Portland: Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl

Dark history meets a night out. This Portland haunted pub crawl guides you through 9 downtown stops tied to murders, pirates, and government secrets, then wraps you in bar atmosphere and ghostly lore. I like the way the tour mixes classic storytelling with real places you can point to on a map, starting right at the Benson Hotel with a guide in costume and a lantern.

Two things I really like: first, the focus on specific haunted sites across downtown Portland, not just one scary venue. Second, the energy at the bars, especially Kelly’s Olympian and Kell’s Irish Pub, where the mood makes the stories feel less like a lecture and more like a night game of spot-the-ghost.

One possible drawback to consider is pacing. The walking can feel brisk, and if you’re hard to hear in groups, you may want to position yourself near the guide early on. Also, since drinks are not included, you are paying for stories and access, then buying your own refreshments if you want them.

Key points to know before you go

• Lantern-led start at the Benson Hotel, with a guide dressed up and ready to set the tone
• 9 historic haunted sites in 2 hours, including 4 pubs, with short stops and street-corner storytelling
• Stops range from 15-20 minutes up to about an hour, depending on day and season
• Kell’s Irish Pub is a major highlight for paranormal chatter and audience buy-in
• Shanghai Tunnels Bar ends the night with a darker, atmospheric finish
• EMF reader moments may appear during the tour, adding a little hands-on fun

Meeting at the Benson Hotel: your lantern-lit kickoff

The tour starts at the Benson Hotel Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton, 309 SW Broadway. Your guide meets you there dressed up and carrying a lantern, which matters more than you might think. It signals that the evening is meant to feel theatrical, and it helps you find the group fast in the first few minutes.

I also like that the guide has you arriving 15 minutes early. That little buffer helps you get comfortable with where you’re standing, especially if you want to hear the first briefing clearly before the walking begins.

Plan for real weather. This runs rain or shine, so I’d wear layers and pick shoes that won’t punish you after a few downtown blocks. The tour is also not allowed to record video, and smoking is not allowed either, so come ready to experience it live, not as a highlight reel.

Kelly’s Olympian: the first bar stop with a Portland ghost vibe

After the Benson Hotel start, the route moves to Kelly’s Olympian, one of the tour’s anchor stops. This is where the night starts to shift from history talk into pub-night atmosphere. If you like the feeling of being in a place with a lot of character, you’re going to enjoy how the guide uses the bar setting to shape the stories.

You should expect the normal format here: you arrive, the guide frames what you’re looking at, and then you get time to take it in at a bar pace rather than a museum pace. You’ll also have the option to sample drinks, since food and drinks are not included in the tour price, but you can order at each stop.

The guide’s stories have a specific flavor. The tour highlights include pirates, ruthless murders, and government secrets, and those themes tend to work well early in the evening. They build momentum. You start with bigger, darker tales, so by the time you reach the more folklore-heavy stops, you’re already primed.

One note: tours can adjust their timing by day. Your time inside each location may be as short as 15-20 minutes or last as long as an hour. That variability affects how long you’ll have at Kelly’s Olympian, so don’t assume you’ll get the exact same schedule every night.

The hidden pace between stops: how you’ll experience the haunted downtown

A big part of the experience is what happens between the pubs. The tour includes visits to 9 historic haunted sites, and it explicitly gives you time at haunted stops along the way. That means you’re not just walking through downtown and then arriving at story time. You have story time throughout.

From a practical standpoint, these in-between stops are why comfortable shoes matter. This is a walking-focused ghost tour, and the group transitions can feel quick if you fall behind. If you want to catch every detail, try to stay close to the guide during the moves, then let yourself drift a bit only when the story stop begins.

If you’re someone who likes context, these short stops help connect the dots between venues. Instead of treating each bar like an isolated spooky island, the route ties them into a larger picture of Portland’s darker legends. You’ll hear government secrets and violence-themed tales, then see how that energy gets carried into the nightlife spaces.

The best way to handle the pace is simple: arrive early at the start, stay attentive at the beginning of each stop, and don’t assume you’ll get a long sit-down break between bars. The tour is designed to keep your night moving.

Kell’s Irish Pub: where the paranormal talk gets personal

Kell’s Irish Pub is the stop many people remember. It’s described as the location that turns ghost skeptics into believers, and the vibe here is built around that idea. If you enjoy people leaning into the story, you’ll feel that energy in this pub.

This is also where some groups may get a more structured setting for storytelling. One review noted private rooms at places visited, where the group could gather and hear spooky stories, and another mentioned an EMF reader addition as a fun extra. You might find that the guide uses quieter pockets inside the pub to keep the focus on the tale and the atmosphere.

A quick reality check: drinks are not included, so if you want something to sip, you’ll pay bar prices. The payoff is that the pub setting is part of the show, so ordering a drink is basically you joining the scene rather than just “purchasing a beverage.”

Also, since video recording is not allowed, you will be relying on memory and your imagination. That can be a plus. If you’re comfortable putting your phone away for a couple hours, this stop can land much better.

Dancing with the spirits at Kelly’s Olympian, then onward

The highlights call out a fun idea: dancing with the spirits of Kelly’s Olympian as you sip your favorite drink. I treat that as a mood promise, not a literal requirement. In practice, you’ll likely feel more movement and nightlife energy around this early stop, which helps keep the tour from becoming a single long history lesson.

