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.

I wanted to celebrate something special, so I was looking for a nice bar when someone recommended…read morethis place. From the outside, it looks pretty unassuming, so I wasn't expecting much. But as soon as I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised. The interior is beautiful, with a stylish central bar that immediately catches your eye. Although they do serve food, I wasn't very hungry, so I decided to just enjoy a couple of drinks. There are a few dining tables inside if you're planning to have a meal as well.The bartender was incredibly friendly and took the time to chat with me after I asked for a few recommendations. The drinks were excellent, well-balanced, flavorful, and actually tasted like proper cocktails instead of just juice. They definitely didn't skimp on the alcohol either! I'm really glad I chose this place to celebrate. It ended up being the perfect spot for the occasion.

Great place! Amazing ambiance…read more. I'm a regular customer here the staff is extremely friendly and fun. There was a deranged couple that came in on 7/23/26. They were really aggressive about using the bathroom the staff was really professional and tried to de-escalate! This is great spot for friends family and the snacks and drinks are amazing.

Really cute spot to grab a drink and a small bite. Vibey music, cute girly aesthetics…read more I had the strawberry cooler cocktail which was yummy, tho a little on the sweet side and it might as well have been a mocktail bc there was very little booze in it. Not even a whisper of a buzz and I drank it on an empty stomach. Whether that's a good thing or bad is in the eye of the beholder (belly of the drinker?). I wanted to try their dessert but it was sold out so I got their bread and butter which was steaming hot but it was really soft and spongey like it was microwaved. I wanted more of a crisp on the crust and it tasted a bit burned or like it was wheat bread. The butter and jam it's served with were yummy tho. Service was slow. There's only 1 bartender who can't really keep up if there's a crowd. We sat with empty drinks for quite a while and waited for the bill even longer. Good spot to go if you're not in a hurry and not trying to get drunk and not hungry.

Hale Pele is one of most well-known institution amongst Tiki lovers! One of our friends who owns…read morelike a thousand tiki glasses recommended this place to us, so we had to go! The ambiance is very tropical and fun, and love that they have such a spacious bathroom! They have an extensive drinks menu, like several pages long! With so many guava, pineapple and coconut-based options, it was honestly confusing on what to get but we decided on the classics: the Lei Lani Volcano and Lava Flow. The drinks were so creamy and delicious yet dangerously strong! Also, can we talk about the portion sizes? My drink was literally the size of my face, like what?!! It is best to come here in large groups because their shared drinks/scorpion bowls are a total showstopper! It is in a very upscale neighborhood of Portland called Grant Park, so it was fun to walk around and see all the cool houses - there was one imitating a thatched roof and what not. Worth checking out the neighborhood before or after visiting Hale Pele.

Where to even begin with Hale Pele.... This was my first ever visit and I went out of my way to get…read moreto it.... Planned out a long layover and I'm glad I did, this was one of the best tiki bars I have ever been to. Not only were the cocktails top tier, but the food was wildly delicious, shocking... I can not wait to make some time to drive up and visit again with my wife.

Speakeasy vibes, not a Speakeasy place. If I lived in…read morePortland I would want to shoot a vintage photoshoot here. It's just gorgeous with so many things that make my adhd brain happy. The cocktails were top tier, the host/bartender was friendly and talkative. What more could you ask for?

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.

Our first time here. Stopped in for pre-drinks before going out for the night. Drinks were yummy…read more Our server was great! The ambiance is chill, very modern 70s retro kinda vibe. I'll be back to try their food.

Came here for drinks…read more Pros Great selection of drinks and almost all of them can be made spirit free A decent selection of alcohol free drinks Enjoyed our drinks Good service Cons: Guacamole with peanuts, blue corn chips and plantain chips fell flat. The guac itself just didn't taste good to me. I'm an adventurous eater and like new things, but the peanuts on top of the guac didn't do anything for me. The Corn chips were crispy when bitten into, but very hard and chewy afterwards. I wouldn't seek coming really like to come back and try other food.

Such a great find! Admittedly I could never see myself having a cocktail out of a can. I thought it…read morewas a joke. No joke: fun cocktails and tasting comes with pairing (read: snacks!) There are a few tables, a bench here and there and the bar. Not sure if there's more seating, but you can also order additional snacks and a full cocktail after the tasting! I'm a fan of the espresso martini, but honestly they were all good. Servers were really nice and chill. Didn't feel pressure to buy anything (but did anyway)!

