Roses. Flowing river. Microbrews. Rock. Community. What springs to mind when
this writer thinks of Portland, Oregon? Perfection. Having traveled all over
this country of varied landscapes and cityscapes, I can say, without question,
that Portland not only sticks out in m my mind as one of the cities I could
truly settle down in for the long haul, but also in my heart and soul. This
city thrives on community, and that sentiment spills over into the everyday
life and quirky nature of a city that is culturally and intellectually progressive.
While the music scene here tends to ebb and flow like the Willamette River that
runs through the heart of the city, there's no question that Portland's centrality
- situated squarely between San Francisco, Eugene, and Seattle - as a West Coast
juggernaut is attractive to touring and local artists alike. There's a vibrancy
that comes across in everything that happens here, perhaps reflected in the
fact that it's green year round outside, and despite the more than occasional
rain shower, it never occurs to you to mind. The city itself is laid out to
perfection, mixing old city style with new city accessibility and livability.
One day here and you feel like you're home. And those locals who are lucky enough
to live here permanently will tell you proudly just why Portland is so special.
The word that best describes the population here? Content.
Compiled by Heidi Drockelman
Portland Skyline
Web resources for those who like to plan:
Just the facts…did you know?
- Portland is considered an example of outstanding urban planning. The city
is known as The City of Roses. High above the city of Portland the International
Rose Test Garden features more than 500 varieties of roses cultivated continuously
since 1917.
- Reportedly, Oregon has more ghost towns than any other state. Check out
Hardman, Sumpter, and Shaniko.
- In 1905 the largest log cabin in the world was built in Portland to honor
the Lewis and Clark expedition.
- While it is illegal to buy or sell marijuana in Oregon, it is legal to smoke
it on your own property.
- Oregon has no sales, restaurant or liquor tax.
- The Nike "swoosh" logo was designed by University of Oregon student Carolyn
Davidson in 1964 - four years after business undergrad Phil Knight and track
coach Bill Bowerman founded the company they originally called Blue Ribbon
Sports. Ms. Davidson was paid $35 dollars for her design.
- In Portland, people are banned from whistling underwater.
- Matt Groening, creator of The Simpsons, hails from Portland.
- The world's smallest park, totaling 452 inches, was created in Portland
on St. Patrick's Day for leprechauns and snail races.
- Oregon and New Jersey are the only states without self-serve gas stations.
According to Oregon state law, an attendant must pump your gas.
- Portland's most prominent and revered musician and songwriter is easily
the late Elliott Smith, whose unique sound branded the Portland music scene
and put the NW city prominently on the music map.
- Pavement's Stephen Malkmus currently lives in Portland.
Mt. Hood
This place rules! Best place to watch/play a gig:
The Roseland Theatre (10 NW Sixth Ave., http://www.doubletee.com/)
- You never know what you're in store for with the eclectic concert offerings
at the Roseland, but it's a safe bet top performers or up-and-coming musicians
will take the stage. It's something of a dank, dark place - just the way we
like it. Friendly to both local musicians and touring rock acts, The Roseland
is a bastion of rock'n roll - Portland style.
Berbati's Pan (10 SW 3rd Ave., http://www.berbatis.com/)
- A great line-up of live entertainment and tasty Mediterranean food keeps Berbati's
Pan hopping. Large columns, artwork, and a 150-year-old bar shipped from Europe
give the place an authentic feel, and the stellar jukebox in the pool room provides
a much needed break from the American Top 40. A wide variety of regional and
national names in pop, rock, and blues are featured at Berbati's, and they boast
an excellent sound system. This is old world, old style, and you'll feel transported
into another time and place here.
Dante's Cafe and Cocktail Lounge (1 SW Third Ave., http://www.danteslive.com/)
- An open fire pit and candlelit red tables scattered cabaret-style across the
dark club give Dante's a cozy glow. The nightly inferno shifts from alt-rock
bands to sultry torch singers to R&B regulars. An adjoining room with a second
bar, a pool table and a classic Asteroids video game holds the overflow from
the tiny performance space. On Mondays, Dante's holds karaoke with a live band,
letting you fulfill your rock'n roll fantasies, and sells pizza by the slice.
