From the stained glass portraits of Lemp family members hanging behind the bar to the narrow winding stairs leading to the attic, every inch of The Lemp Mansion in St. Louis seems imbued with its haunting history.

Arrive at lunch on a summer weekday and there’s ample seating available. Servers will greet you and offer the daily specials, followed by what they know patrons really want to hear: Yes, you can explore (within limits). After your meal, guests are invited to visit the gift shop and take a peek at the second floor and attic (though access to the guest rooms themselves in this operating hotel is obviously restricted to overnight guests).

If the eerie music and drawn curtains aren’t enough to alert you to the mansion’s unique history as soon as you step through the door, the menu certainly will. On the front you’ll find the standard fare – appetizers, salads, sandwiches, pasta, seafood and more.

Turn the menu over for the mansion’s full story, which dates back to John Adam Lemp, a German immigrant who came to St. Louis from Germany in 1838 and soon built his own brewery. While the business quickly grew and became the biggest brewery in St. Louis, the Lemp family was marked for tragedy, with several members taking their lives within the mansion.

Today, the establishment’s haunting history and breathtaking, carefully preserved architecture make it a popular destination for those seeking everything from paranormal experiences to a romantic weekend getaway.

Fans of the paranormal can choose from a variety of ghost tours and experiences or attend one of The Lemp Mansion’s special events, such as its popular Halloween Bash. The truly intrepid can book an overnight stay in one of the hotel’s four opulent suites. Curious, but not quite ready for a night of fright? Stop by for lunch on a weekday and explore the public areas on your own.

The Lemp Mansion serves up dishes like homemade toasted ravioli (a St. Louis favorite), a chicken sandwich topped with its very own Lemp Mansion Ghost Pepper Relish, and several types of steak (which seems befitting of a dining room that once catered to beer barons). Diners can finish their meal with a flourish by ordering one of the mansion’s flaming desserts.

If the back of the menu leaves you hungry for more Lemp history, pick up a book in the gift shop, then follow the winding stairs to the upper floors and peek inside the mansion’s parlor, where you’ll find subtle reminders that The Lemp Mansion is more than your standard bed & breakfast, including a Ouija Board and a sign that reads, “NOTICE: Live Ghost Cam in Use.”

Tips for visiting: The mansion is truly bustling with activity (both corporeal and possibly supernatural), day in and day out, so we can’t promise you’ll have the option to meander if you’re only there for a meal. But if given the option, be sure to take advantage of it. Even the women’s restroom was a little spooky.

Also check the dining hours before heading over, as the restaurant is typically only open Thursdays through Sundays.

Most importantly, if you want a specific experience, plan ahead and choose the option that’s best for your group. We were more than satisfied with a hearty chicken sandwich, a slice of chocolate cake and a trip to the second floor parlor on a weekday in August, but if you’d prefer a mystery dinner or a night of ghost hunting, they can accommodate that, too.

The Lemp Mansion is located at 3322 DeMenil Place, St. Louis, MO. Follow The Lemp Mansion on Facebook for coupons, special offers and upcoming events.

Kathryn Deters McDonald is a Missouri native, writer, author and lover of all things spooky, ooky and eerie. Salem, Shmalem. It’s all right here in The Spook-Me State.