Haunted Pub Crawl

The haunted pub crawl is the adult version of an Annapolis ghost tour, and it suits visitors who want stories and a drink in the same outing. The evening starts at a meeting point near the harbor, where a guide introduces the route and the rules, then leads the group to a series of historic bars and taverns. At each stop you hear a story linked to the building, from sailors and smugglers to patriots and political plotters, and have time to order a drink. Because the stops are close together, the walking is light. The format is relaxed and sociable. Groups tend to be friendly, and guides keep the mood light with humor alongside the eerie tales. The tour is a good way to see the interiors of old taverns that you might otherwise pass by, with their low beams, brick walls and old fireplaces. It also offers a different view of the city's drinking culture, which has been central to Annapolis life since the colonial era.

Tours generally run in the evening, often about two hours. Drinks are usually paid for separately, so budget for a few rounds and bring identification, as participants must be of legal drinking age. Food may be available at some stops, but eat beforehand. Dress in layers for walking between venues, and wear comfortable shoes for brick sidewalks.

The experience works best as a social evening with friends, a bachelor or bachelorette outing or a night out for couples. It is less suited to families or anyone seeking a quiet, strictly historical walk. Because the tour includes alcohol, use common sense, pace yourself and plan your ride home. The compact historic district makes walking back to a hotel easy for most visitors.

To get the most from the evening, arrive on time, ask the guide about the taverns' history and consider a daytime walking tour for the factual background. Weekends fill quickly, so reserve ahead. Operators may adjust the route depending on venue availability and special events, which is normal for a crawl of this kind. If you want a gentler option without drinking, a standard ghost walk covers similar stories.

The venues themselves are part of the draw. Annapolis taverns trace their lineage to the days when the town was a social and political hub, where legislators, merchants and captains met over punch and gossip. Some establishments occupy buildings that are more than two centuries old, with cellars, fireplaces and winding staircases that feed the ghost stories.

Guides often add tidbits about local brewing and distilling, cocktail history and colonial drinking customs, so the evening mixes entertainment and education. You may pick up recommendations for places to return to later, whether for live music, craft beer or a good oyster.