Shanghai Tunnel

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 more

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 more

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 more

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. more

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 more

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 more

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 more

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 more

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. more

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 more

This place is what it is - a dive bar (and a very very good one at that!). Dark, dimly lit space, downstairs in a "dungeon", great service. If you are looking to get away from the same old "trendy" scene, and you don't want to worry about what you are wearing and grab a beer, come here. A+ dive bar... and it's not even really that dingy a "dive" bar. more

Cool place...I am an out-of-towner from Phoenix that was visiting friends, and I have to say that this is a cool place to hang out. A little mysterious at first, but a good place to have a few cocktails with friends. more

Shanghai Tunnel is a very unique bar with unexpectedly killer good food (try the rice or noodle bowls). Hint: Make sure you go to the downstairs bar, not the upstairs bar big difference. Ive been to many bars in the US and Europe and this is definitely one of my all-time favorites. Its a punkish joint with no frills, but it has a very unordinary ambience. It feels like a seedy bar straight out of the sci-fi flick Blade Runner. They always play good tunes here, stuff most folks wouldnt hear in a bar. This place definitely wont appeal to everyone so yuppies and metro-sexuals consider yourselves warned. For a cool spot to drink with your friends or kick-it with your lady this is the place. Pros: food, atmosphere, music more

had only been one other time a year ago, but I didn't have food last time. What a mistake! This time I had the Whang, fried tofu and veggies w/ jasmine rice and it was freakin' good! And not just because I had had a lot to drink! There were lots of vegan options which I'm not used to especially when at a bar. Our server was very nice and brought us food and new drinks quickly. It seemed to have a bit of a different vibe than when I was there before... the spooky shanghai feeling was gone. But we still had a great time! Nice and strong gin and tonics. Pros: strong well drinks, great staff, tasty food Cons: , spooky feel missing more

I loved the fact that it had a mixture of everyone in the bar. Not one crowd or another. music was harder and edgier than other places. drinks were potent! and our server was great! Pros: cozy, good atmosphere, strong drinks more

Peter Strab the owner is damn good lucking and runs a mean bar. The staff is exceptional, no posers, the food is excellent thanks to Syd's menu. The decor is also amazing, lovely paintings. Has some of the best bartenders in the city, who refuse to work someplace "better" and wear a dumb ass uniform. Food always amazing. Pros: tiki torches, paintings, great music more

Wow I had a great time at this place.. No Tv's or video poker.. I think it is my new favorite place. Lots of really pretty people to look at and talk to. Overall great energy and the outdoor sidewalk seating rocks one of the best people watching places I have found. The food was pretty rocking They have this kind of Asian Fusion thing going on. I had these flank steak tacos things and potstickers... They had a strange name for it but it was like a flavor I have never had, pretty good stuff. Drinks are cheap and the atmosphere feels like nothing I have ever experienced. Good vibe.. The staff are a bit shy or reserved... at first but after chatting a few of them up a bit they lightened up. Pros: Great menu, Cheap Prices for DT, atmosphere Cons: , Parking Downtown more

Unique ambience. Mellow, dark, candle light... good place to just kick back and relax with beer or drink. If you are looking for a good mixed drink, this is not the place. Didn't try food so I can't tell you how it is. Music can be loud if someone plays jukebox. You can sit outside and talk with your friends and watch people walk around. more

i had the pleasure of visiting the shanghai tunnel on my 50th birthday and am so glad i had the experience!! the atmosphere is like none other..mellow, laid back and the best service i have had while dining in a very long time....our waitperson was very helpful and we were personally served by the chef. the vegetarian burgers were the best on the planet and the coconut chicken w/peanut sauce was unforgettable! i would recommend this place to anyone that didn't want to dig too deep in their pocket to have an experience like none other and food to 'write home about"..... my rating is a 10 plus and hats off to the staff and whoever created this establishment. Pros: excellent prices, excellent food, excellent staff Cons: handicap access, parking more

This place is da bomb for late night entertainment -- it's got it all, an aquarium, cheap olympia brew, and some downright tasty nachos that taste great at 2 am. (Don't try to figure out what is in the cheese sauce, or you'll get yo'self sick) I've looked into my crystal ball and it says "This place rox" Pros: nachos, olympia, cheapness more