Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl

Montreal’s Haunted Pub Crawl turns a few pints into a lesson in the city’s darker past. Instead of roaming cemeteries or hunting for paranormal activity outdoors, you sit inside three downtown pubs while a guide tells stories of ghosts, murder, fire, and old Montreal folklore. The pubs are the stage.

I like the short walking distance between stops, and I like the range of stories, from the McTavish ghost tale to the burning lady at Hurley’s. Guides including Jason, Max, Donovan, Cara, and Anton have each been praised for animated, funny storytelling. The listed price of $26.29 is also fair for a 2.5-hour guided experience, though drinks cost extra.

The main caution is pacing. This is not a fast-moving bar hop with one spooky anecdote at each stop. You may spend close to 45 minutes in each pub, and some guides lean heavily into Montreal history. If you want constant movement, this may feel more like a seated storytelling show than a traditional pub crawl.

Key things to know before you book

• Three pubs, about 45 minutes each: The route visits McKibbin’s, Sir Winston Churchill Pub, and Hurley’s Irish Pub.
• Minimal walking: The crawl begins on Bishop Street, near Sherbrooke Street, and ends on Crescent Street.
• Drinks are not included: Buy beer or other beverages directly from each bar at normal prices.
• Guides make a big difference: Jason, Max, Donovan, Cara, Anton, and Antoine have all hosted different departures.
• The stories mix ghosts with crime and history: Expect tales tied to Montreal places, not only hauntings inside the pubs.
• Maximum group size is 25: The experience can feel personal, but you should not assume a tiny group.

What this Montreal ghost crawl actually is

The name can suggest a walking tour with drinks in hand, but Montreal’s rules shape the format. You cannot carry alcohol from one pub to the next, so the stories are told inside the drinking establishments. You sit, listen, order a drink if you wish, and then move on to the next bar.

That setup has a clear advantage: the old pub interiors create the right mood. A ghost story told in a bar feels more immediate than one delivered on a bright sidewalk in the middle of the afternoon. The setting also gives you a place to rest, use the restroom, and order a drink before the next story begins.

The tradeoff is that you spend much of the tour seated. The experience lasts about two hours and 30 minutes, but the walking portion is limited. If your idea of a pub crawl involves constant movement through different neighborhoods, choose one of the company’s walking ghost tours instead.

The stories cover Montreal’s haunted folklore, dark history, and true crime. Some tales are connected directly to the pubs. Others concern people and places elsewhere in the city. That wider scope works well if you want a general introduction to Montreal’s macabre side, but it may disappoint you if every story must relate to the room where you are sitting.

Starting at McKibbin’s on Bishop Street

The tour begins at McKibbin’s, 1426 Rue Bishop, at 3:00 p.m. This is in the downtown area, less than two blocks from Sherbrooke Street. The starting point is close to public transportation, which is the sensible way to arrive.

Do not rely on searching only for the pub’s name. McKibbin’s has more than one location, and one booking problem came from going to the wrong branch. Use the full street address on your confirmation and allow extra time if you need to find the entrance.

The first stop lasts about 45 minutes. Here, the guide introduces the mysterious McKibbin’s Irish Pub, then moves into stories about the ghosts of Griffintown and the famous McTavish ghost story. The material gives the tour a broad start, linking the bar to larger Montreal folklore rather than treating it as an isolated haunted room.

This is also where you learn what kind of guide you have. Jason has been praised for giving the stories plenty of energy and detail, while Anton has been described as a strong storyteller with a good command of the subject. The company also uses professional actors, so the delivery can feel theatrical rather than like a dry lecture.

Still, the first stop is the place where impatient participants may struggle. A guide who enjoys historical background can spend a long stretch building context before reaching the ghostly part. If you prefer short stories and quick transitions, listen for the balance of the group and decide early if the format fits you.

Sir Winston Churchill Pub and Montreal’s darker tales

The second stop is Sir Winston Churchill Pub, often called Winnies. The guide tells the story of the pub, introduces Nick Auf de Mar’s ghost, and discusses Montreal’s vampire serial killer.

The subject matter is darker here. This is not a family-friendly ghost story outing, and the supplied tour details describe the tone as roughly PG-13, with the option to clip certain parts. The experience may suit adults who enjoy true crime, grisly folklore, and stories about how people died, but it is not designed as a gentle history talk.

This stop also shows why the tour can feel slower than expected. You are in a working pub, not a private theater. Staff need to take drink orders, bring beverages, and handle payment. That can add pauses, especially when the group is large or the bar is busy.

Past departures have also been affected by sudden bar closures, including a closure connected to Covid-era staffing and public health problems. The guide adapted when that happened, but a replacement stop or shortened route can never offer exactly the planned experience. Current conditions can change in the bar district, so flexibility is useful.

If you want a drink at this stop, order at the bar’s regular price. There is no special tour discount, and alcohol is not included in the admission cost. The $26.29 price covers the guided storytelling, not a progressive tasting menu.

Hurley’s Irish Pub and the burning lady

The final stop is Hurley’s Irish Pub at 1225 Rue Crescent. It is about a short walk from the earlier stops, and the crawl ends here rather than returning to Bishop Street. Plan your evening from this location.

Hurley’s supplies the final setting for the burning lady ghost story. The guide also covers the ghosts of Club le Cinq and the well-known Mary Gallagher story. These tales give the last stop a strong finish, especially if you enjoy stories that connect personal tragedy with the city’s older buildings and nightlife.

