Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings

Beneath Portland, the past gets cramped. This 90-minute tour takes you below Old Town Pizza & Brewing into Portland’s old underground passageways, where stories of crimping, forced labor, violence, and ghostly encounters unfold. I like the rare access to the Shanghai Tunnels and the way the tour ends with three beer tastings and a full pint. The main drawback is that the ghost element can feel lighter than expected, while the history and difficult subject matter take center stage.

I also like the small group size, capped at 15 people, and the chance to meet strong guides such as Natasha, Doug, Skippy, Katelyn, and Kaitlin. The tour is entertaining when the guide strikes the right tone, but the quality can depend on who leads it. Some guides lean into the spooky mood, while others focus more on a serious history lesson.

Key points to know before you book

• The tour begins and ends at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, at 226 NW Davis Street in Portland’s Old Town.
• You enter surviving underground spaces, not a vast maze stretching beneath the entire city.
• The history is often stronger than the haunting, with stories about crimping, forced labor, drugs, violence, and death.
• A beer finish is included, with three tasters and one full pint of Old Town beer listed as part of the experience.
• Expect stairs, low obstacles, pipes, narrow doorways, and uneven dirt floors, so closed-toe shoes are essential.
• Most departures are for adults 21 and older, with special afternoon exceptions for teenagers. No children under 12 are allowed.

Starting at Old Town Pizza & Brewing

Your tour starts at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, a convenient meeting point in central Portland. The address is 226 NW Davis Street, close to public transportation and in the heart of the old district.

I would arrive early. The restaurant is part of the experience, not just a pickup spot, and several guides suggest arriving in time for pizza before or after the tour. The restaurant’s pizza gets especially strong praise, and its beer gives you an easy introduction to the brewery before you head below street level.

The tour lasts about 90 minutes, with a maximum of 15 people. That group size matters underground. A smaller party makes it easier to hear the guide and keeps the tight rooms from feeling packed. It also gives the guide a better chance to answer questions and manage the stairs.

Do not cut it close. The cancellation terms are strict for late arrivals and same-day cancellations. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but late arrivals do not receive a refund.

What the Shanghai Tunnels really offer

Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels are tied to the city’s 19th-century waterfront and commercial past. The underground spaces once connected businesses with the Willamette River, allowing goods to move between street level and the river without passing through busy streets.

The tour also explains the practice known as crimping. In simple terms, men were forced or deceived into working aboard ships. The stories connect Portland’s waterfront economy with a darker system of recruitment, confinement, and exploitation.

That history is the heart of the tour. You may hear about human trafficking, drug use, sexual content, violence, and death. This is not a light haunted-house attraction dressed up as history. The material can be grim, and the operator gives an adult-content warning for good reason.

I appreciate that the experience does not treat the subject only as a spooky backdrop. A ghost story is easy entertainment. Understanding how Portland’s port economy treated vulnerable people gives the underground spaces more weight.

At the same time, you should set realistic expectations. Some of the underground area is a remaining section beneath the building rather than a long, untouched network of tunnels. A few parts include props or recreated elements. If you expect miles of original passages, you may find the actual walk modest.

Going below street level

The physical part of the tour is short but not effortless. You will climb stairs, pass through narrow doorways, and move around pipes and other obstacles between the ceiling and floor.

The old building has uneven dirt floors, and some areas require you to duck. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. Wear sneakers or other closed-toe shoes, and leave the high heels at the hotel.

This is not a suitable outing for anyone with serious mobility problems. The access notes call for a moderate level of physical fitness, and that is a fair description. The issue is not distance. It is the awkward footing, tight spaces, low obstructions, and stairs.

The operator does not describe the tour as wheelchair accessible. Babies, infants, and children under 12 are not allowed. Most departures are limited to people 21 and older, although the 2pm and 3pm tours are listed as exceptions for teenagers. Because the age rules vary by departure, check the specific time before booking.

Nina, ghosts, and the spooky side

Nina is presented as the resident ghost of the tunnels. Her story gives the tour a central supernatural thread, and guides may share reported encounters and unusual incidents connected with the underground rooms.

Still, you should not book this as a pure ghost hunt. The balance leans toward Portland history, with ghost stories added to the setting. Some guides are more theatrical and playful. Others are more restrained and factual.

That difference can shape the evening. Natasha is praised for combining strong local background with a good sense of humor. Doug is often described as engaging and entertaining. Skippy is praised for keeping the tour fun while handling heavy topics with care. Katelyn and Kaitlin are also singled out for clear explanations and a good presentation.

Not every guide will suit every group. A theatrical guide may make the spooky parts more lively, but too many jokes can feel awkward during serious material. A guide who says the group is mainly there for the atmosphere may disappoint you if you want firm historical detail.

