San Antonio is a city that offers much more than just its famous Alamo and River Walk. For those interested in combining a love of history with a good drink, San Antonio’s drinking tours stand out for their unique stories, historic venues, and spooky tales. Whether you’re into ghost stories, historic saloons, or lively pub crawls, San Antonio has options that cater to a variety of tastes.
We’re especially fond of the San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl, which combines eerie stories with a walking tour of the city’s historic downtown.
It’s perfect for those who want a little thrill with their evening cocktails and enjoy hearing about soldiers, outlaws, and murderers that once roamed the streets. Plus, the private tours offer a personalized experience that’s hard to beat.
For a more exclusive and in-depth look at San Antonio’s legendary taverns, the Private History Pub Crawl/Tour takes you to iconic spots like the Buckhorn Saloon and Menger Bar, with admission to the Texas Ranger Museum included. And if you prefer a bus ride with no sore feet but plenty of ghostly tales, the Ghost Bus Pub Crawl offers a spooky alternative to traditional walking tours.
No matter your style, these tours provide a perfect way to enjoy San Antonio’s lively bar scene with some local lore thrown in.
- 1. San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl
- 2. Private History Pub Crawl/Tour
- 3. Private Drunk History Tour: 4 historic bars & 5+ hours
- 4. River City: Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl
- 5. San Antonio: Guided Haunted Pub Crawl
- 6. Texas’ Oldest Haunted Pub Crawl Shared Walking Tour
- 7. Ghost Bus Pub Crawl
- 8. San Antonio: Ghost Bus Haunted Pub Crawl
- 9. Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam
- 10. San Antonio Texas Bar Crawl: Drinks Up in San Antonio!
- How to Choose the Right Drinking Tour in San Antonio
1. San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl
At number 1, the San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl combines storytelling and local spirits into a 2-hour jaunt through downtown. For $29.99 per person, you get to explore historic venues like Pat O’Brien’s and hear ghostly tales about soldiers, outlaws, and murderers from a private guide.
The tour hits several key landmarks, including the Alamo, the Emily Morgan Hotel, and the St. Anthony Hotel, all while giving you the chance to purchase drinks along the way.
The tour’s reviews highlight the engaging storytelling and personable guides like Richard and Zach, making it a favorite among visitors who enjoy a spooky twist on their night out. It’s ideal for those who want a mix of history, ghost stories, and socializing in a relaxed, small-group setting.
The private aspect ensures a tailored experience, perfect for first-timers or those wanting a more intimate look at San Antonio’s haunted side. Bottom line, this tour offers a fun, atmospheric way to explore the city’s darker stories with some liquid courage.
2. Private History Pub Crawl/Tour
For those seeking a more exclusive experience, the Private History Pub Crawl/Tour provides a three-and-a-half-hour journey into San Antonio’s most historic bars.
Costing $300 per person, this private tour includes visits to the Buckhorn Saloon and Texas Ranger Museum—home to one of the largest taxidermy collections and Bonnie & Clyde memorabilia—as well as Menger Bar, once frequented by Teddy Roosevelt. The tour emphasizes a detailed look into Texas history, flavored with stories from your knowledgeable guide Emzy.
Guests love how immersive and personalized this experience is, with reviews praising the storytelling and the chance to see iconic San Antonio landmarks up close.
This tour is best suited for history aficionados and those wanting an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the city’s historic drinking spots.
The inclusion of admission to the museum adds great value, making it a worthwhile splurge for culture and history buffs.
3. Private Drunk History Tour: 4 historic bars & 5+ hours
At number 3, the Private Drunk History Tour offers a lively 5-6 hour adventure for about $420 per person. This tour is built around exploring San Antonio’s oldest bars, including the historic Menger Hotel’s bar and the St. Anthony Hotel’s legendary club bar.
It mixes heavy pours, storytelling about the Alamo’s unsolved murders, and the city’s pop culture—perfect for those who love their history served with a side of cocktails.
This tour’s standout feature is its focus on Texas’ oldest and most haunted establishments, with guides sharing stories that range from ghostly encounters to historic scandals. Reviews highlight the fun, informal atmosphere and the full attention of the guide.
It’s suited for travelers who want an extended, immersive experience that combines history, drinks, and lively conversation.
The only potential downside is its higher price point, but the exclusive access and deep dive into San Antonio’s drinking history make it worthwhile.
