Old school Portland hidden gem. Rich history behind the walls. Excellent vibe. Delicious small…read morebites reasonably priced. Great service. Easy parking. Huge surprise from the outside impression. Cozy relaxed upscale inside. Could be a definite new favorite to stay onsite if you're in Portland and not have to drive anywhere

There are restaurants with great food, and there are restaurants with great vibes. Wax Social…read moredelivers both at a high level. I've worked through most of the menu, and every single dish lands. I kept expecting at least one to miss, but it never did. I'm not usually a seafood person, but their fish tacos and Ahi Poke nachos completely changed my mind. If seafood always tasted like that, I'd order it every time. The deviled eggs might be my all-time favorite appetizer. The steak bites are perfectly cooked and tender, and the white cheddar onion dip is rich, savory, and hard to stop eating. What really puts it over the top is the experience. The owner is incredibly welcoming, the staff is attentive without hovering, and the whole place has an elevated but relaxed energy. With the live DJ, it feels like the perfect spot for a date night or a fun night out with friends. If you're deciding where to go next, put this at the top of your list. Can't wait to go back!

How romantic this place. If you're looking for dimmed lights and a place you can hear yourself,…read morethis is it. Intimate and secret. If you wanna take your side chick or dude no one will know. The bartenders will keep it hush hush Enter one way get out the other way.

Its been awhile since I came back here, but a friend transfiguration made reservations here so we…read moreall went. The place is still as cozy as I remembered it to be. They do have some unique craft cocktails that I did enjoyed. I had the Found Artifact and Historical Revisionist. Both cocktails are whiskey based, but you really couldn't tell. I did enjoy them both, but if had to choose, I would go with the Found Artifact. It was full of flavor. The sesame oil washed Toki whiskey with the cold brew and soy vanilla foam went well together.

Neighborhood bar with great local vibe. Dark and cozy. Service was good, a little laid back, which…read moreis cool if you're not in a hurry. Had a huge grilled chicken sandwich that was delicious. Dogs are welcome inside!

Today, we did not get to the food. While purusing the menu, we got a view of the cook in the…read morekitchen who was wearing a ripped tank top that did not cover his chest at all. All one could imagine was the chest or armpit hair that could wind up in your food. The initial service was prompt and the server was very pleasant. We left money on the table for the drink we ordered and left.

It's a lounge. It's a bar. It's a game room. It's a restaurant. The Silver Birch wears a lot of…read morehats and I guess, depending on your mood, that's a good thing. I'll speak to the lounge/bar part here, which also has several different sides. First, the bar is your standard, modern-looking L-shaped counter, a bunch of stools, etc. it's not quite divey -- seems like it's aspiring to greater heights, though the dimly-lit tables and booths on the other side of the room would beg to differ. There are other tables out in the open, near the big window, better lit and with more of a restaurant vibe. It's all good; you got a nice happy hour, and above- average food for any bar or pub (hence the Kitchen) in the vicinity. The bartenders have all been spot-on, attentive but not pushy and a joy at happy hour. And yep, the chow I've had here to date has been resoundingly tasty, with the cod fish tacos (three) served up nicely slathered with lines of crema and paired with lots of avocado slices. Nice. Hummus plate was a winner too, the fresh hummus working against a nice, robust mix of fresh veggies. Plenty of food here. This is from the regular menu, which also sports a lot of familiar entries --- burgers, wraps, salads, fish and chips, even vegetarian options. Im down with this side of the Silver Birch; the actual kitchen/restaurant looks like it's on the other side of building (separate), so I can't speak to that but I would like to try it sometime. In any case, I like the joint better now than what it used to be, which was a Chinese restaurant; it's airier and lighter and has a better menu. There's karaoke, and the game room has plenty of entertainment. Also, it's located right on a roundabout, so getting into the small on-site parking lot can be a bit tricky.

Sadly the restaurant is closed at this time, this was a good stop if you're in Beaverton not sure…read moreif they're going to reopen at any point.

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

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

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.

