Fingers HQ is mobile this week, coming at you live from Rip City! At the invitation of the American Cider Association and the Northwest Cider Association, I’ll be attending CiderCon 2024, which is going down later this week in Portland, Oregon.* After a truly unpleasant 16-hour travel day yesterday—nationalize Boeing, re-regulate airlines, fund high-speed rail infrastructure, thank you—your fearless Fingers editor finally has Blundstones on the ground in the Beaver State.
This being my first time here, I’ve decided to suspend Dry January for the next few days so I can get a better (mouth)feel for everything Oregon’s biggest city has to offer drinks-wise. I’m hoping you can help. Where should I drink while I’m in Portland this week? Comments are live and open to both free and paid subscribers:
Last year, I launched Fingers Know-It-When-You-See-It Drinking Guides (KIWYSIDGs), a running list of places I’ve drank that are good places to drink, as evaluated upon Potter Stewart’s timeless, completely unscalable rubric of “you know it when you see it.” I published KIWYSIDGs for Louisville, Las Vegas, and a couple other places, and a consistent request I received from you, my adoring-but-disappointed readers, was to post my destinations in advance, so you could recommend places for me to go other than the dumbest bars in a given city.
That makes a lot of sense! So we’re doing it, starting right now. Tell me where I ought to drink in Portland, and I will try to go check that place out, and maybe even include it Fingers’ forthcoming guide. This will be fun:
Here’s an FAQ about the prestigious KIWYSIDG. Remember, the guides are only for paying Friends of Fingers, so if you haven’t yet, buy a subscription to support the boozeletter, wouldja?
*Disclosure: those organizations are paying for my lodging and a portion of my travel costs, as well as my ticket to the event. Any future coverage that stems from this trip will be produced wholly independently, and include this same disclosure. You get it.
Pacific Standard, Deadshot, Cereus, Palomar, Multnomah Whiskey Library and/or The Green Room, Scotch Lodge, Teardrop, Hey Love, Driftwood, Abigail Hall, Rum Club, Hale Pele, Too Soon, Voysey ...ok I'll stop now but I could keep going...!
Dave, this weekend will sure to be a bustling one after this week's snow storm. Some amazing suggestions have already been mentioned, but my number one recommendation is Tulip Shop Tavern; amazing original cocktails and excellent draft beer all paired with very well crafted pub food.
Depending on your imbibement, in walking distance from the event space is Westward Whiskey (booze), Wayfinder (beer), and Bunk Bar (sandwiches).
Lastly, Portland has the most wikipedia entries for dive bars than any other city, please don't leave town without a tallcan of Rainier served in a uncomfortable setting like Yamhill Pub or find out what Jo Jo's are at the Reel M Inn.
Hard to believe it's your first time in the Rose City, a veteran drinks guy like you. But okay, I'll bite on the recos. Horse Brass has been mentioned and should be visited, but perhaps even more so these days is Belmont Station, which I'd humbly suggest is the best beer spot in town! Sadly, some of my Portland faves have closed, like Hair of the Dog, Commons, and Bailey's, but the Deschutes taproom is still kicking, as is the Cascade Barrel House. And you should definitely visit Jeffrey Morgenthaler's new place, Pacific Standard. (I haven't been, but hey, it's Morgenthaler!) And certainly the Multnomah Whiskey Library.
Oh - it’s seems unnecessary to even mention this, but if you’re in need of a book - go to Powell’s City of Books. Pretty key - they sell used books too - you never know what you might find in your area(s) of interest.
Pacific Standard, Deadshot, Cereus, Palomar, Multnomah Whiskey Library and/or The Green Room, Scotch Lodge, Teardrop, Hey Love, Driftwood, Abigail Hall, Rum Club, Hale Pele, Too Soon, Voysey ...ok I'll stop now but I could keep going...!
Seconding Adele's suggestions! All of 'em!
Also Clyde's Prime Rib and the bar at Ringside Steakhouse. For classic vibes.
New to the newsletter so not sure if/where tiki bars fit into your preferences but Hale Pele is great
Never been there myself, but it's pretty cool that Portland has a bar dedicated entirely to women's sports. It's called the Sports Bra.
Cascade Brewing
Workers Tap!
Oh shit, I've heard of this place! Good tip.
Les Caves
John House’s excellent Wine Bar and tasting room (his winery is Ovum).
He’s your kind of people - smart, fun, and packed with knowledge and contacts.
“For the best seats in the house, please use the link above.
WALK IN’s are always welcome”
lescavespdx.com
Greg Finger
aka Dr.Digit
Dave, this weekend will sure to be a bustling one after this week's snow storm. Some amazing suggestions have already been mentioned, but my number one recommendation is Tulip Shop Tavern; amazing original cocktails and excellent draft beer all paired with very well crafted pub food.
Depending on your imbibement, in walking distance from the event space is Westward Whiskey (booze), Wayfinder (beer), and Bunk Bar (sandwiches).
Lastly, Portland has the most wikipedia entries for dive bars than any other city, please don't leave town without a tallcan of Rainier served in a uncomfortable setting like Yamhill Pub or find out what Jo Jo's are at the Reel M Inn.
The Florida Room
MWL, Hale Pele, Huber's for a Spanish coffee
Hard to believe it's your first time in the Rose City, a veteran drinks guy like you. But okay, I'll bite on the recos. Horse Brass has been mentioned and should be visited, but perhaps even more so these days is Belmont Station, which I'd humbly suggest is the best beer spot in town! Sadly, some of my Portland faves have closed, like Hair of the Dog, Commons, and Bailey's, but the Deschutes taproom is still kicking, as is the Cascade Barrel House. And you should definitely visit Jeffrey Morgenthaler's new place, Pacific Standard. (I haven't been, but hey, it's Morgenthaler!) And certainly the Multnomah Whiskey Library.
Bear Paw Inn, & get me something at the sex toy vending machine
Snag a crazy veggie 'rito here : https://www.losgorditospdx.com (drink the salsa)
A few suggestions: The Nest Lounge, Nepo42, Double Barrel, Tiny Bubble Room, Moon & Sixpence, Kelly's Olympian and of course Horse Brass.
Oh - it’s seems unnecessary to even mention this, but if you’re in need of a book - go to Powell’s City of Books. Pretty key - they sell used books too - you never know what you might find in your area(s) of interest.
“1.6 acres of floor space.”
https://www.powells.com