Help me plan a bachelor party in Portland.
June 7, 2011 12:57 PM Subscribe
Help me plan a bachelor party weekend in Portland, OR.
We're planning to head down to Portland from Seattle for a bachelor party weekend sometime mid-August or early September. "We" in this case is the groom, who is already legally married but having the big ceremony and attendant festivities this year, and his 11 groomsmen, plus whoever decides to tag along. I'm only planning for the wedding party, so let's leave any hangers-on out of it except to say that events should be expandable as necessary.
Following the groom's lead, I'd like to set up a fairly relaxed weekend with two or three things to do on each day and then leave the rest up to chance. I have never been to Portland, so I don't really know my way around. The wedding party is somewhat divided between nerds and rugby guys, so that makes things a little interesting, although everyone likes each other to the best of my knowledge and everyone likes to drink. However, there will be strip clubs involved, and maybe not everyone will be into that.
We'll be taking the train down on a Friday morning/afternoon and returning Sunday evening. I would like recommendations on:
- hotels: I'm thinking we're going to rent out six doubles. Is it possible to get a group rate or some such? I'm looking at McMenamin's because that seems like the most unique experience, but nothing's in stone yet.
- places to eat: I'd like to do one reasonably nice dinner on Saturday night, something good and simple on Friday night, and lunches on Saturday and Sunday. We're definitely interested in doing a beer tour or two, do they serve food at those?
- strip clubs: I don't know much about them, so I'd love any recommendations, bonus points for clubs that are near neutral drinking venues for sleaze-abstainers(and if that's a silly request because they all are, forget I asked). Also, etiquette-wise, would it make sense to call ahead and let them know a big group is coming in? I'd like to have at least two clubs in mind, one for each night, and then if the group wanders, that's what happens.
- bars: I imagine this will be most of our venture. I have looked over the other Portland questions and have a list of recommendations from those, but I figure we'll probably be crawling from place to place for much of the weekend, so I'd love to create a walking map of ideas. What I'd like to do is have an "opening" and "closing" bar for each of the two nights, just so if the group splits up at any point we know where to meet back up.
- anything else: I've never planned a bachelor party before. What is reasonable to expect people in the group to pay: hotel, cash fund for groom's drinks and sweaty ladies, anything else? I've talked to the groom extensively and he's made it pretty clear that as long as we go away for a weekend, have some drinks, and come back, he'll be pretty satisfied, so I'm not too worried about messing anything up. However, if I'm missing anything obvious or haven't considered some awesome thing to do, please do enlighten me.
Thanks for any and all help.
We're planning to head down to Portland from Seattle for a bachelor party weekend sometime mid-August or early September. "We" in this case is the groom, who is already legally married but having the big ceremony and attendant festivities this year, and his 11 groomsmen, plus whoever decides to tag along. I'm only planning for the wedding party, so let's leave any hangers-on out of it except to say that events should be expandable as necessary.
Following the groom's lead, I'd like to set up a fairly relaxed weekend with two or three things to do on each day and then leave the rest up to chance. I have never been to Portland, so I don't really know my way around. The wedding party is somewhat divided between nerds and rugby guys, so that makes things a little interesting, although everyone likes each other to the best of my knowledge and everyone likes to drink. However, there will be strip clubs involved, and maybe not everyone will be into that.
We'll be taking the train down on a Friday morning/afternoon and returning Sunday evening. I would like recommendations on:
- hotels: I'm thinking we're going to rent out six doubles. Is it possible to get a group rate or some such? I'm looking at McMenamin's because that seems like the most unique experience, but nothing's in stone yet.
- places to eat: I'd like to do one reasonably nice dinner on Saturday night, something good and simple on Friday night, and lunches on Saturday and Sunday. We're definitely interested in doing a beer tour or two, do they serve food at those?
- strip clubs: I don't know much about them, so I'd love any recommendations, bonus points for clubs that are near neutral drinking venues for sleaze-abstainers(and if that's a silly request because they all are, forget I asked). Also, etiquette-wise, would it make sense to call ahead and let them know a big group is coming in? I'd like to have at least two clubs in mind, one for each night, and then if the group wanders, that's what happens.
- bars: I imagine this will be most of our venture. I have looked over the other Portland questions and have a list of recommendations from those, but I figure we'll probably be crawling from place to place for much of the weekend, so I'd love to create a walking map of ideas. What I'd like to do is have an "opening" and "closing" bar for each of the two nights, just so if the group splits up at any point we know where to meet back up.
