Ghosts and good bars in downtown Austin.

This Austin Spirits & Spirits haunted pub crawl puts you on a guided nighttime route through famous locations, with real stories tied to the city’s past. I love the mobile ticket system that keeps things simple, and I also like that the schedule includes time to buy your own drinks at the bars you stop at.

One thing to plan for: while it’s listed at about two hours, the stop count and pacing can vary by night, so if you want a long, nonstop storytelling marathon, keep your expectations flexible for the 2-hour window.

Key things to know before you go

• A guide leads after dark so you’re not wandering for ghost stories on your own
• Admission ticket free stops for the main listed locations (your money goes to the tour, not add-ons)
• Drink time is built in, but alcohol isn’t included—bring cash or card and pick your own pace
• Small group size with a maximum of 20 people, which helps the stories land better
• 21+ only, since this is very much a bar-focused night

A night-route built for Austin’s best-known haunt spots

This tour works if you want two things at the same time: a low-effort way to see Austin’s downtown highlights and a guided story layer that turns ordinary buildings into plot points. You’ll be moving through a handful of well-known spots rather than cramming in a long bus ride. That matters, because the best part of a pub crawl is feeling like you’re out having fun, not commuting.

I like that the whole thing is structured for an evening walk-and-drink rhythm. Each stop gets time on the clock (about 20 minutes per stop), so you’re never stuck rushing through a doorway just to catch the next one. You also get that useful balance: the guide handles the ghost talk and history, and you handle your own ordering at the bars.

Price and value: why $36 can make sense here

At $36 per person for roughly two hours, the price lands in the midrange for guided nightlife experiences. The value comes from three parts: a professional guide, the stories being researched and presented with care, and the fact that the main stop locations are set up with ticket-free admissions for the tour.

Alcohol isn’t included, so you’re still in charge of what you drink and how much you spend. But that’s also where the tour feels fair. You’re not locked into buying a specific cocktail, and you can choose something mild (like a Bloody Mary) or go beer-only depending on your mood.

If you’re trying to get your Austin bearings quickly—especially if it’s your first visit—this price can feel efficient because you’re paying for guidance, pacing, and context across multiple stops.

Meeting point and logistics that affect your night

You meet at The Driskill Bar, 604 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701, and the tour ends back near the meeting point. No transportation is included, so you’ll want to plan your own way there (public transit is nearby, which helps).

The tour also has a few clear reality checks:

• Not for anyone under 21
• Moderate physical fitness level is recommended (you’re walking through downtown at night)
• Service animals are allowed
• Group size is capped at 20 people

In practice, those details matter because you’ll enjoy it more if you show up ready for an evening stroll and you’re comfortable buying your own drinks once you arrive.

Stop 1: The Driskill Bar and the start-of-night atmosphere

The tour kicks off at The Driskill Bar, a classic Austin hotel bar that comes with plenty of built-in character. The hook here is that you’re not just ordering a drink—you’re also stepping into a place tied to tragedy and hauntings.

You can choose one of the bar’s top drinks, and the point is simple: start the night with something you actually want, then let the ghost stories set the tone. This is also a practical win for first-timers. Hotel bars can feel intimidating when you’re tired and looking around for where to go next. Having a guide lead you in helps you get comfortable fast.

The theater stop: Sam Houston’s war office and famous ghosts

From there, you head to a historic theatre connected to Sam Houston’s war office in an earlier era. The setting blends the old and the eerie: it’s a place where cinema meets supernatural lore.

This stop leans hard into storytelling. You’ll hear about some of the theatre’s most famous ghosts, including the Lady in White and the Man with the Cigar. Even if you’re not a lifelong ghost fan, this part helps you understand how people in Austin have kept these legends alive alongside the city’s changing uses of buildings.

Potential drawback? If you’re hoping for a lot of time inside dark rooms or big special effects, this is more about the guided narrative and the atmosphere than a theme-park-style production. Think: history plus mood, not theatrical spectacle.

Casino El Camino: Bloody Marys, burgers, and the ghost named Mary

Next is Casino El Camino, a spot that started as a beer-focused hangout and later evolved into a burger-and-beer kind of destination. The building’s past is part of the story too—it was once a boarding house, and it’s said to be haunted by a ghost named Mary.

This is one of the most “pub crawl” stops because it pairs the spooky talk with comfort food logic. You can enjoy their signature Bloody Mary, and then you’ll get the option of turning the supernatural break into an actual meal plan.

A small caution: if you tend to eat early, be ready that this stop can turn into a food detour. That might be great for you. If you’re already full or trying to keep the night light, just treat it as a drink-and-listen stop and decide on food case by case.

