Denver Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl

Denver gets spooky after dark. This two-hour walking pub crawl mixes haunted mansion stories, old neighborhood history, and drinks at three local bars, giving you a social night out with more substance than a standard bar hop. The route begins at Pub on Penn at 6 p.m. and visits Bar Nun Denver, City O’ City, and Bang Up to the Elephant, with several haunted homes along the way.

I like the small maximum group of 20 and the unusual route through Millionaires Row and Cheesman Park. I also like that the guides use local ghost stories tied to specific houses, rather than offering a generic haunted-city script. The main caution is consistency: strong guides such as Jessica, Kirk, and Kevin have earned high praise, but one poorly handled tour included thin storytelling and an awkward ending.

Quick take: what matters most

• Haunted mansion route: Hear stories connected to the Dunning Benedict House, Croke-Patterson-Campbell House, Sheedy Mansion, Whitehead House, and Cottage House.
• Three bar stops: Drinks are available at Pub on Penn, Bar Nun Denver, City O’ City, and Bang Up to the Elephant, but beverages and food cost extra.
• Professional local guides: Guides including Jessica, Kirk, and Kevin have been praised for humor, clear delivery, and helpful photos or videos.
• Two-hour evening walk: The tour begins at 6 p.m. and uses city streets rather than private transportation.
• Moderate walking required: You should be comfortable walking between bars and residential landmarks.
• Free cancellation: Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

Why this Denver ghost tour is different

This is not just a haunted pub crawl in the usual sense. The bars provide the social framework, but the main subject is Denver’s old residential district, especially the grand homes around Millionaires Row and Cheesman Park.

I like that the stories have a physical anchor. You are not simply hearing about a ghost in an anonymous basement. You stop outside homes with names, owners, past residents, and reported encounters attached to them. That gives the storytelling a sense of place, even if some tales may feel more entertaining than historically proven.

The format also suits a first evening in Denver. You get a short introduction to the area, several drinks if you choose to buy them, and a bit of local history without committing to a long museum visit or formal lecture.

The tone is meant to be social and relaxed. At its best, the guide keeps the group moving, answers questions, and uses the city streets as a stage. At its weakest, the experience can feel like a few memorized paragraphs linked by walks between bars. Your guide matters a great deal here.

Starting at Pub on Penn and Millionaires Row

Meet your guide in front of Pub on Penn at 1278 Pennsylvania Street. The tour begins at 6 p.m., and the opening stop lasts about 15 minutes.

This first pause gives you time to get a drink and meet the group before the walking portion begins. The stories focus on Millionaires Row, an area associated with some of Denver’s grandest historic homes and wealthiest former residents.

Pub on Penn is a practical starting point because you can order a drink before setting off. However, it is worth keeping your expectations modest. The bar has received mixed feedback about service, and one account described the staff as unpleasant. Since the cost of drinks is not included, you do not need to order alcohol here if you would rather save your money for a later stop.

Arrive a little early so you can find the meeting point without rushing. The tour is offered in English, and the group may include people who have just met, so the opening minutes are useful for getting comfortable with the pace and the social mood.

Bar Nun Denver: cocktails and a short break

The next stop is Bar Nun Denver, where the group spends about 20 minutes. This bar offers heated outdoor seating, bar food, and inventive cocktails.

That heated seating is a useful detail for a Denver evening, especially when the air turns cold after sunset. You can order a drink or a bite, but you pay separately. The short stop is not designed for a full meal, so think of it as a chance to sample the atmosphere and keep the night moving.

Bar Nun has received particularly warm praise from people who enjoyed the drinks and setting. If you want a more creative cocktail than a basic beer, this may be the most appealing stop on the route.

The tradeoff is time. Twenty minutes passes quickly once you order, receive a drink, and listen to the guide. If you need a substantial dinner, plan to eat before or after the tour rather than relying on the pub crawl for a full meal.

Cheesman Park and the Dunning Benedict House

From the bars, the tour turns toward the haunted homes around Cheesman Park. One stop focuses on the Dunning Benedict House, a property connected to Walter Scott Cheesman, the namesake of the park.

The appeal here is the link between Denver’s civic past and its ghost lore. You are not hearing an isolated campfire story. You are learning why an important city figure, his home, and the nearby park remain part of local supernatural tradition.

This section also shows why the walking route is worthwhile. Denver’s older neighborhoods can tell you plenty about money, architecture, and urban growth even if you do not believe every ghost story. The tour gives you a reason to look closely at houses you might otherwise pass without a thought.

The guide’s delivery makes a major difference at this point. Jessica has been praised for answering questions and encouraging a friendly group, while other accounts have found the historical material too brief. If you enjoy asking questions, use the stops to prompt the guide rather than waiting for every detail to arrive unprompted.

The Croke-Patterson-Campbell House and unsettling encounters

The Croke-Patterson-Campbell House is presented as one of the most haunted homes on the route. Here, the focus is on unsettling encounters associated with the property.

This is likely to be one of the stronger stops for people who want classic ghost-tour material. The house has a memorable name, a distinct identity, and a reputation that gives the guide room to tell several connected stories.

Still, this is not a paranormal investigation. There is no promise of a ghost sighting or supernatural evidence. The value lies in the storytelling, the architecture, and the way the stories make the neighborhood feel less ordinary after dark.

You may find the stop most enjoyable if you treat the tales as local folklore rather than demanding proof. That approach leaves room for suspense without confusing reported encounters with established fact.

