St. Augustine: True Crime Guided Pub Crawl

Navigating the historic pubs of St. Augustine, this true crime guided tour unveils the city's dark past, where local legends and chilling tales come to life.

The "St. Augustine: True Crime Guided Pub Crawl" offers a unique blend of local history and chilling tales. Participants aged 21 and over can explore the city’s dark past while sipping locally brewed beverages. This 2-hour tour takes groups through historic pubs, visiting notable locations and uncovering stories of infamous crimes, including unsolved murders and kidnappings. The experience combines storytelling with a pub-hopping adventure, leaving participants with a deeper understanding of St. Augustine’s hidden secrets.

This experience made our article of 2 Best Drinking Tours In St Augustine Florida.

Key Points

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  • The True Crime Guided Pub Crawl in St. Augustine offers a unique experience exploring the city’s dark history through storytelling and local pub visits.
  • The 2-hour tour is priced at $35 per person, limited to 9 participants, and covers a walking distance of 0.9 miles.
  • Participants sip locally brewed beverages while learning about infamous crimes, such as the murders committed by serial killer William Darrell Lindsey.
  • The tour visits historic locations like Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila and Forgotten Tonic, which are associated with past tragedies and unsolved mysteries.
  • The experience culminates at Prohibition Kitchen, where guests enjoy locally crafted cocktails and modern interpretations of classic dishes while discussing the final dark stories.
You can check availability for your dates here:

Activity Overview

The St. Augustine: True Crime Guided Pub Crawl offers a unique and engaging experience for those interested in the city’s dark history.

Priced at $35 per person, the 2-hour tour takes participants on a journey through the art district, visiting historic locations and hearing tales of kidnapped priests, serial killers, and unsolved crimes.

Limited to 9 participants, the tour is conducted in English and starts at the Ghost City Tours store on Charlotte Street.

Suitable for those 21 and older, the tour operates rain or shine and covers a distance of 0.9 miles.

Experience Highlights

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During the True Crime Guided Pub Crawl, visitors can sip locally brewed beer or other beverages in cozy pubs as they hear tales of kidnapped priests and serial killers.

The tour explores St. Augustine’s dark history, including unsolved crimes and gruesome murders. Participants will visit historic locations in the art district, including Forgotten Tonic and Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila, where they’ll learn about shocking incidents from the city’s past.

The two-hour experience offers a unique blend of true crime storytelling and local pub hopping, immersing guests in the sinister side of St. Augustine’s storied past.

Tour Details

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Although free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, guests don’t need to pay upfront as the tour operates on a reserve now, pay later basis.

The 2-hour guided pub crawl runs rain or shine, covering a walking distance of 0.9 miles. It’s unsuitable for individuals under 21 years old.

Participants can expect to visit historic locations in the art district, including Forgotten Tonic and Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila, while sipping locally brewed beverages and learning about St. Augustine’s dark history of unsolved crimes and gruesome murders.

Itinerary Highlights

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The tour starts at Pizalleys Chianti Room, where participants discuss the case of serial killer William Darrell Lindsey. They then move to Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila, where they learn about the murder of Father Rene Robert. Next, the group visits Forgotten Tonic and explores a historical murder from March 2, 1800. The tour also covers Lieutenant Guillermo Delaney’s unsolved murder and Athalia Ponsell Lindsley’s story. The itinerary concludes at Prohibition Kitchen, a vintage gastropub.

| Itinerary Stops | Highlights |

|—————-|————|

| Pizalleys Chianti Room | William Darrell Lindsey |

| Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila | Father Rene Robert’s murder |

| Forgotten Tonic | Historical murder (1800) |

| N/A | Lieutenant Guillermo Delaney, Athalia Ponsell Lindsley |

| Prohibition Kitchen | Vintage gastropub |

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Sip and Discuss: Pizalleys Chianti Room

Participants commence the St. Augustine True Crime Guided Pub Crawl at Pizalleys Chianti Room.

Here, they sip locally brewed beverages while learning about the chilling case of serial killer William Darrell Lindsey:

  1. Lindsey, a former police officer, claimed seven victims in the 1970s and 80s.

  2. His targets were often young women, some of whom he kidnapped, assaulted, and murdered.

  3. The group discusses the gruesome details of Lindsey’s crimes and his eventual apprehension, setting the tone for the rest of the tour’s exploration of St. Augustine’s dark history.

Exploring Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila

Next, the group makes their way to Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila, where they learn about the tragic murder of Father Rene Robert.

In 2016, the beloved priest was kidnapped and killed by Steven Murray, a troubled man with a history of mental illness.

Attendees hear the chilling details of how Father Robert’s body was found in a shallow grave, and they discuss the impact his death had on the local community.

The group reflects on the senseless nature of the crime and the importance of addressing mental health issues to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Uncovering the Past at Forgotten Tonic

From Casa Reina Taqueria & Tequila, the group heads to Forgotten Tonic, a historic bar known for its ties to a past murder.

The guide recounts the chilling details:

  1. On March 2, 1800, a local merchant was found dead in the bar’s backroom, his throat slit.

  2. The unsolved case sparked rumors of a cover-up, with the victim’s wife as a suspected accomplice.

  3. Today, Forgotten Tonic is said to be haunted by the merchant’s ghost, with patrons reporting unexplained noises and a lingering sense of unease.

The group listens intently, sipping their drinks as the past seeps into the present.

Concluding at Prohibition Kitchen

As the tour winds down, the group makes its final stop at Prohibition Kitchen, a vintage gastropub known for its prohibition-era ambiance.

Here, they’ll discuss Lieutenant Guillermo Delaney’s unsolved murder and Athalia Ponsell Lindsley’s story. The dimly lit, speakeasy-style setting provides the perfect backdrop for these harrowing tales.

Guests can sip locally crafted cocktails and savor the gastropub’s menu, which features modern interpretations of classic dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Tour Suitable for Non-Drinkers?

The tour may not be suitable for non-drinkers as it focuses on visiting pubs and hearing tales of crime over drinks. However, the tour operator may be willing to accommodate non-drinkers upon request.

Can the Tour Be Customized for Private Groups?

The tour can be customized for private groups. Ghost City Tours offers private tours for larger parties, allowing for a more personalized experience. Groups can work with the tour operator to tailor the itinerary to their interests.

Are Tips for the Guide Included in the Price?

The tour price doesn’t include tips for the guide. Participants are expected to provide tips at their discretion based on the quality of the guide’s performance and their overall satisfaction with the experience.

What Safety Precautions Are in Place During the Tour?

The tour operates rain or shine, and the walking distance is less than a mile. For safety, the group size is limited to 9 participants, and the tour is not suitable for individuals under 21 years of age.

Is Photography Allowed During the Tour?

Photography is generally allowed during the tour, but guests are advised to be respectful and avoid disrupting the experience for others. The tour guide may provide guidance on appropriate times and locations for taking photos.

The Sum Up

The "St. Augustine: True Crime Guided Pub Crawl" offers a captivating blend of local history and chilling crime stories. Priced at $35, the 2-hour tour takes participants through historic pubs, sipping locally brewed beverages while uncovering tales of infamous crimes. With stops at notable locations, the experience combines storytelling with a unique pub-hopping adventure, providing a compelling and immersive way to explore the city’s dark past.

📍 This experience made our list of the 2 best Drinking Tours in St Augustine Florida

You can check availability for your dates here: