Oct 29, 2025 - Things to Do

Step into San Francisco's haunted hotel experience

Claire Reilly

The Bellboy at the Black Cat Hotel is ready to sign away your room key and your soul. Photo: Valerie Guseva — The Bellboy at the Black Cat Hotel is ready to sign away your room key and your soul. Photo: Courtesy of Valerie Guseva/Black Hat Hotel

Still looking for some last-minute Halloween fun? The Black Hat Hotel in North Beach is perfect for cabaret fans and vintage lovers who want to explore a haunted hotel frozen in time.

San Francisco's newest immersive haunt has taken over the Palace Theater in North Beach, which was formerly home to the Speakeasy San Francisco.

What to expect: This 45-minute experience combines art deco splendor with a healthy dose of cobwebs and haunting theater.

You move through the hotel in small groups, guided by actors who nudge you along and hit you with just enough jump scares to jolt your nervous system.
Be sure to stick around afterwards to sip a cocktail from a skull-shaped mug in the speakeasy-style bar.

My thought bubble: I can't believe I've never been inside the Palace! Every time I visit North Beach I'm reminded how lucky we are to have such beautiful old buildings. Exploring this huge space with live actors made it feel like I was truly back in the prohibition era.

What's next: The departure of the Palace Theater's long-running Speakeasy show left a void for local theater fans, but we hear more immersive productions are in the works for 2026.

If you go: The Black Cat Hotel runs until Nov. 1 at 644 Broadway. Tickets start at $75.

Add Axios on Google

Step into San Francisco's haunted hotel experience

More San Francisco stories

Step into San Francisco's haunted hotel experience