The Red Lion Pub
Posted: 10.13.2019 | Updated: 04.09.2025
The historic neighborhood of Lincoln Park is home to the well-famed English-style Red Lion Pub at 2446 N. Lincoln Avenue. Known to many for its warm, cozy atmosphere, long list of spirits, and English food items, the pub has an air of peculiarity, with some patrons seeming out of place. There may be something bigger it ties into, like the grim history behind Lincoln Park.
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Is the Red Lion Pub Haunted?
The Red Lion Pub holds a steadfast reputation in Chicago for providing an authentic five-star experience. However, there is something else lingering in the air at this local establishment other than beer and traditional, English-style food.
It’s the strange scent of lavender perfume. However, the identity of the intoxicating smell remains a mystery, adding to the rumors that the Red Lion Pub is one of Chicago’s most haunted pubs.
History of the Red Lion Pub
The Red Lion Pub’s history dates back to the 1980s when John Cordwell, a Lincoln Park native and former architect, had the idea to open an English-style pub. It was an easy decision to open it in Lincoln Park, an area he was intimately familiar with. However, deciding on a specific location within Lincoln Park proved to be anything but that.
Cordwell scoured the neighborhood for the perfect spot but was consistently met with disappointment – too far, not enough traffic and the space didn’t work. That is, until one morning when he was having a cup of coffee in a French bakery adjacent to the Biograph Theater. He noticed a building with a bar across the street for sale. The aspiring business owner had a eureka moment.
It was a rough few months ahead. The bar, previously running under the name “Dirty Dan’s Saloon,” lived up to the name. Every adjective that could be used to describe a place as disgusting applied to the sight that was laid before Cordwell.
He was determined to transform it, however. After months of heavy refurbishment, The Red Lion opened its doors on November 16, 1984.
Today, The Red Lion Pub remains a favorite in northern Chicago under the ownership of Cordwell’s son, Colin. It attracts anglophiles, history buffs, and just about anyone seeking a cozy pub with a welcoming atmosphere. It’s also a well-talked-about spot among ghost enthusiasts.
Hauntings Overview
The reputation of The Red Lion as a haunted Chicago pub may be linked to the history of Lincoln Park itself. Much of the area was once a cemetery for cholera victims and Confederate soldiers in the 1800’s. Many graves were relocated, while some remain unmarked as the city developed.
The Biograph Theater also stands across the street. It was the site where notorious public enemy number one, John Dillinger, was shot to death just outside. However, this still doesn’t solve the problem of the identity of the Red Lion Pub’s ghostly patrons.
The apparition of a man has been seen wearing cowboy clothes and walking along the main bar. The apparitions of two other men have also been seen: a man with blonde hair and another wearing a dark cowboy hat.
You may also see a little girl walking around. It’s only natural to alert staff, but you wouldn’t be the first. Over the years, staff and patrons have experienced the otherworldly apparition of a little girl wandering through the Red Lion Pub. No one may ever know who she is or what she is searching for.
Cries of the Lavender Woman
An unnatural stillness fills the air. A chill sends goosebumps crawling up your arms as the faint aroma of lavender lingers. At the Red Lion Pub, it means you’re in the presence of whom staff and patrons have dubbed the Lavender Woman. She is the spirit of a young woman believed to haunt the second floor.
Patrons and staff often hear her shrieks and crying coming from the bathroom. Every attempt at opening the door has been unsuccessful when the sounds manifest. Only when she stops can the door open freely, and no one can be found inside.
The young lady’s spirit is also known to be a bit of a prankster. She is often blamed for knocking plates of food out of servers’ hands. She has also rearranged the furniture occasionally, even pushing all the bar stools and chairs to the center of the room.
Haunted Chicago
The towering skyscrapers of Chicago are a sight to behold as they overlook Lake Michigan. They create a striking skyline that conceals a darker side of the city. From ghostly apparitions to unexplained phenomena, Chicago holds a haunting allure that captivates visitors and locals alike.
The Red Lion Pub in Lincoln Park is a testament to Chicago’s haunted history, offering a glimpse into the afterlife. In search of a spine-tingling experience? Book a ghost tour with Windy City Ghosts today to explore some of Chicago’s most haunted sites.
Until then, be sure to stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more chilling stories and updates.
Sources:
- https://redlionchicago.com/worldly-spirits/
- https://hauntedhouses.com/illinois/the-red-lion-pub/
- https://ghostlypodcast.com/episode/redlion/
Book A Windy City Ghosts Tour And See For Yourself
For over 200 years, Chicago has endured the Great Fire, Al Capone, Prohibition, Violent Riots, and Shipwrecks. These events led to Chicago’s mysterious hauntings, often experienced by locals – and even our guests. The third most populous city in the nation has become a hotbed for ghostly encounters.
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