Spooky Pub Tours – Your Guide to Haunted Nightlife

Ever wondered what it feels like to sip a cold beer while a ghost whispers in your ear? That’s exactly the vibe you get on a spooky pub tour. These tours mix classic bar hopping with a dash of the supernatural, so you get good drinks and a good scare in one night.

What Makes a Pub Tour Spooky?

A spooky pub tour isn’t just about walking into a dark bar. It starts with a legend – a bloody murder, a mysterious disappearance, or a cursed cellar. The guide will tell you the story while you move from one venue to the next, letting the atmosphere build. Look for tours that use real historic locations, original décor, and sound effects that make the tale feel alive.

Timing matters too. Most tours kick off after sunset when the streets are quieter and shadows are longer. Some organizers even lock the doors for a short “sealed room” experience, letting you feel the tension of being trapped with the unknown.

Best Spooky Pub Tours in Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s canals and old warehouses make the perfect backdrop for haunted drinking spots. Here are three tours that stand out:

1. The Red Light Haunt – Starts in De Wallen, where you’ll hear stories of 17th‑century sailors and the dark side of the famous district. The route ends at a tiny bar hidden behind a red lantern, where the bartender mixes a “ghostly” cocktail.

2. Ghosts of the Jordaan – This tour walks you through the narrow streets of the Jordaan neighborhood, stopping at cafés that once served as safe houses for spies. The highlight is a cellar bar where an old prison cell still echoes with whispered promises.

3. Haunted Harbor Pub Crawl – Begins at a historic shipyard pub and moves along the waterfront, telling tales of shipwrecks and sea‑bound spirits. You’ll finish at a rooftop bar with a view of the river, perfect for a nightcap after the chills.

All three tours offer a short history lesson, a few drinks, and a chance to snap photos that look like they belong in a horror movie. Prices usually cover the guide, a drink at each stop, and a small souvenir – often a vintage key or a candle.

If you prefer to go solo, check out these spots on your own:

• De Zotte – A bar in the red‑light district known for its creepy décor and a wall of old newspaper clippings about local crimes.
• Het Wapen van Amsterdam – Features a hidden basement where a 19th‑century tavern once operated. The owner still tells the story of a haunting bartender.
• Vesper Bar – A speakeasy style bar with a secret entrance behind a bookshelf. The ambience feels like stepping into a different era.

When you’re planning your night, keep safety in mind. Stick with a group, keep an eye on your drink, and stay aware of your surroundings, especially in darker alleys. Most tours provide a mobile number for emergencies, so you’re never truly alone.

Finally, bring a notebook or use your phone to jot down the creepy details. You’ll find that remembering the stories makes the experience last longer than the buzz from the drinks.

Ready to raise a glass with some ghosts? Pick a tour, grab a coat, and let the haunted nightlife of Amsterdam surprise you.