Nightlife in Portland

The cozy interior of the lounge provides an inviting backdrop for tossing back classics and discovering new favorites. Peruse the creative menu, or ask a friendly bartender for a suggestion that suits the mood. Soothe a sore throat by gargling an Ambassador—a boozy blend of absinthe, St. Germain, grapefruit bitters, and soda with grapefruit ($9)—or quench a dry mouth with a Corpse Reviver ($7.50), featuring brandy, Menta Branca, Fernet Branca, anise tincture, and a lemon twist. Those who would say something like "Give it to me straight, doc" can slam back The Local ($4), an unadulterated sip of Olympia beer plus a shot of house whiskey. Soak up potency with clever eats that include grilled flatbread sandwiches ($7–$9); spiced nuts ($2); and a green-apple, roasted-garlic, queso-fresco, and blue-cheese pizzeta ($6), among others.

A curving wooden bar and Victorian chairs give Vie de Bohème the ambiance of a 19th-century Parisian bar, one where artists such as Matisse and Toulouse-Lautrec might have passed the time. Visitors lounge in the inviting space as they sip on beer, cocktails, or a selection of wines from around the world or accompany Bordeaux-born host Didier Sudre into the wine library to select bottles to take home or store in a secret wine cellar beneath the Olympic-size whiskey pool. Traditional snacks such as salami, cheeses, and olives complement drinks, small plates like their salmon cakes or pate plate give way to more substantial dishes such as cassoulet make sumptuous dinners. Local bands and pianists who play the in-house grand piano often inspire dancing.

At Encore Club, dealers from the nonprofit Kings of Clubs Dealers' Club slide cards across red-topped tables to poker players exercising their wits in tournaments with $25–$300 buy-ins. The club’s staff pays out 100% of the prize pool to the players, rather than using the money to fill a billionaire’s swimming pool. Bartenders mix classic cocktails for guests to sip as they gamble or sit on leather couches and nosh on small plates, pizza, and burgers. Complimentary WiFi amuses players between games, and big-screen TVs let patrons watch, learn, and mime the poker faces of professionals.

Like the philosophy-based salons and cafes of 19th-century Europe, Funhouse Lounge is a place where locals can revel in local art and entertainment over drinks. On many nights, the stage plays host to local acts showing off skills at karaoke, open-mic comedy, and music. Saturday evenings also welcome local improv groups that take the stage with off-the-cuff comedy scenes. While watching neighbors and friends show off their talents, guests split eccentric appetizers such as Irish nachos made from potato chips, cheese sauce, and sour cream or the Ho Ho trifle. The drink menu is equally as whimsical, with bartenders mixing up carnival-themed drinks such as the Bumper Car with Southern Comfort, amaretto, and sloe gin. The Midway Mojito boasts fresh-squeezed lime and a very slim chance of going home with an oversized stuffed tiger.