There's really not much reason to ever leave this joint.
Crystal Ballroom/Lola's Room (1332 W. Burnside, http://www.mcmenamins.com/)
- Every city worth its salt has one of these venues - a standby that's all-ages
friendly, but still capable of producing a kickass rock show as well. While
many of the acts coming through here are touring, mainstream artists, the acoustics
in the third-floor ballroom remain some of the best in the city. It's never
too loud here to be able to listen to the music, and the antique floor is something
to behold. For the not-so-kiddie friendly, there's also Lola's Room on the second
floor - bands, films, and other performances are regularly held here and there's
truly something for everyone.
Doug Fir (830 E Burnside St., http://www.dougfirlounge.com/)
- Invoking the ambiance of an upscale woodsy retreat for die-hard music and
drinking fans in the city, this late-night restaurant-slash-bar is located just
above a counterpart subterranean live music club in a similar woodsy, retro-chic
space (imagine a modernist vision of the log cabin). Doug Fir serves breakfast,
lunch, dinner, and late-night platters with a menu heavily tilted toward classic
Americana: burgers, filet mignon and eggs breakfast, biscuits and gravy, venison
tenderloin, and field greens and blackberry salads. Open seven days a week,
21 hours a day, think truck-stop cuisine elevated several notches with the chef's
affirmative nod to fresh, local ingredients. But I digress, Doug Fir is one
of the hippest rooms in the city, and gaining momentum.
Aladdin Theater (3017 SE Milwaukie Ave., http://www.aladdin-theater.com/)
- Can you take an old adult theater and turn it into one of the best spots in
Portland for live music? The Aladdin Theater has answered that with a resounding
yes. It's the anchor business on Sellwood's most happening strip. Name acts
range from Nada Surf to The Fiery Furnaces to The Black Keys to Taj Mahal. It's
eclectic, but consistently a name-dropper. The Aladdin is one of the best places
in the city to catch a touring act and widely considered a favorite by locals.
Honorable Mentions:
Tonic Lounge (3100 NE Sandy Blvd., http://www.thetoniclounge.com/)
- Like daycare for grown-ups, the Tonic offers many diversions. From the dim,
cozy main lounge to speed metal blasting from a hard-rocking jukebox . Down
the hallway, there's live music, dancing, and DJs. Local bands ranging from
straight-ahead rock to experimental are the norm. On off nights, the speakers
are hooked up to a big screen TV, creating a screening room for offbeat movies
and cult TV shows. Another back room is dedicated to gaming, with a pool table,
video games, pinball, and video poker. Enjoy the front patio and witness the
conflict between saint and sinner going on across the street, where a program
for Christian teens is located next door to an adult video parlor
Jimmy Mak's (300 NW 10th Ave., http://www.jimmymaks.com/)
- This Portland club consistently reels in preeminent national touring acts
and showcases local jazz and blues musicians. Upstairs, enjoy a space studded
with black and white photos of jazz superstars. It's the consistency of talent
and show schedules that keep the regulars pouring into Jimmy Mak's.
Ash Street Saloon (225 SW Ash St., http://www.ashstreetsaloon.com/)
- When you've tired of the many upscale brewpubs and noisy clubs in Portland,
or simply begin looking for a comfy spot that's the opposite of the downtown
dance scene, then Ash Street Saloon fits like a worn-to-perfection glove. There's
live music several nights a week, generally of the rock variety, and the many,
shall we say "interesting", characters here will keep your people-watching
full for the night. Think low-key and very relaxed.
The Green Room (2280 NW Thurman St., http://www.grpub.net/)
- The Green Room hides out just beyond where the trendy Northwest shopping district
becomes an industrial wasteland. This unassuming room is large and boxy, with
a low stage by the front door and a bar running along the side wall. The Green
Room shows its dedication to live music by hosting free shows on weeknights,
and giving a rotating cast of local performers weekly showcases. Music tends
towards folk rock and blues, with an occasional Irish, Latin, or uncategorizable
acoustic set thrown in for diversity.
