Is there such thing as too many bars? Not in this town,
apparently—if the number of new bars that opened this year is any
indication, demand is just about limitless. It makes sense—the
ideal bar scene for a heavy drinker is one in which there are enough
bars to choose from that you don’t have to return to the scene of last
night’s humiliation until you’re pretty sure the bartenders have
forgotten what an ass you made of yourself.
Loads of worthy bars opened this year and we didn’t have a chance to
cover all of them. Here are a few highlights.
Bye and Bye
1011 NE Alberta, 281-0537
A certain Portland aesthetic is summed up in the vegan,
bike-friendly Bye and Bye, and those who still imagine that complaining
about “hipsters in tight pants” makes for compelling social commentary
should probably stay away. For the rest of us, though, the Bye and Bye
is a fine, fashionable bar with abundant seating, a great patio, and
good drinks. ALISON HALLETT
Matchbox Lounge
3203 SE Division, 234-7844
The smallish Matchbox Lounge opened this summer, and boasts a clean,
modern interior and reasonably priced, higher-end bar food—think
Slow Bar—that gets cheaper during happy hour (4-6 pm daily, all
day Sunday). The space can feel a little sterile, but you probably
won’t notice when you’re downing their excellent burger or
semi-legendary steak salad. AH
Slingshot Lounge
5532 SE Center, 445-6649
Foster’s Slingshot Lounge has been gaining slow but steady momentum
since they opened, expanding their digs to include a game room that
features pool, darts, pinball, shuffleboard, and the Holy Grail of bar
games: air hockey. Throw in a decent jukebox, tattoo-themed art, and a
friendly resident cat, and you’ve got a stylish local joint befitting
this up and coming ‘hood. AH
The Standard
14 NE 22nd, 233-4181
Reed Lamb was a popular bartender at Club 21 before he opened the
Standard, and his new bar pairs the Club’s no-frills egalitarianism
with a hip as hell, vintage-y aesthetic. There’s pool, shuffleboard,
Silver Strike Bowling, a decent jukebox, a huge patio with
umbrella-covered picnic tables, and smoking indoors and out. Don’t miss
the glittering bar-top mosaic, hand made from broken CDs. AH
East End
203 SE Grand, 232-0056
After a couple unsuccessful attempts at getting this fantastic
location to work, one hopes the punk rockers who’ve taken over and
created the East End will make it last. They’re looking strong out of
the gates with good live music, a readymade scene of loyal regulars,
and a smart bar food menu that doesn’t overextend its ambition, but is
infinitely more appealing than what you would have made for yourself
were you in a half-drunk state at home (vegans and carnivores will be
equally appeased).
MARJORIE SKINNER
North
5008 SE Division, 546-9973
Yet another new bar on Division, North is a laidback, unassuming
little neighborhood bar with extraordinarily friendly bartenders.
Non-smoking, pool, good nachos, and a decent jukebox. What more do you
want? AH
Teardrop Lounge
1015 NW Everett, 970-8331
If your idea of a fancy drink is one of those shots that’s supposed
to taste like chocolate cake, this probably isn’t the bar for you. The
swanky Teardrop bar is absolutely the place to experience
high-end cocktail alchemy (or, eugh, “mixology”). On their drink menu,
you might run across ingredients like saffron, habeñero-orange
bitters, or house-made grenadine—the bar serves grown-up
cocktails, not just a means to the end of getting wasted. (Like I said,
it’s not for everyone.) AH
Maiden in the Mist
639 SE Morrison, 232-5553
The nautically themed Maiden in the Mist seems to have hit its
stride, recently contending for the title of Portland’s penultimate
date spot. (The ultimate date spot, of course, is the Slammer. Three
tacos for a dollar on Wednesdays!) The Maiden is quiet, the lighting is
flattering, and there’s enough mermaid erotica decorating the place to
put anybody in the mood. (Kidding! Kind of.) And, of course, no write
up of this bar would be complete without mentioning the tarot readings
on Gypsy Thursdays (see maideninthemist.com for more info).
AH