Shanghai Tunnel

07/10/09

Beware The Hipsters

by Oregonjaybird

Do you have a certain political slant or maybe a story of being wasted you'd like to share? Did you meet someone from that one band no one's ever heard of and can't wait to gush about it? Who or what makes you upset in the world this week? Can't stop hating popular culture long enough to discontinue breathing life into it by talking about it all the time?

Then Shanghai's the place for you, baby. You can even call it "The Tun" if you like! Cool! You and your Bettie Page haircut can come and get your hipster on. The novelty historic surroundings make this the perfect haunt for being seen without looking like you're trying to be seen. While there grab a pint of cheap beer or an "old school well cocktail" you've never tried before: it's all the craze! You'll be glad your "adventurous" friend told you about the place.

• Pros: Good selection of horn rimmed glasses and beards
• Cons: Too many mustaches with attitudes

03/15/09

Mixed Bag

by wuestr

Went here with a bunch of friends, interesting underground location although you would not know you are in any type of tunnel. Food was spicy and pretty good, however:

*no table service; order from the bar

*you get your own water

*someone came by to get our empty bowels because they were obviously needed elsewhere

*18% required gratuity

*kind of spendy for being a dive, $5.50 for a beer, most of the selection on tap was out.

Despite the drawbacks, I am giving three stars for the pretty good food and underground location.

• Pros: Decent food
• Cons: Lack of service

12/02/08

went bad

by andi78

Over the last months this place went downhill so bad. Just a few months ago I rated this place highly and now it went really bad. Some staff members left which left only the very unkindly one's behind. I gave it more than two chances but that's it now. Not going there anymore.

• Pros: Cheap beer
• Cons: very unfriendly service

11/24/08

worst management ever

by summertime80

we made the mistake of hosting our employee party here, and when it came time to pay we had a lot of extra charges on our bill that the bartender couldn't account for. When we asked for a manager, we were told that she was the manager and that the total was correct, but someone had paid a previous tab that deducted from our limit. I then asked for a copy of the previous tab that was paid and she couldn't provide me with a reciept. As a manager of a bar, I know that anyone with authority should be able to provide copies of any transaction made throughout the entire day. We were very accomadating as a large group that understands the bar industry, but shanghai tunnel was unable to provide basic service with documentation and I would not reccomend them as a venue beyond simple drink orders. My advice is that if you go to this establishement, pay as you go... and don't bring a large group, they can't handle it.

08/22/08

best quesadilla ever!

by klarenaugen

Best cheese, rice and bean quesadillas ever. My boyfriend and I even have to split it, it's so loaded with yummy goodness. During happy hour, it's only $4 too. Along with a good strong drink... it's the perfect after work treat. Also, great wall murals in the place.

• Pros: the food is amazing.
• Cons: doesn't open till 5pm

03/20/08

Cool bar, bad smoke

by plushie1

Shanghai is a really cool bar. It's different from most in Portland because it lies below street level. It has a funky vibe and low-key. Plus, drinks are cheap :-) However, the reason I cannot go back there is because of the smoke. I have barely walked in the main door upstairs, and I can already smell the cigarette smoke down below. By the time I've walked down stairs, my clothes, hair, skin is hopeless. I stopped going because of that. I realize that Oregon will be smoke-free in 2009, but it's not too early to start. Especially when competing bars in the area are smoke free, or have established and well-ventilated smoking areas that don't waft into the main bar. I look forward to visiting Shanghai again once it's smoke-free.

• Pros: dive, ecclectic, downstairs, cheap beer
• Cons: SMOKE SMOKE SMOKE

06/18/07

Fantastic service, food and stiff drinks!

by chelseabree

So I've been going to the tunnels for about 3 years now and it is hands down my favorite bar. We go there about twice a month, and the guy at the door remembers us everytime we walk up. (And greets us with smiles.) The bartender pours the STIFFEST drinks that I've had since moving to Portland. (Reasonably priced too.) I've never had bad service here...the bartenders have always been friendly and respectful.

And the food is awesome too! They have a great menu with alot of variety. Not your usual "pub grub." (Try the potstickers and a noodle bowl!) The food, like the drinks are reasonably priced... The tables out front are great for people watching on a nice day.

Keep in mind this isn't a frou-frou frat type hangout. The downstairs decor is dark and eerie. It has a certain spooky "dungeon" feel to it. The smoke gets pretty thick when it gets packed later at night. (For cleaner air, try the upstairs bar.) The jukebox ROCKS with some of the best music I've heard on any jukebox in town.

I would highly recommend this bar to anyone looking for stiff drinks, no frills and a kind of dark "edgy" feel.

• Pros: Great service, good food, stiff drinks, reasonably priced
• Cons: none

05/07/07

The worst bar in Portland

Contributor

This is a terrible bar. The staff is incredibly rude and unfriendly and the doorperson is aggressive and unnecessarily confrontational. When I spoke to the manager, she was just as unfriendly and clueless. Yes, it is a dive bar, but to have a staff that is on the whole, completely awful, makes the bar unwelcoming and completely unhospitable. There are plenty of places in Portland where I can spend my money and be treated with respect and common courtesy, however, this is not one of them. Don't waste your time or money.

• Pros: nothing
• Cons: rude belligerent staff, watered down drinks

01/28/07

Best downtown bar

by jjjdog28

I dont get downtown much, but when I do about the only bar I go to is the tunnel. Great history, looks great and feels like you went to another country. The service has come leaps and bounds from a few years back and is a joy now. The prices for drinks and all the expansive import drafts cant be beat for downtown. The food, while be it good, is a little pricey for a bar, but if you are hungry at 1am its worth it. They porbably have the nicest door staff in town and the bartenders are knowledgeable, quick and easy on the eyes....mmeow!! The next time you are downtown and want the closest thing to an eastside bar go to the tunnel have a great time.

• Pros: Feels like you've left town.
• Cons: Its downtown.

01/15/07

Great after work spot

by sarah503

It's become tradition now for my work-folk to go here for after work cocktails. Its usually quiet on an off night down there, the drink are really good, the appetizers are delicious. The Luna is my favorite. The bar tender has a good smile, and it quick with the drinks, just what I want after work.

• Pros: Food/Drinks