Orlando Haunts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

Orlando’s haunted past takes a lively, pub-crawl shape on this two-hour walk: you’ll hear stories of Ted Bundy, a possible UFO encounter and a lounge singer said to haunt the Grand Bohemian. I like that the tour pairs local history with stops where you can order a drink, and that guides such as Jill, Mike and Trent have been praised for tailoring their storytelling to the group.

The catch is that pub access can change with the night. Some bars may be closed, and a cover charge or queue at the final stop can add cost and waiting time beyond the $30 tour price.

The quick read

• Seven eerie stops: The route links downtown sites and stories, including the courthouse, Kress Building, Grand Bohemian and Old Railroad Depot.
• Four pubs on the route: Drinks are not included, and entry or cover charges may add to the cost.
• Stories with different flavors: Expect tales about Ted Bundy, UFOs, a poisoned singer and other local hauntings.
• A guide shapes the evening: Jill, Mike and Trent are among the guides who have led tours, with personal storytelling a major part of the experience.
• Plan for a real walk: The tour lasts two hours and is not recommended if you cannot walk more than a mile.
• Weather and venue access matter: Tours run rain or shine, but bar openings, lines and cover fees may affect the route.

Meeting at The Cask, then setting off

The meeting point is The Cask, at 55 N Orange Ave. Your guide wears a black US Ghost Adventures T-shirt and carries a lantern, an easy landmark in the downtown evening. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early, and have your ID with you. A copy is accepted.

The tour is described as beginning at Elixir 9, a pub with a connection to the Ted Bundy story, while the stated meeting and end point is The Cask. Follow the meeting instructions you receive when booking, and use the guide’s lantern and shirt to find the group.

From there, expect a guided walk through downtown rather than a ride between sights. Transportation is not included, and the tour is not recommended for anyone unable to walk more than a mile. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing suited to the weather; the walk takes place in rain or shine.

Elixir 9 and the Ted Bundy connection

Elixir 9 gives the tour its first pub setting and a grim historical thread: the bar is linked with Ted Bundy, whose trial took place in Orlando. One of the highlights is the chance to sip a cold pint near the courthouse where he was tried. The contrast between an ordinary downtown drink and a notorious criminal case is part of the evening’s appeal.

Keep the distinction clear: this is a storytelling tour, not a formal courthouse visit or a criminal-history lecture. The guide connects places to local tales and the city’s darker past. If you prefer a serious, heavily sourced account of Bundy’s crimes, this may feel light; if you like history served with atmosphere, the approach should suit you.

Kress Building and the UFO stories

At the Kress Building, the focus shifts from crime to the skies. Your guide tells stories of alien encounters and invites you to look up for UFOs. The fun lies in seeing familiar downtown architecture through an unusual lens, then deciding for yourself how much you believe.

This is folklore and reported encounter territory, not a promise of paranormal proof. I like the change of subject: after the courthouse story, the tour moves into stranger local lore rather than repeating one kind of scare. Keep your expectations playful, and the stop works as a good prompt to listen, look around and enjoy the oddness of the tale.

The Grand Bohemian’s tragic singer

The Grand Bohemian stop brings the evening back indoors in spirit, even if the tour itself is a walk outside. Here, the story concerns a lounge singer who was poisoned with arsenic, and the ghostly detail is her song, which visitors are encouraged to listen for.

The story’s strength is its human tragedy: it gives the haunted-site theme a character and a sad ending, rather than relying only on a sudden scare. The tour does not guarantee that you will hear anything supernatural. Treat the possible song as part of the legend, and enjoy the hotel’s role in the story even if the night stays quiet.

McQueen’s skull wall and the drinks along the way

One planned drink stop centers on McQueen’s wall of skulls, with the option to order an Escobar cocktail. That pairing gives the pub crawl a theatrical flourish: a macabre backdrop, a named drink and a story-filled evening. The cocktail is an extra purchase, not part of the $30 ticket.

The itinerary includes four pubs in total, with drinks available at three additional bars. Food and drinks are not included, so budget for whatever you order. I’d set a personal spending limit before you go, especially if you plan to sample cocktails at several stops. The tour fee covers the guide and walk, not the bar tab.