My advice is simple: think of the haunting as seasoning, not the main course. If you enjoy folklore but also want a look at Portland’s past, the mix works well. If you want repeated paranormal activity or a tightly staged scare attraction, choose something else.

The beer tasting and final pint

After the underground portion, you return to Old Town Pizza & Brewing for the tasting. The package lists three beer tasters and one full pint of Old Town’s award-winning beer.

That finish adds real value to the ticket. The listed price is $48 per person, and the beer helps make the cost easier to justify, especially in Portland, where a guided historical activity and several drinks can add up quickly.

The exact tasting size may vary by session. One account describes two small pours of about one-quarter cup each rather than three generous samples. I would treat the tasting as a chance to sample beer, not as a full brewery tour or a substantial drinking session.

The full pint is the more useful part of the package. You can settle back after the stairs, compare the beer with the guide’s stories, and decide whether to order food. The candy cap mushroom beer earns special praise from one tour account, though the available information does not promise that it will be on tap during your visit.

The brewery is also a practical place to eat. Pizza before the tour can help if you are taking an evening departure, but check the closing time. One late tour ended close to the restaurant’s closing hour, leaving little time for a relaxed meal afterward.

Is $48 a fair price?

At $48, this is not the cheapest way to hear Portland history. The tour is short, and the underground section may be smaller than the word tunnels suggests.

Still, the price includes a guide, access to a restricted historic space, the 90-minute presentation, three listed tasters, and a full pint. For someone who values unusual access and wants a drink afterward, that is a reasonable bundle.

The value drops if you care only about the physical tunnels. You are not walking through a large underground city. You are paying partly for the storytelling, the setting, and the chance to hear about a difficult chapter of Portland’s waterfront past.

I would consider it good value for a first visit to Portland, a date night, or a small group looking for something different from a standard brewery stop. I would be less enthusiastic if you want a detailed architectural tour or a serious investigation of paranormal claims.

Who will enjoy this most?

This tour suits you if you like local stories, unusual historic sites, and a drink at the end. It works especially well for couples, solo visitors, and friends who want an activity that is social without taking up an entire afternoon.

It is also a good choice for visitors who prefer a guide to explain the city’s darker side. The stories deal with exploitation and violence, so the tour feels more meaningful than a simple ghost walk.

Families need to read the age rules closely. Children under 12 are not permitted, and most tours are for people 21 and older. Teenagers may attend the designated 2pm and 3pm departures, according to the tour information.

This is not the right pick for anyone with mobility limits, anyone uncomfortable with narrow old spaces, or anyone hoping for a gentle family outing. The subject matter can be heavy, and the footing is awkward.

Planning your visit in Portland

Old Town makes this easy to pair with other central Portland plans. You can reach the meeting point by public transportation, and the activity finishes where it begins, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup.

Give yourself time before the start. Eating at Old Town Pizza & Brewing can make the outing feel like a complete evening rather than a quick tour followed by a scramble for dinner.

For the clothing, keep it practical:

• Wear sneakers or sturdy closed-toe shoes.
• Avoid high heels.
• Choose clothes that allow you to bend and duck.
• Expect dirt floors and tight areas.
• Be ready for stairs and pipes at both head and foot level.

The maximum group size is 15, but the most important factor may be the guide. The strongest presentations combine humor, clear local history, and respect for the people affected by the events. If you have a chance to ask about the guide or departure style when booking, it may help you choose the right fit.

My verdict on the Shanghai Tunnel Tour

I would book this tour if I wanted a compact Portland experience built around unusual history, a little ghost lore, and local beer. The strongest parts are the access to the underground rooms, the explanation of crimping, and guides such as Natasha, Doug, Skippy, Katelyn, and Kaitlin, who can make the material engaging without losing its seriousness.

I would not book it expecting a long maze or nonstop scares. The remaining underground section is limited, and the historical discussion usually takes up more time than the ghost stories.

For $48, the package makes sense when you value the full evening: pizza, a guided look at Old Town’s underground past, beer samples, and a pint. Wear proper shoes, arrive early, and treat the haunting as an extra. That is the best way to enjoy what this tour actually does well.

FAQ

Where does the Portland Shanghai Tunnel Tour begin?

The tour begins at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, located at 226 NW Davis Street in Portland, Oregon. It also ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about 90 minutes, including the underground tour and the brewery tasting.

Is beer included in the ticket?

Yes. The tour information lists three beer tasters and one full pint of Old Town’s award-winning beer.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children under 12 are not allowed. Most tours are for people 21 and older, while the 2pm and 3pm departures are listed as exceptions for teenagers.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility issues?

The tour requires stairs, narrow doorways, uneven dirt floors, and movement around pipes and other obstacles. A moderate level of physical fitness is recommended, and comfortable footwear is required.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time, same-day changes, and late arrivals are not refunded.