Less polished than the abutting Pearl, the West End maintains a bit of its viable grit as it experiences a rebirth of sorts. Representing the craft and culture that’s become the definition of Portland, the district is a den of fashionable boutiques containing handmade goods and art, where dining, drinking and dancing abounds at night, and a quiet corner, good book and mug of coffee awaits in the morning.
CAFFEINATE: Drink Local
Pull up a chair to sip your in-house roasted coffee from a locally made ceramic mug at Courier Coffee Roasters. And because you took a seat, you can also enjoy some of the shop’s baked goods, which are made from scratch on-site using as many locally sourced products as possible.
Courier Coffee Roasters, 923 SW Oak St., 503.545.6444
SHOP LOCAL: Accessorize
Focused on the quality and sustainability of the products it sells, look beyond the selection of dresses, tops, pants and jackets at Radish Underground to the one-of-a-kind, hard-to-find accessories: Go for Rad Bad Lands jewelry (made locally with dinosaur bones and ancient fossils from Hell City, Mont.), or Portland-made Martine leather satchels and Jonny Sport bags, a “man-tastic,” 100 percent vegan, basketball-textured accessory.
Radish Underground, 414 SW 10th Ave., 503.928.6435
SHOP LOCAL: Skim the Illustrated Editions *Temporarily Closed*
Specializing in the little guys, geeks and independents of the publishing world, Reading Frenzy stocks a bounty of scarce small press and self-published books, art, local comics, graphic novels, and zines, like The D.I.Y. Guide To Drums by local musician Lisa Schonberg and a guide to edible weeds as well as one to help you discover Portland by bicycle.
Reading Frenzy, 921 SW Oak St., 503.274.1449
SHOP LOCAL: Listen Local, Too
Amongst the array of handmade art, clothing and jewelry at Tender Loving Empire lies a record label. The DIY retail consignment store and screenprinting studio stocks indie releases on vinyl from Portland up-and-comers like Radiation City, Typhoon and Y La Bamba.
Tender Loving Empire, 412 SW 10th Ave., 503.243.5859
MADE LOCAL: Please Your Senses
If you’ve already adorned yourself with Flora’s jewelry, brooches, bags or scarves, find a scent that pleases your senses. Whether you’re wearing or sipping it, Flora has a selection of perfumes and teas that are all hand-blended in-house.
Flora, 917 SW Washington St., 503.227.0586
MADE LOCAL: Fall For Leather Goods
Leather is always in style and Tanner Goods will quickly handcraft you a custom leather belt to help you stay trendy. Want a matching wallet or lead and collar for your four-legged friend? You betcha.
Tanner Goods, 1308 W Burnside St., 503.222.2774
HAPPY HOUR: Savor Bourbon, Brats and Burgers
For drinks, start early at Clyde Common—happy hour runs from 3 to 6 p.m. weekdays and 4 to 5 p.m. on weekends—with the Bourbon Renewal (Maker’s Mark, lemon, cassis, bitters) before strolling over to Grüner and following beverages up with a choice of wursts or, if you want to splurge, the bar burger (includes smoky bacon, cheese and plenty of toppings on a potato bun), where happy hour is Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Clyde Common, 1014 SW Stark St., 503.228.3333
Grüner, 527 SW 12th Ave., 503.241.7163
STAY: Take a Subterranean Dip
Occupying the entire triangular block adjacent to Burnside, McMenamins Crystal Hotel stays true to its multifaceted roots: hotel, night club, men’s bathhouse and more. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner in the ground-floor café and 51 rooms above, the concert poster-covered hallways lead to a basement bar (Al’s Den) and a narrow, saltwater soaking pool where you relax before or after a night out.
McMenamins Crystal Hotel, 303 SW 12th Ave., 503.972.2670 / 855.205.3930
DO: Visit the Resource Room
Known for gathering some of the most eclectic local and international artists, creatives and experimentalists during its 10-day TBA Festival, PICA (Portland Institute for Contemporary Art) also has a year-round research library and archive where you can catch up on quiet reading or watch a video of contemporary performance “not found in traditional libraries and bookstores.”
PICA, 415 SW 10th Ave., Ste. 300, 503.242.1419
DO: Bounce to the Beat
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You don’t even have to leave the Crystal Hotel to catch an intimate performance every night of the week with the residency series in the basement bar, Al's Den. But for something a little grander, head a block north to the famous, spring-loaded floors of the Crystal Ballroom for a concert on the bouncy, floating dance floor.
Al’s Den, 303 SW 12th Ave., 503.972.2670
Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside St., 503.225.0047
Want to learn more about Portland's West End? Visit the West End page on Neighborhood Notes for events, photos and a local business directory. If you live or work in the West End, helpful notifications like land use notices and liquor license applications are also included.
Have you ventured out to Portland's West End? Share your stories, tips and fave destinations in the comment section.