- anything else: I've never planned a bachelor party before. What is reasonable to expect people in the group to pay: hotel, cash fund for groom's drinks and sweaty ladies, anything else? I've talked to the groom extensively and he's made it pretty clear that as long as we go away for a weekend, have some drinks, and come back, he'll be pretty satisfied, so I'm not too worried about messing anything up. However, if I'm missing anything obvious or haven't considered some awesome thing to do, please do enlighten me.
Thanks for any and all help.
Be careful which McMenamins you look at: some of them are a solid 30 minutes out of the city. Some are close in. I'd check out the Ace hotel if you're looking for downtown, but if you want to stay on the east side, check out the Jupiter Hotel (cheap, and close to a billion bars/stripclubs/restaurants all on Burnside). That particular part of Burnside is rife with really good shit, and other really good shit can be found on most of the major streets parallel to it.
Good and simple on a Friday night, check out Portland's sampling of awesome carts. There are a billion of them all over the city. If you need some late night drunken snacking, hit up the Potato Champion on 12th and Hawthorne; they serve fries and poutine. It's not to be missed.
Toro Bravo is a super badass 'nicer' (still casual though..and not too spendy) tapas/small plates place in North Portland. It's really tasty. They also operate an equally good breakfast joint named Tasty and Sons in the same neighborhood which is great for a hangover. For a super chill dinner, think southern at Podnahs. Breakfasts? Pine State.
Bars. Oh Jesus. What neighborhoods are you thinking? If you stay away from the downtown area, your wallet will thank you. The east side of portland has a ton of really great bars. My personal suggestion for an end point? The HORSE BRASS!. Don't expect good service while you're there, but DO expect great fish and chips, and one of the better beer menus in town. It's frequented by grad students, and british people....this might fit the bill for nerds/rugby combo? Also, they have darts.
I can't speak for strip clubs myself, but Mary's is the oldest strip club in town, and Devils Point is also quite popular.
posted by furnace.heart at 1:13 PM on June 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Good and simple on a Friday night, check out Portland's sampling of awesome carts. There are a billion of them all over the city. If you need some late night drunken snacking, hit up the Potato Champion on 12th and Hawthorne; they serve fries and poutine. It's not to be missed.
Toro Bravo is a super badass 'nicer' (still casual though..and not too spendy) tapas/small plates place in North Portland. It's really tasty. They also operate an equally good breakfast joint named Tasty and Sons in the same neighborhood which is great for a hangover. For a super chill dinner, think southern at Podnahs. Breakfasts? Pine State.
Bars. Oh Jesus. What neighborhoods are you thinking? If you stay away from the downtown area, your wallet will thank you. The east side of portland has a ton of really great bars. My personal suggestion for an end point? The HORSE BRASS!. Don't expect good service while you're there, but DO expect great fish and chips, and one of the better beer menus in town. It's frequented by grad students, and british people....this might fit the bill for nerds/rugby combo? Also, they have darts.
I can't speak for strip clubs myself, but Mary's is the oldest strip club in town, and Devils Point is also quite popular.
posted by furnace.heart at 1:13 PM on June 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
clubs: the Union Jack, which is in close proximity to the Doug Fir (for the non-sleazies.)
bars: +1 for the Horse Brass Pub. Get a pint of Billy for me.
posted by JohnFredra at 1:20 PM on June 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
bars: +1 for the Horse Brass Pub. Get a pint of Billy for me.
posted by JohnFredra at 1:20 PM on June 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: - strip clubs: I don't know much about them, so I'd love any recommendations, bonus points for clubs that are near neutral drinking venues for sleaze-abstainers(and if that's a silly request because they all are, forget I asked). Also, etiquette-wise, would it make sense to call ahead and let them know a big group is coming in? I'd like to have at least two clubs in mind, one for each night, and then if the group wanders, that's what happens.
