Ghosts and pints in Melbourne’s CBD. This Spirits and Ales walking tour strings together murders, scandal, and ghost stories while you sip in the atmosphere of real historic pubs and laneways.

I really like how the tour stays story-driven, not jump-scare driven, so you can enjoy the setting and the details. I also love that it finishes at the Young & Jacksons Hotel, which feels like the perfect haunted “last page” to the walk. One thing to keep in mind: this is an adults-only tour, and drinks are not included, so you’ll need to budget extra if you want a beer.

What I liked most is that the guide turns the CBD into a “walkable mystery map.” You get a former police-station stop tied to an unsolved murder, plus a pub stop focused on unrequited love, and the route threads through places like Rialto Intercontinental and the Olderfleet Building.

The reviews are especially strong on guide energy, and the name that stands out is Julie. If you enjoy a guide who can keep a group moving and make the stories feel fun instead of grim, this is a great fit.

The main drawback is not fear level, it’s expectations around drinks. Even though the theme is spirits and ale, the tour says drinks are not included, so you may end up paying more than the headline price depending on what you order at each pub.

Key points to know before you go

• 3 haunted-pub stops in 90 minutes, with the third stop at Young & Jacksons
• A former police station story plus an older Melbourne pub love legend
• Rialto Intercontinental and the Olderfleet Building are part of the walk
• Dark alleys and ornate arcades set a moody vibe without needing ticketed attractions
• Julie and other guides are praised for being energetic and good storytellers
• Adults only (18+), and it is more spooky-story than full fright

Spirits and Ales: why this walking tour works so well in Melbourne

Melbourne at night has a certain rhythm. People head out for drinks, but the city also has this habit of feeling older than it looks, especially in the CBD. This tour leans into that. You’re not just visiting bars, you’re walking through layers of place and plot: old buildings, laneways, and pubs with reputations that go way beyond cocktails.

What makes it work is the pacing. You get a 90-minute guided experience, broken into stops that feel like chapters. That matters because a lot of ghost tours either rush or drag. Here, the flow is built around a pub route with a clear start and finish, so you spend more time looking around and listening, less time wondering where to stand next.

Also, it’s not pitched as a jump-scare show. Even the “scary” elements are framed as history, mystery, and romance gone wrong, so you get spooky atmosphere without feeling like you must be in panic mode.

Price and what you truly get for $27

At $27 per person for a 90-minute tour, you’re paying for three things: a local guide, a guided route through multiple historic sites, and a story that connects pubs to the city’s darker threads.

Here’s the honest value check. The tour includes a visit to 3 haunted pubs and a guided walking format, but drinks are not included. So if you’re expecting free tastings, the final spend could land higher once you order a pint or spirit at the stops. If you’re mainly there for the stories and setting, the price makes sense for what you get.

Think of it like this: the $27 buys you the “why” behind the places. Your wallet decides whether you add the “what to drink.”

Route overview: where the tour starts, where it ends, and how the evening feels

The meeting point is outside Young & Jacksons Hotel, at the corner of Flinders Street and Swanston Street. That’s a handy spot because you can orient quickly, and it also signals what the tour is aiming for: this is a CBD walk, not a car tour, and Young and Jacksons anchors the finale.

The structure is straightforward:

• You start at the first pub
• You visit the second pub halfway through
• You finish at the third pub, which is Young & Jacksons Hotel

Between those pub stops, you’ll move through character areas tied to the stories. You’ll hear about buildings like Rialto Intercontinental and the Olderfleet Building, plus stops linked to occult knowledge and a haunted bookshop, and you’ll experience the mood of Melbourne’s older arcades.

This route matters if you like atmosphere. Walking between sites gives you time to look up at details, notice alley entrances, and understand how these stories attach to the street layout.

Stop 1: the former police station and the unsolved murder thread

The tour’s first pub stop centers on a former police station. That’s a smart choice for a start. Police buildings carry a different kind of gravity than a typical pub, and the story linked to an unsolved murder sets the tone right away.

You can expect the guide to connect the location to Melbourne’s darker past and explain how the legend grew around it. Even without claiming supernatural proof, that kind of story framing can make the place feel alive, because you’re listening while standing where the events are supposed to have happened.

Practical note: since this is an early stop, I’d treat it as your “settle in” moment. If you’re new to ghost tours, you’ll learn the style of the guide here. And if you’re sensitive to heavy subject matter, this unsolved-murder angle is worth taking into account, even if the overall tone stays fun.

Stop 2: Melbourne’s oldest pub and the unrequited-love storyline

Midway through the walk, you’ll reach the next pub stop, the one tied to Melbourne’s oldest pub legacy and an unrequited love tale.

Love stories are great in ghost tours for one reason: the emotion is already human. You’re not just hearing about crime or punishment, you’re hearing about relationships and longing, which can make the story more memorable.

The tour also includes a walk into a dark alley, where the ghost of a tragic love affair is part of the narrative. This is one of the spots where the setting does a lot of the work. A laneway gives you natural shadows and a narrow field of view, so the story sticks even if you don’t expect to be “scared.”

Drawback to consider here: if you’re expecting a light, silly experience, this love tragedy may feel more intense than you want. The good news is the reviews describe it as spooky and interesting, not real panic.

Between pubs: Rialto, Olderfleet, member’s club secrets, and a haunted bookshop

The “in-between” segments are where this tour earns its keep. Pub stops are fun, but the tour becomes special when it connects those stops to broader locations around the CBD.

