Phantoms of Prohibition: Cocktail & Ghost Tour

Your ticket includes 4 handcrafted Prohibition-era cocktails, small bites at multiple stops, priority seating at each venue, a knowledgeable local guide for 3 hours, and a lightweight audio headset so you can hear every story clearly even in a noisy bar. Your ticket also includes a 20% gratuity for the staff at every bar and restaurant we visit — you do not need to tip anywhere we go. Guide gratuity is not included but is appreciated.

Over the course of the evening you’ll taste 4 delicious craft cocktails, each tied to a chapter of Louisville’s storied Prohibition past. To complement the spirits, you’ll also enjoy food tastings at multiple stops. Mocktails are available at every stop for non-drinkers.

Absolutely! You’ll enjoy delicious non-alcoholic craft mocktails paired with the same food tastings and the full 3-hour experience full of Prohibition history, ghost stories, hidden speakeasies, and all. Non-drinkers have a fantastic time on this tour. Just let your guide know at the start of the evening so they can make sure you’re taken care of at every stop.

We have a few core partners we typically visit, but stops can vary based on availability, restaurant hours, and other circumstances. That said, every stop on this tour is one of the best places to drink in Louisville and fits the spirit — pun intended — of the Prohibition theme. Whatever combination of stops you get, you’re in for a great evening. Your specific stops will be revealed by your guide on the night of the tour.

It’s the perfect blend of both — cocktails, food, ghost stories, and Prohibition history all woven together. Our guides tailor the balance of spooky vs. historical depending on each group. So whether you want the full ghost experience or you’re more of a history nerd than a ghost hunter, just tell your guide and they’ll adjust accordingly.

One important note: this is not a paranormal investigation tour. You won’t be doing any ghost hunting. You’re also unlikely to actually see any ghosts — but if you do, please tell us immediately and send any orb photos our way.

If you’re after a more ghost-heavy, grisly experience with fewer cocktails, check out our Whispers on Whiskey Row Dark History Tour — a 1.5-hour walking tour with one cocktail in a haunted bar and plenty of spine-tingling stories.

It depends on the time of year! Because we visit some of Louisville’s most popular bars and restaurants, our tour starts at 5 PM to ensure there’s plenty of room for our group at each stop. In winter, 5 PM is dark as midnight — perfect ghost tour atmosphere. In summer, 5 PM is practically midday, and it may not even be twilight by the time your tour finishes at 8 PM. The good news: we intentionally end the summer tour at a stunning viewpoint that’s perfect for catching the sunset over Louisville. So either way, you’re in for a beautiful evening.

One of the most surprising stories on this tour! Louisville has a real, documented historical connection to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby — and it’s more than just inspiration. We’ll uncover the Louisville origins of the novel on the tour itself, but let’s just say that Whiskey Row and its cast of bootleggers, bourbon barons, and larger-than-life characters had more influence on that story than most people realize. It’s one of our guests’ favorite reveals of the evening.

Our tours aren’t just a walk with snacks — they’re a fully produced experience, and the price reflects that. Think of it as a progressive cocktail tasting, a history lesson, and a night out with a local expert, all rolled into one ticket.

Your ticket includes 4 handcrafted cocktails and food tastings at some of Louisville’s best bars and restaurants, priority seating at every stop, and three hours with a knowledgeable local guide. We pay our guides a living wage, full menu price to our local restaurant partners, and a 20% gratuity for the staff at each stop. Our small local team — all real humans — is here if you need us before, during, or after your tour.

We believe that sharing stories over good food and drinks builds real connection and community. We’re passionate about supporting local small businesses. And we love what we do. So while we might not be the most budget-friendly activity in Louisville, we think it’s absolutely worth it — and so do the 4,000+ guests who’ve left us 5-star reviews.

The tour meets at 101 E Washington St, Louisville, KY, on historic Whiskey Row in downtown Louisville. Please arrive 5–10 minutes before your tour’s start time. Your guide will be there to greet you.

No, this tour intentionally ends about a 10-minute walk away from where it begins. Because you’ll be enjoying quite a few cocktails over the course of the evening, we planned the route so that driving from the end point back to the start isn’t tempting. We strongly encourage guests to take an Uber or Lyft to and from this tour. Your guide will make sure you know exactly where you’ve ended up and how to get home safely.

The Phantoms of Prohibition runs Tuesday through Friday at 5:00 PM and 5:30 PM. The tour lasts approximately 3 hours, ending around 8:00–8:30 PM. Check current availability at our booking page — specific dates and times vary by season.

Because this tour ends at a different location than it starts, and because you’ll be drinking throughout the evening, we strongly recommend taking an Uber or Lyft rather than driving. If you do drive, paid parking garages are available throughout downtown Louisville near the starting point on Whiskey Row. Street parking meters are free after 6 PM. Note that you’ll need to get back to your car at the end of the night, so plan accordingly.

The tour covers approximately 1.5 miles along flat downtown sidewalks at a relaxed pace with frequent stops. The tour is wheelchair accessible. All guests receive a lightweight audio headset so you can hear your guide clearly from a distance or inside noisy bars. Wear comfortable shoes — you’ll be on your feet for 3 hours.

Yes, the Phantoms of Prohibition is a 21+ experience. Because the tour visits bars and speakeasies and includes 4 cocktails, all guests must be 21 or older and will need to show valid ID at each stop. If you’re looking for a tour that welcomes all ages, the Downtown Louisville Food Tour or the Secrets of Louisville daytime NuLu tour are both great options for groups with younger guests.

Refundable tickets can be rescheduled or cancelled for a full refund up to 48 hours before the tour. Non-refundable tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled for any reason. To cancel or reschedule, call or text (502) 591-6155, email [email protected], or submit a contact form.

Yes! The Phantoms of Prohibition makes a spectacular private experience for groups — birthday parties, bachelorette parties, corporate events, and date nights are all popular reasons to go private. Private tours can be customized for your group’s size and preferences. Visit our private tours page to learn more, or contact us for a custom quote.