If you're looking for quintessential speakeasy vibes, Driftwood Room is the place! Just inside Hotel DeLuxe, it's never overly crowded, making it a great place to unwind or enjoy a date night! The cocktail menu is fantastic, and if you're curious about absinthe, this is one of the best places to try it. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable, sharing the history behind each pour and explaining the different varieties. I especially loved that many of the absinthes are named after famous poets and artists - it adds a fun touch to the experience. For dinner, I ordered the spaetzle, and it was delicious. I also love the vintage mirrors throughout the space, it makes the room feel large and grand. Whether you're stopping in for a classic cocktail, an absinthe experience or just enjoying the ambience, Driftwood Room is worth a visit if you're in downtown PDX! read more

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Disappointing Experience at the Driftwood Room - October 5 I hesitated before leaving this review because I have fond memories of the Driftwood Room and Hotel deLuxe. I lived just a block away during my years in Portland and recently returned to the city, hoping to revisit a place that was once part of my life. I'll actually be returning to Portland next week, so I wanted to stop in, support the hotel, and recapture a little of that nostalgia. Unfortunately, my experience on October 5 was disappointing. The Driftwood Room was extremely busy, with what appeared to be nearly 30 guests inside, yet there was only one bartender working behind the bar. There also appeared to be a soccer match letting out nearby, bringing even more people into the area and adding to the crowd. One bartender was left trying to manage an overwhelming volume of guests while drinks and food orders continued to come through. As someone who works in the service industry, I genuinely felt bad for the bartender. They continued serving guests despite the pressure, but the staffing situation was simply unacceptable for a hotel bar experiencing that level of business. Your employees deserve the support and staffing necessary to do their jobs properly, and guests deserve service that doesn't leave one person trying to manage an entire packed bar alone. How does a hotel allow this to happen on such a busy evening? The other disappointment was the price. I ordered a gin Bee's Knees, which ended up being the most expensive cocktail I purchased during my evening out. At $18, it was noticeably more expensive than comparable cocktails I had elsewhere that night, where I paid $12 at Teardrop Lounge, Nines Hotel. At that price point, I expect an experience that feels worth it, and unfortunately, the overall visit fell short. What makes this particularly disappointing is that I returned with genuine affection for the Driftwood Room and the memories I associate with Portland. I wanted to support the establishment, not criticize it. Instead, I left with an impression that was far removed from the experience I remembered. I will be back in Portland, and I hope the Driftwood Room can once again be a place I enjoy visiting. But management needs to take a serious look at staffing levels, especially during major events and busy evenings. You cannot expect one bartender to adequately serve a bar packed with nearly 30 people without providing additional support. This review isn't intended to take anything away from the bartender, who appeared to be doing their best under difficult circumstances. My criticism is directed at management and the decisions that left them in that position. I wanted to love my return visit. Sadly, I left disappointed. Please do better for your guests, your employees, and the reputation of a bar that holds fond memories for people who have lived in and loved Portland. read more

Stayed at the Hotel deLuxe during our stay to PDX and we paid a visit to the Driftwood Room one night for late night snack and drink. We were able to get 15% off our bill since we were hotel guests, which was nice....and were billed the total of our visit on our final bill when checking out. -The Great Pepino Cocktail, gin & cucumber & a hint of lime. It was light, slightly sweet, and refreshing. -Swift Honeycrisp Cider, also light and sweet. -Shoestring Fries, the plate came out piping hot but the fries themselves were lukewarm? It took a while to get these as well since it seems they share a kitchen with Gracie's (the hotel's breakfast/brunch restaurant). I'd probably skip the food if there's a next time & stick with the drinks. Dark, intimate vibe inside with room for about ~20 people at small tables and also bar seating. read more

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This place is tucked into a corner in a hotel, so off the lobby is gorgeous the scenery everything, it's super vampy and romantic. It is a very small location, I don't think they can seat more than 30 people, so the wait can get very long. The servers and bar tenders were very nice and attentive, our bartender was giving us great recommendations too, he was very chill, cool, a young man super dope. The steak and frites were good, the fries super thin and crispy, the steak a little chewy but they did cook it how I wanted it. Overall very nice pretty good a little on the pricey side but nothing that's breaking the bank, I would come again if I want something chill and cozy. It's def worth coming at least once read more

