Portland is a thriving city in Oregon that is best known for its lovely parks, diverse culture, and buzzing nightlife scene. In fact, the city is filled with all kinds of nightlife hotspots, from the famous neighborhood bar Kelly's Olympian in downtown Portland to the beloved Alberta Street Pub in the Northeast—but Giggster's listings are also unique and very affordable. In this energetic city, you're spoiled for choice when it comes to bar venues, each suitable for individual needs and budgets.
Whether planning a birthday party, a corporate event, or any other special occasion, you're sure to find the perfect spot in Portland. Giggster can even make the search easier for you! With our easy-to-use platform, you can browse all available bar venues in the city, from dive bars and live music venues to cocktail bars and luxury clubs.
What's great about Giggster is that you can even narrow your search according to cost, amenities offered, location, availability, and several other factors. This ensures that you can find a space that has exactly what you're looking for and one that fits your budget.
With Giggster, you can find some of the best Portland restaurants, watering holes and nightlife spots where you can celebrate just about any kind of event or gathering. Look into the best bar venues in the Rose City and book a location today!
Portland is known for its craft beer scene, which is why you can easily find breweries that serve up local brews along with bar food options. Enjoy a pint of your favorite craft beer along with small bites such as loaded fries or buffalo wings.
A swanky rooftop bar in North Portland is a great place for hosting gatherings such as birthday parties. Here, you can sip some craft cocktails while enjoying the fresh air as well as some impressive skyline views.
If outdoor dining and drinking is your thing, check out the array of Portland restaurants that also feature a full bar.
Looking for a more laid-back setting for your gathering? Check out the jazz bars that feature live performances from touring musicians and enjoy a night of relaxed music and drinks.
Exceptional Variety & Quality: Whether you're in search of an energetic live music venue or a relaxed neighborhood bar, Giggster offers 47 venues for you to choose from. Each venue has its own flair and unique features that can help bring your event to life.
Hassle-Free Booking: Our user-friendly platform gives you all the information you need to know, from rental cost to available amenities; our curated spaces start at just $50/hour.
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: We know that some situations are out of control, which is why we offer maximum flexibility. You can cancel your booking at no added cost up to 24 hours after confirmation, provided the booking is made at least 48 hours before the supposed event.
Platform Protections: We have a range of optional protection packages available that cover important issues like damage and liability. This means you can book bar venues like Local Mobile Bar with Patio Seating without worrying about insurance details.
Portland is a dynamic city that has plenty of bar venues to host events of all kinds. Despite this, however, there are still a few drawbacks that you should be aware of to help you with your planning process.
Advantages
Portland boasts a wide variety of watering holes, from cozy lounges and nightclubs to taprooms and speakeasies. You won't have a hard time finding a suitable bar venue for your event.
Despite being a major city, Portland has a relatively cheaper cost of living compared to other cities in the Pacific Northwest, which means your budget can go a lot further when you host your event here.
The nightlife in Portland is extremely diverse and authentic, particularly because of the city's thriving craft beer scene.
Disadvantages
Most bar venues feature a lively atmosphere and thumping music, which may not be suitable for certain events requiring interaction and communication.
Nearly all bars come alive on the weekends, and availability may be a challenge if you're hosting your event during this time. An alternative is to rent the entire space, which will likely be expensive.
Portland weather can be unpredictable, especially during the winter when it tends to rain regularly. Keep this in mind should you decide to book an outdoor location.
Portland is home to a wide variety of bar venues, each having its own unique charm and aesthetic. Whether you're hosting milestone celebrations, corporate functions, or even informal gatherings, here are some examples of bar locations in the city that you will encounter.
Local Taprooms – Cozy Get-Togethers. Portland is renowned for its craft beer, and it would be a shame if you didn't take advantage of this by hosting your event in one of the many local taprooms and breweries in the city. This kind of venue serves as a relaxed setting and allows for conversations, perfect for cozy get-togethers.
Wine Bars – Intimate Celebrations. If wine is more to your liking, you can also find an array of wine bars in the city where you can host small events. Wine bars provide an intimate atmosphere and often offer tastings of both local and international selections.
Cocktail Lounges – Social Gatherings. Looking for a venue with an upbeat atmosphere and a wide selection of drinks? If so, a cocktail lounge is a good bet for social gatherings, such as birthday parties or business mixers. Not only do you get to enjoy expertly made craft cocktails, but you also get to mingle with other guests and enjoy the live music or entertainment on-site.
Music Venues – Live Performances. If you want to host a casual gathering and enjoy live music with your closest friends, you can book a music venue in the city. Most of these locations feature an array of local talents and touring acts you can watch while having fun conversations and enjoying drinks.
Rooftop Bars – For Stunning Views. You can host an event with the Portland skyline or the surrounding mountainside as your backdrop by booking a rooftop bar as a venue. This location type is suitable for sunset events, business mixers, and other small-scale gatherings.
Portland has all the makings of an epic event destination, especially with the variety of bar hotspots that can be found in the city. To ensure that your gathering goes off without a hitch, the following guide can help.
Have a Clear and Concise Budget Plan – No event will come to fruition if you don't have the budget to back up your expenses. Have a good budget plan in place and ensure that you don't go beyond the number you set. Also, it's best to keep track of all your expenses, such as adding them to a spreadsheet, so that you know how you're spending your money.
Determine Who to Invite – Finalize your guest list as early as possible so that you can send out RSVPs and confirm their attendance. Having a final headcount also helps you in picking out the right-sized venue.
Find the Right Venue – Once you've finalized the number of guests, you can move on to exploring all potential venues for your event and determine which ones fit your budget and can accommodate all your guests comfortably.
Hire the Needed Vendors – Depending on the type of event you're planning, you will likely need to hire additional vendors to help bring your vision to life. However, don't settle for the first one you find; instead, compare all local options and see which ones offer the best rates and have raving reviews.
Hosting a bar event in Portland comes with certain expenses, but it doesn't mean that the whole gathering should cost an arm and a leg. In fact, there are some key tips that you can apply to ensure that you don't go overboard.
Book during off-peak hours.
Bar venues are normally busiest at night during the weekend, which is when most individuals look to unwind after a week of working nonstop. Not only does this mean larger crowds, but the prices of rent, as well as drinks and food, also tend to skyrocket. Thus, if you want to save a significant amount, consider hosting your event during off-peak hours, particularly during mid-week.
Score discounts by booking your venue in advance.
Most venues offer early-bird discounts if you book them weeks or months in advance. Therefore, if you already have a set date in mind for your event, take advantage of such promos by confirming your reservation as early as possible.
Limit your drink options.
Bars offer a long list of drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, and it can get expensive if you decide to offer an open bar during your event. Instead, work with the venue and offer a limited drinks menu. Choose the most affordable drinks from the bar's selection, such as beers or basic cocktails.
Portland is one of the best destinations in the United States if you're looking for exciting and unique locations to host an event. With the overwhelming amount of options available in the city, Giggster makes it easier to search from a curated list of incredible bar venues. From trendy cocktail bars to casual breweries, we boast spaces in neighborhoods across the city to suit your needs.