Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl

Ghost stories taste better with a pint. This Montreal haunted pub crawl links McKibbin’s, Sir Winston Churchill Pub, and Hurley’s over about two and a half hours, mixing local folklore, true crime, and Montreal history in three bars. I like the short walking distances and the chance to hear different guides, including Jason, Max, Anton, Donovan, and Cara, each bringing a different style to the storytelling. The main thing to consider is that this is a seated pub experience, not a walking ghost tour, and some stories can feel more like a history lesson than a spooky night out.

At $26.29 per person, the tour is a fair deal if you want a guided introduction to Montreal’s darker tales without committing to a full evening. I especially like that you can buy drinks at regular bar prices instead of paying for a package you may not want. Still, the group size can reach 25 people, and the old pubs may have stairs or awkward access.

Key points to know before booking

• Three pubs in about 150 minutes: Expect roughly 45 minutes at McKibbin’s, 45 minutes at Sir Winston Churchill Pub, and 45 minutes at Hurley’s.
• Stories include Montreal ghosts and true crime: The subjects range from the McTavish ghost story to the city’s vampire serial killer and Mary Gallagher.
• Drinks cost extra: You buy beer and other beverages directly from each pub at normal prices, with no tour discount.
• The walk is limited: This is mainly a seated storytelling event inside bars, not a street tour through cemeteries or haunted buildings.
• Guide style matters: Past hosts such as Jason, Max, Anton, Donovan, and Cara have been praised for humor, energy, and dramatic delivery.
• Use the exact starting address: Meet at McKibbin’s, 1426 Rue Bishop, not another McKibbin’s location elsewhere in Montreal.

What kind of haunted tour is this?

The name pub crawl may bring to mind a loose evening of walking, drinking, and dropping into bars for a quick tale. Montreal’s version is more organized and more stationary. You meet at McKibbin’s on Bishop Street, sit inside the pubs, and listen while a guide presents the stories.

That distinction matters. If you want to walk through dark streets while a guide points out haunted corners, choose one of Haunted Montreal’s walking tours instead. This experience keeps the stories inside three drinking establishments. You will move from pub to pub, but you will not spend much time walking between them.

The format has clear advantages. You stay warm and dry in bad weather, you have somewhere to sit, and you can order a drink at each stop. A rainy afternoon may even suit the mood. One past participant found the gloomy weather added to the atmosphere, while another called the crawl an easygoing way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

The tradeoff is pace. Each stop lasts about 45 minutes, so you need to be comfortable listening for a while before moving on. A guide may cover the history of a building, the people connected to a haunting, and the larger folklore around Montreal. If you want quick stories and constant movement, the format may test your patience.

Starting at McKibbin’s on Bishop Street

The tour begins at 3:00 pm at McKibbin’s, 1426 Rue Bishop. The address is less than two blocks from Sherbrooke Street, and the area is close to public transportation. I would use transit or a rideshare rather than drive. Downtown Montreal parking can be difficult and expensive, and McKibbin’s has more than one location.

Read the full address on your confirmation before leaving. Searching only for the pub name can send you across town. That is not a small mistake here, since arriving at the wrong McKibin’s can mean missing the start.

The first session lasts about 45 minutes. The guide introduces the pub and its mysterious reputation, then moves into the ghosts of Griffintown and the famous McTavish story. These tales give you a useful sense of the tour’s method: the focus is not only on something supposedly seen inside the bar. The guide also connects the pub to Montreal’s wider record of strange deaths, old neighborhoods, and lingering folklore.

This is likely the stop where you get a feel for the host. Jason has been praised for animated delivery and strong storytelling, while Anton and Donovan have also received warm comments for their humor and stage presence. Cara was described as energetic, friendly, and engaging. Since different hosts lead the crawl, the tone can vary from one date to another.

McKibbin’s is an Irish pub, so the setting fits the subject nicely. You can order a drink, but it is not included in the ticket. Allow time for ordering and paying. A bar is still a bar, not a theater with a drink waiting beside every seat.

