Keep these spots on the down-low. That shouldn’t be too hard, considering these bars are all underground. We’ve already mentioned a few in Old Town, but if you want to take your search for subterranean sips elsewhere, we’ve got you covered:
When the blue light is on, the speakeasy beneath Lela's Bistro on Northwest 23rd Avenue is open for business. There, you’ll find classic twists like the bourbon and pho-spiced Saigon Fashioned and the 23rd Parallel, a soursop and lemongrass margarita, to enjoy among the tropical decor that harkens back to mid-century Ho Chi Minh City.
Beneath The Hazel Room on Southeast Hawthorne Avenue awaits an Art Deco escape reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties. Draft beer, local wines, and a small but respectable cocktail list will whet your whistle, and their panini selection is anything but flat. We’ll be having the ham, gruyere, pickles, and Dijon mustard, please.
Free comedy on Thursdays, Terminator Stout on tap, always. Give in to the siren call of McMenamins whimsy and leave the bustle of West Burnside behind. Down the stairs you’ll find a cozy hideaway lit by multicolored bulbs and muted sunlight filtering through sidewalk prisms above. Live music and “BYO story” open mics are also held regularly.
