Entry No. 20 — the Monterey file — filed under: haunted
Stokes Adobe Restaurant & Bar (formerly Restaurant 1833)
A two-story 1830s adobe home — built for a trapper, expanded by Dr. James Stokes in the 1840s — now split into intimate, distinctly themed drinking rooms, including a book-lined "Library" with a working fireplace. Staff and regulars have long attributed odd occurrences to Hattie, a civic activist who died in 1948 and is said to still haunt the building.
The story
Before it served craft cocktails, this two-story 1830s adobe started as a trapper's dwelling before being acquired and expanded in the 1840s by James Stokes—a British sailor who jumped ship in 1833 and promptly set up shop as a physician without formal medical credentials. Decades later, civic activist Hattie Gragg moved in, living in the home until her death in 1948. While the address has cycled through iterations as Gallatin's, Restaurant 1833, and now Stokes Adobe, staff and regulars will tell you Hattie never fully moved out.
Instead of a modern open-concept dining room, the interior remains fragmented into a maze of small, low-lit chambers shaped by thick mud-brick walls. The premier hideout is the Library room, tucked around a working fireplace and lined with old books. Over the decades, bartenders working late shifts have logged a quiet catalog of odd occurrences—misplaced glassware, sudden drafts, and fleeting sightings—that they quietly credit to Hattie watching over her old digs.
What it's like
Head to 500 Hartnell Street and step inside a multi-room, low-lit historic adobe. If you want the prime spot, claim the two armchairs positioned directly in front of the fireplace in the Library room and order a bourbon or absinthe cocktail. The vibe is intimate and conspiratorial rather than rowdy, though you should confirm operating hours before making the trip. Once you're settled with a drink, ask the bartender if they've felt anything unusual in the back rooms—nearly everyone working the floor has a story.
The move: Claim the two armchairs by the fireplace in the Library room for a bourbon or absinthe cocktail and see whether Hattie makes her presence known — bartenders have their own stories to tell if you ask.
- 📍 Old Monterey
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 500 Hartnell St, Monterey, CA 93940
Hours: Added 2026-07-20 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Colton Hall — Walk one block west to Colton Hall, where delegates drafted California's first constitution in 1849 around the same time Stokes was masquerading as a doctor nearby.
- Robert Louis Stevenson House — Pair your ghost hunt with another 1830s adobe two blocks away, where a bedridden Robert Louis Stevenson nursed his illness in 1879.
- Hellam's Tobacco & Wine Shop — Head two blocks north to Monterey's oldest continuously operating business for a quiet glass of wine or a cigar after your cocktail.
Good to know
Who was Hattie, and why is she tied to the adobe?
Hattie Gragg was a Monterey civic activist who lived in the home for decades until her death inside the building in 1948. Staff and visitors have attributed unexplained occurrences to her spirit ever since.
What is the background of the original owner, James Stokes?
James Stokes was a British sailor who deserted his ship in 1833. He took over the original trapper's adobe, expanded it into a two-story structure in the 1840s, and operated as a local doctor despite lacking formal medical training.
Is Stokes Adobe the same location as Restaurant 1833?
Yes. The historic adobe house at 500 Hartnell Street operated as Gallatin's mid-century, became Restaurant 1833 in the 2010s, and later reopened under the name Stokes Adobe.
What kind of drinks and seating should I look for?
The house is split into several themed drinking and dining rooms. The Library room features deep armchairs, book-lined shelves, a working fireplace, and a bar menu heavy on craft cocktails, absinthe, and bourbon.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: ediblemontereybay.com · montereycountynow.com · Official site
last checked: 2026-07-20