The Haunted Reynolds Tavern

Posted: 01.02.2025 | Updated: 01.02.2025

There’s no such thing as too beautiful when it comes to taking in the city of Annapolis. There is something exciting awaiting everyone, from aquatic activities and entertainment to immersive historical landmarks. There is also another side that comes out after dark for those more interested in the darker side of the city’s history. 

It’s a hive of haunted locations filled with stories of the macabre and ghostly specters. One of them resides at Reynolds Tavern, or so it’s believed to be only one. This age-old tavern is home to an overwhelming amount of spiritual energy so intense that it caused its previous owners to cease any further investigation in 2004. Many believe it’s the spirit of one of the previous bar owners with a background as mysterious as their true identity. 

The spirits of Annapolis lie waiting in the dark; ready to see them up close? Join Annapolis Ghosts on a ghost tour you won’t soon forget by visiting our website today. You can also stay up to date on our blog for more cold-sweat-inducing tales of Annapolis’s most haunted locations. 

Is the Reynolds Tavern Haunted?

Reynolds Tavern isn’t just renowned throughout Annapolis for its original colonial architecture but also for its ghostly reputation. This 18th-century tavern, rich with history and filled with spirits, is said to be haunted by one as well. It keeps a watchful eye on them, adding an eerie chill to the warm, rustic ambiance of the tavern. 

History of Reynolds Tavern

Reynolds Tavern, located at 7 Church Street in Annapolis, MD, was founded and constructed in 1747 by William Reynolds, a hatter and dry goods salesman. Then known as Beaver and Lac’d Hat, Reynolds ran the establishment as a tavern and center for his hat-selling business. It quickly became a reputable meeting place attracting notable names such as George Washington, as well as the Corporation of the City of Annapolis and the Mayor’s Court. 

The tavern was passed down within the family until 1796, first to Reynolds’s third wife, Mary, then to his daughter Magrette. From there, it continued to be repurposed in the coming years under each new owner: a boarding house, bank, and library. It even narrowly avoided demolition when the Standard Oil Company tried to buy it to build a gas station in 1935. 

Reynolds Tavern was repurposed once again as a tavern in 1984, under which it still continues to operate. Today, the building flourishes under the new owners, Dave and Diane Rey. It offers guests a glimpse into the past, showcasing much of its original period-style architecture and serving as a historical staple for Annapolis. Additionally, the tavern offers lodging and a unique tea time experience accompanied by refreshments in their elegant tea room on the first floor.

An Invisible Proprietor

There isn’t much known about Mary Reynolds, who was one of the earliest owners of Reynolds Tavern. Nonetheless, her name remains more prevalent than others in the Tavern’s lengthy history. It’s because many believe her ghost still lingers, keeping order within her late husband’s pride and joy. 

A number of inexplicable experiences have been reported since it reopened as a tavern again in the 80s: objects moving on their own, human-shaped indentations in one of the upstairs beds, as well as items disappearing and reappearing at random times. Guests and staff have also heard the strange voice of a woman singing Christmas carols at all hours of the day. 

What really has staff believing it’s Mary’s ghost has to do with how well she keeps order in the tavern with staff and guests alike. On one occasion, an employee’s backpack strap broke, making it fall to the floor and burst open; all the frozen filet mignons he was hiding went flying around the room. She is also known to have a unique number of ghostly ways to deal with drunk and disorderlies. Her favorite seems to be locking them in the bathroom. 

It remains a mystery if Mary is the only ghost haunting this centuries-old tavern. A paranormal investigation conducted in 2004 by the Maryland Ghost and Spirit Society suggested there may be as many as five spirits that linger around for last call. There was so much activity stirred up by their initial investigation that the owners at the time decided not to publicize any further paranormal investigations. 

Haunted Annapolis 

Annapolis, MD, offers a unique experience to visitors where its deep-rooted past meets modern-day excitement. Along with history comes the ghosts and legends that beckon from the darkness, whispering through the stillness of the night, stories of their long-forgotten past. It’s what makes this maritime city a beacon for spiritual activity.  

Some of those stories are contained within the walls of Reynolds Tavern. Located at 7 Church Street, it stands as one of the oldest taverns in Annapolis. It also stands as one of the most haunted with tales of an unknown presence that continues to make itself known to staff and patrons. Who or how many of them there are remains questionable, with one thing for certain: trouble awaits any who dare step out of line. 

Get ready to explore the darker side of Annapolis today with Annapolis Ghosts! Visit our website and book a spot on our next ghost tour, where you have the chance to see some of Annapolis’s ghosts up close and personal. You can also check out our blog for more chill-ridden stories, and stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

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