There is something spooky under Portland. This 90-minute Shanghai Tunnels experience mixes dark local history with ghost stories about Nina, then wraps with beer.

I especially like the exclusive access underground and the fact that the tour ends with real tasting value, including Old Town’s award-winning pint.

The main drawback is physical, the route is stairs and tight tunnel sections, so it is not a good fit if mobility is limited.

Quick takeaways

• Exclusive access to the Shanghai Tunnels under Old Town streets, not a quick photo stop
• Ghost story element with Nina plus real-world Portland “how we got here” context
• Beer tastings plus a full pint from Old Town Pizza & Brewing
• Small group size (max 15) helps the guide keep momentum and answer questions
• Stairs, ducking, and narrow spaces mean closed-toe shoes are more than a suggestion
• Adult-content topics are part of the historic storytelling, so be sure the group is comfortable

Where the Tour Starts: Old Town Pizza & Brewing, Stairs Included

You meet right in Old Town at Old Town Pizza & Brewing (226 NW Davis St, Portland). That matters, because the vibe is not some anonymous check-in line. It is a working place you can pair with food if you arrive a bit early.

A lot of people book this as a date-night move. You have a social, casual start, then the tour drops you below street level into a city layer most folks never see. Even if you are not a “ghost tour person,” you are still getting the underground architecture and the true Portland connection to the Willamette River trade routes.

One practical tip I take from the experience: wear shoes you trust. The terrain includes uneven dirt floors and obstacles you may need to duck under. If you show up in fashion footwear, the tunnel will remind you that the human body runs on gravity.

Going Underground: What the Shanghai Tunnels Experience Feels Like

Once you are grouped up, you head down into the tunnels. The experience is designed around movement, not sitting in a circle with a flashlight app. You descend beneath Portland’s streets, walk through passageways once used to connect local businesses with the Willamette River, and you get access to areas that are not open to casual walk-ins.

The tour includes navigating tight spaces and pipe-lined sections. Some parts are between ceiling and floor, so you will naturally slow down and pay attention to where you step. This is not the kind of outing where you can mentally check out. You will be watching your footing, listening for story beats, and adjusting your pace for the route.

I also like the pacing. It is long enough to feel like an actual walk through underground spaces, about 90 minutes total. It is short enough that you are not exhausted before the beer part hits.

If you are expecting a long, sweeping “tunnel tunnel” crawl for miles, you may feel the route is more focused on a specific set of underground rooms and sections than a huge maze. The upside is you still come away with a clear sense of how this place functioned and why it matters to Portland’s story.

Nina and the Dark Portland Stories: Spooky, But Context-Heavy

The haunted part is built around the story of Nina, a resident ghost tied to the underground. You should expect ghost material, but you should also expect it to be wrapped into the broader “how Portland worked in the dark days” narrative.

That balance is the key to why the tour works for many people. The ghost stories give a dramatic hook. The history gives the spine. Guides are also bringing in details like “how people were Shanghaied into service,” and even a practice associated with the sailing industry in the 1800s called crimping. That combination turns the underground from scary folklore into a social history lesson with teeth.

Now for honesty: this is not marketed as a pure paranormal show. Some folks love how spooky it feels. Others find there is more emphasis on the tunnels and history than on repeated ghost encounters. If you want nonstop haunting moments, you may want to treat the ghost element as a thread, not the whole fabric.

The tour also includes adult-content topics in the historic storytelling, including mention of sexual content, drug use, human trafficking, violence, and death. That does not mean it is sensational for shock value, but it is part of the package. If you are bringing someone who is sensitive to those subjects, pick your moment carefully.

The Route Reality Check: Stairs, Pipes, and Uneven Floors

Here is the part I wish every smart traveler treats as “the deal-breaker check.” This experience involves climbing up and down stairs and navigating through tunnels around pipes. The accessibility notice is clear: narrow stairs and doorways, obstacles to duck under, and uneven dirt floors.

So ask yourself two questions before booking:

• Can you comfortably handle repeated stairs while staying aware of low clearance areas?
• Are you okay with slow, careful walking in tight underground spaces?

Sneakers are not just recommended. If your feet feel stable, you can focus on the guide and the story. If your feet are constantly shifting, you will feel stressed instead of “spooky.”

Also, this is capped at 15 travelers. That helps in a practical way. In small groups, the guide can keep you moving and manage bottlenecks when everyone needs a little space to pass through tight spots.

Beer and a Pint at the End: The Value-Boost You Actually Taste

The best part for a lot of people is that the underground walk is not the whole reward. You resurface and finish with three tastings and one pint of Old Town’s award-winning beer.

That is a real value component for $48. You are paying for the guided underground access and the story, but the beverage part is not just a token sip. It is a full pint to carry you out of the dark into something you can talk about at street level.

Some specific beer mentions from the experience include a tasting described as Candy cap mushroom beer, which is a fun example of how the flight can include unexpected flavors. I cannot promise what your exact flight will be, but the “try something you would not normally order” energy shows up in how people talk about it.

One consideration: a few people felt the tasting pours were smaller than expected. The pint is the steady win. If you are the type who likes a lot of beer volume and you dislike tiny samples, focus your joy on the pint portion and treat the tastings as sampling, not a full drink count.

