Denver Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl

Denver’s haunted past gets a lively treatment on this two-hour walk through the Capitol Hill area. You begin with a drink at Pub on Penn, then follow your guide past old mansions tied to unsettling stories, including the Dunning Benedict House, Croke-Patterson-Campbell House, Sheedy Mansion, and Cottage House. The route finishes with drinks and food at several local bars.

I like the mix of Denver history and pub stops, since the evening is not just a string of ghost tales. I also like the small maximum group of 20, which can make it easier to hear guides such as Jessica, Kevin, or Kirk and ask questions. The main consideration is consistency: one past outing was praised for its storytelling, while another guest found the guide underprepared and the bar arrangements poor.

Key points to know before booking

• The haunted homes are the main event: Most of the walking portion focuses on historic mansions and the stories attached to them.
• Three bar stops add variety: Pub on Penn, Bar Nun Denver, City O’ City, and Bang Up to the Elephant give the evening a social rhythm.
• Drinks and food cost extra: The $36 price covers the guided experience, not alcohol, meals, or transportation.
• Expect a small-group walk: The maximum group size is 20, with a moderate level of fitness needed.
• Guide quality matters: Jessica, Kevin, and Kirk received especially warm praise for humor, history, and group rapport.
• The route may feel light on ghost theatrics: This is better for local stories and atmosphere than for haunted-house scares.

What this Denver ghost walk is really about

This is not a haunted attraction with actors jumping from dark corners. It is a walking pub crawl built around Denver’s old homes, local history, and reported supernatural encounters.

The best part is the setting. Capitol Hill has grand late-19th-century houses, formal streets, and the nearby grounds of Cheesman Park. As evening settles in, the architecture gives the stories a useful sense of place. You are not hearing a ghost tale in an anonymous room. You are standing near the house connected with it.

The evening also has a social side. You can order drinks at the stops, meet other people, and use the walk between bars as a chance to see more of central Denver. That makes the tour a good fit for a casual night out, especially if you want an activity with more structure than simply picking a bar.

The storytelling is intended to be based on researched local history and authentic ghost stories. That does not mean every tale will feel equally convincing. Some stories lean toward atmosphere and legend rather than hard proof, so you should come ready for folklore, old deaths, strange incidents, and reported encounters rather than a lecture in historical fact.

Starting at Pub on Penn at 6:00 pm

The tour begins in front of Pub on Penn at 1278 Pennsylvania Street. You meet the group and guide there, then have about 15 minutes to get settled and order a drink.

This opening stop provides a practical way to meet the group before the walking begins. It also sets the tone: you are here for drinks and stories, not a formal museum tour. The first subject is Millionaires Row, a reference to Denver’s grand residential past and the wealthy families who built impressive homes in this part of town.

There is one point to keep in mind. Alcohol is not included, and your first drink is your responsibility. One past experience also raised concerns about the opening bar’s service, while another described Pub on Penn as the weakest stop compared with Bang Up to the Elephant. I would treat it as a meeting place and opening drink rather than the highlight of the night.

Arrive with enough time to find the meeting point and make your first order. The provided start time is 6:00 pm, and missing the beginning could mean missing both the group introduction and the first story.

Bar Nun Denver adds cocktails and a break

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

That outdoor seating can be useful on a cool Denver evening, though the experience will still depend on the weather and available space. The menu gives you more choice than a standard beer stop, especially if you prefer a cocktail or a small bite instead of another drink.

Bar Nun also helps break up the walking. A pub crawl works best when the stops are not all rushed, and 20 minutes gives you a chance to order, listen, and reset before heading back outside. One guest specifically enjoyed this bar, which fits its role as a relaxed mid-tour stop.

Still, you should not expect a reserved private table or included tasting. You buy your own drinks and food, and the exact pace can depend on how quickly the group is served. If you need a full meal, plan accordingly, since the scheduled stop is short.

Millionaires Row and the Dunning Benedict House

After the early bar stops, the tour turns toward Denver’s historic homes. The Dunning Benedict House is connected to Walter Scott Cheesman, the namesake of Cheesman Park, and the guide explains why the park and surrounding area have such a haunted reputation.

