*editing as I didn't realize the bar and the food vendor was separate* Reeeeeally was looking forward to checking this place out. The drinks were amazing and the bar was able to make the drink I wanted, Rizz Fizz, as a mocktail which tasted excellent. Service here was top notch. Everyone treated us with kindness and we came in before the restaurant had their full menu but they were still able to accommodate us early. Despite that, the food was not a highlight of the night (review left on Hapa Barkadas Yelp page). Definitely would love to come back for another drink and to enjoy the ambiance. read more

Oh baby, you guys this place was delicious. We went on a Thursday night for trivia night (which was quite fun). I ordered volcano broccoli (soo good), bao bun bbq pork taco (amazing, always on the look out for good bao buns in the Portland area), Hawaiian fried chicken plate (chipotle aioli sauce ), and these sushi rice paper things I can't find the name on the menu but pic below were sooo good also. The only thing I didn't love was my drink. I ordered the hibiscus Paloma, & tbh didn't taste much like a Paloma and wouldn't get it again. The poke salad was also subpar and knowing how good the other things on the menu are wouldn't get that again either. read more

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Very cool bar. Not exactly the music I tend to prefer, but if you are into hip hop, they have like DJs some nights. I was delayed flying in, so I decided to man up and still head out for a late night cocktail and a bite. Now, the bar does not serve food, but there is a companion kitchen upstairs that will take an on line order and deliver to the bar. They have an interesting array of cocktails and my Mezcal take on a Manhattan was tasty and I loved the smoke filled bubble for some extra smoke on the nose. Funky and fun. read more

I've come here a couple times with friends now and had a pretty good experience each time. The inside has cool purple lights, the music is always good, and the overall ambience is just great for a fun night out. Here, if you want food you order by scanning a code at the table. However, after trying some of the different items, I feel like it's a bit overpriced for what it is. It isn't bad, but I didn't think it was worth the money. But! I do think that they have some fun drinks and cocktails here. And, the bartenders are always nice. I've never had a bad time here. read more

Below by Botanist - Musubi, Poke nacho bites, Pork Belly bites - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Came here thinking I was going to get some food but they still had like an hr before they could serve food. But still stayed to experience the atmosphere of this place and it didn't disappoint. Staff was attentive and nice. The place was very dark with color lights which I loved. Came for food but stayed for the drinks. I would definitely come back. read more

Below by Botanist - Drinks menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Very cute bar in portland! Friends and I came here late on a thursday night, it wasn't busy but it was a cute little bar! You order drinks and the bar and scan the QR code at the table of your choice. We each ordered a drink: hapa barkada, hibiscus paloma, nossa polar express martini - all of which were a little bit on the juicier side, no strong alcohol taste. We also got a few dishes to share: crab rangoon egg rolls, mochiko popcorn chicken, and poke nachos. The popcorn chicken was definitely our favorite and would have paired really well with a side of rice. I'd skip on the crab rangoons next time as there was little crab - more so cream cheese. The poke nachos were yummy - but the chips were thin/overcooked and would break easily. Food was definitely a little on the saltier side, but great when paired with drinks and a light night outing. Overall a great spot and I'd definitely come again! Also, they had a GREAT dj playing, so props to him! read more

Below by Botanist - left to right: hapa barkada, hibiscus paloma, nossa polar express martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Good experience with Hapa Barkada, but the bar experience left a lot to be desired. A group of us came here for trivia; we occupied a couple of tables and had to split up into two groups, which was fine. Unfortunately, due to the configuration of the space, some of us were sat in a narrow corner which made getting drinks incredibly awkward considering there's no table service. We kept having to climb over one another and making people get up so we could go to the bar. Not ideal. The ambiance was great, and the decor is fun and lively. A youthful kind of place to hang out with friends. I ordered a couple of cocktails - the AF1 and then the Imaginary Smoke. They were both good, but very small. Each came in a small coupe glass, and the glass was about 3/5ths full... for a spirit-forward cocktail boasting multiple ingredients, I would expect it to at least fill a small coupe glass. So each drink amounted to 4-5 sips. Not worth it for the $15 price tag. The food was great, and the ability to order from the table was much appreciated - we really wished that we could also order from the bar via a QR code but alas, that was not an option. My friend and I split the mochiko chicken bites and the broccoli, and they were both tasty. The broccoli was perfectly roasted and the chicken was crispy, yet juicy. Unfortunately, the little cup of Mac salad we got was completely bland. Skip it. The kicker was being charged $3 for a soda water. My friend wasn't drinking, and ordered a couple of soda waters from the bar to go with our food. I was shocked to see a $6 charge on my tab for two soda waters. It's an unspoken rule at most bars that fountain drinks are free for designated drivers and folks who are otherwise abstaining, and to be charged that much for literally just fizzy water from the gun (without any syrup even) is ridiculous. Plenty of us in our party were drinking, and we also ordered food, so it's not like we were taking up tables and not spending money. $3 for soda water! I'm shook. Trivia was fun, but I would find another bar next time. Skimpy cocktails and expensive fountain drinks don't make me want to return. read more

