Portland: Underground Shanghai Tunnel Tour with Beer Tasting

Portland’s Shanghai Tunnel Tour takes you beneath Chinatown, into narrow passages tied to the city’s rough waterfront past. You’ll hear stories of sailors being forced toward river ships, meet the resident ghost Nina through local legend, and finish upstairs with craft beer at Old Town Pizza. The history comes first, with spooky tales used to add atmosphere rather than carry the whole tour.

I like two things here: the mix of Portland history and ghost stories, and the smart finish at a historic pizza-and-brewing spot. Guides Doug, Natasha, and Natascha have earned praise for clear storytelling, humor, and strong audience interaction. The main drawback is the tight, uneven setting. You’ll climb narrow stairs, duck around pipes, and walk on dirt floors, so this is not a good fit for anyone with mobility issues.

Key points to know before booking

• The tunnels are beneath Old Town Pizza, in the lobby of the former Merchant Hotel.
• The tour lasts 1.5 hours and ends with a special beer tasting plus one full pint.
• Doug, Natasha, and Natascha have been especially praised for engaging storytelling and lively Q&A.
• The underground route is short and restricted in places, with some passages closed off.
• Expect stairs, low obstacles, narrow doorways, pipes, and uneven dirt floors.
• Guests aged 13 to 20 can attend only the noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. departures.

Portland is known for craft beer, old brick buildings, and a taste for the strange. This experience combines all three in a compact 90-minute outing under Old Town. You begin with a guided walk through the Shanghai Tunnels, then return to street level for beer at Old Town Pizza & Brewing.

At $44 per person, the price is higher than a simple historic walk. The value comes from the combination: a guide, access to the underground site, a special tasting, and one full pint. If you already planned to visit Old Town Pizza, the final drink adds useful value. If you do not drink beer, or mainly want a long tunnel exploration, the price may feel less convincing.

Starting at Old Town Pizza and the Merchant Hotel

Your meeting point is Old Town Pizza & Brewing. Enter the restaurant and tell the staff you are there for the tunnel tour. If the tour begins before business hours, knock on the door.

This starting point matters because the tunnels sit below the building, in the lobby area of Portland’s former Merchant Hotel. You do not need transport between the parts of the experience. The restaurant provides a practical place to gather before heading underground and a comfortable place to finish afterward.

Arrive at least 10 minutes early. The guide takes the group underground, and late arrivals may miss the entire tour with no refund. That strict rule is worth taking seriously, especially if you are coming from another Portland activity.

The tour is conducted in English. Some departures are restricted to people aged 21 and older, while those aged 13 to 20 are allowed only on the noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. tours. Children under 13 are not permitted, and infants and babies cannot attend.

What you learn below Portland’s streets

Once underground, the focus turns to Portland’s darker past. The guide explains how the passageways were connected with the riverfront and the movement of sailors toward ships. The stories describe a city where commerce, drinking, waterfront work, and crime could overlap in uncomfortable ways.

This is not a standard city walk with a few old dates tossed in. The setting gives the history weight. You are standing in cramped spaces under a working restaurant, with pipes overhead and old surfaces underfoot. That physical setting helps you picture why these passages have lasted in Portland’s imagination.

The exact amount of time spent in each section can vary with the guide and group. You should not expect to roam through a large open network. Some passages are closed off, and the accessible route includes a limited section of the larger tunnel system.

That limitation is important. If your picture is a long underground expedition through miles of passages, adjust it before you arrive. You will see atmospheric sections, including an old cell and a creepy picture, but much of the network is not open for casual walking.

Nina, ghosts, and the right amount of suspense

The resident ghost Nina is part of the tour’s paranormal thread. Your guide tells the story as part of the site’s local lore, building suspense as the group moves through the dark spaces. The ghost material gives the walk its mood, but the tour also spends substantial time on Portland’s past.

That balance is one of the strongest reasons to choose this outing. You do not need to be a committed paranormal fan to enjoy it. One recent participant who was not especially interested in ghosts still found the Portland and tunnel history worthwhile, thanks in part to Natasha’s lively presentation.

At the same time, you should not book this expecting a serious investigation of supernatural activity. The experience is a guided history-and-ghost tour, with stories, atmosphere, and a few creepy details. Your enjoyment will depend partly on how much you like suspense and local legend.

The best guides make the difference. Doug has been praised for his storytelling and ability to explain the site. Natasha and Natascha have been singled out for friendly delivery, clear narration, fun facts, and strong questions-and-answers at the end. Guide quality can vary by departure, but the repeated praise for these guides suggests that presentation is a major part of the experience.

A short route with real physical obstacles

The underground setting is the tour’s biggest strength and its main practical warning. You will walk up and down stairs, pass through narrow doorways, and maneuver around pipes between the floor and ceiling. Some obstacles require you to duck, and the dirt floors can be uneven.

Wear comfortable shoes with good footing. High heels are a poor choice here. You do not need special outdoor equipment, but you should be comfortable bending, stepping carefully, and moving through confined spaces.

This tour is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. The information also clearly rules out children under 13. If you are unsure about your ability to manage stairs or low obstacles, contact the provider before booking rather than relying on the normal route.

