Portland's Best Bartenders

Sophisticated food, seductive cocktails and a romantic setting give Portland a reason to dress up for dinner.

Reviews:

• “Best Romantic Dinner!”
• “What a Buzz…”
• “What a memorable evening”
• “snobby & yummy”
• “Great Food and Best Bartender in Town!”

Tips: On Monday evenings, buy a bar appetizer and get a martini for $1. During happy hour Tue-Wed, 3pm-6pm and 9pm-close, get half off most bar menu items.

Carlyle

A winning selection of exotic drinks, an inky-black lounge and chic clientele.

Reviews:

• “Good for happy hour”
• “I’m still drooling over my martini”
• “Great burgers, good drinks and questionnable management”
• “A favorite”
• “Just so-so”

Tips: Drink specials are featured 4pm to 6:30pm daily fand include $3 well drinks, $2.50 draft beers and $5 selected cocktails.

820

Gourmet-caliber pub grub, an ultracasual vibe and cheap drinks draw loyal fans to this Hawthorne neighborhood mainstay.

Reviews:

• “Despite the thick cloud of smoke”
• “Cal your the best bartender”
• “BOG rocks!”
• “The name says it all!”
• “Good food, real cheap beer but overtly smoky”

Tips: Beer lovers and no-frills cocktail drinkers will rejoice at the selection of suds and low-cost hard drinks. A boldly mixed margarita crunches with salt and will set you back only $5.

Bar of the Gods

A former warehouse space makes a fitting setting for this hot spot’s light, airy dining room and bar.

Reviews:

• “Best burger in town. Amazing space!”
• “Great place for a date”
• “Wonderful experience”
• “Nice ambiance, but…”
• “Lively Time”

Tips: Arrive a few minutes before your dinner reservation to sample from the extensive international beer and wine list. Also try the seasonal house cocktails such as melon-habanero infused vodka.

Olea

Neighborhood favorite offers market-driven fare on the North Park Blocks.

Reviews:

• “Best Portland Restaurant. . . "
• “Very “interesting” menu – Glad we left our comfort zone!."
• “Outstanding & creative Food and Service”
• “Worst restaurant on the planet!!!! "
• “One of better restaurants in Portland”

Tips: The kitchen uses local farmers’ seasonal ingredients, and the menu changes twice monthly to accommodate.

Park Kitchen or email Park Kitchen

Slick eatery tips the hip scale for sizzling scene and creative pan-Asian cuisine.

Reviews:

• “Beautiful place, beautiful food”
• “My Not So Secret Secret”
• “Best Salmon!!”
• “too mutch salt!!!”
• “Totally Worth it!”

Tips: Happy hour is Tuesday-Friday, 4:30pm-6:30pm and Saturday 5pm-6:30pm. The discounted menu includes noodle dishes and small plates in the $1-$4 range. Select beers are $2, select specialty cocktails are $4.

Saucebox or email Saucebox

This refined lounge shakes and remakes the perennially cool martini in Portland’s hippest ’hood.

Reviews:

• “Great place for a drink Friday after work.”
• “Best martini bar in the Pearl”
• “Always a great time!”
• “They lost my Debit card….”
• “Pleased with this martini bar”

Tips: Drink specials run from 4pm to 7pm weeknights. Sip martinis and cocktails for $4 or margaritas and bubbly drinks for $5.

Vault Martini Bar or email Vault Martini Bar

Chic North Portland spot lures diners with upscale French-Creole cuisine.

Reviews:

• “A Mess”
• “Dissappointed, no longer really cajun”
• “Amazing mix of cajun, creole and northwest!”
• “Best Burger I Think I’ve Ever Had!!!”
• “My Experience at Roux”

Tips: More Southern favorites are available to go at Roux’s next door deli, Bon Temps.

ROUX or email ROUX

A fun-loving crowd flocks for decadent drinks, hip DJs and a sumptuous modern-art setting.

Reviews:

• “Stay away. It’s not worth it.”
• “What a place to relax”
• “comfortable atmosphere, FANTASTIC happy hour”
• “Very good food… service is fine if you go on off nights!”
• “don’t bother, it’s gone down”

Tips: Happy hour runs all day Tuesday and 4:30pm-6:30pm, Wed-Fri. T-dance Sundays start at 4:30pm and feature specially priced PBR and T-drinks, combining black or green tea with fruit juices and vodka.

Crush or email Crush

This venerated institution keeps loyal locals lined up outside with beautifully prepared Northwest standards.

Reviews:

• “Great Mothers’ Day Lunch”
• “Still Great Food , Not Fancy , Warm and Friendly”
• ""A" List Required"
• “Old School Food and Service That Works”
• “Really disappointed with the service”

Tips: The famed Spanish coffee is a must. Each fiery ambrosial drink is prepared tableside by the dizzying hands of a talented bartender.

Huber’s Restaurant or email Huber’s Restaurant