Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl

Montreal’s Haunted Pub Crawl turns ghost stories into a seated afternoon of drinks, dark folklore, and old city history. Instead of walking from haunted site to haunted site, you spend about 45 minutes in each of three pubs while a guide such as Jason, Max, Anton, Cara, or Donovan tells tales of ghosts, murder, and strange local legends. I like the setting: real bars make the stories feel close at hand. I also like the modest price, about $26.29 before drinks.

The crawl is especially appealing if you want a low-key afternoon activity with limited walking. The main caution is that this is a storytelling event first and a pub crawl second. You cannot carry alcohol between bars in Montreal, so the ghost stories are told inside the pubs. If you expect a fast-moving night out with one quick tale at every stop, the pace may feel slow.

Key points to know before booking

• Three named pubs: McKibbin’s, Sir Winston Churchill Pub, and Hurley’s Irish Pub each get about 45 minutes.
• Montreal folklore takes center stage: Expect stories about McTavish, Mary Gallagher, Nick Auf de Mar, the ghosts of Griffintown, and a vampire serial killer.
• Short walking route: The crawl begins at McKibbin’s on Bishop Street and ends at Hurley’s on Crescent Street.
• Drinks cost extra: You buy beer and other alcoholic drinks directly from the bars at regular prices.
• Guides use theatrical storytelling: Hosts have included Jason, Max, Anton, Cara, and Donovan.
• Plan for stairs: Some of the old pubs have stairs and may not suit people with serious mobility issues.

What kind of haunted pub crawl is this?

The name suggests a roving evening of drinks and quick ghost stories. In practice, it is closer to a guided folklore session held in three pubs. That distinction matters.

The tour lasts about two and a half hours, with roughly 45 minutes at each stop. You sit, listen, and order drinks as the guide builds each story. There is some movement between pubs, but not a long walking route through Montreal’s streets. If you want to cover a lot of ground, consider one of the company’s walking ghost tours instead. If you want a chair, a drink, and a steady stream of macabre tales, this format makes sense.

The experience is offered in English and is capped at 25 people. That is not an intimate six-person gathering, so the mood can vary with the size and energy of the group. A smaller crowd may feel more personal. A full group can bring more social energy, but it can also make ordering drinks and hearing every word less easy.

The guide is the key ingredient. Hosts have included Jason, Max, Anton, Cara, and Donovan, and their styles differ. Jason is known for animated delivery and detailed stories. Donovan has been praised for passion and humor, while Anton and Max have earned strong marks for storytelling. Cara has been described as friendly, energetic, and engaging. You are booking a format more than a guaranteed individual performer, so expect the host’s style to shape your afternoon.

McKibbin’s begins the ghost stories

Meet at McKibbin’s, 1426 Rue Bishop, at 3:00 p.m. The location is less than two blocks from Sherbrooke Street, making it fairly easy to reach by public transportation. Use the exact street address, not just the pub’s name. McKibbin’s has more than one location, and going to the wrong branch can mean missing the start.

The first 45-minute session introduces the mysterious McKibbin’s Irish Pub, the ghosts of Griffintown, and the famous McTavish ghost story. This is where you learn how the crawl works: sit inside the pub, order a drink if you wish, and let the guide set the tone.

McTavish is one of the better-known names in Montreal ghost lore, and the Griffintown material gives the stories a local setting. The guide also places the pub within Montreal’s darker past, so this stop is not simply a collection of supernatural claims. You get a mixture of folklore, history, and grim details.

That mix will suit you if you enjoy the background behind a ghost story. It may not suit you if you want every tale to concern the exact table where you are sitting. Some stories come from elsewhere in Montreal, not only from inside the pub. The experience presents Montreal’s ghost traditions as a wider web of stories, with the bars providing the atmosphere and a place to listen.

Sir Winston Churchill Pub adds darker tales

The second stop is Sir Winston Churchill Pub. The crawl focuses here on the pub, Nick Auf de Mar’s ghost, and the story of Montreal’s vampire serial killer.

This section leans into true crime and violent folklore. The material can be grim, and the guide may discuss disturbing deaths or old punishments. The experience has been described as suitable around a PG-13 level, though the guide can clip some of the harsher details when needed. If you are sensitive to graphic stories, ask the guide at the start about the level of detail.

The pub setting gives this stop a different feel from a standard walking tour. You are not standing on a sidewalk trying to hear over traffic. You can sit with a beer while the guide develops the story. That comfort is a real benefit, especially on a rainy afternoon, when the dark subject matter and dim bar atmosphere work together.

The trade-off is time. Ordering drinks, waiting for service, and paying take part of the schedule. The bars do not provide special tour discounts, and alcohol is not included. You should not expect a drink to be waiting for you or a prearranged tasting menu. The operator has also suggested that pub snacks would be a useful addition, but food is not listed as part of the experience.

Hurley’s Irish Pub closes with Mary Gallagher

The final stop is Hurley’s Irish Pub at 1225 Rue Crescent. The crawl ends here, rather than returning to the starting point, so you can continue your evening in the Crescent Street area after the tour.

Hurley’s receives its own burning lady ghost story. You also hear about the ghosts of Club le Cinq and the popular Mary Gallagher story. Mary Gallagher is one of the best-known pieces of Montreal ghost folklore, and ending with a widely recognized local tale gives the final stop a strong finish.

