Fireside Lounge seems like a typical hotel restaurant / bar in that the food is passable, and no…read morefurther effort is made because they have a captive audience. There are not a lot of other dining options in the area, so Fireside is a pretty easy choice. The food is just OK. Definitely stuff that is mass-produced and heated on-site. Prices are mercifully low, so one doesn't feel as though they've been ripped off. There is a big selection of non-alcoholic beverages, which I appreciated. The real standout here was the friendliness of the staff. Everybody I interacted with was very friendly and helpful. There was a band playing during my visit, and they seemed to be as "bar band" as bar bands get. I was the only person who applauded after each song, which was weird to me. I'd have hoped that staff, at least, would have applauded as well.

Over the last few months, I've stopped in for a beverage and sometimes an appetizer. The fireplace…read moreis cozy and the atmosphere comfortable and live music nightly. In the last couple of visits, though, it's different. My past history here prevents me from giving it a 2-star review. I know there has been a management change, and it shows. Some of my favorite staff have departed, seeking greener pastures. The reason for this review now is my most recent purchase ... a $17 glass of Pudding River Pinot Gris. When I found out the price as I cashed out, I felt robbed. I can drive less than 9 miles away and buy a whole bottle for $25. My previous glass of wine that evening was an $8 chardonnay from another local winery. I figured the Pinot Gris couldn't be much more than the Chard, especially one from Pudding River, which I've personally visited so I know their bottle prices. So, before you buy anything at the Fireside Lounge, ask the price. Don't be surprised (aka robbed) as I was.

Came over for the first time to celebrate my birthday with a few friends. We were meeting for…read moreHappy Hour and was surprised how big the lounge area was. There were many large seating area available. One main cedar table was a big attraction. There is a fireplace with a table by it We got a table. I ordered a Borgona, fruit puree juices mix with Sprite. Never had one, but sounded really good. It came and it was delicious and fruity for a mocktail. We ordered a shrimp ceviche and octopus skewers to start out with. The Shrimp Ceviche was very delicious and it was something that I was very happy to share it with my friends. It was a big portion of shrimp cocktail with salsa on the bottom and these large sized blue chips. It was so good that we ate it quickly. Octopus skewers was a tad charred. Yet very delicious especially if you eat it with the pineapple together. Brings out the flavor of the pineapples quite well. We ordered the Pork Belly Tacos and Mole Shrimp Tacos which came in 3. I absolutely loved street tacos filled with good fresh ingredients. And both of these hot the spot. The pork belly was an absolute great flavor of the pork belly. The Shrimp was delicious. Cook perfectly and easy to devour quickly. DeFuego Nachos had Jalapenos. But wasn't listed. The nachos were delicious and it was quickly devoured. Wings came in 4 wings with garlic parmesan with carrots and celery and ranch on the platter. Heavily garlic on the wings yet very delicious. Half wedge salad was a surprise how much there is in the salad. A lot of fresh veggies there with cherry tomatoes and sliced radishes in it. I had a absolutely fun experience celebrating my birthday here. DeFuego had Happy Hour from 3pm to 6pm, seven days out of the week. Seems the Happy Hour here is very popular. You have 21 appetizers to choose from on the Happy Hour Menu. There are Mocktails, and any drinks you want available. Definitely will come back again.

