Portland gets spooky with a drink in hand. This Portland Ghosts crawl mixes quick sidewalk stories with real bar stops in the Old Chinatown District area, and the best part is the guide who can turn local legends into something you actually remember. I especially like how guides such as Kris and Victoria Rose pace the night so you feel caught up without dragging.

Two things that really work: you get a guided walk with multiple haunted stops (not just one bar), and you also get context for why these buildings and streets have such dark reputations. The main thing to consider is that the pub-crawl angle is lighter than you might expect, and the itinerary can vary in practice—sometimes you may not reach every named stop like the Shanghai Tunnels portion.

Key things I’d watch for on this Portland ghost crawl

• Short, story-first format: think quick ghost beats tied to each location, not a full-length sit-and-chat ghost show
• Multiple bar stops, but drinks cost extra: your $36 covers the tour fees, not alcohol
• Inside access isn’t guaranteed: you’ll likely spend a lot of time outside while the guide talks
• Shanghai Tunnels can be a question mark: if that part matters most, keep your expectations flexible
• The guide can make or break it: Kris, Houston, Jessica, Lori, and Victoria Rose have all been singled out for strong storytelling
• Small group size: up to 20 people keeps it easier to hear the stories and keep moving

Haunted pub crawl or walking ghost tour with drinks?

This is marketed as a haunted pub crawl, but what you’re really booking is a guided Portland ghost tour with optional drinking. The “crawl” part means you move between places where you can buy a drink (and sometimes food), while the “haunted” part means the guide threads the city’s eerie past through those stops.

That distinction matters for expectations. If you’re hoping for several hosted drink samples or a long, bar-to-bar party vibe, you might feel a little underfed on alcohol and time. If you want a focused evening of ghost stories plus the option to grab a pint or two, it’s a good fit.

And since it’s about Portland on foot, you’re getting the small-scale geography that makes Old Town feel different from other parts of the city. You’re not just looking at “attractions.” You’re watching the streets and doorways in motion, which makes the stories stick.

Price and what $36 covers in real life

The price is $36 per person for a tour that runs about 2 hours. Alcoholic beverages are explicitly not included, and the stops are built around “come in, order something, and hear the story,” not “free drinks for everyone.”

Value-wise, I see it like this: you’re paying for guided storytelling, a planned route, and the convenience of a small group moving together. What you’ll spend beyond the ticket depends on your drink (and whether you add food at the end at Old Town Pizza & Brewing). If you budget for at least one drink, the math feels fair.

You should also know how the group experience can change the feel of the night. A max group size of 20 helps you hear the guide, and mobile ticketing makes it easy to start. It’s also not a sit-down tour, so if you prefer long indoor stops, you may wish it had more time inside.

The 5:00 pm start: timing, light, and getting the spook factor

This tour starts at 5:00 pm. That timing is practical—dinner hours, bars are open, and you can roll straight from your day plans—but it can also mean the early part of your route still has some daylight depending on season.

A couple of people have said the daylight reduced the ambience. I’d treat that as a heads-up, not a deal-breaker. You’ll still get the ghost stories and the creepiness of the locations, but if you’re hunting for peak dark-night vibes, you may want a later start time (or a longer ghost format) on a different night.

The tour is described as having a moderate physical fitness level. That usually means you’ll be walking through multiple blocks and stopping often enough to hear the guide, but not so slow you’re never moving. Wear shoes you’re comfortable with for a city sidewalk evening.

Stop-by-stop: what you’ll experience on the route

Here’s the core route, with what each stop tends to give you. Plan for the guide to spend most of the time talking, while you move between places and sometimes take a quick break.

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

You kick things off at The Benson Portland with a drink and a haunted story. This is a good opener because it sets the tone: a recognizable Portland hotel presence, then the guide gets you into the city’s darker threads right away.

The practical move here is simple: if you want something to sip early, do it now so you don’t scramble later. Drinks aren’t included, but it’s a comfortable start while the group settles.

Stop 2: Kelly’s Olympian

Next up is Kelly’s Olympian, another classic pub-style stop. This one tends to keep the evening casual and social while the guide tells stories that connect place to reputation.

If you’re the type who forgets to eat early, this is the time to order something light if the bar offers it. Even though the tour doesn’t include food, a snack can help you enjoy the rest of the walking portion.

Stop 3: Roseland Theater

Roseland Theater is where the crawl starts shifting from “bar vibe” to “story location.” Expect a shorter stop—more of a quick location-and-legend moment than a long hangout.

This kind of stop is useful because it breaks the pattern. After a couple of watering holes, the theater stops the evening from feeling repetitive.

Stop 4: Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub

Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub is another bar stop built around a haunted story (and yes, the vibe is Irish pub energy). This is one of the places people mention by name with strong expectations—so if it’s on your must-see list, go in knowing the basement or certain areas might not always be accessible.

In at least one case, Kells wasn’t available in the way someone hoped. That doesn’t mean your night will be the same, but it does mean you should treat this as a guided route, not a guarantee of door-opening access everywhere.

Stop 5: Shanghai Tunnel Bar & Venue

Then you pivot to the Shanghai Tunnel Bar & Venue area—where Portland’s underground lore becomes the theme. If the words Shanghai Tunnels make you curious, this stop is the setup.