4. River City: Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl
For some ghostly fun, check out River City: Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl. Priced at $27 per person, this 2-hour tour takes you into San Antonio’s haunted bars, like the Crockett Tavern and the Emily Morgan Hotel, sharing stories of battlefield hauntings and spectral sightings.
The tour emphasizes the city’s spirits—both alcoholic and paranormal—giving you a good dose of local lore in a compact format.
It’s ideal for travelers who want a quick yet spooky night out, with the chance to learn about San Antonio’s haunted history while enjoying drinks (not included).
The reviews praise the tour’s ghost stories, making it a popular pick for those interested in paranormal tales with a side of local flavor.
5. San Antonio: Guided Haunted Pub Crawl
At number 5, the San Antonio: Guided Haunted Pub Crawl offers a 2-hour experience with ghost stories and drinks in haunted locales like the Emily Morgan Hotel and Maverick Whiskey.
Priced at $35 per person, it’s a good choice for travelers who want a straightforward ghost-themed pub crawl with a guide to bring the tales to life. It’s perfect for those who enjoy combining a little fright with social drinking and meeting new friends.
6. Texas’ Oldest Haunted Pub Crawl Shared Walking Tour
The Texas’ Oldest Haunted Pub Crawl ranks sixth, with a 2-hour walking adventure exploring San Antonio’s oldest haunted bars. For $30, you follow a theatrically-trained guide through four haunted venues, including the Alamo Plaza, with cover charges and drinks included. The tour’s reviews note the eerie stories and the fun atmosphere, making it a solid choice for those who want a spooky night on foot.
It’s ideal for visitors who prefer a more theatrical, story-driven experience and want to stay within the historic center.
7. Ghost Bus Pub Crawl
Next, the Ghost Bus Pub Crawl offers a different twist—this is not a walking tour. For $62, you ride in a fully air-conditioned bus to some of San Antonio’s most haunted bars like Hotel Havana.
With 2-3 hours of ghostly tales and stops, it’s perfect for those who want to avoid walking but still enjoy the spooky stories. The reviews are positive, emphasizing the fun of the bus experience and the interesting stops.
8. San Antonio: Ghost Bus Haunted Pub Crawl
A variation of the previous, this tour emphasizes its uniqueness as San Antonio’s only haunted pub crawl on a bus. It costs $62 and lasts 2.5 hours, taking you to eerie venues like the Southtown House of Spirits and Hotel Havana, with ghostly stories and drinks.
Its appeal lies in the comfortable bus setting and the chance to visit locations further afield from downtown, ideal for those wanting a spooky ride.
9. Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam
The Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl is a self-guided, app-led scavenger hunt and bar crawl, costing just $12.31. Over 2 hours, you’ll solve trivia and explore landmarks as you visit several bars. This is great for social groups, teams, or those who like a little competition with their drinks. It’s flexible, inexpensive, and fun for active travelers who want to explore at their own pace.
10. San Antonio Texas Bar Crawl: Drinks Up in San Antonio!
Finally, the San Antonio Texas Bar Crawl offers a quick, 1.5-hour app-led adventure for $14.99. It’s ideal for those with limited time who want to hit multiple bars, challenge their friends with trivia, and explore the city’s hidden spots. It’s a light, inexpensive option suitable for casual drinkers and first-time visitors.
How to Choose the Right Drinking Tour in San Antonio
Choosing between these options depends on your interests, budget, and how much time you have. If you’re fascinated by ghosts, the San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl offers a fun mix of storytelling and spirits. For an exclusive experience, the Private History Pub Crawl provides a private, in-depth look at historic bars with museum access.
Budget travelers may prefer the Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl or the San Antonio Texas Bar Crawl, which are fun, informal, and affordable. For those who want to avoid walking, the Ghost Bus Pub Crawl or San Antonio Ghost Bus provide a relaxed, spooky ride.
Booking early is recommended, especially for private experiences and tours with limited availability, to ensure you secure your preferred date. Consider what interests you most—whether it’s ghost stories, historic bars, or a lively scavenger hunt—and choose accordingly.
In summary, San Antonio offers a diverse range of drinking tours that blend history, ghost tales, and lively social scenes. From the intimate and historic to the spooky and bus-based, there’s something to suit every taste.
For an evening filled with stories and sips, these tours will give you a memorable taste of the city’s unique character. So, pick your adventure, book early, and enjoy the lively spirit of San Antonio.