Drinks are pretty good. Unique flavors. I love the pandan in the hapa barkada but would love it with a dark rum. It's a bit awkward as it is pick your seats when they become available. Not organized. The drinks are good but not so amazing that it is worth it to have to fight for a place to sit. Once we found a spot they didn't clean the table. Didn't want to eat because of that. The music is a bit too slow for me. I came to this place because I heard they have live music but was not the case. read more

Wowzer what an amazing hidden gem!!! A little hard to find but if you're lucky and you can find.....Fun fun fun!! Amazing vibes, great staff and a total vibe with DJ great music, great energy!!! Don't sleep on the food!! Hawaiian fusion!! Keep in mind small space so it can get super tight and over crowded but still a vibe!! read more

Below by Botanist - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I had this place bookmarked SO fast when I saw it pop up, it was ridiculous. I had loved Botanist before it closed and was so excited to see this iteration of it. It may have also helped that the food by Hapa Barkada made me want to run in asap. I went with a couple friends on a Friday night but QUITE EARLY aka 4:45 pm to avoid the crowd and it worked for sure. Later on in the night there was a definite wait/line for tables so we definitely swooped in at a good time. We all grabbed some food which you QR code order from the table and of course had to try the drinks -- you do order drinks at the bar. Food wise I had the tofu because hello vegetarian Shmi. The tofu itself was crunchy and delicious and the accompanying salad was tasty! The standout for us were the fries though and I will admit I am completely obsessed with fries and will attest to how good these were. The drinks were all good and we tried a variety between the three of us. Downsides -- bar can get crowded at times and backed up but that's to be expected especially on the weekends. The food took...quite a bit of time to come out and we had the wrong things sent to our table a couple times. Nothing appalling or bad but just a couple hiccups. The interior is super cute and a biiit smaller than you'd except so get there early for a table like I mentioned. Prices are definitely fair for the quality of the food, drinks, and vibe. read more

Ambiance: 5/5 This underground bar and restaurant has such cool vibes! The dark lighting creates a cozy atmosphere, and the dining area is spacious. I think they also host trivia nights since I noticed a projector and stand--seems like a fun spot to hang out. Service: 5/5 Great service with friendly staff. They have self-serve water and ordering through the QR code was super convenient. Food: Their menu rotates often, which is fun to try new things! Lumpia: 4.5/5 Crispy, hot, and with a satisfying crunch. I wasn't a huge fan of the vinegar sauce, but the lumpia itself was great. Chee Hoo Churro with Ube Sauce: 5/5 My favorite item! The churro was soft and perfectly cooked, and the ube sauce was so creamy and delicious--I wanted to savor every bite. Poke Bowl: 3/5 A generous portion, but it had too much sauce and cabbage for my liking. Loco Moco Plate: 3/5 Another big portion, but it was on the salty side, and the excessive sauce made it hard to finish. Rizz Fizz (Drink): 4/5 Good, but not particularly memorable--it mostly tasted like lavender. Pretty drink though Overall, this spot has great vibes and solid service. While some of the food was a hit (like the churro), a few dishes were a bit heavy on the sauce. read more

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Cute little tiki bar that is down some stairs. Very small and has some cute drinks. I had the signature hapa barkada drink which was sweet but not too sweet. It is not too strong. I did not taste the pandan. The DJ is pretty cool to have in the other room and if it were a tiny bit bigger people would be dancing in there. It's super fun for a casual vibe. read more

Order: Imaginary Smoke, Sip'n on Gin & Vermouth, Rizz Fizz Pork Spring Rolls Won ton chi Pros: off rip, the people/ the bartender was fun, inviting, and accommodating. She made recommendations on the drinks she likes and didn't like. The place is small but unique. The music was a vibe and the location was perfect. Bartender def. Took care of us even when I didn't like a drink. Cons: the imaginary smoke was not my favorite at all. The spirit used is so overpowering it made it unenjoyable. Also, the smoke gun was cool but it didnt really add any value to the drink. Overall, the drinks were just okay nothing super memorable. Their drink menu is really really limited so I hope they expand and provide more options. Also, the dj wasnt present even though they said one would be there. Seating is very very very limited. read more

