Expatriate in Portland delivers exactly the kind of experience you want from an intimate cocktail lounge with serious food. The atmosphere is dark and moody with an intimate, cozy feel that makes it a great spot for a late-night drink or a low-key dinner. I ordered the burger, which comes as two slightly smaller patties on a potato bun, and it absolutely lived up to the hype. The cheese was perfectly melted with almost a steamed texture, the meat was fantastic, and the whole thing was simple, balanced, and incredibly satisfying. Honestly, it might be my favorite burger in Portland. At $22 for the two burgers, it's not exactly cheap. I had thought there might be a late-night food discount Sunday through Thursday, but that doesn't seem to be the case. That said, the quality of the burger helps justify the price. Service was good throughout, and parking is standard street parking. Overall, Expatriate is a great spot with a standout burger and a cool, intimate vibe. Definitely worth visiting if you're looking for an excellent burger in a cocktail-forward setting. read more

Expatriate - Burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This was my favorite place of all time. Thank you for all the magic. I will love you forever. read more

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Wow! I had a full 5 star experience here. This little gem has some of the best burgers and curry fries I've ever had. So many amazing dipping sauces for the fries too. I went with a group and we got a bunch of stuff to share including the salad and the spicy chicken sandwich. Everything was incredible. Our server was super friendly and attentive and fast! Only thing to note is that the bathroom has some decor that is not appropriate for children so I wouldn't bring your kids here! More of a date night or friends gathering place. read more

Expatriate - Burgers, fries, salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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My haiku review: Came on a Tuesday Mood set with records playing No wait to be sat Fresh, beautiful drinks Lovely staff and atmosphere Now for the food though... Each bite was splendid Onion and butter sammy Had a high tea feel Fries seasoned by God Now don't sleep on the shrimp toast Highly recommend! read more

Expatriate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I've been enjoying the complete experience provided by the amazing folks at Expatriate for 8 years now. To this day, I am amazed by them every time I visit. This place is truly Unique. And I greatly appreciate their dedication to Excellence. It shows. In every way. And it has not wavered for the past 8 years that I've been their biggest fan. Considering the fact that they have not only survived but thrived over the past 12 years of highs and lows, if they were to ever change their name, I think a perfect name would be "Endurance." read more

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Very quickly added this place to our short list after our first bite! Just like many other establishments in Portland, Expatriate has been on my list for a very long time and I never remember how a place was recommended to me. We were on the hunt to hangout somewhere in the early evening since we were spending too much time at home and settled on here and definitely stayed longer than expected and ordered more food and drinks than we expected. Thank you for that! We tried to spiced fries, I needed to investigate the butter sandwich and rounded off our evening with the nachos. Great flavors and all great "shareable" sizes for our table. Not only that, the cocktails were very tasty and they had fresh offerings for mocktails, too. Again, Expatriate is already on the short list of places to come back to since we oftentimes do not repeat places since there are too many places to try in Portland to stick with just one spot but here we are. Highly recommend. read more

Expatriate - Spiced fries and butter & onion sandwich - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

It took me awhile, but I finally stepped inside. Diggin' it. We only ordered a few items as we waited for our dinner reservation across the street. The Sidewinder - the only rum cocktail on the menu - was potent and satisfying. I couldn't resist the simple James Beard signature sandwich, yum. Service was accommodating and friendly. Drink price points are higher than average, but gauging by the packed interior, nobody seems to care. read more

Expatriate - James Beard signature sandwich. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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In town visiting family and we came for late night dinner and drinks. My brother suggested the place and I'm glad we came. Excellent drinks and food. Limited menu but everything we got was excellent. Had the burgers, fries, and nachos. The staff were extremely nice and attentive. The location is intimate and a great place for a date night. Highly recommend. read more

Can you say PRE-TEN-TIOUS?! Well then you know how I feel about Expatriate. They're pretentious. From the moment we arrived and the VERY tightly wound server/hostess in the very tight bun, told us she didn't have a 4 top. She said the booth that was open was for 5. So that began my hmmmm they want to wait instead of seating a group that's HERE. Four cleared from the bar area but we didn't want to sit NEXT to each other, we wanted to be able to engage in conversation. Which also read difficult because it's not an intimate bar. It's really loud. The employees, ALL but one who was the tallest and she had long hair and glasses, had a ticked off look. Like they didn't want to serve customers and that everyone was just an inconvenience. The girl with the glasses and long hair was VERY nice. Hence the star. Otherwise I'd have given 1. She was great. Oh and the 5 top... The male bartender joined them when he finished. Ironically... So did they just "KNOW" Someone and get in quick?? Anyway. Pretentious. The drinks were good. I tried the Clipper and our was fine but I found out the next day that I cannot stand Maraschino Liquor. Lol so not the best choice for me. But then I got The Transmission. Which was very good (queue star 2,) but I find the drinks overly complex just to be different. There are a LOT of great cocktail bars in PDX so the attitude that was served at Expatriate will cause me to choose elsewhere. Maybe it was an off night, but the staff left a bitter taste in my mouth. And I don't need to u time at a place that thinks it's too good for me. read more

