Haunted Pub Crawl in Memphis

Something strange waits behind the bar. The Haunted Pub Crawl in Memphis mixes downtown drinking with local ghost stories, visits at least three pubs, and ends at the famous Earnestine & Hazel’s. I like the small group limit of 16 and the chance to buy drinks along the way instead of paying for a fixed package. I also like that guides such as Matt, Damon, Amber, and Abby bring different personalities to the stories. The main caution is simple: this is a social bar walk with paranormal tales, not a full-on scare attraction.

The price is $30.73 per person for about two and a half hours. That is fair if you want an evening introduction to downtown Memphis and plan to enjoy a drink or two. If you want constant ghost activity, elaborate effects, or a tightly scripted performance, you may find the stops less spooky than expected.

Key points to know before you go

• Earnestine & Hazel’s is the finale: The crawl ends at one of Memphis’s best-known haunted bars, where the atmosphere does much of the work.
• Three pubs are part of the route: You get a quick look at several local drinking spots rather than spending the whole night in one place.
• The guide shapes the experience: Matt has earned especially warm praise for his stories and friendly manner, while Damon, Amber, and Abby have also guided memorable outings.
• Drinks cost extra: You can purchase drinks during the crawl, but nothing alcoholic is included or required.
• The mood is spooky socializing: Expect history, folklore, and conversation, with the possibility of paranormal demonstrations rather than guaranteed ghostly events.
• The group stays small: A maximum of 16 people makes it easier to hear the guide and meet others, though one soft-spoken guide was sometimes hard to hear.

What kind of night is this in Memphis?

I would think of this as a walking tour with drinks, not a pub crawl built around heavy drinking. The guide leads you through several downtown bars, explains their connections to Memphis lore, and gives you time to order something if you wish.

The paranormal angle adds a playful edge. Stories touch on bars, trains, the Mississippi River, and people connected with the city’s past. Some guides also use dowsing rods, giving the group a simple way to take part instead of only listening.

That mix works best for you if you like a story with your cocktail. It is less suitable if you want a theatrical haunted house or a night devoted only to ghost hunting. The operator itself describes the experience as a typical haunted pub crawl, balancing local history with supernatural stories.

The tone can change with the guide and the group. A small booking with Matt or Abby may feel almost private, while a full group of 16 will feel more like a friendly night out with strangers. Either way, the crawl is designed to keep moving and talking rather than hold you in silence waiting for something to happen.

Starting at 552 South Main Street

The meeting point is 552 S Main St, in downtown Memphis. The tour starts at 7:30 pm, and you should arrive early because the group departs promptly. Being late is not a good gamble when the route moves between bars and the tour lasts only about two and a half hours.

The location is near public transportation, which helps if you do not want to drive into downtown. Since drinks are not included, I would also plan your evening around a safe way home before the first toast.

Bring your government-issued ID. Memphis bars may check identification regardless of your age, and the minimum age for this tour is 21. Service animals are allowed, and most people can take part, but you should be comfortable walking between stops and standing in bar settings.

The first 45 minutes: historical haunts and local pubs

The opening portion visits three local pubs with their own haunted stories and history. This is where the experience feels most like a guided introduction to downtown Memphis nightlife. You are not simply walking past buildings while listening to a lecture. You get a reason to enter each place and a chance to see how the city’s bar culture and old stories overlap.

The exact emphasis depends on your guide. Matt has been praised for being warm, entertaining, and well prepared. Damon has been good at adjusting the pace and pub visits to suit the group, while Amber has brought an easy, friendly manner. Abby has connected the stories to Memphis, the river, trains, and the lives of people who died there.

That variety is part of the fun, but it also means the tour may not feel identical on every night. One guide may focus more on the human stories behind the legends. Another may lean harder into paranormal details. If you are hoping for a single, carefully staged narrative, the changing guide style may feel loose.

You will have time to purchase a drink, but the supplied details do not promise a drink at every stop. The $30.73 fee covers the guide, taxes, fees, and handling charges. Your bar tab is separate, so keep that in mind when judging the real cost of the evening.

The first section may also be the least frightening. It is mainly about setting the scene, visiting several pubs, and explaining why they have a reputation. One of the weaker reactions to the experience came from someone expecting more ghost material and receiving more general bar history instead.

I would treat that as a useful warning, not a fatal flaw. Memphis has plenty of stories, but a walking pub tour must also work around noise, open businesses, group pace, and time. The result is often atmospheric rather than terrifying.

The 45-minute finale at Earnestine & Hazel’s

Earnestine & Hazel’s is the best-known stop on this crawl and the place most likely to decide how you feel about the night. The tour ends there, giving the final stop more weight than the earlier pubs.

The bar has a notorious haunted reputation, and the stories told here form the natural climax. One private outing used dowsing rods to try to communicate with spirits, while another group heard footsteps directly behind them. Those moments are not guaranteed, but they explain why the bar works so well as the final setting.

You may also hear about paranormal activity connected with the building and people associated with it. The exact experience depends on the night, the guide, and your own willingness to play along. One group arrived soon after the location had appeared on a popular paranormal television program, but found less activity than the show had reported.

