Haunted drinks, and Portland lore on foot. This Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl threads ghost stories through the Old Chinatown area, turning familiar corners into something stranger. You’re not just hearing legends from a distance; you’re walking between places that locals associate with darker nights.

I like the small group size (max 20) and the fast, story-driven pacing that fits an approximately two-hour evening. It’s also the kind of tour where the guide’s humor and questions-in-the-group energy really matter, and certain guides like Kris, Victoria, Houston, Jessica, and Lori were repeatedly praised for that.

One watch-out: this isn’t a guaranteed, bar-to-bar crawl where you’ll hit every stop or go inside every venue. Alcohol costs extra, some locations may be closed or hard to access on the day, and the Shanghai Tunnels portion is a common letdown when schedules or access get messy.

Key Things To Know Before You Go

• Pub crawl vibes, with alcohol extra: the $36 ticket covers the stories and guided route, not drinks.
• A short Shanghai Tunnels segment: you do get a focused stop tied to Portland’s famous underground lore.
• Guides with strong personalities: people get excited when the guide can tell stories with energy and answer questions.
• Most stops are brief: think quick tales + quick sips, not long hauntings inside buildings.
• Old Town walk means pay attention to access: some spots can be boarded, closed, or outside-only.
• It runs around 5:00 pm: daylight can soften the spooky mood, depending on the season.

Old Chinatown Is the Right Setting for a Haunted Pub Crawl

Portland’s Old Chinatown area is built for this kind of tour. You get that close-up street feel—brick, storefronts, tight blocks, and the sense that the city has layers. That makes the ghost-story approach work better than in a wide-open downtown area where everything feels anonymous.

I also like how the route feels practical: it’s walkable and centered on recognizable venues. Instead of wandering with no plan, you’re moving through a tight geographic loop, so the evening stays light on logistics and heavy on atmosphere.

Price and What $36 Really Covers

At $36 per person, this is in the “low-cost evening activity” zone. The value comes from paying for a guide-led walk, coordinated stops, and the storytelling structure—especially the Shanghai Tunnels portion and the final food stop.

What’s not included is crucial: alcoholic beverages aren’t included. So you should budget extra if you want the full pub-crawl feeling. If you only plan to drink water or soda, the tour is still enjoyable as a guided ghost walk, but it won’t feel like a true crawl where the ticket price covers your night out.

Here’s the trade-off: because drinks cost extra and some stops are outside-only, you’re paying more for the guided narrative than for access to bars. When the day goes smoothly, it feels like a good deal. When venues are closed or the route gets shortened, you’ll want you-and-your-group expectations aligned with a brief, story-forward format.

Starting at The Benson: Timing, Mood, and Getting Oriented

The tour starts at 5:00 pm at The Benson Portland (309 SW Broadway). That’s a great time for a city stroll: you’re not doing late-night navigation, and public transit options are usually in play. It also means you’ll often still have some daylight—so if you’re chasing full “midnight horror” vibes, temper your expectations.

The group size cap (max 20) helps here. You’re usually close enough to hear the guide without shouting, but not stuck shoulder-to-shoulder in a giant crowd. And since the pace is structured into short stops, you’re not waiting around for long stretches.

One more small but important point: you must be 21+ to join. If you’re traveling with friends of mixed ages, this tour is a clean fit for the adult-only crew, but it won’t work for everyone.

Stop 1–2: The Benson Portland to Kelly’s Olympian

You kick off with a drink and a haunted story at The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton. This opening matters because it sets the tone right away: you’re not just outside hearing legends—you’re starting from a real pub setting where conversation and suspense can mix.

Next comes Kelly’s Olympian. This is one of those Portland names you recognize, and it works well for ghost-story storytelling because it feels like a place where history would cling to the walls. The stop is brief, so come ready to listen, not to linger for a long cocktail.

A practical tip: if you want to feel like a true pub-crawl participant, arrive thirsty. The tour format gives you time for a quick drink and story, not a full sit-down. If you’re the type who prefers slow sipping, you may find yourself craving more time between the more interesting tales.

Stop 3–5: Roseland Theater, Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub, and Shanghai Tunnel Bar

At Roseland Theater, the focus shifts to the haunted history of the location. This is the part of the tour where you start connecting story themes to real landmarks. Even if you only get a quick snapshot of the site, the guide’s framing can make the street-level details feel meaningful.

Then you hit Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub. This is where many people hope the tour really turns into a full, inside-the-pub experience. But access can vary: some days the basement area tied to the haunting setup may be closed, and at least one disappointing experience reported a less-than-warm welcome from staff. That doesn’t mean Kells is consistently like that; it does mean you should be ready for the fact that the pub setting may not match the expectation of a spooky after-hours performance.