Second for Sassy's. Extremely friendly, awesome (local, organic) food, great location, and a tap of microbrews that are $2 a pint all day until 7. The dancers are fantastic. Very relaxed, not a 'strip-club' sort of vibe. They have an upstairs VIP section you can call ahead and rent.
posted by Lutoslawski at 1:21 PM on June 7, 2011
Second for Sassy's. Extremely friendly, awesome (local, organic) food, great location, and a tap of microbrews that are $2 a pint all day until 7. The dancers are fantastic. Very relaxed, not a 'strip-club' sort of vibe. They have an upstairs VIP section you can call ahead and rent.
posted by Lutoslawski at 1:21 PM on June 7, 2011
Are you thinking the Crystal Hotel? It's very new so I don't know much about it. I do know that that street is loud until very late. It might be nice to be a little off the beaten path (that is, off Stark and Burnside) so that you can actually get some sleep at night. But if your group has never experienced the McMenamins *thing* that might be fun and it is right in the thick of it.
Mary's Strip Club is on Burnside and is the oldest stripper bar in Portland. Nearby is Saucebox for swanky drinking vibe and also the excellent beer bar Bailey's Taproom. Literally right across the alley from Mary's and a great spot for tasting top craft brews.
People seem to like Sassy's which you could probably get to by Max or bus (check times for last run of the night -- otherwise it's a cab ride). Hmmm... I'll leave more stripper recommendations to others. (On preview, excellent....)
For a reasonably nice dinner right in that area, I recommend reserving the large table at Clyde Common -- you guys will love it. Have hangover breakfast and/or a monster man-sized lunch at Kenny & Zukes.
If the guys are rugby players and might like some physical activity -- how about a morning hike up to Pittock Mansion with a toast of some sort at the top. Have breakfast at Ken's Artisan then keep heading north on 23rd to find the start of that hike. Go to top -- pound a shot of Jaeger -- then head back down to your hotel for rest.
posted by amanda at 1:22 PM on June 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Mary's Strip Club is on Burnside and is the oldest stripper bar in Portland. Nearby is Saucebox for swanky drinking vibe and also the excellent beer bar Bailey's Taproom. Literally right across the alley from Mary's and a great spot for tasting top craft brews.
People seem to like Sassy's which you could probably get to by Max or bus (check times for last run of the night -- otherwise it's a cab ride). Hmmm... I'll leave more stripper recommendations to others. (On preview, excellent....)
For a reasonably nice dinner right in that area, I recommend reserving the large table at Clyde Common -- you guys will love it. Have hangover breakfast and/or a monster man-sized lunch at Kenny & Zukes.
If the guys are rugby players and might like some physical activity -- how about a morning hike up to Pittock Mansion with a toast of some sort at the top. Have breakfast at Ken's Artisan then keep heading north on 23rd to find the start of that hike. Go to top -- pound a shot of Jaeger -- then head back down to your hotel for rest.
posted by amanda at 1:22 PM on June 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: The McMenamin's Kennedy School is fun, but not ideal if you're relying on public transportation. And otherwise you could easily rely on the Max for almost everywhere you might want to go.
So I'd suggest looking for a hotel downtown or in the Pearl District (roughly near Pioneer Square, and where the Max green, yellow, red, and blue lines come together) or perhaps just east of the river, near the Rose Garden Arena and the Lloyd Center. Not as much character in the Rose Garden area, but the hotels will be cheaper.
For your bar crawl night, I'd suggest picking one neighborhood convenient to a Max line and planning to hit several bars in one area. The Mississippi district in North Portland would work well for this; it's near the Max yellow line and has a bunch of bars along one street; you can even wander a few blocks east and hit up some places on North Williams. You can get some pretty affordable food here as well--there are some food carts near Prost and Por Que No is a Taqueria with some budget options. (This is not the "scary" part of Portland referenced above.)
I hear there are some strip clubs in Portland, but, uh, I can't speak to that directly. That's a different part of town than where I've suggested you stay and bar hop. You'll not want to stay at a hotel near the strip clubs, I suspect.
For a nice dinner, you might try the Portland City Grill (though you should probably make reservations for a group of your size). It's high up in a tall building and offers some pretty spectacular view of the river and Mt. Hood, even for folks who used to Rainier.
Really, though, I wouldn't over worry about choosing just the right bar or neighborhood or restaurant. Portland is full of great beer and food. You'll have a great time.
posted by bluedaisy at 1:40 PM on June 7, 2011
So I'd suggest looking for a hotel downtown or in the Pearl District (roughly near Pioneer Square, and where the Max green, yellow, red, and blue lines come together) or perhaps just east of the river, near the Rose Garden Arena and the Lloyd Center. Not as much character in the Rose Garden area, but the hotels will be cheaper.
