Scarlett O’Hara’s – Haunted Bar and Restaurant in St. Augustine, Florida
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> Scarlett O’Hara’s – Haunted Bar and Restaurant in St. Augustine, Florida
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Full Address: 70 Hypolita St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States
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Scarlett O’Hara’s is a beloved haunted pub in historic St. Augustine, listed in the National Directory of Haunted Places. This quirky two-story establishment, made from two connected 1870s homes, is famous for its resident ghost George Colee, who allegedly haunts the upstairs “Ghost Bar” where he met his tragic end.
Historical Background
Year Built: 1870 (one house), 1879 (second house connected to create the restaurant)
Original Purpose: Private residence built as a wedding gift
Significant Events: George Colee commissioned the original house in 1879 as a wedding present for his fiancée, who broke his heart by running off with a soldier from Fort Marion. Shortly after marrying another woman and moving into the home, Colee was found drowned in an upstairs bathtub—initially thought to be suicide, but later suspected to be murder, possibly orchestrated by his vengeful ex-fiancée.
Paranormal Activity Summary
George Colee’s spirit is the main paranormal resident, and he seems to enjoy making his presence known in playful ways. Guests and staff report burglar alarms being triggered when the building is empty, candles mysteriously lighting themselves, chairs moving across the floor, and the thermostat being adjusted by unseen hands.
The jukebox has been found playing music when no one is present, and visitors often feel light taps on their shoulders. George particularly enjoys messing with people in the upstairs bathroom—the very location where he died—and employees have embraced him so much that they hang a Christmas stocking for him every year.
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Ghost Stories & Reports
George Colee is the primary spirit haunting the establishment, a heartbroken man who met a suspicious end in his own home. Visitors report feeling his fingers tap their shoulders, experiencing cold spots near the bathroom, and witnessing objects move across the bar top.
Staff members have arrived to open the restaurant only to find candles already lit upstairs, despite locking up the night before. The burglar alarm frequently goes off in the middle of the night, sending police to investigate, only to find the building empty except for the sound of the jukebox playing.
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Most Haunted Spot Inside
The upstairs “Ghost Bar” is the epicenter of paranormal activity, particularly the bathroom area where George Colee drowned. Men using the bathroom often report feeling watched or experiencing unexplained disturbances, and the doorway near the bar is described by visitors as having an intensely “creepy” energy.
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Can You Visit?
Open to the Public? Yes (Note: The establishment temporarily closed in 2022 due to lease issues but reopened under new ownership in 2025, now operating as “The Scarlett House”)
Entry Fee: No entry fee; standard restaurant and bar pricing for food and drinks
Tour Availability: No formal paranormal tours, but the location is featured on St. Augustine ghost tours and visitors are welcome to explore
Photography Allowed? Yes
Visiting Hours: Open daily; check current hours at the location
Best Time to Visit
Late evening visits offer the best chance of experiencing paranormal activity, particularly after dark when the upstairs Ghost Bar is less crowded. The establishment has been accumulating haunted reports for decades, so any time of year could yield ghostly encounters.
First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports
One visitor photographed what appeared to be an unexplained anomaly near the doorway by the upstairs bar after feeling an overwhelming sense of being watched. Staff members consistently report the same recurring phenomena: self-lighting candles, triggered alarms, and furniture being rearranged overnight.
Employees have learned to accept George as a permanent resident of the building. News reports and paranormal investigators have verified the building’s haunted status, and Thrillist named it one of the most haunted bars in America.
Local Legends & Myths
The love triangle that led to George Colee’s death remains the central legend of Scarlett O’Hara’s. Some believe his first fiancée, bitter about his remarriage, convinced her soldier boyfriend to murder Colee in the bathtub, making it look like suicide.
George supposedly still splashes around at night in the bathroom, despite the original bathtub being long gone. Legend says he’s particularly mischievous with male visitors who offend him or speak disrespectfully about his story.
Paranormal Investigations & Findings
The building appears in multiple paranormal directories and has been featured in haunted location guides including “Ancient City Hauntings: More Ghosts of St. Augustine” and the “National Directory of Haunted Places.” Ghost tour companies in St. Augustine regularly include Scarlett O’Hara’s as a stop, sharing George’s tragic story with visitors.
The establishment’s haunted status has been “verified” according to local managers who’ve worked there for years. Multiple paranormal investigation teams have documented unexplained occurrences at the location over the decades.