My Favorite Bars/Clubs In Portland: The Departure, Aura, Henry's, and Dukes

MUST SEE EVENING HOT SPOTS IN PORTLAND, OREGON

Below are pictures and reviews of my favorite places I've been to in the last three weeks here in Portland. I hope you enjoy, and at some point get to visit, all of the below places :)

AURA

Yeah, this club had to go first. It was the first club I went to (as a mater of fact only a few hours after I got off the plane here :) and it is the club I have been to the most often since I've been here. Aura is awesome. That's why I'm having my birthday party there, Duh! You know it's bad when you've been here three weeks, and the bouncers recognize you. "Hey how's it going! You're brother coming?!" As you give them a hug, then walk by the line waiting outside, in the back door, and straight up to the VIP. Can't say I've ever done that with a group full of guys and been the only girl, but I did at this club. All because of the amazing John Kim. He works there and has been one of the most well connected , and most accommodating people I've met in Portland. If you come to Portland, contact my brother, John, or my new BF Matty, and I guarantee you will have a good time. Back to Aura, so obviously if John works here, it's the hottest place to be :) See pics below to solidify this fact.

Ummm... yes.

View from the upstairs
But beware when wearing a dress upstairs, you never know who's downstairs, and who wears underwear these days...


HENRY'S

This place is a great pre-party spot, thus, Henry's is where we'll before Aura on Friday for my birthday party :) It's a really chill, laid back place, tons of local beer on tap, and great food. Not to mention the wait staff should open their own modeling agency. Let's just say they're easy on the eyes. PLUS, the ice ledge on the bar. You may think this is trivial, but to a drinker, this is an epic detail. Think Cold Stone Creamery slab for your booze. Brilliant. Plus it's just blocks to Aura. Obviously, you should check this place out.

The infamous, and amazing gorgonzola fries

Cold drink all night?! I like it.
Too bad they don't have any beer on tap...

My favorite picture of my brother and I

THE DEPARTURE

This gem of a lounge sitting on top of the newly renovated Nine's hotel overlooks all of downtown Portland. Comparatively to the bars I've been to around the world, it's not the greatest. But for Portland, The Departure is unheard of. Swanky, laid back, amazing view, the kind of lounge I would have never thought my hometown could ever evolve to producing. It's funny because when talking to people that live here, very few have been to The Departure, which I don't understand. Perhaps it hasn't caught on? Perhaps Portland's not ready for a place you can't wear tennis shoes to?! None the less, with no cover, $7 Long Islands, and unvanquishable view, it's definitely one of the places to see and been seen in Portland.

Inside the lounge

Outside, rooftop view. So much more beautiful at night!

My brother and I dressed to the Nines :)

DUKES

Wow, were to begin with this one. I had to save Duke's for last, because it might be my favorite. And let me tell you why: 5 minutes after I walked into this wonderful shit show of a country bar for the first time, Wee Man walked by me. Oh yes, Wee Man. Pretty much you know you're in the right place when his 2ft ass walks by you and no one even flinches. I have partied in Guam, Hawaii, Miami, New York, DC and I have never been to anything like this! Let me explain: line dancing, Wranglers, mechanical bull, these people aren't fucking around. I mean $1.75 well drinks and PBR on tap?!? Yes. When you come in the door, show your ID, get your stamp, the tramp at the front door asks you "Jager shot?" Um...YES. If that doesn't convince you, the below pics hopefully will persuade you to make the huck out to Gresham to see this one of a kid bar.

Packed every night I've been!!

Cowboy hat, flannel shirt, American flag in the background. Pretty much, nuff said.

Wow.

My brother and I at my first visit, taken by the Duke's official photog

A special thank you to my brother for being so well connected, and knowing all the hot spots to take me to. Thank you Dangle!! :)