The Red Lion Pub stands as a beloved institution in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, offering a genuine British pub experience complete with authentic décor, traditional fare, and a welcoming atmosphere. Housed in a historic building that dates back to the early 1900s, the Red Lion opened its doors in 1984 and quickly became a neighborhood favorite. But the pub's reputation extends beyond its excellent food and drink—it's widely considered one of Chicago's most haunted locations. Multiple spirits are said to inhabit the building, and their presence is felt so regularly that staff and regulars have come to accept the paranormal as simply part of the Red Lion experience. From ghostly apparitions to objects moving on their own, the Red Lion offers proof that some patrons never really want to leave.
Did you know?
- The Red Lion Pub opened in 1984 in a building that dates back to the early 1900s.
- The building previously served as a speakeasy during Prohibition, complete with secret passages and hidden rooms.
- The pub has been featured on numerous paranormal investigation shows including Ghost Hunters and My Ghost Story.
- Staff report that paranormal activity increases during the winter months and on rainy nights.
- The pub's owner has embraced its haunted reputation, hosting ghost tours and paranormal investigation events.
- Multiple psychics and paranormal investigators have identified at least three distinct spirits haunting the location.
Paranormal Activity at The Red Lion Pub
The Woman in the Red Dress
The most frequently reported apparition at the Red Lion is that of a woman in a red flapper dress from the 1920s. She is most often seen on the second floor, particularly in the women's restroom where witnesses report seeing her reflection in the mirror. Some patrons have encountered her in the hallways, where she appears solid and lifelike before vanishing when approached. The woman is believed to have been a regular at the building during its speakeasy days, and according to local legend, she died in the building under mysterious circumstances. Witnesses describe her as beautiful but sad, with dark hair styled in a typical 1920s bob. Some report feeling an overwhelming sense of melancholy when she appears.
The Cowboy
One of the Red Lion's most unusual spirits is that of a man dressed in Old West attire—complete with cowboy hat, boots, and what appears to be a holstered gun. This apparition is most commonly seen in the basement and on the stairways leading down to the lower level. Staff members have reported feeling his presence as an aggressive or territorial energy, particularly in the storage areas. Some employees refuse to go to the basement alone. The identity of this spirit remains a mystery, as his clothing and appearance seem out of place in Chicago's history. Some paranormal investigators theorize he may have been involved in illegal activities during Prohibition, when gangsters and outlaws from all over the country came to Chicago.
The Playful Children
Multiple witnesses have reported the sounds and sensations of children playing in areas of the pub when no children are present. Patrons and staff hear giggling, running footsteps, and the sounds of balls bouncing. Some have reported feeling small hands tugging at their clothing or touching their arms. The children's spirits seem playful rather than threatening, but their presence can be startling. Objects on shelves are sometimes found moved or rearranged, and toys left in certain areas are occasionally discovered in different positions. The identity of these child spirits is unknown, though some believe they may have lived in the building when it served as a residence in the early 1900s.
Paranormal Phenomena
Beyond the identifiable spirits, the Red Lion experiences a wide range of unexplained phenomena. Glasses and bottles fly off shelves when no one is nearby. Lights turn on and off by themselves, and electronic equipment malfunctions without explanation. Staff members report feeling watched when alone in certain areas, and some have been touched or pushed by unseen hands. The jukebox occasionally plays on its own, sometimes selecting the same song repeatedly. Doors lock and unlock themselves, and footsteps are heard walking through empty rooms. Temperature fluctuations are common, with some areas becoming inexplicably cold while others remain warm. Patrons and staff have captured numerous unexplained photographs and videos, including orbs, shadows, and what appear to be full-bodied apparitions.
Brief History of The Red Lion Pub
The building that houses the Red Lion Pub was constructed in the early 1900s in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, which was then developing into one of the city's most desirable residential areas. The building originally served as a residence and later housed various businesses over the decades.
During Prohibition in the 1920s, the building operated as a speakeasy—one of countless illegal drinking establishments that thrived in Chicago during the era of Al Capone and organized crime. The building's layout was modified to include hidden passages, secret rooms, and concealed entrances that allowed patrons to drink illegally while avoiding police raids. This connection to Chicago's gangster era likely contributes to the building's haunted reputation.
The speakeasy would have been a place of great energy and emotion—excitement, fear, danger, and tragedy all mixed together in the pursuit of illegal pleasures. Many believe that the intense experiences and strong emotions associated with the Prohibition era left an indelible imprint on the building.
After Prohibition ended in 1933, the building served various commercial purposes. In 1984, it was transformed into the Red Lion Pub, an authentic British pub complete with décor and furnishings imported from England. The owners sought to create a genuine British experience for Chicagoans, and they succeeded in creating a beloved neighborhood institution.
But almost immediately after opening, strange occurrences began. Staff members reported seeing shadowy figures, hearing unexplained sounds, and experiencing the feeling of being watched. As the years passed, the paranormal activity increased rather than diminished. The pub's owners eventually embraced the haunted reputation, and the Red Lion became known as one of Chicago's most haunted bars.
Paranormal investigators have conducted numerous investigations at the Red Lion, documenting extensive evidence of paranormal activity. The pub has been featured on television shows and in books about Chicago's haunted history. Despite—or perhaps because of—its ghostly residents, the Red Lion remains a popular destination for both locals seeking a good meal and visitors hoping for a paranormal encounter.
Today, the Red Lion Pub continues to serve traditional British fare while maintaining its reputation as one of Chicago's most actively haunted locations. The spirits seem to coexist peacefully with the living patrons, creating an atmosphere where the past and present exist side by side.
Visitor Information
The Red Lion Pub is an active restaurant and bar, welcoming visitors daily. The establishment offers traditional British pub fare including fish and chips, shepherd's pie, and bangers and mash, along with a selection of British beers and ales.
The pub features multiple dining areas across two floors, along with outdoor seating in good weather. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, and the staff is generally willing to discuss the building's haunted reputation with interested guests.
The Red Lion occasionally hosts special paranormal investigation events. Check with the establishment for details on upcoming events.
Location
2446 N Lincoln Avenue Chicago, IL 60614
The cozy British pub where spirits from multiple eras still gather
Where the mysterious cowboy spirit is most often encountered