Sir Winston Churchill Pub and the darker stories

The second stop is Sir Winston Churchill Pub, often called Winnie’s. Another 45-minute session covers the pub, Nick Auf de Mar’s ghost, and the story of Montreal’s vampire serial killer.

This is where the experience moves from traditional ghost lore into darker crime material. If you enjoy true crime alongside supernatural stories, you will likely appreciate the mix. One highly positive account described the tour as a combination of ghost stories, history, and true crime, with the guide offering plenty of unusual facts about the city.

The content is not designed for small children. One description called it PG-13 and noted that the guide can clip some of the more graphic parts. Ask at the beginning if you want a less intense version. The material may include death, violence, and disturbing historical details.

The pub setting also shapes the pacing. You may sit with the group while the guide tells the story, then order a beer or another drink. If your server is busy, drink service can take time. That is not a flaw unique to this tour, but it can make the stop feel slow if you are expecting a rapid crawl.

Past operations have also had to adjust when a pub closed unexpectedly. One session continued at only two pubs after Winnie’s shut because of a staff health issue, and the guide adapted. That shows some flexibility, but it also means you should understand that bar schedules can affect the exact experience.

Hurley’s Irish Pub and the final ghost stories

The last stop is Hurley’s Irish Pub at 1225 Rue Crescent, where the tour ends. This stop also lasts about 45 minutes, although one account described staying longer at Hurley’s to discuss personal paranormal experiences after the formal storytelling.

The main tale here is the burning lady ghost story. You also hear about the ghosts of Club le Cinq and the well-known Mary Gallagher story. Mary Gallagher is one of the tour’s more recognizable pieces of Montreal folklore, and it gives the final session a strong closing subject.

Hurley’s is a fitting place to finish because the end of the route leaves you in the Rue Crescent area, where you can continue your evening on your own. The tour does not include food, and a past suggestion was to offer optional pub snacks. If you expect to drink at all three stops, eat beforehand or plan a meal afterward.

The final stop can be the most relaxed part of the crawl. You know the format by then, the guide has established the mood, and the group may be more willing to chat. If you are interested in paranormal stories, this can become a good place to compare the tales with your own experiences. If the first two stops already feel too slow, though, the final 45 minutes may seem long.

The guides make or break the evening

The strongest praise goes to the hosts. Jason has been singled out for passionate, hilarious, and animated performances. Max has been praised for turning the pub atmosphere into part of the story, while Anton was described as a great storyteller with a strong command of the material. Donovan has also been called very entertaining, and Cara was noted for her friendly, energetic manner.

That range is worth keeping in mind. You are not booking a silent audio guide or a simple bar tour. The host is the main attraction. A good performance can make a familiar ghost story feel fresh. A slower delivery can make the same 45-minute stop feel heavy.

The material appears to combine factual Montreal background with folklore. That is part of the appeal, especially if you are new to the city and want more than a quick list of haunted addresses. You may hear about old neighborhoods, notorious figures, deaths, and stories that have been passed down through generations.

It also explains the mixed reactions. Some people want atmospheric storytelling with historical context. Others want a short supernatural tale, a drink, and immediate movement to the next bar. Know which version sounds like your kind of evening.

Walking, stairs, and group size

The route involves limited walking between the pubs. That makes it easier than a long outdoor ghost walk, especially in rain or cold weather. It also lets you focus on the stories without constantly trying to keep up with a moving group.

The pubs are in older buildings, and stairs may be part of the experience. Serious mobility issues can make this tour difficult, and wheelchair access should not be assumed. Haunted Montreal offers other experiences that are described as fully accessible, but this pub crawl is not the best choice if stairs are a major concern.

The advertised maximum is 25 people. That is still a manageable group for a professional guide, but it is not the intimate six-person outing that one earlier booking description apparently suggested. If a personal experience is your top priority, book with the current maximum in mind rather than expecting a tiny group.

