Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings

Portland’s strangest stories wait below street level. This 90-minute tour combines exclusive access to the Shanghai Tunnels with a guided look at Portland’s darker past, including crimping, forced labor, violence, and the ghost known as Nina. I like the unusual setting and the way the tour ends with three beer tasters and a full pint of Old Town beer. The main caution is simple: this is more historical tour with spooky elements than a full-on ghost investigation, and the passageways are rough going.

I also like the small group size, capped at 15 people, since that makes it easier to hear the guide in tight rooms. Guides such as Natasha, Doug, Skippy, Katelyn, and Kaitlin have each brought strong storytelling to the experience. Still, the quality can depend on the guide’s style, and some visitors found the humor too theatrical while others loved the energy.

Key points to know before booking

• You enter beneath Old Town Pizza & Brewing: The tour begins and ends at 226 NW Davis Street, making the brewery a handy place for pizza before or after the experience.
• The history is serious: Expect discussion of human trafficking, drug use, sexual content, violence, death, and the practice of forcing people into maritime work.
• The ghost stories are part of a larger history lesson: Nina is the resident ghost, but the tour spends substantial time on Portland’s underground past.
• The included drink package adds real value: The advertised package includes three beer tasters and one full pint of Old Town’s award-winning beer.
• The tunnels are physically demanding: You will use narrow stairs, duck beneath obstacles, pass around pipes, and walk over uneven dirt floors.
• The best fit is an adult history fan with sturdy shoes: Most departures are for people 21 and older, with special exceptions for some afternoon tours.

Starting at Old Town Pizza & Brewing

Your meeting point is Old Town Pizza & Brewing in central Portland. This is a practical start because you do not need to find an obscure entrance in a back alley or meet far from public transportation. Check in at the restaurant, meet your guide, and prepare for the short transition from a working pizza and beer spot to the darker world below it.

I would arrive early enough to get oriented. Several people have enjoyed eating pizza before or after the tour, and the restaurant gives you an easy place to continue the evening. If you book a late departure, check the restaurant’s closing time before counting on a post-tour meal.

The group size is limited to 15. That is small enough for a more personal presentation, though the underground rooms can still feel crowded when everyone gathers near pipes or narrow doorways. Listen closely when the guide explains where to step and when to duck.

What the Shanghai Tunnels really offer

The name can set up the wrong expectation. You are not walking through a vast underground city for 90 minutes. The accessible area is a remaining section beneath the building, with underground rooms, narrow passages, pipes, stairs, props, and uneven floors.

That does not make the visit worthless. The setting helps you picture how Old Town once connected businesses and waterfront activity below the streets. You get a physical sense of the cramped conditions and the practical reasons these underground spaces mattered.

At the same time, keep your expectations realistic. Some parts may feel more like a basement and a preserved section of tunnel than a long, continuous network. A few accounts describe the props as loosely connected to the stories. If you want miles of untouched passageways, this is not that experience.

The strongest part is the link between place and story. Your guide explains how people were Shanghaied, a term tied to the practice of forcing men into maritime service. You also hear about the people involved, the treatment of captives, and Portland’s role in a rough waterfront economy during the 1800s.

Portland’s darker past, told underground

This tour does not soften the difficult material. You may hear about human trafficking, drug use, sexual content, violence, and death. Those subjects are not side notes. They help explain why the tunnels have such a grim reputation and why the stories can feel uncomfortable.

I appreciate that the best guides treat these subjects with care. Doug has been praised for making the material engaging without losing sight of its seriousness. Natasha has also been singled out for her command of local history and her ability to keep the group interested.

The tone can vary. Some guides lean into jokes and theatrical delivery. That works for people who want a lively evening, but it may feel awkward if you prefer a sober history talk. When you book, think about your own tolerance for campfire-style presentation. The subject matter is heavy, while the delivery may be playful.

The historical material is often the tour’s strongest feature. If you come mainly for the ghost stories, you might wish for more reports of paranormal activity. If you enjoy learning how a city worked, especially its waterfront and underground spaces, the history gives the tour more substance.

Nina and the haunted side of the visit

Nina is presented as the resident ghost connected with the underground site. Her story gives the tour its supernatural hook, and the dark rooms provide an effective setting for stories about unexplained activity.

Still, the ghost element is not the whole program. Some departures contain only a small amount of haunting material compared with the history. The balance may also depend on your guide and the questions your group asks.

I would book this for a little spooky rather than guaranteed scares. The appeal comes from standing in an old underground space while hearing about people, crimes, suffering, and strange reports tied to the building. It is atmospheric, but it is not advertised as a paranormal investigation with equipment or extended time for testing spirits.

That distinction matters. If you want a traditional haunted walk with one ghost story after another, you may come away underwhelmed. If you like history first and supernatural stories second, the mix works better.

Navigating stairs, pipes, and dirt floors

The physical demands are modest for someone in good shape, but they are not minor. You will climb up and down stairs, move through narrow doorways, duck under obstacles, and maneuver around pipes between the ceiling and floor.

The site has uneven dirt floors and old-building features. Comfortable closed-toe shoes are essential. Sneakers make sense, and high heels do not. You should also be comfortable bending, stepping carefully, and keeping your balance in a confined space.

