The Most Haunted Bars & Restaurants in New York

Updated for 2026: This article has been refreshed with updated information, historic locations, and some of New York City's most intriguing haunted legends for the 2026 Halloween season.

When the nights grow colder and the city lights flicker against the fall sky, New York reveals a more mysterious side of itself.

Behind some of the city's oldest doors are stories of strange encounters, unexplained sounds, lingering presences, and ghosts that supposedly never quite left. From candlelit West Village restaurants to historic downtown taverns, these places combine old New York atmosphere with some seriously spooky legends.

Of course, no one can prove that the ghosts are real. But that's part of the fun.

Here are some of the most haunted bars and restaurants in New York City — if you dare to visit them.

One if by Land, Two if by Sea – West Village

Where: 17 Barrow Street, Manhattan

Housed inside a historic carriage house dating back to the 18th century, One if by Land, Two if by Sea is known for its romantic candlelit atmosphere — and its ghost stories.

The restaurant is famously associated with Theodosia Burr, daughter of former Vice President Aaron Burr, whose ship disappeared at sea in 1813. According to the legend, her spirit is among those said to linger in the building. Guests and staff have reported strange occurrences over the years, including flickering lights, unexplained sounds, and the mysterious disappearance of earrings.

Whether you believe the stories or not, the old carriage house makes for an atmospheric setting after dark.

Tip: Go for dinner and let the candlelit setting do most of the haunting for you.

The Ear Inn – SoHo

Where: 326 Spring Street, Manhattan

Dating back to 1817, The Ear Inn is one of New York City's oldest surviving bars and one of the city's most atmospheric places for a drink.

Its resident ghost is said to be a sailor named Mickey, who supposedly still wanders the old building. The story has become part of the bar's identity, with staff and visitors over the years reporting unexplained encounters and a feeling that someone else might still be hanging around.

The building itself is almost as interesting as the ghost story. Its Federal-style townhouse has remained remarkably intact while the neighborhood around it has transformed.

Tip: Order a drink, grab a burger, and take in the old-school atmosphere before deciding whether Mickey is actually around.

The Waverly Inn – West Village

Where: 16 Bank Street, Manhattan

The Waverly Inn already has the kind of atmosphere you'd expect from a haunted restaurant: candlelight, low ceilings, old New York history, and a townhouse dating back to the 19th century.

Its most famous ghost story centers on Room 16, where a mysterious man dressed in 1920s-style formal clothing has reportedly been seen. Other stories involve candles relighting themselves, unexplained footsteps, and strange activity around the fireplaces.

The identity of the supposed ghost has never been established, which somehow makes the story even more intriguing.

Tip: If you're looking for a spooky dinner rather than a traditional haunted attraction, this is one of the city's atmospheric choices.

White Horse Tavern – West Village

Where: 567 Hudson Street, Manhattan

The White Horse Tavern has been a West Village institution since 1880, and its literary history is almost as famous as its ghost story.

Poet Dylan Thomas spent his final night drinking here in 1953 before falling seriously ill. Since then, stories of his presence have become part of the tavern's mythology. Some staff and visitors have claimed to sense him around the bar or even catch a glimpse of him in the room.

The White Horse still feels unmistakably old New York, with its dark wood, historic atmosphere, and decades of stories attached to the place.

Tip: Find the spot associated with Dylan Thomas and imagine how different the West Village must have looked when he was sitting there.

McSorley's Old Ale House – East Village

Where: 15 East 7th Street, Manhattan

McSorley's has been serving drinks since 1854, making it one of the oldest continuously operating bars in New York City.

Its walls are filled with more than a century of history, but one of its eeriest traditions involves the wishbones hanging above the bar. Legend says they were left behind by soldiers heading off to World War I. The men who never returned home supposedly left their wishbones behind, creating one of the bar's most haunting pieces of memorabilia.

There are other ghost stories surrounding McSorley's too, including tales of spirits connected to the people who spent their lives inside this famously unchanged saloon.

Tip: Order the house light or dark ale and take a good look around. The atmosphere is almost as much a part of the experience as the beer.

Fraunces Tavern – Financial District

Where: 54 Pearl Street, Manhattan

For a different kind of haunted New York experience, head downtown to Fraunces Tavern.

The building dates back to 1762 and has witnessed some of the city's most important early history. George Washington famously gathered his officers here at the end of the Revolutionary War, but the tavern also has a darker side.

Reports of unexplained footsteps, doors opening on their own, and other strange encounters have contributed to its reputation as one of Lower Manhattan's haunted historic spots. The tavern and museum have even embraced that history through ghost-themed programming and paranormal investigations.

It's the kind of place where the real history is already dramatic enough — and the ghost stories simply add another layer.

Tip: Visit in the evening when the historic rooms feel especially atmospheric, and keep an eye out for the things that supposedly don't have an explanation.

A Different Side of New York After Dark

What makes New York's haunted bars and restaurants so interesting isn't necessarily whether you believe in ghosts.

It's the history.

Many of these places have been standing for generations, long before the city looked the way it does today. People have eaten, celebrated, argued, fallen in love, worked, and disappeared behind the same doors for decades — sometimes centuries.

Maybe that's why the stories feel so believable.

A flickering light becomes a ghost story. An unexplained sound becomes a legend. And an old room suddenly feels like it remembers everyone who has passed through it.

So if you're looking for something a little different this Halloween season, skip the obvious haunted attraction for one night and visit a place where the history — and the atmosphere — are already part of the experience.

In my next article, don’t miss my guide to Halloween in New York: Best Parties — discover the hottest spooky events, haunted after-parties, and where to celebrate Halloween in the city.

Image credit: Unsplash

Written by Laura

Creator of Live Your Dreams Fully, a website exploring everyday experiences, culture, and storytelling inspired by New York.