I went to the club for the first time with an existing member and had an amazing experience! The…read moreclub is split between a cave of wine lockers and a tasting room, both of which require exclusive access from members. The wine cave is temperature regulated and spacious. High ceilings and lockers that require tall ladders for access. Each locker has rows that are a depth of three bottles. The tasting room is sophisticated and classy. Upscale decor with plush seating. No windows but there is a fireplace and they offer spirits for those who need a break from wine (is that a thing?). They have a server there five days per week (Tuesday to Saturday). If someone offers to take you to this club, you should enthusiastically agree. One of the most interesting places I have discovered in all of Portland in a very long time.

Sokol Blosser decided to have one of their wine pick-up parties at the Boundary. This was…read moreespecially nice because it saved my friend Jeannie a long drive out to Dayton. Perhaps some folks from wine country may have made to the Portland metro area. They provided a nice charcuterie platter. One of the cheeses was very soft and spreadable and another cheese that had a waxy appearance but was not a hard cheese. The spreadable cheese seemed to be a goat cheese with a very mild flavor, it was slightly earthy and sweet. I know, what a weird combination, but it was super good. Based on the other a cow's milk cheese and had a very mild and forgettable flavor. But it's probably for the best to serve safe flavored cheeses at such parties. The ambiance at the Boundary was really nice for a wine tasting/pickup party. There were overestuffed chairs next to a fire in the fireplace, and plenty of seating around the bar. There was always someone staffing the wine pouring stations. Hopefully other wineries will take note and hold its wine pickup parties close to downtown. The Boundary is the perfect venue. 2022 - Review # 24

Lily has the memory of a steel trap and Hostess skills for days! I'm always glad to see her when I…read morestop in for a good meal and cocktail. She has full situational awareness that she carries with her throughout said days and it shows. She need not be smiling at all time, because her sincerity is her charm. It seems the entire staff trusts her to do right by all persons and they respect her authority (as evident per their efforts). The Kitchen - WOW. Much joy in the back of the house! Beyond the bar is a small and effective protocol for exclusively in-house, fresh prepped treats; always made per order. The (cheese) sauces for chips/macaroni on everything, all the time.

Sadly, something has gone terribly wrong at Happy Hour at what has traditionally been my favorite…read moregastropub in the Westside. For the past few months or possibly more, there is a server/closing-manager (male Caucasian, glasses, ponytail) who only reluctantly provides the HH menu. About two months ago, I asked when HH started, and he said in 7 minutes (i.e., it was 9:53pm). I asked how much I'd save on the beer I was contemplating if I waited for 7 minutes, and he said a dollar or two, so I told him I'd wait until then to place my order. It seemed like a pretty light day, yet he took a full 20+ minutes to come take our order -- it felt like he was punishing me. Last night, it was 10:10pm and I asked if there was a HH menu. He said "not yet." I thought he meant that they hadn't yet been published, but when I went to the bar to say hi to someone I know, I saw a HH menu already on the bar. I'd already ordered off the regular menu, and chose to not change to something on the HH hour just to avoid the conflict. I have no idea what is inspiring this behavior. Perhaps people who order off HH menus don't tip well? In any case, this new HH attitude has definitely dampened my enthusiasm for Fireside. Which is sad since it still has a great tap list and menu.

Super fun escape room with actor elements involved. The puzzles were pretty creative…read more They had quite a few scenarios to choose from. We were in the Frozen Forest scenario with 10 people and was able to escape with 13 minutes left. The material and everything that built out the room were great quality production. I would definitely try this place again.

This experience was absolutely amazing! My group had booked for the Frozen Forest storyline when…read morewe arrived, and I've got to say, you would be so surprised with how much engagement is involved. The service was very nice, allowing for free hints or questions you can ask them on a iPad, so even if you're stuck, you still have chance to get clues. The puzzles, while challenging, are very creative for anyone to enjoy and can be a memorable. The ambience in the room can feel immersive and have the whole group be cautious. Either way, if you pick (or don't pick) the Frozen Forest room, each one will bring a complicated, amazing time for your team!

We hosted our teachers' graduation after-party at Hide Awhile Bar, and it was the perfect spot to…read morecelebrate. The atmosphere was amazing, and the fire pit made the evening feel truly magical. The staff took such great care of us and made everyone feel welcome. Great drinks, great vibes, and outstanding service. Easily the bar of the summer--I highly recommend checking it out!

What's with the major attitude? Our server was So rude for no reason. Lots of other places in the…read morearea to choose from. Pass!