This could easily be my favorite bar in downtown Portland if it weren't for a few minor issues. The name plays off the fact that in Portland's early history, it used to be this incredibly dangerous city where people would just disappear off the streets. They were kidnapped and dragged down into the infamous shanghai tunnel network that crisscrosses the underbelly of downtown only to be sold off as labor for ships coming in and out of port. Thus the bar, fittingly enough, is underground. Keeping with the Shanghai (the city, not the act of kidnapping) theme, the innards are lit by red paper lamps that throw eerie shadows on the jet-black walls. The food (Asian themed, of course) is good for an appetizer or two, but I don't think I'd plan to have dinner there. Shanghai proffers a decent enough beer selection and the cocktails are usually pretty strong. The only trouble is actually getting an order through to the bartender. Sometimes when it hasn't even been busy, I've been flat-out ignored. There's also the issue of sound, or rather, blaring, ear-splitting Industrial clash metal. If you need a respite from smoke and music, there's a bar counter near the street-level entrance. Unfortunately, the atmosphere isn't nearly as fun, so it's a toss up. This is a fantastic bar to get to before the hordes arrive.
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