Duff's Garage (1635 SE Seventh Ave.) - Duff's tries to evoke a working
class, gritty, 1950's Americana vibe, but really, it's a little brighter, cleaner
and friendlier than all that. It's more like a neighborhood spot that happens
to have its own mission. The real soul of this space is American roots music,
with live music several nights a week: country, rockabilly, a little surf, a
little blues, some bluegrass. In other words, you're more likely to find pedal
steel guitars than electronic keyboards on the low stage at the end of the room,
and a lot more musicianship and less posturing than most music hotspots.
Grand Central Bowl (808 SE Morrison St.) - One of the true punk venues
in the city, underneath the Bowl lurks a huge, run-down parking garage. Music
producer Double Trouble books bands several nights a week in the bowling alley
but sends its all-ages punk shows to the garage below. Yes, amongst the family
outings and cosmic bowling, there's a punk rock explosion waiting to get in
your face.
Portland Classical Chinese Garden
For the gearheads (and those who stole their equipment on the road):
Showcase Music & Sound (3401 SE Hawthorne Blvd., http://www.showcasemusicandsound.com/)
- What better place to buy a guitar than from a local legend? John Chassaing
is listed in the Northwest Book of Rock & Roll History and has been selling
music since he was 18 years old. In 1977 he opened Showcase Music and Sound
with Bill Davis, a music teacher who regularly plays in his own band. Together
they have formed one of the most comprehensive independent music stores in Portland.
Their inventory includes a huge selection of guitars, both electric and acoustic,
with separate rooms for drums, keyboards, DJ equipment, sheet music, rentals,
and woodwinds and brass.
Pioneer Music Co. (907 SW 9th Ave., http://www.pioneermusicco.com/)
- Pioneer Music Co. is a local acoustic guitar store. The small storefront is
packed with acoustic accessories, amps, mandolins, ukuleles (in case you have
a don ho or emo philips moment) and much more. A refreshing break from a neon-lighted
and overly-enthusiastic sales-driven superstore.
Portland Music Co. (531 SE MLK Blvd. - main store; 2502 NE Broadway;
12334 SE Division; http://www.portlandmusiccompany.com/)
- Portland Music Co. is the essential local stop for musicians. They've got
it all and they've got multiple locations to suit your side of town. The Broadway
location doesn't carry the full line of instruments and focuses on acoustic
and band instruments. If you're in a pinch, or simply want to browse, you're
sure to find something here.
Apple Music Row (225 SW First Ave., http://www.applemusicrow.com/)
- Apple is locally-owned and boasts a large inventory - including over 1000
guitars. Special orders are not only welcomed, but encouraged by the friendly
staff, and you can pick up anything from keyboards to drums to audio equipment
(mics, amps, whatever) in addition to the stunning guitar selection. And, oh
yeah, did I mention no sales tax?
Hey DJ! Spin this! Record Stores for the hardcore:
Music Millennium (801 NW 23rd Ave.; 3144 E Burnside St..; 3158 E Burnside
St., http://www.musicmillennium.com/)
- The store offers a wide variety of primarily new CDs - at the listening station,
you can hear selections from about 2,000 artists - as well as some music-related
books and videos. The centerpiece of the large store is a small stage with ultra-comfortable
seating - a few cushy couches and several armchairs. Plop down and catch one
of the roughly 200 in-store performances that Music Millennium hosts each year,
ranging from local bands to punk headliners..
2nd Avenue Records (400 SW Second Ave.) - Among Portland's oldest independent
record stores (established in 1982), and certainly one of the largest, is 2nd
Avenue Records. All forms of music media are available here, from CDs to tapes
to vinyl LPs to 33 singles, covering a vast range of independent and mainstream
music. A somewhat aloof but knowledgeable staff can direct you through the maze
of options, including giving you access to the CDs, which are contained behind
glass cases.
