Ghosts show up at your pint. This Portland haunted pub crawl mixes old-town oddities with guided bar stops, starting at the Benson Hotel and ending in the eerie Shanghai Tunnels Bar. I like the fact you hit 9 historic haunted sites in only about 2 hours, and I also like how the tour leans into real spooky storytelling, including pirates, murders, and government secrets. One thing to watch: drinks aren’t included, and depending on the day some stops may not work out exactly as planned, with at least one guest noting the guide’s pace made it harder to hear.

You’re guided between locations by a host who shows up dressed up and carrying a lantern, so the whole night feels like you stepped into a role-play version of Portland nightlife. The tour is run rain or shine, so plan for real walking and real weather, not a quick sit-down “ghost history” talk.

It’s wheelchair accessible, but it’s also listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so if you have limited walking ability, you’ll want to double-check before booking. Also, it’s not for anyone under 21, since part of the experience is entering historic pubs and sampling what each stop has to offer.

Key things to know before you go

• Lantern-led start at the Benson Hotel (309 SW Broadway), an easy-to-find meeting point downtown
• 9 haunted sites in ~2 hours, including 4 pubs and extra story stops between drinks
• Stop variety: Irish pub vibes, Kelly’s Olympian atmosphere, and the dark-history feel of Shanghai Tunnels
• Story-first pacing, with each stop sometimes running as short as 15–20 minutes or stretching to about an hour
• EMF reader moment may be part of the fun, depending on the guide and the night
• No drinks included, so budget for what you want to order at the bars

The Benson Hotel meeting point: a dramatic kickoff on SW Broadway

The tour starts at the Benson Hotel Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton at 309 SW Broadway. It’s the kind of landmark that immediately signals you’re in “showtime” mode: historic, classy, and perfect for a lantern-carrying guide who’s ready to set the tone.

I like this start because it does two useful things at once. First, it gives you a central downtown anchor, so you’re not hunting for a random street corner in bad weather. Second, it helps you mentally switch gears from daytime Portland to night Portland, where the same blocks feel a little different.

Your guide will be dressed up and carrying a lantern, and you should arrive about 15 minutes early. That buffer matters more than you’d think, because the tour is time-based (about 2 hours total), and the stories are meant to land as you move through the city.

Practical note: wear comfortable shoes. You’re out walking between multiple stops, and the tour runs rain or shine.

2 hours, 9 stops, and why the timing matters

This is a short night out: duration is listed as 2 hours. But each destination visit can vary. You might spend only 15–20 minutes at one stop, then as long as an hour at another, depending on the day of the week and the season.

That variable timing is exactly why you should treat this as a guided walk-and-story experience first, and bar-hopping second. Yes, you’ll visit pubs and you can sample drinks at each stop. But the core value is the guided supernatural history and the route between locations, not lingering with a full-on “let’s stay here all night” vibe.

One review highlighted that the guide walked quickly and was hard to hear. That’s the main drawback to keep in mind: if you want to take in every spoken detail, you may want to position yourself closer to the front of the group when the pace picks up. If you’re the type who likes to read lips or catch every word, don’t hang back at the edges.

Kelly’s Olympian: ghost stories with a real bar-night feel

After the Benson Hotel, you head to Kelly’s Olympian, a historic bar that’s known for a spooky past. This is one of the stops where the tour’s theme feels most “alive,” because you’re not just hearing stories in the street—you’re in a bar setting with atmosphere.

The tour description also plays up the idea that Kelly’s Olympian is where you’ll get drawn in, and I get that. You’re hearing tales tied to the city’s darker threads—heartless pirates, ruthless murders, and government secrets—while you’re physically inside a place that feels like it’s been holding onto its own legends for decades.

If you care about mood as much as facts, this stop is likely a highlight. One of the strongest review themes was that the tour’s storytelling and ambience go hand in hand. And in at least one account, guests mentioned there were private rooms where the group gathered to hear the spooky stories. That kind of setting makes a difference because the guide can keep everyone’s attention.

Kell’s Irish Pub: the stop that turns skeptics into believers

Next comes Kell’s Irish Pub, another key haunted watering hole on the route. The vibe here is friendly Irish pub energy, but the stories lean paranormal, including the idea that even ghost skeptics get persuaded.

From a practical standpoint, this is a good mid-tour location because it’s a natural “pause with a purpose.” You can order a drink if you want (drinks are not included in the tour price), take a breather, and let the guide’s storytelling do what it does best: make you look at ordinary details—doors, corners, old building quirks—as if they might be connected to something you can’t see.

If you’re booking specifically for laughs and chills, this is the stop to watch. It’s also the place where you’ll probably feel the biggest difference between a generic history walk and a guided haunted pub crawl. The setting helps the stories land.

Shanghai Tunnels Bar: ending with a darker kind of Portland

The tour wraps up at the Shanghai Tunnels Bar. This is the kind of final stop that makes the whole night feel cohesive, because the atmosphere is built around dark history and eerie energy.

I like how the tour saves a major atmosphere shift for the end. You start with a hotel that signals elegance and old-world sightings, then you move into bars connected to local lore, and then you close with a location known for its darker past. That arc makes the last hour feel like a payoff, not just a “last stop checklist.”

