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!! :)

Let Me Count The Ways I Love Eatbar...

You may remember Steph from the Sebastion hair runway show I did

She came over and I fitted her in one of my designs (below) for a photo shoot with Visceral Photography

A couple weeks later her, her mother, Dr. Danny, and I went to Eatbar for brunch. Were the best cocktail ever was made for us by James! (And yes all of that booze to the right went in it :)

(left to right) James, Janissa, Steph, Dr. Danny and Yours Truly @ EatBar

So if you haven't gone to EatBar in Arlington, you should. These are my people. We all (see above pic) met there at 10:30am on a Sunday for brunch, and I ordered a cocktail. Don't act surprised. I guess that was the sign to Jame's the bartender that I was a good subject to practice cocktails on :) So it began, I believe 5 drinks in all he brought out for our tasting pleasure, each with their own flare and personality. Everything from martinis with jalapeno and honey, to straight shots. Again, EatBar, these are my people. But my favorite drink, and by far the best showman ship I've ever seen from a bartender, came with the "JDL" (above) . A light, refreshing, tasty-as-hell champagne topped martini that ended, as all great drinks should, on fire. I would tell you what's in this drink but, you really need to visit EatBar and experience it for yourself! Tell James Katelin sent you ;) Definitely a must visit hotspot in the DC area!

Chinatown's Rocket Bar

I love this bar! This is definitely the bar you are most likely to find me in DC. I love the crowd, It's laid back, there's tons of games, pool tables and even board games you can rent (like Connect Four for only $1!) PLUS you can bring your own food (like Micky D's or Chipotle that are just across the street :) It doesn't hurt rail, or well drinks for you west coasters, are only $5, $3 at happy hour. 'Nough said right? So be sure to check out Rocket Bar located right across the street from the Verizon Center next time you're in my old hood, Chinatown!

March 7, 2009 I'm Going to Be In A Booshie Runway Show!!

Jimmy Valentine's
Saturday March 7, 2009 @ 9pm
1103 Bladensburg Rd NE
Washington, DC 20002

The super stylish, and very creative local designer of Booshie Designs, Ginger, has asked me to be in her runway show this Saturday! ") She has some beaauutttiful hand-made, one of a kind pieces that are going to be showcased, and for sale, at the party. The gift bags alone should be incentive enough to come! (I got a sneak peek of what's going in them, trust me, you want one :) Runway show, live DJ's, some free food, and champague all night. Did I mention she's doing a drawing for a custom made dress, just for the winner?! So come out and watch me rip the runway!

Where To Get Free Booze in DC

This rainy Friday night you may be asking yourself, where can I get drunk for free this weekend? Well, my friends, I have the answers for you below:

Lux Lounge
649 New York Ave
NW Washington, DC 20001
202-347-8100
Fridays, free admission and, more important, free Absolut vodka drinks and Miller Lites from 9 to 11 p.m.

Kstreet Lounge
1301 K St. NW
202-962-3933
Groups of six women receive a free bottle of champagne to share on Friday nights, and groups of 10 get champagne, a round of shooters and a reserved table if they RSVP. Men-free admission before midnight. On Saturday nights, women can RSVP for free admission and an open bar from 10 to midnight.

Lima Lounge
1401 K St. NW
202-789-2800
During salsa night every Monday women get free admission and drinks from 9 to 11 p.m. Men get free admission and salsa lessons.

Tattoo
1413 K St. NW
202-408-9444
On Tuesdays ladies get free open bar from midnight on.

Ultrabar
911 F St. NW
202-638-4663
Free drinks to everyone from 9 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. (To take advantage of these deals, visit the clubs' Web sites to put your name on a list or print out a pass.)

Not free, but damn good deals:

Ceiba
701 14th St. NW
202-393-3983
Every day, a selected cocktail is $5 from 2:30 to 9:30 p.m.: mojitos on Monday, caipirinhas on Tuesday, pisco sours on Wednesday, sangria on Thursday and margaritas on Friday. Then from 9:30 to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, any one of those drinks is $5. Also $5 appetizers and free "bocaditos" (small bar snacks).

Gin & Tonic
2408 Wisconsin Ave. NW
202-337-1313
Thursday, Friday and Saturday beginning at 5 p.m., selected domestic drafts are $1 and mixed drinks $2. Prices rise a dollar an hour until 9 p.m.

DC9
1940 Ninth St. NW
202-483-5000
For a more laid back T-shirt-and-sneakers crowd, from 9 and 10:30 p.m. a 90-minute open bar is included in the $6 cover charge on Friday night's Liberation Dance Party (indie, Britpop and electro music). Also at DC9 a once a month party (the next one is Jan. 10) called Feedback, offers free admission and vodka cocktails until 10 p.m.

Jay's Saloon and Grille
3114 N. 10th St., Arlington
703-527-3093
From 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays, an ice-cold mug of domestic beer is $2, and a bottle is $2.50. Pitchers are $8. A glass of the house wine is $3.50.

Hank Dietle's Tavern
11010 Rockville Pike, Rockville
301-881-8711
From 4 to 7 p.m. weekdays, a mug of Bud or Bud Light or any domestic beer is $1.50. Trade up to a pint for $1.75, or split a pitcher for $6.25. (At 7:01, prices climb to $2.25, $2.75 and $8.75).

-Special thanks to The Washington Post article.

So there you go, enjoy your weekend, and have one on me! :)

Ultimate Jell-O Shot Recipe

Oh Yes, It's That Time Again...Friday Night

Ultimate Jell-O Shot:

14 oz vodka

3 oz Jell-O (lime or orange)

5 oz boiling water

Lime and orange Jell-O to taste the best (i.e., most similar to a vodka-based mixed drink), followed by the lemon and cherry flavors. At the highest concentrations of alcohol, the cherry Jell-O began to taste unpleasantly like cough syrup. I do not recommend the Berry Blue or grape flavors of Jell-O.

Looking more for taste than booze content? The perfect go-to recipe / fan favorite is adding peach schnapps. Cut the vodka to 7 oz and add 7 oz peach schnapps. The schnapps mellows things out, adding sweetness and flavor. It’s not overly tart or bitter, and the taste is mild enough to complement most fruit flavors, with the possible exception of lime and grape. Looking for something more exciting, try one of the recipes below!


Margarita Jell-O Shot

3 oz. package lime Jell-O8 oz.

(1 cup) boiling water

4 oz. tequila

4 oz. sweet and sour or Margarita mix

Substitute watermelon Jell-O for lime for a melon margarita.

Strawberry Daiquiri Jell-O Shot

3 oz. package wild strawberry Jell-O

8 oz. (1 cup) Boiling water

6 oz. white rum

1 oz. sweet and sour or Margarita mix

Sex on the Beach Jell-O Shot

3 oz. package orange Jell-O

8 oz. (1 cup) boiling cranberry juice

3 oz. peach schnapps

5 oz. vodka

-Ultimate Jell-O Shot Recipe Website