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    Inkwell

    4.1 (20 reviews)
    Closed 6:30 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

    Inkwell Photos

    INKWELL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Good for groups
    Happy hour specials

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    Laura R.

    I LOVE the vibe of The Inkwell at The Press Hotel. Some drinks have been better than others, but generally speaking I've enjoyed my times there. The raw oysters offered recently were delicious! I had a dozen of them and would have had more, if we'd had more time. It's generally a quiet environment that's relaxed and great for chatting! There's always something to watch out the windows, if you're alone or having a pensive moment. Parking isn't always easy, but the hotel does have valet parking (idk if they do it for the Inkwell or not). I'll definitely be back again soon!

    Outside
    Ashley W.

    I recommend this place for everyone visiting Portland. The customer service was absolutely fantastic as well as the food. The $1 oysters were big and juicy and the $10 lobster roll was decent. The dill chips went well with the $6 happy hour rose. The atmosphere was great and there's street parking. Note that the inkwell is at the lobby of the press hotel so the space is small, make sure to call for a reservation before going. The phone number on yelp/google is incorrect, call the press hotel instead. Covid menu: https://qrcgcustomers.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/account8794173/8568667_4.pdf?0.850134125878391

    Happy Hour Oysters!
    Ben G.

    My fiancé and I were staying at the Press Hotel, and when we arrived in our room, we heard there was a happy hour downstairs. We headed into The Inkwell, were seated a safe distance from others and started with a couple of amazing cocktails. They're simple but packed with flavor and all at a great value. The happy hour prices are honestly pretty insane, so we ordered quite a bit. The house made chips are perfect, the aracini was delicious and we event went in on some oysters, which were extremely fresh and came with a great blueberry sauce. Overall, the food was delicious, the drinks were great and the service was fantastic. Everyone was so kind and warm. We were lucky enough to be in when Colleen was there, a food and beverage director. She's a gem and made the experience that much better!

    Lobster rolls, cider
    Yulia A.

    What a fantastic experience it was! I knew about oyster& lobster roll special from 4-7 so I booked a table in advance. The lobster rolls ($5 each) were so great that I got a few. Presentation of oysters was on point, with $1 per each I savored over a dozen. Draft beers& cider were just 3$ each. Food was wonderful, service was extra friendly. Loved it

    Lobster roll
    Katie S.

    Inkwell is such a nice lounge! We got the lobster roll with chips ($12). First time I had a lobster roll, and it was delicious; I am hooked. The bread was nicely buttered and toasted (think grilled cheese) and the lobster pieces were huge. We also got the house wine for $6 and the rotating draft of the day for $3. Overall, it was a very nice happy hour and our waiter was amazing.

    Rachel D.

    I hate giving a place two stars but when I went to The Inkwell to experience the new Press Hotel bar I was, to put it nicely, underwhelmed. When you first walk in there is a very interesting wall design with type-writers hanging all over the place. I've never seen this before so this was intriguing and set my hopes high. Aside from the interesting wall art they even had a trio playing jazz, even better! I head towards the bar in an attempt to find something delicious to sip. They weren't extremely busy (maybe 8 other people there total) and it took a little while for me to be greeted and given a menu. Granted I was standing, but I was planning on taking my drink back to a table top to enjoy the music. They had a diminished cocktail list and nothing stood out to me. Being adventurous I tried a coffee / espresso cocktail. I was shortly after that informed they were missing one of the components (second night open and you're missing a cocktail component?) but he could make it anyway. I should have ordered something else, but went ahead. 25 minutes later, and with help, the cocktail was completed and we were happily on our way out of there. I see they have completely different cocktails listed on their site so I'm assuming they made some cocktail changes since the opening. I'm interested in trying this spot again but there are far too many good cocktail bars in Portland now. To be safe, if I were you, I'd go with wine or beer. Good atmosphere but definitely overpriced, the ambiance does not warrant $12 cocktails.

    Lobster roll and Sauvignon Blanc

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    Ask the Community - Inkwell

    Review Highlights - Inkwell

    Check their website for specials but when we went, HH was between 4-7pm, and offered $5 wines, $2 drafts and $5 lobster rolls.

    $20 Maine Lobster Rolls

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    Room for Improvement

    Room for Improvement

    4.6(57 reviews)
    0.2 miOld Port

    I've only heard good things about room for improvement and I was so glad to finally make it there!…read moreThis low ceiling, cozy bar has moody, lighting, booths, bar seating, and an outdoor standing bar. It's such a vibe for a late night drinking or grabbing a quick bite as they have such good food! They've made using the restroom fun as it's decorated with Polaroids from guests, and another funny item (you'll have to see for yourself) You need to get their espresso martini. The cold foam topping it off is the most delicious thing I've ever had.

