Portland, OR Loungers...HELP!

[diverguy]

Those of you from the Portland, OR area...perhaps you can help.

I have to in your fair city for a 3 day conference at the end of January. While I've been to both malls, Omsi and will probably spend some good time at Powells, there may be a lot of staring at hotel walls. Not my idea of a good time.

Any suggestions? Recommendations? (now be nice...I'm sensitive)

 

[old yazoo]

what to do in p-town?!

Ever been to Ray's Ragtime or Avalon? Both in central downtown.

My other recommendations require a car...but the Columbia River gorge is incredible, with all its waterfalls...

the Japanese garden, the Rose Garden (yes, roses bloom in January here!)

Sellwood (SE Portland) tons of antigue/vintage shops

Good live music - often free and it's everywhere. Just look in Willamette Week newspaper when you get here. I might be able to recommend something in particular when we get closer to late January.

 

[diverguy]

The Gorge is fantastic and I've done the gardens but Avalon and Ragtime sound fun. I will be mobile but will be staying downtown.

Thanks for the thoughts...traveling is a booger...

 

[zaika]

i'm gonna plug my neighborhood...
Belmont/Hawthorne/Division areas have some cute shops, good eating places, interesting people, and beautiful homes. it's right across the river from downtown. i bum around there all the time...of course. the Clinton Street Theatre shows the Rocky Horror Picture Show every Friday and Saturday night if that sounds interesting to you.
not sure if it's open in january, but the Chinese Gardens is right downtown.
right now this blog has december events listed...but closer to the time of your arrival, check it out for some ideas if you're interested in that sort of thing.
here's another link for events.

not much...but there ya go.

 

[Marlowe P.]

After the sun sets...

go to the portland city grill for live piano, a good scotch list and a great night view of the city
http://www.portlandcitygrill.com/index.cfm

 

[diverguy]

a good scotch list ...
http://www.portlandcitygrill.com/index.cfm

Boy, you've got my number there! Any chance they allow cigars as well?

 

[pdxvintagette]

Depending on the dates, I might be able to recommend some good period music or other similar events - that's really my scene, the swing dancing community (though I wish they'd dress up) and the rockabilly kids (though I wish they'd GROW up!). My favorite boys The Stood Ups! are playing January 5th (at not one's favorite place, but oh well) and there's sometimes some very classy acts at Berbati's Pan, especially since the lindy hop crowd started bringin dancable music in.

 

[MK]

.

Don't forget Tony Starlight's:

www.tonystarlight.com


...and the Benson Hotel. Great joint to have a drink and they have two of the best steakhouses in town.

www.bensonhotel.com

 

[pdxvintagette]

Funny you'd mention Tony's right then, my avatar pic was taken there at the last vintage fashion show AlexSandra held there.

 

[Feng_Li]

We have a great zoo, and it's easily accessible by MAX. Take the Blue line west and go up the elevator.

 

[diverguy]

Gee, you all have some great suggestions...

Perhaps I should just chuck the conference and spend my time drinking and dancing!!

 

[Marlowe P.]

Boy, you've got my number there! Any chance they allow cigars as well?

I think they do (you can smoke indoors until Jan 1, so sometimes its bar by bar) and Portland has some decent shops - Ricks Smoke shop on nw 23rd is a fave of mine.

If you like scotch and cigars try the basement of Kels as well. It is the oldest Irish Bar in town and the upstairs is always busy. But the hideaway cigar lounge downstairs is great. Really great scotch and whiskey list, best ive seen outside of nyc so far. Might want to consider bringing your own cigar they have pretty limited choices on that end. Again, that might sadly end on the 1st.

http://www.kellsirish.com/portland/

 

[missmelly]

go to the portland city grill for live piano, a good scotch list and a great night view of the city
http://www.portlandcitygrill.com/index.cfm

I work in the US Bancorp Tower and I agree that PCG's bar (and especially happy hour) is the best.
That or Huber's, the oldest restaurant in Portland that was also a speakeasy. Old Town Pizza and you can also do the Shanghai Tunnels tour.
I'd love to meet and out-of-town lounger.
.:Miss Melly:.

 

[Travis]

Gee, you all have some great suggestions...

Perhaps I should just chuck the conference and spend my time drinking and dancing!!

Sounds like a great idea!