Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings

Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels are less a sprawling underground maze than a compact, atmospheric set of passageways beneath Old Town Pizza & Brewing. The tour connects these rooms and corridors to Portland’s darker past, including crimping, forced labor, violence, drug use, and the ghost said to haunt the building, Nina. It ends upstairs with beer.

I like the mix of local history and a brewery stop, since you get more than a quick ghost story and the beer gives the evening a relaxed finish. I also like the small group limit of 15, which helps in tight spaces. The main drawback is simple: if you expect a long tunnel expedition or a full-on paranormal investigation, this may feel more like a history tour with spooky touches.

Key points to know before booking

• The tunnel visit is beneath Old Town Pizza & Brewing: You meet and finish at 226 NW Davis Street, making the brewery a useful place to eat before or after.
• The history is the main event: Expect explanations of crimping and the treatment of people forced into maritime service, with ghost stories woven through the tour.
• The beer is part of the ticket: The package includes three tasters and one full pint, though some past outings reportedly served only two small samples.
• Nina is the resident ghost: The haunting angle is present, but the amount of ghost material depends partly on the guide and tour atmosphere.
• The route is physically demanding: You must handle narrow stairs, low pipes, narrow doorways, uneven dirt floors, and obstacles that require ducking.
• Timing and age rules matter: Most tours are for people 21 and older. The 2pm and 3pm departures allow teenagers, while children under 12 and infants are not permitted.

What the Portland underground experience really is

The word Shanghai Tunnels can suggest miles of underground passages stretching beneath the whole city. Set expectations more carefully. The accessible portion beneath the restaurant is a historic underground space with rooms, passageways, props, pipes, and rough flooring. It is an authentic-feeling piece of Old Town, but you are not walking through an enormous underground network for 90 minutes.

That distinction matters. Some people will find the compact route atmospheric and easy to fit into a Portland evening. Others may feel the name promises more tunnel mileage than the tour delivers. I would book it for the stories and setting, not for distance covered.

The tour explains how underground spaces once connected businesses with the waterfront and how Portland’s port economy helped create conditions for crimping. In that practice, men were coerced or tricked into service aboard ships. The subject is not treated as light entertainment. You will also hear historical references to sexual content, drug use, trafficking, violence, and death.

This is why the experience can feel darker than a standard ghost walk. The real human suffering behind the stories gives the tour weight, even when a guide adds humor or theatrical flair. If you want only harmless spooky fun, read the adult-content warning carefully before booking.

Meeting at Old Town Pizza & Brewing

Your starting point is Old Town Pizza & Brewing at 226 NW Davis Street in central Portland. The tour begins inside or at the restaurant, then moves below the building before returning to the same place for the beer portion.

I would arrive early enough to get oriented. Several guides, including Skippy, Natasha, Doug, and Kaitlin, have been praised for clear storytelling and an easy manner. The experience can vary with the guide. A strong guide makes the history memorable and handles the heavy topics with care. A less effective one may lean too hard on jokes or theatrics.

The restaurant is also useful in practical terms. You can order pizza before or after the tour, and several visitors have singled out the food as a worthwhile addition. Check the hours if you book a later departure, though. An evening tour may finish close to closing time, leaving little opportunity for a relaxed meal afterward.

The group maximum is 15 people. That is a sensible limit for old stairs and low passageways. A smaller group also gives you a better chance of hearing the guide without competing with echoes from the room.

Below the streets: stairs, pipes, and old rooms

Once the group heads downstairs, the physical character of the place becomes clear. You will use narrow stairs and doorways, move around pipes, and duck beneath obstructions between the ceiling and floor. The ground can be uneven and dirt-covered.

Wear closed-toe shoes with a firm sole. Sneakers are the practical choice. High heels are a poor match, and anyone with mobility limits should think carefully before reserving. This is not a wheelchair-accessible stroll, and the route requires a moderate level of fitness.

The confined setting is part of the appeal. Low ceilings and dim rooms make the stories feel close at hand. The setting helps you picture how underground spaces functioned alongside Old Town businesses and the riverfront economy. At the same time, the route is not designed for lingering in every room. You will need to keep moving with the group and watch your footing.

The props and staged elements can divide opinion. Some people enjoy the atmosphere and find the objects helpful when the guide explains a story. Others may see the displays as theatrical additions rather than original evidence. I would treat them as visual aids, not proof of every haunting claim.

Portland’s darker past, explained underground

The strongest part of the tour is usually the historical explanation. You learn why the tunnels became linked with Portland’s waterfront, how sailors were obtained, and how vulnerable people could be exploited by those controlling the port trade.

The term shanghaied is often used casually, but the tour gives it a more serious setting. The stories connect the word to coercion and the rough maritime culture of the 1800s. That context adds value because you are not simply hearing isolated tales about a creepy basement. You are learning how commerce, shipping, alcohol, and criminal activity shaped Old Town.

The presentation is not academic, and the tone can shift quickly. One moment may involve a grim account of trafficking or violence. The next may bring a joke, a ghost story, or a comment about the room. That change helps keep the 90-minute experience lively, but it will not suit everyone.

If you appreciate a guide who treats difficult subjects with respect, look for a departure led by someone such as Skippy, Doug, Natasha, or Kaitlin when the schedule allows. Guide assignments can change, so do not assume a particular name is guaranteed. The best version of this tour balances facts, atmosphere, and a little humor without making light of the suffering involved.

