A drink and a chill in old Richmond. This 2-hour ghost-and-pub crawl threads together spooky legends with hands-on stops at historic buildings, starting at McCormack’s Irish Pub at 6:00 pm. It’s English-speaking and run in a small group (up to 15), so you’re not just a number in the dark.

I especially like the way the guides bring the stories to life. Names like Mars and Bob come up again and again, and the tone stays friendly while still keeping the night organized, so you always know where you are in the route. You also get to connect the legend to specific places, including the Poe Museum and other old structures tied to major chapters of the city.

One thing to plan around: food and drink aren’t included, and you’re still paying your own tab at the pubs/brewery/church-area stops. Also, there can be limits on drinking or smoking during the guided portion, so if your whole idea is to linger with a drink, adjust your expectations. This tour is 21+.

Key takeaways

• A tight 2-hour loop with frequent story stops and a return to the start point
• Up to 15 people, which keeps the group feel closer than the big-bus style tours
• Real stops at pubs and a brewery, with a focus on local legends tied to the buildings
• Major Richmond landmarks like the Poe Museum and an Masonic lodge tied to the War of 1812
• Comfortable walking shoes matter, since Richmond streets can be steep

Price and what your $37 is really paying for

At $37 per person for about two hours, you’re not buying a meal or an open bar. You’re paying for a professional guide, a route that’s built around specific haunted spots, and stories that connect local lore to buildings you can actually see.

The value jumps if you want both parts of the pitch: a walking tour plus a drink-stop vibe. Since admission tickets aren’t required for the stops where the tour lists free entry, your money goes toward the storytelling and the pacing—not extra venue fees.

If you want a night where the drinks are the star, you’ll still enjoy it, but you’ll need to budget for your own purchases. Think of the itinerary as a haunted storyboard, with optional sips layered in.

Starting at McCormack’s Irish Pub (and why the timing helps)

You’ll start at McCormack’s Irish Pub, 12 N 18th St, and the tour ends back at the meeting point. Starting at 6:00 pm is smart: it gives you enough daylight to get oriented on the walk, and it also lets the spooky mood land without you freezing through the whole thing.

I like that the route is built for a compact evening. The stops are roughly 20 minutes each, which means you get variety without the feeling that the night drags.

Keep in mind the tour runs on foot and involves some elevation. Richmond can be steep, so bring shoes you’d trust on uneven sidewalks and short climbs.

Rosie Connolly’s Pub: the Railroad YMCA, red-light Richmond, and ghost-slow pours

The first stop is Rosie Connolly’s Pub Restaurant, set inside a historic structure that once housed the Railroad YMCA. The location sits in an area that was known as Richmond’s former red light district, which helps explain why the stories carry layered energy—public life, private life, and everything in between.

This is where the tour’s tone starts blending ordinary with eerie. You’ll hear a legend tied to the building, with a wink toward how a drink might be poured with help you can’t quite see. The point isn’t special effects; it’s the idea that this neighborhood has long held “two realities at once.”

Practical note: this is a pub stop, so you can order a drink if you want one. But since food and drink aren’t included, treat it as a place to purchase your own beverages while the guide keeps moving the group.

JewFro and the old commercial building curse: Daniel Denoon and African wine sampling

Next comes JewFro, located in Richmond’s oldest commercial building. The building’s reputation leans into the idea of a curse: after so many businesses failed there, people started wondering what might be lingering.

You’ll hear about Daniel Denoon, a rumored spirit associated with the structure. Whether you believe it or not, it’s a good story framework for a city where old buildings keep getting repurposed.

The stop also ties in taste: Smith and Foundry, in the same building, offers African wines for tasting. That’s a fun angle because it makes the “haunted” part feel like part of real local culture, not just spooky theater.

If you’re going alcohol-light, you can still enjoy this stop. You’ll get the legend and the building context either way, and you can choose whether to try a pour.

The War of 1812 Masonic lodge: old structures, secret-society lore, and hospital echoes

After the earlier pub-and-story momentum, you shift into a different kind of spooky: the Masonic lodge. This structure is described as one of the world’s oldest Masonic lodges still in operation.

It also served as a hospital during the War of 1812. That matters for how the stories land. The tour isn’t just pointing to a haunted building; it’s pointing to a building with a real past of care, illness, and emergency life—so the ghost talk has a historical anchor.

This is the kind of stop where you’ll benefit from listening closely. The guide’s job here is to connect the legend to the building’s actual role in the city’s timeline, and that makes the atmosphere feel grounded instead of random.

The Edgar Allan Poe Museum: the oldest standing structure and sightings tied to objects

Then you hit the Poe Museum, located close to Poe’s house and place of employment. What’s compelling is that the museum sits in the city’s oldest standing structure, so even before the ghost stories start, the setting already feels like it belongs to an older Richmond.