If you want to squeeze more value out of the ending, stick around long enough to settle your nerves and think through what you heard. A lot of the fun with ghost tours is connecting the dots between stories and places. Even without getting lost in details you can’t verify, you can still feel the bigger point: Portland has layers, and the guide is steering you through them.

The “in-between” haunted stops: why the walk is part of the ticket

You’re not only going from pub to pub. The tour includes haunted stops along the way between watering holes. That matters because it keeps the night from turning into a simple bar circuit.

Instead, you get more of the city’s spooky atmosphere in small doses as you walk—short story moments that add tension, context, and momentum. This is also where you’ll learn why the city is the way it is, and how old tragedies and old legends got pinned to specific blocks.

The flip side: you should be prepared for walking without long pauses. With visit times varying from 15–20 minutes to one hour, it can feel like you’re “on” the whole time. If you’re someone who gets worn out by group pacing, consider arriving fed and hydrated before you meet your guide, so you’re not trying to manage low energy while you’re outside in the weather.

Guides and extras: lanterns, private rooms, and an EMF moment

This tour is run by US Ghost Adventures, and the guide is part of the show. You’ll see them dressed up and carrying a lantern at the meeting point.

What makes the guided part feel extra fun is that it’s not only street talk. One guest mentioned private rooms for gathering and listening, which suggests the tour sometimes uses quieter indoor space to keep the group together. That can improve the overall experience, especially if you want to hear the stories without competing with outside noise.

Another review mentioned an EMF reader being added to the tour as a fun extra. The details here aren’t guaranteed in the data you were given, but the takeaway is clear: the tour can include a hands-on element, so you may get a moment where you’re encouraged to participate rather than just observe.

If you’re booking for entertainment and atmosphere, these small add-ons help justify the price. If you’re booking only for a quiet academic history lesson, you may find the tone a bit more theater than classroom.

Price and value: is $30 worth it for a 2-hour haunted night?

At $30 per person for about 2 hours, the value comes from a few specific things you’re getting:

• A guided route through 9 historic haunted sites
• Visits that include 4 pubs where you can sample drinks (but not included)
• Time spent in settings that support storytelling, including at least some rooms or quieter spaces

Since drinks and food aren’t included, you’ll likely spend extra if you plan to order. But I think that’s normal for this style of experience. What you’re really paying for is the guide, the structure, and the access to multiple haunted locations in a single evening without having to map it all out yourself.

Where the value can feel less great is when something changes on a given day. One guest noted that they didn’t stop for a drink at the first bar and that a bar was closed on a Sunday. That’s the main reason I suggest you keep expectations flexible. The stories and route are the main product, and the bar stops are part of the delivery.

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

This is a great fit if you want a spooky night out that still feels social and real-world. If you enjoy bar atmosphere, local lore, and being guided through downtown without doing all the planning yourself, you’ll probably have a good time.

It’s also a good choice if you like tours where storytelling is the star. Multiple reviews praised the guide’s storytelling and how fun it felt overall. If you’re easily engaged by paranormal tales and you don’t need everything to be perfectly verified, this style is likely your speed.

It’s not a fit for people under 21. It also isn’t listed as suitable for people with mobility impairments, even though wheelchair access is mentioned. If you’re using mobility aids or need minimal walking, you’ll want to think carefully and confirm whether the route and pacing work for you.

Finally, if you’re sensitive to the idea of a group moving quickly, position yourself near the front so you can hear the guide clearly.

Simple “know before you go” tips that make the night better

A few rules and practical details are built in:

• Bring comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing, since it runs rain or shine
• Bring an ID card (a copy is accepted)
• No smoking
• No video recording
• The tour is English only
• Each stop’s time can vary, so plan for a moving schedule

Here’s how I’d plan your evening around it. Go a little early so you can get yourself settled. Eat beforehand since food isn’t included. Then treat the bar visits as chances to try what each place has to offer rather than expecting drinks to be part of the tour price.

Should you book Portland: Ghosts, Boos and Booze?

Book it if you want a fun, short, guided haunted night that combines Portland history, multiple pub stops, and a guide who leans hard into the spooky storytelling. The overall experience seems powered by ambience, story energy, and small interactive touches like the EMF reader possibility and indoor gathering spots.

Skip it if you need a slow-paced, fully hearing-every-word tour, or if you’re hoping drinks are included in the ticket price. Also skip or rethink if you have mobility needs that might conflict with a walking, time-variable format.

If you go in expecting a guided haunted bar walk for grown-ups, you’re likely to enjoy it. And if you’re the type who likes to be part of the story, not just stand around listening, this one fits that mood well.

FAQ

Where does the Portland haunted pub crawl meet?

All haunted pub crawls meet at the Benson Hotel Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton, 309 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205, USA.

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is 2 hours.

How much does it cost?

It costs $30 per person.

What’s included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes a tour guide and visits to 9 historic haunted sites, including 4 pubs.

Are drinks or food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included.

What are the tour’s rules during the crawl?

Smoking is not allowed, and video recording is not allowed.

Is the tour for minors?

No. It is not suitable for people under 21.

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