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Vibe ~ awesome decor, music, cozee cool. Perfectly dimmed. If you sit at the bar unwind your mind watching your bartender craft your cocktail. They are delicious. Or chillax in one of the secluded spots. Food amazing for such a small intimate bar. Pomeroy! Late nite at its best. read more

Expatriate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I am reviewing again because this place is top tier. We were searching for a place similar to this one with the vinyl records. Nothing comes close to expatriate. The drinks have such complex flavors and taste so good, and the cozy ambiance, good music, and good service. Have accepted this is my #1 bar! read more

Expatriate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This place lives up to its website description: "hip lounge serving global bar bites & swanky cocktails amid a black walnut bar & Asian touches". No one is allowed to not have a seat there so if it's full you will need to come back when there's enough seating for all of your party. I did feel like my drink had more ice than the iceberg the Titanic hit but the ambiance and amazing music selection made up for it. read more

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I have not been here in SO LONG, so I was excited to have a nice celebration night out. They sat a 4-top table almost directly underneath us which clashed our experience, and the chairs were not my favorite either. I love the dark atmosphere and music, but a couple of things did not quite land this trip. 3 out of our 4 drinks I would order again. Service was good but touched the table super frequently which felt me pressured to enjoy myself. read more

Dropped by the other night for a drink. I hadn't been here in years so I was happy to see the dark, moody ambiance was still in effect, with the tables all full and the bar fairly packed. Love the back bar wood frame in this place. Cocktail program is still strong with interesting ingredients and combos, but I won't be getting the Avalon again: If I'd have known a tall glass of crushed ice would cost 18 bucks, I would have passed. I'd felt less burned if all the complexity the ingredient list promised wasn't just completely drowned in this giant slushie. Next time I'll get a beer. 5 stars for ambience and service, 1 star for value. read more

Expatriate - Bar area at Expatriate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Dimly lit cozy cocktail bar with well crafted drinks and small limited menu. Had the starling and the 10 mile stereo which were both unique but the standout were definitely the small bites Indian spiced fries and shrimp toast small bites! The dry Indian rub on the fries and sauces were very unique and flavorful and the shrimp toast was a perfect balance of savory salty crunch! read more

This had been on our restaurant hit list for a while. We first tried visiting over the winter holidays, but given its small space and not taking reservations, we were unable to get in that time. With that background knowledge, we planned ahead and showed up right before the doors were opening at 5 pm.  We took a seat at the bar and took in the cozy ambiance, and speak easy esque vibes. The menu doesn't have numerous options, but it's got enough to try a few different things. We went with the famous nachos and the burgers. The nachos were unique and beautiful to look at. The burgers were a glorified McDs quarter pounder but with a higher price tag. The drinks were pretty good as well but expensive for what you were getting. We enjoyed our time but might have had too high of expectations. Overall, it was a good experience, but it was a high price tag for what you're getting. read more

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I guess I'm just not cool enough for this place. It definitely has a vibe... one I didn't care for too much. It was already packed at 5:30. Seemed early to be full, but the wait wasn't too long. Maybe just 10 minutes. We sat at the record player tables while we waited. We ordered the nachos, chicken sandwich, and fries to share. The nachos were unique-ish. They tasted pretty good, but there was something on it my husband didn't like. The chicken sandwich was incredibly expensive for its size and being the only thing you get. It tasted good, but it was nothing special. You can get a better sandwich at Jojos, for sure. Sorry. The fries were tasty, and you get a massive portion. We wanted to try the noodles, but really? $23 for a bowl of essentially ramen? Nah, I'm good. Service was fine, but they were definitely just trying to get people in, fed, and out the door. read more

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This place is perfect for winter, it's so cozy and warm inside. It wasn't too crowded and the staff seated us at the bar. We were able to try a few cocktails which were all rich and delicious. We had some fries and the fried chicken sandwich, which were also really good. I'm looking forward to trying the other things on the menu. read more

Expatriate - Fried Chicken Sandwich - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

All of the food here is SO GOOD. This time was a bit salty but seriously can't get enough of the nachos and the burger and the tempura mushrooms. Get it all!! So vibey and cozy inside too. read more