Poe’s ghost is reportedly seen in multiple locations inside the house. The tour’s framing suggests the sightings could connect to his attachment to personal items. That’s a clever way to explain “why here” without turning it into pure guesswork.

If you like literary ghosts, this is usually the most satisfying stop. It gives you a clear link between writer, place, and lore, and it makes Richmond feel tied to American stories beyond just Civil War headlines.

Richbrau Brewing and the US beer backstory: history with a sour-ale payoff

Richbrau Brewing is where the crawl turns toward a more modern kind of craft. You’ll hear background on the history of beer in the US, then you get the chance to try the brewery’s own brew after the talk.

A highlight that stands out for many people is the chance to try the 14th Street Horribles sour ale. Even if you’re not a sour person, it’s a useful reminder: breweries often mean flavors that connect to local tastes, not just generic beer choices.

This stop is also a good “reset” in the route. After heavier historic-story stops, beer culture gives you something practical to do—order, taste, and loosen up while the guide keeps the group together.

Remember: drinks are not included. If you’re budgeting, decide ahead of time what you’ll order so you’re not guessing mid-tour.

Old church and cemetery ghosts: the first church in Richmond and reports of four spirits

The crawl then shifts to an older church that’s described as the first one built in Richmond. The location has witnessed catastrophes over the years, and that’s part of why the haunting stories take hold.

You’ll hear about four ghosts alleged to prowl the cemetery and church. Even if you don’t buy every story detail, this stop is strong because it’s about how communities keep meaning around places of loss.

It’s also a stop that may feel more atmospheric than flashy. The value is in the guide’s ability to make you look at the same building elements you might otherwise ignore—old stone, worn boundaries, places that quietly hold stories.

A Civil War hospital and a former tobacco store: the weight of more than 300 troops

One of the more sobering stops is an old facility where over 300 troops died. It served as a hospital during the Civil War and was formerly a tobacco store, which makes the building’s past feel layered: commerce, war, suffering, and then repurposing.

The tour leans into the idea that ghosts remain because of what happened inside. This is the kind of stop that gives the evening texture. It shifts the mood from spooky-fun to “pay attention” without losing the guided-story format.

Practical tip: if you tend to get restless in long pauses, this is where the guide matters. Keep your energy up, stay with the group, and let the story lead you through the space. The goal is respect as much as entertainment.

Patrick Henry’s Pub & Grille: farmhouse dry cider and a colonist taste of everyday life

The finale heads to Patrick Henry’s Pub & Grille, where you’ll try Farmhouse Dry Cider and hear about what colonists consumed every day.

That angle is smart because it ties the spooky night to daily life long before the city’s later chapters. Instead of ghosts only meaning tragedy, the guide frames them alongside normal routines—food and drink, made and shared.

There’s also a reminder to stay sharp. You might notice something out of the corner of your eye, which fits the tour’s overall style: a little supernatural humor wrapped around walking-time storytelling.

Walking, group rules, and how to make the night feel smooth

Richmond’s streets can be steep, and this crawl is built for a moderate walking pace. Wear comfortable shoes and plan for a solid two hours of movement.

Also, keep an eye on group conduct expectations. One common theme from real experiences is that some guides may enforce rules around drinking or smoking during the guided segments. That’s not a dealbreaker, but it does change the vibe. Treat the tour as a guided walk first, and booze second.

The group size limit helps here. With a maximum of 15, you’ll usually be able to hear the guide without constantly turning your head and asking someone to repeat themselves.

Who should book this Richmond ghost crawl?

Book this if you want:

• A small-group ghost tour with real pub stops and a brewery moment
• Stories tied to specific buildings, including Poe’s Richmond connection
• A night that mixes spooky legends with drink breaks you can buy on your own

Skip it (or adjust expectations) if:

• You want a tour where the drinks and food are included
• You’re hoping for long time inside every venue, every stop
• You plan to be under 21 (this one is not for people under 21)

If you’re traveling in a pair or a small circle, this crawl can be a friendly way to meet others too—especially when the guide keeps the group talking during the walk.

FAQ

What is the price of the Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl?

It costs $37.00 per person.

How long is the tour?

It runs about 2 hours.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 6:00 pm.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at McCormack’s Irish Pub, 12 N 18th St, Richmond, VA 23223.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the meeting point.

Is food and drink included in the price?

No. Food and drink are not included.

Is there an age requirement?

Yes. It is not for travelers under the age of 21.

How many people are on the tour at most?

The maximum group size is 15 travelers.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

Should you book this tour?

I’d book it if you’re looking for a compact two-hour ghost walk that actually uses Richmond’s old places as the set design. The best moments are the stops that connect legend to real locations—like the Poe Museum, the Masonic lodge tied to the War of 1812, and the Civil War hospital story—then let you cool down with a pub or brewery break.

Just go in knowing the drinks are on your own tab and the pace is guided, not lounge-time. If you match that mindset, this is a solid value night out in Richmond.

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