Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl

Montreal’s haunted pub crawl mixes ghost stories, grim local history, and a few drinks inside three downtown bars. The tales include the McTavish ghost, Griffintown hauntings, a vampire serial killer, a burning lady, and Mary Gallagher, so this is more than a standard bar hop.

I like the short walks and three distinct pubs, especially for a rainy afternoon or a first visit to Montreal. I also like that guides such as Jason, Max, Donovan, Cara, and Anton bring different styles to the storytelling. The main consideration is that this is a seated storytelling experience, not a roaming ghost walk. If you want constant movement, you may find the pace slow.

Key things to know before you book

• Three pubs in about two and a half hours: The route runs from McKibbin’s to Sir Winston Churchill Pub, then Hurley’s.
• Stories come first: Expect ghost lore, true crime, and Montreal history told inside the bars.
• Drinks are extra: You buy alcohol at regular menu prices, with no special tour discount.
• The walking is limited: This suits you if you want a low-key afternoon rather than a long city walk.
• Groups can reach 25 people: The experience may feel personal with a smaller turnout, but the advertised maximum is not a tiny group.
• Use the exact starting address: Begin at McKibbin’s, 1426 Rue Bishop, not another McKibbin’s location.

A haunted afternoon in Montreal’s drinking quarters

This experience uses pubs as storytelling rooms. Instead of leading you through streets and stopping at random corners, the guide settles the group inside each bar and builds the mood around the setting.

That format has a clear advantage. You can order a drink, sit down, and listen without worrying about weather, traffic, or keeping up with a fast-moving group. One visitor even found that rainy weather added to the gloomy mood. On the other hand, sitting in one place for 45 minutes can feel long if you expected a traditional walking tour.

The total duration is about 2 hours and 30 minutes, with roughly 45 minutes at each pub. The route begins at 3:00 pm on Bishop Street and finishes at Hurley’s on Crescent Street. You cover a compact part of downtown, with the starting point less than two blocks from Sherbrooke Street.

The experience is offered in English and comes with a mobile ticket. Alcohol is not included, so plan to pay for every beer, cocktail, or other drink separately. There is no special price for tour participants.

McKibbin’s and the McTavish ghost

The first stop is McKibbin’s Irish Pub at 1426 Rue Bishop. This is where the tour begins, and it is worth checking the full address carefully before setting out. Montreal has more than one McKibbin’s location, and entering the wrong one can mean missing the start.

The opening stories focus on the pub itself, the ghosts of Griffintown, and the famous McTavish ghost story. The guide also sets out the dark historical background behind the hauntings. You are not simply hearing a list of spooky claims. The presentation connects old crimes, deaths, local places, and the supernatural legends that grew around them.

This first stop also shows you the tour’s basic rhythm. You sit inside the pub, listen to the guide, and order a drink when you wish. The low walking requirement makes the crawl easy to fit into an afternoon, but the seated format means the guide’s performance matters a great deal.

Jason has been especially praised for animated storytelling, humor, and detailed explanations. Other hosts have included Anton, Max, Donovan, and Cara, so the tone may change depending on the date. Some guides lean into theatrical delivery, while others may feel more like history teachers who happen to specialize in hauntings.

If you enjoy true crime and the darker side of local history, the first stop should give you plenty to consider. If you only want quick ghost stories before moving to the next bar, 45 minutes may feel generous.

Sir Winston Churchill Pub and darker tales

The second stop is Sir Winston Churchill Pub, often called Winnie’s. Here the stories turn toward Nick Auf de Mar’s ghost and a Montreal vampire serial killer.

This is the point where the tour’s subject matter becomes more macabre. The experience is rated for a mature audience, roughly comparable to a PG-13 presentation, and the guide can clip some of the more graphic parts if needed. That makes the crawl workable for a mixed group, though it is not designed as a children’s activity.

You will also need to allow time for normal bar service. The staff must take orders, prepare drinks, and settle checks. That is part of the reason the crawl remains inside each pub rather than moving every few minutes. If you want to sample a drink at every stop, the ordering process becomes part of the afternoon.

One criticism of the experience has been that the stories can feel too long, especially when a tale concerns a location away from the pub. That is a fair point to consider. The crawl covers Montreal hauntings more broadly, not only ghosts who supposedly occupy the room where you are sitting.

The benefit is a fuller picture of the city’s supernatural folklore. The drawback is less direct connection between story and setting. You may hear about a haunting you will not walk past, and you will not visit a cemetery or separate paranormal site during this tour.

Hurley’s Irish Pub and Mary Gallagher

The final stop is Hurley’s Irish Pub at 1225 Rue Crescent. The stories here include the burning lady ghost, the ghosts of Club le Cinq, and the well-known Mary Gallagher story.

Hurley’s gives the experience its final act, with a set of legends that combine pub folklore, violent death, and lingering spirits. Mary Gallagher is one of the tour’s more recognizable stories, and the guide uses it as a strong closing tale.

The final pub also gives you a chance to stay for a drink after the formal tour ends. That is useful if you want to keep discussing the stories or compare notes with your group. One solo visitor described returning to accommodation feeling properly spooked, while another group enjoyed talking about paranormal experiences after the storytelling finished.

The end point on Crescent Street is practical for continuing an evening downtown. You can finish the tour without returning to Bishop Street. Since both the starting and ending areas are close to public transit, the route works better without a car. Downtown parking can be scarce and expensive, and driving creates an avoidable problem for a tour built around pubs.

Storytelling style matters here

The strongest part of this experience is the guide. Jason has been singled out for enthusiasm, humor, and dramatic delivery. Donovan has also been praised for his energy, while Max has been described as an excellent storyteller. Cara and Anton have received similar praise for friendliness and performance.

