Portland's Best Hookup Spot 2008

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

Half flashy bar, half upscale restaurant, this spot is a calculated hit in the historic Weinhard brewery building.

Reviews:

• “Good food, Dismal Service”
• “Awesome place!”
• “Good casual food”
• “Another Corporate Bar "
• “Waitresses/bartenders”

Tips: In addition to the regular happy hour, Henry’s offers a late-night version, 9pm-close, on weekdays and 10pm-close, Friday and Saturday.

Henry’s 12th Street Tavern

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

Deliciously dark and seductive, this downtown hot spot has set Portland’s bar scene on fire.

Reviews:

• “Never liked this place, but now I can safely say it’s somehow worse.”
• “Saturday Night Entertainment”
• “My hang”
• “Sundays are fun, other nights appear a little hardcore if you are without ear plugs”
• “Good bar, bad pizza…”

Tips: Munch on New York-style pizza by the slice, available until closing.

Dante’s

This place is part jazz supper club, part back-room lounge.

Reviews:

• “Don’t expect service Friday or Saturday nights; sound needs help”
• “Best service EVER”
• “Not the Best Place for a Birthday”
• “Great music, atmosphere, and servers. Kitchen needs improvement.”
• “Good Music and venue / Ridiculously bad customer service”

Tips: Weekdays from 4pm to 7pm, get discounted pints, along with savings on fried fare.

Jimmy Mak’s

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

Dazzling dishes created with exotic ingredients and luxe urban decor add luster to the Pearl District’s dining scene.

Reviews:

• “wonderful evening”
• “Love It!”
• “Nice but overrated”
• “This is the place to be.”
• “Divine Dinner”

Tips: Entertaining? Book the long, elegant chef’s table in the middle of the restaurant; it seats 14.

Bluehour

A frat party vibe takes over on weekends at this popular watering hole in Raleigh Hills.

Reviews:

• “Darby makes my week!”
• “This is the place to go for beer!”
• “WOW!!! 55 beers on Tap! Amazing Happy Hour!!! Easy to Get To!!!”
• “WORST SERVICE EVER! DOORMAN WAS RUDE AND WE WILL NEVER GO AGAIN!”
• “PRO’s: GREAT live music, room to dance, lots of beers on tap CONS: Smokey, often out of drink special, parking”

Tips: Choose from the whopping 59 beers on tap, 30 beers in a bottle and 50 types of liquor.

Dublin Pub

Being Irish is all in the attitude at this downtown pub and eatery.

Reviews:

• “Horrible customer service”
• “Proper guinness pours AND a never fail hookup spot! What more could you ask for?”
• “Best Bar in Town”
• “Hospitality at its best!!!”
• “Favorite place on Earth”

Tips: A bartender will toss your greenback (plus two quarters) up to the ceiling—where it sticks—for Irish luck. Once a year, the money is swept down and donated to Providence Child Center.

Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub

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