A flaming cocktail at the Driftwood Room.
Best View
★ Departure Lounge, 525 SW Morrison St. (p 115); and ★ Portland City Grill, 111 SW 5th Ave. #3000 (p 116)
Best Live Jazz
★★★ Jimmy Mak’s, 221 NW 10th Ave. (p 119)
Best Place to Catch the Game
★ Spirit of ’77, 500 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (p 120)
Best Dance Club Experience
★★ The Escape Nightclub, 333 SW Park Ave. (p 118)
Best Sake Selection
★★ Zilla Sake House, 1806 NE Alberta St. (p 116)
Best Martini
★ Olive or Twist, 925 NW 11th Ave. (p 119)
Best Draft Beer Selection
★★ Bailey’s Taproom, 213 SW Broadway (p 115)
Best Classy Watering Hole
★★ The Palm Court, 309 SW Broadway. (p 116)
Best for Romantic Snuggling
★★ Sapphire Hotel, 5008 SE Hawthorne Blvd. (p 116)
Best Drag Show
★★ Darcelle XV Showplace, 208 NW 3rd Ave. (p 118)
Best Gaming Experience
★★ Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade, 511 NW Couch St. (p 119)
Best Authentic Old-Portland Brewpub
★ Tugboat Brewing Company, 711 SW Ankeny St. (p 117)
Best Retro Lounge
★★ Driftwood Room, 729 SW 15th Ave. (p 115)
Best Alcohol Alternative
★ Bula Kava House, 3115 SE Division St. (p 119)
Retro swank at the Driftwood Room.
Beer on tap at Bailey’s Taproom.
Bars & Lounges
★★ Bailey’s Taproom DOWNTOWN A great, wide-windowed location downtown and 20 constantly rotating taps (not to mention dozens of bottles) set this place apart from its competitors. 213 SW Broadway (at Ankeny St.). ☎ 503/295-1004. www.baileystaproom.com. MAX: SW 6th & Pine St. Map p 112.
★ Bazi Bierbrasserie HAWTHORNE Like Belgian beer? Tripel, Abbey, Delirium Tremens—you name it, this place has it (over 20 on tap at last count), along with Euro-style pub food (Flemish frites!), and sidewalk seating. 1522 SE 32nd Ave. (at Hawthorne Blvd.). ☎ 503/234-8888. www.bazipdx.com. Bus: 14. Map p 112.
★ Circa 33 BELMONT The drinks here focus on the classics—it’s named after the year Prohibition was repealed—as well as the cutting edge, with an emphasis on whiskey. Check out the intimate alleyway seating. 3348 SE Belmont St. (at 34th Ave.). ☎ 503/477-7682. www.circa33.com. Bus: 15. Map p 112.
★ Departure Lounge DOWNTOWN A little slice of L.A. overlooking downtown, this pop-chic rooftop lounge and Asian-fusion restaurant on top of the Nines hotel has pricey drinks, but the summer views are worth it. 525 SW Morrison St. (at 5th Ave.). ☎ 503/802-5370. www.departureportland.com. MAX: Pioneer Courthouse/SW 6th Ave. Map p 112.
★★ Driftwood Room DOWNTOWN Preserved from the 1950s, the Hotel DeLuxe’s dim little hideaway offers a great happy hour menu and specialty cocktails themed after the Golden Age of Hollywood. Try the violet-hued Elizabeth Taylor. 729 SW 15th Ave. (at Yamhill St.). ☎ 503/219-2094. MAX: Providence Park. Map p 112.
★ Gold Dust Meridian HAWTHORNE Practically oozing illicit romance, this candlelit place serves scorpion bowls for sharing under a velvet painting of a nude, and boasts the longest happy hour in town (daily 2–8pm). 3267 SE Hawthorne Blvd. (at 32nd Ave.). ☎ 503/ 239-1143. www.golddustmeridian.com. Bus: 14. Map p 112.
