At week’s end, Halloween night will finally be upon us—the culminating celebration of October. This means the final stop for the season’s Haunted Northwest tour, and we’re going out with a bang. Courtesy of Victoria, BC historian, storyteller and Canadian supernatural television star John Adams, this year-round program exists to satiate appetites for morbid curiosity as well as otherworldly eats.
The tour: Ghostly Walks Walking Tours Dinner Ghosts || Victoria, British Columbia
The history: BC’s capital city seems to double as a paranormal capital, playing host to more than 15 haunted restaurants and pubs, according to the Ghostly Walks Dinner Ghosts program. Naturally, Ghostly Walks would accommodate hungry and thirsty thrill seekers with a few spooky dinner outings throughout its year-round tour operation. For a seat at the table with eatery-dwelling spirits, curious crowds must keep a close eye on the online Dinner Ghosts page for updates, as spots tend to fill fast—or contact Ghostly Tours directly for a private booking anytime. Those who secure an invite can expect any of a wide range of styles and settings, including the secluded Stonehouse Pub and Restaurant, high tea at the Gatsby Mansion Restaurant at Huntingdon Manor or James Bay’s recently featured The Bent Mast. Check out the tour website for a full listing of haunted food and drink hotspots, or catch the last of the Ghostly Walks special Halloween series before November 1, when tour schedules are set to adjust for the winter season.
The spirits (plus cocktails, brews, bites and more): With a grab bag of spooky joints to choose from, tour-goers can either secure a private booking or stay posted for periodical dinner events, such as February 2014’s outing to The Bent Mast Pub. Originally built by early Vancouver Island settlers in the 1880s, the property today houses a notable collection of local draft beers, a burger and eclectic small plate-dominated menu and a staff that is serving up ghost stories alongside curious guests’ dinners. Just one of many island options boasting a lore-filled dining experience.
