You'll find wine bars, brewpub-theaters, and so much more in
Portland. These suggestions should help you sift
through your nightlife options.
Idea
#1: Take a tour of some of
Portland's 30-plus craft breweries. Include the
oldest one, BridgePort Brewpub & Bakery (1313 NW Marshall St), established in
1984; the first all-organic brewery in Oregon, Roots Organic Brewing (1520 SE
7th Ave); the most dog-friendly brewery, the Lucky Labrador Brew Pub (915 SE
Hawthorne Blvd); and the largest craft brewery in Oregon, Widmer Brothers
Brewing (929 N Russell St). The Widmers serve great German sausage, along with
great beer, at their Gasthaus.
#2: Drop in on a martini
bar during Happy Hour. At Vault Martini Bar (226
NW 12th Ave), inventive cocktails are just $4 from
4 to
7 pm. Their best-selling
martini is the Habanero, made with pineapple- and habanero-infused vodka.
What the dickens would Olive or Twist (925
NW 11th Ave, 503-546-2900) serve but classic martinis? They offer about 15
classics but feature the Pearl Martini: white chocolate liqueur and Stoli
vanilla vodka with a white chocolate rim. Later, dig some live jazz at a local
club. You can't go wrong with Jimmy Mak's (221
NW 10th Ave).
#3: Check out the wine bar
scene. It's hot in the Pearl District, at Vino Paradiso Wine Bar & Bistro (417
NW 10th Ave) and Yoshida's
Fine
Art
Gallery, Wine Bar & Bistro (206
NW 10th Ave). Ask to try one of
Oregon's famed Pinot Noirs.
Another great wine bar scene is along
28th Avenue on either side of
East Burnside Street. Try Noble Rot (2724
SE Ankeny St), where popular chef Leather Storrs serves up some tasty cuisine,
such as an onion tart and black cod with fennel confiti. Navarre (10 NE 28th
Ave, 503-232-3555) and Wine Down on 28th Avenue (126 NE 28th Ave, 503-236-9463)
are both known for having an extensive wine list and eclectic menu options. And
while you're in the neighborhood, you can drink beer and watch movies at the
Laurelhurst Theater & Pub (2735
E Burnside St).