Portland: Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Beer Tasting

Portland keeps its strangest stories underground. This 1.5-hour tour takes you beneath Chinatown into the Shanghai Tunnels, where guides connect Portland’s rough waterfront past with tales of sailors, secret passages, and a resident ghost named Nina. I like the way the tour mixes local history with spooky storytelling, and I like that the experience ends with a beer tasting and a full pint at Old Town Pizza & Brewing. The main drawback is the tight, uneven setting: you will climb narrow stairs, duck beneath pipes, and walk across dirt floors.

I also appreciate that this is not only a ghost show. Guides such as Doug and Natasha have earned praise for making the history clear, lively, and fun, even for people who are not sold on paranormal claims. Still, the accessible tunnel area is limited, and some passages are closed off, so you should not expect a long underground trek through a vast maze.

Key points at a glance

• The tour begins at Old Town Pizza & Brewing: Enter the restaurant and announce that you are there for the tour. Before business hours, knock on the door.
• The stories blend fact and folklore: Hear about Portland’s waterfront past, sailors moved toward ships, and Nina, the tunnel’s resident ghost.
• The underground route is physically demanding: Expect stairs, narrow doorways, uneven dirt, low pipes, and places where you must crouch.
• The beer finish adds real value: Your ticket includes a special beer tasting and one full pint of Portland craft beer.
• Age rules depend on the departure time: Ages 13 to 20 are allowed at noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. Later departures are for people 21 and older.
• You must arrive early: Show up 10 minutes ahead. Late arrivals miss the underground portion and receive no refund.

Starting at Old Town Pizza & Brewing

The meeting point is Old Town Pizza & Brewing, in the lobby of Portland’s former Merchant Hotel. This is more than a convenient place to gather. The restaurant is part of the setting, giving the tour an immediate connection to the old building above the tunnels.

Go inside and tell the staff you are there for the Shanghai Tunnel Tour. If the tour takes place before the restaurant opens, knock on the door. That small detail matters, since you do not want to be standing outside wondering if you have found the right place.

I would arrive at least 10 minutes early. The operator is strict about late arrivals, because the group may already be underground. There are no refunds for late guests, and same-day cancellations or changes are not allowed.

The location also makes it easy to pair the tour with food. You can eat at Old Town Pizza before or after the experience, though leave enough time to check in without rushing. One of the best practical touches is that the final drink happens in the same building, so there is no extra walk to a separate bar.

What the Shanghai Tunnels story covers

The tour focuses on the network of passages beneath Portland’s Chinatown and the stories connected to the city’s waterfront. Your guide explains how the tunnels were said to help move unsuspecting sailors toward ships docked on the river. This is the dark center of the tour, and it gives the ghost stories a real local setting.

You will hear about Portland’s rougher past rather than only its postcard version. The guide connects the tunnels to the city’s working waterfront and to the people who passed through the old district. That wider context is important. Without it, the experience could feel like a quick walk through dark rooms. With it, the passages become part of a story about power, crime, labor, and a port city trying to grow.

The paranormal side comes through the story of Nina, described as the tunnels’ resident ghost. Your guide builds suspense around her and other eerie details, but the tone does not have to be all spooky theatrics. Natasha, Doug, and other guides have been praised for making the tour engaging while keeping the history in the foreground.

That balance is a strong reason to choose this experience. If you love ghost stories, Nina gives you something to follow. If you are more interested in Portland’s past, the setting and local stories give the tour substance. You can enjoy the history without needing to believe every paranormal claim.

Going below ground: stairs, pipes, and dirt floors

The physical part of the tour is short, but it is not easy strolling. You will move through an old building with narrow stairs and doorways, uneven dirt floors, and obstacles between the floor and ceiling. Some sections require you to duck or crouch beneath pipes.

Wear comfortable shoes with good footing. High heels are a poor choice here, and loose clothing or anything that makes bending awkward may become annoying. People with mobility impairments should skip this tour, since the operator specifically warns about the stairs, low obstacles, and uneven surfaces.

The low ceiling and cramped passages create the mood. You are not walking through a polished museum exhibit with wide paths and bright signs. You are moving through an old, confined space, which makes the stories feel close at hand. That same feature can make the experience uncomfortable if you dislike tight spaces or have trouble bending.

Keep your expectations realistic. The tour does not give you free run of every passage. Much of the tunnel network is closed off, and one part of the accessible route includes an old cell and a creepy picture. You will see and move through some of the underground area, but this is not a long expedition through a fully open labyrinth.

That limitation is worth knowing before you pay. The appeal lies in the guide’s storytelling and the atmosphere of the few areas you can enter, not in covering miles of tunnels.

The guides make or break the experience

This is a live, English-language tour, so the guide carries much of the experience. The strongest part of the tour is often the narration. Doug has been praised for his storytelling and his ability to keep the group engaged. Natasha has also received strong praise for her clear explanations, friendly manner, fun facts, and question-and-answer session during the beer tasting.

A good guide matters here because the tunnels do not explain themselves. You need someone to point out what you are seeing, set the pace, and explain where the history ends and the ghost lore begins. A guide who can do both gives the tour a better rhythm.

The best approach is to listen with an open mind. You will hear stories about spirits and Nina, but you will also get local context. You do not have to decide if the tunnels are truly haunted to enjoy the atmosphere. The tour works well for mixed groups, including one person who loves paranormal tales and another who mainly wants local history.

