The Spirits of McMenamins White Eagle Saloon & Hotel

Posted: 12.20.2024 | Updated: 12.26.2024

You can find out everything you need to know about McMenamins White Eagle Saloon & Hotel from this tagline on their website: “Echoing with tales of ghosts, mischief, and mayhem, this 1905 saloon and hotel reverberates with live music and funky attitude.”

Mischief, mayhem, and a funky attitude: we couldn’t think of a better way to describe the experience that is McMenamins. While it’s a great place to grab a pint or listen to a live tune, what people arguably love most about the establishment is getting the chance to have a conversation with a ghost. If you’re interested in getting close and personal to spirits yourself, book a ghost tour with Portland Ghosts tonight. 

Who haunts McMenamins White Eagle Saloon?

Many phantoms call McMenamins White Eagle Saloon home. There’s the young woman who was pried away from her love, who often (loudly) reminds the hotel guests about her heartbreak. There are others who quietly watch the bar guests, who often report feeling like there are eyes on them when there is no one around. 

Then there’s the fan-favorite former bartender who still pulls pranks on the barflies from beyond the grave. All of these personalities make McMenamins White Eagle Saloon a must-stop for ghost-loving visitors to Portland, Oregon. 

The History of McMenamins White Eagle Saloon

The White Eagle has a long history as a drinking establishment. The bar was first opened in 1905 by two Polish-speaking Russians who had recently emigrated to the United States. The bar was a safe place for Polish immigrants to meet and speak their native language. The tavern also routinely served the sailors who would come into Portland’s port. 

While the bar was always on the first level, rumors have swirled around that illegal dealings like prostitution and gambling took place on the second floor. Some even claim that an opium den was housed in the basement. The current owners of the saloon state there has been no evidence found that corroborates these stories. However, the frequent fights in the bar did lead to a nickname for the bar that stuck: the Bucket of Blood. 

Yet, there is truth to a tale that seems even more far-fetched: that the owners were embroiled in an assassination plot against the president of the United States. It was 1906, five years after President William McKinley was assassinated by a Polish anarchist. Rumors were circulating about a similar plot being planned with President Theodore Roosevelt being the new target — with the plotting reportedly taking place at the White Eagle. 

There was enough weight to the accusations that officials raided the tavern in June. Just as they were on the cusp of deporting those who were involved with the bar, a newspaper reporter came to the tavern’s aid, releasing a report that showed they were not involved in any such scheme. This appeased the police enough that the saloon was able to continue operating. 

The Ghosts of McMenamins White Eagle Saloon

McMenamins White Eagle Saloon and Hotel is known as one of the most haunted locations in all of Oregon because of the variety of experiences people have had within the tavern. 

Guests and customers at the bar have seen shadowy figures in the hallways, witnessed coins floating mid-air, and felt freezing hands touch their bare skin. One guest staying in the hotel said her bed started floating while someone (or something) tickled her toes. 

The staff regularly deals with a phantom bouncer who likes to intimidate guests in the hallway and bathroom. He’s also known to move things around the bar, which leaves the bartenders rolling their eyes as they try to track down their spirits (the liquid kind). 

The kitchen staff also deal with ghosts who enjoy tossing their utensils around, making their job more difficult.

The heartbroken young woman’s spirit 

While the current owners say prostitution didn’t happen on-site, the old stories of the establishment differ. According to lore, a young woman, often called Rose, was a lady of the night working upstairs who fell in love with a sailor. He was going to marry her and take her far away, which her brothel boss didn’t want. To prevent her from leaving, he murdered her. 

Other sources claim that it was, in fact, Rose’s lover who killed her after she changed her mind about leaving with him. 

The young woman’s wails and cries can still be heard upstairs, lamenting the happy ending that was ripped away from her. 

Sam, the former bartender

Many customers at the bar want to have an experience with Sam, the resident ghost who hangs out by the brews. Sam was reportedly an orphan who was adopted by the owners back in the day and grew up in and around the tavern. Sam loves to prank customers, from knocking items out of their hands to backing up the toilets. He’s even been said to make toilet paper fly around the women’s bathroom. 

One person was even able to have a conversation with Sam through paranormal investigation equipment, including an EMF Detector and REM-pod.

The more malevolent spirits

While most of the ghosts seem relatively harmless, there is a rumor that a waitress was shoved down a staircase by a spirit not long ago. While she was okay, you can bet more people hold on to the handrail now.

Apparently, the further down you go inside McMenamins White Eagle Saloon, the meaner the ghosts get. In the basement, employees have said that the freezer door will close on them out of nowhere — a potentially lethal situation. Some have said they’ve been pinched or shoved while alone in the cellar. 

Some believe these may be the eternally upset spirits who experienced a terrible fate back in the day: being shanghaied. 

The shanghaied victims 

Portland is famous for its startling “Shanghai tunnels.” Essentially, men were lured into bars or given a lot to drink, then smuggled out of the pub through hidden tunnels. When the men awoke, they had been “shanghaied” (kidnapped) and put on ships to work against their will. 

While Shanghai tunnels have not been found within McMenamins White Eagle Saloon, they have been discovered nearby, meaning the spirits of those who were taken advantage of may also lurk nearby. 

Haunted Portland

The locals’ favorite phrase may be “Keep Portland Weird,” and it seems that some of the City of Roses’ haunted tales live right up to that mantra. 

Many of the stories of spirits align with the Shanghai tunnels located close to the docks. One epicenter of human trafficking was Old Town Pizza. If you want to grab a slice and potentially see a chair move on its own, be sure to book a reservation. 

Another haunted site is a former competitor of McMenamins, Erickson’s Saloon, which has since turned into an apartment building. Despite its facelift, ghosts still linger from the years of debauchery that took place in the saloon. Today, people can hear mysterious footsteps or feel cold spells fall over them unexpectedly. 

If you want to learn more about Portland’s dark history, schedule a ghost tour with Portland Ghosts. 

Curious about other haunted bars, restaurants, and hotels around the United States? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to learn about more hidden (and spooky) gems. To read about more local Portland haunts, check out our blog.

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