Liverpool is a city steeped in history — and not all of its residents have moved on. Beneath the laughter, live music, and clinking glasses lies a darker side of the city’s most iconic pubs… one filled with restless spirits, chilling tales, and centuries-old mysteries.
Welcome to The Haunted Liverpool Pub Crawl — where every stop offers not only a pint, but a paranormal story waiting to be told. From phantom sailors and mischievous poltergeists to tragic love stories that refuse to fade, these pubs are home to legends that will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
Peter Kavanagh’s is one of Liverpool’s quirkiest pubs, showcasing spooky caricatures carved into benches and all sorts of strange and unusual paraphernalia adorning the walls. Back in 1844, it’s said that the regulars of Peter Kavanagh’s held a séance in which a spirit called Marmaduke came through, and has continued to wander the hallways to this day.

Locals believe that two scary ghosts dwell in the Cambridge Pub on Mulberry Street, Liverpool. In the 1970s, one of the ghosts was thought to be the ghost of a woman who didn’t like men and would scratch their cheeks at the pub. No
one seems to know who she was during her lifetime, but a medium said the vicious phantom is the ghost of a woman whose lover left her at the pub in the 1930s and never came back. The other ghost is called the “Subterranean Scotsman.” He is said to be a ghost in a kilt who walks through a tunnel near the pub while playing the bagpipes. If you hear him, it means bad news is coming.
Philharmonic Dining Rooms have also gained a bit of a reputation as a paranormal hotspot, with many sightings of the ghost of a clown making a nuisance of itself at the bar! There’s also reports of Banshee-like wails coming from the cellars and an old man in a cloth cap who sits in a corner and mutters away to himself, before disappearing upon closer inspection.
The Bridewell was originally a Victorian prison, and its history as a lock-up and place of punishment contributes to its reputation as a haunted location Some guests have reported hearing footsteps and the sound of jingling keys in the corridors late at night, which is sometimes attributed to a former prison guard. Ghost hunters have noted a strong, eerie presence within the former prison cells, with one report specifically mentioning a female spirit on the right-hand side that is active and seems to want attention.
Back in 1902, The Post Office pub Liverpool was taken over by a man called Thomas Henshaw and his wife Annie, who allegedly discovered a tiny, locked room upstairs with its keyhole filled with putty…Stories from the regulars warned the couple not to open the locked door because it contained a terrifying spirit… but Thomas Henshaw ignored their tales. One night, one of Thomas’friends who was staying at the pub, unblocked the keyhole and peered inside… but what did he see? Nobody knows, but it was something so horrifying that he was said to never speak sense again and was later committed to a lunatic asylum.
The Rear Snug of Coopers is said to have a spirit who loves card games and is more than happy to call out customers cards, why not have a go on your visit?
Paula Harrington, owner of Laughterhouse Comedy, told the ECHO : “There have been times where our hair’s been moving because something has been touching it. We’ve also heard laughing and whistling when no one has been there.” In fact, the pub is considered to be SO haunted that back in 2017, TV show ‘Most Haunted’ paid a visit and host Yvette Fielding allegedly saw a spectre called Albert who was “looking after horses” when he was pushed down The Slaughter House stairs to his death.
Claiming to be Liverpool’s oldest pub, Ye Hole in Ye Wall is said to be home to many lost spirits. The most encountered of which is that of an old sailor who wears a long wax coat. There is also supposedly sightings of an eerie spectre in a red coat and even the ghost of a dog!
Regulars speak of a Spectral rail worker who appears during quiet evenings, perhaps reminiscing about the golden age of rail travel. His presence is often accompanied in The Lion Tavern by the faint sound of a distant train whistle. Be careful as he is said to minesweep more than just your pint!
Liverpool’s pub culture is steeped in history and mystery, and each haunted Liverpool pub has a story to tell. Exploring these historic haunted Liverpool pubs isn’t just about chasing ghosts — it’s about uncovering the hidden layers of Liverpool’s nightlife, its folklore, and the architecture that has witnessed centuries of city life. From eerie apparitions to legendary hauntings, the atmosphere in these pubs is alive with tales that visitors rarely see anywhere else.
Whether or not you encountered the unexplained tonight, you’ve walked through some of the city’s most iconic haunted pubs in Liverpool, experiencing the history, ghost stories, and secrets that linger long after closing time. These venues offer a unique glimpse into Liverpool’s past, its culture, and the people who shaped it, making every visit an unforgettable adventure.
Raise a glass to Liverpool’s rich history, its haunted Liverpool pubs, and the stories you’ll carry with you from this ghostly journey.