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Our resident Happy Hour Expert, Cindy Anderson has a true passion for the restaurant and bar deals in town. She has personally researched over 275 of them in writing the third edition of her Portland Happy Hour Guidebook! Drawing from her experience and expertise, she is able to compare and contrast to accurately report on Portland's best sips and nibbles. For more information, visit www.happyhourguidebook.com. |
Portland Happy Hour: Lounging Around
November 9, 2007 -- By Cindy Anderson
With darkness falling earlier and earlier, it’s time to escape the night chill and cozy up inside one of Portland's most luscious cocktail lounges. Kick back and relax with a classic martini and a special friend at one of these enticing establishments, all within a short walk or cab ride away from each other.
Camellia Lounge
Happy Hour: Daily 4:00pm - 7:00pm & 10:00pm - 12:00am
Food specials: $2 - $5
Drinks: $3.50 drafts and wells, $1 off cocktails, random specials like $2 drafts on Monday
Atmosphere: Funky, hidden gem lounge
Pass through the super-cute Tea Zone café to discover a tucked-away modern-day secret speakeasy: the Camellia Lounge. Cozy with candlelit charm and creative tea drinks, noshes and snacks include kettle chips, wasabi peanuts, zesty shrimp, bruschetta and yummy dragon chips.
The Crown Room
Happy Hour: Tues - Fri 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Food specials: $3 - $7
Drinks: $2 off house specialty drinks
Atmosphere: Classic, Vegas-style showcase lounge
This new Old Town spot really is "old school lounging at its best," as their website claims. The large, open nightclub space features ‘50s-style vinyl, oversized lounge booths, dim lighting and even a stage for Elvis impersonators. Choose from a dozen Mediterranean-style appetizers including spanikopita, stuffed mushrooms, artichoke romano, lemon chicken, shrimp cocktail and sirloin beef tips.
District
Happy Hour: Mon - Sat 3:00pm - 6:00pm, Mon - Wed 10:00pm – Close & Sun 3:00pm - Close
Food specials: $5
Drinks: $5 select wine and cocktails
Atmosphere: High-end, plush lounge
Located next door to Vault Martini (see below), District is dramatic and swanky, with dashes of bold color in drapes, artwork, and velvet upolstery, funky chandeliers and an antique bird cage. Eclectic gourmet menu varies seasonally with items like seared sea scallops, tiger shrimp, baby spinach salad and a variety of desserts.
Driftwood Room
Happy Hour: Daily 3:00pm - 6:00pm & 9:00pm - close
Food specials: $1.50 - $5
Drinks: No drink discounts
Atmosphere: Northwest-style, old-school lounge
Off the very impressive grand lobby of the Hotel deLuxe, the Driftwood has a dark, discreet and fancy Rat Pack appeal in a kidney-shaped, dimly-lit room with wood accents. The space has been a Portland favorite since the ‘50s, but was lovingly restored in the past few years. Enjoy the Northwest-style fare from partner restaurant Gracie’s at half-prices: appetizers include toasted hazelnuts, pommes frites, grilled shrimp skewers, a field green salad and pan fried oysters.
East Chinatown Lounge
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Food specials: No discounts, but inexpensive Asian appetizers are available at all times
Drinks: $1 off well & beer
Atmosphere: Ultra-cool, urban red-light lounge
One of the most memorable and striking interiors on the Portland bar scene with flattering, sexy red lighting and retro-mod touches, East is the perfect choice for lounge lizards who like good food and interesting cocktails. Cutting edge DJs keep the energy high.
Gilt Club
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Food specials: $2 - $5
Drinks: $2.50 Stella Artois beer, $5 wine & select cocktails
Atmosphere: Cozy and rich restaurant lounge
Deep red walls and velvet drapes with gold touches and sexy curves galore add up to an unexpectedly swanky spot in sometimes gritty Old Town. Cocktails are incredibly creative, melding crisp and fresh flavors, while excellent food options include salmon mousse wontons; beet, watercress and Caesar salads; crab fritters and baked goat cheese.
M Bar
Happy Hour: Daily 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Food specials: No food served
Drinks: $3 drafts & wine
Atmosphere: Simple, tiny and dark lounge
Very unassuming inside and out, you'll soon warm up inside the ultra-romantic M Bar, illuminated only by candlelight. The small outdoor patio is great for enjoying warmer days or catching some fresh air (beware — the space can be smoky at times). One of Nob Hill's secret neighborhood treasures.
