Live Music in Portland

No matter where I am traveling to, I love to see live music. Usually the music in any given place says a lot about the culture of that place. Opera in Rome, the Blues in New Orleans, Flamenco in Spain and perhaps Pink Martini in Portland, Oregon.

Portland has always had a decent live music scene, but it has got a lot better in the last few years, drawing more bands to its rainy boundaries. If you’re in the mood for a real, old-school concert hall, a pub with live music, or an enormous stadium show, Portland can provide.

Here are a few spots around the City of Roses which offer live tunes in intimate settings.

1. Buffalo Gap

Music every night of the week, though some Tuesdays you may find Open Mic. I’ve seen all sorts of shows at Buffalo, though you might expect rock n roll and folk. The Buffalo Gap also has a Happy Hour from 4pm to 6pm, or from 10pm to 12 midnight. NW foods are also served, from Blackened Salmon to Veggie Pies. This is an ideal spot to have food, drinks and music = the perfect combo for a night on the town.

See: http://www.thebuffalogap.com/

2. Crystal Ballroom

Run by the infamous Portland bar and restaurant chain, McMenamins, Crystal Ballroom is a real ballroom with lots of room to dance. For those who prefer to hug the bar, there is an upstairs area with seating and bar service. I’ve seen many a concert at the Crystal, and have always enjoyed the bohemian vibe and the local beers on tap. The Crystal Ballroom is in downtown Portland and brings in big names in music. Check their web to see what’s on when you’re in town.

See: http://www.mcmenamins.com/

3. Mt Tabor

A lounge and concert hall, Mt Tabor is a nice local spot to have a couple drinks, some appetizers (Hummus $5, Spinach Salad $5), and then catch some live music. Located in SE Portland, you will need a car or a taxi to get to this one (same goes for Buffalo Gap).

See: http://taborpdx.com/

Photo by Incase. Post by Regina Winkle-Bryan. More at The Spain Scoop!

Beer on Tap and Pool at Helvetia Tavern

When the Swiss came to what is now Hillsboro, Oregon, they settled a few farms and called their community Helvetia. A long buggy ride from the center of town, they built their own general store and schoolhouse. Once, Helvetia was a thriving countryside community. Today its’ mostly countryside with a few vineyards, farms, and some deluxe homes hidden away in the trees.

There are still some old Swiss style farm houses in the area and the old schoolhouse, now called Helvetia Tavern, still stands by the side of the road. Funny how things change, from serving milk to kids to serving pints and burgers to locals. I adore this old tavern and its worn bar, its hat collection hanging from the ceiling, its stupid signs nailed to the wood walls, and its green pool table offering up games for .25 cents.

Helvetia Grill

I come to the Helvetia Tavern because of nostalgia, but also because they make one mean burger. The Jumbo burger is 1 pound of beef on an enormous bun with all the fixins. Some big tuskers will want to even add cheese and bacon to that. I avoid the Jumbo and go for the Garden Burger or the Fish and Chips. The fries at Helvetia Tavern are the real deal. None of that frozen stuff! These fries are from real spuds cut up in the back. Some of them still have the skin on. I suggest a full order of fries, a burger, and one of their local Oregon ales on tap.

Helvetia Burger

Helvetia is close to Hillsboro, and about 45 minutes from Portland. You could check out the lavender farm and vineyards in the area and then have lunch or dinner at this classic tavern. It’s also a good place to stop when coming back from the coast, as it is right of highway 26. Places like Helvetia deserve support, as they remind us that the world is not made up of McDonald’s and Burger King alone. True burgers and fries still exists.

If you’re going to have a night out at Helvetia Tavern, and many locals do, then make sure to have a designated driver. The tavern is on the back-roads, which can be dark and curvy at night.

More:

10275 Northwest Helvetia Road

Hillsboro, OR 97124

(503) 647-5286 ‎

Post and photos by Regina Winkle-Bryan. More of her work at: http://regwb.com/published_clips

Gold Dust Meridian Portland

Hawthorne, one of the hippest drags in SE Portland, has changed a lot in the last few years. I am from Portland, and though I don’t live in the city anymore, when I come home for visits I make sure to check out this former stomping ground.

Hawthorne went from Hippy to Hipster in ten years time. Sure, there are still a few hipp boutiques on this shop-filled strip, but nothing like it used to be. In shops where vendors once sold peasant skirts and patchouli incense, Aveda hair salon has taken over. New buildings are being erected along Hawthorne, and this is one of the hottest areas of the City of Roses to live in.

There are a ton of restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars along Hawthorne, serving up everything from Chinese to Italian to vegan scones. Bars range from your hipster dive-bar hole-in-the-wall, to understated swankiness. Somewhere in-between you’ll find The Gold Dust Meridian. It is lounge in style, with a short bar, a few tables, boots, low lighting, and cool local art on the walls.

Come here for cocktails and appetizers any night of the week. You could also have dinner at the Meridian, and then stay on for cocktails after you Cesar salad. The menu is limited but tasty, with special like homemade mac & cheese, deviled eggs, goat cheese salads, and red pepper dip with pita bread.

On my last trip over to the Meridian, I had a glass of local Pinot and my friend had their mulled cranberry cider. The places was almost full despite the fact that we were there on a Tuesday. The Beetles were playing on the sound system, which seemed out of place. Our waiter was adorable, but slow and spacey.

If I was to do Meridian again, I’d just go for drinks and maybe the red pepper spread. This could be a fine place for a snack and a beer after a day of shopping on Hawthorne.

More:

3267 Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard
Portland, OR 97214
(503) 239-1143

Post and Photos by Regina Winkle-Bryan. See more at The Spain Scoop

Toast to the New Year with a local Pinot in Portland!

New Year’s Eve is coming up fast. If you’re in the City of Roses, my native Portland, Oregon, then you’ve got lots of options when it comes to bringing in 2011. I associate a good party with 5 ingredients: good food, wine, people, music and possibly location. McMenamins Pubs have all these ingredients, and some might argue, more.

McMenamins are a sort of Portland chain, but don’t let that fact turn you off. If ever there was a cool chain restaurant/bar/concert venue, McMenamins was it. McMenamins are only set up in buildings of importance and historical interest. There’s one in Hillsboro that is in an old (haunted?) farmhouse, there’s another in NE Portland in a school, still another is in what was once an old folks home. Usually McMenamins are creatively painted and decorated with lots of outdoor seating and gardens.

I especially like the idea of celebrating New Year’s at McMenamins Edgefield or McMenamins Grand Lodge, because these two McMenamins are also hotels. You got it, go for the party, stay for the night, forget the designated driver! At McMenamins Edgefield Interversion will be playing from 9pm on, and the admission is free. I’d get there early, and book a room now if there are still any left.

At McMenamins Grand Lodge John Bunzow and Bobby Cole will be playing ‘Roots’ music in the Yardhouse pub from 9pm on. This event is also free.

McMenamins also brews its own beer, makes its own Pinot, and serves up some tasty Northwestern cuisine.

See More on New Year’s at McMenamins here: http://www.mcmenamins.com/

Post and photos by Regina Winkle-Bryan. More at The Spain Scoop.