DC at night turns spooky fast. This 2-hour DC Ghosts, Boos and Booze haunted pub crawl mixes ghost stories with real bar locations, and it’s capped at just 15 people for a more personal feel. I also like that you’re not stuck in one bland spooky lane—this night blends politics, famous locals, and hauntings, with a standout planned stop tied to the Gin Rickey.

One possible drawback: the “boo” factor isn’t always heavy. Some stops involve bars and building exteriors more than inside haunting scenes, and drinks are not included, so you’ll want to budget for what you order.

Key takeaways before you buy

• Max 15-person size: you get a more conversational pace instead of a big herd shuffle.
• Spooky stories anchored to actual bars: the route is built around recognizable DC drinking spots.
• Gin Rickey moment at Proper 21: the tour points you to where the drink was developed (but you pay for it).
• Stop mix: politics + hauntings: several locations connect to presidents or political drama.
• Some ghost stories may feel thin to you: a few reviews suggest the balance can lean more history than horror.

DC Ghosts, Boos and Booze: 15-Person Haunted Pub Crawl at 6 PM

This is a classic walking-and-where-you-sip mix, done in about 2 hours starting at 6:00 pm. You’re meeting at Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15th St NW, and ending at The Hamilton, 600 14th St NW.

Because the group tops out at 15 travelers, the vibe is usually less chaotic than big pub crawls. It also helps if you like asking quick questions without shouting across the street.

How to plan your night for a smooth, not-stressful crawl

You’ll be on your feet for roughly two hours, with multiple short stops (about 10 minutes each). That’s not an all-day hike, but it does help to wear shoes you can walk in comfortably at night.

Also, read the “what’s included” details like you’d read a menu: the tour notes say drinks are not included. A few locations list admission as not included too, so you may want cash or a card ready in case a stop expects you to cover entry.

If you’re sensitive to loud bars, keep this in mind: the whole point is drinking places. You can still enjoy it if you’re quiet by nature, but expect the settings to be lively rather than hushed.

Stop-by-stop: Old Ebbitt Grill to The Hamilton

Here’s what your route is aiming for, and what to watch for at each stop.

Stop 1: Old Ebbitt Grill (Old-school DC drinking)

You start at Old Ebbitt Grill, a location tied to longstanding restaurant lore and president-era “libations” in DC. The tour frames it as one of the city’s older hangouts, so you get instant historical atmosphere before you even walk.

Heads up: this stop lists admission ticket not included, so don’t assume entry is covered in the $36 price.

Stop 2: 15th Street Northwest / Rhodes Tavern lore (Mark Twain haunting)

Next you head to 15th Street NW, tied to the reported historic Rhodes Tavern. The specific hook here is the claim that Mark Twain is connected to haunting lore—perfect if you like your spooky stories with a literary name attached.

This stop is marked admission ticket free, which keeps it easy to enjoy without extra spend.

Stop 3: Occidental Grill (political deal territory + spirits)

The route moves on to the Occidental Grill with a focus on political dealings and lingering spirit stories. If you’ve ever wondered how DC’s “serious business” and social nightlife rub shoulders, this is where the tour tries to show you the overlap.

This stop is marked admission ticket free on the tour notes, which helps keep the night simple.

Stop 4: 1401 Pennsylvania Ave NW / Round Robin Bar in the Willard

Now you’re in the orbit of the Willard Hotel, hitting the Round Robin Bar. The pull here is how it’s described as a hangout for President Grant, which gives your ghost stories extra grounding in presidential DC.

This stop is also listed as admission ticket free.

Stop 5: The John Wilson Building (former power station fire tragedy)

Then the tour turns more somber with the John A. Wilson building, noted as a former streetcar power station site. The haunting angle is about two workers killed in a fire—a reminder that some “hauntings” are really history with a chill in it.

This one is marked admission ticket not included, so plan on possible entry costs if you want to go further than just listening from outside.

National Theatre stop: jealous actor spirit story

You’ll also stop at the National Theatre, where the tour’s haunting focus is a jealous actor. This is a good variety point because it shifts you from political ghosts to show-business drama.

The notes don’t clearly state admission here, so if you’re planning to enter for the full experience, treat it like a “may cost extra” situation.