★★ The Palm Court DOWNTOWN Two words sum up the Benson Hotel’s grand lobby bar: old school. Stiff bourbon drinks and delish happy hour bites make it a place your grandfather would love, too. Live jazz Tuesday to Saturday evenings. 309 SW Broadway (at Oak St.). ☎ 503/228-2000. Bus: 1, 12, 16, 19, or 94. Map p 112.
★ Portland City Grill DOWNTOWN Arrive early for a window seat to catch the sunset from the 30th floor, and you just might stick around for dinner (steaks and seafood) or some late-evening jazz and flirting. 111 SW 5th Ave. #3000 (at Pine St.). ☎ 503/450-0030. www.portlandcitygrill.com. MAX: SW 5th & Oak St. Map p 112.
★ Rontoms INNER SOUTHEAST Too cool for a sign (look for the helicopter backpack logo), this mod lounge has a superb back patio with a fire pit and planters, and homemade ice cream on the menu. 600 E Burnside St. (at 6th Ave.). ☎ 503/236-4536. www.rontoms.net. Bus: 12, 19, or 20. Map p 112.
★★ Sapphire Hotel HAWTHORNE No longer the haunt of transient sailors and ladies of the night, this place preserves a maroon, candlelit version of its seamy past, now with food and outstanding cocktails. 5008 SE Hawthorne Blvd. (at 50th Ave.). ☎ 503/232-6333. www.thesapphirehotel.com. Bus: 14. Map p 112.
★ Saucebox DOWNTOWN Nightly DJs transform the bar half of this pan-Asian restaurant into a dark, cacophonous dance club populated by Portland’s stylish set. 214 SW Broadway (at Ankeny St.). ☎ 503/241-3393. www.saucebox.com. MAX: SW 6th & Pine St. Map p 112.
House Spirits on Distillery Row.
★★ Zilla Sake House ALBERTA Kampai! This sushi spot stocks dozens of kinds of sake—the largest selection west of the Mississippi, supposedly. They’re happy to help you choose the right junmai ginjo to go with your dragon roll. 1806 NE Alberta St. (at 18th Ave.). ☎ 503/288-8372. www.zillasakehouse.com. Bus: 72. Map p 112.
Breweries & Brewpubs
★ Cascade Brewing Barrel House BELMONT Sour beers aged up to a year in wine, port, or whiskey oak barrels are the specialty of this Southeast brewpub—an acquired taste, for sure, but no one does them better. 939 SE Belmont St. (at 10th Ave.). ☎ 503/265-8603. www.cascadebrewingbarrelhouse.com. Bus: 15. Map p 112.
★★ Hopworks Urban Brewery SOUTHEAST Sustainability is a priority here, starting with the organic beers and food, and extending to the recycled materials used in the industrial-ski-lodge setting. Cyclists should steer to their BikeBar (3947 N. Williams Ave.; see p 94). 2944 SE Powell Blvd. (at 30th Ave.). ☎ 503/232-4677. www.hopworksbeer.com. Bus: 9. Map p 112.
★ Lucky Labrador Beer Hall NORTHWEST Portland’s version of a German bierhaus occupies a former trucking warehouse complete with a 5-ton crane in the rafters. Dogs and babies are welcome in this casual spot. 1945 NW Quimby St. (at 20th Ave.). ☎ 503/517-4352. www.luckylab.com. Streetcar: NW Northrup & 18th. Bus: 77. Map p 112.
★ Migration Brewing NORTHEAST The ultra-smooth cream ale on the nitro tap is dangerously good at this casual neighborhood brewery, with picnic tables outside and a dartboard inside. 2828 NE Glisan St. (at 29th Ave.). ☎ 503/206-5221. www.migrationbrewing.com. Bus: 17. Map p 112.
