Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Brewery Tastings

Portland has secret underground passages. This 90-minute Shanghai Tunnels tour from Old Town Pizza & Brewing mixes Portland’s darker past with ghost stories about Nina, then wraps with beer.

I especially liked the rare tunnel access under Old Town, and I really enjoyed how the guides connect the underground spaces to real local history. The beer part is also a clear win: you get three tastings plus one pint of Old Town’s award-winning beer.

One big consideration: this is physically rough. Expect narrow stairs, low spaces, and uneven floors with pipes overhead, so it’s not a great fit for mobility limits.

Key things to know before you go

• Exclusive Shanghai Tunnels access under Old Town Pizza & Brewing
• Ghost stories about Nina paired with grim Portland history
• Stairs, low ceilings, and pipe-heavy passages (bring grippy shoes)
• 3 beer tasters + 1 full pint of Old Town award-winning beer
• Small groups (max 15) make it feel more like a walk with a guide
• Old Town Pizza & Brewing is the hub before and after the tour

Shanghai Tunnels, Portland-style: the big idea

This tour is built around one neat twist: Portland’s under-street “Shanghai Tunnels” are treated like a living storybook. You’re not just hearing spooky lines. You’re moving through the passageways while the guide ties what you’re seeing to the way the city used these spaces long ago.

And yes, there’s a ghost. The resident spirit is Nina, and you’ll hear stories that blend haunting energy with historic details about crime, coercion, and violence. It’s a moody mix, the kind of evening that makes you look at the street above like it has a second life underneath.

Getting started at Old Town Pizza & Brewing

The experience starts and ends at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, at 226 NW Davis St. You meet your guide there, then head underground beneath the building.

I like this setup because you’re not wandering around town trying to find “the spot.” It’s a real, central business location you can navigate easily, and it’s also a good place to reset before and after. If you want something to eat first, multiple guides’ fans recommend grabbing pizza at the restaurant beforehand, since the tour itself is short and the tunnel portion can be taxing.

One practical note: this is an English tour, and you’ll use a mobile ticket. That’s easy for most people, but it also means you should have your phone charged and ready.

The tunnel walk: what it feels like under Old Town

This is a walking tour, but it’s not a “casual stroll.” You’ll be climbing up and down stairs, and you’ll be navigating through tight tunnel sections with pipework and low clearances. There are spots where you’ll need to duck, and there are uneven dirt floors in at least some parts.

So your footwear matters more than you might expect. Wear closed-toe shoes with good grip. Sneakers are the safe choice. High heels are a bad idea, and anything with slick soles is asking for trouble.

Another small reality check: this tour doesn’t try to be an all-day endurance hike. You’re underground for about 90 minutes total, and you’ll come back out afterward. Several people also note that it’s not a massive, kilometre-long tunnel journey. It’s more like you’re seeing a particular slice of the underground network up close, in a controlled route.

Ghost Nina and Portland’s dark chapters

The scariest part here isn’t the supernatural special effects. It’s how the guide frames Portland’s past as harsh and sometimes brutal. Expect historic mention of sexual content, drug use, human trafficking, violence, and death. That’s part of the tone, and it’s not hidden.

I like that the tour doesn’t pretend the city’s history was polite. The guide uses the setting to explain why these tunnels mattered and how people’s lives were affected. Nina’s ghost stories then add a layer of eerie atmosphere on top.

In the best moments, you’ll feel like the guide is doing two jobs at once: narrating history while also pacing the room so the spooky parts land. Some guides (for example, Doug, Natasha, and Skippy/Skipper are names that show up in reviews) are praised for storytelling style and staying respectful while handling heavy topics.

Beer tastings and a pint: the ending you’ll actually remember

After you resurface, the tour turns into something more social: three beer tastings and one pint of Old Town’s award-winning beer. For a $48 tour, this is part of what makes the value feel real, because you’re not only paying for the walking portion—you’re also getting a meaningful amount of beer.

One thing to manage: tastings are not full pours. Some people describe the tasting amounts as small, so set your expectations accordingly. The pint at the end is the guaranteed “you did it” finish.

Beer fans also tend to note that the quality is the point, not just the gimmick. Reviews mention standouts like Candy Cap mushroom beer, and they consistently call out the beer as a strong reason to take the tour even if you’re not chasing ghosts.

