Denver Haunted Booze and Boos Ghost Walking Tour – Lower Downtown

Denver’s past gets especially lively after dark, when a costumed guide leads you through LoDo’s old bars, former red-light district, and grand railway buildings. The stories cover ghosts, brothels, scandals, underground tunnels, and the rough early days of the city. Celtic on Market’s basement and the old Oxford Hotel are especially memorable stops.

I like the small cap of 10 people, which gives the guide room to answer questions and adjust the pace. I also like the freedom to buy only what you want at the bars, rather than paying for drinks you may not enjoy. The drawback is that this is as much a bar-and-history walk as a serious paranormal investigation, and some people may find the 2.5 hours a little long.

Key things to know before you go

• Celtic on Market includes a basement stop: This is where the tour begins and where the guide sets the tone with stories about the building’s past and reported hauntings.
• You visit working bars, not staged attractions: Celtic, the Cruise Room, and Nola Jane are real nightlife venues, so drinks are purchased separately.
• The tour covers Denver’s racier past: Expect stories tied to old brothels, the former red-light district, crime, and scandal.
• Guides make or break the evening: Josh, Brynn, Tammy, Rachel, and other guides have earned praise for lively storytelling and local context.
• Comfortable shoes matter: You walk for about two and a half hours through downtown streets, with stops inside historic buildings.
• It ends near Union Station: The guide can walk you back to the starting point if you prefer not to make the short return walk alone.

Why this LoDo ghost walk works

This tour has a smart premise: pair Denver’s darker stories with the places where ordinary nightlife still goes on. You are not standing in an empty cemetery listening to a long list of names. You are moving through a working downtown district, stepping into old bars, looking at historic buildings, and hearing how the city’s early years produced plenty of material for ghost lore.

That mix suits you if you want history with a social side. The evening feels closer to a guided pub crawl with supernatural stories than to a formal history lecture. You can order a beer or cocktail along the way, chat with the group, and still learn why certain buildings have reputations for strange activity.

The small-group limit helps. With no more than 10 people, you can hear the guide on a city street and ask questions without shouting across a crowd. It also makes the bar visits easier. A large group can overwhelm a historic pub, while this size feels more manageable.

The guides are a major part of the experience. Josh is often praised for his humor, pacing, and storytelling. Brynn has been singled out for bringing old Denver alive, while Tammy and Rachel have also received warm praise for their energy and command of the stories. Guide assignments can change, so do not book solely on the promise of one particular person. Still, the tour depends heavily on the guide’s personality, and the strongest guides turn local facts into a good night out.

Starting in LoDo at 7:30 p.m.

The tour starts at 1400 Market Street at 7:30 p.m. That timing is useful if you want dinner beforehand or need a relaxed transition from sightseeing to nightlife. It also lets you see downtown as the lights come on, with bars and restaurants shifting into their evening rhythm.

Wear shoes you can walk in for two and a half hours. This is not a strenuous hike, but you will be outside between stops, standing while stories are told, and moving through several buildings. The tour requires a moderate level of physical fitness, so plan for a steady urban walk rather than a seated tasting.

Bring a valid photo ID. You must be at least 21, and vertical IDs may not be accepted at every bar. An alternate form of identification is a useful precaution, especially if your license format creates questions at the door.

The route passes near Daniels and Fisher Tower and explores the old LoDo district, including a former red-light area. That setting gives the tour more substance than a string of unrelated ghost stories. You see architectural details, old commercial blocks, hotel interiors, and streets that still carry traces of Denver’s early nightlife.

Celtic on Market sets the spooky tone

Celtic on Market is an important early stop. The guide takes the group into the basement and explains the building’s history and reported ghost activity. A basement is a natural place to begin a ghost walk, but the value here is not just the atmosphere. You get a sense of how old commercial buildings in Denver have been reused over time, with present-day nightlife operating inside spaces tied to earlier chapters of the city.

This is also a practical first stop. You can purchase a drink if you want one, use the restroom, and get to know the group before the walking portion gathers momentum. One point to keep clear: your ticket does not include alcohol. Drinks are available for purchase at the bars, so budget for them separately.

Celtic is often a favorite because the stories connect the building to Denver’s less polished past. If you enjoy tales about old businesses, questionable characters, and the city’s former brothel district, this part should appeal to you. If you want constant paranormal activity, the pace may feel more like storytelling than investigation.

Larimer Square and Denver’s scandalous side

Larimer Square brings the group into one of the city’s best-known historic areas. The guide shares spooky stories connected to the square while pointing out architecture and nearby sites. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, enough time to establish the setting without turning the tour into a building-by-building lecture.

This section is valuable because it gives the ghost stories a wider frame. You are not only hearing that a room feels strange. You are learning about a district shaped by commerce, nightlife, vice, and ambitious growth. The tour also passes through what was once Denver’s red-light district, adding a raunchier edge to the evening.

The historical material is one of the tour’s strongest features. Several guides have been praised for explaining the early days of Denver and connecting those facts to the ghost stories. That balance keeps the experience from becoming a parade of unexplained noises.

Still, expectations matter. The information focuses on selected locations and colorful episodes rather than a complete history of Denver. If you want a broad city tour covering politics, art, neighborhoods, and civic development, choose a standard walking tour instead.

The Oxford Hotel and the Cruise Room

The Oxford Hotel gives the walk a change of mood. The group visits the lobby and the Cruise Room, the hotel’s famous bar, while the guide explains the building’s past and ghost lore. The Cruise Room stop lasts about 15 minutes, but its importance is greater than the time suggests. You get to see a real historic hotel interior and one of the most distinctive bar settings on the route.