★ Tugboat Brewing Company DOWNTOWN The oldest microbrewery downtown fits only 50 people and specializes in unfiltered British-style strong ales. Board games and live jazz in the evenings. 711 SW Ankeny St. (at Broadway). ☎ 503/226-2508. MAX: SW 6th & Pine St. Map p 112.
★ Widmer Brewing ALBERTA The city’s largest craft brewer runs this pub in the semi-industrial zone near the river in North Portland. German food fills the menu, and free brewery tours run on Friday (3pm) and Saturday (11am and 12:30pm). 955 N. Russell St. (at Mississippi Ave.). ☎ 503/281-2437. www.widmerbrothers.com. MAX: Albina/Mississippi. Map p 112.
★★ Darcelle XV Showplace DOWNTOWN This campy cross-dressing cabaret has been going since 1967. Get ready for flashy numbers performed by big drag queens, insult comedy, and bachelorette partiers. Shows Wednesday to Saturday. 208 NW 3rd Ave. (at Davis St.). ☎ 503/222-5338. www.darcellexv.com. Cover $20. Bus: 4, 8, 9, 16, 35, 44, or 77. Map p 112.
Dance Clubs
★★ The Embers Avenue OLD TOWN The old dividing line between gay and straight gets blurred at the Embers Avenue, where everyone comes to dance under flashing lights until the wee hours. 110 NW Broadway. ☎ 503/222-3082. www.facebook.com/EmbersAvenue. Cover $5–$7 weekends. Bus: 12. Map p 112.
★★ The Escape Nightclub DOWNTOWN Portland’s best dance-club experience is an alcohol-free, all-ages, gay-centric extravaganza, open only on Friday and Saturday nights, with floor shows at 2am. The best sound and light system in the city. 333 SW Park Ave. (btw. SW Oak & SW Stark). ☎ 503/227-0830. Cover $10–$15. Fri, Sat only. Bus: 12. Map p 112.
★★ Lola’s Room DOWNTOWN This cozy dance spot on the second floor of the historic McMenamin’s Crystal Ballroom features DJs and live bands. 1332 W. Burnside. ☎ 503/225-0047. Cover varies. Bus: 20. Map p 112.
Beer!
With more breweries than any other city on Earth and half a dozen annual beer-themed festivals, Portland lays strong claim to being the world’s most brew-crazy metropolis. Thank the profusion of local ingredients (especially Willamette Valley hops) and accommodating state laws—but it’s mostly due to the sheer enthusiasm and innovation of local brewers, who turn out some of the best lagers, ales, porters, and stouts you’ll find anywhere. You could arrange an entire visit just around the city’s brewpubs, or take a guided tour of craft breweries aboard the Brew Bus ($45, www.brewbus.com) or with Pubs of Portland ($30, www.pubsofportlandtours.com). Since it’s Portland, you can even group-pedal to local breweries on the BrewCycle ($20–$25, www.brewgrouppdx.com) or bring your own brewskies and group-pedal on the Willamette River via the BrewBarge ($35, www.brewgrouppdx.com/brewbarge).
Gay & Lesbian Bars & Clubs
★ CC Slaughter’s OLD TOWN Popular with a young gay crowd, but definitely hetero-friendly, this nightclub and martini lounge spins different sounds every night of the week. 219 NW Davis St. ☎ 503/248-9135. www.ccslaughterspdx.com. Bus: 4, 8, 9, 16. Map p 112
★★ Crush Bar INNER SOUTHEAST Gay-owned and operated, Crush Bar Is a restaurant/bar/events space that welcomes everyone and offers DJs, dancing, and burlesque shows throughout the week. 1400 SE Morrison St. ☎ 503/235-8150. www.crushbar.com. Bus: 12. Map p 112.
★ Scandals DOWNTOWN The only remaining downtown gay bar-restaurant, Scandals has been going strong for over 35 years (10 in this location). It has a DJ booth, pool table, dartboard, and great people-watching. Live local bands and special events on Thursday. 1125 SW Stark St. (at 11th Ave.). ☎ 503/227-5887. www.scandalspdx.com. Bus: 20. Streetcar: SW 10th and Stark. Map p 112.