Reverb (33623 SE Hawthorne Blvd.) - Known as the venue for finding music
by the "hippest of hipsters," this '70s-throwback new/used/indie vinyl and CD
empire is the work of Claes Almroth, a well-known local musician. If you are
looking for anything from the last 50 years of American music, this is the place
to plant your flag. Browse the huge selection of music by local (Portland and
Pacific Northwest) musicians
Discourage Rock & Roll (1737 SE Morrison, http://members.aol.com/discurge/)
- A punk rock record collector's dream, Discourage Rock & Roll is located on
a seedy strip. A U-shaped set of record bins dominates one corner, brimming
with new and used albums and singles. You'll find a few CD's at Discourage,
but most of the stock consists of gorgeous black vinyl. The selection runs the
gamut from '60s garage to '70s, '80s, and '90s punk rock, garage, and hardcore.
A special emphasis is placed on collectible punk records from the glory days
of the late '70s, with rare 45's for sale.
Must-visit:
Portland Classical Chinese Garden (NW Third Ave. at NW Flanders, http://www.portlandchinesegarden.org/home)
- Portland officials are proud of the fact that the city's new Classical Chinese
Garden is the largest oasis of its kind outside of China. Covering a full city
block and subtitled the "Garden of Awakening Orchids," it's all about the marriage
of soil and stone, bark and bamboo, carved wood and babbling water. Horticulturists
searched high and low to create a Suzhou-style garden, one that blends together
seamlessly with the Ming Dynasty architecture. White and gray stones cover winding,
tree-lined paths that lead to hidden treasures of nature and man. Ornate and
sublime sculptures protect entryways and the entire garden feels like it has
been in place, not for weeks, but centuries.
Washington Park Rose Garden (4790 W. 16th St., http://www.parks.ci.portland.or.us/Parks/Washington.htm)
- Washington Park has been an integral part of Portland since the 19th century.
The park has boasted a sizable collection of animals for more than 100 years
and it now provides a home to the beautiful Oregon Zoo. If you're a plant-lover,
you're in luck as well. Stop and smell the roses in the International Rose Test
Garden or relax in the Japanese Garden. There's plenty to do on rainy days,
too, with the Children's Museum housed here as well. If you can't find something
to pass the time in Washington Park, you really aren't trying very hard.
Forestry Discover Center/Hoyt Arboretum (4033 SW Canyon Rd., http://www.worldforestry.org/)
- While you're in Washington Park, the Forestry Discovery Center provides a
wide range of events, programs, and exhibits about wildlife and forests. Though
emphasis is placed on Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, exhibits also educate
visitors about forests of the world. The centerpiece of the center is a 70-foot
multi-lingual Douglas fir that explains nature's importance. Finally, a place
for you to reenact a hobbit scene with a giant talking tree. This museum serves
as a perfect complement to Hoyt Arboretum, also located in Washington Park,
which contains more than 800 species of trees.
Ground Kontrol (610 SW 12th Ave., http://www.groundkontrol.com)
- Frogger, Asteroids, Pole Position, Pit Fall, and Tron. Dinosaurs that I no
doubt have somewhere in my parents basement sitting alongside an Atari gameset
with giant joysticks. The beauty of Ground Kontrol is that I don't need to dig
through any boxes to find them. This gem of a spot is one helluva way to spend
an afternoon of down time. This isn't just any old arcade, here, it's on like
Donkey Kong.
Going Street Overpass (Connects parts of North Concord Ave. in Overlook)
- It's a bit strange to recommend that people visit an overpass in the middle
of a city. Smacks of peculiar imagery like drug deals and people of questionable
character lingering about. But, cross my heart, there's something a little bit
freakier going on under this overpass. It's another chain-link corridor suspended
over moving cars, but this one has dozens of padlocks hanging from the bridge's
roof like creepy, theft-preventing stalactites. Weird.
