Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl

Ghost stories taste better with stout. This two-and-a-half-hour Montreal pub crawl pairs local ghost lore with McKibbin’s, Sir Winston Churchill Pub, and Hurley’s Irish Pub. I like the personal storytelling format, and I like that each stop has its own tale, from the McTavish ghost to Mary Gallagher. The main drawback is that this is a seated storytelling tour, not a fast-moving crawl with long walks between bars.

You pay $26.29 for the guided experience, then buy your own drinks at regular bar prices. Guides such as Jason, Max, Anton, Donovan, Cara, and Antoine have earned praise for their humor and dramatic delivery, but the experience depends heavily on your guide and your appetite for long ghost stories.

Key things to know before you go

• Three pubs, about 45 minutes each: You spend most of the tour inside the bars, listening to stories and ordering drinks.
• The route starts on Bishop Street: Meet at McKibbin’s, 1426 R. Bishop, less than two blocks from Sherbrooke Street.
• Ghost stories go beyond the pubs: Expect tales connected to Montreal neighborhoods, crimes, deaths, and haunted figures, not only spirits said to inhabit the bars.
• Drinks cost extra: Alcohol is not included, and the pubs do not offer a special tour discount.
• Small enough to feel social, but not private: The stated maximum is 25 people, so group size can vary.
• Old pubs may mean stairs: The experience is not recommended for people with serious mobility issues.

What kind of haunted tour is this?

This is best understood as a storytelling session held in three pubs. You move from one drinking establishment to another, but you do not spend half the afternoon walking Montreal streets while carrying a drink.

That distinction matters. Some haunted pub crawls are mostly outdoor walks with a quick stop for a beer. This one keeps the stories inside the pubs because carrying alcohol between establishments is illegal in Montreal. If you want a drink in hand while wandering through old streets, choose one of the company’s walking ghost tours instead.

The format has real advantages. You get a seat, a bathroom break, shelter from bad weather, and time to order a drink at every stop. A rainy afternoon can add just the right gloom, though you should not expect a constant rush of haunted locations.

The tour begins at 3 p.m. and lasts about two hours and 30 minutes. Each pub receives roughly 45 minutes. In practice, ordering drinks, finding seats, and moving a group between bars can affect the rhythm. If you want a quick drink followed by a quick story, this may feel slow. If you enjoy a dramatic narrator and a relaxed afternoon at the pub, the pace makes sense.

McKibbin’s and the McTavish ghost story

Your first stop is McKibbin’s Irish Pub on Bishop Street. The address matters. McKibbin’s has more than one location, so enter the full street address into your map rather than searching only for the pub name.

The opening stories focus on the mysterious McKibbin’s, the ghosts of Griffintown, and the well-known McTavish ghost story. This gives the tour a broad start. You learn about the pub itself, then move into Montreal folklore tied to the surrounding city.

I like beginning here because it gives the guide room to establish the tone. The first pub is where the group gets acquainted, orders drinks, and settles into the performance. Guides who bring energy to the opening can make the rest of the afternoon work very well.

This is also where you should set your expectations. One unhappy participant felt the first stop lasted too long and wanted more movement. That reaction is understandable if you expect a traditional crawl. The planned structure gives each bar a substantial block of time, so the opening can feel like a history-and-ghost presentation rather than a quick pub visit.

The stories are not presented as a scientific investigation. They mix local history, folklore, reported hauntings, and dark tales about people who died in disturbing circumstances. If you enjoy sorting fact from legend, you will have plenty to discuss over your drink.

Sir Winston Churchill Pub and darker Montreal tales

The second stop is Sir Winston Churchill Pub. Here the focus shifts to the pub, Nick Auf de Mar’s ghost, and the story of Montreal’s vampire serial killer.

This is likely the point where the tour either clicks for you or begins to drag. The material becomes darker, and the guide has to balance suspense with enough background to explain the people and places involved. The best guides, including Jason, Max, and Donovan according to the feedback attached to their tours, use humor and theatrical delivery to keep the room engaged.

Do not expect a staged haunted-house attraction. The scare comes from the stories and the setting. You sit in a functioning pub, listen to the guide, and decide how much of the tale you believe. That casual setting can make the macabre material more enjoyable, especially when the guide interacts with the group.

There can be a practical pause while servers take drink orders. Drinks do not arrive automatically, and a group of up to 25 people may take time to settle. If you are eager to hear every word, order promptly and keep your phone away during the main stories.

One past version of the tour encountered a pub that closed unexpectedly during the pandemic, and the guide had to change the plan. That problem was tied to an unusual period and should not define a normal visit, but it points to a useful truth about pub tours: bars are working businesses. Staff, seating, and opening arrangements can affect the evening more than they would on a museum visit.

Hurley’s and the Mary Gallagher legend

The final stop is Hurley’s Irish Pub on Crescent Street, at 1225 Rue Crescent. The tour ends here, which is convenient if you want to continue your evening in the downtown area.

Hurley’s supplies one of the tour’s strongest story clusters. You hear about the burning lady ghost, the ghosts of Club le Cinq, and the famous Mary Gallagher ghost story. These tales give the final stop a darker, more dramatic finish.

I like ending at Hurley’s because the group has had time to warm up. By this point, you know how the guide tells stories, you have heard several versions of Montreal’s haunted past, and conversation often becomes easier. One guide, Jason, was praised for bringing the stories to life, while Donovan was described as animated and passionate. A strong performer can make the last 45 minutes the best part of the afternoon.

