Haunted stories meet Portland bars. This 2-hour walking crawl threads ghost lore through the Old Chinatown area, with brief stops at places like Kelly’s Olympian and the Shanghai Tunnel Bar.

I especially liked the mix of Portland-specific legends and real local venues, plus the way guides keep things lively without turning it into a lecture. If you get lucky with the guide—like Kris, Victoria, Houston, Jessica, or Lori—you’ll hear sharper story choices and better pacing.

One drawback to plan for: the pub-crawl part is more “short stops for drinks” than a full bar-hopping night, and a few key locations may be hard to enter depending on closures.

Key takeaways

• Real Portland venues, real ghost stories at places in and around Old Chinatown
• Short, structured stops designed for a smooth 2-hour loop
• Shanghai Tunnels is part of the night (but access can vary day to day)
• You buy alcohol and food while the tour covers the guide and stops
• Max group size is 20, which helps keep things orderly
• Guide quality really matters, and many people singled out specific guides by name

Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Pub Crawl: the vibe you should expect

This is a walking tour with a drink-friendly rhythm. You’re not just strolling at random; you’ve got a guide steering you through a string of spots where Portland’s darker stories are the point. The setting matters here: Old Chinatown’s older streets and historic facades help the ghost talk land better than it would in, say, a modern strip mall.

The format is designed to keep moving. Each stop is short, so you’re collecting impressions—creepy, funny, strange—rather than sitting for an hour at one location. That can be great if you want a compact evening plan. It can also feel like a tease if you’re expecting long time inside multiple bars.

I like the “safer in a group” angle. Meeting up in a small group makes it easier to relax and focus on the stories. Still, Portland has its share of sketchy blocks, and even a guided route doesn’t change the fact that you should use normal street-smarts—stay aware, stick with the group, and don’t wander off if you’re the last one behind.

Price and what you really get for $36

For $36, you’re paying for a guided night of Portland ghost storytelling plus the tour’s included fees and taxes. Alcohol isn’t included, and food isn’t included unless you choose it during the final stop.

Here’s the practical way to think about value: the tour cost is low enough that you won’t feel trapped if you only buy one drink. But it’s also not a “free drinks all night” deal, so your total evening spending depends on what you order.

Also keep expectations aligned. Some people felt the pub crawl side was lighter than they hoped—fewer drink stops than the general vibe suggests. If you want a night that revolves around multiple bar interiors and long pour-time, this may feel tight. If you want a fun ghost tour that happens to pass through bars, this is a solid fit.

Timing, meeting point, and how the 5:00 pm start affects the mood

The tour starts at 5:00 pm at The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton, 309 SW Broadway and ends at Old Town Pizza & Brewing, 226 NW Davis St. It runs about 2 hours.

A 5:00 pm start usually means you’ll catch the shift from daylight toward evening. That’s nice for comfort—less cold, easier walking, easier photos. But it can also soften the spooky ambience compared with a later start after full dark. One reason this tour works anyway: the stories and the historic locations do a lot of heavy lifting even when it’s not fully nighttime.

Your ticket is mobile, and you should expect English narration. The group cap is 20 travelers, and the tour notes call for moderate physical fitness—meaning you should be comfortable walking and standing for short stretches at each stop.

Stop-by-stop: what happens at each location on the crawl

Each stop is a quick beat in the story. Think of it like chapters. Some locations feel more “bar tour” than others, and not every place is necessarily accessible to go inside.

Stop 1: The Benson Portland (curio hotel bar) — drink and a first ghost pitch

You begin at The Benson Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton. The night kicks off with a drink and an opening round of haunted storytelling. This is a strong start because it gets you into the theme immediately—and the hotel setting helps you settle in before you start walking.

What to watch for: since drinks aren’t included, you’ll decide early whether you want to buy something right away or save your money for later stops.

Stop 2: Kelly’s Olympian — a haunted pub-style story session

Next is Kelly’s Olympian, where you get another chance to buy a drink and hear ghost stories. This stop tends to work well for people who like their haunting delivered with a “local watering hole” vibe.

This is also where the “short stop” rhythm becomes obvious. You’re there long enough for a story beat, not long enough to treat it like a full hangout.

Stop 3: Roseland Theater — haunted history without the bar focus

At Roseland Theater, the tour shifts from drink-first to history-first. The stop is shorter—about 5 minutes—and it’s centered on the site’s haunted past.

If you’re the type who likes atmosphere, this is a good moment to pay attention. Even without a long stay inside, theater history can feel extra spooky because of the old building energy.

Stop 4: Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub — story plus a place to grab a drink

Then you head to Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub for another ghost story and a drink opportunity. This stop is one of the more anticipated locations because it’s a classic pub setting.

Important consideration: a few people reported mismatches between expectations and reality here—like the basement being closed off or the location not being available as hoped. That’s not something you can fully prevent, but you can prepare mentally: treat every stop as a guided story moment, not a guaranteed interior tour.

