Haunted Pub Crawl in Memphis

Memphis has no shortage of music tours and barbecue stops. This experience takes a different route through downtown, pairing three historic pubs with stories of ghosts, local characters, trains, and the Mississippi River. I like that the guide is a real paranormal investigator, not simply a bartender reading a script, and that the night ends at Earnestine & Hazel’s, one of the city’s best-known haunted bars. You get a social evening, a bit of local history, and time to order drinks along the way.

I also like the small-group format, capped at 16 people, and the chance to meet guides such as Matt, Damon, Amber, or Abby. Some guides use tools such as dowsing rods, and the pace can sometimes be adjusted to suit the group. The main drawback is that the ghostly side may feel lighter than expected, and one guide was difficult to hear because of a soft voice.

Key points to know before you book

• Three pubs plus Earnestine & Hazel’s: The evening visits at least three local bars and finishes at a famous haunted Memphis watering hole.
• A paranormal investigator leads the walk: Guides tell stories about the buildings and their alleged spirits as you move through downtown.
• Drinks are extra: You have time to buy drinks, but alcohol is not included and drinking is not required.
• A compact 16-person group: The maximum size gives the guide a better chance to speak with you and adjust the pace.
• A true evening activity: Departure is at 7:30 pm, with the tour lasting about two and a half hours.
• Bring identification: You must be at least 21, and Memphis bars may check your ID regardless of your age.

A haunted introduction to Memphis after dark

This is best understood as a walking pub crawl with paranormal storytelling, not as a serious investigation into the supernatural. The point is to move through downtown, stop at bars with unusual tales attached to them, and let the guide set the mood.

That distinction matters. If you want a night of drinks and entertaining local lore, the format works well. If you expect repeated ghost sightings, dramatic evidence, or a formal investigation at every stop, you may find the experience too mild.

The tour runs about 2 hours and 30 minutes. That gives you enough time to hear stories, walk between locations, and order a drink without rushing through the evening. You can also attend without drinking, which makes the activity more flexible than a standard bar crawl.

The group limit of 16 is another practical plus. A smaller group is easier to keep together on foot, and you have a better chance of hearing questions and answers. It also leaves room for a more personal experience if attendance is low. One booking became a private outing with the guide, which changed the tone from a group tour to a one-on-one paranormal walk.

Meeting at 7:30 pm on South Main Street

The tour starts at 552 South Main Street in Memphis at 7:30 pm. You should arrive early because the group departs promptly. This is not the kind of activity where you want to be searching for the meeting point while the guide is gathering the group.

The starting area is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in downtown Memphis. The activity ends back at the meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location. That return point also makes it easier to continue your evening nearby after the crawl.

The tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Since the activity involves moving between pubs, you should be comfortable walking through the downtown area at night, though the supplied details do not give a specific walking distance or describe the ground conditions.

Bring a government-issued ID. Even if you are clearly over 21, bars in Memphis may still ask to see it. This small detail can save you an awkward interruption at the door.

Stop one: three Memphis pubs with stories attached

The first part of the evening visits three local pubs with their own haunted stories and history. This section lasts about 45 minutes, though the entire route includes time for walking and drink purchases.

The appeal here is variety. Instead of remaining in one bar while a guide tells one long story, you move from place to place and see how the city’s drinking culture connects with its past. Each pub offers a different setting, and the guide provides the thread linking the buildings together.

The stories reach beyond simple bar ghost tales. Guides have spoken about Memphis, the Mississippi River, trains, and people whose lives ended in difficult circumstances. That wider context gives the supernatural material a local shape. The best part is not necessarily proving that a ghost exists. It is learning why a particular place gained its reputation.

Guide quality matters a great deal at these stops. Matt has been praised for his warm manner and detailed storytelling, while Damon has allowed the pace and pub visits to be adjusted to the group. Amber has led a friendly and social crawl, and Abby has brought a more compassionate tone to stories about people who have died.

Those differences mean your evening may feel slightly different depending on who leads it. Some guides may focus more on the bar atmosphere, while others spend more time on the people and events behind the stories. That is a strength when the guide suits your interests, but it also explains why expectations should remain flexible.

You may have time to buy a drink at one or more of these pubs. The tour price does not include drinks, and you are not required to purchase them. I like that arrangement because it keeps the base cost clear and lets you control your spending. If you want to sample several drinks, your final bill will rise beyond the $30.73 tour price.

Stop two: Earnestine & Hazel’s and the strongest atmosphere

The crawl ends at Earnestine & Hazel’s, where the final portion lasts about 45 minutes. This bar is the experience’s main payoff for people seeking a classic haunted-pub setting.

Earnestine & Hazel’s has a notorious reputation, and its place at the end gives the night a natural finish. By the time you arrive, you have already heard several stories and visited other bars. The final stop lets you spend longer in one location rather than immediately leaving after a short introduction.

Some tours have included paranormal tools such as dowsing rods. One particularly personal outing used them to attempt contact with spirits, and the group reported hearing footsteps nearby. You should treat this as part of the entertainment and atmosphere, not as a guaranteed event. Paranormal activity is unpredictable, and the tour does not promise a sighting or physical sign.

The bar’s reputation may also shape your expectations too strongly. A popular paranormal television program had recently featured the venue, which made it especially appealing to people hoping for an active night. But a famous haunted location can still deliver a quiet evening. The value comes from the stories, the setting, and the guide’s presentation, even if nothing unusual happens.