Guide Style Matters: Skippy, Natasha, Doug, Kaitlin

A theme across the best experiences is that the guide makes the underground feel alive. Names you may encounter include Skippy/Skipper, Natasha, Doug, and Kaitlin. People consistently mention that the guides are engaging storytellers and that the balance of tough topics with a fun tone is handled with care.

That is important because the content includes real-world harm themes. If the guide is respectful and clear, it feels like informed storytelling rather than morbid tourism. When it clicks, it becomes both educational and genuinely entertaining.

You should still know what you are buying: part history lesson, part ghost story, part guided walk through old underground spaces. If you go in expecting only theatrical haunting, you may leave thinking the ghost ratio was off. If you go in ready for “Portland has a shadow side,” you will probably feel satisfied.

How to Time Your Day: Date Night, Food, and Staying Comfortable

This tour starts at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, and many people love pairing it with a meal before you meet. If you want less stress, arrive a bit early, grab pizza, and settle in before you descend.

The timing is also friendly for a focused outing. About 1 hour 30 minutes means you still have time for the rest of Portland afterward, especially if you plan a nearby stop for dessert, a walk, or a brewery visit that does not involve underground stairs.

For comfort, plan for the physical reality. Use breathable layers. Bring a light jacket because underground spaces can feel cooler, and you will be standing still at times when the guide is explaining a point. If it is cold or damp, your footing matters even more, so prioritize stable shoes.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Should Skip It)

This is a strong fit if you:

• Like history that has lived consequences, not dusty trivia
• Want a Portland-only experience you cannot copy in most other cities
• Enjoy ghost stories, but you also enjoy understanding the “why”

It is also a great option for couples, especially if you like a guided activity that feels different from standard sightseeing. People call it a fun and spooky date-night choice, and the beer finish helps the vibe shift to “let’s debrief this” afterward.

You might skip it if:

• You have mobility limits or you know stairs and narrow spaces will be stressful
• You want a classic jump-scare paranormal show, with little focus on context
• You are uncomfortable with adult-content topics mentioned as part of the historic narrative

Price and Value: Does $48 Make Sense Here?

At $48 per person for about 90 minutes, the value depends on what you want from the experience. Here is how I see it.

You are paying for:

• Exclusive access to the Shanghai Tunnels areas under Old Town
• A guided story experience that mixes Portland’s dark past with the Nina ghost thread
• Three tastings and a full pint from Old Town’s award-winning beer

If you were doing the food and beer separately, your beverage portion would likely take a big bite out of your entertainment budget. That pint is the obvious anchor. The underground access is the real reason to book, but the beer makes sure the end feels like a payoff, not just “thanks for coming.”

Also, small group size (max 15) supports a better tour flow, which is another hidden value factor. In a crowd, underground tours get slower and less personal.

If You’re Choosing Between Ghost-Heavy and History-Heavy

This tour sits in the middle. It is not all ghosts, but it is not only lectures either. The Nina story gives the spooky overlay, while the tunnel walk and Portland’s Shanghaied/crimping era context provide the substance.

So my practical advice is simple:

• If you want a balanced evening that is spooky enough to feel fun, and historical enough to feel real, book it.
• If you only want the paranormal and none of the darker history, choose a different kind of haunted experience.

Most people who leave happy seem to get exactly that balance: scary-ish stories, plus a real sense of why the Shanghai Tunnels existed.

Should You Book? My Bottom-Line Take

I think you should book this tour if you want an authentically Portland night out that combines underground walking, story-driven history, and a satisfying beer finish. It is especially appealing for couples, solo travelers who like a guided narrative, and anyone who loves the mix of “how cities worked” plus “why people still whisper about Nina.”

Just be honest with yourself about the physical side. If stairs and narrow spaces are not your thing, your experience will feel more like work than fun.

If you are comfortable with that, you are in for an unusual Portland layer, one that ends with a full pint instead of an empty stomach.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour?

The tour duration is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $48.00 per person.

Where does the tour start and where does it end?

The meeting point is Old Town Pizza & Brewing, 226 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, the tour is offered in English.

What is included with the tour?

You get the 90-minute Underground Shanghai Tunnels tour, exclusive access to the tunnels, stories including the resident ghost Nina, and 3 beer tastings plus 1 pint of Old Town’s award-winning beer.

Is there a beer tasting and a pint included, or is it optional?

It is included. The tour includes 3 tasters and 1 pint of Old Town’s award-winning beer.

Is this tour suitable for all ages?

No. The tour is listed as 21+ for all tours other than 2pm and 3pm, which allow teenagers. Also, no babies, infants, or kids under 12 years old.

How physically demanding is it?

It involves climbing up and down stairs and navigating through tunnels around pipes. You need moderate physical fitness. The accessibility notice also mentions narrow stairs and doorways, ducking under obstacles, and uneven dirt floors.

Is it accessible for people with mobility issues?

The accessibility notice says it is an old building with narrow stairs and doorways, and there are obstacles and uneven dirt floors. It is best to assume it is not ideal for mobility issues.

What is the cancellation and refund situation if plans change?

There is free cancellation if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before start time, you will not be refunded. There is also NO REFUND for late guests or same-day cancellations.