Ghosts, booze, and Portland on a walking night. This 2-hour route links The Benson Hotel, Kelly’s Olympian, and shadowy Shanghai Tunnels with tales of murders, pirates, and secrets.

I love the story-first format, where each stop is more about what happened there than just where it is. I also like that you hit historic pubs, not random bars, so your drinks come with context instead of standing alone.

One watch-out: drinks aren’t included, and the pacing can be brisk, so it’s better if you’re in for walking, listening, and hopping rather than lingering.

Key things that make this Portland pub crawl worth your time

• Lantern-led start at The Benson Hotel: an actual themed beginning, not a plain meet-and-greet
• 9 haunted sites total: 4 pubs plus extra creepy stops between the drinks
• Lots of story variety: pirates, ruthless murders, and government secrets get folded into the night
• Kelly’s Olympian as a focal point: a classic Portland bar moment paired with ghost lore
• Kell’s Irish Pub can win over skeptics: a stop built for believers and doubters alike
• EMF reader is a fun add-on: you might get hands-on paranormal gadget energy

Starting at The Benson Hotel: where the night has a story

Most haunted pub crawls start with a group huddle. This one starts with atmosphere. You meet at The Benson Hotel Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton, at 309 SW Broadway, and your guide shows up dressed up and carrying a lantern. Arrive about 15 minutes early so you’re not rushing into the mood.

The payoff of a strong meeting point is simple: it sets the tone. If the first ten minutes already feel like a mini-performance, you’re more likely to stay engaged all the way through the walk and the pub stops.

Nine haunted stops in two hours: how the pacing really works

The tour runs for about 2 hours, with 9 historic haunted sites on the agenda, including 4 pubs. The time at each destination varies, generally 15 to 20 minutes up to about one hour, depending on the day and season.

Here’s how to plan your expectations. With 9 stops, you should assume you’ll be on your feet a lot and spending most of your time listening rather than sitting. If you want a slow pub crawl where every drink is a long hang, this probably won’t match that style.

Also, keep in mind that bar hours and closures can affect the exact flow. One past experience noted that a planned first-bar stop didn’t happen in their case, and one location was closed on a Sunday. That doesn’t mean the tour is unreliable; it means you should book with some flexibility in mind.

Kelly’s Olympian: sipping in a building with legend attached

Next comes Kelly’s Olympian, one of the tour’s signature stops. The vibe here is part classic Portland bar, part ghost story stage. The highlights call out a kind of “dance with the spirits,” which is really code for: you’re going to get myth and mayhem tied to the place while you’re ordering your drink.

Why this stop matters: it’s designed to feel like more than a waypoint. This is where the tour leans into the idea that Portland’s supernatural stories are tangled with everyday city life—what you see now is layered over what people lived with then.

Practical angle: wear comfortable shoes and keep your drink expectations realistic. You’ll likely be ordering in a lively atmosphere, then regrouping quickly to hear the next portion of the story.

Kell’s Irish Pub: the skeptic-proof proof-of-concept stop

After Kelly’s Olympian, you’ll move to Kell’s Irish Pub (spelled as Kell’s on the tour info). This is the stop that’s described as making believers out of ghost skeptics. In other words, the tour isn’t only telling scary tales—it’s trying to sell you on why people think the stories are worth taking seriously.

What you can expect is a strong mix of history-flavored storytelling and paranormal legend. The highlight list mentions everything from heartless pirates to ruthless murders and government secrets, and this stop is the one that frames those tales in a way that feels personal rather than like a lecture.

One more thing I’d watch for: sound and pacing. One past experience mentioned their guide walked a bit fast and it was hard to hear at times. If that’s your worry, choose a position where you can face the guide and ask yourself this question early in the night: can I hear clearly without craning?

The haunted stops between pubs: the extra layer most tours skip

The tour isn’t just a hop-to-the-next-bar itinerary. You also get haunted sites in between each watering hole, which is part of why this feels more like a walking ghost tour than a typical bar crawl.

With 9 total stops and 4 being pubs, that leaves several non-pub haunted locations. Those quick in-between scenes tend to be where the tour earns its credibility: you see that the stories aren’t isolated to taverns, and Portland’s reputation for weird history shows up on sidewalks and street corners, too.

If you like stories that connect people to place, this is the section that will click fastest. If you’re only in it for drinks and don’t care about legends, you may find yourself waiting a bit longer between orders. Either way, it helps to know that the walking segments are part of the product.

Shanghai Tunnels Bar: ending the night in the darker air

The tour finishes at Shanghai Tunnels Bar, a location described as unique with a dark history and an eerie atmosphere. This is the final stop that gives your night shape—like the ending scene of a story rather than just another drink location.

