The Best Bars in Portland, Oregon

Portland’s drinking roots date back to timber times at the turn of the 19th century, when it was a major hub for extractive resource industries from throughout the Pacific Northwest.

In more recent years, its resources have turned cultural: Portland’s music, coffee, and food cart scenes have been widely exported in the 21st century, and the restaurants continue to win national awards (and feature frequently in BA’s annual Best New Restaurants list) and draw ambitious young chefs from around the world.

But Portland remains a drinking town first and foremost, its 21st-century denizens not too different from the thirsty loggers who grew this town a hundred or so odd years ago. We want to drink, and drink well, preferably in each other’s company, and in rooms that aren’t too brightly lit, so as to obscure our rough edges.

Here you’ll find a collection of 8 intriguing bars, all opened to visitors and locals alike within the last calendar year.

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At Daydream, expect 15 or so natural-leaning wines by the glass, lowballs made with local amari and citrus, sake and soda combinations, and a tight draft beer selection.

Photo by Taylor Davis

2615 SE Clinton St.
@favoriteneighbors

Electro-Cumbia beats on the high-end hi-fi, soft red lighting, a dreamlike atmosphere: Daydream is an alluring little hideout on SE Clinton, where there’s always a live DJ and the drinks skewer trendily low ABV. There’s 15 or so natural-leaning wines by the glass each night, lowballs made with local amari and citrus, sake and soda combinations, and a tight draft beer selection. Everyone looks good inside this place, and you will, too.

You should try: The bar’s Rye & Spelt ale, a collaboration with local Duality Brewing made with Albariño grapes.

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Waffle fries, sandwiches, fried onion rings, shrimp on ice, ham and chips, and cocktails on a table from Side Eye in Portland, Oregon.

Photo by Isabel Tarin

612 NW 21st Ave.
@sideeyepdx