The Ghosts of Musso & Frank Grill on Hollywood Boulevard

Kristen Winiarski • March 18, 2022
Hollywood Ghost Tour Musso and Frank Grill

As one of the oldest restaurants in Hollywood (built in 1919!), it should be no surprise that the Musso & Frank Grill on Hollywood Boulevard is a hot spot for celebrities- both living and deceased.

A black and white photo of musso franks grill

The Look



The feeling of nostalgia hits you in the face as soon as you walk in. From the red leather banquettes to the phone booth and curled hat racks, it feels like you stepped back through time to the era of classic movie stars and the rat pack (Frank Sinatra was just one of the regulars here and preferred booth 224 with the high walls). The place has much of the same decor, and the waiters still sport the same red jackets and bow ties as they did in the past. Many of the waiters have worked here for decades, so the supernatural doesn't spook them away, or maybe it's the reason they stay. Sinatra isn't the only famous face that frequented here back in the day. There are so many others who have even been known to return in their ghostly forms to their favorite haunt.

A group of people are sitting at tables in a restaurant.

Famous Haunt of Classic Stars (Literally)

Marilyn Monroe favored booth three, and Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks hung out in booth number one because of its privacy and window view. There have even been modern pictures taken where it looks like Chaplin is still looking out into the road. Maybe his ghost is still watching his horse tied out by the road. He dined here in the same booth for years, so it makes sense that his spirit would still gravitate to it.

The inside of a restaurant with red booths and tables

Speaking of ghosts, Rudolph Valentino's has been seen near the back of the building, hanging out by the old phone booth. Maybe he's waiting for a call from a girl. To add to the ghostly ambiance of times past, the restaurant even plays jazz standards through old-style speaker boxes.



Her specific reasons and afflictions will never truly be known, but it is suspected that she was drunk that night. Combine that with her apparent depression, and it proved to be a deadly combination.

A woman wearing a wig and a top hat with her eyes closed.

The Writerly Connections

This place is the epitome of famous people from days gone by. Additional actors and writers frequented the restaurant, including John Barrymore, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Lauren Bacall, Humphrey Bogart, Alfred Hitchcock, Dorothy Parker, Charles Bukowski, Ernest Hemingway, and William Faulkner. With a bookstore right next door, the writers would head in here once the store closed and mingle in this happening place.



In terms of additional famous ghosts, Errol Flynn, Orson Welles, and Jean Harlow have all been spotted here after their deaths also, along with a headless spirit! That last one is a mystery, but probably the creepiest encounter at this great restaurant.


A bowl of noodles with parsley on top

Its Enduring Popularity

Bringing it up to today, the unchanged decor makes for a perfect backdrop for many films, such as Ed Wood, La La Land, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood, and Swingers. Who knows, maybe one day these current actors and patrons will join the leagues of ghosts who already haunt it.


Check out this awesome restaurant that not only had the first Fettuccine Alfredo in America but features some famous guests. So belly up to the bar and order one of their famous martinis. You may even rub elbows with some of the best stars in the business, but it might put a chill through you.



Check out more classic ghost stories on Hollywood Boulevard in person on our ghost walk —every night at 7 pm!

A restaurant called american grill is lit up at night

You can check our Hollywood Google Business Profile to see what other customers talk about us!





Find Your Next Paranormal Experience

Halloween in Virgin Islands
October 16, 2025
Celebrate Halloween 2025 in the Virgin Islands with parades, parties, and haunted tales. Explore island legends on Ghost Tours with American Ghost Walks.
Halloween in Puerto Rico
October 16, 2025
Celebrate Halloween in Puerto Rico with haunted attractions, ghost tours in Old San Juan by American Ghost Walks, and spooky island adventures.
Halloween in Red Wing
October 16, 2025
Celebrate Halloween in Red Wing, MN with haunted tours, trunk-or-treats, and spooky events. Explore the town’s mysterious past with American Ghost Walks.
By Paul Reyes October 15, 2025
Halloween in Lahaina is unlike any other celebration in Hawaii. Once described as the “Mardi Gras of the Pacific,” Lahaina’s Halloween has been a tradition since the late 1980s, drawing thousands of locals and visitors alike. Whether you are looking for family-friendly fun, lively nightlife, or a glimpse into Maui’s spooky history, Lahaina offers it all.  In 2025, the spirit of Halloween is stronger than ever as the community rebuilds and reopens after the devastating wildfires of 2023. This year’s festivities carry a special meaning by celebrating resilience, culture, and the joy of gathering together on Maui’s most famous street.
October 15, 2025
Celebrate Halloween 2025 in Wiscasset, Maine with parades, trunk-or-treats, and haunted history. Discover spooky stories with American Ghost Walks.
October 15, 2025
Join these Halloween 2025 events in Kennebunkport, from trick-or-treating on Summer Street to spooky Ghost Tours by American Ghost Walks along Maine’s coast.
Thalia Hall in Chicago
By Mike Huberty October 14, 2025
Discover Thalia Hall’s spirits: historic theater lore, staff sightings, and a hands-on ghost hunt Oct 26 at 6 PM. Limited spots.
Halloween in Hilo
October 14, 2025
Celebrate Halloween in Hilo with family events, parties, and haunted fun. Discover Hawaiian legends on Ghost Tours in Hilo with American Ghost Walks.
By Paul Reyes October 14, 2025
Discover why New Orleans is one of the best places to celebrate Halloween in 2025. Explore haunted mansions, voodoo legends, and ghost through walking tours.
By Paul Reyes October 14, 2025
Discover the best Halloween events in Chicago 2025 including parades, haunted houses, pumpkin patches, and nightlife. Join American Ghost Walks for in Chicago!