    I enjoyed the bar that use to be located here that was called Jager. It was all German themed and I…read moremostly went for the beers. Room for Improvement has been around for quite awhile at this point and I have heard nothing but positive about it. My wife and I finally made the time to come here and glad we did. With it being Halloween they have a special theme this week called Doom for Improvement so we thought it was the perfect time to visit! We showed up at opening for a spot to beat Halloween crowd on wharf street. I was reminded of Jager right away in the sense it felt familiar while also feeling new. They decked it out with Halloween decorations and bartenders were dressed up. We had Bojack Horseman serving us who was a top notch bartender, friendly, answered any questions and had good vibes! My wife tried their Pineapple Daiquiri and their Espresso Martini. I went with the Halloween themed drinks and got the Rest In Peeses that was a peanut butter (Reese's) themed Old Fashioned. Secondly I grabbed their Plenty Evil that was inspired by the Good & Plenty candy Absinthe Frappe. My wife's drinks were phenomenal and would both be go to orders for her and we both found a new favorite Espresso Martini. My first drink nailed the perfect mix of peanut butter flavor with a classic Old Fashioned. Secondly despite not being a huge licorice/good & plenty candy this drink was delicious! I look forward to returning for a non Halloween themed visit but we were both extremely impressed. If you are looking for a bar to grab drinks and want a nice and chill vibe this is your spot. Expect friendly bartenders who make high quality drinks!

    Photos
    Room for Improvement - Inside at the bar

    Inside at the bar

    Room for Improvement - Sauerkraut dog

    Sauerkraut dog

    Room for Improvement - Their espressotini, made with banana and coconut! Vegan

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    Their espressotini, made with banana and coconut! Vegan

    Central Provisions - Popover

    Central Provisions

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    0.2 miOld Port
    $$$

    Dinner at Central Provisions was such a standout experience. The small plates format made it fun to…read moretry a variety of dishes, and everything felt thoughtful and well-executed. The flavors were creative without being overcomplicated, and each dish had something that made it memorable. The atmosphere struck a perfect balance--lively but still intimate enough to enjoy conversation. Service was attentive and knowledgeable, with great recommendations that really elevated the meal. Definitely one of those places you leave already thinking about what you'll order next time.

    We were happy with the service and speed at which the small plates were delivered to us however…read morethere was a small instance where we got a dish we didn't order (not pictured and it was the special). The lemon sole (fish) and octopus carpaccio (not pictured) were filled with flavor! The pork belly was very underwhelming and I would not order again. The waiter said 2-4 plates per person. I recommend starting on the lower end and adding additional dishes based on how you're feeling. The amount of food was very different from dish to dish. For example the tuna dip had way too much bread and the pork belly was very small in size. Overall I was half impressed. I wish the staff would take a moment to announce the plate as it's placed next to you or point it out on the menu for those hard of hearing and wanting to know what they are about to enjoy. However the music, overall restaurant vibe and half the dishes exploding with flavor made my experience pleasant and I will return again knowing a bit more of what to expect and looking at photos of the menu/meal options beforehand.

