Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings

Portland keeps some of its darkest stories underground. This 90-minute tour gives you exclusive access to the Shanghai Tunnels, then adds a full pint of Old Town’s award-winning beer. I like the unusual mix of history and ghost stories, and guides such as Natasha, Doug, Skippy, and Kaitlin have earned praise for making heavy subjects understandable and entertaining. The main drawback is that the ghost material is lighter than some people expect.

I also like the small group size, capped at 15 people, and the easy Old Town meeting point inside Old Town Pizza & Brewing. You should know that the passageways are cramped, with stairs, pipes, narrow doorways, uneven dirt floors, and some ducking. Sneakers or sturdy closed-toe shoes are essential, and the tour is not a good fit if you have mobility limits.

Key points to know before booking

• The tour lasts about 90 minutes, with the underground visit followed by beer sampling.
• Three beer tasters and one full pint are included in the $48 price.
• The history comes first, covering Portland’s underground spaces, crimping, forced recruitment of sailors, and the treatment of captives.
• Ghost content is present but limited, with stories about the resident ghost Nina.
• The route is physically demanding, with narrow stairs, pipes, uneven floors, and low obstacles.
• Most departures are for adults 21 and older, while certain afternoon tours allow teenagers. Children under 12 are not permitted.

What the $48 price really gets you

At $48 per person, this is not simply a short walk through a basement. Your ticket combines a roughly 90-minute guided experience, access to a restricted underground area, three beer tasters, and one full pint at the end.

That combination gives the tour decent value if you already enjoy local history and craft beer. A history talk alone might feel expensive for the length, while a brewery visit alone would not offer much connection to Portland’s past. Here, the beer is part of the setting and gives the experience a relaxed finish after serious subject matter.

The included pint matters more than it might seem. The beer tasting is described in slightly different ways by the company and by people who took the tour, so you should expect small sample pours rather than three full drinks. One account described two small samples before the pint, while the advertised experience promises three tasters. If you are booking mainly for beer, ask at the meeting point exactly what pours are being offered that day.

The full pint helps balance the value. You can also order food separately at Old Town Pizza & Brewing. Pizza is a popular suggestion, but it is not included in the tour price. If you want to eat before or after, check the timing of your departure, especially for later tours when the restaurant may close soon after the activity.

Meeting at Old Town Pizza & Brewing

Your starting point is Old Town Pizza & Brewing at 226 NW Davis Street, in central Portland. This is a useful meeting place because you do not have to cross town to reach the tour. The location is near public transportation, and the activity ends at the same address.

Arrive early. The tour has a strict late-arrival policy, with no refund for missed departures or same-day cancellations. That matters here because the underground portion is guided and the group cannot simply wait for someone who is running behind.

Old Town Pizza & Brewing also sets the tone. You begin in a working restaurant and brewery, not at a polished museum entrance. That makes the experience feel casual and local. It also gives you the option of grabbing pizza, though you should not count on having a long meal before a tightly scheduled start.

The group limit is 15 people. That is small enough for a guide to manage a narrow route without turning it into a crowded procession. It also gives you a better chance of hearing the stories in spaces where sound may be less clear.

Going below Portland’s streets

The tour takes you below the city through old passageways connected with local businesses and the Willamette River. The underground spaces are the main reason to book. You are not just hearing about Portland’s past from a sidewalk. You are entering the type of confined environment tied to the stories being told.

Set your expectations carefully. This is not a long underground network that stretches beneath several city blocks. The accessible area is limited, and some people find that the experience feels more like a remaining underground section beneath the building than an extended series of tunnels.

That limitation is important. If you picture a vast maze, you may feel disappointed. If you see the route as a short, atmospheric look at a surviving section of Portland’s underground past, it makes more sense.

The route includes narrow stairs and doorways, uneven dirt floors, and obstacles that require you to duck beneath or maneuver around pipes. You may need to adjust your pace and watch your footing. High heels are a poor choice, and comfortable walking shoes are specifically recommended.

The old structure is part of the appeal, but it also means modern comfort is limited. This is not designed like an accessible attraction. The company advises a moderate level of physical fitness, and the narrow stairs make the tour unsuitable for people with mobility issues.

Portland’s darker side, told with care

The historical portion covers Portland’s connection to crimping, a practice linked to the sailing industry in the 1800s. The term refers to the coercive recruitment of people for service at sea. The tour also addresses how captives were treated, along with subjects involving human trafficking, drug use, sexual content, violence, and death.

That material is not window dressing. It explains why the tunnels carry such a dark reputation. The underground setting gives the guide a place to discuss stories that can otherwise seem distant or abstract.

You should not expect a light comedy tour. Some guides use humor to keep the group engaged, but the subject matter remains disturbing. The strongest guides appear to balance entertainment with respect. Doug, Natasha, Skippy, and Kaitlin have each been praised for telling Portland’s story in an engaging way while handling difficult material with care.

The quality can depend on the individual guide. One guide may take a theatrical approach, while another may focus more closely on historical detail. If you prefer a serious history presentation, you may enjoy a quieter guide more than a highly performative one. If you want a spooky night out, a lively storyteller may suit you better.

Meeting Nina, the resident ghost

Nina is the tour’s main supernatural figure. You hear stories about the resident ghost and possible unexplained activity connected with the underground rooms.

Still, this is best understood as a history tour with spooky elements, not a full paranormal investigation. The ghosts do not dominate the entire 90 minutes. Several accounts describe the experience as more historical than haunted, with only a modest amount of ghost material.