This is one of the tour’s more polished stops. After the rougher stories of old Denver, the Oxford offers a refined counterpoint. The hotel lobby gives you a chance to look at the architecture, while the Cruise Room places the ghost stories in an active drinking space rather than a dark, empty room.

You may purchase a drink here, though it is not included. The short stop means you should not expect a long sit-down bar session at every location. The main activity remains the guided walk, with drinks serving as an optional addition.

For me, this stop works best if you enjoy atmosphere and design as much as scares. The Cruise Room is not presented as a theatrical haunted house. Its appeal comes from the combination of setting, history, and the guide’s ability to make the stories feel close at hand.

Nola Jane adds time to enjoy a drink

Nola Jane Restaurant & Bar offers a longer stop, about 30 minutes, and the group explores both levels of the historic building. The guide explains reported ghost activity while you have time to order a drink and take in the setting.

This is where the booze side of the tour becomes most clear. You are given a chance to sit or pause, order something on your own tab, and talk with the people in your group. That makes the evening feel less rushed than a simple march from one haunted doorway to the next.

The two-level layout also adds variety. Instead of hearing a story from the sidewalk, you see more of the building and get a better sense of how the space functions today. The guide uses the building itself as part of the story, which is more effective than relying on general ghost lore.

The tradeoff is that bar time can be uneven. If you do not want a drink, you may spend part of the stop waiting while others order. On the other hand, if you like a relaxed evening and want time for conversation, this pause is welcome.

Several people have wished that at least one drink were included in the tour price. That is a fair criticism, especially since the name promises both spirits and spirits. I see the other side, too: keeping drinks separate lets you control your spending and choose what you actually want.

Union Station closes the night

The tour finishes at Denver Union Station, with ghost stories told at or near the station. The final stop lasts about 15 minutes and gives the evening a strong visual ending. Union Station is one of downtown’s major landmarks, and its steady activity makes the ghost stories feel especially playful. People pass through the station without necessarily knowing the tales attached to the building.

The end point is at 1701 Wynkoop Street, a couple of blocks from the starting location. If you would rather not make the short walk back on your own, the guide can walk the group back upon request.

The station is also a useful place to finish because it keeps you near public transportation and downtown restaurants and bars. You can continue your night from there, or head back to your accommodation after the final story.

The closing stop may be your favorite if you like the contrast between a busy public place and its darker legends. It is less intimate than the basement at Celtic or the interior of the Cruise Room, but it gives the route a satisfying sense of place.

What the $37.59 price really covers

At $37.59 per person, the tour sits in a reasonable range for a 2.5-hour guided evening walk, especially with a group capped at 10. You are paying for a costumed guide, access to several historic bars and buildings, local stories, and a structured route through LoDo.

You are not paying for drinks, dinner, transportation, or a theatrical show. That distinction matters. If you plan to buy a drink at several stops, your total evening cost will rise quickly. If you only want one drink or none at all, the base price remains easier to justify.

The value is strongest for a first-time Denver visitor who wants an entertaining introduction to downtown after the usual sightseeing hours. It is also a good fit for a date night, a small group of friends, or a solo visitor who likes meeting people in an easy social setting.

I would be more cautious if you have already taken several ghost walks in older cities and expect dramatic paranormal evidence. One guide described the route mainly as stories tied to three bars, one additional building, and a brief look at underground tunnels. For some people, that is exactly the right amount of spooky history. For others, it may feel light on evidence and broad Denver context.

Who should book this tour

Book it if you enjoy:

• Local history told through colorful people and questionable old institutions
• Historic bars and hotel interiors
• A small group rather than a large crowd
• Optional drinks during a guided walk
• A fun date night or evening activity
• Ghost stories with a strong connection to real buildings

Think twice if you dislike walking, cannot stand for extended periods, or want drinks included in the ticket. You should also choose another type of tour if your main goal is serious paranormal research or a full survey of Denver’s history.

Families need to note the 21-plus rule. This is an adults-only experience because of the bar stops, and everyone must bring a valid photo ID. Service animals are allowed, and the route is near public transportation.

The tour operates outdoors and requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the start time. A minimum number of participants is required, so a cancellation for low enrollment may result in another date, another experience, or a refund.

My call: a good night out with a supernatural twist

I would book this tour if I wanted an easy, social way to explore LoDo after dark. The best parts are the small group, the access to working historic bars, the basement at Celtic, and the guides who turn Denver’s rough early years into entertaining stories.

I would not book it expecting a haunted-house production or a drink package. Think of it as a bar-centered history walk with ghost stories, not a controlled paranormal experiment. At $37.59, it offers solid value when you want local flavor, a little suspense, and a planned evening that ends near Union Station.

FAQ

How long is the Denver Haunted Booze and Boos tour?

The walking tour lasts approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

What time does the tour start?

The tour starts at 7:30 p.m.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at 1400 Market Street, Denver, Colorado 80202.

Where does the tour end?

It ends at 1701 Wynkoop Street near Denver Union Station. The guide can walk you back to the starting point upon request.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Alcoholic drinks are available for purchase at the bars, but they are not included.

How old do you have to be to join?

You must be at least 21 years old and bring a valid photo ID. Vertical IDs may not be accepted at every bar, so alternate identification is advisable.

How many people can join the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 10 participants.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance are not accepted for a refund.