Haunted Red Lion Pub in Chicago Gives Up the Ghost!

The Red Lion Pub, a favorite Chicago haunt of the living and --some say-- the dead is going to give up the ghost. It's facing the wrecking ball.

It is a victim of one of the two things you can't escape in life: taxes.

Death, however, is something that doesn't seem to keep the ghostly visitors away.

I count myself as a semi-frequent live visitor to the Red Lion. It's an English Pub that makes the reported ghosts and those still living and wanting to sip spirits and have a Shepherd's Pie, feel right at home.

Walking in you might wonder where the living and the dead can find room to coexist. A few tables and booths line one wall, and opposite is the bar. You can reach out from your seat at the bar and touch the booths.

Upstairs is a room for banquets and an outdoor deck.

The ghosts that hang around have been seen by some of the help and regulars. One ghost is a young girl who died of measles. I've never seen anything strange, but have enjoyed a pint or two over the years. Maybe a few more and I could have joined the ranks of the believers?

The building that houses the Red Lion Pub is, well, an old house, constructed 128 years ago.

A 30 percent increase in taxes next year is scaring the owner, Colin Cordwell, into demolishing a bit of history. The building has to be more flexible to earn its living. He plans to rebuild and put apartments above. The Lincoln Park location is an affluent area that can command top rents in Chicago.

The Red Lion Pub is slated for a quick tear down, this November. It's not too late to rush in for a plate of bangers and mash and a heady pint.

Ghost hunters world wide have visited the Red Lion. It will be missed, at least by the living.

It's not clear if the various ghosts will make the move to the new digs, but if they don't, perhaps they can float down Lincoln Avenue and take up residence in the old Biograph Theater.

The Biograph Theater is notorious in Chicago.

This is where John Dillinger was ratted on by the "lady in red". Dillinger's Ghost is seen in the alley where he took his last breath.

Who knows? He may enjoy the company.

Cheers! To old spookey times!

Red Lion Pub, 2446 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL. Phone: 773.348.2695