The route is not described as a long walk, and the exposed tunnel area is limited. Still, the confined conditions can make the experience tiring for anyone who dislikes tight spaces. Keep your group size and personal comfort in mind when deciding.

The beer tasting and full pint at Old Town Pizza

After the underground portion, you return upstairs to Old Town Pizza. The final stage includes a special tasting of award-winning beer and one full pint. It is a simple idea, but it fits Portland well and gives the tour a clear ending.

The tasting helps you think about what you have just seen while still in the same historic building. Instead of finishing on a sidewalk and trying to find a nearby bar, you sit down and continue the experience in one place.

You receive one pint as part of the $44 price. If you want additional drinks or food, those are not listed as included. Old Town Pizza also serves food, and pizza can make sense before or after the tour, but the meal is not part of the package.

One useful detail is the chance to ask questions during the beer portion. Natascha has been praised for running a good Q&A at the conclusion of the tour. That makes the final drink more than a quick coupon-style add-on. It gives you time to clarify the tunnel stories and chat with the guide.

If you do not drink beer, the package loses some of its value. The tour itself remains the central activity, but the tasting and pint are built into the experience and cannot simply be treated as an optional extra.

How the timing affects your day

The 1.5-hour duration makes this easy to fit into an afternoon or evening in Portland. You can pair it with time in Old Town, then use the beer stop as a relaxed break. The noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. departures are the important choices for mixed-age groups because they allow participants aged 13 to 20.

Later departures are for people aged 21 and older only. That rule can affect families, multigenerational groups, or anyone traveling with a younger teenager. Check the specific departure before paying.

The tour does not include transportation. You are responsible for getting to Old Town Pizza and arriving on time. Since late arrivals receive no refund, allow extra time for finding the entrance and getting settled.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour. Same-day changes and cancellations are not accepted. The provider also allows you to reserve and pay later, which can help if you are arranging several Portland activities before your schedule is fixed.

Bring a passport or ID card and be prepared to sign a waiver. The age rules make identification especially important for the evening departures.

Who will get the most from this experience

I would recommend this tour to you if you enjoy local history with a spooky edge, prefer guided storytelling to reading plaques, and like ending an activity with a drink. It also suits visitors who want something distinctly Portland rather than another general sightseeing loop.

The tour works especially well for:

• Adults interested in ghost stories and old waterfront tales
• Beer drinkers who want a built-in tasting and pint
• Visitors with a free afternoon or evening
• Couples and friends looking for a short, unusual activity
• History fans who prefer stories and setting over a formal museum visit

I would be more cautious if you want a large, open tunnel system or a purely factual history lesson. Much of the network is closed, and paranormal stories are part of the presentation. People who dislike narrow spaces, uneven floors, or stairs should choose another Portland activity.

The tour can suit a mixed group when one person loves ghosts and another does not. The history content keeps it from being only a spooky attraction. That balance is a real advantage, but your guide’s storytelling style will shape the mood.

Is $44 a fair price?

At $44, this is not Portland’s cheapest short activity. You are paying for a guided experience in a restricted historic site, a special beer tasting, and a full pint. The price is easiest to justify if you would otherwise pay separately for a drink and value having a guide explain the location.

The experience also saves you the trouble of arranging a separate Old Town stop. The route, stories, and beer are packaged together, and the final drink gives the 90 minutes a satisfying rhythm.

The value is weaker for non-drinkers, families who cannot use the later departures, or anyone expecting a broad underground exploration. Since the accessible section is limited and some tunnels are closed, the attraction depends heavily on storytelling rather than sheer size.

The reported overall rating is 4.3 out of 5 from 102 ratings, with repeated praise for the guides, the history content, and the combination of beer and pizza. That fits my reading of the experience: the people leading the tour are central to its success.

Should you book the Shanghai Tunnel Tour?

Book it if you want a short, memorable Portland activity that joins local history, ghost lore, and craft beer. The best reason to go is not the size of the tunnel network. It is the way a good guide turns a cramped underground site into a story about Portland’s waterfront past, then gives you time to talk it over with a pint.

Skip it if you need step-free access, dislike confined spaces, or want a long underground route. Also skip it if the beer tasting has no value for you, since part of the $44 price is tied to that finish.

For most adults who enjoy history with a little suspense, I think this is a smart addition to a Portland itinerary. Arrive early, wear practical shoes, choose the departure carefully, and keep your expectations realistic about the limited tunnel access.

FAQ

How long does the Portland Shanghai Tunnel Tour last?

The tour lasts 1.5 hours, including the guided underground visit, special beer tasting, and one full pint.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Old Town Pizza & Brewing. Enter the restaurant and announce that you are there for the tour. If it is before business hours, knock on the door.

Is beer included in the ticket?

Yes. The experience includes a special beer tasting and one full pint of beer. Additional food and drinks are not listed as included.

Can people aged 13 to 20 attend?

Yes, but only on the noon, 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. departures. Later tours are for people aged 21 and older only.

Are children under 13 allowed?

No. Infants, babies, and children under 13 are not permitted.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The route includes stairs, narrow stairs and doorways, pipes, obstacles that require ducking, and uneven dirt floors. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended, and high heels should be avoided.