Portland: Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Beer Tasting

Portland’s underworld is real—and oddly fun. This Shanghai Tunnels tour blends spooky storytelling with the kind of local detail you remember, including tales about a resident ghost named Nina and the ways the tunnels factored into Chinatown’s shadowy past.

I especially like the way guides bring the underground to life. Doug and Natasha (and Natascha, same role, different spelling) consistently steer it toward history plus atmosphere, not just cheap jump-scare vibes.

One thing to consider: it’s physical. You’ll go up and down stairs, duck under low parts, and move around pipes between ceiling and floor, and the tour isn’t suited for people with mobility impairments.

Key things to know before you go

• Ghost Nina, but with context: You get the paranormal angle alongside how the tunnels were used.
• A real Old Town Pizza link: The tour ends at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, not some random beer stop.
• Tight spaces and uneven floors: Comfortable shoes matter because you’ll crouch and navigate obstacles.
• Limited tunnel access: Many tunnel sections are closed off, so you won’t be roaming everywhere.
• Beer is part of the ticket: You’ll get a special beer tasting plus a full pint.
• Age rules depend on the time slot: Later tours can be 21+ only.

What Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels tour really is

Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels are a network of underground passages underneath the Chinatown area, and this tour walks you through the parts you can still access. The big idea is simple: you’re not just walking around for scares, you’re hearing how this underground space connected to sailors and ships tied to the river.

The tone is part ghost story and part “how did this city work?” That mix matters because it keeps the experience grounded. Even if you’re not on Team Paranormal, you’ll still have plenty to latch onto, like why the tunnels mattered and what life was like for people moving through them.

Meeting Old Town Pizza & Brewing (and why the location matters)

You meet at Old Town Pizza & Brewing in Old Town. When you arrive, enter and announce you’re there for the Shanghai Tunnels tour, and if it’s before business hours, you knock on the door.

This matters more than you’d think, because it turns the whole experience into one compact block of time. You’re not traveling between distant stops—you start in a working restaurant/brewing space, then go underground, and come back up for beer and reflection.

Also, since the tunnels are under a pizza place, you can often plan to eat beforehand. That’s a practical comfort for a tour that includes a lot of stairs and crouching.

Descending into the past: what the tour covers underground

Once everyone checks in, you head underground with your guide. The storytelling focuses on Portland’s darker past and the idea that the tunnels were used to move unsuspecting sailors to ships docked on the river.

This is where the guide style really shows. Doug and Natasha-shaped tours tend to use pacing and detail to keep you listening, then circle back to the “why” behind the legends. One of the strongest themes is that the paranormal gets layered on top of historical context, so you don’t feel like you’re wasting time on filler.

You’ll hear about the resident ghost, Nina, during the walk. At the same time, you’ll learn what the tour route can show you today, including older spaces like an old cell area and creepy visuals that help the atmosphere land.

The walking route: stairs, pipes, and what’s open

The tour involves more than a flat corridor stroll. Expect stairs, narrow doorways, and sections where you’ll maneuver between pipes between the ceiling and floor. There are also obstacles you’ll need to duck under and some uneven dirt floors.

Plan to wear comfortable footwear and skip anything with narrow soles or high heels. If you’re traveling with people who normally hate claustrophobic spaces, this is where you should set expectations early.

A key practical note from how the tour is described: you don’t run through the tunnels for a long time, and most of the network you hear about is closed off. You’ll get some moving around and a few “stop-and-look” moments, but you’re still dealing with a maintained, limited access route.

The beer tasting + 1 full pint: how the experience ends

After the tunnel portion, you come back up for the beer tasting and then a full pint. The tour includes a special tasting of award-winning Portland craft beer, and you also leave with one pint.

This part often feels like the pressure release. You’ve already done the stairs and crouching, and now you’re in a warmer, social setting where you can ask questions. One highlight: there’s sometimes time for Q&A around the end of the tour, so you can follow up on the history or the ghost story threads you found most interesting.

A practical tip: if you’re staying in the area, this is a solid “anchor activity” for early evening. It’s long enough to feel like a real outing, and it ends at a place where you can keep eating/drinking if you want.

If you love spicy drinks, there’s also a useful local-style suggestion from within the same venue. One guide-free piece of advice you can take: ask bartender Ann for a spicy margarita if you’re in the mood for something beyond beer.

