The Commercial Tavern, located at 142-144 Commercial Street in London’s East End, dates back to the early 19th century. Originally built in 1817, the pub has been a fixture in the Spitalfields area for over 200 years. The building’s Georgian architecture features distinctive bow windows and ornate interior details that have been preserved throughout its long history.

During the Victorian era, the Commercial Tavern gained notoriety as a haunt for criminals and unsavory characters. Its proximity to the infamous Ten Bells pub, associated with Jack the Ripper’s victims, added to its dark reputation. In the 1880s, the tavern was frequented by local gangsters and was known for illegal gambling activities.

Ghost stories surrounding the Commercial Tavern have persisted for generations. Staff and patrons have reported numerous paranormal experiences within its walls. One of the most frequently sighted apparitions is that of a Victorian-era barmaid, often seen behind the bar or ascending the stairs. Witnesses describe her as wearing period dress and vanishing when approached.

Another recurring phenomenon involves the sounds of footsteps and whispered conversations emanating from empty rooms, particularly on the upper floors. Some visitors have reported feeling a sudden chill or sensing an unseen presence while in certain areas of the pub.

Objects have been said to move on their own, particularly in the cellar area. Staff members have reported finding glasses and bottles rearranged or toppled over when no one had been in the room.

One of the more chilling accounts involves the apparition of a man in Victorian attire seen lurking in the shadows of the pub’s corners. Some speculate this could be the ghost of a former patron or perhaps connected to the area’s criminal past.