That can be a plus. I prefer tours that explain the place before adding a supernatural layer. The history gives the ghost stories context, and you can decide for yourself how much weight to give them.

If you want constant scares, dramatic effects, or a long list of hauntings, this may not satisfy you. The setting is dark and atmospheric, but the tour relies mainly on storytelling, old rooms, and the mood of being underground. Some props may be present, and the exact style can vary with the guide.

The best approach is to arrive expecting a little spooky, rather than a theatrical haunted house. People who enjoy unexplained stories alongside real historical events are likely to get more from it.

The beer tasting and final pint

After the underground section, you return to Old Town Pizza & Brewing for the tasting portion. The advertised package includes three tasters and one full pint of Old Town beer.

This is a smart ending. The underground route deals with forced labor, violence, death, and other adult subjects. Sitting down with a beer gives you a chance to shift gears and talk about what you have just heard.

The beer itself receives warm praise, and one unusual option mentioned is a candy cap mushroom beer. That kind of rotating or distinctive selection can make the tasting more interesting than a standard light beer sample. The exact beers are not guaranteed, so consider the tasting a chance to try what is available rather than a fixed flight.

There is some uncertainty about the number and size of the small pours. The supplied tour details promise three tasters, while one account described two samples of roughly a quarter cup each. The full pint is clearly part of the package, but the tasting portion may be modest.

If you do not drink alcohol, the value of the package changes. The tour information does not describe nonalcoholic substitutions, so contact the provider before booking if that matters to you.

How the guides shape the experience

The guide makes a real difference in a small, story-based tour. The strongest examples include Natasha’s local history and storytelling, Doug’s easy manner, Skippy’s energy, and Kaitlin’s explanations of how the underground spaces were used.

You may get a guide who focuses on the mechanics of the tunnels, or one who puts more attention on ghost stories. You may also get someone more theatrical. That variety can be enjoyable, but it means the tone is not perfectly uniform from one departure to another.

I would choose an earlier departure if you want time for pizza or another drink afterward. One later evening tour ended close to the restaurant’s closing time, which left little time to sit down after the activity.

The tour is also a good date-night option if both people enjoy unusual history and a beer. It is less suitable for someone who dislikes dark subject matter, confined spaces, or guided storytelling with a playful edge.

Who should book this Portland tour?

I would recommend it to you if you:

• Enjoy local history that deals with uncomfortable subjects.
• Like ghost stories but do not need constant scares.
• Want a short activity in central Portland.
• Appreciate small groups and unusual access.
• Are comfortable with stairs, uneven floors, low obstacles, and tight spaces.
• Are interested in pairing a historic site with local beer.

I would think twice if you:

• Expect miles of connected tunnels.
• Want a dedicated paranormal investigation.
• Have mobility limitations.
• Dislike discussions of trafficking, drug use, sexual content, violence, or death.
• Are booking mainly for a large beer flight.
• Need a fully accessible route.

The adult rules also matter. Most departures require you to be at least 21. Certain afternoon departures, listed as the 2pm and 3pm tours in the supplied details, allow teenagers, but the information is not perfectly consistent about which afternoon time qualifies. If you are booking for someone under 21, confirm the permitted departure before paying. Babies, infants, and children under 12 are not allowed.

Practical advice for a smoother visit

Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good traction. You will walk up and down stairs, step across uneven dirt, and move between pipes and other obstacles. Avoid high heels and loose plans that require you to leave immediately at the scheduled end.

Arrive early at the Old Town Pizza & Brewing address. The activity has no refund for late arrivals, same-day cancellations, or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time.

The tour requires a minimum number of participants and suitable weather. If the provider cancels for either reason, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.

The tour is offered in English and confirmation is sent when you book. It is a good fit for a Portland afternoon or evening when you want something more distinctive than a standard brewery stop.

Should you book the Shanghai Tunnel Tour?

Book it if you want a compact, unusual Portland experience that joins difficult history, underground access, ghost stories, and beer. The strongest part is the setting and the chance to hear about crimping in the place associated with these stories.

Do not book it expecting a long tunnel maze or a nonstop haunted attraction. The route is limited, the ghost material is secondary, and the physical conditions are rough. At $48, the package makes the most sense when you value the guide’s storytelling, the underground access, and the included pint together. For the right audience, it is a memorable way to see a less polished and more troubling side of Old Town.

FAQ

How long does the Portland Shanghai Tunnel Tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 90 minutes, including the underground tour and the beer tasting.

Where does the tour begin?

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

Where does the tour end?

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

Is beer included in the ticket price?

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

Do I have to be 21 to take the tour?

Most tours are for people 21 and older. The supplied details identify certain 2pm and 3pm afternoon tours as exceptions for teenagers. Children under 12 are not permitted.

Is the tour physically accessible?

No. The route includes narrow stairs and doorways, uneven dirt floors, pipes, and obstacles that require you to duck or maneuver carefully. A moderate fitness level and comfortable footwear are recommended.

Does the tour include ghost stories?

Yes. The guide discusses Portland’s dark past and stories about Nina, the resident ghost. The experience also places substantial attention on history, so it is not presented as a nonstop ghost tour.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Late cancellations, same-day cancellations, and late arrivals are not refunded. If poor weather or an insufficient number of participants causes the provider to cancel, you can select another date or receive a full refund.