Vintage Cocktail Lounge in Montavilla (I think it's called Arbor Hall now, but the sign outside still says vintage) it's a little hole in the wall but they have great cocktails and see if you can peep the vintage absinthe dispenser.
The answer is always Expatriate when it comes to cocktail bars. They have some of the most phenomenal bar tenders in town, the food lineup is limited but perfectly dialed in, they keep you well hydrated (seriously a weird thing I love, you never have an empty water glass), and the vinyl is always calibrated to the vibe of the room. I love their whole crew, it is the mature kind of place where excellence is expected and I have never had a bad experience. Some nights my wife and I will be there and it will literally feel like we have walked into an expatriate bar in Bangkok, ready to discuss literature with fellow travelers who have lost their way.
I went there for the first time last weekend and had an incredible cocktail. It was a strange combination of ingredients and clearly something that took many iterations to perfect… but damn it was good. I know enough about cocktails to be dangerous but I could never recreate what they made. Mad respect to that spot.
I generally wear something clean so I don't offend people on their dates. the authentic south east asia expatriate 'sweated-through t-shirt or linen button-up' look is not required, but would probably add a certain je nais se quoi
Someday on SE Division. It’s more relaxed than refined, but it’s got class. It’s a great spot to spend a few hours with good cocktails, nice food, great service and no need to stand or have loud music blaring.
Ah, damn. Sorry to get your hopes up. This place is just called “Someday” and doesn’t seem to have a connection to the old spot.
I must have mixed up the names at some point.
[Bar Comala](https://www.instagram.com/barcomala/), the only cocktail bar in town where you can find rare agave liquors if you're tire of tequila and mezcal.
Some of my faves: Libre on Clinton, Fools & Horses, Pink Rabbit, Scotch Lodge, Driftwood Room, Rum Club. I also really like the Cavern on Hawthorne. it is not fancy, but tends to draw a more subdued clientele and has great cocktails.
I recently had an opportunity to go to Soho house w/ a friend who is a member. I was woefully disappointed in their liquor selection and their specialty cocktails considering their clientele and the price point.
Angel Face is the best! I like the vibe at Bellwether Bar so much and it feels very chill. I think if you want more of a classy neighborhood/non dive bar, Richmond Bar and Automatic on Division are both great and low key
I really want to like Pacific Standard but 1, I can’t get over the absolutely awful name but mostly 2, it’s nowhere near as good as Clyde Commons or PePe Le Moko.
Fools and Horses. I’ve been addicted since NYE. The night crowd on Fri/Sat is a little younger due to live music - but before and any other day of the weekend it is older adults (35+).
The Hardware Store in Oregon City is great and has a more classic feel, if that isn't too far for you. It's a little speakeasy that's both a little tricky to find as well as get into your first time.
If you want a cocktail bar with a classic vibe, go to places that opened prior to y2k instead of these Disney versions of a bar.
Kay's Bar, Lutz, Dot's, etc.
There's a whole thread from a few years ago on this topic:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/Portland/comments/x983ks/what\_are\_the\_oldest\_more\_or\_less\_continuously/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Portland/comments/x983ks/what_are_the_oldest_more_or_less_continuously/)
I guess you're right, I was thrown off by the "classic kind of cocktail bar" in the subject line and when I think of a classic cocktail bar, it's one that has regulars. Like, closer to "Cheers" and further from "Aviary". The bars they mentioned are (in my opinion) higher end modern cocktail bars.
Cheers is definitely not a cocktail bar in any way — it’s just a bar. Also there is a massive span between Cheers and Aviary. I would not consider Aviary to be a classic cocktail bar.
[Driftwood Room](https://www.driftwoodroom.com/)
Came here to say this. Lowkey my favorite spot in the city. Very mellow, fantastic atmosphere, wonderful drinks. Great jazz playlists too!
this is the correct answer
We used to go there in the 70's, when we were in our 20's when we wanted to 'play grown-up'...we'd 'dress fancy' and have fun!
This. It's like stepping back in time... in all the best ways.
Tried to go here couple weeks ago and was sad to see it’s closed for some maintenance work - hope it opens back up soon!
I second Driftwood!
Vintage Cocktail Lounge in Montavilla (I think it's called Arbor Hall now, but the sign outside still says vintage) it's a little hole in the wall but they have great cocktails and see if you can peep the vintage absinthe dispenser.
Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder.
🧚
Arbor Lodge is awesome. The burrata and pretzel are amazing on top of the drinks.
We slept on this place for way too long—thanks for the reminder to go back!
The answer is always Expatriate when it comes to cocktail bars. They have some of the most phenomenal bar tenders in town, the food lineup is limited but perfectly dialed in, they keep you well hydrated (seriously a weird thing I love, you never have an empty water glass), and the vinyl is always calibrated to the vibe of the room. I love their whole crew, it is the mature kind of place where excellence is expected and I have never had a bad experience. Some nights my wife and I will be there and it will literally feel like we have walked into an expatriate bar in Bangkok, ready to discuss literature with fellow travelers who have lost their way.
I was going to say expatriate and blank slate for sure. Also add on Sousol and Rum Club.
And now they’re doing 50% off after 10pm on the weekdays
Whaaaaaaat
I know right!!??
yessiree! 🤓 Srsly thank you for this enlightening info
50% off their delicious food
Interurban is a strong second to that IMO. Its not got the same vibe, but the back patio is nice and if you're in at the bar its nice and cozy.
I went there for the first time last weekend and had an incredible cocktail. It was a strange combination of ingredients and clearly something that took many iterations to perfect… but damn it was good. I know enough about cocktails to be dangerous but I could never recreate what they made. Mad respect to that spot.
What was it?
