Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures

Salem’s Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl combines two easy Salem pleasures: spooky local stories and a drink in a downtown bar. Over about 90 minutes, you walk from East India Square to several pubs while your guide talks about ghosts, deaths, and strange happenings tied to the buildings around you.

I like the small-group feel, with a maximum of 20 people, and I like that the guides often make the night personal. Jenna, Bella, Andy, Kristen, Michael, and Susan have each earned praise for humor, storytelling, drink suggestions, and keeping the group moving. The main drawback is that the exact bars may change, and drinks are not included in the $36 price.

Key points to know before you book

• Three roughly 30-minute bar stops are planned, though the actual venues can vary with crowding and availability.
• Ghost stories happen inside pubs and along the walk, including tales tied to the Joshua Ward House and a small bookshop.
• Drinks cost extra, so the $36 tour price covers the guide and stories, not your beer, cocktail, or other beverage.
• Andy, Jenna, Bella, Kristen, Michael, and Susan are among the guides praised for humor, pacing, and drink advice.
• Halloween requires extra caution, since street closures and packed bars can make meeting up and entering venues difficult.
• Comfortable shoes matter, since Salem’s streets can include cobblestones and the tour keeps you on the move.

Salem after dark, with a drink in hand

Salem changes character after sunset. The old streets feel tighter, the historic buildings look more severe, and even an ordinary doorway can become part of a ghost story. This tour uses that mood well without asking you to spend a long evening in one dark room listening to a lecture.

You meet at East India Square, at 158 Essex Street, and return there at the end. The tour is conducted in English and uses a mobile ticket. You should arrive ready to walk, listen, and order your own drinks as the night goes on.

The social side is a large part of the appeal. You may arrive with friends, a partner, or on your own, then spend the evening moving with a group of up to 20 people. One particularly useful feature is the regular timing at each stop. Guides such as Bella have been praised for giving clear departure times and five-minute warnings, which makes it easier to order a drink without worrying that the group will disappear.

What the $36 price really covers

At $36 per person, this is not a bargain pub night if you are counting every dollar. The ticket does not include alcohol, and you are expected to pay for each drink yourself. Gratuity is also not included.

The price makes more sense if you want a guide to organize the evening and add a Salem history lesson along the way. You are paying for the route, the stories, the group management, and the chance to visit several downtown drinking spots without planning each one yourself.

I would budget for the tour price plus at least one drink at each stop if you want to follow the full pub-crawl format. That means your final cost depends heavily on what you order. A beer or modest drink keeps the evening reasonable. Several cocktails or food orders can push the total much higher.

A few details help explain the mixed value. Some people have enjoyed good bar choices, warm welcomes, and drinks recommended by guides such as Jena. Others have waited too long to be served or found one bar too crowded to get a drink easily. The tour can be worthwhile, but it is not the right choice if you expect drinks, reserved seating, or a fixed tasting package to be part of the ticket.

The first bar at 87 Washington Street

The evening begins at a bar at 87 Washington Street, where the stories focus on unexplained activity behind the scenes. Staff have reported glasses shattering, and kitchen workers have described feeling sadness when the bar is empty.

You get about 30 minutes here. That is enough time for a drink and a handful of stories, but it is not enough for a full meal. Eat before the tour if you need dinner, since the stops are designed around drinks and storytelling rather than a sit-down meal.

This first stop also shows one of the tour’s practical limits. A group of 20 needs room, service, and a place to gather. If the bar is busy, you may have to stand or cluster around the available space. One account described a group being told to sit only at the bar, where there was not enough room for everyone.

The Joshua Ward House and Salem’s darker stories

The Joshua Ward House is one of the more memorable sights along the route. The guide discusses reported hauntings connected with the building, including accounts associated with staff and people who have spent time there.

The important point is that this is a storytelling stop, not a full house visit. You should expect to hear about the location from outside or while walking past, rather than spend time touring its interior.

That format works well for Salem, where ghost stories often cling to buildings that you can see from the street. You get the setting, the history, and the guide’s version of the strange events without adding another admission charge or a lengthy indoor tour.

Pay attention to the guide’s delivery here. Some guides have been praised for making the stories funny and easy to follow. One complaint involved a guide speaking too quickly, which made the stories difficult to understand. If the group is spread out on a crowded sidewalk, staying close to the guide matters.

Rockafellas, a lively stop with an uneasy past

Rockafellas Restaurant is presented as a haunted bar with a social, party-friendly atmosphere. Its staff have reported unexplained happenings during late cleaning shifts, including incidents that made some employees reluctant to remain alone.

This stop gives the tour a different mood from a quiet historic building. You are in an active restaurant and bar, surrounded by ordinary nightlife while hearing about unusual events connected with the place. That contrast is part of the fun.

Plan on roughly 30 minutes here, though the real pace depends on service and crowd levels. Some evenings may feel easy, with the group moving in and out without trouble. Other evenings may bring a wait at the bar or limited room for a large group.

The guide’s role is especially important at this stop. Kristen was praised for allowing time to order, talk, and ask questions rather than rushing from one story to the next. That balance matters because the tour is meant to be both a pub crawl and a ghost walk.