Driftwood Room - Steak and frites - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Quaint speakeasy, cozy and small, great service, superb drinks and yummy soup. Heart of Portland's Pearl district, inside the Hotel deLuxe. read more

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Cool, small, dark. I love that they do table service here, even when it's so tiny. Came in for happy hour for a birthday, and I would say, get there right at 4, like hard 4, as they fill up. I "know" they don't take reservations, but I did call ahead and just friendly warn, and Claudia, thank you, was so nice and gave folks a heads up. Had a fabulous time. Would recommend to anyone who likes good places, fun people and great drinks. I mean, champagne cocktails on happy hour?! Yes, however none traditional, but sell me the rhubarb one all day. My only thing, I would say it was difficult to get parking validated or use the ADA elevator, as the birthday man is having some stair challenges. Had to run up the stairs to ask to run it, maybe we just keep it open? Anyways, love! Not the bar's issue, just saying. read more

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Ideal dark bar vibe! Perfect place for a cocktail late night. 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. read more

Driftwood Room - Menu - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We had stopped in, hoping for the Manhattan tasting flight. Unfortunately, it is not a menu item any longer, but one of the bartenders knew what the flight used to have. Made me a very good Manhattan. The bartenders were friendly and knowledgeable. The ambiance is dark, which takes a moment to get used to, but enjoyable once you get used to it. Will go back! read more

Driftwood Room - Smokey Manhattan. - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This is a small bar in the DeLux Hotel. It's so dark but they make terrific cocktails. A great place to begin an evening. read more

Driftwood Room - Paper plane - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Driftwood Room is an interesting one. If you've been watching Mad Men like I have recently, you'll feel 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. read more

We were staying in the hotel (Hotel deLuxe) and thought we would have a cocktail before heading out on the town. We ended up falling into a wormhole and spending the whole evening here! This place is a true gem! The bar itself is a treat - great atmosphere and an awesome retro vibe. We were quickly lost in the atmosphere. Dimly lit, cozy, with jazz in the background. First off, the cocktails are top notch - especially of you like absinthe - but they nail the classics as well. I had one of the best negronis of my life here! Aside from the boozy stuff - we started slow on the menu. First were oysters - which were delicious and perfectly shucked! I love it when a kitchen gets the simple stuff right! After that we tried a mushroom toast that was also nicely prepared. By this point, we had abaondoned our idea to wander, and settled in. We followed the apps with the french style kale and white bean soup, which was delicious! An added treat was the little bit of chili crisp on top that gave it a little something extra. We followed that with the steak frites and were floored by the preparation! The steak had been marinated, was PERFECTLY cooked, and finished with rosemary salt, and a bit of a horseradish compound butter (could have had a bit more of that!). The frites were crispy and also wonderfully seasoned! A true delight! As you can tell - we were delighted and overjoyed with the quality of food and drinks here - but the service was also top notch. Our server/bartender Josh was perfectly attentive and added layers to our enjoyment with lore of the hotel as well as his attentive and informative absinthe service! This is a true gem - and I will definitely go here again the next time i am in Portland! Absolutely stellar! Well done! read more

Driftwood Room - Steak Frite was among the best i have ever had. perfectly cooked and seasoned! delicious! - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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A haiku review: Came here for some drinks Moody, dark and romantic A great date night spot Focaccia so thick Crisp, crunchy outside, soft in Topped with rosemary Will have to come back I want to try the absinthe Each drink was delish!! read more

Driftwood Room - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

A proper hotel bar. I'm just bummed I didn't get to do their tasting thing. Don't even get me started on the absinthe choices. We got back in to town right at the peak of the parade and lights celebration Saturday. To say it was chaotic would be an understatement. Since roads were closed, the road to my hotel was of course blocked off. So during the first go around we couldn't get to where we needed to be and went instead on a one mile circle which then led is to an area where the guy blocking the road was nice enough to let us through after we told him my hotel was where he was. What a blessing that was indeed because we found a parking spot right across from my hotel. My friend had an hour to kill before she could check in to her hotel since the road was still closed on that side. We lucked out finding two seats right at the bar as soon as you walk in. It was first come first serve and they were busy. Lots of people were trickling in from the festivities to have a drink or two. I got the cucumber cocktail. It was so good I made my friend have a sip. As what usually happens, we ended up making friends with the two ladies next to us who were parade participants representing mardi gras. The hour breezed by so quickly. It was such a fun time I completely forgot to take photos. Hotel guests get 15% off their tab. read more

Great ambiance and good drinks! Good service too. Will try the food next time and update this review.

