Top Bars in Portland – Most Viewed (2025)

Coffin Club, formerly known as Lovecraft Bar, is a horror-themed nightclub nestled in Portland's Buckman neighborhood. Established in 2011, the venue pays homage to the macabre, drawing inspiration from gothic literature, horror films, and dark aesthetics. ​ The club boasts two dance floors, a stage for live performances, and an outdoor patio featuring a vegan food cart. Inside, patrons are immersed in an ambiance adorned with skulls, coffins, glowing pentagrams, and eerie lighting, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a haunted mansion. ​ Coffin Club is renowned for its diverse musical offerings, including goth, industrial, darkwave, post-punk, synth-pop, and more. Regular events encompass burlesque shows, drag performances, fetish balls, and themed dance nights, catering to a wide array of alternative subcultures. ​ The venue is proudly LGBTQ+ friendly, fostering an inclusive environment where all are welcome to revel in the dark delights it offers. With its unique theme and vibrant community, Coffin Club stands as a staple in Portland's nightlife scene.

Portland's Hale Pele—a tiki temple named for the Hawaiian volcano goddess—delivers immersive escapism with every sip. From the moment you step in, flaming cocktails, scented with toasty cinnamon and crafted using house-made syrups, rum-forward blends, and fresh juices, set the tone for a tropical voyage. The bar is adorned with carved wooden totems, dramatic lighting, and vintage puffer-fish lamps—creating a sensory-rich environment where distant storms seem to rumble in for added drama. A highlight is the Chieftain’s Hut, a private, thatch-roofed booth ideal for groups of 8–12 looking for an unforgettable tiki ritual. Hale Pele boasts an extensive menu—over 50 exotic cocktails ranging from classics like Mai Tai and Navy Grog to inventive modern originals such as “Tico Tico,” “Krakatoa,” and “Three Dots and a Dash.” Prices generally sit between $14–$20 per drink. Complementing the libations is a vividly curated small-plates menu of island-inspired fare—Hawaiian bread with guava-ginger jam, kalua pork, lumpia, poke, taro chips, and more. Happy-hour specials make it even sweeter. The vibe is legendary among locals and chefs alike. One Portland chef notes how “flaming drinks… the room always has an aroma of toasty cinnamon,” calling out “Krakatoa” and “Three Dots and a Dash” as favorites. Redditors praise its ambiance and bar camaraderie too, with one calling it “the best tiki bar in Portland.” Nightly operations are relaxed—no reservation is needed for the main area, but the Chieftain’s Hut can be booked for groups. All in all, Hale Pele is a theatrical, sensory cocktail experience that’s both a nostalgic homage and a contemporary reinvention of tiki culture.

Tucked in the Concordia neighborhood of northeast Portland, Expatriate is a cocktail lounge with a soul. The moment you walk in, warm lighting, deep woods, and an easy intimacy greet you—this isn’t a place for loudness, but for crafted drinks, thoughtful conversation, and surprising snacks. Expatriate’s bar program is polished. The bartenders are mixologists who know how to balance classics and curveballs. Expect seasonal, complex drinks that pull in flavors from all over, alongside a dependable selection of cocktails that hit just right. It’s also a place that takes its bar-food seriously: shareable bites like nachos, a burger, tempura mushrooms, and snacks with Asian or global twists accompany the drinks. The food doesn’t just fill—it complements the drinks in a way that feels considered, clever. The ambience is nostalgic and unpretentious. Vinyl records play in the background, the stools and booths are just close enough to feel friendly without crowding, and there’s a sense that the décor—rich woods, old posters, dim mirrors—is as much part of the experience as what’s in your glass. Even though it’s stylish, there’s comfort: go solo, with a date, or with friends; linger, talk, sample, get curious. Expatriate is most alive in the evening—from when the doors open at 5 PM, when the lights dim fully, the cocktails begin flowing, and the city settles into night. It’s a place with character, where small details matter—a garnish, a beverage story, a dish with texture, a playlist that feels human. If you want something more than just “a night out”—if you want drinks that are worth remembering, food that surprises, and an environment that feels intimate but vibrant—this is it.