Loved our tasting experience here. They had a wonderful flight option with some nice pairings. I…read morehighly recommend getting a tasting flight here. Service was fine, no complaints. We sat outside with street views. Very chill.

BEST drinks, BEST service, no notes. Always greeted warmly, and enthusiastically (I've gone many…read moretimes now), plus the drinks come in cool ceramics (some!). Oh, and the vodka soda is quite literally the best, EVER, trust me, get it. Low key vibe there, which is great for having conversations!

The colorful lighting here truly feel like a little dopamine boost. So fun, lively, and a great…read moreplace to end your night. The night we came in, it was super packed - limited seats already, but we were able to find a table in 15 mins. The food is fine, we got the crudo - but with so many amazing restaurants nearby, I'd eat somewhere else first and then swing by here for their cocktails! Which comes in just the cutest mugs! Great for a photo op.

Today I was really craving oysters, so I looked up what was around me and this cute little spot…read morepopped up. The ambiance was adorable, with such a nice patio out back--perfect for a warm day! Unfortunately, oysters are only available on Sundays, but we decided to grab a couple of other little snacks instead. We got the steak tartare, and I have to say, it was honestly some of the best I've had in a long time. It had the perfect smoky touch and absolutely hit the spot. We also tried the sardine plate, which was such a fun little snack. The tzatziki sauce surprisingly paired so well with the Spanish sardines and really pulled everything together. Spanish sardines with a Middle Eastern-inspired sauce? Pretty clever! Our server was also lovely and came out to check on us throughout our visit, which made the experience even better. For just a little drop-in snack, the whole experience was surprisingly memorable and definitely left us wanting to come back. Such a cute spot! I'll definitely be adding this one to my list of go-tos with friends. Can't believe it's been right around the corner and I'm just discovering it!

Dare I say it? Someday might be my second favorite spot to get seafood in Portland, right behind…read moreJacquelines - which if you know the cult following on Jacquelines in Portland, that is saying something. The ambiance is downright whimsical! Great wine selection, gorgeous floral installations, and one of those spaces where you immediately want to settle in with a book in hand. But let's talk about the crudo. I still think about that crudo. Bright, lemony, silky olive oil - simple but done so well. We even asked our waitress if we can keep the leftover olive oil to use it with the bread we ordered lol The oysters were also fantastic. They were barbecued, which isn't something you see every day. A little drier than a raw oyster, but still full of flavor. Limited seating so be sure to call ahead of time for a reservation if need be. This feels like the kind of place you celebrate something special, and honestly, I would not mind spending a birthday here at all! Worth it. btw the alleyway walking up to this place is so charming.

I asked my 3 year old what he got at Holy Ghost and he replied "blood juice"…read more I didn't realize it was so holy here! 5 stars will be back. (My kid got blood orange juice. I love this minor friendly neighborhood watering hole)

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!

We came here on our last night in Portland, and no other place could have been better to wrap up…read moreour trip! I chose the Saville Painkiller Cobbler which was very similar to Piña Colada with Ube. The drink was such a pretty purple shade, dusted with purple sweet potato/taro powder, and served in a Pineapple shaped glass - so aesthetically pleasing and very easy on the palate! My husband got the Pandan Old Fashioned which was very delicious as well - silky, sweet, boozy with a strong Pandan forward profile. For snacks, we got the Shrimp Chips and the Whipped Ricotta with Soppressata that comes with a generous portion of 4 slices of Rustic bread. The shrimp chips were humongous and so light, airy and crispy with a delicate shrimp flavor. The presentation on the whipped ricotta was so beautiful, and it tasted so good with the Calabrian chili and Soppressata! Portland has no shortage of amazing cocktail bars, and this is another place I would come back to if I ever find myself in Portland again!

What a treat to be able to experience a James Beard Award recipient!! You'd never know what Scotch…read moreLodge was from the outside, but once you enter and walk down the stairs you're in for a treat. We were warmly greeted and sat at our table - definitely recommend reservations. The bottles behind the bar and along the wall were beautifully displayed and made for such a cool ambiance. We had a nice spot in the back corner and could check out the whole place. Aaron was our server and she was great, had good recommendations and made sure we were taken care of. Not sure which was better, the way the dishes tasted or the way they looked... either way they were incredible. We tried the beets, the heirloom tomatoes, the whipped ricotta, the tartare and of course the panna cotta. Everything was so elegant and had such unique flavors and textures. I could have that meal multiple times and never get sick of it. Not surprised at all that they are a James Beard Award winner - highly recommend!!