Portland: Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Beer Tasting

Portland’s past is hiding under your pizza. This 90-minute tour takes you beneath Old Town Pizza & Brewing into the Shanghai Tunnels, where stories of sailors, ghosts, and Portland’s rougher days come with a craft beer tasting and a full pint afterward. I like the way the tour mixes local history with spooky storytelling, rather than relying only on cheap scares. I also like the easy finish: you end upstairs at a historic pizza place, glass in hand.

The main drawback is the physical setting. The tunnels are narrow, dim, and uneven, with low pipes, tight stairs, and dirt floors. You need to duck and bend, and there is no refund if you arrive late and the group has already gone below. At $44, the tour is a fair buy if you want both a guided history walk and a drink, but less appealing if you only want a quick look at old passageways.

Key points to know before you book

• The tour begins at Old Town Pizza & Brewing: Enter the restaurant and say you are there for the tour. Before opening hours, knock on the door.
• The tunnels are tight and uneven: Expect stairs, narrow doorways, pipes, obstacles, and dirt floors. Comfortable shoes are essential.
• History gets equal billing with ghosts: The guide covers Portland’s darker past, the tunnels’ connection with sailors, and the resident ghost Nina.
• The beer is part of the value: Your ticket includes a special tasting and one full pint of Portland craft beer.
• Age rules vary by departure: Ages 13 to 20 can join the noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. tours only. Later departures are for people 21 and older.
• Arrive early: You should be there 10 minutes before departure. Late arrivals miss the underground portion and receive no refund.

Starting beneath Old Town Pizza

Your meeting point is Old Town Pizza & Brewing, in the lobby of the former Merchant Hotel. That detail gives the outing a useful sense of place before you even reach the tunnels. You are not meeting in a random parking lot and then driving somewhere else. The restaurant and the old building are part of the setting.

Go inside and announce that you are there for the tour. If the business has not opened yet, knock on the door. Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early. This matters here because the guide takes the group underground, and a late arrival cannot simply catch up. The no-refund rule is strict.

The tour lasts about 1.5 hours, usually in the afternoon or evening. The exact rhythm can vary with the guide and group, but the experience has two clear parts: a guided walk below Old Town, followed by beer upstairs at the restaurant.

What the Shanghai Tunnels story adds

The tour centers on Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels, a network of underground passages beneath the city’s Chinatown area. You hear about the way these passages were used to move unsuspecting sailors toward ships on the river. That story gives the tunnels their grim reputation and explains why the tour focuses so much on Portland’s old waterfront culture.

This is also a useful way to see a less polished side of the city’s past. Portland is often sold through coffee, food carts, gardens, and craft beer. Here, you get a look at stories involving exploitation, drinking, sailors, crime, and uneasy folklore. The setting makes those subjects easier to picture than a standard city lecture would.

The ghost element focuses partly on Nina, described as the tunnels’ resident ghost. You will hear paranormal stories and may be invited to think about whether the atmosphere comes from spirits, old buildings, or a good guide working a dark room. The strongest version of this tour does not force you to believe every tale. It uses the ghost stories to open a conversation about the people and events tied to the place.

That balance is a major reason I would recommend it to someone who likes history but does not normally choose ghost tours. The tour can entertain a paranormal fan without making the whole experience feel like a staged haunted house.

Going below ground, one careful step at a time

The physical route is part of the appeal, but it is also the main limitation. You will walk up and down stairs, pass through narrow doorways, and maneuver between pipes and other obstacles. Some areas require you to duck under low sections between the ceiling and floor.

The floors are uneven and made of dirt in places. High heels are a poor choice, and comfortable walking shoes are the sensible option. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and the published rules do not allow children under 13.

You should also set your expectations about how much of the tunnel network you will see. The route does not open up into a huge underground maze. Much of the network is closed off. One described route includes some crouching, an old cell, and a creepy photograph, but you should not expect to roam freely through every passage beneath the neighborhood.

That is not necessarily a flaw. A smaller accessible section lets the guide control the group and keep the walk safe. Still, if your main goal is a long underground expedition, the experience may feel shorter and more contained than its name suggests.

The guides make or break the experience

A strong guide is especially important in a dark, cramped place. Natasha, also spelled Natascha in tour feedback, receives repeated praise for her narration, energy, and ability to draw people into the story. Doug is also singled out for his storytelling and clear presentation. Other guides, including Kaitlyn, have been praised for making the local history entertaining.

The best guides appear to blend facts, suspense, and room for questions. One particularly useful feature is the question-and-answer period during the beer tasting. That gives you time to ask about Portland’s past, the tunnels, or the paranormal stories after the group has left the tight underground spaces.

The guide also needs to speak clearly. In a narrow tunnel, sound can bounce around, and the group may not stand in a neat semicircle. A guide who projects well makes a real difference. The feedback suggests this has generally been handled well, with clear narration and engaging delivery.

The experience has a rating of 4.3 from 102 reviews, which feels consistent with the format. Most of the praise centers on the guides and the mix of history with ghost stories. The lower enthusiasm is easy to understand if someone expected a much longer route or a more extensive look at the tunnels.

