Portland's Best Hotel Bars

by Alexander Frane in Roundups

Hotel bars haven’t always had a positive reputation, often evoking images of cheap, depressing dives. However, times have changed, and Portland is home to some truly fantastic hotel bars. These cater to far more than just the hotel guests, and are often filled with locals. If you’re looking for a spot for a staycation, or just a night out for some great drinks, here are a few of our favorite hotel bars.

The Doug Fir

The only East Side bar on this list, the Doug Fir has been a staple Portland venue for years now. Upstairs is split between a restaurant and bar, downstairs is a music venue with local and touring acts. The place is modeled after a log cabin, and has a fireplace, a large patio, and great food and drinks. There’s a reason it’s a classic. The hotel the bar resides in is The Jupiter, a hip, “boutique hotel”, adorned with art-deco. It generally houses a younger crowd, and is a great place for a staycation. (830 East Burnside St.; 503-231-9663)

The Driftwood Room
The Driftwood is a sleek and cozy bar nestled in the lobby of the DeLuxe, an upscale luxury hotel. The bar is dark and fairly small, but patrons can take their drinks out into the lobby if the bar is too busy. The Driftwood specializes in champagne cocktails and variations on Manhattans. More frugal patrons can take advantage of their happy hour, when champagne drinks are only $7. (729 SW 15th Ave.; 503-222-2171)

Departure and Urban Farmer
The Nines, a luxury hotel built in the old Meier & Frank building in downtown Portland, hosts two restaurant bars: The first is Urban Farmer, an organic and locavore steak house with a fantastic cocktail bar. The other is Departure, a swanky rooftop restaurant and lounge with an amazing view of downtown Portland. Departure serves excellent pan-Asian cuisine and Asian styled cocktails. (525 SW Morrison St.; 503-802-5370, 503-222-4900)

Clyde Common and Pepe le Moko
The home of Portland’s resident celebrity bartender, Jeffrey Morgenthaler, Clyde Common has been serving as the hip Ace Hotel’s restaurant and bar for years now, and is still one of the best cocktail bars in the city. Morgenthaler opened his speakeasy style bar, Pepe le Moko, downstairs from Clyde Common in 2014, where he mixes up artisanal takes on drinks that have been generally rejected from the craft scene, such as his Amaretto Sour and the Grasshopper. His take on the Grasshopper includes fernet and hand-blended local ice cream. (1014 SW Stark St.; 503-228-3333, 503-546-8537)

JackKnife
Roaring fireplaces, a long sweeping marble bar, hardwood paneling and vintage lanterns adorning the space make The JackKnife one of the most beautiful bars in the city. The JackKnife is part of a family of bars, including The Sweet Hereafter, Dig a Pony and The Bye & Bye, which focus on excellent craft cocktails, both classic and novel. It’s housed in the historic luxury hotel, The Sentinel. (614 SW 11th Ave.; 503-384-2347)

Photo via Departure and by Alex Frane