The guides also appear to handle questions well. That is useful because the subject invites skepticism. A relaxed explanation is better than a hard sell, and the tour’s strongest comments praise its balance of suspense, history, and humor.

The beer tasting and full pint finish

After the underground portion, you return upstairs to Old Town Pizza & Brewing. The experience includes a special tasting of award-winning Portland beer and one full pint. That final drink is not just a bonus. It gives you a comfortable place to discuss the stories, ask questions, and let your eyes adjust to ordinary daylight and restaurant surroundings.

For $44 per person, the beer component improves the value. You are paying for a guided tour, a tasting, and a full pint in a historic building rather than paying for only a short ghost walk. If you already planned to visit Old Town Pizza, the combination is especially convenient.

The tasting is also a smart way to end the tour. The underground section is compact and physical, while the beer finish slows things down. Natasha has been praised for leading a question-and-answer session at this point, which gives you a chance to clarify the history or talk about the paranormal stories.

You can also order food at the restaurant, though the meal is not included in the ticket. Pizza makes sense here, especially if you are planning the tour around lunch or dinner. One particularly enthusiastic recommendation suggested asking bartender Ann for a spicy margarita, but that drink is an extra and is not part of the tour package.

Is $44 a good price?

At $44, this tour is fairly priced if you want a guided experience rather than a quick look at an old basement. The ticket includes the 1.5-hour tour, a live guide, a special beer tasting, and one full pint. The drink helps make the price easier to justify, especially in Portland, where craft beer is part of the city’s identity.

The value depends on what you want from the underground portion. If you expect a large, fully open tunnel system or a long walking route, you may feel the tour is brief. Some passages are closed, and the accessible area is limited. If you view it as a storytelling experience in a historic setting, with a drink afterward, the price makes more sense.

I would also count the location as part of the value. You do not need transportation between the meeting point, the tunnels, and the final drink. You can add pizza before or after, making this a neat way to fill part of an afternoon or evening in Old Town.

The free cancellation policy gives you flexibility until 24 hours before the tour. You can also reserve now and pay later. Those options help if your Portland schedule is still moving, but they do not change the strict rule about late arrival or same-day changes.

Who should book this tour?

This tour suits adults and older teens who enjoy a mix of local history, eerie stories, and beer. It is a good match for couples, friends, and families with teenagers who can follow the age rules. It also works well for a group with mixed interests, since the guide spends time on Portland’s past as well as ghosts.

Choose it if you like atmospheric places more than polished attractions. The fun comes from the setting, the guide, and the stories. It is not a major museum, and it is not a long city walking tour.

You should think twice if you dislike confined spaces, stairs, low ceilings, or uneven ground. The operator does not consider the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments, and 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, and some departures are 21-plus only.

Bring a passport or other ID card, and be prepared to sign a waiver. The drink portion means age checks matter, even though the underground stories are the main reason many people book.

Best timing and practical planning

The tour is usually offered in the afternoon and evening. The noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. departures are the useful choices for groups that include people ages 13 to 20. If your group is entirely 21 or older, a later departure can turn the experience into an evening outing with pizza and beer.

Arrive early, use the restroom before you begin, and wear shoes you can comfortably walk and crouch in. The tour is only 1.5 hours, but the physical setting means you do not want to be distracted by uncomfortable footwear or a rushed arrival.

Plan for an English-language experience. If you need another language, this is not the right choice based on the available tour information. Also remember that the tour is guided, not a self-paced visit. Once the group goes underground, late arrivals cannot simply catch up.

The overall rating of 4.3 from 102 ratings suggests a strong experience with some room for differing expectations. The most praised elements are consistent: guides such as Doug and Natasha, the mix of history and paranormal stories, the engaging narration, and the beer finish. The main caution is also clear: the route is tight, physical, and smaller than some people may imagine from the name Shanghai Tunnels.

Should you book the Portland Shanghai Tunnel Tour?

Book it if you want a compact Portland experience with a strong sense of place, lively storytelling, and a beer at the end. I especially like it for visitors who want something different from a standard city walk and for groups that enjoy discussing the line between local history and ghost lore.

Skip it if you need step-free access, dislike narrow spaces, or expect to explore a large network of open tunnels. The underground route is limited, but the guide, setting, and included pint give the experience enough character to make $44 reasonable.

Arrive early, choose the right departure time for your age group, and treat the tunnels as a historic storytelling setting rather than an enormous attraction. With those expectations, this is an entertaining way to spend 90 minutes in Portland’s Old Town.

FAQ

How long is the Portland Shanghai Tunnel Tour?

The tour lasts 1.5 hours, including the guided underground experience and the beer portion.

What does the $44 price include?

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

Where does the tour meet?

Meet inside Old Town Pizza & Brewing. Announce that you are there for the tour. If it is before business hours, knock on the door.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card and be ready to sign a waiver. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

Are children allowed on the tour?

Children under 13 are not allowed. People 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, and some tours are 21-plus only.

Is the tour suitable for someone with mobility limitations?

No. The tour includes stairs, narrow doorways, uneven dirt floors, and places where you must duck beneath pipes. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.

What happens if I arrive late?

Late guests miss the tour because the group may already be underground, and no refund is provided. Arrive 10 minutes before the scheduled start time.