Experience: Absinthe Tasting w/ Ted Breaux of Jade Absinthe and Lucid Absinthe. Pros: Cool experience! Driftwood hosted an Absinthe Tasting with the maker of Jade Absinthe. I got to try 4 different Absinthe and had the opportunity to learn about the origins, history, & tasting notes. Great to hear from experts in the field of bartending/liquor. The ambiance was small and intimate. Cons: none read more

Driftwood Room - Absinthe - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Driftwood Room is Hotel deLuxe's cocktail bar, but has more than typical hotel bars. This small, dark space is perfect for an intimate conversation, with its dim lighting. Solid varieties of cocktails all tasted good and looked classic. They have bar foods and the bar foods complemented the drinks well. However, the bar is quite small and fills up fast. During my visit, there was one loud person at the bar and it disrupted the otherwise serene environment, which can be a downside if you're sensitive to noise and which can easily happen as the space is small. Despite this, the friendly and attentive staff ensured a pleasant experience, refilling my water so many times (thank you!!). read more

Driftwood Room - Bar - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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We had the best evening here! Like a true Portlandia (in the best way) evening, arriving early, just after 4pm. We easily found street parking directly across the street from the hotel entrance. (The Driftwood is located inside of Hotel Deluxe.) We decided to come here to have a drink before going to a concert at the Tiffany Center which is located just across the street. When we entered the very dark bar, it was immediately such a vibe, an old school, mid century lounge vibe. There was just one couple seated at the bar and one other table seated in the loungey area so we basically had our pick of seats and we chose what I consider to be the best seat in the house, at the back in the center, perfect for people watching. The mid century vibes are complete with cozy booths, wood paneling, river rocks and driftwood. It really is like stepping back in time. We ordered drinks, a Smoking Gun for the hubby and a glass of red wine for me, as well as appetizers - the olives with focaccia, shoestring potatoes and the Brussels sprouts. Everything was so good! Like this isn't bar food. This is upscale lounge/restaurant quality, gourmet food. Service was outstanding, very kind and attentive. We were just about to close our tab and head over to the concert venue, when a set of two tables walked in talking about how the concert was canceled. We were like what? What concert? Surely not the concert we were planning to attend. But oh yes, it was our concert that had been canceled. :( So we decided to stay for dinner and we ordered the steak frites and bone marrow which was incredible! The bone marrow had pickled red onion and some other fresh herb making it taste fresh & vibrant. Two nice tables sat on either side of us, each with out-of-towners, who we struck up nice conversation with. After our neighbors left, we started looking for nearby places to grab dessert, when our server came over and asked if we were interested in dessert. I said yes but it isn't on your menu, which she confirmed and then told us the offerings - cookie skillet with vanilla ice cream, apple crisp, chocolate mousse and a Marion berry cheesecake. We opted for the chocolate chip cookie and it was freshly baked but a little too salty for me. (And I'm a salty biatch,lol). Anyway, we had a really great evening. Our disappointment of the concert being canceled quickly turned into the joy of being able to enjoy the vibe, atmosphere, great food, service and the company of others. :) read more

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I love the atmosphere here, dark, typically loud enough that no one hears what you're saying at your table. Good bar staff, always helpful and willing to explain menu items. The menu is decent for a late night stop. The menu has a special item...order the fries or as they call it Shoestring potatoes!!! They're made with a side of bacon fat hollandaise. Last time there, I order it twice within the hour. Great place to stop in for a drink and bite when you're out late. read more

Driftwood Room - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Pro- so dark you could sneak your lover in and no one will see either of you. Cons- service: bartender more interested in keeping an eye on the server, and her him. Cocktails - the Clint Eastwood was barely cold, tasted medicinal, and was nasty as was the Spanish coffee. Beer was good though Food - $22 dollar cheeseburger and fries at Happy Hour? Okay on taste, not big enough to share Whiskey- pricing is wonky so beware of coming here for anything "allocated / special". People- Weller Special Reserve isn't special. Not is Blanton's - and 24 bucks for Blanton's? Nope Won't return unless I'm trying to to be seen by anyone in the dark and I'm having beer. read more