Stop 6: Proper 21 (Gin Rickey in the development spot)

One of the best practical “tour hooks” is this: you’re meant to have a Gin Rickey at Proper 21 in the spot where the drink was developed. That’s a fun way to turn a story into an actual DC sip.

But the tour clearly says admission ticket not included here, and again, drinks are not included, so budget for your order.

Stop 7: The Hamilton (Man in the Green Hat Prohibition connection)

To wrap, you go to The Hamilton. The haunting story centers on the Man in the Green Hat, linked to alcohol supply during Prohibition.

The notes list admission ticket not included for this stop, which matters because this is also where the pub crawl ends. You can still enjoy the setting without overthinking it—just assume you’ll pay for anything you drink.

The storytelling style: what you might get from guides like John, Dena, Megan, and Anton

The biggest differentiator on these tours is the guide’s tone and pacing. Reviews tied to John, Dena, Megan, and Anton all mention guides who were engaging and strong with details, with the tour framed as a mix of spooky and DC history.

That said, the ghost intensity seems to vary a bit. Some people loved the balance; a few felt the ghost stories were thin or even forced, while others said the best moments were the history inside the bar setting.

A practical takeaway: if you mainly want a heavy horror show, this might feel more like a spooky history walk with drinks. If you want a fun way to learn DC connections and hear haunting lore, it lands better.

Old bars, famous politics: why these stops are such a good DC pairing

What makes this crawl work for many people is the way the stops connect everyday nightlife to DC’s public life. You’re moving through places tied to presidents, major political venues, and long-running institutions, then you get a ghost story layered on top.

Even when you don’t buy into hauntings, the framing is useful. It gives you names and places that make DC feel less like a collection of monuments and more like a city that runs on relationships, deals, and late-night decisions.

Price and value at $36: what you’re paying for (and what you aren’t)

At $36 per person for about 2 hours, you’re paying mostly for:

• a small-group route,
• a guide with researched historical hauntings,
• and bar-stop storytelling that saves you the work of planning your own “DC ghost + drink” evening.

What you’re not paying for: drinks. The Gin Rickey mention is especially important—this is a “have one if you want” kind of moment, not an included tasting.

Also, a couple reviews flagged the tour as pricey relative to the ghost content. One review even noted the timing felt shorter when the group was tiny, which can change your sense of value. So if you’re the kind of person who expects a long, slow horror experience, you may feel squeezed.

For a city that’s not cheap, I’d call it best value when you like both sides of the pitch: DC history plus a light-to-medium spooky narrative.

Best fit: who should book this DC ghost pub crawl

This tour tends to suit you if you:

• like the idea of small-group nighttime walking,
• enjoy history with a spooky overlay,
• want a bar-oriented way to see DC beyond museums.

It’s also a solid choice for couples and groups of friends who want one shared night activity that feels social but organized.

If you hate surprises—like extra costs for drinks—this may take willpower. You’ll want to set a drinks budget ahead of time so the night stays fun.

Should you book DC Ghosts, Boos and Booze?

I’d book it if you want a 2-hour DC plan that mixes famous locations, political DC lore, and a ghost story stop at each bar location—especially if you like the idea of a Gin Rickey moment. The small group size (max 15) is a real quality advantage.

I’d skip it if you’re chasing maximum spook intensity or you’re expecting drinks and entries to be fully covered in the $36. The tour is “spooky history plus bars,” not an all-out haunt marathon.

If you want my simple decision rule: if you’ll enjoy a night out that teaches DC while you sip, it’s a good match.

FAQ

How long is the DC Ghosts, Boos and Booze haunted pub crawl?

It runs for about 2 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $36.00 per person.

Does the tour include drinks?

No. Drinks are not included in the price, even though the tour includes a Gin Rickey stop.

How big is the group?

The tour caps at a maximum of 15 travelers.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Old Ebbitt Grill, 675 15th St NW, Washington, DC 20005, and ends at The Hamilton, 600 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005.

What time does the tour begin?

The start time is 6:00 pm.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it is offered in English.

Are admission tickets included at each stop?

Not everywhere. Old Ebbitt Grill and the John A. Wilson building are marked admission ticket not included, while some other stops are marked admission ticket free. Proper 21 and The Hamilton are also marked admission ticket not included.

Is the tour accessible for service animals and public transportation?

Service animals are allowed, and it is near public transportation. You should also have a moderate physical fitness level.

Can I get a refund if I cancel?

Yes—free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.