Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

Richmond’s Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl mixes ghost stories with real drinks, which makes it more social than a standard walking tour. You move through Shockoe Bottom, hear about war, murder, wounded Civil War soldiers, and Edgar Allan Poe, then stop at three bars such as JewFro, Richbrau Brewing, and Patrick Henry’s Pub & Grille.

I like the way the tour gives history-minded visitors something to hold onto, even if they are not sold on ghosts. I also like the chance to hear stories from lively guides such as Mars and Tim while sampling Richmond beer, wine, or cocktails. The main drawback is that drinks cost extra, the bar lineup can change, and the experience depends heavily on the guide and on the tour actually entering its planned venues.

Key points to know before booking

• Shockoe Bottom setting: Explore one of Richmond’s oldest districts through stories of war, murder, beer, and restless spirits.
• Three drinking stops: The route may include JewFro, Richbrau Brewing, and Patrick Henry’s Pub & Grille, but the exact lineup changes.
• Drinks are extra: Your $30 ticket pays for the guide, walking tour, pub crawl, and ghost stories, not beer, wine, or cocktails.
• Guides make the difference: Mars and Tim have received especially warm praise for humor, energy, and storytelling.
• About two hours on foot: You may walk more than a mile, with stops lasting roughly 15 minutes to an hour.
• Adults only: You must be at least 21 and should bring a valid ID or accepted copy.

A ghost tour with a glass in hand

This is a good choice if you want Richmond history without sitting through a formal lecture. The guide leads you along the streets of Shockoe Bottom, then uses bars and haunted places as stages for stories about the city’s darker past.

The tone is meant to shift between creepy and playful. One story concerns a murder-suicide paired with African wine. Another brings you close to the spirits of wounded Civil War soldiers. You may also hear tales tied to Poe while having a beer or glass of wine.

That mix matters. A pub crawl gives you regular breaks from walking, and the drink stops make it easier for a group to chat. At the same time, this is not a tasting tour. You choose and pay for your own drinks, so the final cost depends on how much you order.

At $30 per person, the price is fair if you want a guided night out with local stories. It is less attractive if you expected drinks, food, or a fixed pub itinerary to be included.

Starting outside McCormack’s

You meet outside McCormack’s, where the guide should be wearing a black USGA T-shirt and carrying a lantern. That lantern is a useful marker in a busy evening setting, so arrive with enough time to find the meeting point and identify the guide.

The tour is offered in English and lasts about two hours. There is no transportation, so you stay in the downtown area and move between stops on foot. Wear shoes you can walk in for at least a mile, and dress for the weather because the tour runs rain or shine.

The walking is not just a way to get from one bar to the next. It gives the guide room to point out places connected to Richmond’s past and to build suspense before the next story. Still, you should not book this if walking more than a mile is difficult.

The information describes the activity as wheelchair accessible, but it also says it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Those two details do not sit comfortably together. If you use a wheelchair or need a specific level of access, ask the provider about the current route before booking.

How the three bar stops work

The tour visits three bars, though the exact places can change with the season and day of the week. The planned stops include craft producers such as JewFro and Richbrau Brewing, along with Patrick Henry’s Pub & Grille.

You may spend as little as 15 to 20 minutes at one stop or as long as an hour at another. That range is wide, but it makes sense for a crawl whose schedule can change based on the night. A short stop keeps the group moving. A longer stop gives you time to order, listen, and talk with the people you came with.

JewFro and Richbrau Brewing give the crawl a local craft-drink angle. If those places are on your route, you can use the stop to try beer or another drink while hearing the next part of the story. The description does not promise a fixed tasting flight, so plan to order from the regular menu rather than expecting samples included in your ticket.

Patrick Henry’s Pub & Grille adds a more traditional pub setting. It can be a useful stop for anyone who wants a familiar bar atmosphere rather than only brewery visits. Again, the exact order and selection may change.

The flexible lineup is both a strength and a weakness. You get a tour that can adapt to the night, but you cannot plan around one exact bar. If a particular brewery matters to you, contact the provider before booking instead of treating the sample lineup as guaranteed.

Stories of murder, war, and Poe

The strongest part of the experience is likely to be the storytelling between stops. The subject matter gives the guide several ways to hold your attention: crime, military suffering, local folklore, and famous literary connections.

The murder-suicide story is paired with African wine, making it more than a quick tale delivered on a sidewalk. You hear the story, then have a drink connected to that part of the evening. The information provided does not give the names of the people involved or explain the full history, so expect the guide to supply the detail on the night.

The Civil War segment focuses on wounded soldiers and the possibility of their spirits remaining near one of the stops. That theme suits Richmond, a city where war stories appear throughout the historic center. If you like the factual side of ghost tours, listen for the distinction between what is documented and what is folklore.

The Poe portion adds a literary thread. You may hear about a spirit connected with Edgar Allan Poe while having a beer or wine. Poe’s name helps connect the bar crawl to Richmond’s broader cultural past, though this is still a short pub crawl, not a dedicated Poe tour.

