Portland's Best Neighborhood Bars

Portland is a city of neighborhood bars. They’re gathering places — a step up from the city’s beloved dive bars but more down-to-earth than cocktail bars and wine bars.

To have real cred, neighborhood residents have to adopt these bars — obviously. But they’re good spots to visit even from across town.

Portland Monthly associate editor Alex Frane picked his seven favorites:

🫛 Dots Cafe | 2521 SE Clinton St. (Hosford-Abernethy)

Dots is a combination of a diner and bar. Opened at a time when being vegan-friendly was more or less required, it still caters to vegans (and everyone else). Tip: It’s Frane’s favorite bar in Portland.

🍗 Roscoe’s | 8105 SE Stark St. (Montavilla)

It’s a part neighborhood bar and part pub, with a menu full of Southern food like fried fish and fried chicken. Bonus: You can also order sushi from the restaurant behind Roscoe’s.

🎱 Bar Maven | 6219 SE Foster Rd. (Foster-Powell)

It’s a bar that gets overlooked, which isn’t necessarily uncommon for places that develop a neighborhood following. It’s different from some of these other neighborhood bars in serving Mediterranean food — gyro nachos, for example. A recent addition: Bar Maven now has an outdoor pool table.

🍳 Radio Room | 1101 NE Alberta St. (King)

Radio Room is not only an after-hours spot every day of the year, but also it’s worth a visit for a delicious brunch.

🍟 The Rambler | 4205 N Mississippi Ave. (Boise)

Count on The Rambler for good cocktails and a wraparound patio that’s heated in the winter. The menu, like many of these bars, tends toward Southern, fried food.

🍸 Leisure Public House | 8002 N Lombard St. (St. Johns)

Leisure Public House has good vibes and a standout cocktail menu. And it’s also got a partially covered back patio worth checking out in all kinds of weather.

• Related: How petty crimes add up for small businesses. [City Cast Portland 🎧]

🍔 Side Eye | 612 NW 21st Ave. (Northwest District)

It’s the exception to this list in being a newly opened bar. But the folks behind this are working to make it a casual spot that neighbors will love. The menu includes their take on a Big Mac. On the drinks menu, look for a Rob Roy, an espresso martini, and a Wisconsin-style old-fashioned. Tip: It’s a good post-movie hangout after Cinema 21.

• Related: “Side Eye Blends French Dining, Fast Food, and Retro Cocktails” [Portland Monthly]