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Small quaint place - very nice service, very small and dark. Cool menu and comfy couches. read more

Driftwood Room - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We were looking for a place to grab a bite to eat after getting out from seeing a play in downtown Portland. I searched Yelp to help find something close by and still open. Yes, the sidewalks roll up early here in Portland - even on a Friday and Saturday evening. With luck - Driftwood Room came up with great reviews and it was still open for another 45 minutes! Let's do this! We drove over and found parking across the street out front. The building is relatively unassuming on the outside. The bar is located inside The Hotel deluxe. It has a throw back 50s swanky vibe as you walk up the stairs into the hotel. The bar is small, but quaint and classy. I immediately was pleased and we were lucky to find an open table at the back of the bar. The setting is intimate with leather couch/ bench running through the back half of the small area. There are candles on each table and a cool decor of wood lining the walls. The service was great. We were warmly greeted and provided the menu which has a great cocktail list, full bar and bar bites. We ordered the appetizer of fries that comes to a bacon hollandaise sauce. Did I say BACON! Amazing!!! We then shared the steak and frites. Again, the steak was done extremely well, depth of flavor and quality meat. The fries were thin and crisp! I accompanied my meal with a cosmopolitan. I am so excited we found this spot and I'm already looking forward to returning and possibly also trying their happy hour. While the menu is more limited, everything I saw looked delicious! They have starters, seafood, a chicken dish and meats from steak to pork. Definitely deserving of a 5 star rating! read more

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This is a cute little small lounge in the Hotel Deluxe. It is dimly lit and cozy. Love the ambience. We did not order food, but we had a couple craft cocktails. The old fashion was delicious and their wine was a decent pour. The waitress, very sweet. The lobby is next-door and it was really busy with the people coming in for Christmas. Parking is not bad, but you may have to wait to get into this little gem of a lounge. Loved it! read more

Really great find on behalf of my other half. He said that he looked up "date spots" online and this one popped up! An intimate lounge inside the lobby of Hotel DeLuxe. The place was first come first served and were happy to find ourselves a booth past the bar even on a crowded Saturday evening. Happy hour every day from 4-6pm! And ALL the food is discounted $3 each, so we kind of went a little crazy ordering 5 items from their tapas-exclusive menu. Food: Greens salad with fennel - recommend, perfectly dressed with nice, crisp greens Bone marrow - absolutely recommend, the bones were massive and the marrow was plenty Focaccia and warm olives - recommend, great for snacking Lobster bisque - do not recommend, pretty plain, lacked any character and seasoning Oysters $2 each at happy hour - recommend Drinks - we do recommend all of these Driftwood Sazerac - very spirit-forward Violet Delights - this was my personal fave, could have easily had 5 of these Vallon's Demise The Bronson read more

Driftwood Room - Our dark and moody table - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Classy small spot. We got a Manhattan flight plus a Smoking Gun. The server was really nice and the drinks were good. Looking forward to trying more things! read more

Driftwood Room - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Speed of service is great! They check on you when they need to. They are quick at any requests you have. The food selections are great and they are really knowledgeable about the options on the menu. The only thing I would hold recommend is have the lights up a little brighter. It was really dark in there and hard to navigate the space. read more

Driftwood Room - Menu Table of Contents - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food here, wasn't expecting much for what is primarily a bar but all the food I had were really delicious! The fresh oysters, with house vinaigrette, the best I had in Portland! Hurry before this place gets discovered by many before the waiting line starts to form! Get the blistered Brussels sprouts and steak frites! I am trying grilled prawns and marinated olives with focaccia next! read more

