Last weekend we decided to be tourists in our own backyard. And in true tourist fashion, we took a guided tour in Hollywood. But not just any guided tour, we went on the LA Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl. I mean who wouldn’t want to go out for drinks while listening to spooky stories and history of the buildings surrounding you. 

Where our Ghost Tour Began

We met up on the corner of Hollywood and Highland, better known as The Walk of Fame. It was an intimate group of people which made the experience so much better. Once our entire group arrived, we took a stroll down Hollywood Boulevard. Our tour guide talked to us about the history of the area, which is wild to imagine that area being nothing more than horse stables and dirt roads back in the day. Long before it became the popular tourist destination it is today. 

The Haunted Spots in Hollywood We Visited

Hollywood’s First National Bank & The Power House Bar

This building has been around since the 1920s. It’s a hauntingly beautiful art deco building whose gothic design suits some of the lore behind it. According to our tour guide, the building has seen its  fair share of tragedies. If they’re true I wouldn’t doubt that it could hold some strange energy there. We didn’t spot the ghost that haunts the 13th floor this time, but we’ll keep trying.

The first bar we hung out in was The Power House Bar. First of all this bar is kind of a big deal. It is iconic! Back in the day Janis Joplin, Morrissey and other legends used to hang out in this little dive bar. The drinks were on point every time, and they’re decently priced. If you haven’t been to this dive bar before you must add it to the list. Or better yet, visit it with the LA Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl. 

Musso & Frank Grill & Jameson’s Irish Pub

Musso & Frank Grill has been open since the 1920s and was a legendary haunt for stars like Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin. After chatting about the paranormal activity reported inside of Musso & Frank’s, we headed over to Jameson’s Irish Pub. In all honesty, this was my least favorite stop; the vibe just wasn’t it. The noise level on the strip was wild, and the drink fell a bit flat.

The Black Rabbit Rose Speakeasy

I loved this bar. The ambiance was just perfect. Its moody lighting and gothic decor really set the stage for the stories we were about to share. And according to our guide, this speakeasy has a few of its own as patrons and bartenders say they have experienced many unexplained occurrences over the years. We ourselves didn’t experience anything while at the bar, I will tell you the bathroom did feel a little creepy. Not sure if it was the decor or what. Anyway, I ordered a mezcal cocktail that was absolute perfection (I wish I could remember the name!)

Finally, Boardners

A little bummed we didn’t get to go into the bar, it was booked for a private party. Which as disappointed as we were, we knew there was a chance that would happen. So we listened to the lore about Boardners from the sidewalk and headed back to The Power House Bar. Not mad about it, we were having a great time with the new friends we had made on the tour. 

Overall we had a pretty good experience on the Ghost Tour & Bar crawl. The best part of the tour was meeting new people you can vibe with. And the drinks, as I said before, you can’t go wrong with cocktails and ghost stories. 

Know Before You Go

Location Access: Keep in mind that for some of these locations you won’t actually get to go inside the building. 

Drinks: Drinks are not included in the ticket price, which at $32 a ticket is to be expected. 

Footwear: This is a walking tour, so wear comfy shoes. 

Parking & Transport: Traffic on a Saturday night in LA sucks, so give yourself extra time. You can use the Hollywood & Highland parking structure. Or look for street parking. We always park on Sunset between Highland and Orange. It’s near all the bars and late night pizza spots. Or better yet, take an Uber so you don’t have to worry about having a DD or parking.