At this stage, you’re walking the Old Town-adjacent streets where you can feel how the city grew with commerce and secrets. The guide’s job is to make the tunnels feel connected to the visible city—not like a random history detour.

Stop 6: Haunted Underground Shanghai Tunnels Tour

This is the named “tunnels” component, scheduled as a shorter segment. Here’s the key consideration: some people have left the experience disappointed because they didn’t get to do the Shanghai tunnels portion during their tour.

So if Shanghai Tunnels are the main reason you booked, keep two things in mind:

• You may spend most of the time learning from the surface locations rather than going deep underground.
• Your actual access can depend on conditions that day.

Still, even when the tunnels part is limited, the surrounding storytelling can be the “aha” moment that explains why the tunnels are such a Portland legend.

Stop 7: 9 NW 2nd Ave

You then hit 9 NW 2nd Ave for another “dark history” story beat, with time to listen while you stay with the group. This stop works well because it keeps the evening moving through recognizable Old Town blocks.

I like this part of the route because it shifts your attention from just the bars to the street grid itself. Portland blocks can feel small, and the guide may connect that to how the city developed.

Stop 8: Old Town Pizza & Brewing (the finish)

You end at Old Town Pizza & Brewing. The idea is a wrap-up that mixes food and one last drink, plus the final weird story.

Even though the tour price doesn’t include alcohol, ending at a food-and-beer place gives you a natural place to keep the night going. If you’re hungry, this is where you can actually settle your body after all the listening.

How the guide storytelling feels (and why it matters)

This kind of tour is only as good as the person holding the thread. And you’ll see that clearly in how people talk about their guides.

Some guides are praised for being fun and very responsive to questions. Others get called out for pacing and humor—like Victoria Rose and Kris, who were credited with making the night feel lively while still teaching you Portland context. Houston has been highlighted for doing research and bringing details that don’t feel like a script.

Jessica and Lori also earned strong notes for making the tour entertaining and creepy without losing structure. When the guide does well, you don’t just hear scary facts—you start connecting the stories to actual Portland streets.

Your best bet: show up ready to listen. Ask the guide one or two questions during the stops, not in the middle of walking. That’s how you turn a good tour into a memorable one.

Best moments on the crawl (based on what tends to click)

A few themes show up again and again in how people describe the experience. These are the parts you can aim for, too.

First, the route covers the kind of Portland you can’t easily “self-tour” from a map. You might find haunted history online, but a guided walk makes it chronological and tied to specific places.

Second, the group format is a safety and comfort boost for an after-work evening. You’re not alone moving between bars and side streets. That matters in downtown areas.

Third, the pacing is designed for a 2-hour window. It’s short enough to keep energy up, long enough to feel like you did something. If you want a more extensive version with extra stops and stories, you may need a longer ghost tour format instead of this shorter crawl.

Where the tour can fall short of expectations

Let’s be honest about the risk points, because they affect your decision.

1) Pub crawl expectations

Some people felt the pub-crawl part was heavier in the description than in practice. The tour may not stop at as many bars for “drink time” as you’d expect.

2) Not getting every named stop

At least one person said the Shanghai tunnels portion didn’t happen during their tour. Another said the group didn’t complete as many listed items as expected.

3) Standing outside versus inside

More than once, people noted you may not get to go into most haunted locations. Instead, you’ll stand outside as the guide tells stories. That can still be fun, but it changes the kind of experience you get.

4) Ambience and daylight

Because you start at 5:00 pm, you might be walking with some lingering light. If you want full spooky darkness, you may feel the effect more than others.

5) Venue access issues

Some locations can be closed or inaccessible on a given day. That’s outside the tour’s control, but it’s still worth mentally preparing for.

Who should book Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze?

This tour is a strong match if you:

• Want a 2-hour Portland ghost tour that doesn’t require planning your own route
• Enjoy bar stops as a setting for stories (not as the main event)
• Prefer a small group with a guide who answers questions
• Like Old Town style streets and the history-y feel of older buildings

It may be less ideal if you:

• Want a long, multi-hour crawl with lots of drink time
• Care most about going inside every location
• Book specifically for the Shanghai tunnels portion and would be crushed if it’s limited

Quick practical tips before you go

• Bring cash or a card for drinks and any food at the end. Alcohol isn’t included.
• Wear shoes for a city walk and expect frequent stops.
• If the Shanghai Tunnels are your top priority, I’d go with a flexible mindset and be ready to enjoy the story even if access is limited.
• If you like answering questions, keep one or two ready while you’re paused at a stop.

Should you book it?

I’d book Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze if you want a short, guided evening of haunted storytelling with a few real Portland pub stops attached. The price is reasonable for a guided walk, and the guide quality is often the deciding factor—and it can be excellent.

But I wouldn’t book it as a guaranteed “full itinerary at all costs” experience. Plan for the possibility that some stops may be limited (especially the Shanghai tunnels portion) and that you’ll spend more time outside than inside.

If you’re chasing a longer, darker, more stop-dense ghost night, look at longer ghost tour options from the same general provider family. If you want a compact evening that stays fun and manageable, this one fits.

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl?

It runs for about 2 hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The price is $36.00 per person.

Are drinks included in the tour price?

Alcoholic beverages are not included.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 5:00 pm.

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.

Is there an age limit?

Yes. The tour is not for travelers under 21.

What if plans change—can I cancel?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the experience for a full refund.