into part of the fun. The guide can also tailor the energy, especially when a group shows up ready to participate.

Now the key trade-off: food and drinks aren’t included. The experience description talks about tasting cocktails or mocktails, but that doesn’t mean you’ll get unlimited drinks for free. Plan on purchasing what you want at the bars and keeping it within your comfort level for an evening crawl.

Round Robin: sharing brandy with Ulysses S. Grant’s spirit

One of the stops is Round Robin, where you’ll share a brandy with the ghost of Ulysses S. Grant. Whether you’re into the paranormal side or just enjoy a good story, this is the kind of themed moment that makes the tour feel more like theater than history-only trivia.

What makes this stop work is the way it ties a famous figure to DC nightlife. The bar setting helps the “ghost” feel less like a lecture and more like a ritual you’re doing with your group. You can also look at it as a fun excuse to order something classic—especially if you like brandy or want to try it in a new setting.

Practical tip: if you’re not a spirits person, consider planning ahead for a mocktail option when you’re at the pub stops. The tour is built around sipping and socializing, so you’ll still be part of the moment even if you skip the alcohol.

National Theatre: political backrooms, a murder story, and DC’s darker edge

Another named stop is the National Theatre, where the tour tells a story involving a grisly murder. This is where the tour leans into the “ghosts, booze, and politics” angle more seriously.

The theme running through this whole crawl is that DC power has always moved through rooms like these—places where deals got discussed over drinks and reputations were made or damaged in a hurry. You’ll hear about:

• backroom deals
• scandalous secrets of bygone politicians
• prohibition-era bootlegger connections

Even if you don’t get a clear-on-the-street paranormal sighting, this stop still has payoff because the story connects you to a specific location. It’s that “you’re standing where something happened” feeling, but with the entertainment dial turned up.

If you’re a fan of political scandal stories, this part is likely right up your alley. If you prefer your evenings light and goofy, keep your expectations on the storytelling side, not on guaranteed spooky phenomena.

Rhode’s Tavern (and DC liquor legends you’ll repeat all week)

One of the places your guide may spotlight is the site of Rhode’s Tavern, a stop that showed up in reviews as a moment people loved. The tour’s DC trivia energy is real here.

A specific example from the kinds of stories you might hear: a tale about how the British didn’t burn down Rhode’s Tavern in 1814, plus the idea of liquor cabinets being raided in the White House before a sacking. That kind of detail is the whole point of a pub crawl like this. You get a few sharp, surprising facts that stick because they’re wrapped in an entertaining narrative.

This is also where the evening can feel very DC. It’s not only ghosts. It’s power, war-era timelines, and the odd ways people tracked drink, influence, and survival.

Also, keep in mind that the route can include surprises based on the night and the group. One review mentioned an unexpected rooftop bar near the White House, which is exactly the kind of change-of-scene moment that makes bar crawls memorable.

Drinks, mocktails, and how to not feel rushed at each bar

Even though food and drinks aren’t included, you’ll still want to think of each pub stop as a mini decision:

• do you order a cocktail
• do you go with a mocktail
• do you share or pace yourself
• do you try something new, or stick to your usual

The tour includes drinking games, which means the guide will try to keep the group moving and engaged. That’s fun, but it can also mean you spend less time “lingering and browsing” than you would on a normal night out.

If you’re worried about feeling awkward in a popular pub, you’re not alone. One review flagged the feeling of intruding if a stop wasn’t set up for groups. The best way to handle this is to keep your expectations realistic:

• order promptly
• keep the vibe friendly
• don’t hog a prime seat if there’s a crowd
• let the guide lead the timing

And since video recording is not allowed, you’ll want to plan on enjoying the atmosphere rather than filming it.

Price and value: what you really get for $30

At $30 per person for a 2-hour experience, you’re paying for three things:

1. a guided route through 8 haunted sites
2. 4 pub stops
3. included drinking games

You’re not paying for unlimited drinks or meals, so you should treat this as a guided night out where the bar purchases are optional extras. That’s actually a good model for value, because it lets you control your spending. If you want one cocktail and a mocktail, you can keep it reasonable. If you want to drink more, the tour won’t stop you—but you’ll feel that cost.

I also like the time length. Two hours is long enough to feel like you did something, but short enough that you can still continue your night afterward with a clear head (or at least with a plan).

One more value angle: the tour runs rain or shine, so you’re not stuck paying for a “maybe” experience. If your schedule is tight, that consistency helps.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip)

This one fits best if you want:

• a social evening
• storytelling mixed with DC locations
• pub stops (not just dark corners and quick photo ops)
• a guided experience that helps you see parts of the city you might miss on your own

It may not fit as well if you:

• want a strict paranormal investigation (this is staged, story-driven fun)
• need accessibility support (it’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments)
• are under 21 (it’s not suitable for people under 21 years)

If you’re traveling with a group, this is also a solid option for people who like banter and group energy. One review described it as especially fun when paired with a larger celebration, which makes sense for the “drinking games + moving story” format.

A quick behavior checklist so the night stays fun

Small things make a big difference on pub crawls. Here’s what I’d do if you want the evening to feel smooth:

• Bring your ID (passport or ID card is required)
• Wear comfortable shoes since you’ll walk between stops
• Skip smoking (it’s not allowed)
• Don’t use video recording (it’s not allowed)
• Expect outdoor time even in bad weather

This tour is rain or shine, so dressing for the weather is part of the experience. The lantern guide setup also means you should show up ready to meet and start on time.

Should you book Ghosts, Boos and Booze in Washington, DC?

If you want a DC evening that blends atmosphere, guided stops, and a few memorable themed moments—especially Grant’s brandy stop at Round Robin and the National Theatre murder story—then this is a good bet.

I’d book it if:

• you like bars and stories together
• you enjoy quirky DC lore (politics, prohibition, and scandal)
• you’re traveling with friends and want an easy way to meet people

I’d skip it if:

• you’re not comfortable spending extra on drinks at pubs
• you need mobility-friendly routing
• you’re looking for a quiet, museum-style night

Bottom line: for $30 and two hours, it’s a fun, value-minded way to see DC after dark—one haunted stop at a time, with the social part built in.

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

Meet your guide at the Old Ebbitt Grill, located at 675 15th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001.

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is $30 per person.

What’s included in the tour price?

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

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. This tour runs rain or shine.

Is there an age requirement?

Yes. It is not suitable for people under 21 years old.

Is video recording allowed?

No. Video recording is not allowed. Smoking is also not allowed.

What should I bring?

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