The last 45 minutes can also be the most relaxed. By then, you understand the guide’s rhythm, and you have had time to settle into the format. You might find the group more willing to discuss its own strange experiences at this point. One important practical note: drink responsibly. Three pub stops can add up, and the tour includes bathroom breaks as needed, but drinks remain your own purchase and responsibility.

Hurley’s is also useful as an end point because the tour does not strand you in an isolated area. The listed end location is on Crescent Street, with public transportation nearby. You can leave from there or stay for another drink, though that extra time is not part of the tour.

The price works best for a story-focused afternoon

At $26.29 per person, the guided portion is reasonably priced for two and a half hours. You are paying for a host, organized access to three pubs, and a themed presentation. You are not paying for alcoholic drinks, food, reserved seating, or discounts at the bars.

Your final cost depends on how much you order. If you buy one drink at each stop, your afternoon will cost more than the advertised price. If you prefer to listen without drinking, the tour still provides its main feature, the guided stories, but a pub crawl may feel less natural without a beverage.

I see the strongest value for people who would otherwise pay for a drink and spend an afternoon looking for something to do. The tour gives your time a clear structure and adds local folklore. It is less compelling if you want a traditional sightseeing tour with major landmarks, a long walking route, or included refreshments.

The rating supplied for the experience is 4.7 from 108 reviews, with 91 percent recommending it. Those figures suggest a strong overall response, but the lower scores point to a clear dividing line: some people love the detailed storytelling, while others find it too much like a history lecture. Read the format honestly before booking.

Why the storytelling style matters

The strongest praise goes to the guides. The best hosts use humor, dramatic timing, and local detail rather than simply reading facts from a page. Jason, in particular, has been described as animated and funny, while Donovan has earned praise for his energy and passion. Anton and Max have also been singled out for making the stories engaging.

Still, the experience depends heavily on the guide assigned to your date. One host may tell a long, detailed story with several historical side paths. Another may move faster and use more humor. This is not a scripted ride with identical timing at every performance.

The stories also reach beyond the pubs. You may hear about haunted places, deaths, or legends elsewhere in Montreal, even if you do not walk past those locations. That is part of the design, but it is worth knowing. If your idea of a ghost tour requires standing outside a cemetery or visiting the exact spot of each haunting, this crawl is not built for that.

I would book it if you enjoy folklore, true crime, and the theatrical side of local history. I would skip it if you lose patience with long spoken explanations or want constant movement. The phrase pub crawl should not lead you to expect a busy bar-hopping night.

Walking, stairs, and getting to the start

The route involves a relatively small amount of walking between pubs. That makes it easier than a long city ghost walk, especially on a wet or cold day. The start is near public transportation, and the end is on Crescent Street.

Driving is a poor choice for this activity. Downtown Montreal parking can be scarce and expensive, and the starting pub name can lead you to the wrong branch if you rely on a general online search. Check the full address on your confirmation and allow time to reach Bishop Street.

The old pub buildings are not guaranteed to be easy for every body. Some have stairs, and the experience is not recommended for people with serious mobility issues. Most people can take part, but wheelchair access and stair-free movement should not be assumed.

Arrive early enough to find the correct entrance and get settled. The posted start time is 3:00 p.m. Late arrivals can disrupt a story and may have trouble finding the group once the guide begins.

Who will enjoy this Montreal experience?

This crawl fits:

• Couples who want a playful afternoon activity
• Friends who enjoy ghost stories and drinks
• Solo visitors who like meeting a small group around a shared theme
• Montreal newcomers who want local folklore with their city history
• People who prefer sitting to walking for most of a tour
• Visitors looking for something unusual before dinner

It is less suited to children if the darker material is a concern. The stories can include murder, torture, burning, and other grim subjects, even though the guide may soften or shorten some sections.

It is also not ideal for anyone seeking a high-energy party. The pubs are stops for storytelling, not venues with reserved entertainment or tour-only drink specials. You will need to order and pay for your own drinks, and service may take time when the group arrives.

Booking details and cancellation

You receive confirmation when you book, and the tour uses a mobile ticket. It is offered in English. The group limit is 25 people, which keeps it controlled but does not guarantee a private experience.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants. If that minimum is not reached and the operator cancels, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want three pubs, local ghost lore, and a seated afternoon of storytelling for a moderate base price. The best version of this experience comes with a lively guide, a group that listens, and realistic expectations about the pace.

Do not book it expecting a fast circuit of haunted buildings, included alcohol, or a long walk through Montreal. You will spend most of the time inside the pubs, and some stories may concern places you never visit. For fans of folklore and dark city history, that format can be a lot of fun. For anyone wanting casual drinks with only brief spooky interruptions, a regular pub outing may be a better fit.

FAQ

Where does the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl start?

It starts at McKibbin’s, 1426 Rue Bishop, Montréal, Quebec H3G 2E6.

What time does the tour begin?

The listed start time is 3:00 p.m.

Where does the tour end?

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

How long does the pub crawl last?

The experience lasts about two hours and 30 minutes.

Which pubs are included?

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

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased at the pubs at regular prices, with no special tour discount.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.