Price and value for $44 over 1.5 hours

At $44 per person for about 1.5 hours, this isn’t a budget “peek and leave” activity. You’re paying for a guided underground walk in a tricky space, plus guided storytelling, plus beer tasting, plus a full pint.

Here’s how I’d judge the value if you’re deciding between alternatives. If you like tours that mix place-based history with a bit of theatrical atmosphere, the included beer makes the price easier to stomach. You’re not buying one small pour and calling it a day—you’re getting an actual tasting experience and then a full pint.

It’s also good value if you’d otherwise spend money on a craft beer stop after a sightseeing block. Instead of doing two separate activities, you get them tied together by the tour itself.

The only “value risk” is if you’re not comfortable with the physical demands. If you know you’ll struggle with stairs and tight clearance, your time might feel stressful rather than fun, and that can outweigh the beer and storytelling.

Who should book this tour (and who should skip it)

This tour is best for people who like a guided narrative. You’ll get the underground legends, but the focus stays on how the tunnels fit into Portland’s story.

It also works well for pairs and small groups. Guides tend to keep the pace tight enough that you don’t get bored, and the beer tasting makes it feel like a shared payoff at the end.

Here are the clear “not for me” categories based on the tour rules:

• Children under 13 aren’t allowed.
• People with mobility impairments should skip it because of stairs, narrow spaces, and obstacles.
• If you’re traveling with teens, age rules depend on the tour time. 13–20 year olds are only permitted on noon, 2pm, and 3pm tours, while later tours are 21+ only.

If you’re traveling as an older adult, you’ll still be welcome if you’re steady on your feet and comfortable ducking/moving through tight points. The tour is short, but it’s not “easy mode.”

Timing, arrival, and what to bring (the stuff that affects your mood)

Plan to arrive early and be ready. You should show up about 10 minutes before the tour, because if you’re late, you’ll miss the tour once the group is already underground, and late guests don’t receive a refund.

What to bring is straightforward:

• A passport or ID card
• A signed waiver

The tour language is English, and the total duration is about 1.5 hours. If your schedule is tight, this is still manageable because it’s a single block with a clear beginning and a beer-centered finish.

One more timing thing to keep in mind: there are special age restrictions based on which time slot you book. If you’re traveling with anyone under 21, double-check the tour time before you commit.

Reviews: what consistently shows up in the vibe

This tour has an average rating of 4.3 from 102 ratings, and the themes are consistent. The most praised element is the guide’s ability to tell the story—Doug and Natasha/Natascha show up repeatedly as strong narrators who keep people engaged.

Another highly praised aspect is the balance between paranormal and history. Even people who aren’t “all-in” on ghost tours tend to enjoy this one because it leans into Portland context rather than pure silliness.

And it’s not presented as an unlimited tunnel adventure. One recurring practical note is that you won’t be running through long open stretches, since many sections are closed off. The upside is that what you do see is designed for atmosphere and pacing, not for wandering.

Should you book the Portland Underground Shanghai Tunnels tour?

I’d book it if you want a Portland experience that’s specific, not generic. The Shanghai Tunnels setting plus a guide-led story plus a craft beer tasting and full pint creates a satisfying arc in just 1.5 hours.

Skip it if you hate tight spaces, stairs, or the idea of crouching/ducking through low obstacles. This is also a hard no for anyone under 13, and for mobility concerns it’s clearly not designed to be an easy stroll.

If you’re the type who enjoys Portland’s odd side—ghost stories grounded in place, river-era sailor lore, and a practical beer finish—this is a strong pick. Just choose the right time slot for age eligibility, wear comfortable shoes, and arrive early so the tour can flow the way it’s meant to.

FAQ

How long is the Portland Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour?

The duration is about 1.5 hours.

What does the $44 price include?

The ticket includes the guided tour, the guide, a special beer tasting, and 1 pint of beer.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Meet at Old Town Pizza & Brewing. Enter and announce you’re there for the tour, and if it’s before business hours, knock on the door.

Is the tour only for adults?

Some tours are 21+ only, and 13–20 year olds are only allowed on the noon, 2pm, and 3pm tours.

What are the age limits?

Infants, babies, and children under 13 years old are not allowed.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, and a signed waiver.

Is the tour physically difficult?

It involves walking up and down stairs and maneuvering between pipes between the ceiling and floor, with narrow doorways, obstacles to duck under, and uneven dirt floors. Comfortable footwear is recommended.

What happens if I’m late?

If you arrive late, you’ll miss the tour because the group may already be underground, and you will not be given a refund.