Portland's Best See and Be Seen Bar

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 combo of slick ’50s lounge and rustic mead hall draws a diverse crowd for live tunes and late-night noshes.

Reviews:

• “Nice Place for Cocktails & Happy Hour”
• “Thanks we had fun”
• “After Years Of Support… The Doug Finally Disappoints”
• “Great place to see an intimate show”
• “Really bad food”

Tips: Mint juleps and bloody marys are potent and not for the light of heart. Daintier palates will appreciate a blackberry cosmo or specialty martini.

Doug Fir

A Beaverton magnet that attracts a crowd with dependably good food and a lively bar scene.

Reviews:

• “HORRIBLE management with no idea what customer service is”
• “Disappointing”
• “TERRIBLE SERVICE!!!!!!”
• “Not worth the money!”
• “Fake Upscale”

Tips: Get great deals on drinks and appetizers weekdays, 3pm-6pm and 9pm to close. For $3, you can get items like a glass of chardonnay or buffalo wings.

Hall Street Bar & Grill

Upscale restaurant, located within Cinetopia Theaters, offers international tappas-style small plates, live music, wine tasting events and theater dining service.

Reviews:

• “Great concept, Good steak, lacking customer service”
• “Don’t buy into the hype”
• “What a great experience!!!!! LOVE IT!!!”
• “AVOID THE “RESTAURANT” Just see a movie"
• “Wow! What a treat!”

Vinotopia Restaurant and Wine Bar or email Vinotopia Restaurant and Wine Bar

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

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

Latin eatery heats up the Pearl with its sophisticated decor and inventive food.

Reviews:

• “Resting uncomfortably on its laurels”
• “Home of the $24 tamale”
• “Thoroughly enjoyed our evening”
• “Great happy hour and drinks!!!”
• “Innovative menu, great wine list and excellent service 4.5 stars”

Tips: From 4:30pm to 6:30pm daily all well drinks are $3 (including margaritas, lemon drops and cosmos), and a special selection of tapas are $3 to $4. Available in the bar only.

Oba Restaurant or email Oba Restaurant

Downtown restaurant and lounge attracts diners and dancers with its contemporary fare and sleek setting.

Reviews:

• “nicest place EVAAAA..good service..”
• “Excellent Birthday!”
• “Best VIP Birthday Experience Ever”
• “Amazing space and service!! The chocolate fondue is one of a kind!!”
• “Will NEVER go back again!!!”

Tips: House drinks are color-coded from red to brown. Purple is a complex mix of raspberry vodka, grape juice, lavender and essence of lime.

Aura Restaurant and Lounge or email Aura Restaurant and Lounge

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

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