This is also where the experience may feel less spooky than advertised in your imagination. One person found the locations underwhelming and expected more attention to the haunted details. That is a fair warning: the crawl is designed as a social history walk through pubs, not a staged haunted house.

The guides make or break the night

The strongest praise centers on the guides. Matt appears to be especially good at combining warmth, storytelling, and personal attention. He has been described as kind and entertaining, and he has adapted stories to the interests of the people in his group. That kind of responsiveness is useful on a small tour.

Damon has also allowed groups to shape the pace and pub visits. If you prefer more time to talk over a drink, that flexibility can improve the night. If you want a faster route with more stories, the group’s needs may lead the evening in another direction.

Abby has taken a more reflective approach, giving stories about the Mississippi River, trains, Memphis, and the bars added emotional weight. That may appeal to you if you prefer ghost stories connected to real people rather than quick tales about unexplained noises.

Amber has been associated with a friendly, social atmosphere. Her style may suit you if the main goal is meeting people and enjoying a Friday night downtown.

There is one useful caution about sound. A guide with a soft voice can be hard to hear at times, especially in a busy pub or on a noisy street. Stay close to the guide and avoid drifting to the back of the group. With a maximum of 16 people, this should be manageable, but it is still worth remembering.

What the $30.73 price really covers

At $30.73 per person, the tour is fairly priced for a guided two-and-a-half-hour evening in downtown Memphis. Your fee covers the local professional guide and all taxes, fees, and handling charges. It does not cover drinks.

The value depends on what you want from a night out. If you plan to visit several bars on your own, you will still pay for drinks, but you will not get the organized route or the stories connecting each stop. The tour gives you a ready-made plan and a guide who knows the haunted traditions attached to the places.

If you do not drink, the value is still reasonable if you enjoy local stories and walking tours. Since drinking is optional, you are paying for the guiding and the access to the experience rather than for a package of alcohol.

If you want a serious paranormal investigation, the price may feel less convincing. The activity does not promise equipment, evidence, or guaranteed supernatural encounters. It offers an entertaining blend of local history, bars, and ghost lore.

The rating of 4.4 from 20 reviews suggests a generally positive but not flawless experience. The most praised features are the guides, the fun social mood, the unusual pub settings, and the chance to finish at Earnestine & Hazel’s. The weaker points are uneven levels of spookiness, occasional questions about historical accuracy, and sound issues.

Who will enjoy this Memphis pub crawl

I would recommend this to adults who want an easy evening activity with a local angle. It works particularly well for couples, small groups of friends, and solo visitors who like meeting people during a tour. The social setting makes it less formal than a standard history walk.

It is also a good choice if you have already seen the main Memphis attractions and want something different after dinner. The evening departure leaves your daytime open for music, museums, sightseeing, or a relaxed afternoon.

You will probably enjoy it most if you are happy with a mix of fact, legend, and atmosphere. The tour does not require you to believe in ghosts. You can listen to the stories, inspect the bars, and decide for yourself how much of the lore feels convincing.

I would be more cautious about booking if you want a tightly researched historical lecture. One person felt that some stories were not accurate, and the provider itself presents the activity as a typical haunted pub crawl that balances history and ghost material. Treat the tales as local lore rather than a formal academic record.

Likewise, think twice if you need a highly polished production. The experience depends on the guide, the noise level, the group, and the mood of the bars. That informality is part of the charm, but it also means the evening may not feel identical from one date to the next.

Practical details that can change your night

Book ahead if you want a particular evening. The activity is often booked about 29 days in advance, so a last-minute place may not be guaranteed. The maximum group size is 16, which helps keep the experience manageable but also limits availability.

You receive confirmation when you book, and the tour uses a mobile ticket. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the 7:30 pm start time. Cancellations or changes made inside that period are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows Memphis local time.

The tour is for people aged 21 and older. Carry your ID even if you do not intend to drink because the bars may check it. Service animals are permitted, and the activity is near public transportation.

Wear something comfortable for an evening on foot and stay near the guide when the group moves between stops. Since the tour departs promptly, arrive with enough time to locate 552 South Main Street without rushing.

Should you book the Haunted Pub Crawl in Memphis?

Book it if you want a social night built around Memphis bars, local ghost stories, and a final stop at Earnestine & Hazel’s. The strongest reason to go is the guide. Matt, Damon, Amber, and Abby each bring a different style, and a good guide can turn a simple walk between pubs into a memorable evening.

Do not book it expecting a guaranteed paranormal encounter or a precise history seminar. The haunting is part of the storytelling, and the atmosphere can be more interesting than the evidence. At $30.73 before drinks, it is a sensible choice for an unusual downtown outing, especially if you enjoy local lore and do not mind a little uncertainty.

FAQ

Where does the Haunted Pub Crawl in Memphis start?

The tour starts at 552 South Main Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103.

What time does the tour begin?

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

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the starting meeting point.

How many pubs does the tour visit?

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

Are drinks included in the price?

No. Drinks are not included, and you are not required to purchase them.

Do I have to drink alcohol to join?

No. Drinking is optional.

What is the minimum age?

The minimum age is 21.

Should I bring identification?

Yes. Bring your ID because Memphis bars may check identification regardless of your age.

What is the cancellation policy?

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 experience are not accepted for a refund.