That variety is worth keeping in mind. A ghost tour is never just a script. The same material can feel lively with one guide and heavy with another. Most of the positive feedback centers on guides who make the stories theatrical, conversational, and easy to follow.

The content also blends several styles:

• Ghost legends tied to Montreal buildings and neighborhoods
• Historical events that shaped the stories
• True crime and violent deaths
• Stories of spirits, apparitions, and possible hauntings
• Background on each pub

This blend will suit you if you enjoy the border between folklore and history. It may not suit you if you want proof of paranormal activity or a serious investigation using equipment. This is a guided storytelling tour, not a ghost-hunting session.

You should also know that the guide may discuss hauntings beyond the three pubs. That is intentional. Montreal’s ghost stories do not all belong to bars, and the crawl uses the pubs as comfortable places to hear a wider selection of local tales.

How much walking is involved?

The tour involves short transfers between pubs rather than a long march through Montreal. That makes it a good choice when you want a relaxed afternoon, have limited time, or prefer to stay indoors.

The route begins on Bishop Street and ends on Crescent Street. It is close to public transportation, and the central location makes it easy to combine with other downtown plans.

The pubs themselves may have stairs and difficult access for people with serious mobility limits. Old bars were not designed with modern accessibility in mind. If stairs or wheelchair access are important to you, contact the operator before booking. The walking tours offered by the same company may be more suitable, but this pub crawl is not presented as fully accessible.

Do not drive simply because the tour starts in the afternoon. The city center can be hard to park in, and drinks are part of the experience. Public transit or a ride service is the sensible choice unless someone in your group is driving and not drinking.

Group size and the personal experience

The listed maximum is 25 people. That is small enough for a guide to speak directly to the room, but it is not the same as a private tour or a six-person outing.

Some bookings may have a smaller group, which can make the storytelling feel more personal. At other times, a larger turnout can mean more waiting while everyone orders drinks and finds a seat. A group of 15 or more may also make it harder to hear or interact with the guide, depending on the room.

The experience works best when you accept the group setting. You are not hiring a private storyteller for your own party. You are joining an English-language pub tour with other people, and the guide must balance different levels of interest in ghost stories, history, and alcohol.

The tour may also wait briefly for late arrivals, although the stated start time is 3:00 pm. Arrive early and go to the exact address on your mobile ticket. Do not rely on a search for the pub name alone.

Is the $26.29 price good value?

At $26.29 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for a guided experience lasting about 2.5 hours. The fee covers the guide and the storytelling, while drinks are separate.

The value depends on what you want from a pub crawl. If you plan to buy three drinks, your final cost will be much higher than the advertised tour price. There are no included beverages, tastings, snacks, or drink discounts. One useful suggestion has been a bar snack option, but snacks are not part of the current package.

I see the price as fair if you treat the experience as an afternoon ghost tour held in three pubs. It is less attractive if you want a cheap drinking route or expect the bars to provide a special menu. You are paying for the guide’s research and performance, not for discounted alcohol.

The price also compares well with a standard guided walk because you receive a longer sitting period and access to three established pubs. Still, the crawl does not include entry to museums, cemeteries, historic houses, or paranormal sites. Its value comes from atmosphere and storytelling rather than sightseeing admissions.

Who will enjoy this Montreal ghost crawl?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time Montreal visitors who want an unusual way to learn about the city
• Solo visitors who like meeting people in a relaxed pub setting
• Friends who enjoy true crime, folklore, and a few drinks
• Couples looking for a low-key afternoon activity
• People who prefer short walks and indoor stops
• Fans of theatrical storytelling and dark local tales

I would think twice if you want a fast-moving crawl with a new bar every 20 minutes. I would also skip it if you want a cemetery walk, a paranormal investigation, or a tour focused only on ghosts physically tied to each pub.

The experience is not a drinking competition. It is a story tour that happens inside bars. That distinction will determine whether the afternoon feels atmospheric or slow.

Booking details worth knowing

The tour is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the tour requires a minimum number of participants. If the minimum is not met and the operator cancels, you can receive a different date or experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 3:00 pm start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded.

The exact meeting point is McKibbin’s, 1426 Rue Bishop, Montréal, QC H3G 2E6. The tour ends at Hurley’s Irish Pub, 1225 Rue Crescent, Montréal, QC H3G 2B1. Save both addresses, and use public transportation or a ride service if you plan to drink.

Should you book the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want three bars, short walks, and a full serving of ghost lore in one compact afternoon. Guides such as Jason and Donovan have a lively style that can make the darker material funny, theatrical, and memorable.

Do not book it expecting a walking tour with constant movement. You will spend much of the time seated while the guide tells stories, and some tales concern places outside the immediate pub route. For the right audience, that is the appeal. You get a comfortable chair, a drink, and Montreal’s grim folklore delivered at close range.

I would choose this tour for a rainy day, a first afternoon in downtown Montreal, or a night out with friends who enjoy spooky stories more than sightseeing checklists. Check the starting address carefully, budget separately for drinks, and arrive ready for a history-heavy ghost tour rather than a conventional bar crawl.

FAQ

Where does the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl start?

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

Where does the tour end?

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

What time does the tour begin?

The stated start time is 3:00 pm.

How long does the pub crawl last?

The experience lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Which pubs does the tour 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 the bars at regular prices, with no special tour discount.

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 25 participants.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility limitations?

The pubs may have stairs and difficult access, so the experience is not recommended for people with serious mobility issues.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the tour are not refunded.