Haunted Bars in the U.S.: Where History, Spirits, and Spirits Collide

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Ghosts don’t just lurk around homes or old hotels. Throughout the United States there are bars that house more than just patrons. The next time you are at one of these bars below, don’t be surprised if a supernatural being parks themselves on a bar stool right next to you and throws back a few drinks.

The Tavern, Austin
This bar was many things during prohibition; a grocery store during the day and a brother/casino/bar at night. A few ghosts frequent here including a former prostitute named Emily and her young daughter. Emily was killed accidentally during a fight onsite and is often seen looking out of the windows or wandering down a hall. She also likes to change the channels on the TVs and slam dishes.

Whitehorse Tavern, Newport
It’s no wonder that ghosts inhabit here being that it’s the oldest bar in America. It opened back in 1673 and you can feel an unworldly presence right when you walk through the doors. One of the more common ghosts is an elderly man that died at the bar. He’s relatively harmless and is just seen walking around. Another common ghost is that of a little girl who is heard crying on the second level.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, New Orleans
Built around 1761, this piano bar used to be a blacksmith shop where a lot of illegal activities took place by pirate Jean Lafitte. He was known for being a womanizer and also liked to hide gold in various places throughout the shop. Many claim that there is still some gold hidden in there somewhere. The atmosphere of the bar is rather creepy with just candles lighting the place. Jean is often seen hanging around the fireplace, the women’s restroom or sitting at a table in the back. A woman, dressed in clothing from another era, has also been seen pacing about looking as if she is in some kind of distress.

Ear Inn, New York
Even New York has a haunted bar. In fact, it’s one of the oldest bars in the area as it’s been around since the 19th century. It’s located next to the Hudson River and has been frequented by some shady characters in the past, including pirates. The most often seen ghost is that of Mickey, who was a sailor that was killed in front of the bar. By far the creepiest place in the bar is the upstairs. Guests who go up there tend to get freaked out fairly quickly with an eerie feeling and come right back down.

Other popular Halloween Blogs:

Halloween Traditions Around the World

Scariest Haunted Houses in America

Haunted Hotels: A Room with a Boo

Historic Haunted Hotels You Must See in the U.S.

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Sue Lobo
Sue Lobo is a four-time Condé Nast Traveler Top Travel Specialist (2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026) and Senior Travel Advisor at Atlas Travel Center, one of the most decorated travel agencies in the United States. With more than 35 years of experience in the travel industry, Sue has planned, booked, and personally accompanied trips for thousands of clients — from first-time cruisers to seasoned luxury travelers who have circled the globe multiple times. Sue's areas of deep expertise include ocean and river cruising, European tours, group travel coordination, luxury travel, honeymoon planning, and family vacation design. She is a CLIA-certified cruise specialist and works within an agency that holds IATA and ARC accreditation and maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Over her career, Sue has been involved in more than 30,000 bookings and has personally coordinated over 200 travel groups — from faith-based group cruises and HBCU alumni trips to women's retreats, family reunions, and corporate incentive travel. What sets Sue apart is not just the credentials — it is the firsthand experience behind them. Sue has personally traveled to more than 20 countries across three continents, including Cuba, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and throughout Europe. She has sailed on dozens of cruise ships across nearly every major line, walked the river cruise routes she recommends, and eaten at the restaurants she suggests to clients. Her recommendations come from personal experience, not brochures. In addition to advising clients, Sue writes extensively about travel for The Traveler's Atlas blog — covering everything from cruise line comparisons and overtourism trends to destination guides and practical travel tips. Her writing is grounded in the same expertise she brings to every client conversation: honest, specific, and built on decades of real-world travel experience. Sue is based in the United States and available to help travelers plan cruises, European tours, group trips, river cruises, honeymoons, family vacations, and more. To work with Sue, contact Atlas Travel Center at atlastravelweb.com.