Most Haunted Bars in America

According to legend, this ghost is tied to a man who died while renting a room upstairs in the tavern’s early years, likely in the late 17th or early 18th century. The Whitehorse Tavern served not only as a drinking establishment but also as a boarding house, providing lodging for travelers. The story goes that this man, whose identity remains unknown, passed away unexpectedly—possibly from illness or natural causes—while staying in one of the upper rooms. His spirit, however, never left.

Patrons and staff have reported eerie experiences that point to his presence. The most common sightings describe a shadowy, older male figure dressed in colonial-era clothing, often seen near the fireplace or wandering the upper floors. Some recount feeling a sudden chill or an unsettling sensation when alone in the building, particularly in the quieter, dimly lit areas. Others have claimed to hear soft footsteps or the creak of floorboards when no one else is around. The ghost is generally described as benign, more melancholic than menacing, as if he’s simply lingering in a place he once found comfort in.

One detail that fuels the tale is the tavern’s historical ambiance. With its low ceilings, dark wood beams, and centuries-old furnishings, the building feels like a step back in time, amplifying the sense of being watched or accompanied by something unseen. Employees have noted that solitary moments in the tavern, especially during closing hours, can feel particularly eerie, as if the weight of its history—and its ghostly resident—presses in.

While the elderly gentleman is the most frequently mentioned spirit, some versions of the story suggest other presences, possibly tied to the tavern’s role as a hub for colonial intrigue or its proximity to Newport’s turbulent seafaring past. However, no definitive records confirm the man’s identity or the exact circumstances of his death, leaving the tale shrouded in mystery. The lack of concrete details only adds to the allure, as each creak or flicker of light in the Whitehorse Tavern invites speculation that the old boarder is still there, quietly keeping watch over America’s oldest bar.
Location: 26 Marlborough St, Newport, RI

The ghost story centers on Lafitte, a charismatic and cunning figure who navigated the murky waters of piracy, smuggling, and patriotism during the War of 1812. According to legend, Lafitte’s spirit never left the place where he once orchestrated his schemes. Patrons and staff frequently report sightings of a tall, well-dressed man with a commanding presence, often seen near the fireplace in the bar’s main room. His apparition is described as wearing period attire, complete with a hat and coat, and he’s said to have a piercing gaze that seems to size up those who notice him. Some claim he vanishes when approached, leaving only a chill in the air.

The fireplace is a particular hotspot for paranormal activity. Visitors have reported feeling an inexplicable sense of being watched or sensing a heavy presence while sitting nearby. Others have recounted hearing faint whispers or the sound of boots on the floorboards, even when the bar is empty. Bartenders have shared stories of glasses moving inexplicably or candles flickering without a breeze, often accompanied by a sudden drop in temperature. These occurrences are frequently attributed to Lafitte, who some believe is still guarding his old stronghold or keeping an eye on the revelry in his former domain.

Another layer to the tale suggests Lafitte’s ghost may be tied to the building’s history of secrecy and violence. As a pirate, Lafitte was no stranger to danger, and the blacksmith shop likely witnessed its share of clandestine meetings and deadly disputes. Some speculate that his spirit remains restless, bound to the site by unfinished business or the weight of his colorful past. Others propose that the bar’s timeless ambiance—its rough-hewn walls and shadowy corners—acts as a magnet for paranormal energy, with Lafitte’s larger-than-life persona making him the most prominent specter.

While Jean Lafitte is the star of the haunting, some reports mention other ghostly figures, possibly former associates or victims of the pirate’s enterprises, though these are less defined. The lack of definitive records about Lafitte’s ultimate fate—he disappeared from history around 1823—only deepens the mystery, fueling speculation that his spirit found a permanent home in the bar that bears his name. For those sipping a drink in the flickering candlelight, the possibility of catching a glimpse of the pirate king himself adds a thrilling edge to the experience.

Shaker’s Cigar Bar, located at 422 South Second Street in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a self-proclaimed “haunted bar” with a dark and storied past that fuels its reputation as one of America’s most haunted watering holes. Originally a speakeasy in 1922, the building also served as a brothel and a cooperage (barrel-making shop) tied to the Schlitz Brewing Company. Its multi-level structure is said to be crawling with ghosts, with two spirits—Elizabeth and Molly—standing out in the chilling tales told by staff and visitors.

Elizabeth’s Ghost

Elizabeth is the most frequently reported spirit, known for haunting the bar’s bathroom. According to legend, she was a young woman who worked in the brothel during the building’s early 20th-century heyday. One story suggests she took her own life in the bathroom, possibly driven by the hardships of her circumstances or a tragic love affair. Another version hints at foul play, with Elizabeth meeting a violent end at the hands of a client. Her presence is felt as a cold, oppressive energy in the bathroom, particularly in the women’s restroom. Patrons have reported faucets turning on by themselves, doors locking or rattling inexplicably, and a sense of being watched. Some claim to have seen a fleeting glimpse of a woman in a dated dress in the mirror, only for her to vanish when they turn around. Her sorrowful energy is said to linger, making the bathroom a place even the boldest avoid lingering in alone.

Molly’s Ghost

The second prominent spirit is Molly, a former brothel worker whose gruesome fate has cemented her place in Shaker’s lore. Molly is said to haunt the penthouse, the top floor where the brothel’s more private activities took place. According to the tale, Molly was brutally murdered—hacked to death—by a jealous client or a rival, possibly in the early 20th century when the brothel was in full swing. Her death was so violent that her spirit is believed to be trapped in the penthouse, unable to move on. Guests and staff report hearing disembodied footsteps, soft cries, or whispers in the penthouse, often accompanied by sudden temperature drops. Some have seen a shadowy female figure pacing the room or standing near the windows, her presence heavy with anguish. Molly’s story is a favorite on the bar’s ghost tours, where visitors are invited to explore the penthouse and feel her lingering sorrow.

The Building’s Haunted Legacy

Beyond Elizabeth and Molly, Shaker’s is said to host a variety of other spirits, likely tied to its history of vice, violence, and secrecy. The building’s time as a speakeasy during Prohibition and its earlier role as a cooperage for a major brewery suggest a parade of colorful characters—bootleggers, gangsters, and desperate souls—passed through its doors. Paranormal activity extends across all floors, with reports of flickering lights, objects moving on their own, and eerie laughter or voices echoing in empty rooms. The basement, once used for storage and possibly illicit dealings, is another hotspot, where staff have felt unseen hands brush against them or heard unexplained thumps.

The bar’s owner, Bob Weiss, leans into the haunting, offering regular ghost tours that delve into the building’s grim history and paranormal encounters. These tours often include stops at the bathroom, penthouse, and other eerie spots, with Weiss sharing firsthand accounts of ghostly activity. Visitors are encouraged to bring cameras or EVP recorders, as many have captured strange orbs, shadowy figures, or faint voices. The bar’s cigar lounge atmosphere, with its dark wood and vintage decor, only amplifies the sense that the past—and its restless spirits—remains very much alive.

For those brave enough to visit, Shaker’s Cigar Bar offers not just a stiff drink and a fine cigar but a chance to encounter Elizabeth, Molly, or one of the many other ghosts said to roam its halls. Call ahead to book a tour, and you might just leave with a story of your own.
Call ahead for the owner’s chilling ghost tours.