Melbourne history has a dark side. Spirits and Ales is a 90-minute haunted pub walking tour that threads together unsolved crime, tragic love, and old-CBD hauntings as you move between classic drinking spots and lantern-lit laneways. You’ll hear stories tied to a former police station, a long-ago murder, and a ghostly romance that still echoes in the bricks.

What I like most is the local guide storytelling and the way the tour gives you a clear rhythm: short stops, quick context, then straight back into the next eerie setting. It’s spooky-fun without being a full-on scream-fest.

One thing to consider: this is 18+ only, and drinks aren’t included, so you’ll want a plan (and a card or cash) if you want that pint at the oldest pub.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• 3 haunted pub stops in about 90 minutes, with the main drinking venues spread across the walk
• Former police station murder story, tied to a case that never got closure
• Dark alley love tragedy, delivered like a ghost story, not a history lecture
• Arcades and CBD landmarks like Rialto Intercontinental and the Olderfleet Building
• Young & Jacksons Hotel finale, with the painting of Chloe used as a big wrap-up moment
• English live guide with a pace that works well for an evening wander

Spirits and Ales: The kind of Melbourne night you can actually do

If you like your Melbourne with a little chill, this is a smart pick. Spirits and Ales (Lantern Ghost Tours) is designed for an evening in the CBD that feels theatrical, but still grounded in real places you can recognize the next day. The tour runs 90 minutes and is built around a simple idea: historic buildings and old pubs don’t just sit there. They keep their stories.

What makes it interesting is the mix. You’re not only hearing about one haunted pub. You’re bouncing between themes—mystery, romance gone wrong, and scandal—while the guide points out how the city’s layout and architecture shaped those stories. It’s also very easy to follow, which matters when you’re moving along streets and alleys after dark.

And yes, it’s marketed as haunted pub energy. But one review summed up the vibe as spooky and fun rather than terrifying. That’s my kind of ghost tour. You get chills without feeling trapped in a horror-movie mood.

Meeting at Young & Jacksons: quick start, easy to find, good for photos

The tour departs outside Young & Jacksons Hotel, at the corner of Flinders Street and Swanston Street. That’s a handy meeting point if you’re staying central or already spending time around the main CBD grid. You’re not hunting through an industrial side street with a trembling phone flashlight.

This start point also sets expectations. Young & Jacksons isn’t just an end-of-night checkbox. It becomes part of the story arc, since the tour also finishes at the hotel. So you’ll see it once at the beginning and then again at the end, like revisiting the last page of a spooky book.

Practical tip: if you’re the type who wants good photo angles, arrive a few minutes early. The first minutes are often when the guide sets tone and tells you what to watch for on the walk.

Stop one: the former police station and the unsolved murder angle

One of the best-known ingredients in this tour is the former police station connection. The story centers on an old case and the lingering question of what happened, the kind of unsolved mystery that hangs around longer than any official record. The tour frames this as more than “a scary rumor.” It’s presented like a puzzle tied to place.

From a value perspective, this is where you get momentum. You start with a strong hook—crime, uncertainty, and authority (police work) turning into something dark and unfinished. That helps the rest of the evening land better, because you’re already in the right mindset.

You should also know the drink expectations. The theme is spirits and ale, and the stops are pubs. But drinks are not included, so don’t count on a free tasting. If you want that full pub experience, keep the budget flexible and bring money.

Potential drawback: if you’re hoping for a tour that’s mostly about drinking alcohol, this one may feel more story-forward than bar-forward.

A dark alley and a love tragedy you’ll remember

After the initial mystery, the tour leans into romance—specifically a tragic love affair that’s linked to a ghostly presence moving through a darker alley space. This part matters because it changes the tone. The tour stops being only about crime and becomes about human emotion: devotion, regret, and stories that refuse to fade.

This is also where the guide’s performance style shows. In the past, Julie has been praised for being both enthusiastic and informative, with an especially great spooky energy. If you get a guide with that same energy, this segment tends to feel like a short film shot in real streets—brief, sharp, and hard to shake.

What I like about this setup: it’s not just “walk and hear.” The tour nudges you to look at the environment differently. Alleys feel narrower. Doorways feel more deliberate. It’s the same city, but your brain starts sorting it like a story.

Rialto Intercontinental and Olderfleet: where the city starts whispering

One of the tour’s strengths is how it layers famous landmarks into the ghost narrative. You’ll learn secrets connected to Rialto Intercontinental and the Olderfleet Building, with references to spectral figures and unsolved mysteries.

Even if you’re not a hardcore architecture nerd, it works. Tall buildings and prominent CBD sites carry weight. When a guide connects them to old scandals or unanswered questions, it gives you a new reason to notice details you’d normally walk past.

Here’s the practical angle: CBD ghost tours can sometimes feel like a list of spooky claims. This one tries to keep you oriented with landmark-driven storytelling—so you’re not just collecting legends. You’re learning why the places matter.

Melbourne’s oldest pub and the scandalous love affair

At some point you’ll get a big pub moment at Melbourne’s oldest pub, tied to a haunting legacy and a scandalous love affair. This is the “payoff” stop for people who want a classic pub setting as part of the atmosphere.

