The drinking scene in Portland is one to be reckoned with, home to some of the country’s best bars, restaurants and top-notch mixologists. And now that Slane Irish Whiskey is on menus all around the city, here are some of the spots to go and drink.
Quality Bar
Located next to fan favorite pizza joint Sizzle Pie, Quality Bar is the upscale dive bar of our dreams. Try the Soldier of Fortune cocktail, made with Slane Irish Whiskey, Drambuie, Ramazzotti Amaro, lemon juice and demerara syrup. This creative cocktail is a tasty mash-up of a Rusty Nail and a Bitter Irishman served in an Old Fashioned glass over a king cube along with a spritz of Laphroaig and an expressed orange peel. Bonus: you can order pizza from right next door.
931 SW Oak St., 503-972-6793; qualitybarpdx.com
Multnomah Whiskey Library
Image by Dina Avila
One of the most renowned whiskey bars in the country, Multnomah Whiskey Library is a must. With over 1,500 different varieties available – and accessible, library-style, via a sliding ladder – a visit to Multnomah Whiskey Library is a real treat and the perfect spot to enjoy a Slane Irish Whiskey any way you like it.
1124 SW Alder St., 503-954-1381; mlwpdx.com; @multnomahwhiskeylibrary
Deadshot
Formerly a pop-up concept, Deadshot now has a forever home and proprietor Adam Robinson – and his creative cocktails – is definitely one to check out. Head to this mixology mecca and enjoy a Slane Irish Whiskey cocktail on the rocks – or let Robinson do his thing and prepare to be awed with whatever Slane Irish Whiskey concoction he dreams up.
“When customers ask about [Slane Irish Whiskey], I generally recommend that it is best enjoyed neat, or in a fairly simple cocktail like an Irish Whisky Old Fashioned or the Emerald cocktail, which is basically a Manhattan with Irish Whiskey and orange bitters,” says Robinson. “These styles of cocktails showcase the flavor of the whiskey but offer a more balanced experience than just enjoying the whiskey neat. If you want to go the neat route I would also recommend a boilermaker, pairing the Irish Whiskey with a maltier flavor profile like an ESB or an Oktoberfest Beer.”
2133 SE 11th Ave., 503-504-9448; @deadshotpdx
Toffee Club
Over at Toffee Club, bartender Jack Hoppins has a creation worth checking out: The General – named after Roy Keane, an Irish soccer player who was a “general” around the pitch. “It’s our take on the classic The Scofflaw cocktail,” explains Hoppins. Traditionally made using rye whiskey, dry vermouth, fresh lime juice, grenadine, and orange bitters, the Toffee Club version gets creative. “We use Slane Irish Whiskey, NoillyPratt dry, Aloha lemon juice and grenadine,” says Hoppins. “It’s a beautiful balance of sweet, citrus, herbal and spice.”
Not in the cocktail mood? “Slane Irish Whiskey is the perfect sipper all year round, with nice notes of butterscotch, honey, fruit taffy, malt and a bit of grain,” Hoppins notes. “It has a lovely finish of cherry and cinnamon that will leave you ordering another on the rocks!”
1006 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 971-254-9518; toffeeclubpdx.com; @toffeeclubpdx
Double Barrel Tavern
There is really nothing better than sipping a nice glass of whiskey at a true dive bar, and Double Barrel in Southeast Portland is that place. A cozy spot with a warm vibe, Double Barrel is offering a Slane Irish Whiskey shot and Rainier beer special to welcome Slane to the Double Barrel family.
“Our vibe is a casual neighborhood bar, great for a lone drink after work or a fun night out with the friends,” says Double Barrel’s Sarah Walker. As for sipping Slane Irish Whiskey, Walker says “People generally drink it neat or pair it with our rotating beers on tap. ” Cheers to that.
2002 SE Division St.; 503-234-1420; @doublebarrelpdx
Bluehour
Located in the Pearl District, Bluehour is the kind of spot to hit for a special night of dining and drinking. And the Watch Tower cocktail, created by Aaron Howard, is not to be missed. Made with Slane Irish Whiskey, Antica Formula Carpano Vermouth and Reagan’s #6 bitters – they have an orange flavor with a hint of cinnamon and clove – this drink is a snazzy riff on the classic Manhattan.
250 NW 13th Ave., 503-226-3394; bluehouronline.com; @bluehourpdx
El Gaucho
El Gaucho is a true Portland institution, a steakhouse with dark lighting, a warm vibe, a cigar lounge – and some serious food and drinks. It’s basically the best kind of place to kick back with serious whiskey like Slane, too. “El Gaucho Portland’s typical Slane drinker enjoys it over a crystal clear PDX ICE block, in our cigar room, enjoying a great cigar, making new friends and watching their favorite game,” explains El Gaucho’s Mark Joseph. “Whiskey and cigars are a winning combination no matter what game you’re watching. I root for whiskey and cigars every time, and I never lose!”
319 SW Broadway; 503-227-8794; elgaucho.com; @elgauchohospitality
Scandals
Scandals dubs itself the “gay Cheers” and has been a Portland mainstay for over 35 years. Known for its killer outdoor patio and fabulous drag shows, the cocktails are not to be ignored. Things get cheeky with the Slane, Girl, Slane cocktail. Made with Slane Irish Whiskey, muddled lime and ginger beer, it’s a makeover of the Irish Mule. Sláinte!
1125 SW Harvey Milk St.; 503-227-5887; scandalspdx.com; @scandalspdx
The Liquor Store
Talk about dedication and attention to detail: at The Liquor Store, the Slane Irish Whiskey Sour is served up or on the rocks and features a super special, handcrafted candied lemon wedge. “It takes roughly 3 hours to craft the candied lemon wedges in our oven,” explains owner Ray Morrone. “But they turned out excellent!”
3341 SE Belmont St.; 503-754-7782; theliquorstorepdx.com; @theliquorstorepdx
Loyal Legion
With 99 Oregon beers on tap, it’s safe to say that many of the visitors who come to drink at Loyal Legion are after a brew. But the cocktails are solid, too. Try the Indecent Proposal, made with Slane Irish Whiskey, demerara, orange bitters and a scotch rinse and you won’t be disappointed.
710 SE 6th Ave., 503-235-8272; loyallegionpdx.com; @loyallegionpdx
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