Neighborhood:
Division & Clinton When Portlanders wax ecstatic about what a precious, unique flower our city is, we usually offer up Hawthorne or Mississippi as proof. (read more) However, the neighborhoods that most embody Portlandness are those lovely streets where houses, industry, classy retail and restaurants comfortably rub shoulders. Case in point: Division and Clinton streets, where some of the city’s best restaurants—top-notch Thai joint Pok Pok and Whiskey Soda Lounge (3326 SE Division St., 232-1387), classy comfort-food stalwart Savoy Tavern (2500 SE Clinton St., 808-9999) and Lauro Kitchen (3377 SE Division St., 239-7000), David Machado’s Mediterranean gem—share blocks with Lambretta-dealing Ptown Scooters (3347 SE Division St., 241-4745) and the Village Merchants resale shop (3360 SE Division St., 234-6343). Swill drinks at swanky Victory (3652 SE Division St., 236-8755) or lesbian nightspot The Egyptian Club (3701 SE Division St., 236-8689), and catch a flick at the masterfully curated Clinton Street Theater (2522 SE Clinton St., 238-8899) or the flesh-tastic Oregon Theater (3530 SE Division St., 232-7469), where a raincoat is a must to fit in with the crowd. Aaah, sweet harmony.
—Ben Waterhouse.
Featured in Drink 2008
For an affordable, classy lounge that's true to the heart and soul of the Clinton neighborhood, it's hard to beat the atmosphere at the Night Light. Inside, candlelit tables and plush, loungy couches are surrounded by an always intriguing rotating art collection. Outside, the wood-paneled patio makes a nice spot for the 9-to-5 set to throw back a couple of after-work happy-hour specials and munch on cheap eats like the not-to-be-missed cheese platter ($4). When night falls and the guest DJs start to spin, the Night Light brims with good-looking people having an equally good time, making the bar one of the better places to start a Rose City romance.
Perfect Patron: Rose City Rollers fans. (LK)
HAPPY HOUR 3-7 PM DAILY: $1 OFF WELL DRINKS AND WINE, $1.50 PBR.
DJ, ART SHOWS, JUKEBOX, GAMES, PATIO.
Lance Kramer