I like this kind of stop because it grounds the supernatural in something very Melbourne: pubs as social history. Even if you take the haunting element as entertainment, the pub itself is real heritage you can recognize. That makes the tour feel more worthwhile beyond the ghost story.

Again, drinks aren’t included. You can still enjoy the pub setting and hear the story, but if you want a pint as part of the experience, plan to purchase it.

Arcades, member’s clubs, and a haunted bookshop stop

The tour doesn’t only stick to streets. It takes advantage of Melbourne’s arcades, described as some of the city’s most decadent. This is where you might feel the atmosphere shift—covered walkways, old-style details, and a “how did this place survive?” kind of feeling.

The tour also references darker, private spaces, including a scandalous members-club where influential figures and secrets are concealed. It’s a smart inclusion, because those places are part of how history actually worked: power, access, and the stories people didn’t tell in public.

Then there’s a mention of a haunted bookshop and occult-knowledge themes. That’s a fun change of pace, and it keeps the tour from repeating the same formula. You’re hearing about crime, then love, then secrets, then the idea that knowledge itself could be dangerous.

If you’re the type who loves a slightly theatrical guide, these segments are where that style really helps. They turn “fact facts fact” into narrative.

The Chloe painting at Young & Jacksons: ending with a strong chill

The finale brings you back to Young & Jacksons Hotel, specifically with the iconic painting of Chloe and the idea that Chloe’s ghostly presence lingers. Ending at a single, recognizable spot works well because you can mentally “close the loop” on the whole story.

This is also a practical win. You don’t finish miles away wondering where to go next. You end near a main intersection in the CBD, which makes it easier to keep your night going—dinner, drinks elsewhere, or just a straight tram/train ride home.

The vibe here tends to be a final dose of atmosphere. It’s less about learning new facts and more about landing the emotion of the story: unresolved questions, lingering attachments, and the way old places can hold on to meaning.

Price and value: is $27 a good deal?

At $27 per person for 90 minutes, this tour sits in the “worth it” category if you want a guided night out without committing to a whole dinner-and-a-show budget.

Why it’s good value:

• You’re paying for a live local guide and structured storytelling, not just wandering by yourself.
• You get three haunted pub stops, plus CBD landmark and lane storytelling that fills out the time.
• Since drinks aren’t included, your spending is more predictable. If you choose to buy a pint, you can control how much.

The main thing to watch is your expectations. If you want a night centered on alcohol tastings, this isn’t built that way. If you want an entertaining, historically styled ghost walk where the pubs are part of the story world, it’s a strong match.

Who this tour suits best (and who should skip it)

This is a good fit if you:

• like stories that are spooky but not overly scary
• want to see Melbourne’s CBD in an evening setting, not just in daylight
• enjoy guides who turn places into characters (Julie is one example of that style)
• are comfortable walking through laneways and arcade spaces

It’s not a fit if:

• you need an all-ages activity (this is 18+ only)
• you’re hoping for drinks included with the ticket
• you dislike ghost-story themes altogether and only want history-only content

Also, set your mental gear to “story listening.” The guide’s tone and pacing matter. That’s what makes it feel fun instead of awkward.

A few practical tips so the night feels smooth

• Wear comfortable shoes. You’re moving across city blocks.
• Bring a backup plan for buying a drink if you want one at the pub stops (since drinks aren’t included).
• If you’re sensitive to spooky themes, treat this as a fun ghost walk, not a horror experience.

And if you’re traveling solo or in a couple, this type of tour is easy. You’re not stuck trying to coordinate a group schedule around bars. You’ve got a built-in route and time.

Should you book Spirits and Ales?

I think you should book this tour if you want an easy, guided way to experience Melbourne after dark with three haunted pub stops and a storyline that mixes murder mystery with love tragedy and scandal. The reviews’ consistent praise for guides—especially Julie—points to one thing you care about on ghost tours: the storytelling energy.

Skip it if you’re looking for a drinking-focused night, or if you need an all-ages activity. And if you hate the idea of ghost legends, this will probably feel like too much theme.

If your goal is a fun spooky evening with real CBD landmarks, this one is a solid pick.

FAQ

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

It’s 90 minutes.

Where does the tour meet?

It departs from outside Young & Jacksons Hotel, at the corner of Flinders Street and Swanston Street.

How much does it cost?

The price is $27 per person.

Is the tour kid-friendly?

No. It’s 18+ only and not suitable for children under 18.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. Drinks are not included.

What language is the tour guide?

The tour is in English with a live guide.

How many haunted pubs does the tour visit?

The tour includes a visit to 3 haunted pubs. It starts at the first pub, visits the second halfway through, and ends at the third.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

The activity info notes free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, but it also lists rescheduling rules requiring a phone call and a fee for rescheduling orders. If you need to change dates, contact Lantern Tours Monday–Friday 10-2.30pm at 1300390119 and ask about the current option for your booking.

Who runs the tour?

It’s run by Lantern Ghost Tours.