Below by Botanist - Sip'n on Gin & Vermouth, - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Below by Botanist is a fresh take on the original Botanist that occupied the space previously. And what a cool refresh. The space is cozy and welcoming with a laid back speakeasy vibe. There are several little nooks to check out and a plant-inspired motif that pays homage to the original namesake. The bar area is small with a few seats - so you can belly up and watch the bartenders work their magic. The eating area is in this cool sunken space where you can enjoy the Hawaiian/Filipino fusion bites being cranked out by Hapa Barkada. There are some amazing eats coming out of that little kitchen! On the cocktail front, they keep things seasonal and inventive so there's always something new to imbibe. There wasn't music when I was there, but there's an elevated space for a DJ to push out the tunes. Up top there's a patio that I'm sure will go off in the warmer months. Below by Botanist has gone above and beyond on all fronts. read more

Ordered the Portuguese sausage from the kitchen and it was very good. Next time I'll be in there for the drinks. The environment is cool a dark and feels damp cause of all the flowers but I like the way it's all set up. Everyone was friendly and bussed the dishes real quick. read more

What a great bar! First... we don't have basements where I come from so anytime I can go to a basement business when I'm traveling I get silly excited. Second the drinks are top notch! I sought this bar out because I really wanted to try Hapa Barkada's food (see my separate review) and yes their food is delicious. But the bartenders were great and the drinks were tasty and not insanely priced for the skill and ingredients. While the space is a basement, the bar area feels lighter and airier than expected. And while there are stairs to get down into the space, there is also an elevator if that is needed. Parking is on the street. read more

After descending a flight of stairs into a dark subterranean establishment illuminated with the occasional colorful light, you find yourself in front of the bartenders of Below by Botanist. The decor is unique and interesting. This establishment is most definitely not ADA accessible. At first it was difficult for me to determine where the seating was in the dark and with the layout of the restaurant being what it was. There is bartop seating, a large booth, and many smaller tables that surround what could easily serve as a dance floor in an adjacent room which has several TVs and what looked like a DJ booth. The staff were friendly and helpful when explaining the nature of their businesses relationship with Hapa Barkada, the business that runs food service, and how ordering worked. The drink I got, while very pretty, left a lot to be desired. The flavor was a lot simpler than the menu led me to believe it was going to be. I got the Rizz Fizz, which purports to be "lavender-infused vodka, fresh lemon juice, blackberry syrup, club soda, vanilla aquafaba". I definitely tasted the lemon, but not much else. I did appreciate the use of the aquafaba, though; it was very creative and the vanilla flavor was subtle. I did not think that the price reflected the quality, even if it did look very fancy. Overall, I found the service to be decent, the ambiance to be fun, but the cocktail left much to be desired. read more

Below by Botanist - Rizz Fizz with aquafaba and botanicals - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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We went there for Sunday brunch- as they advertised they are open for brunch on Saturday and Sundays. We were with our 4 year old sister and they said we can't dine since its a Bar THEN SAY IT with your promotional and advertising pieces! that's misleading!! read more

Awesome, cool looking drink! Great atmosphere! The Imaginary Smoke drink made by Ant was great tasting and nice presentation. Highly recommended! read more

Below by Botanist - Imaginary Smoke Drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

If you want the GOOD filling food get here early, they run out quickly. They keep a good dj, staff is fun and professional. It's a super cute place to start or end your night read more

You can order at the bar or from your phone. The presentation of the poke dishes were picture perfect and vibrant almost too good to start eating! Poke was fresh and the flavors were good. The poke bombz are massive and you can't comfortably have it in one bite. When you take a bite, it falls apart. The poke nachos have a lot of toppings, making it hard to get a clean bite. It was a lot more messy than I expected. Definitely skip the poke dishes for a first date. The based brisket sandwich was good, the bun was great. For the price there should have been more protein. Lumpia was good. The prices were reasonable and I would go back or order to-go. read more

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On the First Thursday in Pearl , this place also comes alive with the rest of the street because of the close proximity and also because they are a respite from the intensely hot afternoon sun .We used to frequent Botanist pre-covid and I feel they haven't deterred much from the previous setup or vibe . We stopped by for a few drinks and had a nice time overall. You need to order at the bar and grab a seat after that. Just like the previous version of this place , they have some great food options and drinks with fresh ingredients . Even though we didn't partake, the patio party seemed a lot of fun . read more

Let me gauge the room.... Food 10 Service 10 Ambiance 10 Looks like that is a resounding yes!!! LFG!! read more

Below by Botanist - Blackberry cucumber sour - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

V I B ES so good. Music is always dope, cocktails amazing. The bartenders and servers and management are all the best people. I come back for the people: I stay for the music and drinks. And I don't leave cause I don't wanna! read more

