Think of yourself as a bit of a whiskey connoisseur? Portland will have you covered. From casual to members only, here are some of the best whiskey bars in Portland, Oregon (in no particular order)…
1. Multnomah Whiskey Library – a stylish and intimate upstairs lounge with brick walls and a vintage feel
Downtown Portland’s Multnomah Whiskey Library is an upstairs lounge that features over 1,500 spirits and delicious small plates to go with them.
A little bit on the pricier side according to their Google profile, you will be paying for a quality upscale whiskey lounge experience with only the highest quality spirits.
Even though you have to go on a waiting list to be able to be granted paid membership, it’s worth “The New Old World” experience.
Address: 1124 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205
2. Scotch Lodge – a whiskey-focused cocktail bar with vintage-chic decor
The Scotch Lodge is a whisky and cocktail bar located in the Buckman District.
Established in 2019, this lodge has only been around for a few years but has already made a popular name for itself in Portland.
Choose from cocktails such as the Orange Sherry Cobbler, French Disko, Lotus Espirit (which contains Japanese whisky), and the Quiet Gardener. The Four Grain Old Fashioned has four-grain whisky in it. The Namesake cocktail has smoky Islay whisky in it.
Address: 215 SE 9th Ave #102, Portland, OR 97214
3. Pope House Bourbon Lounge – a Kentucky-themed bar with whiskeys, beer and a southern-influenced menu
Northwest District’s Pope House Bourbon Lounge will make you feel like you are in Kentucky because of its feel and decor.
The lounge is in an old Victorian house that features whisky, beers, and Southern-inspired eats. Don’t miss their daily happy hour from 4 pm to 7 pm that features $1 off pints, well, and house wines along with Mix & Mash on certain alcohols and sodas for $5.
Their happy hour choices (more to view on their happy hour page) make them one of the best whisky bars in Portland.
For food, choose from chips and dip, loaded hushpuppies, house salad, Southern chicken salad, smokehouse platter, fried chicken sandwich, pulled pork sliders, and many more appetizers and entrees.
Address: 2075 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209
4. Swine Restaurant, Moonshine & Whisky Bar – a modern-rustic locale with a warm vibe offering craft cocktails and plenty of whiskies
Located in Downtown Portland’s Paramount Hotel, you can visit Swine Restaurant, Moonshine, & Whisky Bar whether you are staying at the hotel or just passing through in Portland.
All their food is specially made farm-to-table. Enjoy their delicious cocktails, beer, and wine to wash it all down.
They have 8 varieties of beer on draft, 8 kinds of beers in a can, and 6 wines by the glass which includes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris.
Besides their shareable plates including pickled green beans and roasted nuts, pork rillettes, and the Tavern Burger, they also offer breakfast platters.
Address: 808 SW Taylor St, Portland, OR 97205
5. The Green Room – a stylish Multnomah Whiskey Library offshoot
The Green Room is located inside Downtown Portland’s Multnomah Whiskey Library and is an entity all its own.
Unlike where you need a membership to access the Multnomah Whiskey Library, the Green Room is open to the public whether you have a membership or not.
This is a lighthearted cocktail bar that helps you to appreciate the naturality of nature as you enjoy your favorite cocktail beverages. Indulge in a meat and cheese board while you sip on an Old Fashioned or Ace High libation.
Address: 1122 SW Alder St, Portland, OR 97205
6. Sidecar 11 – a snug, chic whiskey bar that serves up a range of speciality cocktails
While Boise District’s Sidecar 11 is temporarily closed, you can anticipate that you will enjoy their speciality cocktails and delicious bistro bites.
This North Portland whiskey bar was established in 2011. Their name is inspired by one of the drinks they sell and the number 11 is reminiscent of originating in 2011.
The Mississippi Sidecar features brandy, Harlequin orange liquor, lemon, and a sugar rim. Enjoy this signature drink with a mini mac, marinated chicken skewers, or a Northwest cheese plate.
Address: 3955 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227
7. Southland Whiskey Kitchen – a cool but casual Southern restaurant and bar with a broad bourbon selection
Southland Whiskey Kitchen is located in the Northwest District.
They make their food and drinks only from scratch for the highest quality taste for their patrons. Try a Vespa Margarita or a Dressed in Black from their house cocktails. Beers, whiskies, spirits, and wines are also on their drinks list.
Pair your choice of a cocktail with a tasty entree such as Brisket Salad, the Applewood Smoked BBQ plate, or the Road-Side Burger.
Address: 1422 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210
8. The Old Gold – a comfortable bar with booths which specializes in bourbon
The Old Gold is a whisky bar that offers upscale pub grub and is stationed in the Overlook District of Portland.
They sell signature Single Barrel Bourbon that comes from Kentucky which is so popular that they can sell out in only months after grabbing a large supply for their bar.
If you want to reserve a table for a small event such as a birthday or graduation celebration, the Old Gold Team allows that.
If you need the entire bar reserved for a larger party, the team can accommodate your reservation as well.
Address: 2105 N Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97217
9. The Cavern – for tasty food and a large selection of whiskey
Sunnyside District’s The Cavern offers cocktails and mouth-watering bar eats for dining in and to-go. Their menu is playful with funny headings such as “Draaanks” and “Dinner-Y Stuff”.