You’ll hear about:

• Rialto Intercontinental and the Olderfleet Building, with spectral figures and unsolved mysteries woven into the commentary
• A scandalous member’s club, where influential figures and secrets are concealed
• A haunted bookshop, with talk of occult knowledge

Even though you’re walking outdoors, these elements add variety. Instead of repeating the same ghost-bump structure three times, you get different story flavors: law and consequence, romance and regret, and the secretive “power behind doors” vibe of older institutions.

And then there are the arcades. The tour highlights the eerie charm of Melbourne’s most decadent arcades, including the feeling of a ghostly apparition. Arcades are perfect for this kind of tour because they’re narrow, detailed, and designed for lingering. You’re not rushing past a sight. You’re moving through a corridor that already feels cinematic.

Stop 3 finale at Young and Jacksons: Chloe’s painting and the last story hit

The tour ends back at Young and Jacksons Hotel, which is a great way to land the experience because you’re finishing at a landmark, not fading out into the streets.

The big finale detail is the iconic painting of Chloe, which holds secrets and has a ghostly presence connected to the tour’s story thread. Ending here makes sense because the hotel has its own identity, and the story gives you a reason to look closely at what’s already a famous visual.

If you’re the type who likes a strong ending, this is a good one. It’s not just “last pub, done.” It feels like the guide is bringing the emotional and spooky themes together for a closing beat.

The guide makes the difference: what Julie’s energy brings to the tour

This tour lives or dies on the guide, and the feedback you shared points to consistent strengths. The name that pops up in the best way is Julie.

From the reviews, Julie is described as:

• enthusiastic and energetic
• informative, with real storytelling skill
• someone whose love for Melbourne rubs off on the group

That last point matters more than people think. A guide who cares about the city tends to explain details in a way that makes you notice more. Instead of treating the CBD like a blur of streets, you start seeing the “why” behind street choices, the meaning behind old venues, and the way legends cling to certain corners.

Also, the reviews frame it as spooky and fun, but not real scary. If you want atmosphere and stories with a light edge, that’s exactly the sweet spot.

How spooky is it, really? Setting expectations for the scare level

This is best described as a spooky-story tour rather than a horror experience. You’ll hear ghost legends tied to murder, romance, and occult themes. You’ll walk in dark laneways and move through arcades that naturally feel dramatic.

But the overall vibe, based on the feedback you provided, is that it’s scary-ish in tone, not truly terrifying. That makes it suitable if you want a night out that feels a bit supernatural without turning into a test of bravery.

If you’re easily stressed by intense topics, note that the first pub includes an unsolved murder story line and at least one segment includes tragic love. You can still enjoy the tour, but go in knowing the tone has some darker themes.

What you should wear and bring for a 90-minute night walk

Because this is a walking tour through the CBD, comfort matters. Even if the route is not described with distances, expect city sidewalks, laneways, and arcade corridors at night.

I’d plan for:

• comfortable shoes (you’ll be standing and walking)
• a layer for evening air
• a charged phone for navigating and photos of buildings and pub fronts (photos are fine in places like this unless the guide asks otherwise)

Also, since drinks are not included, decide before you arrive whether you want to buy a pint at one or more stops. The theme is spirits and ale, and ordering one can make the experience feel more complete, but it’s a personal choice.

Who should book Spirits and Ales?

This tour is a good match if you:

• enjoy ghost stories that lean historical, emotional, and street-based
• want a night activity in Melbourne that feels local and guided
• like walking tours where the guide helps you notice details you’d otherwise miss
• prefer spooky atmosphere over extreme fear

It’s not the best match if you want:

• a tour for kids (it’s 18+ only)
• a guaranteed drink included with the ticket
• a purely family-friendly scare-free outing

If you’re traveling solo, this can be a comfortable way to meet other adults who are into stories. If you’re with friends who like history, this also works well because there’s enough variety in the stop themes to keep conversation going.

Should you book this haunted pub walking tour?

I’d book Spirits and Ales if you want a fun, adult-only night walk built around Melbourne’s older streets, pubs, and building legends. The value is strong at $27 for a 90-minute guided route with three haunted pub stops, and the guide quality sounds reliably high, especially with Julie mentioned for enthusiasm and storytelling.

Skip it if you’re expecting drinks included, or if you want a less spooky tone. The stories include murder and tragic love, so even without intense scares, it’s not a “cute ghosts only” vibe.

If you like atmosphere, want a guided route that keeps you from second-guessing where to go, and enjoy a spooky Melbourne evening, this is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is the Spirits and Ales: Melbourne Haunted Pub Tour?

It’s a 90-minute guided ghost walking tour.

What is the price for the tour?

The price is $27 per person.

Are drinks included in the tour price?

No. The tour states drinks are not included, even though the theme is spirits and ale.

How many haunted pubs do you visit?

The experience includes a visit to 3 haunted pubs.

Where do I meet for the tour?

You depart from outside Young and Jacksons Hotel, at the corner of Flinders Street and Swanston Street.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at Young and Jacksons Hotel.

Is the tour age restricted?

Yes. It is 18+ only, and it is not suitable for children under 18.

Is the tour in English?

Yes. The tour guide and information are in English.

What are the cancellation and date change rules?

The activity information says you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. In the additional important information, it also says there are no refunds, and that date changes require at least 48 hours notice and a $10 per order fee called in during Monday to Friday hours (10:00 am to 2:30 pm). It also notes that non-attendance and late cancellation voids the order.