Coffee Shops That Offer a Different Sort of Buzz

Portland is a city where you’re given a shot of whiskey when you get your haircut, you can get a beer with your laundry, or drink a glass of wine while you get your nails done. We don’t really have compunctions with drinking at any hour of the day. So it comes as no surprise that some of our coffee shops and cafés serve wine, beer, and even hard alcohol. After having a latté or cappuccino while working on your laptop, sometimes it’s nice to switch to wine or whiskey without leaving for a different establishment. Here are some of our favorite places where you can do that. If we missed yours, let us know on Facebook or Twitter.
 

Barista on Alberta
Barista is a small chain of cafés throughout Portland, named for the exceptional skills of their staff. Barista is not a roaster, but rather selects the best coffee from others, both local and beyond. The Alberta location serves more than just cappuccinos, though: The store’s motto is “Come for a coffee and stay for a beer”. (1725 NE Alberta St.; 503-208-2568)
 

Cup & Bar
The bar in this café’s name refers to chocolate, not a liquor bar. This combination coffee roaster and chocolatier has been open for less than a year but is already making a splash in the scene, with a huge tea list, coffee drinks, and chocolates both edible and drinkable. If you don’t want a coffee or a tea with your chocolate or food, you can find both wine and beer on the menu here. (118 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd.; 503-388-7701)
 

Ford Food & Drink
This cafe on Division is relatively new but serves excellent coffee, pastries, tea, and food, including paninis and even a muffuletta. It also sports a full bar with excellent prices. There’s no cocktail menu, but the well drinks are high quality, and house wine is only $3 during happy hour, which is from 4–7 PM. (2505 SE 11th Ave. #101; 503-236-3023)
Petunia’s Pies and Pastries
This adorable little bakery in The Pearl District will surprise you: The delicious pastries coming out of here are entirely vegan and gluten-free, but you’d never be able to tell by tasting them! The patisserie also has wine, GF beer, and floral, herbal cocktails that pair perfectly with pastries. (610 SW 12th Ave.; 503-841-5961)

 

Random Order Coffeehouse and Bakery
Random Order is mostly popular for its homemade pies and cozy atmosphere, as well as the coffee menu, but this late night coffee shop also serves wine, beer, and house cocktails. The house cocktails vary from warm, late night tea cocktails, to morning drinks such as the Manmosa. Start your day off with a drink and some pie! (1800 NE Alberta St.; 971-340-6995)
 

Starbucks in the Pearl District
Everything is fancier in The Pearl, even Starbucks. This NW location, across the street from Powell’s Books, has more of a lounge feeling to it than most Starbucks, and serves one of their Starbucks Evening Menus. This includes wine, beer, and evening snacks. (1050 SW Alder St.; 503-224-9235)

Ford Food and Drink photo and Petunia’s Pies and Pastries photo by Alexander Frane