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PO Box 86208, Portland, OR 97286
PO Box 86208, Portland, OR 97286
But the cocktails were great, I'll grant that. I didn't order anything to eat because I'm veggie and, anyhow, just wanted to leave asap after a drink. I got the screaming Meemies the second I saw the black curtain. You're absolutely right that one has to hop the fence on the culture war to enjoy this place -- if you aren't milking a trust fund, you may be a tad uncomfortable here. You might want to go next door to Valentines and sooth your class angst with a beer.
Also, gentrification? The space used to be a moderately-expensive hair salon (I went to a party there once and everyone was doing blow). It's between Valentine's and an oyster bar. I'd say it's at least a lateral move.
@Showstopper There's no good reason for purposefully making people feel nervous or uncomfortable--whether it's to feel culturally superior or 'cause you find it "fun." It just means you're a dick.
Regarding the gentrification thing, it's more about the clientele. I was there on a busy weekend night, and everyone there was in a far higher tax bracket than myself. I wouldn't call it diverse by any measure. As for it being pretentious, it's the gimmick the place is operating on -- the exclusive, supper club atmosphere, the black curtain, the faux-shabby chic (didn't this die out in the 90s?), and that gross "Bohemian" slumming-it vibe that seems to accompany young wealthy people.
But, hey, I already admitted I have class anxiety. I'm a socially conscious person, and a lot of things rankle with me that I'm sure others would be fine with. For cocktail craft, I could see them pulling up in rank up alongside the Clyde, Teardrop, and Beaker & Flask in the future. I was with some people who tried the crepes, and all of them said the food was excellent. I get the feeling that this place would be a lot better if they'd just can the hokey speakeasy gimmick.
If that's too pretentious for you, then I'm sure there's another food cart pod opening up in your neighborhood.
Ironically, although I have no facial hair or, nor do I wear novelty glasses, on a glance I could pass very easily as the kind of snotty, privileged people I caricatured and said made me uncomfortable. Maybe some poor dude on the other side of the bar was thinking the same thing about me.
Internet Narc, I wasn't saying speakeasies didn't serve whiskey. I was saying that bootlegged liquor during prohibition was disgusting swill that had to be dressed up considerably in order to be remotely palatable. It was not a golden age for the cocktail -- quite the opposite. It was when many classic drinks died out and many, like the old fashioned, were mutilated (or should I say muddled?) beyond recognition. So the idea of a speakeasy that serves top shelf liquor and makes classic pre-proho drinks is... off.
We live in portland, and there are hipsters here. Good natured jokes, sure. Hatred? Come on. That's just silly and miserable.
I brought my lesbian lover, her gay brother and his boyfriend and their old Italian dad to Central. Everyone loved it and had a good time, and every time I've been the staff have been incredibly welcoming, kind, and clearly passionate about crafting special, delicious drinks. It's true that I can only really afford one drink (two if I'm drinking for dinner), but I think $8-9 for a fancy cocktail is pretty standard in this town, outside of the dive bar scene. I love how the space is designed, right down to the menus, and appreciate the artfulness and intention in this bar. If it's pretentious to authentically enjoy good design and creative drinks, then call me pretentious all the way to the PBR store. Also, I appreciate the no assholes policy. We've been gay bashed at down town spots enough times to appreciate a zero tolerance for douches standard.