For cocktails, choose from the Stagger Lee, Cavern Manhattan (features Four Roses Bourbon), Plain Old Fashioned (features Kentucky straight bourbon), and more!
For food, choose from the artichoke dip with baguette, wings, “Frunch” fries, Nashville Hot Rod Chicken, the Pork Tenderloin Sammy, and many more appetizers and entrees.
Address: 4601 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97215
10. House Spirits Distillery – an acclaimed manufacturer of whiskey offering tours, tastings and cocktail classes
House Spirits Distillery is located in the Hosford-Abernethy District.
Choose from Aviation Gin, vodka, Aquavit, whiskey, and liqueur. Go to wine and spirits tastings or schedule a tour with family and friends to see the distillery.
The House Spirits Distillery is also affiliated with the Westward Whiskey brand just like the Westward Whiskey company discussed below.
They are a member of the Oregon Distillers Guild which originated in 2007. House Spirits Distillery is one of many pubs, distilleries, and bars that represent the many upscale spirits located throughout Oregon.
Address: 2025 SE 7th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
11. Paydirt – offers plenty of whiskeys and a range of hard-to-find aperitifs are served at this casual bar
Paydirt is a cocktail bar located in the Kerns District.
You can try many signature craft beers and whiskeys when you visit Paydirt. While they are a “dedicated drinking establishment” according to their website, they also have S’mores kits and non-alcoholic cocktails available.
Choose from 1792 Single Barrel 14, Blanton’s 19, Basil Hayden’s 14, and many other whiskey and bourbon titles. Look at their “Oh No! We Have Too Much Whiskey” section on their website to see the other bourbon and whiskies that they have available.
Address: 2724 Northeast Pacific Street, Portland, OR 97232
12. Bootleggers Whiskey Bar – one of the best whiskey bars in town bar in town
Bootleggers Whiskey Bar is only located 15 minutes outside of Portland in Beaverton, Oregon.
Their theme of a Prohibition-era haunting is the best reason that Bootleggers Whiskey Bar is one of the best whiskey bars with themes near Portland. They based this Prohibition theme on pictures of people and places in the 1920s and 30s throughout Beaverton.
Happy hour is every day from 4 pm to 6:30 pm. Cocktails such as the Bootleggers Blood are only $6 during happy hour.
Address: 12424 SW Broadway St, Beaverton, OR 97005
Distance from Portland — 15 minutes
13. Westward Whiskey – Acclaimed manufacturer of whiskey offering reserved tours, tastings and cocktail classes
Buckman District’s Westward Distillery offers factory tours, cocktail classes, and a Whiskey Club for those who regularly indulge in whiskey beverages.
They manufacture Westward Whiskey which is considered American most highly-rated single malt whiskey. Choose from the Gold Westward American Single Malt, Double Gold American Single Stout, Westward American Single Malt Pinot Noir, and other delicious whiskey varieties.
Joining the Whiskey Club allows you to sample the rarest of whiskies from their line and to participate in club-only gatherings.
Address: 65 SE Washington St, Portland, OR 97214
14. Shine Distillery & Grill – a popular restaurant, bar, and distillery
Shine Distillery & Grill is a restaurant, bar, and distillery situated in Portland’s Boise District.
For spirits by the bottle, choose from Straight Bourbon Whiskey, Pink Hibiscus Gin, Cascadian Gold Agave, Minty Vodka, and more.
Enjoy their brunch on Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm. There’s a daily happy hour from 4 pm to 6 pm and a late-night menu from 9 pm to 10 pm. Entrees for lunch and dinner include popcorn chicken, Vietnamese poutine, Distillery Burger, Farmhouse Burger, and many others.
They even sell their liquor bottles at local liquor stores throughout Portland and nearby cities.
Address: 4232 N Williams Ave, Portland, OR 97217
15. Brooklyn Park Pub – an old school watering hole with food and a large whiskey list
Brooklyn Park Pub is easy to remember because its district is Brooklyn as well.
With over 150 whiskies to choose from 1950s style burgers to go with them, you will surely find your favorite old-style burger and whiskey pairing. Choose from the Reuben Burger, Garden Burger, or the traditional Cheeseburger.
Every Groundhog Day, Brooklyn Park Pub hosts a game day. You may see them at the Annual Arts, Whiskey, and Crafts Summer Bizarre in Portland.
Address: 3400 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland, OR 97202
Gary is an award winning full time professional photographer and videographer with too much wanderlust for his own good. Fuelled by strong coffee, you’ll often find him wandering well off hiking trails in search of interesting photographic subjects or scenery to video. Self taught and with the use of pioneering digital techniques, he quickly built up a strong client base and has worked with many prestigious organisations, including GQ, BBC, London Fashion Week, Grazia, Sky, Metro, Vogue Italia. He specialising in evocative images of people, places and cinematic videography and his goal is to make the viewer look twice and engage. As well as a penchant for good design, the ketogenic diet and Hungarian Vizslas, he also has a huge affection for Chicago, Bucharest, Scandinavia, Croatia and absolutely everywhere in Italy. Find him on Instagram @garynansome, Twitter @garynansome and his website https://garynunn.co.uk/
