Portland: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

Portland gets stranger after dark. This two-hour haunted pub crawl links nine historic sites, four pubs, and stories of pirates, murders, government secrets, and ghostly encounters in the city center. I like the mix of local history and bar time, and the route gives you more than a string of spooky claims.

I also like the theatrical meeting point: your guide waits outside the Benson Hotel in costume with a lantern. The private rooms used for storytelling and the EMF reader add atmosphere, while the main drawback is practical: one Sunday outing had a closed bar, no drink stop at the first pub, and a guide who walked too fast for some people to hear clearly.

Key details before you book

• Start at the Benson Hotel: Meet at 309 SW Broadway, 15 minutes before departure, and look for the guide carrying a lantern.
• Four pub stops: Kelly’s Olympian, Kell’s Irish Pub, Shanghai Tunnels Bar, and the Benson Hotel area form the main drinking and storytelling portion.
• Nine haunted sites total: The tour includes eerie locations between the pubs, so this is not simply a bar-to-bar evening.
• Drinks cost extra: Your $30 ticket covers the guide and visits, but food and drinks are separate.
• Rain or shine: Wear weather-ready clothing and comfortable shoes for the walk between stops.
• Adults only: Everyone in your group must be at least 21 and bring identification, with a copy accepted.

Starting beneath the Benson Hotel’s old-world charm

The Benson Hotel is a fitting place to begin. Its elegant setting gives the night a polished opening, but the ghost stories attached to the building push the mood in a darker direction. You meet at 309 SW Broadway, where the costumed guide and lantern should make the group easy to find.

Arrive 15 minutes early. That matters here because the tour is built around walking, timed stops, and several story sessions. Arriving late could mean trying to find the group after it has left the hotel.

The guide sets the tone from the start. This is part history lesson, part theatrical evening, and part social walk. You will hear about Portland’s rougher past, including tales of heartless pirates, ruthless murders, and secretive government activity. The stories are intended to entertain, but they also give you a sharper sense of how the port city’s past shapes its ghost lore.

The tour is in English, with a live guide. A strong guide makes a big difference here. One guide on a recent outing was praised for being enthusiastic and for making the history fun, while the same outing raised a useful warning: the guide sometimes walked too quickly and was difficult to hear. Stay near the front if you want every detail.

Kelly’s Olympian and the first round of ghost stories

Kelly’s Olympian is one of the key stops, and its appeal comes from the meeting of working bar culture and spooky storytelling. You are not only hearing about a haunted place from the sidewalk. You get time inside the pub, where you can order a drink and listen in a setting that suits the subject.

The tour description promises a chance to dance with the spirits of Kelly’s Olympian while you sip your chosen drink. That wording is playful, but the practical point is simple: this stop gives you a chance to settle in, buy a beverage, and let the guide build the mood.

The exact time spent at each location can change. Some stops last 15 to 20 minutes, while others may run for an hour, depending on the day and season. That flexibility can work in your favor if a pub has a particularly good atmosphere, but it also means you should not expect a perfectly fixed schedule.

Drinks are not included in the $30 price. You will have the chance to sample beverages at the pubs, but budget extra for each order. If you want a full evening of drinks, the final cost will be higher than the admission price.

Kell’s Irish Pub, where skeptics get tested

Kell’s Irish Pub is presented as the stop most likely to challenge a skeptic. Stories of paranormal activity have circulated here for years, and the tour uses the pub as a setting for tales that are meant to feel close at hand rather than distant folklore.

The setting matters. Hearing a ghost story in a pub is different from hearing it on an open street. You have the sound, lighting, and feel of the place around you, which can make even a doubtful listener pay closer attention.

This is also one of the places where the guide’s storytelling style matters most. A tour member praised the guide’s enthusiasm, and another praised the private rooms used for gathering and hearing the stories. Those rooms can be a real advantage because everyone can focus on the guide rather than trying to hear over a busy public room.

Still, you should keep your expectations measured. The tour presents legends and reported paranormal activity. It does not promise proof of ghosts. I would treat the supernatural claims as part of Portland’s folklore, then enjoy the way the stories reveal the fears and scandals attached to old city places.

The Shanghai Tunnels Bar and Portland’s darker past

The Shanghai Tunnels Bar gives the crawl its most obvious historical edge. The name points toward Portland’s notorious tunnel stories and the city’s connection to the river, shipping, and the hard side of port life.

The tour frames this part of Portland through a mix of sinister history and eerie atmosphere. You may hear about people forced into maritime work, criminal activity, and the shadowy practices linked to the old port. The information provided does not promise access to every tunnel or a full underground tour, so book this experience for the stories and the bar setting rather than assuming you will explore an extensive tunnel network.

The stop also gives the evening a useful change of pace. The Benson begins with grand hotel stories, Kelly’s Olympian brings the haunted bar atmosphere, Kell’s leans into paranormal tales, and the Shanghai Tunnels Bar connects the night to Portland’s grim port identity.