This section works because it connects a familiar public place with older, less comfortable chapters of Denver’s past. You get more than a list of ghost sightings. The guide places the story within the development of the neighborhood and the people associated with it.

The house itself is viewed from outside, so this is an exterior storytelling stop rather than a chance to enter a private residence. That is true for the mansion stops in general. You are there to study the building, hear the history, and let the setting do some of the work.

A strong guide can make this section especially effective. Guides Jessica, Kevin, and Kirk were praised for clear delivery, humor, and detailed stories. Jessica was also noted for using photos and videos, which can help when an old home looks quiet and ordinary from the sidewalk.

Croke-Patterson-Campbell House and the darker stories

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

This is likely one of the stronger stops for people who want a classic haunted-house story. The appeal comes from the contrast between the home’s elegant exterior and the disturbing incidents associated with it. You do not need a taste for extreme horror to enjoy the stop, but you should expect the stories to involve death, unease, and alleged supernatural activity.

The quality of this part depends heavily on delivery. A guide who explains the background, identifies the people involved, and answers questions can make the tale memorable. A guide who sticks to a short script may leave it feeling thin. That difference has mattered on this tour, so I would place more value on the guide’s skill than on expecting every building to produce a scare.

Sheedy Mansion and stories of ghostly workers

At the Sheedy Mansion, the guide tells stories about disgruntled workers from earlier days. This adds a different angle to the tour. The spirits are not only wealthy residents or mysterious figures in grand rooms. The stories also involve people who worked in and around these homes.

That detail gives the stop a bit more social range. Historic mansions can easily become a parade of famous owners and wealthy families. Stories about workers point toward the people whose labor kept those households running, even if the supernatural material remains a matter of local legend.

You will be standing outdoors in a residential area, so the guide’s approach matters. A respectful group and a guide who keeps the volume under control are important in a neighborhood setting. The tour information calls for authentic local ghost stories and accurate historical research, but it does not promise access inside the mansion.

The Whitehead house and first-person encounters

Another stop focuses on the Whitehead house. The story begins when Whitehead moved in and strange events reportedly followed. Your guide shares first-person accounts and the darker reasons connected with the home’s haunting.

This is the kind of stop that can work well for listeners who enjoy personal testimony. First-person encounters give a ghost story a human voice, even when you remain skeptical about the explanation. The added background about why the house is said to be haunted gives the tale more shape than a simple report of footsteps or apparitions.

It is also a good point to ask questions. If your guide is prepared, you may get more context about the people, building, and reported incidents. Jessica was praised for encouraging questions, while another outing was criticized for offering little beyond memorized paragraphs. That contrast is worth remembering when you decide how much storytelling depth to expect.

Cottage House and the story of Madge

The Cottage House looks out of place among the large mansions. It represents the smaller cottages that once filled more of the area, and the central spirit here is thought to be a woman named Madge.

This stop changes the visual rhythm of the walk. Instead of another grand mansion, you get a smaller home and a story tied to a woman whose presence is said to linger. It also helps explain how the neighborhood changed over time, with modest cottages existing alongside larger residences.

For me, this is the sort of detail that makes the route more interesting than a standard ghost walk. You are not simply stopping at the most impressive buildings. You are also hearing how the district once looked and how different kinds of homes shared the same area.

Again, the story is best approached as local lore. The tour provides atmosphere and a sense of place, but it is not a paranormal investigation and does not offer proof of spirits.

City O’ City gives the group a fresh choice

City O’ City is the third listed bar stop, with about 15 minutes to order a craft beer or cocktail. Its menu aims to suit different tastes, which makes it a useful stop for a mixed group.

By this point, the evening has moved from the opening drink into a full social outing. You can compare notes about the stories, meet people from different places, or simply enjoy a pause before the final stop. A short stop such as this is more about variety than a complete meal.

The biggest practical issue is timing. Fifteen minutes can pass quickly, especially if the bar is busy. Order promptly if you want a drink before the group moves on. Food and alcohol remain separate from the tour price.

The tour has sometimes been appreciated as a friendly way for solo participants to meet others. The small group size helps, though the experience will still depend on how much people choose to socialize.