Expatriate - Wonton nachos - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

This place is a perfect if you are looking for a cozy bar with good food. The food is a twist on American classics such as French fries and burgers. It's a pretty small place and they don't take reservations so always recommend getting there early. Definitely not a place for big groups. The cocktails are delicious especially if you like mezcal and gin because that is the main alcohol they have in their cocktails. I got the Colombian exchange which was delicious and very tropical. We also go the fries which was really great flavor dipping sauces along with the nachos which were delicious. Overall, a perfect place for a tasty cocktail and delicious food. read more

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Great atmosphere, small but concise menu, ample drink options, quick and attentive service. We ordered the tea leaf salad. I've never found this in the Northwest since first trying it in the Bay Area. 10/10 would recommend. Next we got the wonton nachos. It was ample in size to share, loaded with cheese, meat and some salsa. I would give these a 9/10 because I think the wontons made them pretty heavy, but very good none the less. read more

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Came back again just for the tea leaf salad and it was even better than I remembered. Also got the wonton nachos this time which were good. Cocktails are expensive but well made. read more

We go to the Alberta Rose monthly and we're hungry after a show. The nice folks at Urbanetta were closing up but sent us to Expatriate (what nice neighbors!) and we enjoyed the Indian Spiced fries, which were hot & really cleverly created! How was This not a thing?! We split the cheeseburgers which were juicy and flavorful and so satisfying, along with bottled Mexican cokes. Grateful for a new spot after shows and to discover a wonderful cheeseburger in a world full of Red Robin mediocrity! read more

This is the best bar in PDX. The cocktails are a fantastic experience, the food is so good you can't pass it up. If you're looking for a more intimate, robust & quality experience try Expatriate. The vibes are dramatic, plush and intimate. The drinks are crafted flavor experiences, that encourage you to branch out. No syrupy watered down drinks here. The food, omg the food. The Spicy Lemongrass Wonton nachos are life changing. The music is loud so not great for large group conversations, but the music selection is also fire. Love love love this bar. read more

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Finally snagged a table on a Friday night! It was busy but no line out the door, so we were seated immediately. Service was prompt and attentive. I've been eyeing the wonton nachos for awhile and glad it's currently on the main menu! The nachos did not disappoint. A large portion, more than enough for 2-4 ppl. The drinks were also fantastic. It is a bit spendy so keep that in mind. One of my favorite parts? The playlist was bangin'. read more

Expatriate - two cocktails on a table - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Cool cozy spot. Great drinks and food. We ordered the butter and onion sammy, wonton nachos and the wagyu beef sammy. No pics of the wagyu as we demolished it in seconds. I would recommend not sharing the nachos. They're too good to be sharing read more

Expatriate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Great atmosphere, delicious drinks and yummy food! Drinks were fun and all the food we got were made so well. The fried chicken sandwich is one of the best I've ever had; the chicken was so moist and had a great crunch on the outside. The tea leaf salad is crunch on crunch on crunch and yet different types of crunch from the cabbage to other things I'm not able to name. The taste of the tea leaf salad is so unique, you need to try it to understand how yummy it is. The nachos were delicious as well with fried wonton skins instead of tortilla chips. Service was great and I loved how they made my drink. I asked for non-alcoholic and she asked how I like to lean with citrus, fruity, and other descriptors. I chose citrus and let it be a surprise. I was delighted with my drink! Highly recommend coming here for a fun night out! read more

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Craving a good old burger one night I found a PDX eater article for the best burgers in town and Expatriate was on the list. I've never been here before so easy to miss if you're not looking in the right place. During Covid they do have two outdoor tables outside of their restaurant but you can order for pick up if you think you might come during rush time. Coming for burgers we're glad they had the American Standard as it comes with two burgers and the shrimp toast. We also got two cocktails of the week to enjoy. Pro tup is that they do cocktails to go! Burgers were simple but definitely hit the spot. Nice bun and moist patty. We had a hard time thinking about the hot & sour indian fries but ended up going with the shrimp toast. We did see others order the fries so will need to take it next time! The shrimp toast was a great option to try since you never see it on a menu and it gives a nice fried option to the meal. A little spicy but pairs well with the dipping sauce. The cocktails of the week (as they rotate) were delicious and were nice and refreshing on the sunny day we were sitting at one of their tables! read more

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I think I wandered into something quite different. A good different. A good cocktail bar. When you've got a group of 6, why not try a round of cocktails together? Each one was so unique and yes, refined. Because honestly you could take your time to appreciate each recipe. Don't know what to pick? Definitely talk to your waitress/waiter about suggestions. Ours did a great job finding a drink for each person's palette preference. It's a cool place, expensive drinks, but worth the taste and experience. I liked it. read more

