Happy Hour Crawl: NE Concordia and Cully

by Karen Locke on Oct 8, 2013 in Roundups for Cocotte, Nepo 42
Happy Hour Crawl: NE Concordia and Cully

Obvious neighborhoods for bar hopping in Portland might be Hawthorne, Alberta, Belmont or even Division, but don't sleep on the Concordia and Cully area — you'll find a essential mix of establishments: bars created by chefs with celebrity status, a Japanese after-work bar, French cuisine, a hybrid supper house/market/bakery and divey neighborhood bars. This crawl is sure to please everyone in your party, from the foodie to the chicken wing and karaoke connoisseur. 

Cocotte: Begin the crawl at the corner of Killingsworth Street and 29th Avenue for French-inspired fare with a Pacific Northwest twist. Enjoy $1 off beer and cocktails, $5 glasses of wine and $5 food specials during the bright and airy bar’s happy hour, which runs from 5–6 PM, Tuesday–Friday (2930 NE Killingsworth St.; 503- 227-2669).

Head south down 30th Aveune toward your next destination.

Yakuza Lounge: Located just around the corner and about 100 feet from Cocotte is this Japanese izakaya. The beverage program includes more than just sake: look for cocktails using well-rounded and local ingredients such as in the Pink Pepper (Aviation gin, pink peppercorns, grapefruit, bitters, and lime) in addition to wine and beer. Affordable happy hour bites such as the Yakuza burger ($8) are available during the lounge’s early happy hour (5–6 PM) and late night too (5411 NE 30th Ave.; 503-450-0893).

The next stop in your crawl will be across the street.

Expatriate: Around the corner from Cocotte and across from Yakuza, this bar made our list for new Portland bars this fall. Trussed up lowbrow eats like Chinese sausage corn dogs and the James Beard onion and butter sandwich are just a few of the drinking snacks you’ll find to accompany upscale drinks such as the Queen Elizabeth (Noily Prat vermouth, fresh lime, Benedictine) (5424 NE 30th Ave.; 503-805-3750).

Now that you’re done with your mini-tour of up-and-coming NE 30th Street and Killingsworth, head toward 42nd Avenue. If you’re walking, this will be your opportunity for a 15-minute blood-moving break.

Nepo 42: On the edge of Concordia and Cully there’s a spot that is not only a great Trail Blazer’s bar, it also has free pool every day, $3 7 and 7s and a $5 burger during happy hour. We reccomend not hopping on the night of a Trail Blazer's game, whether you're a fan or not, you'll get too cozy with its cheap chicken wings and never want to leave (5403 NE 42nd Ave.; 503-288-8080).

Old Salt: This is your last chance for fancy pants-cocktails and dessert, at the much-talked-about supper club and marketplace owned by the purveyors of Grain & Gristle. Try the plum and walnut crisp and the Old Salt Old Fashioned (brown butter bourbon, sugar, bitters) before poking your head into the don't-miss marketplace (5027 NE 42nd Ave.; 971-255-0167).

Spare Room Restaurant and Lounge: Dark, large and somehow still divey, this 42nd Aveune bar manages to commingle the most peculiar mix of folks on one dance floor. On any given night, karaoke will be lasting memory that can’t be unheard — in a good way. Take it down a notch with some well liquor and cheap water-beer like PBR; you’ve just explored the vast spectrum of dining and drinking (in one crawl) that Portland has to offer (4830 NE 42nd Ave.; 503-287-5800).

 

Recent Articles
spacer

Feedback

How are we doing? Tell us what you like or don't like and how we can improve. We would love to hear your thoughts!

*Name:
*E-mail:
*Suggestions:
 
Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

Behind the Bar: Liana Oster of Dante

For this exciting installment of Behind the Bar, we had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Liana Oster, the head bartender at Dante in New Yo...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jan 7, 2020
Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

Pabst Blue Ribbon Launches Blue Ribbon Whiskey in Select US Markets

PBR has launched their own whiskey. Let's keep an open mind and see what is inside this bottle....read more ›

by Carrie Dow Sep 24, 2019
The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

The Master Sommelier Scandal is Now the Subject of a New Investigative Series

There's a new investigative series about one of the biggest scandals to ever hit the wine world....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Sep 13, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Store Rectangle
Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Using Peas to Make Gin Might Lead to More Environmentally Friendly Spirits, Studies Show

Scientists may have discovered a more environmentally friendly way to make one of the world's most popular spi...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jul 23, 2019
Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Drink a Classic Cocktail for a Good Cause During Negroni Week, June 24-30

Negroni Week 2019 is June 24-30, so drink this classic cocktail for a good cause....read more ›

by The Drink Nation Jun 19, 2019
What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

What to Do if Your Uber, Lyft, or Cab Driver Ever Strays From Your Destination or Makes You Feel in Danger

If you're taking an Uber, Lyft, or cab and feel unsafe, there are steps you can take to protect yourself....read more ›

by Nina Starner Jun 19, 2019
Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

Behind the Bar: Kat Corbo of The Study & Winner of Speed Rack 2019

This time on Behind the Bar, we spoke to Kat Corbo of The Study, who recently won Speed Rack 2019....read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 15, 2019
Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

Boston Beer & Dogfish Head Have Merged in a $300 Million Deal

In a huge move for the American craft beer community, Boston Beer and Dogfish Head have agreed to a merger valued at $300 million dollars. ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation May 10, 2019
A New, High-End Blend of Jack Daniel's Whiskey is Now Available in the United States

A New, High-End Blend of Jack Daniel's Whiskey is Now Available in the United States

A new, high-end blend of Jack Daniel's whiskey, known as Jack Daniel's No. 27 Gold, which was previously only ...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Apr 15, 2019
Coopers' Craft Bourbon Is Now Available in 12 States With a New Barrel Reserve Expression

Coopers' Craft Bourbon Is Now Available in 12 States With a New Barrel Reserve Expression

Coopers' Craft Kentucky Straight Bourbon has debuted an entirely new label design, has expanded to more states...read more ›

by The Drink Nation Apr 3, 2019
SPONSORED
Drink Nation Home Bar Project Bottom Rectangle 2
View all Articles

Sign up to get weekly drinking news, bar reviews, events and more sent directly to your inbox!

Close