Pub access is the tour’s least predictable element. On one outing, two of the four planned bars were unavailable, and the final stop had a queue and a $20-per-person cover charge. That does not mean every tour will run into the same problem, but it is a sensible reason to ask about current venue access before setting out, and to be ready for a change of plan.

Old Railroad Depot and the final witch’s brew

The Old Railroad Depot is another stop on the route, where the guide points out what the tour calls its unnerving energy. The appeal here is the setting and the story attached to it; don’t expect a staged haunted-house scene or a guaranteed paranormal encounter.

The tour is meant to finish at Cocktails and Screams, a Halloween-themed pub, with a flaming witch’s brew as the finale. That sounds like a memorable last stop, but the drink is not included in the ticket price. Check for any cover charge or line, too. If the venue is busy, waiting may take a bite out of the tour’s two-hour schedule or your patience.

The guide makes the stories work

The format depends heavily on the person leading the group. Jill has been praised for adjusting the pace and focus to the group’s interests, while Mike has been described as friendly and easy to talk to. Trent has also led the tour, telling stories in a gentle style that suited a stormy night. These are examples of guides who have worked the route, not a promise that you’ll get a particular person.

That flexibility matters. A good guide can give a group time at the stories it finds most interesting and keep a mix of history and ghost lore moving along. The experience is less suited to someone who wants a fixed script delivered at the same pace regardless of the group.

The overall feedback is mixed, with a 3.9 rating from 13 reviews. Several five-star experiences point to engaging guides and strong storytelling, while low ratings include complaints about a poor guide and unavailable venues. With such a small sample, the score is not a firm forecast, but it does suggest that the guide and pub access can make a real difference.

Is $30 good value?

At $30 per person, you’re paying for a two-hour guided walking tour of seven historic haunted sites, including four pubs, plus local ghost stories. If you enjoy a guide-led evening and want to hear several different kinds of Orlando lore in one walk, that is a reasonable price for the core experience.

It is less of a bargain if your main goal is a pub crawl with drinks included. You pay separately for food and drinks, and a venue may add a cover charge. If the bars are the main draw, build in extra money and time, and keep in mind that access can vary.

The tour is offered in English. It is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it is also not recommended for people who cannot walk more than a mile. Those details may not line up neatly for every person’s needs, so contact the operator before booking if you have mobility questions.

Who will enjoy this walk?

I’d choose this tour if you like ghost stories, curious local history and a social evening that mixes walking with optional drinks. It could suit couples, friends or solo visitors who enjoy hearing a guide spin a tale and don’t need every story to come with proof.

It is not for anyone under 21, and smoking and video recording are not allowed. It may also disappoint you if you expect a tightly controlled paranormal investigation, a full bar crawl with guaranteed access, or a long, detailed account of each site. The pace is built around seven stops in two hours, so the evening is a sampler, not an exhaustive history tour.

Should you book Orlando Haunts?

Book it if the idea of hearing about aliens, a poisoned singer and a notorious trial while walking downtown sounds like a good night out. The best parts are the varied stories and the chance to enjoy them with an engaging guide. To get the most from the $30 fee, think of the pubs as optional add-ons, not included refreshments.

Skip it, or choose another activity, if you need guaranteed entry to every bar, dislike walking or want drinks included in the price. If you go, bring ID, wear comfortable shoes, prepare for the weather and keep a little flexibility in your plans. The ghost stories are the dependable draw; the bar stops may need a plan B.

FAQ

How long is the Orlando Haunts pub crawl?

The tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $30 per person. Food, drinks and transportation are not included.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is The Cask, at 55 N Orange Ave., Orlando. Look for a guide wearing a black US Ghost Adventures T-shirt and carrying a lantern.

What stories are included?

The tour features tales connected to Ted Bundy, UFO encounters, a lounge singer said to haunt the Grand Bohemian and other local ghost stories.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. You can order drinks at the pubs, but they are at your own expense.

How many pubs are included?

The tour visits four pubs as part of its seven stops. Access can vary, and a cover charge may apply at a venue.

Is the tour suitable for children?

No. The tour is not suitable for people under 21.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. Tours run rain or shine. Wear weather-appropriate clothing.

Can I join if I have mobility limitations?

The tour is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it is not recommended for people who cannot walk more than a mile. Contact the operator before booking if you need to confirm whether the route will work for you.