Why this ending works: it matches how the highlight list stacks up. If the earlier stops are about gathering rumors, the finish is about leaning into the heavier tone—especially with the tour’s themes of cruelty, secrecy, and city legends that don’t feel fully resolved.

Practical tip: plan to end with intention. Don’t schedule anything tight right after the tour. Even if you’re not staying for long at the bar, you’ll likely want a little extra time for the walk back while your brain is still turning over the stories.

The guide experience: storytelling is the main event

This isn’t a silent, self-guided haunt. You get a live tour guide in English. One of the most praised aspects is the guide’s storytelling. People consistently highlight how much fun the narratives are and how much it helps you learn Portland’s haunted past while you’re actually moving through the city.

That said, one consideration from an earlier night: if your guide walks quickly, you could have trouble catching every detail. Your best move is positioning. During the stops, try to be close enough to hear, and be ready to pause rather than keeping pace like it’s a race.

A small extra: an EMF reader was mentioned as a fun addition on at least one tour experience. You shouldn’t expect it to be the entire program, but it’s a clue that the tour aims for a hands-on, game-like paranormal feel at least once.

Price and value: is $30 a fair deal?

The price is $30 per person for a 2-hour guided tour with visits to 9 historic haunted sites (including 4 pubs). Drinks and food are not included.

So what are you really paying for? You’re paying for:

• the guide and the organized route
• the haunted-site storytelling component
• access to multiple stops in one evening without planning the sequence yourself
• the themed experience starting at The Benson Hotel

Is it value? For many people, yes—because the “cost per hour” isn’t terrible, and you’re getting a structured night with more than just one location. But it hinges on your drink and snack choices. Since you’ll want to buy at least a beverage at some stops, budget extra for what you actually plan to order.

My practical advice: treat the $30 as the price of the story and the route. Treat drinks as separate. If that’s your plan going in, the math feels straightforward.

What to wear, what to bring, and what to plan for

This tour runs rain or shine, so weather matters. Bring comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. You’ll be walking between stops, and no one enjoys a slick night on sore feet.

You’ll also need an ID card. A copy is accepted. This matters because the tour is not suitable for people under 21, and rules like that tend to be enforced at bars.

Also note what you can’t do: smoking isn’t allowed, and video recording isn’t allowed. If you’re the type who documents everything, plan on taking photos only if permitted by the operator during your stop, but don’t count on filming.

Who this tour fits best (and who should skip it)

This is a strong match for you if you like:

• ghost stories tied to real places
• a lively walking night with themed stops
• historic pubs where the setting supports the tales
• light paranormal fun (like the mention of an EMF reader)

It’s not a good fit if:

• you don’t want to walk much during the evening
• you’re under 21
• you have mobility concerns

One detail worth double-checking: the info says the tour is wheelchair accessible, but it also says it’s not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If mobility is part of your needs, contact the provider before booking so you don’t get surprised by real-world walking distances and doorways.

Booking advice: choosing the best kind of night

If you want the tour to feel like a clean, uninterrupted story arc, consider booking when you can relax about timing and bar hours. One experience noted an issue with a first-bar stop due to closures on Sunday. That’s not something you can control, so you’re better off booking when you’re not tight on plans.

Also, aim to be early at the Benson Hotel. This tour starts with guided momentum. If you’re late, you’ll miss the opening setup and you’ll lose some of the early context that makes the later stops more satisfying.

Finally, think about your goal. If your goal is purely drinks, you might be happier spending your evening at one or two bars. If your goal is a themed night with Portland’s haunted lore, this route gives you a lot more narrative than a normal pub visit.

Should you book Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze?

Book it if you want a guided night where storytelling leads and the stops are tied to specific Portland locations like The Benson Hotel, Kelly’s Olympian, Kell’s Irish Pub, and Shanghai Tunnels Bar. At $30, you’re paying for a structured route through 9 haunted sites in a short time window, with the bonus of paranormal-flavored fun like an EMF reader possibility.

Skip it or think twice if you hate walking, need long seated time, or you prefer your drinks fully planned and included. And if hearing is a concern, choose a spot near the guide during each stop so you don’t miss the best lines.

If you like your Portland night with a lantern, a few shivers, and a drink that comes with a story, this one is a solid bet.

FAQ

Where do I meet for the Ghosts Boos and Booze haunted pub crawl?

You meet at The Benson Hotel Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton, 309 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205. Arrive about 15 minutes early.

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is about 2 hours.

How many stops will I visit?

The tour visits 9 historic haunted sites, including 4 pubs.

Are food and drinks included in the price?

No. Food and drinks are not included. You can buy drinks at the watering holes.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour guide provides the tour in English.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

Yes. The tour runs rain or shine.

Is this tour allowed for people under 21?

No. It is not suitable for people under 21.

Can I record video during the tour?

No. Video recording is not allowed.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Bring an ID card (a copy is accepted).