For your bar crawl night, I'd suggest picking one neighborhood convenient to a Max line and planning to hit several bars in one area. The Mississippi district in North Portland would work well for this; it's near the Max yellow line and has a bunch of bars along one street; you can even wander a few blocks east and hit up some places on North Williams. You can get some pretty affordable food here as well--there are some food carts near Prost and Por Que No is a Taqueria with some budget options. (This is not the "scary" part of Portland referenced above.)
I hear there are some strip clubs in Portland, but, uh, I can't speak to that directly. That's a different part of town than where I've suggested you stay and bar hop. You'll not want to stay at a hotel near the strip clubs, I suspect.
For a nice dinner, you might try the Portland City Grill (though you should probably make reservations for a group of your size). It's high up in a tall building and offers some pretty spectacular view of the river and Mt. Hood, even for folks who used to Rainier.
Really, though, I wouldn't over worry about choosing just the right bar or neighborhood or restaurant. Portland is full of great beer and food. You'll have a great time.
posted by bluedaisy at 1:40 PM on June 7, 2011
A friend of mine from Seattle did this same thing, and when they were looking for a place to stay they went with the White Eagle - a McMenamins that nobody ever remembers. 11 people might actually take over the whole place - it only has 11 rooms, so if you can't get all 11 you might have to double up. But, it's walking distance from bluedaisy's suggestions of Por Que No and Prost (and on that street are also Amnesia Brewing and Mississippi Pizza, which are both awesome, Amnesia's my second-favorite brewer in Portland).
posted by pdb at 1:47 PM on June 7, 2011
posted by pdb at 1:47 PM on June 7, 2011
I went to acropolis on a birthday trip with a friend, mixed group, and it felt sleazy as all hell and I was totally uncomfortable being in there. To be fair I'm a girl, and have not been in any other strip clubs, and it was daytime. That said, I wouldn't go there again for free steak.
posted by jacalata at 2:09 PM on June 7, 2011
posted by jacalata at 2:09 PM on June 7, 2011
I don't know what your musical tastes are like, but if you like punk rock and strip clubs, and always wondered what they'd be like together, go to the Magic Garden - it doesn't look like much from the outside, but it has an amazing jukebox and the dancers are all really cool. Can't link to it as I'm at work but check it out.
posted by pdb at 2:28 PM on June 7, 2011
posted by pdb at 2:28 PM on June 7, 2011
Best answer: First off, on the topic of "Other Awesome Things to Do": Ground Kontrol. Nerds will love it for the obvious reason, and rugby guys probably like competition, right? Plus, everyone loves vintage arcade games + beer. Also, if there's a timbers game while you're there, that can be a lot of fun.
Strip Clubs: Came in here to say Devil's Point-- if you stayed through Sunday night, you could go to Strippaoke, which is silly enough that it doesn't feel sleazy, but even if you don't make it for that, it's a great place. Magic Gardens, downtown, is also great-- very relaxed but tiny place, so you might fill it all on your own. The Acropolis, mentioned above, is pretty sleazy, but is famous for their surprisingly good and extremely cheap steak, and is a bit of a portland classic.
posted by dizziest at 2:33 PM on June 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Strip Clubs: Came in here to say Devil's Point-- if you stayed through Sunday night, you could go to Strippaoke, which is silly enough that it doesn't feel sleazy, but even if you don't make it for that, it's a great place. Magic Gardens, downtown, is also great-- very relaxed but tiny place, so you might fill it all on your own. The Acropolis, mentioned above, is pretty sleazy, but is famous for their surprisingly good and extremely cheap steak, and is a bit of a portland classic.
posted by dizziest at 2:33 PM on June 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Man, I could spend hours answering this, but I'm afraid I haven't time. I just popped in to day that a late-night visit to Voodoo Doughnuts is mandatory. Maple bacon bar all the way, baby.
posted by Specklet at 4:44 PM on June 7, 2011
posted by Specklet at 4:44 PM on June 7, 2011
Nthing Ground Kontrol. That place is rad. And it's within walking distance of Voodoo Doughnuts, which is also quite rad.
Rad.
posted by tacodave at 4:50 PM on June 7, 2011
Rad.
posted by tacodave at 4:50 PM on June 7, 2011
Cool thing about Mary's is it's next to the Tug Boat, which has great beers made on the premises and is an institution in its own right.
posted by Joseph Gurl at 5:42 PM on June 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Joseph Gurl at 5:42 PM on June 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Also, if there's a timbers game while you're there, that can be a lot of fun.