After Kells, you move to Shanghai Tunnel Bar & Venue. The name alone adds a twist of Portland folklore. You’ll get another haunted story paired with a drink moment, and this is a strong “build-up” stop that primes you for the underground segment later.

If you want the best spooky effect, pay attention to the guide’s pacing here. Because many stops are short, your listening matters more than the physical space. The guide’s tone and timing can make an outside-only moment feel creepier than a poorly timed inside stop.

The Shanghai Tunnels Moment: Why This Stop Is the Big Reason to Book

The Shanghai Tunnels segment is the headline element for a lot of people. You spend time on a haunted underground-style tour focused on the famous Shanghai Tunnels of Portland. This is the part where the evening shifts from ghost stories about places to a more specific Portland legend tied to the city’s underground.

It’s also the part that can make or break your experience. When access goes well, it’s the most memorable segment because it’s conceptually different from the standard pub-crawl model. When it doesn’t happen, it can feel like the tour didn’t deliver on its promise, especially for people who bought specifically for that stop.

So here’s my practical advice: if you’re booking for the Shanghai Tunnels component, keep your expectations flexible. Expect a focused, short underground-themed portion—not a long expedition.

Stop 7: 9 NW 2nd Ave and the Value of the Small Details

At 9 NW 2nd Ave, the tour leans into a darker, sordid slice of Portland’s past. Even though the stop is brief, it’s useful because it keeps you from treating the tour as just a string of venues. You’re learning how the city’s stories connect to specific addresses, not just vague neighborhoods.

One thing I think many people will appreciate here is the way guides can explain street patterns. Some guides are especially good at pointing out why Portland blocks feel the way they do, and how that layout shaped daily life in older eras. You don’t need to be a history nerd to enjoy it—once you start seeing the city as a puzzle, the ghost stories land more naturally.

Stop 8: Old Town Pizza & Brewing Finish (Food + One Last Story)

The tour ends at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, at 226 NW Davis St. This is a smart finale. It gives you a place to decompress, swap impressions with your group, and grab real food if you’re hungry.

It also helps that the final stop is designed around both drinks and food. Since alcohol isn’t included in the ticket price, being able to order dinner without hunting down another plan is a real value perk. If you’re on a tight trip schedule, this finish can save you time and stress.

One fun detail you might notice during and after the tour: people have reported strange all-black images appearing on cell phones after the experience. I can’t promise that will happen, but it does match the overall vibe—this is the kind of outing where the weirdness feels like part of the souvenir package.

Who Should Book This Tour—and Who Might Want a Different Format

This tour fits best if you want a short evening walk, guided storytelling, and a light pub-crawl feel. It’s also a good option for visitors who don’t want to spend hours on a single attraction. The group cap and structured stops keep it friendly for people who don’t want to sprint across downtown.

It’s also a solid fit if you enjoy guides who bring personality. If your ideal tour includes humor, quick Q&A, and stories that keep you engaged, you’re likely to have a better time. Guides such as Kris, Victoria, Houston, Jessica, and Lori were called out for that kind of energy.

Where it may not fit: if you want a long, inside-everywhere tour, or if you’re the type who expects a full multi-bar crawl with no gaps. Because access can change (boarded-up storefronts, closed basements, or routes ending early), you need to be okay with the idea that some stops may be outside-only or shorter than you hope.

Also, if you’re sensitive to ambience, the start time matters. Being in daylight can reduce the spooky factor compared with a fully night-shrouded tour. You’ll still get ghost stories, but the visual mood might be softer.

Should You Book Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze?

Yes—with the right expectations.

Book it if:

• you want an evening activity under $50 that combines Portland street-walking with ghost stories
• you’re excited about the Shanghai Tunnels element
• you like the idea of quick stops, short tales, and grabbing a drink or dinner at the end
• you’d enjoy a guide-led experience where personalities like Kris, Victoria, Houston, Jessica, and Lori can make the stories feel more alive

Consider skipping or switching tours if:

• your main goal is a guaranteed, full-length pub crawl with many bars and lots of time inside
• you only care about the underground portion and would be unhappy if access doesn’t line up
• you want maximum dark-dread ambience and plan to judge the tour purely on visuals

If you book, go in with a simple mindset: this is guided storytelling with pub stops, not an all-access haunted theater production. When it clicks, it’s a fun, very Portland way to spend a couple hours.

FAQ

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

It’s listed as about 2 hours.

Where does the tour start and what time does it begin?

The tour starts at The Benson Portland (309 SW Broadway) and begins at 5:00 pm. It ends at Old Town Pizza & Brewing (226 NW Davis St).

How much does it cost?

The price is $36.00 per person.

Are drinks included in the price?

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

Is there an age requirement?

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

How many people are on the tour?

The tour has a maximum of 20 travelers.

When will I receive confirmation after booking?

Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.