The beer tasting and full pint finish

After the underground walk, you return to Old Town Pizza. The ticket includes a special tasting of award-winning beer and one full pint of Portland craft beer. That is more than a token drink at the end. It gives you a comfortable place to process what you have just seen and ask follow-up questions.

I like this ending because it fits Portland without feeling tacked on. Beer is part of the city’s identity, and having the tasting inside the same historic building keeps the experience connected to its setting. You do not have to find a bar afterward or calculate another stop into your evening.

The food is not included in the listed price, but Old Town Pizza is available if you want to eat. A pizza before or after the tour can turn this into a simple evening plan. One useful suggestion from the supplied feedback is to ask bartender Ann about a spicy margarita, though that drink is not part of the tour package and should be treated as an optional extra.

The beer finish also helps justify the $44 price. You are paying for a live guide, a themed walking experience, a tasting, and a full pint. If you value only the tunnel access, the cost may seem high for a route with closed sections. If you enjoy a guided story followed by a drink in a historic setting, the package makes more sense.

Who will get the most from this tour

I would choose this tour for someone spending a few days in Portland who wants a compact activity with a strong local flavor. It fits especially well into an afternoon or evening, since the tour is short and ends at a place where you can eat and drink.

It is a good match for:

• People who enjoy local history with a spooky edge
• Craft beer fans who want a guided experience, not only a brewery visit
• Couples and friends looking for an unusual Old Town activity
• Visitors who prefer a focused 90-minute tour to a full-day excursion
• History-minded people who are not fully sold on paranormal claims

It is less suitable for young families because children under 13 are not permitted. Ages 13 to 20 can attend only the noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. departures. Later tours are limited to people 21 and older.

You should also skip it if stairs, crouching, low pipes, uneven floors, or narrow spaces cause problems. This is not a gentle, step-free city walk.

Timing, age limits, and practical planning

The experience is conducted in English with a live guide. You need a passport or other ID card, plus a signed waiver. Bring only what you can manage comfortably in a confined space, and wear shoes with good support.

The age policy deserves close attention. The tour information states that children under 13 are not allowed. Ages 13 to 20 may attend the noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. departures, while later tours are for those 21 and older. If your group includes teenagers, check the departure time before booking.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps you from paying at once. Same-day changes and cancellations are not allowed. Most important, late arrivals do not receive a refund, so arriving early is not just polite. It protects your booking.

The tour does not provide transportation. You are responsible for reaching Old Town Pizza & Brewing and being ready at the meeting point. Since the starting point is also the finish, you can plan a meal or drink there without adding another destination.

How this compares with other Portland activities

This tour is more focused than a general Portland city walk. A city tour gives you a broader view of neighborhoods and landmarks, while the Shanghai Tunnels experience stays in one old part of town and builds a story around what lies below it.

It is also different from a standard ghost tour. The paranormal material is present, but the most praised aspect is the way the guide connects it to Portland’s local past. If you want only haunted tales, another ghost-focused outing may give you more supernatural content. If you want the ghosts tied to a specific place, this tour is the better fit.

Compared with a river cruise, waterfall trip, or Columbia Gorge excursion, this is a small-scale urban activity. You will not see Oregon scenery or cover much ground. Its value comes from atmosphere, storytelling, and the convenient beer finish rather than views or transportation.

That makes it a useful choice on a rainy day or during a stay when you want something close to central Portland. The provided information does not promise weather-dependent outdoor sights, but the tour still involves walking to and through an old building, so you should dress for getting to the meeting point comfortably.

Should you book the Shanghai Tunnel Tour?

Book it if you want a short, atmospheric Portland experience that combines uncomfortable history, ghost lore, and local beer. The guides appear to be the strongest part of the outing, with Natasha, Doug, and others praised for clear storytelling and lively delivery.

Think twice if you want extensive tunnel access, a long walking route, or a step-free activity. Much of the network is closed, the physical conditions are demanding, and the no-refund late policy leaves little room for a slow arrival.

For most visitors who enjoy history, spooky stories, and a pint afterward, the $44 price is reasonable. I would schedule it early enough to avoid rushing, wear sturdy shoes, and leave time for pizza or another drink at Old Town Pizza. That simple plan gives the tour its best chance to feel like a full Portland evening rather than just a quick look underground.

FAQ

How long does the Shanghai Tunnel Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours, including the guided tunnel experience and the beer tasting with one full pint.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $44 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Old Town Pizza & Brewing. Enter the restaurant and announce that you are there for the tour. If it is before business hours, knock on the door.

What is included in the ticket?

The ticket includes the guided tour, a live English-speaking guide, a special beer tasting, and one full pint of beer.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Children under 13 are not allowed. Ages 13 to 20 may attend only the noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. departures. Later tours are for people 21 and older.

Do I need identification?

Yes. You should bring a passport or ID card, and you must complete a signed waiver.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The route includes stairs, narrow doorways, low pipes, obstacles, and uneven dirt floors. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What should I wear?

Wear comfortable footwear suitable for walking. High heels are not recommended because the route includes uneven floors, stairs, and areas where you may need to crouch.

Can I cancel or change my booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Same-day cancellations and changes are not allowed. Late arrivals receive no refund, so arrive at least 10 minutes before the scheduled departure.