9 haunted restaurants and bars in Phoenix

The veil is getting thinner. For folks who are trying to get their spook on, trespassing on some ransacked, abandoned property can usually do the trick. Fortunately for Phoenicians, there are plenty of residences and small businesses that have seen a fair share of death and are now serving food and drinks to the public.

Here are nine restaurants where you might run into a phantom or two, all the while filling your belly. Plus, you won’t get a trespassing ticket.

The Stockyards Steakhouse

5009 E. Washington St., #115
What used to be a watering hole for cattlemen in the mid-1900s is now The Stockyards Steakhouse. It boasts some of the best beef in town, serving up bison meatloaf and calf liver. After a fire ripped through the original construction, it prompted the construction of a two-story restaurant and bar. Helen Tovrea, the wife of then-owner Philip Tovrea, took the liberty of handling the interior design. In the Rose Banquet Room, the “Lady in Red” painting apparently comes alive with Tovrea’s spirit. She’s been reported to wander around in a red dress, flickering lights, whispering and surprising women in the restroom mirror.

LON’s at The Hermosa Inn

5532 N. Palo Cristi Road, Paradise Valley
LON’s is a tribute to artist Lon Megargee, who had the grounds to himself for solitude until he opened up the property for overnight stays. The menu at the swanky restaurant and lounge offers craft cocktails, brews and steaks for guests and locals alike. To this day, it is said that Megargee’s spirit never left. So, whether you’re dining in, staying overnight or strolling the property, keep your eyes peeled for his ghost, as well as other reported spirits, like a woman in pink by the pool, a cowboy figure in the mirrors, a night watchman and children at play.

Casey Moore’s Oyster House

850 S. Ash Ave., Tempe
Casey Moore’s is a local favorite for good beer, oysters, fried mushrooms and ghost hunting. In the early 1900s, while a boarding house operated in the building, a woman was strangled by her boyfriend. After such a horrific death, it’d be no surprise that her spirit still lingers on the second floor. And apparently, the building’s original owners, William and Mary Moeur, are still roaming about. Much of the paranormal activity is said to happen after closing, but even if you’re unable to see it for yourself, have a chat with management – they’re not in denial.

Sauvage Wine Bar and Shop

149 W. McDowell Road
The building that currently houses Sauvage Wine Bar and Shop has a long, and potentially haunted, history. A residence turned restaurant, the house was built for Helen Anderson, the widow of insurance company organizer Carl H. Anderson. When she passed on, her spirit stayed at the home. Apparently, her presence was so active that the staff of former restaurant HobNobs invited paranormal investigators to scout out the scene. So, after you’ve ordered your bottle of wine, see if Helen wants a glass.

Devil’s Hideway

401 S. Mill Ave., Tempe
Mill Avenue gets its name from the mill operation in the early settlement years, which included the area where Devil’s Hideaway stands today. Prior to becoming the neon-lit student bar, the building was home to Rúla Búla for over 20 years. Before it turned into an Irish pub, a fire burned down the original building, but someone was trapped inside and died. During its renovation, management bought and shipped chairs, wood flooring, glass, and artifacts from abandoned buildings and churches in Ireland. Former employee Danielle Dizes says between the fire and items from abroad, Rúla Búla was indeed haunted. She recalls a cat-and-mouse experience with one of the ghosts who she spotted in the dining room after close. Other activity included glass shattering, a young girl appearing in the windows and patrons on the verge of suffocation near where the fire originated. Stop by Devil’s Hideaway to see if those spooky spirits have remained.

Que Sazon

622 E. Adams St.
If you’re seeking creative Latin American cuisine with a side of an apparition, Que Sazon in Heritage Square dishes up empanadas, ceviche and burritos with potential sightings of Eliza Teeter’s spirit. In the early 1900s, Teeter resided here with her family, eventually opened it up as a boarding school, and died in the home at the age of 95. It is rumored that her ghost continues to meander around the property, whispering and shifting items around in the kitchen and dining room.

The Old Spaghetti Factory

1418 N. Central Ave.
Considering the two alleged murders that took place in what is now a popular spot for Italian dining, it’s no surprise that The Old Spaghetti Factory might be haunted. Before they were joined together in 1940 to form one large space, the property was home to The Baker House and the Cole Mansion, both constructed in 1921. In The Baker House, a man was reportedly murdered while sleeping on the second floor, and a woman was killed in the basement in the 1930s. Some eerie phenomena reported include screaming, crying, cold chills and whispers when no one else is around.

Pizza Hut

13105 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale
Defective faucets and whimpering children might not strike ghost hunters as paranormal activities for Pizza Hut, but apparently, these are the workings of spirits at the Glendale location of the chain. Patrons have reported crying babies, chatty children and bathroom sinks that turn on and off without the help of a customer or employee. Now that’s one spooky slice.