Live Jazz & Blues
★★★ Jimmy Mak’s PEARL Portland’s top live jazz club is one of the best in the country, hosting national acts and the outstanding house band led by drummer Mel Brown in an intimate setting. Come for dinner or just the music. 221 NW 10th Ave. (at Everett St.). ☎ 503/295-6542. www.jimmymaks.com. Cover free to $20. Streetcar: NW 10th & Everett. Map p 112.
Martini Bars
★ Olive or Twist NORTHWEST More than just a clever name, this friendly Northwest martini bar serves up classic cocktails, single-malt scotches, and a seemingly endless variety of martinis (try the orange blossom). 925 NW 11th Ave. (at Lovejoy St.). ☎ 503/546-2900. www.oliveortwistmartinibar.com. Streetcar: NW Lovejoy & 13th. Map p 112.
★ Vault Martini Bar PEARL House-made lavender-infused vodka and Marvin Gaye on the stereo are just the tip of the iceberg at this fashionable Pearl watering hole. It’s small and can get crowded on weekends with prowling singles. 226 NW 12th Ave. (at Everett St.). ☎ 503/224-4909. Streetcar: NW 11th & Everett. Map p 112.
Other
★ Bula Kava House CLINTON Portland’s first kava house serves the mildly narcotic South Pacific beverage in coconut shells. Kava is definitely an acquired taste, but it’s quite relaxing (and legal and non-addictive), an alternative social lubricant. 3115 SE Division St. (at 32nd Ave.). ☎ 503/477-7823. Bus: 4. Map p 112.
★★ Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade CHINATOWN Tired of the same old bar scene? Come here for two floors of classic arcade games and pinball machines, along with a full bar, and DJs in the evenings. 511 NW Couch St. (at 6th Ave.). ☎ 503/796-9364. www.groundkontrol.com. Free admission. MAX: NW 5th & Couch St. Map p 112.
Distillery Row
As if this town needed another alcoholic beverage to excel in, recently 11 microdistilleries have sprung up along “Distillery Row” on SE 7th and 9th avenues, south of Belmont Street. Places like House Spirits Distillery (65 SE Washington St, www.housespirits.com, ☎ 503/235-3174), and New Deal Distillery (1311 SE 9th Ave., www.newdealdistillery.com, ☎ 503/234-2513) craft small batches of everything from classic gins and brandies to coffee rum and pepper-infused vodka. Most offer tours and tastings. You can take a pedicab tour ($60) or get a $20 “passport” (www.distilleryrowtours.com) that covers tasting fees and includes discounts at nearby merchants. More information: www.distilleryrowpdx.com.
Sports Bars
★ Life of Riley PEARL Come cheer the Trail Blazers, Red Sox, or whoever else is playing (well, maybe not the Yankees) at this hard-drinking tavern, a welcome touch of blue collar in the white-collar Pearl. 300 NW 10th Ave. (at Everett St.). ☎ 503/224-1680. www.lifeofrileytavern.com. Streetcar: NW 10th & Everett. Map p 112.
★ Spirit of ’77 NORTHEAST Named for the year the Trail Blazers won the championship, this place has high beamed ceilings, a 16-foot-high projection TV, free basketball hoops, and indoor bike parking. 500 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (at Lloyd Blvd.). ☎ 503/232-9977. www.spiritof77bar.com. Bus: 6. Map p 112.
Wine Bars
★★ Noble Rot SOUTHEAST On the third floor of the red “Rocket” buildings on East Burnside, this wine bar offers wine flights, great views of the city from a glassed-in patio, and dishes using produce from their rooftop garden. 1111 E. Burnside St. (at 11th Ave.). ☎ 503/233-1999. www.noblerotpdx.com. Bus: 12, 19, or 20. Map p 112. •
Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade.
