Haunted Restaurants

Whether it be called a pub, tavern, bar, saloon, joint, inn, lounge, taproom, ale-house, beer joint, or brewery, businesses that serve alcohol are often a much sought after activity for the socially thirsty. New Orleans has the fourth most number of bars to household population in the entire United States. With the infamous street festival Mardi Gras drawing in crowds upwards of 50,000 people within a few city blocks, as well as the city of New Orleans having a very liberal open alcohol container law, the city goes through thousands of gallons of alcohol. The hottest spot before, during, and after Mardi Gras is none other than Pat O’Brien’s bar, where you’re likely to encounter spirits in both the bottom of a glass as well as floating past you.

Is Pat O’Brien’s Haunted?

Pat O’Brien was a man who opened up a bar in New Orleans on the heels of the Prohibition Era in December 1933. Coming off his previous venture of owning a speakeasy in town, O’Brien helped to craft from the plentiful Caribbean rum that coursed through the city, a new and future long-time drink staple of the city….the Hurricane. Due to the overcrowding and diminutive size of the place, the pianos were placed upright against one another which helped fuel the classic New Orleans dueling piano jazz music we have today (these pianos have also been heard to play a few notes by unseen ghosts). Interestingly enough, the bar’s location on St. Peter street was originally constructed all the way back in 1791. Does the age, history, and reputation of serving over one billion people at this location play into the supernatural?

Pat O’Brien’s Courtyard

The most haunted spot in the bar is said to be the ladies’ restroom up on the second floor. Women visitors and employees alike have said that even the ascent to the second floor near the restroom brings forth a certain eeriness. Vicious cold spots along with a heavy stomping sound that seems to descend from the antiquated attic storage area above are the first things they notice. Once inside the restroom, the ghostly activity ratchets up even more with the supernatural antics of what is believed to be a former female restroom attendant. Footsteps and bizarre sounds emitting from the restroom stalls; a quick peek underneath the front of the stall shows it to be unoccupied, yet the human sounds continue.

Like most establishments in New Orleans, the backside area holds smaller courtyards and the one at Pat O’Briens features typical patio furniture for visitors. Many times during non-peak hours, the staff will have the patio furniture straightened and perfected for any visitors, only to walk back outside moments later and see that the furniture has been completely strewn about in disarray by an unseen force.

Today Pat O’Brien’s is fully open for business and enjoys a rather busy establishment. It’s worth noting that given the absolute historic location, many people have posed for an array of photographs inside the bar, but have noticed that after the picture is taken unexplained shadowy figures and the outlines of ghosts are spotted in the pictures.

In the sweltering summer heat of 1973, a group of local Austin, Texas filmmakers scraped together a mere $80,000 to produce one of the most terrifying films in American cinema history, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Enduring the brutal late July heat that would regularly have the temperatures at 110 degrees during filming, the crew made up entirely of university film students and local actors ended up creating a film that has terrified generations of moviegoers.

Texas-born film critic and horror historian Joe Bob Briggs claims it is the greatest film (not just horror) ever made, which is precisely why checking out the “Gas Station” is a must on any Texas Chainsaw or horror fan’s list.

For those who have viewed this cult classic film, know that the Gas Station is one of the earliest stops in the film. A group of young people came from visiting a local cemetery to check on loved ones remains after news reports of vicious grave robberies surface. After picking up and tossing out a psychopathic hitchhiker, the van-load of teens stumbles upon a dusty and nearly abandoned gas station. Unbeknownst to the teens, it’s actually a front that’s operated by Leatherface’s family of deranged, cannibalistic savages. To be fair, the gas station plays more than one pivotal part in the film. But for the cinematically curious, we here at FrightFind have some good news for you…..you can spend the night there!

Can you stay at the Original Texas Chainsaw Massacre Gas Station?

Owners Roy and Lisa Row totally restored and brought back from the dead this iconic film location in the form of, part barbecue restaurant and part overnight cabin stay. They have 4 unique cabin locations to choose from which of course come with all the latest furnishings and amenities, even free wi-fi. Reservations for this overnight spot fill up fast so reservations are always a must if you are wanting to stay here.

Then, of course, there is the meatier side of the surprisingly large gas station area that operates as a highly rated barbecue restaurant. Chomp down on some finely smoked brisket or homemade sausage as you dine on some true Texas Chainsaw-era picnic tables, where even takeout barbecue is big business here. The owners even included a Texas Chainsaw themed gift shop on this historic filming site where you can not only purchase official autographs from the actors in the various Texas Chainsaw franchise films over the years but where you can also buy actual wooded boards from the station itself.

Authentic Texas barbecue at the Gas Station of the famous Texas Chainsaw Massacre, coupled with a night’s stay and a Leatherface autograph to boot, what more could a horror fan want in life?

The official gas station from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is alive! Roy Rose of Texas, has turned the Bastrop, Texas horror gem into what she calls a “horror barbecue resort.” The gas station from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has been rebuilt and is a must see for fans of recently deceased Gunnar Hansen and the masterful film that has horrified us all for years.

Built by Nathaniel Kellum back in 1847, La Carafe on Congress Ave, is one of the oldest bars in Houston. The building is said to be haunted by the ghost of an African American man who has been seen by many visitors. The building has a ton of history and has remained intact throughout the years. The building originally housed The Kennedy Bakery, served as a Pony Express station and was passed down by 5 generations of the Kennedy family before the current owners, The Wenglars purchased it.

La Carafe is welcome to ghost hunters. In October, they will even welcome guests with Seances.

Ghost Sightings

• The ghost of Pamelia Mann is said to push pretty women down the stairs. Mann ran the boarding house called the “Mansion House,” which was a questionable establishment. The bar employees think she is a lost spirit that was not able to cross over to the light.
• A ghost has been seen waving out the 5th story window by many guests.

Stop in and ask the bartender for a story or two. The employees and owners of La Carafe are open to telling ghost stories and many of the guests of Houston’s Market Square maintain that this is a hotspot for paranormal activity.

There are various reports of activity in this location. Investigators have had many of those happenings and were able to record EVPs and orbs. In the attic, people have reportedly had something or someone tug their hair. Room 16 has had some activity too. Guests have had their blankets moved or tugged from their bodies during the night. Sometimes, male guests will get tucked into bed by this female spirit. In room one, some guests have seen a male spirit who stomps into the room and takes off his boots.