The weird museum pause: above-ground burial remnants and Minnesota Iceman

After that, the route includes an open-daily museum stop described as the kind of place that lives up to the label of weird. This is where the ghost theme takes a turn toward odd artifacts and macabre curiosities rather than just legend.

You’ll see remnants connected to Austin’s above-ground burials and also learn about the Minnesota Iceman. The key value here is variety. A crawl can start feeling repetitive if every stop is the same type of spooky story. This museum stop gives your brain a different angle on the city’s past and on why people collect strange material in the first place.

If you dislike museums at night, you should still consider it. You’re not spending hours here. It’s a timed pause in the schedule—enough to satisfy your curiosity without turning your evening into a long indoor project.

Maggie Mae’s: a Liverpool name and a sordid origin tale

Then you hit Maggie Mae’s, a bar tied to a woman in Liverpool, England. The story focus is on the sordid tale of the original Maggie Mae, giving you another way to connect local bars to broader history beyond Texas.

This is a good stop to slow down a touch. Even with the schedule, bars like this are where the night shifts from listening to interacting. If your group is chatty, this is also usually when you’ll hear side conversations start—about the ghosts, about Austin, and about what you want to do after the tour ends.

East 6th Street scouting time: plan your next stop

Between the named bars, the itinerary includes time around East 6th Street, where businesses can feel like they have extra guests after dark. The useful part is the guided awareness. You’ll be encouraged to notice which places you might want to return to.

This matters because East 6th can be a maze if you’re new to the area. A short scouting window helps you spot what fits your vibe. Some people want quieter drinks. Others want energy. This is your chance to figure that out while the guide is still available to point out context.

San Jac Saloon: modern amenities, craft beer, and a Supernatural connection

The tour closes at San Jac Saloon, a historic building with thoroughly modern amenities. The fun hook here is the connection to TV: it’s co-owned by a star from the hit series Supernatural.

On top of the pop-culture tie-in, you’ll get Austin’s craft beer angle. This stop is less about eating and more about tasting. If you like beer and want to compare styles in a classic bar setting, this is a satisfying end point.

Guides make or break a ghost tour—and this one has strong signals

A haunted pub crawl lives or dies on the guide’s delivery. The best tours don’t just recite scary stories; they make the places feel understandable and personal.

In this tour’s case, the standout names I’ve seen tied to great experiences include Esteban, who brought both enthusiasm and solid explanations. I’ve also heard that Susan/Susana can keep things friendly and informative, which helps if you’re new to Austin and want the guide to feel like a person, not a lecturer.

Another practical note from what you may experience: some groups report clear communication about where to meet and a tour that starts right on time. That’s a big deal on a nighttime walk, because it reduces stress when you’re figuring out the city’s pace.

Who this tour is perfect for (and who should skip)

This works best if you:

• want a first-night Austin overview without a car
• enjoy ghost stories mixed with real-world landmarks
• like the idea of sampling different bar vibes in a short window
• want a guide to supply the context so you’re not doing it alone

It might not fit you as well if you:

• want lots of time at each location, like a two-hour museum visit
• expect a long list of stops no matter what happens on the ground
• dislike bar-centric nightlife and would rather do a strictly indoor tour

Also, since the tour is 21+, plan your schedule around that. It’s not a daytime activity, and it’s not a gentle stroll for everyone.

Should you book Austin Spirits & Spirits?

If you’re heading to Austin and you want an easy way to see key downtown highlights while getting ghost stories you can actually picture, I think this is a solid booking. The $36 price is most defensible when you treat it as a guided night out: you pay for the guide, you benefit from timed stops and ticket-free admission for the listed locations, and you choose your own drinks along the way.

If you’re the type who needs a very tightly packed route or you’re hoping for extra-long storytelling at each stop, keep expectations realistic about the two-hour frame. The upside is that even when nights vary, the format still gives you that “Austin at night” feeling: moving from legend to legend, drink to drink, with a guide steering you toward the good stuff.

If you want a fun intro to the city and you’re okay managing your own alcohol spending, this is the kind of tour that can make your first days in Austin feel easier.

FAQ

How long is the Austin Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl?

It runs for about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start?

The meeting point is The Driskill Bar, 604 Brazos St, Austin, TX 78701.

How much does it cost?

It costs $36.00 per person.

What ages are allowed?

The tour is not for travelers under 21.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included, though time is built into the tour for you to purchase your own drinks at the bars visited.

Is the tour ticket mobile?

Yes, it uses a mobile ticket.

Does the tour include admission for the stops?

The tour includes admission ticket free at the listed stops.

Can I cancel and get a refund?

Yes. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts.

Is there a limit on group size?

Yes. The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.