Portland ghosts meet a drink-and-walk. This Old Chinatown haunted pub crawl mixes Portland lore with real places you can point to, and it builds toward the Shanghai Tunnels story thread.

I really like that the tour is driven by the guide’s storytelling, not just a list of spooky facts, and that you get multiple stops clustered close together in about two hours. One thing to consider: it’s not a guaranteed multi-bar, inside-everywhere crawl. A few locations may be curbside-only or closed, so the night can feel more like a haunted walk with drink options than a true binge-style pub crawl.

Key things I’d bet you’ll care about

• Old Chinatown focus: you’re not roaming randomly; it’s a tight, history-heavy pocket.
• Stories tied to specific addresses: the guide connects the ghost talk to the buildings around you.
• Shanghai Tunnels are part of the plan: there’s a dedicated stop for the tunnels segment.
• Guide quality is the whole game: people rave about guides like Kris, Victoria, Houston, Jessica, and Lori.
• You buy your own drinks: the cost covers the tour and access, not alcohol.

A Quick, Cost-Friendly Way to Hear Portland’s Dark Side

If you want Portland after 5 pm but don’t want to spend your evening hunting for “the good stuff,” this tour is a smart shortcut. You walk a compact route and get a guided ghost story at each stop, so you’re not left piecing together legends from signs and stray anecdotes.

The format works because the spooky bits are anchored to places you can actually see. Even when you’re not stepping into every venue, the guide’s narration gives the streets a spine: this corner mattered, that building carried secrets, and the blocks in between have a reason for their shape.

Price and What You’re Really Paying For

At $36 per person for about 2 hours, you’re paying for organization, the guide, and the guided route through Portland’s haunted highlights. The tour includes all fees and taxes, which is nice when you’re budgeting for the evening.

Alcohol is not included, so you’ll likely spend extra if you order drinks at each stop. That said, you can still make it work on a lean budget: treat the stops as opportunities to buy one drink, or skip alcohol and focus on the stories. The value is in the storytelling plus the convenience of a pre-planned route, not in a drink package.

Meet at The Benson, Then Start Walking Old Chinatown Vibes

The tour starts at The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton at 309 SW Broadway at 5:00 pm. It ends at Old Town Pizza & Brewing at 226 NW Davis St, which is a solid choice because you can grab food at the finish line instead of scrambling to find dinner right after.

The group is capped at 20 travelers, which keeps it small enough for conversation and questions. You’ll be moving at a pace that’s friendly for a moderate fitness level, and the tour is described as near public transportation, so it’s easier to plug into your day.

One more practical note: since it begins at 5 pm, parts of the walk can still feel a little “daylight-ish,” depending on the season. If you’re super sensitive to atmosphere, bring a light layer and plan to let the guide do the heavy lifting on the mood.

Stop-by-Stop: The Route You’ll Actually Experience

You get a series of short stops where the guide sets the scene, tells the ghost story, and points out what’s important. Most stops are brief (often around 10–15 minutes), so you’re meant to stay alert, listen closely, and keep moving.

Stop 1: The Benson Portland (Curio Collection by Hilton)

This is where you begin with a drink and your first haunted story. It’s also a good warm-up because it lets you settle in before the route starts tightening into Old Town.

What to expect: a quick narration and an easy first sip if you want one. Drinks are not included, so keep that in mind if you’re budgeting.

Stop 2: Kelly’s Olympian

Next you head to Kelly’s Olympian for another ghost story paired with the chance to order a drink. This stop helps you understand the overall tone: Portland’s spookiness isn’t just “one-time spooky,” it’s tied to how people used to live, work, and socialize here.

Quick tip: if you’re a little hesitant about joining a group tour, this is usually the best time to relax into the guide’s style. It’s early, so you still feel fresh.

Stop 3: Roseland Theater

This one is shorter, about 5 minutes, focused on the haunted history connected to the Roseland Theater. In a route like this, short stops matter because they keep your attention while still hitting key locations.

Why it’s worth it: even if you’re not spending much time here, the story can add meaning to what you see later around the Old Town area.

Stop 4: Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub

At Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub, you get another story plus time to enjoy a drink. This is one of the stops people tend to look forward to because it’s a recognizable pub-style setting, and that makes the ghost talk feel more grounded in everyday Portland.

Consideration: some locations may be limited on a given day, and even when you arrive excited, you may not always get access to everything. The tour keeps moving, so don’t expect every stop to be equally “open inside.”

Stop 5: Shanghai Tunnel Bar & Venue

Now you start getting closer to the tunnels theme, at Shanghai Tunnel Bar & Venue. It’s a smart pivot point: even before the dedicated tunnel segment, the guide uses this stop to set up why the tunnels became part of Portland’s legend.

