Gathering in Portland: Looking for ideas

Hey all,

We’re visiting in Portland on Tuesday, May 3rd and Wednesday, May 4th as part of our book tour. On the Tuesday we arrive, we’re going to be on KGW’s “Live at 7” program. We’ll be done by 7:15 and have nothing to do afterward. Would anybody like to meet us downtown?

Our idea is that we could settle ourselves at a pub or cafe, and anybody who feels like it could come and hang out with us. We’ll talk about manure the whole night. It’ll be fun!!!

One thing we really need to make this happen is a suggestion for somewhere to meet–otherwise we’re at the mercy of Yelp. We’ll be at Pioneer Courthouse Square, so somewhere within walking distance (or do-able by public transport) would be preferred. It should be quiet enough that we can hear each other speak, and casual enough that we can take up tables whilst nursing a beer or coffee.

So Portlandites(?) Portlanders(?), tell us what you think. We’ll let you make the call.

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9 Comments

  1. Weeeee, roadtrip! Here are my two cents for whatever they are worth. Pioneer Courthouse Square is right in the middle of the city, so you can go pretty much anywhere.

    Deschutes Taproom in the Pearl – NW 11th and Davis
    Backspace coffee – NW 5th and Couch

    Hope you have a wonderful time up here.

  2. Tagging on to El Gaucho there, across Ankeny from Bailey’s is Tugboat Brewery. Both locations are quiet, will most likely have space on a weeknight and are easy enough to round up a few tables for a group. I’m partial to Tugboat for the atmosphere, but Bailey’s has the superior taplist.

  3. Man, just a few days after I’ll be leaving Portland!

    There are a lot of coffee shops all over downtown, but if you feel like taking a bit of a walk (or hopping the streetcar), I recommend Coffee Time (NW 21st between Irving & Johnson).

    SouthPark has a nice bar (SW Salmon & Park).

    Higgins (SW Broadway & Jefferson) is one of my favorite places.

    Market Street Pub (SW Market & 10th) is a gamble since it’s small and can fill up quickly.

    Huber’s for Spanish coffee (SW 4th & Stark).

    Ringler’s (under the Crystal Ballroom on W Burnside between 13th & 14th – although the music can be quite loud) or Ringler’s Annex (triangle shaped building where SW Stark & Burnside meet between 12th & 13th).

    Tugboat Brewery (SW Ankeny between Park & Broadway – if you hit Mary’s strip club, you’ve gone too far).

    Deschutes Brewery (NW 11th & Davis).

    I know it doesn’t fall into either of these categories, but make sure you stop by Powell’s Books (W Burnside & 10th).

    Have a great time!

  4. Hopworks Urban Brewery in Southeast Portland is amazing: organic beer brewed in a kettle fueled by biodiesel made from recycled kitchen grease, rooftop rainwater collection, insanely delicious food, a bar decorated with used bicycle frames, ample bike parking out front, a play area for kids. You’d think I own the place I love it so much. Anyway if you guys have as much green clout as I think you do, maybe you could even make arrangements for a weekday brewery tour (I think they’re usually only on weekends). They have a 20-barrel system and pump out 6,000 barrels a year. If you go to hopworks, take me with you to Portland!

  5. more expensive than I probably want to do but: Portland City Grill has a killer view of the city. Granted it will start be dark soon after your event. SW5th and Pine.

    Baileys sounds great though I’ve not been.

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