Expatriate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Great service, even better vibe, superb cocktails. We didn't eat here but I was swooned by the atmosphere, music, and all around chill factor. read more

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Friends and I were visiting Portland for a couple days and we're so glad to find this spot. Cocktails were a good balance of freshness with the right amount of liquor. The food was surprisingly elevated. We really enjoyed our crab and corn noodles and shrimp toast. The service was superb. When we arrived there was a bit of a wait so we stood outside for a table to free up. The staff came out a couple times to give us an update, which we really appreciated!! read more

Expatriate - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

My book club gals nabbed the back booth for our recent discussion & we had a great time. I love the dark, cozy vibe, which feels a bit speakeasy. And anyplace that's playing vinyl automatically gets an extra star! I ordered the nachos, which weren't that great, tbh- maybe like a teaspoon of meat. But like I said, the vinyl bonuses them back up to a 5. I have two friends who don't drink, so I also appreciated that they had a legit offering of mocktails, while the onion/butter sandwich, and other appetizers I sampled from my friends' plates nearly made up for the meager nachos. read more

Very Halloween vibes here all the time, like a hipster Dracula bar. The fried chicken sando was just aight, pretty plain. My favorite part about this place was probably the dopely ornate old wooden liquor display. The music is kinda loud but the atmosphere is pretty mellow still. read more

Our patience and perseverance on a cold windy night to get inside Expatriate paid off and we were rewarded with oodles of fun and delicious drinks . The line ahead was long but since there is not much space to wait indoors ,the only other option is to wait outside in the cold/rain or go someplace else. That made a lot of folks standing ahead of us leave and magically as we entered , we got a few open spots right at the bar . The space is small and so you do get a feeling of being crammed-in , and they haven't left an inch of space unutilized . The vibe is casual and the music was loud but the DJ was doing a great job at the console and the song choices were upbeat and peppy for a Friday evening . The drinks are the showstopper here and the bartender worked non-stop in creating some amazing cocktails .We had Glasnost ,Lingua Franca, Halfway point and another one that I cant recall the name of . Honestly , you cant go wrong with the drinks here and if you feel nothing floats your boat out of the menu , the bartender was more than happy to whip up something based on preference. We also had the Expatriate Nachos. These come with Wonton chips instead of the traditional tortilla and elevated the crunch fun twice over . The toppings were delicious and the portion size was ample .Service was attentive and friendly . Overall , it felt like a a great & lively spot for getting drinks and some food. read more

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Amazing cocktails, great drinking snacks, great service and in a very cool vibe. Get there early as the space is small and intimate.

Indulged in a delightful evening at Expatriate in the Alberta Arts District - charming atmosphere, scrumptious fries, buttery bread, and a refreshing salad. And let's not forget the exquisite whiskey drink that added the perfect touch to the night! Can't wait to return for those nachos. Highly recommend this spot for a memorable experience! The staff was so helpful & nice - especially it was during the ice storm read more

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How awesome is this place? I'm tentative about leaving a 5 star review after only having visited once, but I do plan on going back again soon, so I can always revise. :) First, I LOVE how they play vinyl records on turntables! Heard quite a few good songs while I was there. Had the burgers, which they refer to as sliders. You get two burgers that are upscaled Quarter Pounders, and I mean that in the best possible way. I wanted those as I had read somewhere that they had the best burgers in either Portland or Oregon. While I'm not quite sure I'd say they are the best, they certainly were delicious. We had a couple of cocktails as well and both were very well crafted and unique. We definitely plan on returning soon to sample more of the menu items. read more

Randomly ended up here on a Sunday night about an hour before close. Decided to have a spontaneous date night and originally planned on hitting up Gabianno's across the street but after not really seeing anything appealing on their menu. My bf searched the top 50 bars and restaurants and this place just so happened to be on the list. It was close so we decided why not? The drinks were amazing. The food was delicious. The vibes were on point. It's cozy and intimate. And I really enjoyed the shuffle of low key hip hop/r&b that was playing. read more

Hell yes. This place is a treasure. Drinks were unique and beautifully created with the best balance. The food...equally incredible. We had: nachos (I'd skip the meat on them), butter sandwich, shrimp toast, Burmese salad I'd order them all again. Favorite was the shrimp toast. read more

Expatriate continues to be one of the best bars in Portland. They have everything you need - incredible drinks, incredible music, and incredible food. Oh and of course an amazing staff who are intimidatingly cool. Highly recommend any of their cocktails and food - we even took some nachos to go and they traveled perfectly. read more

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