This is not a suitable activity for anyone with significant mobility limitations. The access notice specifically points to narrow stairs and doorways, obstacles, and uneven surfaces. Babies, infants, and children under 12 are not allowed. Most departures are for people 21 and older, although the 2pm and 3pm tours allow teenagers according to the stated rules.

The physical setting adds to the atmosphere, but it also limits access. If someone in your group has trouble with stairs or ducking beneath low obstacles, choose another Portland activity.

The beer tasting and full pint

After the underground portion, you return to Old Town Pizza & Brewing for the beer portion. The advertised package includes three tasters and one full pint of Old Town beer. That gives you a relaxed finish after the serious subject matter below ground.

The beer is more than a token extra. At $48 per person, the included drinks help explain the price, especially if you already enjoy brewery visits. The final pint gives you time to talk about the tour, compare impressions, and settle back into the ordinary world above street level.

There is one point worth checking when you book. The experience description promises three tasters, while one account described receiving two small samples. Beer selections and pours can change, so it is sensible to confirm the current tasting arrangement if that part of the package matters to you.

The range can be playful. One visitor particularly enjoyed a candy cap mushroom beer. You may not love every sample, but the tasting gives you a chance to try something beyond a standard lager or pale ale.

The pint is included, but gratuity is not. Budget a little extra if you want to tip your guide or bar staff.

Is $48 a fair price?

For 90 minutes, $48 is not a bargain basement price. The value depends on how you divide the cost between the tour, the access, and the drinks.

The price makes better sense if you value three things:

• A guided visit to an area you cannot normally enter on your own
• A focused history talk about Portland’s underground and waterfront past
• A beer tasting followed by a full pint

It makes less sense if you want a long tunnel walk or a serious paranormal investigation. The underground area is limited, and the ghost stories do not dominate every departure.

The maximum group size of 15 helps. You are paying for a guided experience in a restricted historic space, not simply admission to a basement. A strong guide can turn the visit into a memorable history lesson. A poor fit in guide style can make the same material feel cheesy.

I would compare this with the cost of a beer flight and pint at a Portland brewery, then ask if the underground access and history are worth the difference. For someone curious about Old Town and comfortable with dark subjects, the answer is likely yes.

Choosing the best guide and departure

You cannot count on a particular guide unless the provider confirms one, but the guide matters here. Skippy has been praised for being entertaining and well informed. Natasha has earned praise for her local history and storytelling. Doug has a warm, engaging style, and Katelyn and Kaitlin have also delivered strong presentations.

The range of reactions tells you what to expect. Some guides use jokes and theatrical moments to keep the mood moving. Others focus more closely on the historical details. If you prefer a serious lecture, a highly playful guide may not suit you. If you want a social evening with spooky stories, lively delivery may be exactly right.

The 2pm and 3pm departures are the important exceptions to the age rule. Those tours allow teenagers, while the stated policy requires people to be 21 or older on the other departures. Check the exact departure when booking, especially if your group includes anyone under 21.

The tour lasts about an hour and a half. That is long enough to feel worthwhile but short enough to fit into a day of exploring Portland. Do not arrive late. The stated policy allows no refund for late arrivals or same-day cancellations.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to:

• Adults interested in Portland’s darker history
• People who enjoy ghost stories but do not need constant scares
• Beer fans who like adding a tasting to a cultural activity
• Visitors who want a small-group experience in Old Town
• Couples looking for an unusual evening activity
• Families with teenagers who can attend the 2pm or 3pm departure

I would hesitate to recommend it to:

• Anyone with mobility issues
• People uncomfortable with violence, trafficking, drug use, or sexual material
• Visitors expecting a large, untouched tunnel network
• Serious paranormal fans seeking a dedicated ghost hunt
• Anyone who dislikes theatrical storytelling or staged props

Cancellation and planning details

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted, and late arrivals do not receive a refund.

The activity requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or low enrollment cancels the experience, you are offered another date or a full refund.

The tour is offered in English, and you receive confirmation when booking. Since it is near public transportation and begins in central Portland, it is easy to fit into a downtown itinerary.

Should you book the Shanghai Tunnel Tour?

Book it if you want Portland history with a spooky edge, a confined underground setting, and beer at the finish. The strongest guides make the stories lively, and the small group keeps the experience manageable. The beer, pizza option, and central meeting point make the evening especially easy to plan.

Skip it if your main goal is a long tunnel expedition or a nonstop ghost tour. You will see a limited underground section, and the historical discussion takes up more time than the paranormal material. Go with sturdy shoes, an open mind, and realistic expectations, and this unusual Old Town experience can be well worth the $48.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, located at 226 NW Davis Street, Portland, Oregon 97209.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point at Old Town Pizza & Brewing.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.

What is included with the beer tasting?

The advertised package includes three beer tasters and one full pint of Old Town’s award-winning beer.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Babies, infants, and children under 12 are not allowed. Most tours are for people 21 and older, but the 2pm and 3pm tours allow teenagers.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility issues?

The tour involves narrow stairs and doorways, uneven dirt floors, and obstacles that require ducking or careful movement. A moderate level of physical fitness is required.

What subjects are discussed during the tour?

The tour includes Portland’s darker history, human trafficking, drug use, sexual content, violence, death, and the practice of forcing people into maritime service.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the tour, same-day cancellations, and late arrivals are not refunded.