Haunted bars in Portland start before it really gets dark. This 2-hour crawl mixes local ghost lore with real neighborhood pub stops in and around the Old Chinatown District, with a special focus on the area’s Shanghai Tunnels connections. You’ll start with a drink option at The Benson and end with food and more stories at Old Town Pizza.

What I like most is the storytelling quality. Guides such as Kris, Victoria, Houston, Jessica, and Lori earned repeat praise for humor, strong Portland context, and answering questions as you walk. I also like the group format: with a small max group size of 20, you get company while you explore on foot instead of doing the spooky route solo.

One consideration: the experience can feel less like a full-on pub crawl and more like a short walk with stories, and some locations may be closed, boarded up, or accessible mainly from the sidewalk. Starting at 5 pm means the “nighttime ambience” depends on the day.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Tight 2-hour route that fits an early evening plan with minimal logistics pain
• Multiple Portland legends tied to specific stops, not just generic hauntings
• Old Chinatown area focus, plus the famous Shanghai Tunnels angle
• Food and drink at the finish at Old Town Pizza & Brewing
• Small groups (max 20) for a safer, easier walk between stops

What you’re signing up for in Portland’s Old Chinatown area

This tour is built for one main thing: you want haunted Portland stories, but you also want a casual evening where you can get a drink (and sometimes food) at recognizable local spots. It’s not a silent walk through dark alleyways. You’re there for the guide’s narration, the timing between locations, and the way Portland history shows up in plain sight.

The route also leans into an area that can feel both historic and easy to explore: the Old Chinatown District and the blocks around it. That matters because it keeps the experience grounded. You’re not traveling far for the “cool part.” You’re moving through the city streets that made these stories possible in the first place.

One more thing I appreciate: this tour is designed around a group pace. Several guides are described as making the walk manageable, and one guest noted the pace felt slow enough for older folks. If you like being able to keep up without sprinting, this format is a good match.

Meeting at The Benson and how the timing really works

You meet at The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton at 309 SW Broadway. The start time is 5:00 pm, and the tour runs about 2 hours.

That early start is a big factor. It’s great for people who don’t want to wait until late night. It can also mean the streets are still bright, which changes the mood. One person explicitly felt the daytime timing reduced the ambience. So if you’re chasing maximum “spooky shadows,” plan your expectations around the season and sunset.

The tour uses a mobile ticket, confirmation comes within 48 hours of booking (subject to availability), and it’s offered in English. It also runs with service animals allowed and is near public transportation, which makes it easier to fit into a busy Portland itinerary.

Stop-by-stop: what each location adds to the ghost story

The crawl is short at each stop, so think of it like a sequence of story scenes. You’re usually getting a drink opportunity, a few minutes of setup and narration, and then moving on.

Stop 1: The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton

The tour kicks off at The Benson, where you can start with a drink while the guide sets the tone with a haunted story. The time here is about 15 minutes, and drinks are not included in the $36 price.

Why I think this first stop works: a hotel bar is familiar, easy to settle into, and it gives you a social warm-up before you head out. It’s also where you’ll hear the kind of story that primes you for the rest of the route—less jump-scare, more “wait, that makes sense.”

Stop 2: Kelly’s Olympian

Next is Kelly’s Olympian for another drink-and-story moment, also around 15 minutes. Again, you’ll pay for alcohol yourself if you want it.

This stop matters because it keeps the experience from turning into pure walking tour mode. You’re still in a pub environment, so the guide can connect history to a place people actually use—today, not just 100 years ago.

Stop 3: Roseland Theater

Roseland Theater is a shorter stop (about 5 minutes). Here you’re mainly there to hear the haunted history tied to that location.

The short duration is intentional. The theater setting gives you a quick atmospheric beat without eating time. Just remember: with a tight schedule, this is more of a “story punctuation mark” than a full stop.

Stop 4: Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub

At Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub you get another ghost story plus time to grab a drink, about 15 minutes.

Here’s the practical consideration: at least one guest reported that the haunted basement area was closed that day. That doesn’t mean you’ll always see the basement, and it’s a good reason to go in expecting mostly narration and sidewalk-level observation unless the venue happens to be fully open.

Also, Kells is frequently talked about in connection with the tour, so it’s a core expectation stop even if access varies.

Stop 5: Shanghai Tunnel Bar & Venue

The next stop is Shanghai Tunnel Bar & Venue, with another ghost story and drink time (about 15 minutes).

This is where the tour starts pulling together the Shanghai Tunnels theme. Even if you don’t go underground the whole time, the naming and the setting help your brain connect what you’ll hear to the history of the tunnels themselves.

Stop 6: Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnels Tour

This is the one explicitly underground moment in the itinerary, timed around 10 minutes, described as the Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnels Tour.

Important expectation-setting: some people said they did not get to do the Shanghai Tunnels portion, and others said the tour ended earlier than expected. So if the tunnels are your number-one reason to book, it’s smart to go with a cautious mindset and be ready for the possibility that access or timing could limit what you experience.

Stop 7: 9 NW 2nd Ave

You then stop at 9 NW 2nd Ave for more story time (about 15 minutes), again with optional drinks not included.