How the guide can change your whole experience

This tour lives or dies on the guide’s delivery. The history is the skeleton, but the narration is the meat. In reviews, I saw a clear pattern: when a guide clicks with the group, people call it fun, scary in the right way, and easy to follow. When the style misses, people complain about too much history versus too many ghost moments, or a comedy vibe that doesn’t land.

Guide names that get praise include:

• Skippy/Skipper, noted for being entertaining and knowledgeable in the Portland-dark-history sense
• Natasha, frequently highlighted for engaging story flow
• Doug, praised for keeping the tone enjoyable while sharing tough material

If you’re a big ghost-first person, you might want to calibrate expectations. A few reviews say the tour is often more history-forward than ghost-forward. That doesn’t make it bad—just decide what you want more: more Nina moments or more Portland underground facts.

Price and value: is $48 worth it?

At $48 per person for about 1 hour 30 minutes, this isn’t a budget “walk-and-go” tour. But it’s also not overpriced for what’s included. The ticket price covers:

• Exclusive underground access to the Shanghai Tunnels
• A guided story experience (including heavy adult topics)
• 3 tastings + 1 pint of brewery beer

For Portland, “underground, guided, and includes a pint” is a combo you don’t see often at this price. If beer is your thing, the ending alone shifts the equation from sightseeing to a proper event. If beer isn’t your thing, I’d still say the included pint is enough to make the cost feel less like pure theatre.

The price also makes sense when you factor in the max group size of 15. Smaller groups can mean tighter pacing and more chance for the guide to keep control in tight spaces.

Who should book (and who should skip)

This tour fits best if you:

• Like Portland history with a darker edge
• Enjoy spooky storytelling, even when it’s grounded in real-world crime and hardship
• Want a fun date night or evening activity that ends with a pint
• Prefer small groups over big bus tours

You should probably skip or think hard if you:

• Have mobility issues or struggle with stairs and low clearances
• Get uncomfortable with adult themes (violence, trafficking, drugs, and sexual content are mentioned historically)
• Want a fully authentic, uninterrupted “maze of tunnels” experience. Some reviews suggest it covers a limited portion under the building.

Weather matters too. The tour requires good conditions, and if it’s canceled for poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Quick expectations check for a smoother night

Here’s how to set yourself up so you don’t leave annoyed:

• Plan for moderate physical fitness. You’ll climb stairs and squeeze through tight sections.
• Wear grippy closed-toe shoes.
• Keep your evening expectations mixed: it’s part underground tour, part ghost stories, part brewery finale.
• If you’re hoping for a heavy “haunting” focus, remember you may get more history than you think.

Also note the tour has a maximum of 15 travelers, which is small enough that the guide’s pacing matters. Show up on time and keep your group moving when the guide calls a transition.

Should you book this haunted tunnel + beer tour?

If you want a Portland evening that feels unusual and local, I think this is a smart pick. The strongest reasons to book are the exclusive tunnel access plus the real payoff at the end with beer tastings and a full pint. It’s also a great way to learn what “Shanghai tunnels” means in Portland without reading a textbook.

I’d only tell you to pause if you’re sensitive to heavy adult topics or you know you can’t handle the stair-and-tight-space reality. Otherwise, for the $48 price, it hits a rare combo: underground history, Nina’s ghost stories, and a proper brewery finish.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

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

How long is the Shanghai Tunnels tour?

The tour runs for about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What do I get included with the ticket?

Your ticket includes the 90-minute tunnel tour, three beer tastings, and one pint of Old Town’s award-winning beer.

Is this tour a ghost tour or more history?

It includes dark Portland history and ghost stories about Nina, but the balance can lean more historical depending on the guide. Either way, you’ll hear a lot of context about the tunnels.

Is there an age requirement?

For most tour times, you must be 21+. Minors aren’t allowed on tours other than the 2pm & 3pm tour times.

What should I wear or bring for the tunnel portion?

Wear comfortable footwear with good grip. The tour involves stairs, low spaces, and uneven dirt floors, so avoid high heels.

Is it suitable for people with mobility issues?

The experience notice says the building has narrow stairs and doorways, plus obstacles you must duck under and uneven floors. Reviews also indicate it’s not for mobility issues.

What if the tour is canceled due to weather?

It requires good weather. If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. Also, there are no refunds for late guests or same-day cancellations.