That variety is one of the strongest reasons to book. You are not hearing the same ghost story four times in four rooms. Each stop has a different mood and historical angle.

Nine haunted sites, not just four drinking stops

The four pubs receive much of the attention, but the ticket also includes visits to nine historic haunted sites in total. The walks between bars are part of the experience, with the guide using downtown Portland as the setting for additional stories and mysteries.

This makes the tour a better fit for someone who wants a walking history experience with drinks than for someone who only wants a pub crawl. The pace is spread across the city center, and the haunted sites give the route more substance.

It also means comfortable shoes are essential. The tour runs for about two hours, and the group moves between locations. Wear clothing suited to the forecast because the outing operates in rain or shine. A wet evening could add atmosphere, but it will not make the walking more comfortable.

The tour includes a touch of equipment as well. An EMF reader was used during one outing and was praised as a fun addition. It gives the group something to watch during a story and adds a playful investigation angle. Think of it as entertainment rather than scientific proof.

What the $30 price really covers

At $30 per person, the price is fair if you value a guided evening that combines Portland history, walking, pub settings, and theatrical storytelling. Your fee includes the live guide and visits to nine historic haunted sites, including four pubs.

The value drops if you mainly want drinks. Since beverages and food are not included, you will pay separately at each bar. One Sunday outing also did not include a drink stop at the first bar, and one bar was closed. That does not mean every tour follows the same pattern, but it shows why you should view the pubs as story locations first and guaranteed drinking sessions second.

The changing schedule is another factor. A 15-minute stop can feel brief, while a longer session may give you more time to listen and order a drink. The flexible timing helps the guide respond to the atmosphere and day, but it makes the experience less predictable.

A 4.7 rating from 34 reviews suggests the experience usually delivers strong entertainment value. The most consistent strengths are the guide’s energy, the fun stories, the atmospheric places, and the private rooms used for storytelling. The clearest weaknesses are the cost when drinks are not included, occasional closures, and the need for a guide who can maintain a good pace and volume.

Who will enjoy this Portland night out

I would recommend this tour to adults who like local legends, old bars, theatrical storytelling, and a bit of harmless ghost hunting. It suits couples, groups of friends, and Portland visitors who want an evening activity with more character than a standard sightseeing walk.

It is also a good choice if you are not fully convinced by ghosts. The historical material gives you something to enjoy even if you dismiss the paranormal side. You can listen for the facts, study the old places, and treat the EMF reader as a bit of fun.

I would be more cautious if you dislike walking, noisy bars, or changing schedules. The tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments according to the provided activity information, even though the same information also describes it as wheelchair accessible. Because those details conflict, contact the provider before booking if accessibility is important for you.

Anyone under 21 cannot join. Bring identification, with a copy accepted, and do not expect to smoke or record video during the experience.

Small details that improve the evening

Stay close to the guide, especially if the group is large or the streets are busy. That helps with both hearing and keeping up.

Bring only what you need. Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and identification are the important items. Since food and drinks cost extra, plan your spending before you arrive.

If you want to order at the pubs, tell your group to keep the bar stops flexible. The exact time at each destination may change, and one location can be closed on a particular day. Sunday may be less reliable for bar access based on the experience described above.

Do not book this as a quiet history lecture. The tone is lively, spooky, and social. The best moments are likely to come when the guide, the room, and the story all line up.

Should you book Portland’s Ghosts Boos and Booze crawl?

Book it if you want Portland history with a spooky bar-room twist, and you are happy to pay separately for drinks. The $30 admission is reasonable for a two-hour guided walk covering nine haunted sites, especially when the guide tells the stories well and the group gathers in atmospheric or private rooms.

Skip it if you want a guaranteed drink at every pub, a precise schedule, or a serious paranormal investigation. Also think twice if walking or hearing a guide in a busy setting is difficult for you.

For most adults looking for an entertaining Portland night, this is a lively choice with enough history to make the ghost stories worthwhile. Arrive early, stay near the guide, dress for the weather, and keep your expectations flexible.

FAQ

Where does the haunted pub crawl meet?

All tours meet at the Benson Hotel Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton, at 309 SW Broadway, Portland, Oregon 97205. The guide will be dressed up and carrying a lantern.

How early should I arrive?

Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about two hours. The time at each stop can range from 15 to 20 minutes to one hour, depending on the day and season.

Which pubs are included?

The named pub stops are Kelly’s Olympian, Kell’s Irish Pub, and the Shanghai Tunnels Bar. The Benson Hotel is also the starting location and part of the haunted route. The tour includes four pubs in total.

Are food and drinks included?

No. The tour price includes the guide and visits to nine historic haunted sites, but you pay separately for all food and drinks.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour has a live guide and is offered in English.

Can people under 21 join?

No. The experience is not suitable for anyone under 21. You should bring identification, and a copy is accepted.

What happens if it rains?

The tours run rain or shine. Wear clothing suited to the weather and comfortable shoes for walking.