Departure: Located on the rooftop of downtown's hotel, The Nines, is the fabulous bar and restaurant that is Departure. This is where the beautiful people go to enjoy some sushi and a signature cocktail such as the "Singapore 75", a mixture of gin, citrus and sparkling sake! Put on your stiletto's and head up to Departure to see and be seen. The best part of this trendy bar is the view. Look out over the Willamette river and Mt. Hood from the east deck, or head to the west deck to watch the sun set behind the west hills. It can get a little breezy up here, but it is lovely. http://www.departureportland.com/
Departure's lovely rooftop patio
A Roadside Attraction: This southeast neighborhood bar is funky and fun. Quite the opposite of Departure, A Roadside Attraction is a casual local hangout. The large patio sits right off the street behind a big fence in front of the bar. A large fire pit is at the center of the patio. Odd mismatched tables and chairs are scattered about creating several seating areas. A large sawn log creates a bench near the fire pit. Old signs and other memorabilia give this bar the feeling of a midwest roadside attraction. It is a great place to meet up for a beer on a clear warm evening. Cash only though.
A Roadside Attraction
Veritable Quandary: Their website describes them as, "A dining oasis in the heart of the city" and that suits them perfectly. The VQ has an elegant little brick patio that feels like a secret garden nestled in the city. The patio is small but has quite a happening after-work scene. This is a great place to sit in a serene space and visit with friends over a cheese plate and a glass of wine. http://www.veritablequandary.com/
The serene oasis that is Veritable Quandary
rontoms: This has got to be the biggest and most happening patio in all of Portland. This expansive space is lively from opening at 4:00pm until 3:00 or 4:00am. One half of the outdoor space is a wooden deck. Traditional picnic tables line one side, and built-in benches surround the rest of the perimeter. Retro Saarinen-style tables dot the wood deck area. Walls of lush bamboo divide the space and help absorb some of the noise. The other half of the outdoor space is a large concrete patio with an architectural masterpiece covering it. The covered patio was owner Ron's vision and dream and when some contractors told him it couldn't be done, Ron did it himself. It is quite a spectacular spectacle. This place is fun and casual and noisy and crowded. Service can be slow but understandably so.
Just a tiny part of rontoms awesome patio
Casa Naranja: Tucked behind this little orange house is a hidden secret... one of my favorite patios in Portland. I love Casa Naranja but when I discovered their patio, I loved it even more. Walk through the little orange house and out the back door and you enter a glorious outdoor space. The majority of the space is a sand pit so ladies, do not wear your stilettos here. A long plank table runs along one side of the outdoor space but it is not just any table... it is suspended on cables! All the seating around this table are swings! A little dangerous after a few cocktails? Maybe so, but that is why there is a sand pit underneath. Other seating areas around the space consist of hammock-style swings. A fire pit is on one end. This patio is just plain fun! Come here and enjoy some fantastic Spanish Tapas and have fun! http://www.casanaranjapdx.com/
Casa Naranja's super fun patio
Hotel Modera: This modern downtown hotel has a wonderfully sexy courtyard patio. It is sleek in design with long gas fireplaces strewn throughout. The space is open and airy but is still romantic. Cuddle up with your sweetie in front of one of the fireplaces on a clear but cool night and share a delicious hot cocktail. http://www.hotelmodera.com/
The sexy sleek patio at Hotel Modera
Whether you live in Portland or are visiting our fine city this summer, visit a few of these patio spaces and enjoy one of our rare but magnificent sunny days.
-The Panther
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