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Text by Scott Morrow, Meaghann Korbel, and Charlie Swanson
Though sometimes overshadowed by Pacific Northwest neighbors Seattle and Vancouver, Oregon’s cultural capital holds many distinctions of its own — including nicknames of “Brewtopia” and “Pornland” for its prevalence of coffee, beer, and strip clubs. Yet it’s known as much for green living as these vices, and known for bluegrass, world, and jazz music as much as punk and hardcore. So whether your type is more Poison Idea or Pink Martini, here’s a short list of anti-tourist destinations for the first (or next) time that you roll through.
FOR ETHICAL LAP DANCES
Casa Diablo (Northwest District)
Since the dawn of strip clubs, vegans have grappled with the dilemma of shoving cash down leather lingerie. At Casa Diablo, visitors can enjoy tits and tofu without the guilt, partaking in an all-vegan Mexican menu while chatting with a mostly vegetarian and vegan workforce.
TO ROCK AND/OR LOUNGE
Doug Fir Lounge (Lower Burnside / Buckman)
Adjacent to the über-hip Jupiter Hotel just east of the Willamette River, this intimate log-cabin-turned-posh-lounge draws locals to see indie bands play amid a modern, wood-based decor. The venue also boasts food, cheap beer, and a fire pit.
PASTRIES WITH PANACHE
Voodoo Doughnut (Old Town / Chinatown)
Open 24/7 at its flagship location, Voodoo Doughnut serves up doughnuts with attitude. Quirky confections like its maple-bacon bar and the Triple Chocolate Penetration have customers lined up around the block for hours.
FOR VEGAN EATS
The Sweet Hereafter (Sunnyside)
Opened in late 2011, The Sweet Hereafter is the sister bar of Portland’s beloved Bye and Bye. The entrees are cheap, hearty, and vegan, but if the fare doesn’t help clear your conscience, the drinks will: cocktails like its namesake, the “Hereafter” (vodka, bourbon, lemon, iced tea), are extra stiff and served in one-quart Mason jars.
GET YOUR GAME ON
Ground Kontrol (Old Town / Chinatown)
Open from noon to 2:30 AM daily, Ground Kontrol is like the Mos Eisley cantina if it existed in Tron instead of Star Wars. It holds dozens of classic arcade games with buttons to mash — from Centipede to The Simpsons to Marvel vs. Capcom 2 — and gamers can grab a drink or a bite between “continue” screens, with options to “veganize” any menu item.
SEE A SHOW
Mississippi Studios (Boise)
Radiating an easy comfort, Mississippi Studios is the cornerstone of the Boise neighborhood, attached at the hip to the late-night lounge Bar Bar and surrounded by a supporting cast of watering holes. It’s also one of the most consistent venues in town, always finding varied and nuanced musicians to stop by.
KEEP ON SNACKIN’ ON
Cartopia (Buckman / Hosford-Abernethy)
In a city that boasts more than 600 food carts, the late-night crowd has its pick of the litter at “Cartopia,” a formerly empty lot at Southeast Hawthorne and 12th where a half-dozen or so carts offer a variety of fries, pizzas, BBQ, Mexican, and even crêpes. Don’t miss the special house sauces from Potato Champion or the hand pies from Whiffies.