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Vaudeville venue, cinema house, porno theater in former lives, the Aladdin has been all of these. Now, however, it's perhaps one of Portland's best smaller venues for live music, namely folk, pop, acoustic, jazz, country and ethnic. Great acoustics and a concentration on music (rather than on selling drinks or overbooking seats) go far to recommend the place. Patrons know that performers are certain to give incredible shows; many musicians specifically request to play the Aladdin due to its reputation and accommodating attitude. Representative performers include Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Allison Krauss, James McMurtry and Michelle Shocked.
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Berbati's Pan
231 SW Ankeny, Portland, OR 97204-2706 · 503-248-4579
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OLD TOWN. This Portland institution has its hands in a lot of different pots. While it's a fabulous Greek restaurant, it also features a game room (in the old Church of Elvis location) and a cafe and functions as a popular music venue and nightclub. The busy spot attracts all kinds of people, in part because of the variety of entertainment available. Local and national bands take to the stage each night and play music ranging from alternative and classic rock to big band and acid jazz. You'll also find dancing, regular poetry slams, DJs spinning in the restaurant and a fetish night that invites patrons to dress in their most outrageous garb. Definitely a one-stop extravaganza!
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PEARL DISTRICT. The ivy-covered brick warehouse that houses BridgePort provides initial indication that this is a cool, upscale brew pub. Inside the voluminous space, patrons gather around large wooden tables, quaffing microbrews and talking about the day. The selection of ales on tap is particularly good, and you can accompany them with the brewery's pizzas, which are made fresh on the premises in a wood-fired oven. BridgePort is a great destination for inexpensive eats after you've done the First Thursday gallery walk around the district, too.
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Dim and atmospheric in the Old World tradition, this much-loved pub provides authentic English food and ale in a casual setting. Its selection of beers is global, and the place even serves microbrews that commemorate the pub's 20th and 25th anniversaries. Single malt scotches are desirable too. Pub food options include pasties, steak and kidney pie, Scotch eggs, and a ploughman's lunch. Less adventurous diners find that burgers and sandwiches do the trick. If you're up for a bit of friendly competition, dartboards await. Otherwise, drinking and telling tall tales conveniently pass the time. Cigars are available; smoking is prominent.
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Lively, cozy and much-loved, Kells offers an Irish experience tempered just a bit by its northwestern locale. The busy bar is a good place to meet people, while the stone fireplace invites relaxing on cool, damp days. A wealth of brews, including Guinness, will satiate your thirst, and the selection of single-malt scotches and Irish whiskies is enormous. A separate cigar room ensures that you get an extra note of sensory stimulation. Each night, performers regale patrons with Irish music, adding festivity to the whole experience. The menu, should you become hungry, includes classic fare, along with regional items like steak and oyster pie, forest mushroom carbonara and rack of lamb.
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The Crystal Ballroom occupies the upper floor of an entertainment complex that also houses Lola's Room (a smaller live music and dancing venue) and Ringler's Pub (food, drinks, and pool). The structure premiered in 1914 and has hosted the likes of the Grateful Dead, B.B. King, Jefferson Airplane, and Buffalo Springfield. These days, you'll find a host of popular regional and national bands (Liz Phair, Dar Williams, Alien Crime Syndicate), along with dancing on the expansive 7500-square-foot dance floor (which is said to float, thanks to installation on rockers and ball bearings). Food is available, along with McMenamins hand-crafted ales and wines, plus cocktails.
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Built in 1915, this architecturally beautiful structure served generations of students before being closed in 1980. Following a series of renovations, it reopened as a neighborhood entertainment facility. These days, it houses a bed and breakfast, restaurant, several bars and a gift shop. Have a bite to eat in the Courtyard Restaurant, sample your favorite vintage in the Cypress Room, or hang out in either the Honors Bar or the Detention Bar, depending on your attitude and inclination. Given the particular venue, you'll find local beers, single-malt scotches, espressos, and character galore. Hallways are filled with artwork, and the courtyard gains great appeal when the weather's nice.
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Saucebox
214 SW Broadway Ave, Portland, OR 97205-3724 · 503-241-3393
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Spare and hip, this celebrated restaurant features subtle coloring, a wealth of mirrors and some of the most stylish pan-Asian cuisine in town. A cool crowd frequents Saucebox and can't seem to get enough of the beautiful, palate-pleasing dishes, which pare Asian cuisine down to its essence. After patrons have sated themselves at dinner, the restaurant transforms into a lounge, complete with music and a great bar scene. Some nights, the DJ spins club tunes and guests move out on the dance floor; other nights, jazz bands play and club-goers sip sake or scotch while they groove to the rhythms. Vodka drinks are also popular, and a bar menu is available until closing time.
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For a touch of German ambience, head over to this convivial pub, located beneath the Fremont Bridge and adjacent to the well-known Widmer Brewery. The Gasthaus occupies a historic building that once functioned as a hotel. That spirit of hospitality can still be found, thanks to the great staff and fun-loving patrons. Microbrews are a way of life here, whether they're a celebrated hefeweizen or a classic ale. To complement them, order something hearty from the menu, like sauerbraten, schnitzel, or some of the excellent sausages. A big-screen TV shows important sports events, and the no-smoking environment ensures that everyone is comfortable.
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PEARL DISTRICT. A perennial dining favorite thanks to its fantastic pan-Latin menu, ĦOba! is also a contender for best bar scene. Given its great ambience and subtle lighting, it's the destination of choice for young Portland professionals and stylish city denizens. In the sleek bar area, you'll often find patrons mingling, drinking, chatting on cell phones, and making deals or dates. For an after-work cocktail or a pre-dinner aperitif, ĦOba! makes a terrific stop-off. It can get crowded at times, especially during the gallery-crawl event on the first Thursday of each month, but don't let that stop you from trying out the popular chocolate martini or a frosty, fruity margarita.
About 10Best's recommendations for Portland's Best Nightlife:
10Best's editors and local contacts have searched all over Portland for the best places to find yourself once the sun goes down and have decided that these businesses represent the best Bars, Brew Pubs, and Live Music Portland, Oregon has to offer. Want to relax and unwind in Portland? Let us show you the best places in town to do it!
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