I wish I could visit this place all the time. I love it here (but am rarely in town)…read more Here is what you will love about it: Bartenders are fabulous! Food is world class! Interior is a chill lodge type vibe. Check it out !

We have enjoyed going here with friends. We have been a few times and always have a great time. The…read moreservice there has been consistently top notch and the drinks are fantastic. The only thing I would change is the food- it's pretty good, but nothing really stands out. They don't have one dish(es) I would typically want to order again. I do wish there were more entree options. The biggest draw is the vast selection of whiskey, bourbons and other spirits. Their cocktails are fabulous and the waiter/waitress have always been great at giving suggestions and helping guide the experience. The lounge has a great atmosphere and vibe. The member's bar is fun to go to before or after dinner. I highly recommend you check out the MWL when you are in downtown Portland.

Absolute hands-down favorite bar in Portland! Scotch Lodge…read moreis a must-visit every single time we are in Portland! The food, the cocktails, and the hospitality are consistently incredible. You cannot miss the oysters here--the granitas they pair with them are an absolute work of art. For the first time, we tried the beef tartare, and they hand-chop the meat right on the spot. The funky richness of the cheese on top was perfectly balanced, and wrapping it in gem lettuce made it such a unique and delicious treat. As for the drinks, every single cocktail we ordered was outstanding. I'm not a big fan of overly sweet drinks, so the 'Mojo Jojo Casa House' at the end was absolutely perfect for my palate. I also loved the 'Brand New Key,' which was packed with fresh tarragon flavor. My husband prefers smoky whiskeys and mezcals, so he ordered along those lines--not exactly my personal style, but he loved them! The ambiance and overall vibe here are unmatched. Just a heads-up: this place gets packed quickly, so making a reservation is a complete must. Highly, highly recommend!

Scotch Lodge was a delight. Incredibly well designed space with friendly service that helped a…read morenovice scotch/whiskey drinker find something they loved. Good music, good vibes, and what looked like a killer food offering.

This is a really fun spot with a wide variety of cocktails and mocktails available! I appreciated…read morethat the mocktails had actual names; it's so annoying having to order a "nojito" or "mockarita". I tried the Wounded Path which was pretty good. A few friends tried the Gin Fizz which they enjoyed, and it was a cool novelty cocktail. The outdoor seating is nice, and it's heated, which is great for these chilly early spring nights. There's a pizza place attached - Pan Con Queso - and a Korean fried chicken place right next door, both of which will deliver your order right to your table inside Holy Ghost! Pretty slow service (always a line at the bar) but otherwise really cool spot. Would love to check out Drag Bingo here!

Holy Ghost Bar is such a great bar for cocktails. They have so many unique and well crafted…read morecocktail recipes. I also love that they have classics like a Ramos Gin Fizz that is made with a special machine. That's such a rare treat because most places you don't dare to order them because of how laborious they are to make. Will definitely visit again and recommend!

"Dam Good Whiskey!" -- A Beaver's Review of Westward Distillery…read more Well chew my bark and call me industrious--Westward Distillery has crafted a whiskey so fine it made my tail thump like a drum on spring thaw! I waddled in skeptical. After all, we beavers know a thing or two about craftsmanship: sharp teeth, strong wood, steady paws. But the moment those folks poured me a sample of their American Single Malt, I realized I was in the presence of fellow artisans--humans who build with barley the way I build with birch. The aroma? Like sniffing a warm cedar log at sunset, with a hint of orchard fruit drifting downstream. The taste? Smooth as a freshly planed maple branch, with a delicious grain character that made me contemplate abandoning dam construction to pursue professional sipping full-time. The finish? Long, warm, and rich--lingering like the satisfaction of placing the final stick on a perfectly engineered lodge roof. And don't get me started on the place itself. The distillery is polished, welcoming, and smells pleasantly of oak instead of predators. The staff? Delightful! Not one of them tried to trap me, and they spoke about their whiskey with the passion of creatures who truly love their craft. Westward, my whiskered friends, you have built something remarkable. If I had opposable thumbs, I'd raise a glass. Instead, I'll slap my tail in tribute: THWAP THWAP THWAP! That's beaver for "EXQUISITE WORK, KEEP IT UP."

All barley, single malt whiskey. Grain is grown exclusively in the northwest and distilled with the…read morebest water - the Bull Run - simply so smooth sip by sip. Nice layout in the tasting room. The young lady who served me up a flight was amazing with her knowledge, which I really appreciated it. Bottoms up! Mark Twain once said too much of anything is bad, but too much of whiskey is barely enough. You'll enjoy getting after it tasting at Westwood whiskey!

My first here and it was a pleasant visit. They have A LOT of whiskey options and all levels. The…read moredrinks were different and the one that I got was great. Don't ask me for the name, but it was great! The servers seem upbeat and attentive to the guests. Overall a great visit. FYI: Restrooms are downstairs in the hotel so don't wait until the last minute to go. ;) ....... .. .... .. .....