Stop 5: Shanghai Tunnel Bar & Venue — Portland tunnel lore in bar form

Next is Shanghai Tunnel Bar & Venue, where you’ll hear more haunted material tied to Portland’s tunnel legends. This stop bridges the pub crawl feel with the big signature topic that most people are curious about.

This is also a good place to buy a drink if you want the evening to stay fun and social. Just remember you’re paying for alcohol separately.

Stop 6: Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnels Tour — the signature piece

You then get to Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnels Tour, which is about 10 minutes. This is the part many people zero in on when they book the tour.

Here’s the honest planning takeaway: access and participation can vary. Some people ended up missing this portion entirely, and others found that specific areas weren’t accessible on the day. If Shanghai Tunnels is your top reason for booking, I’d keep your expectations flexible and confirm your tour details if possible when you receive your confirmation.

Stop 7: 9 NW 2nd Ave — the “spotlight” story stop

After the tunnels, the tour hits 9 NW 2nd Ave for another dark history moment, plus another drink opportunity. This stop is timed and short, so it’s less about relaxing and more about hearing the story tied to that exact address.

If you’re paying attention, this is where the guide’s storytelling style matters. One well-paced explanation can turn a nondescript block into something you’ll remember.

Stop 8: Old Town Pizza & Brewing — food, drinks, and a final weird note

You end at Old Town Pizza & Brewing with drinks and food, plus more haunted history wrapped into the final stop. Ending with food is a smart move because the evening includes walking, standing, and listening.

If you want a calmer ending, you can order something straightforward here. If you want to keep the “crawl” energy, you can grab one more drink and let the stories land while you recharge.

Guides: the difference between a fun story and a standout night

This tour lives or dies by its guide. Many people named their guides and singled out the performance style—humor, pacing, and how well the guide handled questions.

For example, Kris got high praise for enthusiasm and answering questions. Victoria was praised for keeping stories interesting, and one person even described how the tour felt like a blast with a strong Portland personality. Houston earned credit for doing solid research and explaining details like why Portland blocks are so small, which is exactly the kind of context that turns trivia into something you can actually visualize when you walk.

Jessica and Lori were both highlighted for creative, detailed storytelling and for making the whole evening feel creepy without getting sloppy. One practical tip: if your guide offers a chance to ask questions, do it. Guides often have the best “side stories” in the moment, and those are usually the stories you won’t find as fast on your own.

How scary is it, really? Stories, photos, and the outside-the-door reality

This isn’t a jump-scare horror show. It’s ghost history told through the lens of Portland’s old streets and old buildings. You’ll hear enough to feel spooked, especially if the guide leans into voices, timing, and mood.

One thing to know: not every haunted place is guaranteed to be entered. Some people reported that they mostly stood outside while the guide talked. That doesn’t make the experience bad, but it changes what you should expect. If you’re looking for lots of doors opening, plan for more “street-side stories” than guided access into every location.

Also, some people reported strange phone photos after the experience, like unexpected dark images. That kind of thing is never something you should expect to replicate on demand, but it’s a reminder that this tour often leaves people feeling unsettled in a fun way.

Drinking and eating: plan your spending and your pace

Because alcohol isn’t included, you control the vibe. Want to keep it light? Buy one drink early and switch to water after. Want to keep it social? Order something at multiple stops, but keep an eye on pacing so you’re still comfortable walking.

If you’re someone who prefers food, the final stop at Old Town Pizza & Brewing is your best bet. You’ll likely feel better ordering something here rather than trying to make dinner decisions while you’re still mid-walk.

One more practical point: the tour is about listening and walking. If you overdo alcohol early, you’ll remember the drinks more than the stories.

Who this tour suits best (and who might feel disappointed)

This works best if you like:

• Portland history with a spooky angle
• a guided group walk that keeps you on track
• short story stops at multiple landmarks

It may feel disappointing if you:

• came for a long bar-hopping night with lots of interior time
• booked specifically for guaranteed access to every tunnel-related segment
• hate the idea of standing outside for many of the stops

One person wished for more stops and more time at locations, even suggesting a longer version would solve that. Another felt the full tour didn’t happen as listed, including missing the Shanghai tunnels portion. Those comments point to the same truth: this tour is designed as a compact format, and day-to-day access can affect what you see.

Should you book Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze?

If you want a fun, relatively affordable way to spend an early evening in Portland’s Old Chinatown area, I think it’s worth considering. The guide-driven storytelling and the mix of pub settings with ghost lore is a good match for people who like their history with a little edge.

I’d book it if Shanghai tunnels interest you but you can accept that access might depend on the day. I’d skip or switch to another option if you need guaranteed indoor time at every location or you’re chasing a full-on pub crawl where you’re paying for multiple rounds and spending real time inside each bar.

If you do book, go in with the right mindset: this is a guided story walk through specific places, with optional drinks, and the best moments often come from the guide’s narration and the atmosphere of the blocks you’re walking.