Driftwood Room - The beautiful bar! - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Oof! Driftwood is now my go-to winter bar for date nights or small groups. From the moment you walk in the hotel, you'll experience a unique vibe that continues into the Driftwood Room. Its long, narrow space keeps you moving, hoping to catch glimpses of locals enjoying fantastic food and drinks in the cozy and dimply lit atmosphere. There is excellent bar seating, but I would recommend snagging a small table on the wraparound bench seating. The mirrors and low lights make this space feel retro but modern, with just enough light to catch menu items and speak to servers. I recommend coming here for the happy hour, with the incredible array of food items and champagne cocktails at a discount. Oysters normally run out fast, too. Given the space's ambiance, my only option was to enjoy the absinthe champagne cocktail. I believe that I had two, and wow, were they ever tasty! I also really enjoyed how the cozy space kept conversations quiet, with most people nearby unable to hear what was happening next to them. I will absolutely be back! I need to try more menu items! read more

Another hidden gem I have discovered! The crew first of all are all amazing! They are attentive, fun and knowledgeable about their business. The food is simple but delish! They really are a spot on bar. Go to this spot! You won't regret it! read more

Drinks were spectacular. Dinner amazing. Lobster Mac and steak frites. Wow - very pleasantly surprised!

This space is so magical, the food and drinks could be awful & it wouldn't matter. However...the food and drinks are good! Disclaimer: we only had beer & wine to accompany our burgers, but the table beside said they come exclusively for the cocktails. read more

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I always forget about this place but a great spot to grab drinks in a cool little bar area. Yummy snacks, and bar the staff is always nice and knowledgeable about different cocktails read more

Fantastic drinks. Fantastic atmosphere. Ideal location and great knowledgeable bartenders.

The coctails, food, and service were all phenomenal. We had multiple drinks, all of which were amazing. Love the specialty champagne coctails! If you love bone marrow, theirs is perfection. Reminds me of beaker and flask's from when they were open. Highly recommend the Driftwood for coctails and bites! read more

This place is so swanky! I love the wrap-around booths, perfect for the Hollywood vibe of the Hotel de Luxe. As a matter of fact, the Driftwood Room reminded me of one of my favorite bars in Hollywood, Daddy's. It's SO DARK! I almost couldn't see where to sit! But the drinks were good: I had "Ambrosia" and my pal had a delightful espresso martini. I'd love to go back. read more

I love this place! Came upon it while looking for HH spots and while it takes some time for your eyes to adjust to the darkness once you walk in it's worth it. The vibes is lux, the decor is rich, the setting is intimate. The HH menu is amazing! So many things to choose from, but if there's one thing I'm gonna pick every single time it's gonna be oysters and bone marrow. Their bone marrow is perfectly made and so savory and delicious. My friend I went with seriously wanted to slurp it off the bone lol! The oysters were fresh and the bubbles complimented them great. I. Feel like this place is sorta slept on as when I ask people about it they never have been. Please save me a seat if it blows up! read more

Driftwood Room - Bone marrow, warmed olives - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Located in Hotel DeLuxe this small dimly lit bar is perfect for drinks with friends or a date night. I often visit here for a drink and appetizers and I'm never disappointed! The drinks are good and STRONG (old fashion), the staff is friendly and the food never disappoints. read more

Driftwood Room - Cheeseburger - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Love love love this bar It is the sexiest little hidden dark room They have amazing food until 11 pm- raw oysters, burgers, truffle mushroom pasta dishes, lobster bisque, chicken skewers Service is amazing and drinks are made so well Highly recommended - soooo glad they reopened read more

Driftwood Room - Oysters late night - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Great food and drinks! Didn't realize we arrived a little over an hour before closing but the bartender/server was still incredibly gracious and friendly. I was super excited to see that the menu was right up my alley -- we ended up ordering the tartare, oysters, truffle spatzle, and bone marrow. Everything was so delicious and hit the spot! Drinks were also good. I'm not generally a huge fan of absinthe but the absinthe fountain presentation alone is worth trying out (I mean just look at it!) Will definitely be back if we're ever in the area! I'm excited to try a custom cocktail next time. read more

Driftwood Room - Absinthe Fountain - Lounges Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Happy hour turned into dinner. All cocktails were fantastic. The entrees were excellent. Beautifully prepared, excellent ingredients, presentation, and service. The ambience is date night, romantic. A perfect evening out. Definitely recommended. Looking forward to returning soon. Note: the hotel lobby is beautiful too. read more

We only came for drinks but stayed for dessert you'd be pleasantly surprised when you walk into this place