We have a whiskey/whisky bar in Bend Oregon which I love. I'm normally a beer drinker but have…read morelately come to enjoy fine spirits. So I was happy to find Swine during our latest visit to Portland. Large array of booze, really nice, sittable bar, great service and a better than average food menu. What's not to like? Good happy hour too.

Finally got to try this place out. When you first walk in you walk through big giant velvet…read morecurtains and everything is low dim red lighting. This place is on the smaller side, but we got to sit at the bar top. They have a nice menu, a huge whiskey selection And lots of food options as well. They had good music playing and a disco ball and an assortment of colored lights dancing around on the walls. The staff was very attentive and very nice! We definitely want to come back here and try more. This is a great spot for just cocktails, to get together with friends or part of a date night!

Snuggled between the public restrooms and a Thai shop, the entrance is narrow and easy to miss…read more Servers are attentive and friendly. It is dark, romantic, and swanky. Perfect for a date night or girls night out. The food was delicious. Prices are upscale, so we can't make it a regular visit, but great for specialty occasions.

A funky and chill bar with an extensive whiskey collection!…read more Bartender was super chill and you can take your drink anywhere on the premise. A great spot for drinks to accompany your food from the other stores.

Ever find yourself at a fantastic food cart pod and think, "This would be perfect if there was a…read morekiller whisky bar nearby"? Enter Paydirt--your wish granted. This spot boasts an excellent whisky selection and an expansive cocktail menu that keeps things interesting. One of the highlights? The Old Fashioned Roulette, where you let the bartender choose your spirit. It's a little risky, a lot of fun, and always delicious. Whether you're a whisky aficionado or just looking for a creative cocktail experience, Paydirt delivers in spades. Pair it with the food carts outside, and you've got a perfect night out.

This was the favorite hangout of a dear friend of mine for many, many years…read more And I had never been! It just so happened that I went on Fat Tuesday, after a Ghost show...dressed as the lead singer...and without skipping a beat, the bartender looked at us and said "Ahhh, Marti Gras revelers!" I love that they are open till midnight. Portland closes up to early at night, especially for sit-down food. Not here though. I got a bbq plate that was really solid...and for something I was eating past 11pm in Portland, it was incredible!

I had a great time at the Pope House this weekend. To start: it's so rare to find a good weekend…read morehappy hour now, and this one was an excellent deal. They have $8 signature cocktails and one specialty cocktail available for $6 from 4:00-7:00 PM (a longer happy hour than most places too!) We came in about 5:00 PM and were sat immediately. Our server told us we could sit anywhere that was available, so I chose a spot near the window. The bar area is very dim, but with the natural light by the window I was able to read the menu even with my poor vision. The decor is lovely-- there are horseshoes all over the walls and the ambiance is very homey/country without feeling too seedy. I ended up ordering the Suzy Parker and the On Brand. Both were lovely. I was surprised I liked the On Brand so much-- I usually kind of hate bourbon but I wanted to try one of the bourbon cocktails since it's their specialty. It was absolutely wonderful-- sweet and sour with just a little bit of the bourbon flavor to round it out. My partner ordered their cocktail of the day, the name of which I can't remember but it was made with a delectably smoke-flavored liquor. Applause all around, these were so tasty, and so reasonably priced. We ended up getting a dessert as well, and the orange marmalade was definitely a tasty morsel. All of the food looks and smells absolutely amazing so I will return for sure to get an actual meal.

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.

If you're not sure if you're at the right place, you've made it there. It just looks like every…read moreother Portland house from the outside, but on the inside it's super classy speakeasy vibes. Some of the best cocktails I've ever had -and they're pretty generous with their alcohol. Overheard one of the bartenders saying they had been bartending for over 20 years, and it shows. Didn't get the chance to try any of the food. Seating looks pretty limited due to the size of the house, but I heard there's a patio out back. Definitely will be coming back soon.

Bible Club was such a fun and memorable stop during our Portland trip…read more The speakeasy vibe is spot-on -- unassuming exterior, cozy interior, moody lighting, and just the right amount of theatrical flair without feeling cheesy or try-hard. It really does feel like you've discovered something special. The cocktails were excellent. Thoughtfully crafted, well-balanced, and creative without being gimmicky. Everything we ordered tasted intentional and high quality. We also shared a charcuterie board, which was a great call. Perfectly portioned, nicely curated, and a really good pairing with cocktails. What stood out just as much as the drinks was the atmosphere. It felt intimate, warm, and conversation-friendly -- the kind of place you want to linger. It was exactly the vibe we were looking for for a relaxed evening out. If you're into speakeasy-style bars, creative cocktails, and cozy, hidden-gem energy, Bible Club is an absolute must when you're in Portland.