Austin Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl

Spirits in Austin sound fun. This 2-hour haunted pub crawl pairs downtown landmarks with ghost stories and a nighttime guide who keeps things moving. You start at the Driskill Bar and work your way through some of Austin’s most famous weird stops.

I love the guided format. You get a real narrative—ghost legends and city history tied to places you’d walk past on your own, especially if you’re new to town. I also like that the schedule leaves time for you to buy your own drinks at the bars along the way, so you’re not stuck chasing people during refill runs.

One possible drawback: the experience can feel light on stops if you’re expecting bar-hopping nonstop for the full two hours. In one case, the group visited only three bars and wrapped up early. So go in for stories and highlights, not a marathon of every bar on East Austin.

Key Highlights You’ll Actually Feel During the Night

• Nighttime orientation of downtown Austin that helps you understand where things are when the lights come back on
• Driskill Bar as the starting point, built for easy “first drink” energy before the stories get spooky
• The Paramount Theatre ghost lore, including the Lady in White and the Man with the Cigar
• A classic Austin mix of craft beer and history, from Bloody Marys and burgers to San Jac Saloon
• Stops listed with admission ticket free, meaning you’re mostly paying for what you order to drink
• Guide energy matters, and reviews highlight strong personalities like Esteban and Susan

A Two-Hour Ghosty Night in Downtown Austin

This tour is designed for an evening stroll with stops. You meet at the Driskill Bar, 604 Brazos St, and the whole thing loops back to that same meeting point. Expect about 2 hours of guided walking and storytelling, with time built in so you can grab your own drinks at the bars you visit.

The group size cap is 20 travelers, which keeps the vibe from getting chaotic. It also helps the guide keep track of timing and get everyone back together at each stop. You should also plan on a moderate physical fitness level, since this is a walking tour at night.

It runs in English and uses a mobile ticket. If you’re riding in on public transportation, you’ll likely be fine since the meeting point is near public transportation.

Price and Value: What $36 Covers (and What Doesn’t)

At $36 per person, you’re paying mainly for the guide and the story package. The tour includes a professional, courteous guide, thoroughly researched and accurate history, and authentic local ghost stories.

What’s not included is the straightforward stuff: alcoholic beverages. So when a stop offers you a “top drink” choice or a signature cocktail, you should assume you’ll be ordering and paying. The tour also notes that each stop has admission ticket free, which is useful. You’re usually not paying separate museum or attraction fees on top of the tour price—your costs will be mostly what you drink or eat.

In plain terms: this is good value if you want someone to point out what you’d miss, and you’re okay treating drinks as an extra you control.

Stop 1: The Driskill Bar and Liquid Courage

You kick things off at the Driskill Bar, inside the famous Driskill hotel. The vibe here is perfect for a first stop: a real Austin classic, easy to find, and set up for people to order something right away.

The tour frames the Driskill as a place with tragedy and hauntings. Even if you’re not fully sold on ghost stories, this first stop works because it sets the tone and gives you context for what you’ll be hearing later.

Practical angle for you: treat this stop like your “start strong” moment. You’ll get time (about 20 minutes) to settle in, meet your guide, and decide what you want to order before the group moves on.

Paramount Theatre: Lady in White and the Man with the Cigar

Next up is a historic theatre tied to cinema and the supernatural. This building is described as the former location of Sam Houston’s war office, which gives the stories an actual Austin anchor rather than generic spooky vibes.

This stop centers on two famous figures in the haunting tales: the Lady in White and the Man with the Cigar. The tour uses these stories to connect you to how people in Austin have long talked about eerie events in old places.

Why this stop is worth it: theatres feel extra atmospheric at night. You’re standing in a space that already holds drama by design, so the ghost stories land better than they would in a random parking lot.

Timing note: the stop is listed as about 20 minutes, so you’ll get a solid chunk of storytelling without the feeling that you’re waiting around forever.

Casino El Camino: Bloody Marys, Burgers, and Ghost Mary

Then you head to Casino El Camino, a spot that started life as a beer joint and later grew into something that serves burgers alongside beer. The setting is described as a building that once operated as a boarding house—and it’s said to be haunted by a ghost named Mary.

This is a fun stop because it’s not just “look at the scary building.” You get a concrete Austin anchor: the tour highlights their Bloody Mary as a signature drink option. There’s also mention of their famous burgers, so you can decide whether you want the bar crawl to stay drink-forward or turn into snack-forward.

The drawback to keep in mind: if you show up hungry, you might spend some of your short stop time thinking about food you can’t fully solve in 20 minutes. But that’s also part of the charm. These places are meant to be revisited.

Museum of the Weird: Above-Ground Burials and the Minnesota Iceman

After the bar energy, the tour shifts to a museum stop that leans hard into the strange. This one is described as having displays that are exactly as advertised—featuring remnants of Austin’s above-ground burials and the Minnesota Iceman.