This is also a good moment to judge your own comfort level with the stories. The tour leans into twisted, sinister, and disturbing themes. It’s not just playful ghost jokes. If you know you prefer light scares, keep that in mind and let the guide’s tone set your expectations.

Then you continue. You’ll move from haunted sites between bars, and the final leg heads toward a venue with a darker reputation.

Shanghai Tunnels Bar: a heavy, eerie finale

The tour ends at the Shanghai Tunnels Bar, a unique spot with a dark history and an eerie atmosphere. Ending here works because the night already has momentum, but the last location is meant to feel like the story tightens.

You’ll get that wrap-up feeling that can be hard to get on ghost tours. By the time you reach the end, you’ve heard multiple stories tied to downtown Portland’s shadowy past, so the final venue doesn’t feel random. It feels like a conclusion with a mood.

Like the other stops, you’ll have time to take in the setting and hear the guide’s story. And like the other stops, drinks are not included. If you want a last drink at the end, budget for it.

Because the tour is only 2 hours total, the ending matters. You shouldn’t expect a slow, long fade-out. The guide will keep the group together and move you through the final stop within that overall time window, which is usually what you want from a tour like this.

Price and value: what $30 gets you in 2 hours

$30 per person for a 2-hour Portland haunted pub crawl is basically a “pay for guide-led stories plus guided access to historic locations” deal. You are not buying unlimited drinks or a full meal. Food and drinks are explicitly not included.

So here’s how I’d judge value:

• You are paying for a lantern-led guide who organizes 9 stops and tells themed stories that connect those stops.
• You get time at multiple pubs, not just one. Four pubs are included in the 9 historic sites total.
• You get flexibility in pacing, with some stops lasting 15-20 minutes and others lasting up to about an hour, depending on the day and season.

Where value can slip is if you expect a built-in drink at every stop. One review mentioned an issue with not stopping for a drink at the first bar, and another noted a bar being closed on a Sunday. That doesn’t mean the tour is broken, but it does mean you should plan as if your “drink plan” is yours to manage, not guaranteed by the tour.

If you want a night out that combines nightlife atmosphere with guided spooky history, $30 starts to make sense. If you want alcohol included, this probably isn’t the right ticket.

Timing, hearing the guide, and what to pack

The tour lasts 2 hours, but each stop can vary. Duration per destination may range from 15-20 minutes up to one hour depending on day and season. That variability is why I recommend showing up early and not planning anything tight right after.

Pacing is another key point. A review said the guide walked too fast and was hard to hear. That’s not something you can control, but you can reduce the risk by staying near the front of the group when the walking begins. When you stop, give yourself a better listening spot immediately instead of waiting until the story is already underway.

What to bring:

• Comfortable shoes
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• An ID card (a copy accepted)

What not to bring or do:

• Smoking is not allowed
• Video recording is not allowed

Also, this tour is in English with a live guide. It’s listed as wheelchair accessible, but it is also listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments. If you’re using mobility equipment, you’ll want to think carefully and possibly confirm fit with the provider before booking.

Who should book Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze?

This tour is best for adults 21 and older who enjoy nightlife plus dark storytelling. It’s also a good match if you like the idea of connecting multiple haunted sites across downtown, rather than treating one bar like your entire evening.

It’s less of a fit if:

• You hate brisk walking or group pacing
• You’re very sensitive to stories described as sinister and disturbing
• You need a slow, quiet, sit-down experience
• You are under 21 years old

If you’re the type who likes trying an activity that feels local and a little theatrical, this fits. The guide dressed in costume and the lantern start help set it apart from the generic ghost tour routine.

The tour is provided by US Ghost Adventures, and it has a high rating of 4.7 based on 34 reviews, which is a reassuring signal that most people are enjoying the mix of places and stories.

Should you book it, or pick something else?

I’d book Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze if you want a 2-hour haunted pub crawl with a guide, 9 historic stops, and a real downtown bar route that ends with a dark, atmospheric finale at Shanghai Tunnels Bar. It’s also a strong choice if you don’t mind buying your own drinks and would rather spend the money on guided storytelling and venue variety.

I’d pause before booking if you want a slower pace, guaranteed drink stops, or a totally calm, accessible experience for mobility needs. In that case, you might be happier with a different style of tour that matches your pace and expectations.

If you do book, do it with this mindset: go for the stories, bring the right shoes, and treat each bar like part of the performance, not just a refill station.

FAQ

How much does Portland Ghosts Boos and Booze cost?

It costs $30 per person.

How long is the tour?

The total duration is 2 hours.

Where is the meeting point?

All tours meet at the Benson Hotel Portland, Curio Collection by Hilton, 309 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205. Arrive 15 minutes early.

What is included in the price?

Included are a tour guide and visits to 9 historic haunted sites, including 4 pubs.

Are drinks and food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, though you can sample beverages at the watering holes.

How long do you stay at each stop?

Stop times vary by day and season, ranging from about 15-20 minutes to one hour.

Is the tour family-friendly or open to minors?

No. It is not suitable for people under 21 years.

What do I need to bring?

Bring comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. You also need an ID card, and a copy is accepted.

Is video recording allowed, and can I smoke?

No to video recording. Smoking is also not allowed.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

It is listed as wheelchair accessible, but it is also listed as not suitable for people with mobility impairments, so you should consider that before booking.