    Photos
    Central Provisions - Open kitchen

    Open kitchen

    Central Provisions - CP Frites

    CP Frites

    Central Provisions - Cold Fashioned

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    Cold Fashioned

    Lucky Cheetah - Sichuan Cucumbers

    Lucky Cheetah

    4.2(75 reviews)
    0.2 miOld Port

    The Lucky Cheetah is an absolutely amazing place! Think delicious dim sum with a twist combined…read morewith a fun tiki bar vibe combined with a sophisticated retro speakeasy décor and ambiance. What could be better than a dumpling lounge? We just went for the first time and were blown away. The ambiance of the place is unique. It feels like a chic timeless but retro speakeasy with the fun atmosphere of a tiki bar. Dark red and black colors, floral art, Art Deco chandeliers, lacquered tables, kitsch and fun cheetah lamps and statues. It immediately put a smile on our faces. The food is also unique. Dim sum for dinner but with more sophisticated twists and better quality than you'll find in most Chinatowns. You start by getting a dish with three different dipping sauces for the dumplings. The hot and sour soup was rich in peanut flavor, filled with tofu, mushrooms, and seaweed, with a cumulative little kick of spiciness. It was a great start and a major cut above anything we've ever had in a Chinese restaurant. The sichuan cucumber salad are Chinese cucumbers innovatively cut into a spiral like a slinky or coil spring. You pick them up with chopsticks and they spring up and down! Served in a horseradish and pepper coulis, they had a spicy kick. Don't miss the mojo baby corn. It's grilled, crispy, and addictive. You'll want a bucket of it when watching a movie. Steamed soup dumplings are filled with ham or prosciutto, a nicely salty and meaty twist on the standard ones. Steamed mushroom and truffle dumplings are probably the closest to traditional dim sum, rich, flavorful, and packed with shrooms. Crab and lobster lucky bags were deep fried wontons filled with a mix of ground lobster and crab, on a bed of crème fraiche with scallions. A great contrast with the crispy salty shell and soft filling! Our favorite was the sesame beef bao. They look like the traditional sesame balls in Chinese restaurants, crispy on the outside, pillowy soft inside but filled with brisket! They were mouth wateringly delicious! There was a selection of larger entrée plates that looked good (fried rice, lo mein, crispy chicken) that we didn't try but will next time. The drink menu was three pages long. Every kind of creative cocktail you can imagine, a long list of wines and sparking drinks, at prices from reasonable to 'special occasion.' For the atmosphere and ambiance, it seemed like cocktails or sparkling wine went best. All the staff and the manager couldn't have been nicer and more welcoming. They made us feel like old friends. Their warmth was genuine, we were sincerely touched by their friendliness. We were smiling and laughing the whole time, and amazed at how delicious the food was. It's unique. It's so much more than just a delicious meal. Going here is truly an experience, one that we'll remember for a long time and want to repeat often. It's an incredibly special place, and you feel special being here. You won't find a place like this outside of New York City, but here it is in Portland. We're going to go back often and regularly.

    TLDR; Food was good/fine. Service and ambiance were great…read more Interior and service were phenomenal. Our waiter was very helpful and enthusiastic without being overbearing. Interior was clean (including the bathrooms) and had a nice fun quirkiness to it. The food, while good, fell a bit short for me. Money bag: This was great. Both my wife and I loved it. Their take on money bag was different and it worked well. The fact that cream cheese was on the outside left more room inside for the meats, and we could choose how much cream cheese we had. Soup dumpling: Also great. While delicious, nothing was special about the dish. Spicy lobster lo mein: This was a bit of a letdown. Not sure if this is usually how it comes out, but the noodles were chopped to such small lengths that it was easier to eat them with spoon than chopsticks. The sauce, while clean and properly seasoned, tasted a bit too clean, almost to the point of being bland. The lobster didn't really add anything to the noodle/sauce and just felt like it was dropped in there. Overall, we still had a great time, but it was a bummer that the main dish was such a letdown.

    Photos
    Lucky Cheetah - Decor in the back room

    Decor in the back room

    Lucky Cheetah - Sweet & sour cod

    Sweet & sour cod

    Lucky Cheetah - Sweet & sour cod

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    Sweet & sour cod

    Cuties - Bar

    Cuties

    4.5(37 reviews)
    0.2 miOld Port

    Great servers & bartenders . Great place inside for cocktails and light food…read more Lunch here was a shrimp roll and crispy potato's with the best dipping sauce. Do not miss this stop when you are in Portland for Breakfast, lunch or dinner. Or just to stop in for an adult beverage or to say hi to my new friend Mason

    I gave Cuties a chance during its opening weekend and thought it wasn't for me. It was too crowded,…read moreobnoxiously loud, and I just felt like I didn't fit in. Fast-forward to now: I was walking around with a friend and we felt like having a drink, and Cuties was right nearby. I decided to give it another shot, and I'm glad I did because my experience was incredibly better. First of all, the place felt a lot more welcoming and less overwhelming. I finally had a chance to look at all the decor and details, and my eyes were FEASTING on the colorful touches and funky vibes. Our server was very nice, and even though we only ordered one drink and definitely stayed there for a good amount of time, he wasn't pushy in any way. My cocktail, the Wink n Nod, was soooo good. It had vodka, gin, manzanilla, olives, and pickled Fresno brine. The result was a yummy concoction with a punch, one that I could savor and not slurp in ten seconds. That said, I gotta say I was surprised by how busy the place was given how early we went. It wasn't even 4pm. I don't think I would come back in the summer or during peak hours because I could definitely see them getting busy, just like during their opening weekend, and having an entirely different experience. Note: Although I didn't try any, I was happily impressed by the food options and non-alcoholic options. A true all-day bar!

    Photos
    Cuties
    Cuties
    Cuties - Menu

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    Menu

    Inkwell - tapasmallplates - Updated May 2026

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