Milwaukee has plenty of ghost walks, but this one takes you inside a single building with more stories than most streets. Shaker's Cigar Bar occupies a brick building dating to 1894 and is often called one of the most haunted places in the city. Its history runs through Prohibition, when it is said to have been a speakeasy connected to Al Capone, and through darker chapters that the guides tell in detail, including the site's cemetery and brothel past. The tour goes behind the scenes on three levels of the building, from the bar itself to rooms that are normally closed to the public, and mixes documented history with the accounts of staff and visitors who report strange happenings. It is part history lesson and part paranormal experience, and you can take it in whichever spirit you like. The group is kept small, so everyone can hear the guide and see each room. On Viator the tour is rated 4.7 from 54 reviews and is flagged as likely to sell out, with prices from the mid-thirties in dollars. A longer version with a cocktail, Shakers Ghost Tour 2.0, is also offered.
Booking and timing: the tour lasts about an hour, and prices start in the mid-thirties in dollars per person. Small groups mean limited places, so book a few days ahead, especially on Friday and Saturday nights and in the weeks around Halloween. The bar is in Walker's Point, just south of downtown across the river from the Third Ward, and the exact meeting point and start times are confirmed when you book. Guests on the tour receive discounts on drinks and merchandise at the bar.
What to expect: you will climb stairs between the three levels, and some spaces are narrow and dimly lit, so it is not ideal for anyone with limited mobility. The stories include Prohibition crime and some grim history, so think twice before bringing younger children; the bar setting also means it suits adults best. Expect a mix of humor and genuine atmosphere rather than jump scares.
Making it count: book an evening slot and make a night of it in Walker's Point, which has some of Milwaukee's most interesting bars and restaurants. If you enjoy it, the 90-minute Shakers Ghost Tour 2.0 goes deeper into the building's stories and includes a cocktail. Combine it with a day at the Harley-Davidson Museum, which is a short drive away.
What to expect
The experience
A guided small-group tour through three levels of a historic bar building, mixing Prohibition history with reported paranormal activity.
Best time
An evening slot on a weeknight, when groups are calmer and the atmosphere inside the old building is at its best.
How long
About one hour, or ninety minutes on the longer 2.0 version with a cocktail.
Tips
Book ahead as it often sells out, wear sturdy shoes for the stairs, and stay for a drink at the bar afterward.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History fans and anyone who enjoys a good ghost story told in a building with a real past.
- Families
- Best for adults and older teens, as the setting is a bar and the stories include crime and dark history.
- Couples
- A memorable date night, followed by dinner in Walker's Point.
- Pair with
- The Harley-Davidson Museum by day and dinner in Walker's Point or the Third Ward.
- Time needed
- One hour for the tour, or an evening with dinner and drinks around it.
Good questions
How long is the Shakers ghost tour?+
The original tour lasts about one hour. The Shakers Ghost Tour 2.0 runs about ninety minutes and includes a cocktail.
Is Shakers Cigar Bar really haunted?+
It is widely described as one of the most haunted places in Milwaukee, and staff and visitors report strange experiences. The tour presents the stories alongside the documented history so you can decide for yourself.
Is the Shakers ghost tour suitable for children?+
It is best for adults and older teens. The tour takes place in a working bar and covers crime and dark history.
Where is the Shakers ghost tour?+
It takes place at Shaker's Cigar Bar in Walker's Point, just south of downtown Milwaukee. The meeting point and start time are confirmed when you book.
Do I need to book the ghost tour in advance?+
Yes, groups are small and the listing is marked as likely to sell out. Weekend evenings fill first.