This is often the stop where the relaxed nature of the experience becomes clearest. You have already heard stories at two pubs, and you can stay for a drink or continue your evening on Crescent Street after the tour. One departure ran long in the sense that people remained at Hurley’s discussing paranormal experiences, though the advertised tour duration is still about two and a half hours.

The final pub also makes the experience social without requiring forced participation. You can chat with the people at your table, listen to the guide, or simply enjoy a drink in an old Irish pub. Solo participants can fit in easily, while couples and groups of friends have a natural way to spend a Sunday afternoon or early evening.

The storytelling is the real attraction

The pubs matter, but the guide matters more. A good performance can turn a familiar ghost tale into an entertaining hour. Jason has been singled out for animated delivery and humor. Max has been praised for making the pub atmosphere feel part of the story. Donovan has been described as energetic and especially effective with solo participants and groups of friends.

Cara has been praised for being funny, friendly, and engaging. Anton and Antoine have also received strong marks for bringing the material to life. Since several guides lead the experience, the tone can vary from one departure to another.

You should expect a mix of performance and information. The guides explain Montreal’s past, then connect that background to ghosts, crimes, and local legends. Some people will enjoy the added context because it makes the stories easier to follow. Others may feel that the tour becomes a history class with drinks.

That difference in expectation explains the split in reactions. If you want a rich set of stories and do not mind sitting through background detail, the format should work well. If you want a rapid sequence of spooky punch lines, you may find the pauses and historical explanation frustrating.

The tour is not a paranormal investigation. You are not promised evidence, ghost-hunting equipment, cemetery visits, or a walk past every location mentioned. Think of it as live folklore and dark Montreal history delivered in pubs.

Price, timing, and group size

At $26.29 per person, the cost is reasonable if you treat it as a guided storytelling performance lasting roughly 150 minutes. You are paying for the guide, the research, and access to a planned three-pub route. You still need to budget for drinks at each stop, and there is no special drink package.

The booking pattern suggests that people often reserve around 20 days ahead. That is useful planning advice for a weekend in Montreal, especially if you want a particular afternoon. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the ticket is mobile, so keep the address and start time easy to find on your phone.

The stated maximum is 25 participants. That is small enough for the guide to be heard in a normal pub setting, but it is not the same as a private tour or a six-person group. One past description listed a smaller group limit, but the current information gives 25 as the maximum, so plan for a medium-sized gathering.

Arrive early, but do not assume the crawl will leave at the exact minute. The company asks for an early arrival, and past departures have waited for late participants. That can be courteous, but it may also delay the start. I would arrive with enough time to find the correct McKibbin’s location and settle in without depending on a last-minute phone call.

Public transportation, a rideshare, or a taxi is more practical than driving. Downtown parking can be difficult and expensive, and the crawl ends at a different address from where it begins. If you drive, you also need to account for the alcohol issue. The tour does not include drinks, but most people will at least consider ordering one.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would choose this crawl if you enjoy:

• Ghost stories mixed with local history and true crime
• Seated storytelling rather than a long walking route
• Irish pubs and casual drinks
• A low-key afternoon activity
• A social outing with friends, a partner, or by yourself
• Guides who perform stories with humor and dramatic flair

It can also work well for someone visiting Montreal for the first time. The stories touch on different neighborhoods and episodes from the city’s past, giving you conversation material for the rest of your stay.

I would hesitate if you want a serious paranormal investigation, a cemetery visit, or a long city walk. I would also hesitate if you dislike grisly subject matter or lose patience during extended explanations. The crawl has a clear format, and the bar stops are not just quick drink breaks between outdoor stories.

Mobility deserves attention. Some of the pubs are old buildings with stairs and difficult access for people with serious mobility limitations. Most people can participate, but this is not the best choice for wheelchair users or anyone who needs consistently step-free access.

Food is another small consideration. Drinks are available at regular prices, but no pub snack option is included. Eat beforehand if you need a proper meal, since the activity centers on drinks and storytelling rather than dining.

Cancellation and practical planning

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The operator may also cancel if the minimum number of participants is not reached, in which case you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

The tour is offered in English. It starts at 3:00 p.m. and ends at Hurley’s Irish Pub. Since you finish on Crescent Street, you can continue your evening nearby, but you will need to arrange your own way back to your hotel or starting point.

The best preparation is simple: confirm the exact address, bring a charged phone for the mobile ticket, arrive early, and keep some money available for drinks. Most people can take part, but check the stairs issue before booking if access is a concern.

Should you book the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want ghost stories in actual pubs, a modest amount of walking, and a guide-led performance that mixes Montreal folklore with dark history. The strongest departures seem to come when the guide is animated and the group is willing to settle in and listen.

Skip it if your perfect pub crawl means moving every 20 minutes, drinking is the main event, or you want to visit haunted sites outdoors. At $26.29, the tour offers good value for a storytelling-focused afternoon, but only if you accept that each pub is a seated chapter, not a quick stop.

FAQ

How long does the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at McKibbin’s, 1426 Rue Bishop, Montréal, QC H3G 2E6, at 3:00 p.m.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Hurley’s Irish Pub, 1225 Rue Crescent, Montréal, QC H3G 2B1.

Which pubs does the crawl visit?

The planned stops are McKibbin’s, Sir Winston Churchill Pub, and Hurley’s Irish Pub.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Alcoholic beverages are purchased separately from each bar at regular prices, with no special tour discount.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility issues?

Most people can participate, but some pubs have stairs and difficult access. The crawl is not recommended for people with serious mobility limitations.