Meeting Nina, Portland’s resident ghost

Nina is the supernatural thread running through the tour. You will hear stories connected with the building and its supposed resident ghost, along with accounts of strange or unexplainable events.

The ghost content is not the entire experience. Some departures give it a generous share of the storytelling, while others focus more heavily on the documented and alleged history of the tunnels. If you are booking a ghost tour first and a history tour second, you may come away wanting more hauntings.

That is the most common expectation problem here. The tour is spooky because of the location, the lighting, and the subject matter, but it is not presented as a nonstop paranormal investigation. There is no promise of a specific supernatural encounter. Instead, Nina appears as part of the building’s lore.

I think that balance works better for people who enjoy atmosphere but also want to understand Portland’s past. If you are a committed ghost hunter, this may feel too light on paranormal evidence. If you prefer a good story with a historical backbone, the mix is more likely to suit you.

Beer tastings and a full pint afterward

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

This improves the value of the experience, especially if you already planned to visit a local brewery. A full pint after a short history tour is more substantial than a token sample, and it gives the group time to relax after negotiating the stairs and low pipes. The brewery setting also provides a natural ending rather than simply sending you back onto the street.

There is one detail worth checking when you book. At least one account describes receiving two small tastings, roughly a quarter cup each, rather than three. The included full pint was still part of the experience, but the sample portion did not match that person’s expectation. Since serving details can change, confirm the current tasting arrangement if the beer is a major reason for your purchase.

Beer choices can be more unusual than standard lagers. One particularly memorable example mentioned a candy cap mushroom beer, which gives you an idea of the brewery’s willingness to experiment. You do not need to be a serious beer enthusiast, but you should be comfortable with tasting unfamiliar styles.

Gratuity is not included. If your guide handles the difficult history well, keeps the group together, and makes the confined route enjoyable, plan to tip separately.

Is $48 a fair price?

At $48 per person, this is not the cheapest way to hear Portland history. It is also more than a basic walk through a city neighborhood. The price includes a 90-minute guided experience, access to the underground space, beer samples, and a full pint.

I see the value in the combination. A separate beer stop would cost extra, and a standard ghost walk would not normally include time inside a brewery. The small group size also matters in a cramped location. You are paying for a guided setting that would be difficult to understand or appreciate on your own.

The value drops if you mainly want a long tunnel walk. The route is limited, and the underground area is not a vast network open for extended exploration. It also drops if you do not drink beer, since the final portion is a meaningful part of the package.

For a couple looking for an unusual date night, the format works well. You can add pizza, hear unusual Portland stories, and finish with a pint. Solo visitors and small groups can also fit comfortably within the 15-person limit.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to adults who enjoy local history, eerie places, and a drink afterward. It is especially suited to people who want something different from Portland’s standard food, museum, and neighborhood activities.

It is a good choice for:

• Adults who enjoy ghost stories but do not need every minute to focus on spirits
• History-minded visitors interested in Portland’s waterfront and maritime past
• Couples looking for an informal evening activity
• Beer drinkers who like sampling local or unusual brews
• People comfortable with narrow stairs, low pipes, and uneven ground

I would hesitate to recommend it to anyone with serious mobility concerns, a strong fear of confined spaces, or a dislike of difficult historical subjects. It is also not suitable for children under 12, infants, or minors on most departures.

The age rule deserves attention. Tours are generally 21 and older, but the 2pm and 3pm departures permit teenagers. Children under 12 are not allowed. If your group includes anyone under 21, check the departure time before paying.

Practical details that can save you trouble

Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes. You may need to duck, step carefully, and climb stairs several times. Leave high heels at the hotel.

Arrive on time. There are no refunds for late arrivals or same-day cancellations. Standard cancellation is flexible if you act at least 24 hours before the start time, but changes made inside that window are not accepted.

The tour is near public transportation, which helps if you are staying elsewhere in central Portland. It ends at the same Old Town Pizza & Brewing meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate pickup.

The activity depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.

Should you book the Shanghai Tunnel Tour?

Book it if you want a compact, unusual Portland experience that combines serious local history, ghost lore, and beer. The guide can make a big difference, and the best presentations handle the tough material with respect while keeping the pace lively.

Do not book it expecting miles of underground passages or a pure ghost hunt. You will see a limited section of the tunnels, and the historical account usually takes center stage. For me, that is the right reason to choose it: the underground rooms provide the setting, but Portland’s complicated past provides the substance.

FAQ

Where does the Shanghai Tunnel Tour begin and end?

It begins at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, 226 NW Davis Street in Portland. The tour ends back at the same meeting point after the underground visit and beer portion.

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

What is included with the ticket?

The ticket includes the 90-minute underground tour, access to the Shanghai Tunnels, beer tastings, and one full pint of Old Town’s beer. The advertised package lists three tasters.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Children under 12 and infants are not permitted. Most tours are for people 21 and older, but teenagers may attend the 2pm and 3pm departures.

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility issues?

The route includes narrow stairs and doorways, uneven dirt floors, low pipes, and obstacles that require ducking. A moderate fitness level is recommended, and comfortable walking shoes are required. High heels are not suitable.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Late cancellations, same-day cancellations, and late arrivals are not refunded. If poor weather or too few participants causes a cancellation, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.