The Best Bars In Downtown Portland, Oregon

Bar drinks
Bar drinks | Photo by Stanislav Ivanitskiy on Unsplash
Sarah Lantz

In downtown Portland, the food capital of the Northwest, you can’t go wrong with an adventure out to the bars. We’ve picked some of the best and most unusual bars in this Oregon city.
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Ground Kontrol

A classic game arcade, Ground Kontrol is the place to release your inner nerd, with more than 60 old-school videogames and 27 pinball games. It’s an excellent place to check out if you’re tired of the typical bar scene – it’s perfect for a non-traditional date night and includes a Ms. Pac-Man-themed women’s bathroom. Serving beer, wine, cider, and a selection of mixed drinks as well as a full menu of munchies, here you’ll find provisions enough to last the entire night.

Multnomah Whiskey Library

Whiskey in glasses on wood background

Slow Bar

Serving tasty drinks like Hot Buttered Rum with spices and apple cider and Slow Bar Manhattan with Fighting Cock bourbon and a dollop of sweet vermouth, the Slow Bar in downtown Portland is worth a visit. They’ve got a nice selection of wines from Willamette to Portugal to Argentina, from prosecco and sparkling bruts to reds, whites and rosés.

Brix Tavern

A refined, open tavern with mirrors and an exposed ceiling, Brix is a good choice for a relaxing evening with an elegant cocktail. Some sample drinks on their Early Happy Hour menu includes a flavorful Huckleberry Gimlet with a hint of fresh lime and a Honey Smoked Margarita with a dash of bitters. Their wine list comprises mostly West Coast reds and whites.

1338 NW Hoyt St. Portland, OR USA +1 503-943-5995

La Merde

Located next to its sister restaurant Le Bistro Montage, La Merde is an intimate, low-lit bar with exposed brick walls. Sip seasonal drinks like the daring Jabberjaw with Olmeca Plata Tequila, lemon, Bordeaux cherry juice, and Angostura Bitters on ice. Alternatively, try the sweet Hurricane Tia with Kraken rum, Bacardi Rum, passionfruit puree, and pomegranate syrup on ice. Happy hour bites include six different kinds of mac and cheese and mouthwatering Crawfish Hushpuppies.

Driftwood Room

Cocktails

Around since the 1950s, Driftwood Room is a swanky location in downtown Portland for a fine cocktail. Serving a hearty number of happy hour morsels like Sautéed Califlower and Grilled Flatbread, Driftwood Room dazzles with its food as well as wine list and cocktails. With seasonal cocktails like the Springtime in Paris with St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, rhubarb bitters and champagne and signature cocktails like the Lavender Lemonade with Monopolowa Vodka, Farigoule French Thyme Liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and lavender simple syrup, the Driftwood Room is a must-visit.

Hotel deluxe 729 SW 15th Ave Portland, OR USA +1 503-820-2076

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