Shoot. Last night I took my boyfriend here to celebrate a special event & we left so disappointed!…read moreWe got there at 7:15 & we were stuck there for over 2 hours! I ordered 2 things and both came out wrong. Our waitress spoke very loudly and we could hear her having long personal conversations with people a couple tables away from us for 10+ minutes at a time, several times. While we waited for her, we ran out of water a few times and I had to ask for more. It was over an hour before our order was even taken. We did flag her down to order an appetizer, brussel sprouts with cheese on the side due to a dairy allergy, but... the sprouts came out with cheese on them. They corrected this fairly promptly, but then we sat for another 45 minutes before our order was actually taken. I ordered a steak as "somewhere between medium & medium well" and she correctly repeated my order back to me "medium/medium well." When the steak came out, it was WELL well done. Like, burnt. I wanted to send it back, but I didn't want to deal with the embarrassment or have to wait even longer for food. We were about an hour & 45 minutes into dinner by the time we got our food. I was so disappointed! I also wanted to get dessert to celebrate the occasion but the service was SO slow that we had to cancel our after-dinner plans. We ordered it anyway & requested the check promptly, giving up on our plans for the rest of the evening. We were only a party of 2, we arrived early for our reservation, & we watched several larger parties come and go while we waited for our order to even be taken. It was a Wednesday night and not overly busy, there were several empty tables, so I'm not sure what the hold up was. We were also seated at an odd table next to the kitchen with a small divider between us and the staff. It was noisy and I even heard 2 staff members exchange a joke about how someone else had left & said they'd never come back. They laughed about it. I wish I had the guts those people had to get up & leave! I've never once left less than a 20% tip and felt immense guilt not tipping well, but after experiencing the poor service then also hearing the staff blatantly acknowledge it & not care.... I was appalled. The Hilton bought the hotel attached to De Fuego and I'm shocked. This was a Monarch hotel before and I'd assume that the Hilton's standards would be higher but the service and quality here have tanked hopelessly low since the acquisition. I had a similar experience at The Underground before it closed. I've learned my lesson & won't come here for a special occasion again.

To speak about Teardrop Lounge, I should probably start with this:…read more Ladies and gentlemen, I present my favorite cocktail bar. Not the best -- I'm not arrogant enough to claim that. I haven't been to every cocktail bar in Portland, and saying something is the best usually says more about your lack of experience than your conviction. But favorite? That I can stand behind. And I want to get that out of the way early, because of the amount of praise I'm about to pour on this place -- fully earned, completely intentional. The biggest crime here is that I only discovered it two weeks ago, after living in Portland for a year. It had been recommended to me countless times, and I ignored it. A mistake. A painful one. But now that I've found it, I don't plan on making that mistake again. I'm not typically an Old Fashioned drinker. In fact, I usually hate them. But somewhere between curiosity and too many episodes of Mad Men, I decided to try one anyway -- fully expecting to confirm my bias. Instead, it completely flipped me. Bright, almost citrus-forward in a way that felt unusual but entirely intentional. Balanced, smooth, just enough burn to remind you what you're drinking without overwhelming it. It was the first time I actually understood the appeal. I'm pretty sure I grew a few chest hairs that night. That alone would've been impressive. But it didn't stop there. The space is beautiful -- clean, intentional, but not cold. The staff are excellent: personable, engaged, and most importantly, authentic. Not scripted, not performative. The kind of people you actually want to talk to, and hopefully, eventually be on a first-name basis with. Now, all of that gets it close to a perfect score. But what pushes it over the edge -- what makes this place stick -- is the White Russian. One of the first drinks I ever had. My dad's drink. Not because of The Big Lebowski -- that came later -- but because it's just always been his thing. And at some point, it became mine too. Typically, when bars try to "elevate" a White Russian, they ruin it. They overthink it. Swap ingredients, tweak ratios, add unnecessary flair. And more often than not, it ends in disappointment. Teardrop does the opposite. They respect it -- but refine it. The coffee liqueur actually tastes like coffee. The heavy cream is properly integrated, not just dumped on top. The vodka -- whatever they're using -- is clean, present, and perfectly measured. There's a subtle complexity to it without losing what makes the drink what it is. It's the best White Russian I've ever had. No hesitation. I've gone back twice just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. It wasn't. If someone asked me what my death row drink would be -- this specific cocktail, from this specific bar, is in the conversation. Easily. Teardrop Lounge doesn't just make great cocktails. It reminds you why cocktails matter in the first place. And that's why it's my favorite.

We came to Teardrop Cocktail Lounge while visiting Portland and were genuinely impressed…read more The cocktails were excellent -- thoughtful, well-balanced, and clearly made by people who know what they're doing. One of the best parts was how approachable the bartenders were. We asked for custom drinks based on our preferences, and both came out perfectly tailored. Creative without being weird, and strong without being sloppy. What really stood out was the price point. For the quality of cocktails, the prices felt very reasonable compared to similar craft cocktail bars in other cities. The vibe was also great -- relaxed, cozy, and not pretentious. It felt like a place where you could come for a special drink experience without feeling like you had to "perform" or order off a rigid menu. We liked it so much we actually came back a second time during our trip. Highly recommend if you're into well-crafted cocktails, friendly bartenders, and a laid-back but elevated atmosphere.