Portland Building/Portlandia Sculpture (1120 SW 5th Ave.) - Aside from
housing the city government in its offices, Portland Building is home to Portlandia,
the 36-foot statuette on the landing of the third floor. She is the second largest
copper statue in America, just behind Lady Liberty on Staten Island. The building
itself is famous for the controversy it created when it went up, back in the
'80s. Designed by renowned architect Michael Graves at the height of postmodernist
fever, the structure became a lightning rod for criticism and praise and brought
national attention to Portland's cityscape. It's really hard to miss, just keep
looking up once you hit 5th Avenue.
Portlandia Sculpture
Get your grub on! Pleasing your palate:
Jake's Famous Crawfish (401 SW 12th Ave.) - First, a warning. This restaurant
is not cheap. But that should tell you something about the quality of seafood
you're going to get. Originally founded in 1892 to showcase crawfish, and the
oldest restaurant in Portland, the crustaceans are still on the menu, but mostly
a side note. Their "fresh sheet" comprises a varied list of fish and seafood
that changes daily. Try the crab cakes, seafood chili, or tuna "black and blue".
For the budget-conscious, they have a great happy hour menu offering everything
from Caesar salads to salmon cakes at low, low prices. Dessert is worth saving
room for and the Chocolate Bag is not to be missed: dark chocolate shaped like
a small paper bag and filled with white chocolate mousse and fresh berries.
Stumptown Coffee Roasters (4525 SE Division St. & 3356 SE Belmont
St., http://www.stumptowncoffee.com/)
- Stumptown's enormous Division Street cafe has a large coffee bar and tables
and sofas for your socializing pleasure. The Belmont Street location is a bit
smaller, but still quite comfy. Both feature revolving displays of local artists'
work, and you'll occasionally find live music going on. This is Portland's quintessential
coffee experience, and their organic, hot java is simply the best in the city.
Bistro Montage (301 SE Morrison St.) - A mural of 'The Last Supper'
framed by thousands of pieces of macaroni, bawdy catcalling of orders, and long
banquet-sized tables to better acquaint you with your neighbors, all ensure
a festive and memorable time at Le Bistro Montage. Keep you distance if you
don't like garlic - it's in everything and it's spicy and delectable. Entrees
that stand out are the spicy jambalaya, savory chicken verde, and scrumptious
pan-fried oysters. Macaroni aficionados know of Montage and the in-house near
religious zeal toward this baked elbow pasta. Have a good time, or the waiters
will give you hell for the duration of your stay. And, oh yeah, they're open
until 4 AM on the weekends.
Junior's Cafe (1742 SE 12th Ave.) - Check your cholesterol level at
the door and partake in a buttery egg scramble, spicy chicken sausage, or a
fabulous pork-loin sandwich laden with garlic mayonnaise. But the greatest attraction
may be the fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice mimosa that is a popular cure for
too much fun the night before. The prices are very affordable, but the wait
can be long. Junior's is known as the joint for your hangover cure.
Portland City Grill (317 S. College Ave.) - This posh outpost atop Big
Pink features an aerial view of Portland, the West Hills and several mountain
peaks. A typical dinner for two runs about $100 including wine, dessert, and
tip, but head to the bar where they offer small plates and cheaper drinks. You'll
typically find 20 mini-entrees and starters under $5 during happy hours from
4:30-6:30 PM nightly and 9:30 PM-midnight Monday-Thursday. The wine list is
expansive and expensive, and totally worth every penny. The bar menu makes this
popular spot affordable and the view really is worth taking in at least once
while you visit or live here. Best place to take visitors in the city.
Portland Brewing Company (2730 NW 31st Ave., http://www.macsbeer.com/)
- I accidentally stumbled onto this brewery and while you can ask just about
everyone in the city which local microbrew to hit and they will answer with
a different one each time (there is an enormous list of breweries based here),
Portland Brewing remains consistent and delicious. Built in 1993, the facility
houses classic copper equipment acquired from a German brewery, along with a
taproom, tasting room, large fireplace, 3,000-square-foot restaurant, and a
popular outdoor beer garden. The restaurant menu is affordable and tasty, and
the Black Watch Cream Porter is divine.
Speak up, Portland! If you have a favorite hangout or rants about what's
included, let us and all other touring and local musicians know about it! Post
your comments below and let others know where to go!
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