That detail captures the right attitude. Earnestine & Hazel’s can feel eerie without producing a dramatic event on command. If you need proof, you may leave disappointed. If you enjoy old bar atmosphere, ghost stories, and a little uncertainty, the stop can be memorable even when nothing unusual happens.

The final 45 minutes also give you time to order a drink and stay with the group. Since the activity ends back at the meeting point, you should confirm how the route returns rather than assume Earnestine & Hazel’s is the last place you will see. The listed end point is the original meeting point.

How the guides affect the night

The guide is the most important part of this experience. Buildings and bars provide the setting, but the guide decides if the stories feel vivid, respectful, and worth your time.

Matt receives the strongest praise in the supplied feedback. He has led private outings for only two people, used dowsing rods, remembered the group’s interest in particular stories, and kept the mood friendly. His style appears to work especially well when the group wants conversation rather than a formal speech.

Damon has been praised for letting the group set the pace and decide how much time to spend at each pub. That flexibility can be helpful if you want more time for a drink or prefer to keep moving.

Abby has brought a more reflective tone to the stories. Her approach connects paranormal tales with the people who lived and died in Memphis, rather than treating every ghost as a punchline. Amber has been described as kind and approachable, a good fit for a relaxed night with new acquaintances.

There is one practical issue to watch. A soft-spoken guide was sometimes difficult to hear, especially in noisy bar settings. If you cannot catch a story, move closer and ask the guide to repeat it. With a maximum of 16 people, that should usually be possible, but a busy pub can still make listening difficult.

Is $30.73 a good value?

For $30.73, I see reasonable value if you plan to explore downtown bars anyway. You receive roughly two and a half hours with a professional local guide, visits to at least three pubs, a final stop at Earnestine & Hazel’s, and the entertainment of hearing stories you might not find on your own.

The price is less attractive if you count on included drinks. Nothing you order is covered, and drinks are optional. A person who does not drink can still take the tour, but the crawl’s social energy is built around bars, so you should be comfortable spending time in them.

The small-group cap improves the value. Sixteen people is enough for a social evening but not so many that you automatically disappear in a crowd. A private or nearly private group can make the tour feel more personal, though that depends on booking patterns and is not guaranteed.

I would compare the cost with what you want from your evening. For a simple bar walk, it may feel high. For a guided night that combines local stories, several venues, and one famous haunted stop, it is a fair price.

What the 4.4 rating tells you

The experience has a 4.4 out of 5 rating from 20 ratings, which fits the pattern of the feedback. The most consistent praise goes to the guides, especially Matt, and to the unusual combination of local history, drinks, and ghost stories.

The less positive reactions focus on two things: the stops do not always feel spooky enough, and some stories may not satisfy people looking for more documented history or paranormal evidence. A few people also found it hard to hear the guide in a noisy bar.

That means you should set your expectations correctly. The tour is not a guarantee of supernatural activity. It is a guided evening in which the possibility of something strange adds flavor to a Memphis pub crawl.

I also would not book it if you dislike flexible storytelling. The guide may adjust the pace, the group may shape the mood, and the bar environment can interrupt the flow. Those are drawbacks for a polished theatrical show, but they are also part of what makes the night feel less manufactured.

Who should book this haunted pub crawl?

I would recommend it to adults who want a low-pressure first look at downtown Memphis after dark. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors who enjoy meeting people, and even Memphis residents looking for a different Friday night activity.

It is especially good for you if:

• You like ghost stories but do not need a scare every few minutes.
• You want a guide to explain local legends while you visit real bars.
• You are happy to buy your own drinks and choose your pace.
• You enjoy social tours with a small group.
• You are curious about Earnestine & Hazel’s and want more context before spending time there.

I would be cautious if you are not 21, dislike bars, need every detail to be historically documented, or expect a paranormal investigation with clear results. The tour may also disappoint you if you want a silent, serious atmosphere. Conversation and drinks are part of the design.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 7:30 pm start. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, so check your plans before booking.

My verdict: book it for atmosphere, not proof

I would book the Haunted Pub Crawl in Memphis if I wanted an easy evening of local stories, downtown bars, and a memorable final stop. The price is fair, the small group helps, and the strongest guides can turn a standard pub walk into something personal and funny.

I would skip it if my main goal were guaranteed ghost encounters or a detailed academic account of Memphis history. Go in expecting friendly storytelling, optional drinks, and a chance to notice something odd in an old bar. That is the experience at its best.

FAQ

Where does the Haunted Pub Crawl in Memphis start?

It starts at 552 S Main St, Memphis, Tennessee 38103.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour starts at 7:30 pm and departs promptly.

How long does the haunted pub crawl last?

It lasts approximately two hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point.

How many pubs does the crawl visit?

The experience visits three local pubs with their own haunted stories and history, then ends at Earnestine & Hazel’s.

Is Earnestine & Hazel’s included?

Yes. Earnestine & Hazel’s is the final stop, and admission is included.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Drinks are not included, and buying a drink is not required.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 21.

Do I need to bring identification?

Yes. You should bring your ID because Memphis bars may check identification regardless of your age.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 16 people.

Is the tour accessible by public transportation?

The meeting point is near public transportation.

Can I cancel for a refund?

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