Had an awesome time at The Observatory the other weekend. Unlike a lot of places, they run their…read moreHappy Hour on the weekend, which is what drew my partner and I in. You can absolutely smell the fish and vinegar as soon as you walk through the door, which I think gives the place a very homey pub feel. I ordered a spiked peach Arnold Palmer, which I enjoyed (and it was pleasantly strong) and a glass of the house white, which was good for the price. Our server was very fast and attentive. To eat I got the tomato soup with a grilled cheese, which was absolutely fantastic. The soup was so creamy and flavorful, and I cannot imagine a better meal after spending all day walking outside in the rain. The fries were super crispy and I liked the batter. My partner and I shared some of their breadsticks, which were deliciously baked (fresh!) and came with a super refreshing basil crema and a nice tomato-y dip. Wonderful all. My partner ordered fish and chips, and was surprised to find that it is one large fillet of fish, not multiple pieces like you would typically expect. He said the fish was fine, but a little tough. Overall, a wonderful experience. I definitely hope to return. I highly recommend this place as a refuge during the cold winter months!

You know what I will admit that my ardor for The Observatory has cooled over time. I do still count…read moretheir rosemary pear martini as my favorite cocktail in town - and really their cocktail menu overall is still excellent. But the last few times I've stopped in for a meal, it feels like the food isn't quite as impressive as it used to be. Could be all in my head. Not sure. But it's always a nice spot to hang out and chat with friends, you can get seated quicker if you enter through Over & Out, which basically functions as an extension of the main Observatory, with it's own bar and pool tables.

Wanted to like this place cause we can really use another nicer restaurant in Happy Valley. Sadly,…read morethis ain't it. Came here for dinner with wife and toddler. After getting sat down, we just... waited. For about 10-15 minutes, nobody showed up. Eventually a server came and took our order in a very disinterested fashion. We ordered a cocktail, the bruschetta appetizer, and then a burger, the king salmon and a plate of chicken pasta in white sauce for the little one. Everything took forever to come out (even the drink), nobody came out to check or refill waters in the 90 minutes we were there. Cocktail (Spring Break) - 5/5 great! Bruschetta - 3/5. Generally good but the bread was carbonized and as hard as a rock. Burger + fries - 3/5. Burger looked sad but was actually pretty tasty, if a little overcooked. Fries looked great (hand cut) but upon us closer inspection in the low light, you could see they were 50% those tiny peel pieces that get burned when frying. Guys! You are supposed to take those pieces out! Salmon - 3/5. Kind of... fine. A little fishy, not really what i expect for King salmon. Chicken pasta for toddler - 4/5. Actually this was delicious (if a bit overcooked) and it will my leftover lunch (toddler didn't eat it but that isn't the pasta's fault). Total bill for everyone, with tip: $126 So pretty mediocre food, downright bad service, and premium pricing. It's a pass from me!

We had our 4th Annual HV Moms Jingle & Mingle here, and we were treated so well by the staff…read more Sarah, our server was attentive, quick, and accommodating with the bill. Drinks were amazing, and so was the food. My steak fries was cooked perfectly and seasoned well. Always a hit, this place.

The steaks here are amazing, My hubby and l split a steak dinner, because it is that much food! We…read moreusually get ribeye, fries, salad, sometimes a cup of Tony's soup. It's the bomb. They have restaurant part where family can go. Bar part with poker machines, and a banquet room for gatherings. Jenn (with two N's) is very attentive and always happy with great service.

After driving by this restaurant for years it was time to give it a try…read more I was not disappointed at all! A wide variety of items on the menu and flexible options for side dishes. I lucked out visiting on a prime rib Friday night. Terrific waitress - she was super nice.