A group of 25 also affects drink service. You may not all order and receive drinks at once. I would arrive ready to be patient, order promptly, and avoid treating the 45-minute stops like tightly timed restaurant reservations.

Is $26.29 a good value?

At $26.29, the ticket covers the guided tour but not your alcohol. You will pay regular prices at McKibbin’s, Sir Winston Churchill Pub, and Hurley’s, with no special discount for being part of the crawl.

That makes the value easy to judge. If you planned to visit three popular pubs anyway, the ticket adds a structured route and a guide who supplies the stories. If you only want cheap drinks, it is not the best deal. You are paying for the performance, research, and organization, not for a drink package.

The two-and-a-half-hour length is another point in its favor. It gives you a full afternoon activity without taking over your entire evening. The start time is 3:00 pm, so you can finish at Hurley’s and still have time for dinner or another Montreal activity.

I would budget for drinks separately and decide in advance how many you actually want. You do not need to order alcohol to get value from the storytelling, and buying one drink at each stop can add up quickly.

Who will enjoy this Montreal pub crawl?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• Friends who enjoy ghost stories, folklore, and true crime
• Solo visitors who want a social afternoon activity
• Couples looking for something low-key and unusual
• First-time Montreal visitors who want local stories with their city background
• People who prefer sitting in pubs to walking outside for two hours
• Anyone who enjoys a theatrical guide and does not need every story to be strictly verifiable

It may not suit you if you want a fast-moving crawl, a cemetery visit, paranormal equipment, or a tour focused only on confirmed events. It also may not suit children if they are sensitive to stories about violent deaths.

The experience is offered in English only. Most people can participate, and the route is near public transportation. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the maximum group size is 25.

Practical tips for a smoother afternoon

Use the exact starting address: McKibbin’s, 1426 Rue Bishop, Montreal, Quebec H3G 2E6. Do not rely on a general map search for the pub name.

Arrive early, but understand that the tour may wait briefly for late arrivals. The stated start is 3:00 pm, and punctuality helps the group reach all three stops.

Wear shoes suitable for short city walks and possible stairs. You do not need hiking gear, but old pubs are not always easy to navigate.

Eat before the tour if you need a full meal. Drinks are extra, and food is not included. The supplied details do not promise pub snacks or a food stop.

If you prefer milder material, ask the guide to shorten or soften graphic sections. The content can include true crime, violence, and grim historical details.

The cancellation policy is simple: cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside 24 hours are not accepted and are not refunded. If the operator cancels because the minimum number of people is not reached, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book Haunted Montreal’s pub crawl?

Book it if you want a seated storytelling event with three pubs, local ghost lore, and a good dose of dark Montreal history. The best reason to go is the guide. Hosts such as Jason, Max, Anton, Donovan, and Cara have shown that a lively performance can turn old stories into a fun afternoon.

Skip it if your idea of a pub crawl means constant walking, quick drinks, and short spooky stops. This tour spends substantial time inside each bar, and some stories are connected to Montreal places beyond the pub itself. At a 4.7 rating with 91 percent of participants recommending it, the experience clearly works for many people, but the format is specific.

For $26.29, I see it as a reasonably priced introduction to Montreal’s eerie side. Bring an open mind, use public transportation, check the address twice, and expect a history-heavy ghost show rather than a rowdy night out.

FAQ

How long does the Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl last?

The experience lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. The planned schedule includes about 45 minutes at each of the three pubs.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at McKibbin’s, 1426 Rue Bishop, Montréal, Quebec H3G 2E6. The start time is 3:00 pm.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour ends at Hurley’s Irish Pub, 1225 Rue Crescent, Montréal, Quebec H3G 2B1.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included. You can buy drinks at each bar at the regular price, and there are no special tour discounts.

Is the pub crawl accessible for people with mobility issues?

The tour includes some stairs in the pubs and may be difficult for people with serious mobility issues. Most people can participate, but wheelchair access should not be assumed.

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 and are not refunded.