The search for good food and drink at an airport is usually a tale of woe and misery: tacky bars with uninspired tap lists, crowded and overpriced restaurants—generally chains—that you would never walk in to if it wasn’t for the fact that you’re stuck in a rotten concourse with no place to sit. (O’Hare, LAX and Dulles step forward for your prize.)

Fortunately Portland has an ace airport—PDX is frequently ranked among the nation’s best—and offers excellent local eateries and drink spots from the likes of Laurelwood Brewery, Rogue Ales, Rose’s Bakery, Petite Provence, Gustav’s and a recently opened Burgerville.

And then there’s Beaches. A tropical-themed bar complete with palm trees, fire pit, and a beach (natch). It must have taken some kind of genius to put that in a Pac NW airport. (What? No logs, no checked shirts, no hipster servers?) But somehow it works, with its two happy hours a day, mimosas served with breakfast from 5am, mild reggae covers playing non-stop and super-friendly staff. It’s perfect whether you’re headed to the beach (great, get the party started) or stepped off the Oakland commuter flight (Jesus, I need a drink). Perhaps being such an anomaly—it’s so unlike the Portland blueprint—is what makes it a great airport bar. A place neither here nor there.

Best of all, it’s available to rent—what better place to have a party than at the airport? You’re always guaranteed a taxi home. Beaches, PDX, 5 am-11 pm