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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Old school Portland hidden gem. Rich history behind the walls. Excellent vibe. Delicious small…read morebites reasonably priced. Great service. Easy parking. Huge surprise from the outside impression. Cozy relaxed upscale inside. Could be a definite new favorite to stay onsite if you're in Portland and not have to drive anywhere

There are restaurants with great food, and there are restaurants with great vibes. Wax Social…read moredelivers both at a high level. I've worked through most of the menu, and every single dish lands. I kept expecting at least one to miss, but it never did. I'm not usually a seafood person, but their fish tacos and Ahi Poke nachos completely changed my mind. If seafood always tasted like that, I'd order it every time. The deviled eggs might be my all-time favorite appetizer. The steak bites are perfectly cooked and tender, and the white cheddar onion dip is rich, savory, and hard to stop eating. What really puts it over the top is the experience. The owner is incredibly welcoming, the staff is attentive without hovering, and the whole place has an elevated but relaxed energy. With the live DJ, it feels like the perfect spot for a date night or a fun night out with friends. If you're deciding where to go next, put this at the top of your list. Can't wait to go back!

I love coming here because of the fishtanks. The blonde bartender guy with the glasses made us some…read moregreat drinks and was super nice- great service all around. Will definitely be coming back for the ambiance and the awesome staff.

We went in for the aquariums, and they were the highlight of the visit. You order and pickup your…read moredrinks from the bar. The cocktails were just okay. My cocktail tasted more like a boba milk tea than a cocktail (the liquor got lost in the milk) but his was decent and had a better balance in liquor and bubbles. The aquariums though are amazing! Well maintained by the owner and the fish are docile and used the people; meaning they don't hide but are swimming around. It made for a great change from the normal cocktail scene.

The Sapphire Hotel is no longer a hotel. It was in the early 1900s... And you could say the guests…read moreat that time were a little shady (let's just say some rooms were rented by the hour). The restaurant is what used to be the lobby. It is known for being dimly lit, a little romantic, a little old school. They are open late when not a lot of other places around are, which is how I ended up here after another event. They have happy hour from 4-6pm and then a late night happy hour after 10pm. The building could use some love from its landlord. The toilet was leaking, there's asbestos wrapped pipes visible on the ceiling. We got: Soup du jour House salad Meze platter Kettle chips Spicy chicken sandwich Everything tasted great. I was pleasantly surprised with the portion sizes for the happy hour items. I would definitely keep this in mind for date night or as a late night spot when not much else is open.

Impeccable. One of the last gasps of "Old Portland" when SE bars were dark, pointed, subscribed to…read morewitchcraft, and climactically tasty. Ceilings larger than life. Servers who must all be libras due to their homeyness--slash--poignant versatility that offsets feeble-minded Portland bartender ego and impatience. (REAL Kindness, you know...*tears up*). The happy hour is really special. Get a gin and egg white cocktail for $6-8! I moved away from PDX, but Sapphire is the first spot I'd return to. (I probably won't return to PDX.) It's sort of like if Rimsky-Korsakoffee House was a real Portland bar.

We came here for a couple drinks while waiting for our dinner reservation. It's an interesting…read moreplace with cool murals and decor. Drinks are pretty good. I got a happy tree friends- I liked the creaminess and hint of pandan. The Pagan holiday was a bit too vanilla forward for me, could be more balanced. They had a few drinks that I would be interested in trying whenever I come back. Bartender was quick and overall welcoming. Playing bangers this night!

Date: Sunday, March 2nd, 2025 Time: around 4:45pm…read moreParty of: 2 which turned into 4 later *Ru Paul Sparkle Pony ($12) *Glenfiddich 12 yr ($18) *Soda Water ($2) We were meeting up one of my old friends for dinner. Since we had some time to kill, the hubby and I stopped by The Box Social to wait out the 30ish mins. I wanted something light and refreshing so got the sparkle pony. It was indeed bubbly and refreshing. Tho very light given there was vodka in it. The aesthetic of the place is very minimalistic. It was super quiet and bright when we were there. So the vibe can be a little sterile. Bartender was great. We just wanted a quick drink and he delivered. Once my friends joined us, one ordered a quick soda and we were on our way to dinner. Great if you want a very chill bar. Worth checking out for a round. REVIEW #3731

Hale Pele would benefit from being open later on the weekends. Closing down at 11:00 pm when the…read morebar is full and people are having a good time feels like a mistake. The drinks are still good

Finally able to visit this landmark Tiki Bar in Portland over the weekend and what a weird and…read morewonderful place it is! As soon as you walk in you realize just how small the space is. Thankfully, the timing worked out where when our friends arrived we were able to be seated fairly quickly so we lucked out. They will not seat you until your entire party is there which I appreciate. The decor is what you would expect it to be with tiki style furnishings all around and a soundtrack to accompany the vibes. Once you walk in and shut the door behind you, it's almost a given that you'll forget the time of day because the entire place is windowless. Another cool feature if you ask me. I have to say when looking around I kept contemplating the fact that someone walked in here and said "yeah, this will make a great tiki lounge". Regardless, they were right! The food was actually delicious. I had the cuban sandwich and the hawaiian bread.