If you like your ghost stories to connect to artifacts, this is where you’ll feel most grounded. Even if you’re taking the supernatural with a grain of salt, the odd historical content gives the night a stronger “Austin-specific” flavor.

This stop is listed as a 20-minute visit. That’s long enough to see the main points the guide wants to frame, but short enough that you won’t be stuck reading every label like it’s a full museum day.

Maggie Mae’s: Liverpool Roots and a Sordid Tale

Next, you stop at Maggie Mae’s, a place with a name that points to Liverpool, England. The tour says the bar’s name came from a woman in Liverpool, and it shares the “sordid tale” behind that connection.

This stop matters because it adds a different kind of haunted angle. Not every story has to be supernatural in the classic sense. Some hauntings are cultural—stories that stick to a place because people keep repeating them.

In terms of how it feels on the night: Maggie Mae’s gives you a chance to slow down a little, listen closely, and let the guide’s narrative connect dots between Austin’s local legends and the personalities people attached to them.

East 6th Street: Where to Spot Your Next Stop

Between the named stops, you also get time around East 6th Street, which is known (especially after dark) for having plenty of businesses and extra energy. The tour doesn’t treat this area like a background blur. It encourages you to pay attention to which spots you might want to return to later.

This is smart for your first visit. East 6th can feel like a choose-your-own-adventure street. A guide pointing you toward the right kind of places saves you guesswork later.

If you’re the type who likes to plan a second night, use this moment well. Look, listen, and remember what you like so your follow-up plans are easier.

San Jac Saloon: Craft Beer Finale with Supernatural Ties

You wrap with San Jac Saloon, housed in a historic building but described as having modern amenities. The tour adds a pop-culture hook: it’s co-owned by a star of the hit TV series Supernatural.

This final stop is where the crawl leans more into the “Austin night out” vibe. You get a chance to sample craft beer and keep the social energy going while the guide finishes strong.

Why a saloon finale works: it’s a classic end point for a pub crawl. You’re not sprinting out for the next location—you can linger a bit, order your last round, and let the stories settle into the back of your brain.

Timing here is again listed at about 20 minutes, so you’ll finish the night without feeling like it turns into a four-hour ordeal.

Guides Can Make or Break the Stories

Here’s what really stands out from feedback: the guide experience can be excellent. Reviews specifically name Esteban as an enthusiastic, fun guide who shared incredible stories and took people to great spots in the 6th district. Another named guide is Susan/Susana, praised for being nice and informative.

You also have a useful data point about group dynamics: in one case, the tour became essentially a solo experience (just the guide and one person). That’s ideal if you like asking questions and getting real attention, not just hearing the same story for 20 people.

Now the caution. One review reports content gaps and that the tour ended earlier than expected, with only three bars visited. That suggests two things you can control: book with the expectation that quality depends heavily on how well the guide delivers the material, and don’t treat the two-hour window as a guarantee of a full “six-stop” crawl every time.

My advice: if ghost stories are the main reason you booked, arrive with questions in mind. Even a short stop becomes better when you’re actively listening and asking what a tale connects to.

Who This Haunted Pub Crawl Is Best For

This tour is a strong match for you if:

• You’re new to Austin and want a quick nighttime orientation of downtown and East 6th
• You like ghost stories that tie into specific places, not just vague scary legends
• You want a guide who can connect history and local lore to the feel of a real bar night

It’s less ideal if:

• You only want bar-hopping and care little about stories
• You’re expecting a nonstop crawl that will definitely hit every stop for a full two hours
• You’re under 21 (this tour is not for travelers under 21)

One more fit note: it’s listed as having a maximum of 20 travelers, so if you dislike big crowds, that’s a plus.

Should You Book This Haunted Pub Crawl?

I’d book it if you want a night out that comes with structure. For $36, you’re buying the guide, the researched history, and the locally rooted ghost stories—with ticket-free admissions at stops—while your drink spending stays in your hands.

I wouldn’t book it if your main goal is sheer bar volume with zero emphasis on narrative. This is a story-led crawl. Some nights may feel shorter or lighter on stops than you hoped.

If you do book, set yourself up for success: go in ready to listen, plan to order at your own pace, and use the East 6th segment to help you map a fun second night.

FAQ

How long is the Austin Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl?

It runs about 2 hours (approx.).

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $36.00 per person.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at The Driskill Bar, 604 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701.

Where does the tour end?

It ends back at the meeting point.

Are alcoholic drinks included in the price?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included. The tour includes time for you to buy drinks at the bars visited.

What is included in the tour besides the route?

You get a professional, courteous guide, thoroughly researched and accurate history, and authentic local ghost stories.

What age do I need to be to join?

You must be 21 or older. It is not for travelers under the age of 21.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

How many people are on the tour at most?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

Can I get a full refund if I cancel?

Yes. It has free cancellation. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.