Vault Martini
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Food specials: Good food, but no discounts
Drinks: $4 - $5 martinis
Atmosphere: Contemporary, sleek lounge
With more than 20 martinis discounted at Happy Hour, Vault remains a favorite after-work meet-up place. A popular Pearl stand-out with a huge bar and fireplace.
With darkness falling earlier and earlier, it’s time to escape the night chill and cozy up inside one of Portland's most luscious cocktail lounges. Kick back and relax with a classic martini and a special friend at one of these enticing establishments, all within a short walk or cab ride away from each other.
Camellia Lounge
Happy Hour: Daily 4:00pm - 7:00pm & 10:00pm - 12:00am
Food specials: $2 - $5
Drinks: $3.50 drafts and wells, $1 off cocktails, random specials like $2 drafts on Monday
Atmosphere: Funky, hidden gem lounge
Pass through the super-cute Tea Zone café to discover a tucked-away modern-day secret speakeasy: the Camellia Lounge. Cozy with candlelit charm and creative tea drinks, noshes and snacks include kettle chips, wasabi peanuts, zesty shrimp, bruschetta and yummy dragon chips.
The Crown Room
Happy Hour: Tues - Fri 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Food specials: $3 - $7
Drinks: $2 off house specialty drinks
Atmosphere: Classic, Vegas-style showcase lounge
This new Old Town spot really is "old school lounging at its best," as their website claims. The large, open nightclub space features ‘50s-style vinyl, oversized lounge booths, dim lighting and even a stage for Elvis impersonators. Choose from a dozen Mediterranean-style appetizers including spanikopita, stuffed mushrooms, artichoke romano, lemon chicken, shrimp cocktail and sirloin beef tips.
District
Happy Hour: Mon - Sat 3:00pm - 6:00pm, Mon - Wed 10:00pm – Close & Sun 3:00pm - Close
Food specials: $5
Drinks: $5 select wine and cocktails
Atmosphere: High-end, plush lounge
Located next door to Vault Martini (see below), District is dramatic and swanky, with dashes of bold color in drapes, artwork, and velvet upolstery, funky chandeliers and an antique bird cage. Eclectic gourmet menu varies seasonally with items like seared sea scallops, tiger shrimp, baby spinach salad and a variety of desserts.
Driftwood Room
Happy Hour: Daily 3:00pm - 6:00pm & 9:00pm - close
Food specials: $1.50 - $5
Drinks: No drink discounts
Atmosphere: Northwest-style, old-school lounge
Off the very impressive grand lobby of the Hotel deLuxe, the Driftwood has a dark, discreet and fancy Rat Pack appeal in a kidney-shaped, dimly-lit room with wood accents. The space has been a Portland favorite since the ‘50s, but was lovingly restored in the past few years. Enjoy the Northwest-style fare from partner restaurant Gracie’s at half-prices: appetizers include toasted hazelnuts, pommes frites, grilled shrimp skewers, a field green salad and pan fried oysters.
East Chinatown Lounge
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Food specials: No discounts, but inexpensive Asian appetizers are available at all times
Drinks: $1 off well & beer
Atmosphere: Ultra-cool, urban red-light lounge
One of the most memorable and striking interiors on the Portland bar scene with flattering, sexy red lighting and retro-mod touches, East is the perfect choice for lounge lizards who like good food and interesting cocktails. Cutting edge DJs keep the energy high.
Gilt Club
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 5:00pm - 6:30pm
Food specials: $2 - $5
Drinks: $2.50 Stella Artois beer, $5 wine & select cocktails
Atmosphere: Cozy and rich restaurant lounge
Deep red walls and velvet drapes with gold touches and sexy curves galore add up to an unexpectedly swanky spot in sometimes gritty Old Town. Cocktails are incredibly creative, melding crisp and fresh flavors, while excellent food options include salmon mousse wontons; beet, watercress and Caesar salads; crab fritters and baked goat cheese.
M Bar
Happy Hour: Daily 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Food specials: No food served
Drinks: $3 drafts & wine
Atmosphere: Simple, tiny and dark lounge
Very unassuming inside and out, you'll soon warm up inside the ultra-romantic M Bar, illuminated only by candlelight. The small outdoor patio is great for enjoying warmer days or catching some fresh air (beware — the space can be smoky at times). One of Nob Hill's secret neighborhood treasures.
Vault Martini
Happy Hour: Mon - Fri 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Food specials: Good food, but no discounts
Drinks: $4 - $5 martinis
Atmosphere: Contemporary, sleek lounge
With more than 20 martinis discounted at Happy Hour, Vault remains a favorite after-work meet-up place. A popular Pearl stand-out with a huge bar and fireplace.
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