OMG. So happy to have found this place!! Great spot with a cool speakeasy vibe and a fun, laid-back atmosphere. The Hawaiian fusion food is really good, and the drinks are just as solid. There's also always something fun happening, like live music or trivia nights, which keeps things interesting. The people here are friendly, and it's a great place to hang out. Can't wait to come back when the patio opens! read more

Had the 14 hour slow cook kaluha pork and it was fantastic. My fiancée who isn't even a fan usually likes it too. Ambiance was awesome, it was a little tight because of some office party that day but otherwise it's a cute space. read more

Carmen is a the cutest bartender with the best suggestions for cocktails! I ordered the chef special which had some rare pandan syrup in it - the drink felt very tropical and made me forget all about the Portland gloom! The vibe and atmosphere is fun, the music is great. We will be back! read more

Unfortunately I went for the first time on a trivia nite and we couldn't find a seat. The bartender / host was so gracious and tried to take care of us. The food was just okay (the small bites menu), and the vibe was not what I was expecting. It felt more like a sports bar ambiance (loud music) than the more elegant and classy feel I was getting from the photos and from how cool the entrance is. I'm sure this place is wonderful for lots of people, but it didn't live up to the hype for me. read more

Remy and Carmen created one of the best Paloma's and old fashioned I've ever had. 10/10 ambience and service read more

Below by Botanist - Old fashioned Paloma - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Tucked away is a swanky lounge and sexy bar with amazing food. I'm a tequila girl so I ordered the hibiscus Paloma and it was delicious. I also ordered so spam masubi and it was bomb. The service was great even though they were packed. The staff is always so kind and approachable. Remy is one of my favorite bartenders. It's also wheelchair accessible which is great. Before you leave snag a photo in the Photo Booth! read more

Came to below this is my second time, it was such a unique and cool entrance and the bar was chill not packed when we came got seating! And Ant and Amanda our bartenders were absolutely amazing and friendly made you feel welcomed as soon as you entered the bar. Definitely coming back again read more

Hi i'm just wondering if your hours are correct? here on a sunday and the bar is padlocked shut but says it should be open? Also called and no response...will come by again but sorry we couldn't make it in this time. read more

Amanda, our amazing 27 year old bartenderess was the bomb! She can create anything we threw at her, and was super attentive. The ambiance s perfect, food an incredible blend of Hawaiian and Pilipino fusion. The Kahlua nachos were fantastic, as were the noodles, broccoli and machika popcorn chicken. You gotta try this place! And it was my birthday, so was an awesome place to choose. read more

Below by botanist is a cozy little cocktail bar below the steps across the street the downtown Safeway on live joy. The drinks are amazing and but prict but worth it and the bartenders are amazing and extremely friendly. They also have amazing food from the Hawaiian Filipino fusion restaurant hapa barkada which is easily the best in the city. I've been like 4 times now and most definitely going back. read more

Below by Botanist - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Vibes and music were on point. Drinks were good too! Didn't grab any food but would love to next time.

To start off, all the staff were absolutely amazing. There was one bar tender working when I went in and they seemed very swamped so it took a while to get drinks ordered and made. But they were all delicious. The place is very clean and the music was great. Our problem came with the food. We ordered as soon as we got in and watched several tables get food before us, including a table next to us that ordered long after we had arrived. You scan the QR code on the tables to order. Come to find out, apparently the or code we had was for a different table and they had sent our food to the wrong table. A little frusterating but it happens. When we did get the food, it was okay. We ordered the steak bites, the kalua sandwich, and the yakisoba. The steak bites were the best but had large pieces that were completely just fat. The yakisoba was definitely our next favorite but was really sweet. The kalua sandwich was not something either of us enjoyed. read more

Below by Botanist had shown up on my ig feed, so me and my friends decided to try it. The place is a little small and it is seat yourself. I can see this place getting crowded pretty quick. The guy at the door recommended the lumpia. Hapa Barkada runs the kitchen for this bar. I was a little disappointed in the food. They were priced pretty reasonably, but were a little lacking in flavor from what I expected. The musubi ratio was a lot more rice than meat. The lumpia was nice and crispy but mine kind of lacked some filling. The drinks were really good. I got the Rizz Fizz. They don't really have much options for beer. I saw that the beers were mainly cans. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Would definitely come for the drinks. This would be a good date spot. read more

The drinks at this place are fantastic and a great price too! I think my favorite part though was the bartenders and the ambiance of the bar. The bartender was a great conversationalist and answered all our questions. The bar is located down stairs and my favorite part was it didn't smell like an underground bar. read more

Below by Botanist - Rizz Fizz (Left) Imaginary Smoke (Right) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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First time here, drinks were good & Jasmine was amazing! We tried the food too & didn't disappoint . We'll definitely be back (:

Not our favorite. Very loud obnoxious music, people bumping into us and completely in our space.