What to watch for: this stop can feel like the moment you shift from “ghost stories about places” to “ghost stories with a specific plot line.”

Stop 6: Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnels Tour

This is the dedicated tunnels segment, scheduled for about 10 minutes. This is the part many people care about most because it turns the mythology into something more like a guided experience rather than only curbside storytelling.

Reality check: the tour is built around real-world access, and some parts of downtown can be closed or restricted. If the tunnels stop is your main reason for booking, arrive on time and ask your guide how the day’s access will work once you’re gathered.

Stop 7: 9 NW 2nd Ave

You’ll then hit 9 NW 2nd Ave for dark, sordid history tied to the location. Stops like this are where the tour earns its “guided” label: you see an address, a building, and a street corner, and suddenly the details matter.

Best use of your time here: keep your questions ready. This is often where the guide connects dots about Portland’s streets and past.

Stop 8: Old Town Pizza & Brewing (Finish with food)

Finally you end at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, where you can get drinks and food along with the last haunted stories. This ending is practical: you don’t have to chase dinner after the tour wraps.

Food note: the tour doesn’t list food as included, but you’ll have a strong chance to order after you finish. In other words, this is a good “end the night” spot.

The Shanghai Tunnels Thread, and Why It Works

Portland’s Shanghai Tunnels are famous enough that many people arrive with curiosity already set. What I like about having a guide handle the tunnels theme is that it turns vague legend into a connected story, told in a way that fits the route you’re walking.

Also, the tour structure keeps the tunnels theme from feeling random. You build toward it: Benson and Kelly’s establish mood and context, Roseland and Kells add local haunt energy, and then Shanghai Tunnel Bar sets the stage. By the time you reach the tunnels stop, you’re already listening with the right lens.

How the Guides Change Everything

A ghost tour lives or dies on the guide. When the storytelling has momentum, the whole walk feels alive. When it’s flat, it’s just standing around.

From the guide names mentioned—Kris, Victoria, Houston, Jessica, and Lori—the best common thread is performance plus Portland-specific details. Some guides include humor and a confident pace, and people seem to enjoy asking questions and getting straight answers.

One thing I learned from this style of tour is that group energy matters. With a small group (max 20), the guide can keep the group together without rushing you. If your group is on the older side, it also helps that the pacing is described as slow enough to breathe.

Practical Tips for Your 5:00 pm Ghost Pub Crawl

Here’s what will help you get the most out of the evening.

• Wear comfy shoes. Even with short stops, you’re walking a route through downtown and Old Town. One guide style focuses on covering around 20 blocks, so it adds up.
• Bring layers. It’s Portland. Five pm can still shift fast once you get deeper into the walk.
• Budget for drinks separately. Alcohol isn’t included, so decide in advance whether you want one drink, two, or none.
• Be ready for curbside storytelling. Not every haunted location is accessible the way a movie set would be. You might mostly stand outside while the guide tells the story.
• If the tunnels are your priority, be flexible. Access can vary by day, so keep the mindset that the guide will do what’s possible.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Not)

This tour fits best if you want a fun, low-cost way to see Old Town’s haunted landmarks in a structured route. It’s also a good choice if you like history that feels human and messy—places where ordinary life overlaps with rumors, fear, and hard choices.

It may not be ideal if you’re expecting a longer drinking crawl with frequent stops inside buildings. Several experiences described a less-than-expected “pub crawl” feel, with only a small number of bar moments, plus time spent outside. If you want maximum interior access, choose your expectations carefully.

Final Verdict: Should You Book Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze?

If you’re chasing atmosphere, storytelling, and a compact walk through Portland’s most legend-heavy blocks for $36, I think this is an easy yes. The ending at Old Town Pizza & Brewing is a smart practical bonus, and the Shanghai Tunnels focus gives the tour a clear spine.

I’d only hesitate if you’re the type who needs a lot of indoor access at each stop, or if your main goal is a multi-bar night with several drinks. For that, you’d probably want a longer or more drink-forward option. For a guided ghost story evening that doesn’t blow your budget, this one is a solid bet.

FAQ

What is the price of the Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl?

It costs $36.00 per person. All fees and taxes are included in that price.

How long does the tour last?

The duration is about 2 hours (approx.).

Are alcoholic beverages included in the tour price?

No. Alcoholic beverages are not included, though you can purchase drinks during the stops.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton, 309 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205 and ends at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, 226 NW Davis St, Portland, OR 97209.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is listed as 5:00 pm.

Who can join the tour?

The tour is not for travelers under the age of 21.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.