Eh, not so much if you're Seattle fans. Games are also very hard to get tickets for at this point.
posted by bink at 12:17 AM on June 8, 2011
Eh, not so much if you're Seattle fans. Games are also very hard to get tickets for at this point.
posted by bink at 12:17 AM on June 8, 2011
Response by poster: Thanks for all the suggestions, people, please keep them coming if you have more.
So it looks like downtown or eastside are consensus favorites for where to stay? I'll start looking at the hotels y'all mentioned. As implied previously, saying that I am a geographic idiot would actually overrate my skills some, so I appreciate the directions, pointers, and Google Maps links.
And, yes, the groom and I are Sounders season ticket holders, so while it would be amusing to go and cheer for the opposing side, the only really good choice for us would be the 8/20 game versus Vancouver, also known as the "I hope everyone involved sprains their ankle" match. If Timbers are anything like Sounders, I very much doubt I could get 12+ tickets all together anyway.
I was thinking about Ground Kontrol, actually, because I personally really want to go, and obviously this is all about me.
Any thoughts on cash splits and how much I should be asking the other guys to chip in?
posted by Errant at 10:34 AM on June 8, 2011
So it looks like downtown or eastside are consensus favorites for where to stay? I'll start looking at the hotels y'all mentioned. As implied previously, saying that I am a geographic idiot would actually overrate my skills some, so I appreciate the directions, pointers, and Google Maps links.
And, yes, the groom and I are Sounders season ticket holders, so while it would be amusing to go and cheer for the opposing side, the only really good choice for us would be the 8/20 game versus Vancouver, also known as the "I hope everyone involved sprains their ankle" match. If Timbers are anything like Sounders, I very much doubt I could get 12+ tickets all together anyway.
I was thinking about Ground Kontrol, actually, because I personally really want to go, and obviously this is all about me.
Any thoughts on cash splits and how much I should be asking the other guys to chip in?
posted by Errant at 10:34 AM on June 8, 2011
Response by poster: We are currently on the train, drinking and parsing through your excellent recommendations. The group got pared down dramatically, which on the one hand is a bummer but on the other hand means more mobility to check out more things and less planning for me to do, so awesome. Thanks, everyone.
posted by Errant at 3:04 PM on September 16, 2011
posted by Errant at 3:04 PM on September 16, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
I may or may not have been to a majority of strip clubs in Portland. Here are the good ones:
Acropolis: SE McLoughlin (99E). It's not the nicest club in town, but their health department score was 92 on the last visit. The reason you go here is for the steak. $5.50 steak special. It is legendary. Go before 5:30pm to beat cover, otherwise it's $4/person cover.
Lucky Devil: SE Powell near the Ross Island Bridge. Reasonably priced drinks, very nice smoking patio with a firepit. A fairly laid back club yet not usually jam-packed. No cover.
Devil's Point: SE Foster around 54th. Small place, packed on the weekends. Drinks are well priced. Known for their alternative dancers and fire dancing. No cover.
Sassy's: SE Morrison and 10th. Bigger placed, has been jam packed on weekends. Tends to have alternative looking dancers. No cover.
Casa Diablo: NW St. Helen's Road. Bit of a drive out of downtown into the nowheres. Good sized club, has a From Dusk Til Dawn feel. Only serves vegan food. Drink prices a bit higher here. No cover.
Club 205: SE Stark around 102nd. Usually best looking dancers in town. Reasonable prices. Good food. No cover.
Mary's Club: SW Broadway and Oak(?): The oldest strip club in Portland. A tradition. Enjoy yourself while the dancers pick their music off of the jukebox.
Do not go to list: Most of the clubs east of 82nd Ave are sketchy at best, some are downright scary. Same goes for anything in North Portland or along Columbia Ave., save maybe the Dancing Bear... even then that place can be sketch. The Stars clubs are very good, more stereotypical strip clubs, but very expensive. Expect $10 cover and high priced drinks. Jiggles will advertise on the radio here, but they don't tell you it is no booze and $13 cover. Don't go there either.
Last note: Grab a copy of the Exotic Magazine at any local strip club. It has a map and ads for all of the area strip clubs with general information.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 1:13 PM on June 7, 2011 [3 favorites]