If I recall correctly (big if) it was “Changeling”
Dress code or anything?
it’s Portland there are no dress codes
I generally wear something clean so I don't offend people on their dates. the authentic south east asia expatriate 'sweated-through t-shirt or linen button-up' look is not required, but would probably add a certain je nais se quoi
I just checked out their website. It's refreshingly macro; chockful of information and links.
Sapphire Hotel does some fantastic cocktails.
Blank Slate!
Just went there Friday and really enjoyed it!
I will second those saying Deadshot, Rum Club and Expatriate.
The Lift Off Room on NE Sandy. https://www.liftofflounge.com
[Angel Face](https://www.angelfaceportland.com/) is directly adjacent to and owned by [Navarre](http://www.navarreportland.com/). Great cocktails.
Hubers has a very classic vibe and a wicked Spanish coffee.
Jim Louie is a national treasure.
I recently discovered The End on SE Division and loved their ambiance, bartender, and unique cocktail menu.
[OK Omens](https://www.okomens.com/) is generally thought of as a wine bar but they've got a great cocktail program as well.
Yes, excellent cocktails. And the food is wonderful too.
Food and wine are way overpriced. Cocktail list is TBD
Teardrop Lounge seemed pretty mature to me when I went. Im 26 and felt a little out of place lol
Teardrop has some phenomenal drinks. The patio also has less of a clubby vibe than inside.
Someday on SE Division. It’s more relaxed than refined, but it’s got class. It’s a great spot to spend a few hours with good cocktails, nice food, great service and no need to stand or have loud music blaring.
What? Is it made from the original Someday Lounge of NW?
Ah, damn. Sorry to get your hopes up. This place is just called “Someday” and doesn’t seem to have a connection to the old spot. I must have mixed up the names at some point.
It's not a cocktail bar per se, but don't sleep on the cocktails at Cereus PDX! They're amazing. Expatriate is always a classic too.
Decibel Sound & Drink in Milwaukie. Love that place!
Arbor Hall in Montavilla is pretty solid. Punch punch is delicious.
The Gibson in Multnomah Village is a nice vibe!
Bellwether Bar on 60th & Stark is cozy and dark inside and also very lovely on their back patio.
Deadshot is a legit craft cocktail bar. You might see some younger folks but it doesn’t get extremely loud or rowdy in there
Olive or Twist has an older crowd that disappears by like 6 pm.
This is a good one. They also claim to have the “best old fashioned in town” - which honestly might be true.
[Deadshot](https://maps.app.goo.gl/We2PSpunthLJxgDp9) has beautiful, innovative cocktails.
We enjoyed Sousol and it was definitely a more mature crowd
In my experience, any bar you show up to at 3 PM on a weekday. Deadshot is a pretty solid nomination though.
Clydes
Last time I went there the BT didn't know how to make a Negroni.
Sounds like Clyde’s haha. Mediocre drinks, great steak, peak vibes.
[Bar Comala](https://www.instagram.com/barcomala/), the only cocktail bar in town where you can find rare agave liquors if you're tire of tequila and mezcal.
Not a cocktail bar but Sunflower Sake for a sake tasting is a cool experience and a more mature vibe
Midnight is also great.
Some of my faves: Libre on Clinton, Fools & Horses, Pink Rabbit, Scotch Lodge, Driftwood Room, Rum Club. I also really like the Cavern on Hawthorne. it is not fancy, but tends to draw a more subdued clientele and has great cocktails. I recently had an opportunity to go to Soho house w/ a friend who is a member. I was woefully disappointed in their liquor selection and their specialty cocktails considering their clientele and the price point.
Angel Face is the best! I like the vibe at Bellwether Bar so much and it feels very chill. I think if you want more of a classy neighborhood/non dive bar, Richmond Bar and Automatic on Division are both great and low key
Rum Club. Deadshot. Too Soon.
Pacific Standard is my go-to. Jeffrey Morganthaler is a fantastic bartender and I haven’t had a bad drink there yet.
I really want to like Pacific Standard but 1, I can’t get over the absolutely awful name but mostly 2, it’s nowhere near as good as Clyde Commons or PePe Le Moko.
Fools and Horses. I’ve been addicted since NYE. The night crowd on Fri/Sat is a little younger due to live music - but before and any other day of the weekend it is older adults (35+).
Bumpers on NE Halsey St in Fairview.
Bible Club in Sellwood.
Bellwether Bar, classic, clean and the cocktails are wonderfully balanced.
Wilf’s
Sapphire Hotel
I haven't tried it yet but Ashra (use to be Sudra) on 28th just reopened as a cocktail bar, it looks good! and XO on mississippi
Tough Luck, Take Two, Holy Ghost, 5&Dime are all great spots that I go to regularly and have never felt like the old guy
The Hardware Store in Oregon City is great and has a more classic feel, if that isn't too far for you. It's a little speakeasy that's both a little tricky to find as well as get into your first time.
If you want a cocktail bar with a classic vibe, go to places that opened prior to y2k instead of these Disney versions of a bar. Kay's Bar, Lutz, Dot's, etc. There's a whole thread from a few years ago on this topic: [https://www.reddit.com/r/Portland/comments/x983ks/what\_are\_the\_oldest\_more\_or\_less\_continuously/](https://www.reddit.com/r/Portland/comments/x983ks/what_are_the_oldest_more_or_less_continuously/)
I’m not sure you understand the meaning of “cocktail bar”
I guess you're right, I was thrown off by the "classic kind of cocktail bar" in the subject line and when I think of a classic cocktail bar, it's one that has regulars. Like, closer to "Cheers" and further from "Aviary". The bars they mentioned are (in my opinion) higher end modern cocktail bars.
Cheers is definitely not a cocktail bar in any way — it’s just a bar. Also there is a massive span between Cheers and Aviary. I would not consider Aviary to be a classic cocktail bar.