The final pub is also where you may want to linger after the formal tour. The guided portion ends at Hurley’s, but your drink and any further conversation are your own choice. The tour does not include a snack option or a special food package, so eat beforehand if beer on an empty stomach is not your idea of a good time.

Storytelling is the main event

The guides are actors and storytellers, not simply hosts who point out buildings. That is important. The experience rises or falls on delivery.

Jason received repeated praise for his enthusiasm, detail, and ability to make the tales funny and unsettling. Max was singled out as an excellent storyteller, while Antoine and Anton were praised for animated presentations. Cara was described as energetic and friendly. Donovan earned especially warm comments for his passion and interaction with the group.

Still, a few people found the presentations too long or too much like a history lesson. That criticism is worth taking seriously. The tour covers background, crime, old buildings, folklore, and ghost stories. Some tales concern places elsewhere in Montreal rather than the exact pub where you are sitting.

If you want only short, punchy ghost stories, you may lose patience. If you enjoy a full account of how a haunting developed, you will likely appreciate the extra context. The tour’s advertised subject is Montreal’s haunted past, not proof of paranormal activity.

The content is roughly PG-13. A guide can apparently shorten or clip the more graphic parts if needed, but families should still expect stories about death, violence, and disturbing events.

How much walking and how much drinking?

Despite the name, this is a low-walking activity. You move among three pubs, but the main part of the experience happens at a table or in a seated area. That makes it useful on a rainy day and easier than a long outdoor ghost walk.

You are not required to buy alcohol. The tour price covers the guide only. Beer, cocktails, soft drinks, and any food are purchased separately at normal prices, with no special discount for the group.

At $26.29, the admission is reasonable if you plan to enjoy three drinks and value an organized story experience. It is less attractive if you do not drink and mainly want a walking tour, because much of the value comes from the pub setting. In that case, compare it with a standard Montreal ghost walk before booking.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, and the maximum group size is 25. That is intimate enough for a shared social mood, but it is not a private tour and may not feel personal if the group reaches its limit.

Getting to Bishop Street without a parking headache

The meeting point is McKibbin’s, 1426 R. Bishop, Montréal, QC H3G 2E6. It is less than two blocks from Sherbrooke Street and near public transportation.

Use the complete address. Do not rely on the pub name alone, since another McKibbin’s location can appear in map searches. Driving downtown can also be frustrating because parking is scarce and expensive. Public transportation or a ride service is the simpler choice, especially if you plan to drink.

Arrive early enough to find the correct entrance and settle in. The posted start time is 3 p.m., and the group may need a few minutes for late arrivals or initial drink orders. The tour ends at Hurley’s, 1225 Rue Crescent, not back at McKibbin’s, so plan your evening from the final location.

The pubs are old buildings and may have stairs. Serious mobility concerns could make this a poor fit. Ask before booking if access is important to you, since the available information does not promise full wheelchair access.

Who will enjoy this Montreal experience?

I would recommend it to you if you like:

• Ghost stories mixed with local history and true crime
• A relaxed afternoon rather than a fast-paced walking route
• Irish pubs and the chance to buy a drink at each stop
• Guides who perform, joke, and tell long-form stories
• Social activities for couples, friends, and solo visitors
• Folklore that leaves room for doubt

I would steer you elsewhere if you want:

• A cemetery visit or a paranormal investigation
• A mostly outdoor tour
• Short stories with constant movement
• Included drinks or discounted bar prices
• A private group of six or fewer
• A fully accessible route with no stairs

Solo visitors can fit in well because the format gives you a ready-made group and plenty of conversation between stories. Couples and friends may enjoy it most when they treat the afternoon as both a pub outing and a performance.

Booking details worth knowing

The experience is offered with a mobile ticket and requires confirmation at booking. It is often reserved about 20 days ahead, so you should not assume a same-day place during a busy Montreal visit.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the 3 p.m. start time. Within 24 hours, you do not receive a refund, and changes are not accepted. If the operator cancels because too few people book, you receive another date or experience, or a full refund.

The tour has received a 4.7 rating from 108 ratings, with 91 percent recommending it. Those numbers suggest a strong overall experience, but the less positive reactions reveal the key issue: expectations matter more here than the modest price.

Should you book the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want three atmospheric pubs, English storytelling, and Montreal folklore delivered at an easy pace. Guides such as Jason, Max, Donovan, Anton, and Antoine have shown that a lively storyteller can turn the format into a funny, spooky afternoon.

Skip it if pub crawl means constant walking and rapid stops to you. You may find the 45-minute storytelling sessions too long, especially if you are not interested in historical background or dark crime tales.

My practical advice is simple: arrive by public transportation, use the exact Bishop Street address, budget extra for drinks, and think of this as a seated ghost show in three bars. With that expectation, the $26.29 price offers a pleasant and unusual way to spend an afternoon in Montreal.

FAQ

How much does the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl cost?

The tour costs $26.29 per person. Drinks and any food are not included and must be purchased separately at regular bar prices.

How long does the pub crawl last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes, with about 45 minutes planned at each of the three pubs.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at McKibbin’s, 1426 R. Bishop, Montréal, QC H3G 2E6, Canada. The meeting point is less than two blocks from Sherbrooke Street.

Where does the tour finish?

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

What time does the tour start?

The stated start time is 3 p.m.

Which pubs are included?

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

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included, and the pubs do not provide special discounts for people on the tour.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded.