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. The Red Lion opened in 1984 in an 1882 building and quickly became a neighborhood favorite; that original building was demolished in 2008, and the pub reopened in a new building on the same site in 2014. 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’s reported activity suggests that some patrons never really want to leave.
Did you know?
- The Red Lion Pub opened in 1984 in an 1882 building, which was demolished in 2008; owner Colin Cordwell rebuilt the pub on the same site and reopened it in 2014.
- Before it became the Red Lion, the building housed Dirty Dan's, a Wild West-themed saloon.
- According to local lore, the original building served as a speakeasy during Prohibition.
- The pub's ghost stories have been featured in local TV segments and haunted-Chicago guides.
- 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.
- Psychics and paranormal investigators who have visited claim to have identified at least three distinct spirits.
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, though his clothing may be less out of place than it seems: before 1984, the building housed Dirty Dan's, a Wild West-themed saloon. 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 original building when it served as a residence.
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 original Red Lion building at 2446 North Lincoln Avenue was constructed in 1882 in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, which was then developing into one of the city's most desirable residential areas. According to the pub's lore, it served as a residence and later housed various businesses over the decades.
Local lore holds that 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—with hidden rooms and concealed entrances. 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.
In 1984, London-born architect John Cordwell—a World War II RAF pilot and prisoner of war who later served as Chicago's planning commissioner—bought a Wild West-themed saloon called Dirty Dan's and turned it into the Red Lion, a British pub. He set out to create a genuine British experience for Chicagoans, and 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 visited the Red Lion over the years, and the pub has appeared in local TV segments and books about Chicago's haunted history. One story holds that a 2003 photograph showed John Cordwell's face inside the pub after his death in 1999, and his son Colin has said the building's main ghost is thought to be a woman who died on her 20th birthday in an upstairs apartment.
The original 1882 building was demolished in 2008. Colin Cordwell rebuilt the pub from the ground up on the same site and reopened it in July 2014, and he has said the spirits remain. 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
Inside the Red Lion Pub on North Lincoln Avenue, where staff say spirits from multiple eras still gather
The basement stairs at the Red Lion Pub, where a cowboy's ghost is said to have been seen
