The Spookiest Bars In The World
Where better to spend the scariest night of the year — and you know when that is — than in one of the world's spookiest bars? Forget bars decorated with Halloween paraphernalia slapped up in a lame attempt to scare you. These are really old bars with aged walls and vintage décor, places that are said to be haunted by spirits that, if you encounter them, might actually have you running out into the street in fear for your life.
The 12 Spookiest Bars in the World (Slideshow)
Many of the world's oldest bars, where centuries of history, good and bad, have taken place, are also the most haunted, maybe by men and women who died in a jail cell, were innocent victims in a brutal murder, or just couldn't part with their beloved drinking spot.
According to legend, the (recently closed) One-Eyed Gypsy in Los Angeles was once a brothel that burned up, killing everyone inside. The bar that was rebuilt on the site is now haunted, they say, by the mistress who ran the brothel, along with what is believed to be as many as 30 ghosts. Many have claimed that they've heard voices calling out from empty rooms, unseen hands touching them, and lights and faucets turning on and off by themselves. But the spookiest event was when a crown that sits on the head of a mounted statue behind the bar once flew across the room, hitting a patron on the head.
Patrons will find that some ghosts are friendlier than others. Originally called the Glencairn Hotel, Glen Lodge and Pub in Cape Town, South Africa, is home to two harmless ghosts: a middle-aged woman wearing a white gown and holding a candle and a boy around 5 years old, who likes to stamp his feet and throw things around, and sometimes play games.
And still others are a little too friendly. Disputed as the oldest working bar in New York City, the Ear Inn sits in the spot of a speakeasy that was around before Prohibition, and the upstairs apartment was previously a boarding house, a smuggler's den, and a brothel. Ghosts have been seen and heard haunting the property, in particular, one called "Mickey," a sailor, rumor has it, who's still waiting for his clipper ship to come in. Women who have been brave enough to rent out the apartment have claimed that Mickey likes to linger and has even crawled into bed with them.
These bars aren't for the fainthearted. This Halloween, you might test your bravery and order a drink at one of these creepy bars. We're sure they'll send a shiver down your spine.
Ear Inn — New York City
Disputed as the oldest working bar in New York City, the Ear Inn sits in the spot of a speakeasy that was around before Prohibition, and the upstairs apartment was previously a boarding house, a smuggler's den, and a brothel. Ghosts have been seen and heard haunting the property, in particular, one called "Mickey," a sailor, rumor has it, who's still waiting for his clipper ship to come in. Women who have been brave enough to rent out the apartment have claimed that Mickey likes to linger and has even crawled into bed with them.
The Banshee Labyrinth — Edinburgh, Scotland
Once part of the infamous Edinburgh underground vaults, where criminals carried out grisly deeds and ended innocent lives, The Banshee Labyrinth is named for the spirit of the Banshee (a female spirit who wails when someone is about to die) that haunts it. When refurbishing the pub, workmen claimed they heard a terrible scream; then, hours later, one of them heard news that a family member had passed away.
Read about more of the spookiest bars in the world.
Haley Willard is The Daily Meal's assistant editor. Follow her on Twitter @haleywillrd.