I would approach the ghost claims with a light touch. You do not need to believe in spirits to enjoy the setting, the local stories, and the odd details that make old streets more memorable. The format works best when the guide lets you decide what you believe.

Mars and Tim set a useful standard

Guide quality matters more here than it does on a simple self-guided pub crawl. Mars has been praised for being fun and well informed, and Tim has been praised for balancing chilling stories with jokes. Those details tell you what kind of evening the tour aims to provide.

Mars appears to be especially good at keeping the group engaged while walking and at making the stops feel connected. Tim’s approach is more theatrical, with humor mixed into the darker stories. You should not assume either guide will lead every departure, but their performances show how much personality can shape the experience.

A good guide needs to serve two audiences at once. Some people in your group may want local history. Others may want ghost stories, drinks, or a birthday activity. The best version of this tour gives each person something to enjoy instead of treating the paranormal material as a test of belief.

The guide also needs to manage practical matters: keep the group together, explain the next stop, and make sure the advertised crawl remains a crawl. Because the experience has received some very positive reactions and some serious complaints about guide attendance and tour delivery, confirm the meeting details shortly before you go.

What the $30 price really covers

The $30 fee includes the guide, pub crawl, and local ghost stories. It does not include drinks, transportation, meals, or any other purchases at the bars.

That pricing is reasonable for a two-hour guided walk in a historic district, especially if you value the guide’s research and performance. It also lets you control your spending. You can order one drink at each stop, choose something inexpensive, or skip a drink if you prefer.

The drawback is that the night can cost more than the ticket suggests. Three drinks, plus food if you decide to eat, may push the total well beyond $30. A group that wants a full dinner should treat the crawl as entertainment before or after a meal, unless the specific bar stop gives you enough time to eat.

The price also pays for access to a planned social experience, not for exclusive use of the bars. You will be visiting working establishments, so noise, crowds, or a changed stop may affect the mood.

Best for birthdays, friends, and curious newcomers

This tour suits adults who want a relaxed group activity with a little theatrical flair. It is especially useful for a birthday evening, a first introduction to Richmond, or a night when your group cannot agree between sightseeing and going out for drinks.

You can expect a mix of walking, standing, listening, ordering drinks, and talking with the group. That makes it less suitable for anyone seeking a quiet, seated history talk or a serious paranormal investigation.

The tour also works well for mixed groups. The history gives skeptics something to follow, the ghost tales serve believers, and the bar stops provide a social reason to join even if neither subject is your main interest.

People under 21 cannot participate. Smoking is not allowed, and video recording is not allowed. Bring an ID card, with a copy accepted according to the tour information.

Weather, timing, and a few practical cautions

The tour runs rain or shine, so check the forecast and wear suitable clothing. Comfortable shoes matter more than stylish ones, since you may walk over a mile and remain outside between stops.

The exact start time depends on availability. Since the tour operates in the evening and includes bars, give yourself extra time to reach McCormack’s and locate the guide. The black shirt and lantern should help.

The flexible stop length can make the evening feel natural, but it also means you should avoid booking a tight dinner reservation immediately afterward. A stop may take 15 minutes, or it may last close to an hour.

The cancellation policy is helpful: you can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Richmond plans are not settled.

One practical point deserves special attention. The advertised experience includes entering three bars, but a group should not assume that every departure will run exactly the same way. Confirm the current meeting details, group arrangements, and bar plan before setting out, especially if you are bringing a large party or driving a long distance.

Should you book Richmond Boos and Booze?

Book it if you want a social walking tour with local stories and optional drinks, and if your group likes a little spooky theater without taking every ghost claim seriously. The $30 price is sensible for the guide and two hours of entertainment, but budget extra for drinks and food.

I would be most comfortable recommending it to adults who are flexible about the route and who enjoy lively guides. Mars and Tim show how much the night can benefit from a strong storyteller. I would be more cautious if you have limited mobility, need a fixed itinerary, or would be disappointed by a walk without the full bar portion.

For a birthday or casual night with friends, this is a fun way to see a different side of Shockoe Bottom. Just wear walking shoes, bring ID, confirm the details, and keep your expectations clear: you are paying for a guided ghost-and-pub experience, not an all-inclusive bar tour.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts about two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $30 per person.

Are drinks included in the ticket?

No. Drinks are not included, so you pay separately for beer, wine, cocktails, or other beverages at the bars.

Which bars does the crawl visit?

Possible stops include JewFro, Richbrau Brewing, and Patrick Henry’s Pub & Grille. The exact lineup can change by day of the week and season.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet outside McCormack’s. The guide should be wearing a black USGA T-shirt and carrying a lantern.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, clothing suited to the weather, and an ID card. A copy of your ID is accepted according to the tour information.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. The tour is not suitable for people under 21.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour takes place rain or shine, so dress for the conditions.