This kind of stop is a reminder that Portland hauntings don’t always require an attraction ticket. A street address can be the anchor for a story, which makes the tour feel more like walking through history than visiting a single “haunted house.”

Stop 8: Old Town Pizza & Brewing (the finish)

The final stop is Old Town Pizza & Brewing at 226 NW Davis St. It’s about 15 minutes, and this is where the tour ends with a drink and food option plus more weird haunted history.

This ending works well because it’s practical. You can refuel after the walking portion, and you don’t have to immediately find dinner somewhere new. One guest also liked that the food and drinks felt good at the end, which makes this finish feel more like a real evening outing.

The Shanghai Tunnels question: how to plan when the access is uncertain

The Shanghai Tunnels are the headline you’ll want to lock onto. The tour includes a Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnels Tour segment, but real-world access can be messy for any walking-and-story format: venues close, routes run on schedule, and sometimes a time slot gets shortened.

What I’d do if the Shanghai Tunnels are your top priority: treat this as an opportunity, not a guaranteed underground adventure. If you’re the type who needs 100% certainty, you may want a backup plan for a separate tunnel-focused option on another night.

On the plus side, even when the tunnels portion is limited, the tour’s other stops still build the theme. Shanghai Tunnel Bar & Venue and the surrounding story beats can still give you the “why” behind the tunnels, not just the fact that they exist.

Guides and pacing: why the best nights feel personal

This is a guide-driven experience. Reviews repeatedly point to guides who bring humor, energy, and Portland context.

Kris gets called out as great and capable of answering lots of questions. Victoria Rose is praised for a fun, spook-filled vibe, while also being described as doing a lot of research. Houston is singled out for knowing Portland history details and explaining things like why Portland blocks are so small. Jessica also earns high marks for both fun and knowledge, with a strong focus on making the locations feel creepy and alive.

One review also mentions a Victorian-esque outfit and that the guide handled the holiday mood well. Another notes a slower pace that lets older guests keep up comfortably. If you want a tour that doesn’t feel rushed, this setup has a real advantage.

Practical tip: ask questions as you walk. The format gives you short moments at stops, and a good guide can turn your questions into better stories. If you’re the quiet type, that’s fine too, but speaking up often improves the whole vibe.

Price and value: is $36 a good deal?

At $36 per person for about 2 hours, this tour is priced for an easy add-on to your Portland plan. A big value point is that all fees and taxes are included, so you aren’t guessing what the final total will look like.

The catch is equally clear: alcoholic beverages are not included. So your effective cost depends on whether you just order non-alcoholic drinks, sip one cocktail, or make it a proper bar night. The good news is the tour is designed with multiple pub stops, so you can choose your level of spending without feeling stuck.

I also think the small group size (max 20) helps the value. You’re not fighting through crowds while trying to hear stories. That matters for a ghost tour where the main product is listening, not just “being there.”

Who should book this ghost pub crawl, and who should skip it

This tour makes sense if you:

• want a short, social evening that mixes history with casual drinks
• like guided storytelling tied to recognizable Portland addresses
• are okay with the idea that some locations may be limited to sidewalk viewing
• are traveling as adults 21+ and prefer small-group walking

Skip it if you:

• want a long crawl with lots of bars and a full sequence of guaranteed entries
• are mainly chasing underground tunnel access as the only acceptable outcome
• need the darkest possible atmosphere no matter the season (it starts at 5:00 pm)

If your ideal ghost experience is more theater than bar, or if you want guaranteed inside access at every stop, you might prefer a different format that focuses solely on one type of haunted attraction.

Quick expectations check before you go

A few things to set your brain correctly before booking:

• You should expect short stops and movement between locations.
• Drinks are optional and paid by you, even at the pub stops.
• The “spooky” part comes from stories tied to places, not from a fully enclosed haunted attraction.
• The route includes a Shanghai Tunnels element, but access may vary based on timing and opening conditions.

Get that right, and the tour can feel like a fun Portland evening where the city’s past keeps poking through.

Should you book Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze?

I’d book this if you want a compact, story-forward evening in Portland that includes pub culture and a chance to connect with the Shanghai Tunnels legend. The best versions of this experience are driven by guides like Kris, Victoria, Houston, Jessica, and Lori, and they can turn a simple walk into a night you’ll talk about.

I wouldn’t book it as your one-and-only shot at the Shanghai Tunnels or as a guaranteed multi-bar drinking binge. If you know you’ll be disappointed by shorter-than-expected access, plan a backup activity for after the 2-hour window.

If you like local legends, a small-group walk, and ending with actual food at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, this is a solid use of $36 for a very Portland kind of evening.

FAQ

How long is the Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl?

It runs for about 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $36.00 per person.

Where does the tour start and what time?

It starts at The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton, 309 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205, at 5:00 pm.

Where does the tour end?

It ends at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, 226 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209.

Are alcoholic drinks included in the price?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included in the tour price.

Is the tour for adults only?

Yes. It is not for travelers under the age of 21.

What languages is the tour offered in?

The tour is offered in English.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

When will I get confirmation after booking?

You should receive confirmation within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

What if I need to cancel?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience starts, the amount you paid is not refunded.

Is there any accessibility guidance?

The tour notes moderate physical fitness level. Service animals are allowed, and the meeting area is near public transportation.

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