Dining and Drinking with Ghostly Spirits

Revolutionary War Spirits

Publick House Historic Inn is located in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. This is a historic New England inn that opened its doors in 1771, serving travelers meals and accommodations. Guests have experienced paranormal activity such as the sounds of children laughing in empty hallways and the apparition of a woman in period costume wandering about the dining rooms. By the hearth in the tavern, Revolutionary War soldiers have been seen. Overnight guests have reported flickering lights and cold spots. If you need a place to stay and feel lonely, come and find a friend among the spirits.

Pirate Jean Lafitte

At Old Absinthe House is a 200-year-old bar on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. Both pirate Jean Lafitte and the former 7th President of the US, Andrew Jackson, came together to plot their role in the Battle of New Orleans upstairs. Guests have reported seeing men in period costumes near the bar. The staff has heard whispered voices when no one is around, and now and then glasses like to move by themselves. Perhaps a thirsty ghostly spirit. It is a place where you won’t be drinking alone.

Icy Hands and Revolutionary War Soldiers

White Horse Tavern, located in Newport, Rhode Island, dates back to 1673 and is the oldest operating tavern in the US. It is also a National Historic Landmark. A drifter died here in an upstairs room, and now guests have felt icy hands on their shoulders and have seen shadowy figures lurking in corners. Near the bar, Revolutionary War soldiers look for a drink. If you are a ghost hunter, throw in creaking floorboards and candlelit rooms.

Ghostly Spirit of Former Owner

Muriel’s Jackson Square in New Orleans has been in the French Quarter since the 18th century. This is an impressive establishment with golden chandeliers, exposed brick, and lush velvet accents. The balcony overlooks Jackson Square. Having lost his establishment in a poker game, the owner, Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, took his own life in the building. Now as a ghostly spirit, he still runs his business in his own way; Muriel's embraces their ghostly resident, setting a table with bread and wine nightly for Pierre in the Seance Lounge. Patrons have seen flickering lights, felt cold spots, and have seen the shadow of Pierre in mirrors. He has his bread and wine; would you leave?

Ghostly Schoolteacher and the Spirit of a Dog

Poogan’s Porch is housed in a Victorian-style house in Charleston, South Carolina. (pictured above) It serves Southern comfort food in cozy dining rooms and on a wide front porch. It is haunted by a former resident, Zoe St. Amand, who was a schoolteacher. Guests have seen her dressed in black near windows or mirrors. The sounds of silverware clattering have been heard, and dogs passing by bark at unseen figures. The restaurant was named for a dog named Poogan, and he has been heard scratching or padding across the porch. If you are a dog lover, do visit Poogan.

Still Living It Up

Ernestine and Hazel’s in Memphis, Tennessee, is world-famous for their “Soul Burger.” The restaurant is housed in a building that through the years has been a pharmacy, a brothel, and a jazz club. Patrons hear phantom footsteps on the upper floors, and shadowy figures are seen darting in doorways. When the spirits need music, the jukebox changes tracks with no one around.

Ghostly Spirits Enjoy Loud Music

The Old Baraboo Inn in Baraboo, Wisconsin, is a historic bar and restaurant. In the past, it has been doing such businesses as bootlegging and bordellos. Each weekend patrons can enjoy karaoke nights, live music, and ghost hunts. The spirits are particularly lively when the music is loud. Among the ghostly visitors are former madams, soldiers, and gangsters. Apparitions have been seen near the bar, and phantom piano music plays. The most haunted place here is the basement, where shadows are seen moving in corners and cold hands brush against any human who ventures downstairs. Paranormal groups have captured EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) on site. Come for a visit, turn up the music, and dance with a ghost.

Network of Tunnels Beneath the Saloon and the Swamper

Big Nose Kate’s Saloon in Tombstone, Arizona, is a Wild West saloon that is named after Big Nose Kate, the girlfriend of outlaw Doc Holliday. The saloon has a network of tunnels beneath it that was once used for smuggling, gambling, and other shady business. Patrons have seen a shadowy figure named “The Swamper.” It is believed that he was once a miner living in the basement and guarding hidden treasure. The staff have seen glasses moving on their own and heard stomps of boot steps falling on the empty stairs. Come and enjoy a Reuben sandwich, and perhaps the Swamper will join you, tugging at your shirt.

The Lady in Red

The Silver Dollar in Marysville, California, is among the oldest saloons in the state. The theme here is the Old Gold Rush. Among the spirits who enjoy the saloon is a lady in a red dress appearing near the balcony upstairs. Cold breezes blow through the rooms with closed windows, and glasses tend to fall over mysteriously. Patrons have heard ragtime piano music with no one at the instrument.

Whispering Voices

At the British-style Six Pence Pub in Savannah, Georgia, patrons sitting at the bar have heard voices whispering in their ear. I suppose the message is important to the ghostly spirit and certainly not sweet nothing whispered in one’s ear. Bar stools like to move on their own, just the spirit making it more comfortable at the bar. A shadowy figure has been seen near the back of the pub, so come have a Guinness and enjoy the ghostly company.

Ghostly Cowboys

The Bale of Hay Saloon in Virginia City, Montana, is a saloon with a history of gunfights and mining-town revelry. Today the beer and whiskey is still flowing. You can expect to hoist a drink with ghostly cowboys and hear phantom piano music and women’s laughter coming from the balcony. Patrons have felt being shoved or tapped on the shoulder with no one around. Just a ghost being friendly and asking for room at the bar. Paranormal investigators often capture strange orbs and EVP recordings here.