Bang Up to the Elephant closes the night

The final listed bar is Bang Up to the Elephant, a bar and restaurant known for quirky drinks. The guide wraps up here, giving you a chance to order something unusual and continue the evening if you wish.

This stop sounds like a stronger finish than a routine final pub. Its unusual drinks and restaurant setting provide a clear change from the historic homes. One past outing praised the atmosphere here, especially compared with the opening bar.

You should confirm the exact end-of-tour arrangement when booking, since the supplied details list Bang Up to the Elephant as the final stop while also stating that the activity ends back at the meeting point. The key point is that the guided portion ends after the final bar stop, and your drinks are your own expense.

Do not assume the guide will remain with you after the formal tour. One past account described an abrupt departure and an unresolved drink tab, an experience the operator apologized for. That appears to be a service issue rather than part of the advertised format, but it is sensible to settle your own bill and check where the official ending point is.

Is $36 a fair price?

At $36 per person, the tour is reasonably priced for a two-hour guided evening if you value the history and group organization. You are paying for a local guide, researched background, ghost stories, and a planned route through several notable homes and bars.

You are not paying for drinks, food, transportation, or entrance to private buildings. Your final cost can rise quickly if you order cocktails at every stop. I would budget the tour price as the base cost and add whatever you plan to spend at the bars.

The value is strongest for someone who wants a ready-made night out. You do not need to research Denver’s haunted houses, plan a walking route, or choose several bars. The value is weaker if you mainly want a drinking tour or a high-energy scare experience. In that case, the historical walking portion may feel slow, and the ghost stories may seem too mild.

Walking, group size, and practical details

The tour lasts about two hours and requires a moderate level of physical fitness. Transportation is not included, so you need to reach the starting point on your own and manage your travel after the tour.

The route is near public transportation, which is useful in central Denver. Because the experience moves through residential streets and includes several stops, wear comfortable shoes and dress for an evening outdoors. The information provided does not give a total walking distance, so you should not assume it is a short stroll between bars.

The maximum group size is 20. That is small enough for a guide to address the group directly, though the experience may feel less intimate if it reaches the full limit. Service animals are allowed, and the tour is offered in English.

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not refunded.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend it to:

• Couples looking for a themed evening with drinks
• Solo visitors who enjoy meeting a small group
• Friends who want history without a formal museum setting
• Denver locals seeking a different night out
• People who enjoy folklore, old houses, and neighborhood walks

I would be more cautious if you want intense scares, a long list of bar stops, or a formal historical lecture. The tour is laid back. Its success rests on the guide’s energy, preparation, and ability to connect each house to a good story.

The strongest guide experiences involved humor, photos, clear explanations, and an open invitation for questions. If you are assigned a guide with that approach, the evening can feel both social and informative. If the delivery is flat, the same route can feel like a series of brief stops outside private homes.

Should you book the Denver Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want a lightly spooky Denver night out built around historic houses, local lore, and several bars. The price is fair for the guided route, and the mix of Millionaires Row, Cheesman Park, mansion stories, and unusual drinking spots gives the evening a clear identity.

Skip it if you want guaranteed theatrical scares, included drinks, or a tightly controlled bar experience. The bars may not always feel equally polished, and guide quality can shape the night more than any single building.

For the best chance at a good experience, arrive on time, wear comfortable shoes, keep your drink budget separate from the ticket price, and approach the stories as local folklore with historical roots. With the right expectations, this is an entertaining way to see a more atmospheric side of Denver after dark.

FAQ

How much does the Denver Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl cost?

The price is $36 per person.

How long does the haunted pub crawl last?

The activity lasts approximately two hours.

What time does the tour begin?

The tour begins at 6:00 pm.

Where does the tour start?

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

What bars are included in the route?

The route includes Pub on Penn, Bar Nun Denver, City O’ City, and Bang Up to the Elephant.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included, and you pay for your own beverages.

Is food included?

No. Food and bar bites are not included in the tour price.

Is transportation provided?

No. Transportation is not included.

How large can the group be?

The activity has a maximum group size of 20 people.

Can I cancel for a full 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 experience are not refunded.