The bookshop stop and the history between the bars

Between drinking stops, the guide tells stories connected with a small bookshop. The tales concern death and the idea that history can still make itself felt in the windows.

You should not think of every stop as a full bar visit. Some are brief points of interest along the route, where the guide gives you a story and keeps the group moving. This helps the tour cover more of central Salem in a short period, but it can disappoint you if you expect every named place to be an indoor stop.

That is one reason I would treat the route as flexible. One evening may include the places described here, while another may use different bars because of crowds, operating conditions, or availability. Several accounts describe three bars, while others report reaching only one or two of the advertised venues.

Village Tavern and the final drink

Village Tavern, a bar and grill, is the final named stop. The stories here focus less on the building itself and more on the ground beneath it. People are said to have taken their last breath on this spot, with ghostly voices still pleading to be spared.

The final stop is meant to let you settle in with a drink while the guide finishes the evening’s stories. One account described the last bar as a place to end the night, which makes sense for a 90-minute crawl. You finish near the starting area rather than needing to find your way across Salem after the tour.

Again, the exact experience depends on the night. A crowded tavern may make ordering slow. A quieter evening can give the guide more room to answer questions and let the group enjoy the atmosphere.

The guides make or break the evening

The strongest part of this experience is the guide. Good guides turn a simple walk between bars into a social night with a clear rhythm.

Jenna has been praised for adapting her stories and conversation to a small group. Kristen received credit for giving people time at each bar while still leaving room for questions. Andy has been singled out for making solo participants feel welcome and including everyone in the group.

Bella has been praised for adding details to each haunted location and managing departure times well. Michael was credited with choosing welcoming bars and telling entertaining stories. Susan has been noted for strong storytelling and useful drink recommendations.

The less successful experiences point to the same lesson. A guide who talks too much about personal projects, speaks too quickly, or offers too few Salem stories can make the tour feel thin. I would book this expecting the guide to shape the evening, not expecting every guide or every night to feel identical.

Halloween is a special case

Salem on Halloween can be thrilling, but it can also be difficult for a pub crawl. Street closures, huge crowds, and competing tour groups can make the meeting point hard to find. One group spent about 45 minutes searching for the guide and then had trouble finding a bar with enough space for everyone.

That is not a minor concern. A normal evening may allow the group to enter three bars with little fuss. Halloween can turn the same plan into a search through crowded streets, with venues refusing a large group at the door.

If you choose Halloween, allow extra time to reach East India Square and watch for text messages about meeting details. Look for clear guide identification, stay close to the group, and understand that the advertised route may be harder to follow on the busiest night of the year.

Who will enjoy this Salem pub crawl

This tour suits you if you like casual history, social drinking, and ghost stories that are more entertaining than frightening. It works well for couples, friends, and solo participants who enjoy meeting people during an evening out.

You will probably like it if you want:

• A short evening activity after sightseeing
• Three possible bar stops with about 30 minutes at each
• Local tales tied to real Salem buildings and streets
• A guide who can suggest drinks and keep conversation going
• A simple way to combine nightlife with history

It may not suit you if you want a serious paranormal investigation, a quiet history walk, or drinks included in the ticket. It is also a poor fit if you dislike walking, crowded bars, changing plans, or paying separately for every drink.

The tour allows service animals, is near public transportation, and most people can take part. The streets can be uneven, so comfortable shoes are a smart choice. The group maximum is 20, which is manageable but not intimate by default.

Booking, cancellation, and weather notes

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The tour requires good weather. If poor weather cancels it, you receive the option of another date or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The cut-off uses Salem local time.

Because the meeting area can be affected by street closures, check messages before leaving for the tour. This is especially important during major events and Halloween season.

Should you book Salem Booze and Brews?

I would book this for a relaxed night of drinks, local ghost lore, and easy social contact. The best version of the tour comes with a lively guide such as Jenna, Andy, Bella, Kristen, Michael, or Susan, plus bars that can handle the group without long waits.

I would be cautious about booking it as your only Halloween activity or if you need a tightly controlled schedule. The $36 price is fair for a guided evening, but only if you understand that drinks cost extra and the pub stops may change.

For the best chance of a smooth night, eat first, wear comfortable shoes, arrive early at East India Square, watch your phone for updates, and keep your expectations flexible. If that sounds like your kind of evening, this is a fun way to see Salem after dark without taking the ghost stories too seriously.

FAQ

How long does the Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. The planned bar stops are about 30 minutes each, with additional storytelling stops along the walk.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $36 per person. Alcoholic drinks and gratuity are not included.

Where does the tour begin?

The meeting point is East India Square at 158 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. You pay separately for alcoholic drinks at the bars.

Which bars does the tour visit?

The planned locations include a bar at 87 Washington Street, Rockafellas Restaurant, and Village Tavern. The exact bars may vary, and some stops may be storytelling locations rather than places where you stay for a drink.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

Can I bring a service animal?

Yes. Service animals are allowed.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

If poor weather causes cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.