Sheedy Mansion and the Whitehead House

The Sheedy Mansion introduces stories of disgruntled ghostly workers from earlier days. The idea adds a different angle to the tour, since the spirits are tied not only to residents but also to people who worked in these grand homes.

The Whitehead House follows with tales of spirits that supposedly linger there. The stories begin after Whitehead moved in, and the guide recounts first-person encounters along with the darker reasons connected to the hauntings.

These stops are where the tour’s historical and theatrical sides meet. You get names, houses, and local context, but you also get suspenseful details intended to entertain. Some guides may bring these stories to life with photos and videos, as Yubi specifically appreciated during one tour. Others may rely more heavily on a fixed script.

If you prefer a serious architectural tour, the ghost material may feel light. If you enjoy a little drama with your history, these houses should provide the evening’s strongest atmosphere.

The Cottage House and the story of Madge

The Cottage House looks out of place among the larger mansions. It was one of many cottages in the area at an earlier time, and the main spirit associated with it is thought to be a woman named Madge.

This stop offers a welcome change of scale. Not every story is about a wealthy household or an imposing mansion. The cottage helps show that the neighborhood once included a wider mix of homes and residents.

Madge’s story gives the guide a single character to focus on, which can make the tale easier to remember. It is also the kind of stop where the guide’s personality matters most. A warm, humorous guide can make a short story memorable, while a flat delivery may leave it feeling thin.

City O’ City: a 15-minute food and drink stop

City O’ City is the third scheduled bar stop and lasts about 15 minutes. You can order a craft beer, cocktail, or something to eat, with options intended to suit different tastes.

This is a useful stop for a mixed group. One person can choose a beer, another can order a cocktail, and someone else can focus on food. It also gives you a chance to reset before the final portion of the route.

The short time limit remains important. You should not expect a leisurely meal here. Order quickly if you want something, and remember that all food and drinks are on your own tab.

Past experiences have not always run perfectly at every bar. One earlier account described a stop where the group could not get inside because the venue was too full, and the guide substituted another bar. That appears to be a possible operational issue rather than the planned route, but it is a good reason to keep your expectations flexible.

Bang Up to the Elephant closes the evening

The final scheduled stop is Bang Up to the Elephant, a quirky bar and restaurant where the guide says goodbye and wraps up the tour. The stop lasts about 15 minutes.

This is one of the more appealing endings because the setting has a distinctive personality. The bar has been praised for its atmosphere, and it gives you a chance to order an unusual drink rather than finishing at a bland, interchangeable pub.

The tour information says the activity ends back at the meeting point, while the route description identifies Bang Up to the Elephant as the final stop. Confirm the exact end point with your guide at the beginning, especially if you have evening plans or need to arrange transportation.

One practical warning comes from an especially poor experience in which the guide left suddenly and the group was left with her drink tab. That is not the expected standard, but it shows why you should settle your own bill directly with each bar and clarify any shared charges before the evening ends.

Is $36 a fair price?

At $36 per person, the tour is reasonably priced if you want a guided evening with local history and a social setting. The price covers the professional guide, researched historical content, and ghost stories. It does not cover drinks, food, transportation, or gratuity.

The value depends on what you expect. If you see this as a two-hour guided walk with several bar opportunities, the price is fair. If you expect multiple included drinks, reserved tables, or a full dinner, the cost can feel less attractive because your final bill will be higher.

I would budget extra for at least one drink, while remembering that you do not need to drink at every stop. The route can work for someone who wants a cocktail, a beer, or simply the stories, but it is not an all-inclusive pub package.

With an average booking lead time of 11 days, reserving ahead makes sense for a preferred date. The maximum group size is 20, which is small enough for a more personal feel without promising a private tour.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to you if you like:

• Local folklore tied to real streets and houses
• Historic neighborhoods viewed after dark
• Casual bar stops rather than a formal sightseeing tour
• Meeting other people in a small group
• A guide-led evening that combines walking, drinks, and storytelling

It is especially suitable for solo visitors and couples who want an easy social activity. Solo participants have found the group format a good way to meet people from different places, while couples can enjoy the spooky theme without spending the whole evening in a haunted attraction.

You should think twice if you want a tightly managed food-and-drink experience. Drinks are not included, bars may be busy, and the group does not appear to have reserved seating at every stop.

You should also avoid booking if you want a purely factual history tour. The homes and neighborhood background are real points of reference, but the ghost stories are folklore and reported encounters. The best guides balance those elements. The weakest version may feel repetitive or underprepared.

The route requires a moderate level of physical fitness, and service animals are allowed. The tour is near public transportation, but transportation itself is not included.

Final verdict: a promising night with guide-dependent results

I would book this tour for the setting, the unusual homes, and the chance to see a different side of Denver after sunset. The strongest guides make the route funny, informative, and welcoming, with Jessica, Kirk, and Kevin receiving especially positive praise for their delivery and interaction with the group.

I would not book it expecting a polished bar reservation package or a guaranteed supernatural thrill. The quality can vary, and one poor guide experience exposed weaknesses in preparation and group handling.

For $36, this is a good choice if you want a relaxed night of Denver stories, neighborhood walking, and optional drinks. Go with an open mind, eat beforehand if needed, wear comfortable shoes, and treat the ghosts as entertaining local lore. That is the approach most likely to make the evening worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the Denver Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl last?

The experience lasts approximately two hours.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour begins at 6 p.m.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is in front of Pub on Penn at 1278 Pennsylvania Street, Denver, Colorado 80203.

Are drinks and food included in the price?

No. Alcoholic beverages and food are not included, so you pay for your own purchases at the bars.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 travelers.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.