Ideal dark bar vibe! Perfect place for a cocktail late night…read more Drinks were great. Our table order a variety of drinks and none of them were really sweet. The ambience is low lighting, lounge, playing Amy Winehouse. Also they have absinthe if you're in to that! Our server was really kind and was able to give great recommendations. The space itself is pretty small.

Driftwood Room is an interesting one. If you've been watching Mad Men like I have recently, you'll…read morefeel right at home -- minus the misogyny and the occasional cringe reminder that this era wasn't actually that long ago. The room drops you straight into a version of 1950s America that's been preserved just enough to feel nostalgic without feeling like a museum. Low lighting, wood everywhere, cocktails that feel like they belong in a glass with a heavy base and a quiet sense of purpose. It works, and it works for just about anyone. The drinks are excellent, and the service is generally solid. That said, this is a hotel bar, and it's often staffed by a single bartender, so your experience can vary depending on who's behind the stick that night. I've had great visits here -- the kind where everything flows -- and I've had nights that were just okay. Nothing bad, just inconsistent in a way that comes with the territory. And that's really the crux of it. At the end of the day, this is a hotel bar. Which means drinks come with a premium -- not outrageous, but noticeable. You're paying a bit extra for the setting, for the history, for the fact that it's there when you need it. And while the cocktails are well-made, Portland has no shortage of places doing equally good, if not better, work for the same price or maybe a dollar more. Timing matters here. Weekdays are ideal -- when the room feels like it's yours, when you can actually settle into it. Weekends are a different story. Travelers roll in, rightfully ready to unwind, and suddenly you're competing for space, for attention, for a seat at the bar. So why go? Because when it hits, it really hits. It's a place to lean into the mood a little. Order something off their house cocktail list -- they clearly put thought into it -- and let yourself sink into that old-school rhythm where day drinking feels less like a vice and more like a quiet ritual. It's not perfect. It's not the best value in the city. But it is one of the more distinct experiences you can have -- and sometimes, that's enough.

A small vibey bar with fun energy. Space is pretty limited so plan accordingly…read more We had a couple of drinks here and they're tasty! Craft, refined cocktails. They also have a filipino food menu when we're there but we didn't try any. Would be down to come back, especially later at night to catch their last call cookies!

The drinks are really good and the staff was very friendly! The overall vibe/look of the bar is…read morecool as well. One thing that bothered me though (and I know maybe I'll get hate for this), is I feel like some of the decor is tone deaf. They have a bunch of colonial men ceramic decor, but they partner with and serve food from a Filipino company. I'm Filipino and it was a bit offensive to me because even if the point of having them is trying to make fun of them, it's not really funny. We were colonized for over 300 yrs and still deal with the trauma from it. Please consider removing the colonial decor. I really enjoyed the bar and want to enjoy it in the future, but I don't think it's necessary to have those things in the bar and doesn't add anything to how cool the bar is apart from that. UPDATE: the bar messaged me. They were super professional and kind in their response. I really appreciate that they were open to my perspective on the colonial items and said they will be removed. Thank you so much!! Looking forward to enjoying the bar in the future

Such a fake location this is not real. Something weirds going on. Tried to go here multiple times…read moreand call and they say they are not open yet at 9pm!!!!

I have no idea if this bar has food - but when we came in a few Friday's ago - at 7 pm - and we…read morewere pretty much the only people there. The bartender said they need better signage but by 8 pm, the place was packed. I think this used to be a doggy day care or doggy spa. It's been open for 3 years and I never knew it was here. Too bad because I have moved from the neighborhood and this would have been a great neighborhood haunt. We just got a few rounds of beers but we stayed quite a while because they have a great vibe and video poker - which the guys in our group could not be torn away from. The decor is neon and chill but not hipster - like the rest of the places on this side of the river. They also have a billiard room. So, basically, there is just about something for everyone. I wish my new neighborhood had a bar like this that was walking distance.

Great happy hour, great servers, lots of friendly people. Local neighborhood bar poker machines,…read morepool, lots TVs with sports.

Hot girls. Iced cold michelob ultras. Amazing service. Delicious snacks and many games to play…read morearound