Nestled in Southeast Portland’s vibrant Hosford‑Abernethy neighborhood, Deadshot was the brainchild of creative bartender Adam Robinson (formerly of Rum Club and Ounce Taipei), and quickly became known as a beacon of daring and innovation in the city’s cocktail scene. Unknown to many at first, the bar had pop-up origins—starting as a Monday-night experiment before settling into its permanent space at 2133 SE 11th Ave. Here, Robinson infused his cocktails with Asian-inspired flair—think bitter melon, galangal, pandan—all rare in local mixology circles. Signature creations dazzled both in taste and technique. The Crystal Daiquiri, a clarified concoction, looked like water but delivered multi-layered daiquiri complexity. Equally memorable was the Clarified Milk Punch, translucent with hints of tea, pandan aromas, rice, and even Cinnamon Toast Crunch notes—a drink that bent expectations. The bar's rotating menus and offbeat ingredients made each visit a discovery. Drinks like Who is Jack Nance?—a whiskey sour spiked with sherry, sesame, and mustard—or vibrant blends featuring cabbage, cantaloupe, or tarragon, emphasized that Deadshot wasn’t just serving cocktails—it was practicing cocktail storytelling. Visitors also appreciated the cozy covered heated outdoor patio—a serene space to enjoy a cocktail year-round. The place welcomed both walk‑ins and reservation via Resy and treated guests to happy hour and the ever‑popular Tuesday Oyster Night featuring $1.50 oysters alongside drink specials. Despite its renown for creativity and ambiance, Deadshot is slated to close at the end of 2025, with regular service ending November 8. However, its beloved annual holiday pop‑up, Miracle, will continue at a new location in the future. Its legacy? A place where chemistry, curiosity, and global flavor shaped Portland’s cocktail identity.

Founded in 2013, Multnomah Whiskey Library offers a one-of-a-kind drinking experience in downtown Portland. Styled as a mix of British gentlemen’s club and antique library, the space features towering five‑level shelves filled with over 1,700 bottles, polished wood paneling, portraits of whiskey pioneers, sliding ladders, vintage lighting, leather armchairs, and an inviting fireplace. Guests are seated throughout, served cocktails and spirits tableside via custom bar carts rather than standing at a bar. Whether you’re sipping a thoughtful stir‑drink or a rare whiskey poured neat, service is intimate and expert-led. The menu typically offers a broad scope of high‑end spirits, craft cocktails, and small plates designed for sharing: think scotch eggs, Wagyu bites, house focaccia and rotating dessert selections sourced locally. It's ideal for whiskey enthusiasts seeking rare bottles or novices who want a guided introduction—staff are knowledgeable and helpful in navigating the vast menu. While membership offers perks like break‑even pours, private tastings, and access to exclusive events, non‑members can visit by purchasing a “Hall Pass” reservation. Owned by The Multnomah Whiskey Library LLC and located at 1124 SW Alder St in Portland, Oregon, the venue is also active in community philanthropy, having raised six‑figure contributions for local nonprofits. It was a runner‑up in Willamette Week’s “Best Cocktail Lounge” poll in 2020.

Since its opening in 2007 by Daniel Shoemaker (with early collaboration by Ted Charak), Teardrop Lounge has anchored Portland’s cocktail revolution. Located in the sleek Pearl District, it greets you with sensuously curved concrete, exposed beams, abundant natural light, and clean industrial touches—creating an environment both contemporary and inviting. The heart of the venue is its signature island bar—teardrop-shaped and designed to foster conversation and connection with the bartenders. From the start, Teardrop distinguished itself by crafting everything in-house: house-roasted coconut for piña coladas, bespoke bitters, tonics, tinctures, and rare ingredients like Amer Picon and costus root bitters. This dedication to the craft is mirrored in a rotating menu of about 30 cocktails, divided across classics, house originals, and guest “Friends,” and refreshed seasonally. More than just expertly mixed drinks, Teardrop prioritizes the guest experience—bartenders guide patrons through flavor profiles, educating as they serve, making each visit feel personalized and exploratory. Its reputation extends beyond local acclaim: Esquire, Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, and others have named it among America’s best cocktail bars. Over the years, the lounge has become a training ground for top bartending talent, with alumni shaping other prominent programs and even launching The Commissary, a supply hub offering quality bitters, syrups, and juices to bars across Portland and beyond. In short, Teardrop Lounge is more than a bar—it’s a sensory journey through cocktail artistry, rooted in innovation, education, and the spirit of Portland.

Step inside McMenamins Kennedy School, one of Portland’s most beloved repurposed treasures, where a 1915 elementary school has been transformed into a multi-layered social playground. Imagine original chalkboards, sacred hallways turned into corridors of local art, and classrooms that now serve as hotel rooms, restaurants, bars, and gathering spots infused with nostalgic whimsy. Behind an unremarkable hallway door lurks the Boiler Room Bar—a cavernous, multi-level hideaway that once housed the school's boiler. Now it’s alive with McMenamins’ handcrafted ales, a working jukebox, shuffleboard, pool tables, and a wood-and-steel aesthetic bursting with quirky machinery-scape décor. Nearby, the Detention Bar takes the experience further—cozy, tongue-in-cheek, with whiskey selections and a vibe that playfully revisits detention with craft drinks and cheeky charm. When you're ready for variety, the Honors Bar offers a lighter, relaxed setting with seltzers, ciders, and brews, while still echoing the school theme in a casual way. Fancy watching a film with a drink in hand? The Theater Bar sits inside the old auditorium's lounge—set up like a cozy classroom complete with pizza and popcorn delivery during shows. Beyond the bar adventures, the former cafeteria is reborn as the Courtyard Restaurant, with mahogany booths, weekly pub fare, and McMenamins’ own brewery—and yes, that’s located in the old girls' lavatory—with on-tap ales and seasonal specials. Want to unwind? Take a dip in the ceramic-tiled outdoor soaking pool that was once the teachers' lounge—a geothermal-style soak wrapped in storybook nostalgia. This old school is alive again—not with kids, but with locals and travelers discovering lobby lounges lit by chandeliers, themed classrooms, and bars that double as social adventures. And did I mention it's pet-friendly on certain patios?.

Founded by local chef and former basketball player Jenny Nguyen, The Sports Bra opened on April 1, 2022 in Northeast Portland’s Sullivan’s Gulch neighborhood. It’s the world’s first sports bar to broadcast only women’s sports, filling a void in the hospitality and fandom world. Inside, you'll find dark-wood panels, vintage women’s team jerseys and memorabilia (Portland Thorns, Sabrina Ionescu, Jackie Stiles), and rainbow accents—making it a cozy, queer-inclusive, all-ages-friendly environment. The mismatched 3‑point arc from the 2024 NCAA Women’s Tournament was repurposed into a striking bar top—transforming a controversy into a symbol of progress. The menu pairs comfort food with thoughtful inclusivity—burgers, tots, wings, Vietnamese‑style baby back ribs—with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten‑free options. They showcase women-owned local breweries and spirits, and serve themed cocktails named for trailblazing female athletes. More than a bar, it's a movement—hosting viewing parties for NWSL and WNBA, community fundraisers, activist events (e.g., Brittney Griner letter-writing), and queer summer camps. Its success—nearly $1 M revenue in eight months—has inspired expansions and franchises nationally, backed by investors like Alexis Ohanian and the 776 Foundation.

Tucked away at 215 SE 9th Ave STE 102 in Portland’s Buckman/SE 9th corridor, Scotch Lodge opens nightly from 4pm to midnight, delivering an elevated drinking experience for whisky lovers and cocktail adventurers alike. Curated by whisky aficionado Tommy Klus, the collection features over 300 domestic and international whiskies—from time-honoured Scotch and rare Japanese single malts to niche American bourbons. But the vibe isn’t purely serious: the bar mixes these treasures into thoughtful, modern cocktails, and pairs them with a refined, Pacific-Northwest-influenced food menu by chef Tim Artale. The ambiance makes the moment: a subterranean lounge with walnut paneling, library-ladder shelves of spirits, intimate seating, and low lighting that invites conversation and discovery rather than shouting and dancing. Visitors note the “speakeasy feel” with an entrance that recedes from the street and a staircase leading into the bar. Make a reservation on Resy for the “kitchen bar” or walk-in and try to arrive early (before 5:30pm) or later (after ~8:30pm) for better chances at a seat. Must-experience: Ask the bar team to guide you with a whisky flight if you’re exploring beyond the usual. Pair a cocktail with their standout snack menu—fried brie, rockfish & chips or duck confit poutine get serious praise. For whisky collectors or curious guests: rare bottle pours are available, but the space stays welcoming even if you’re not a whisky geek. Reviews highlight service that puts novices at ease. Whether it’s a date night, a special-occasion drink, or simply an evening of discovery in Portland, Scotch Lodge offers an experience that balances sophistication with warmth.