Portland State Vanguard Night Out Guide 2013

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Vanguard Night Out Guide 2013

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Erick Bengel

EDITORS

Whitney Beyer Marco España Meredith Meier Louie Opatz Deeda Schroeder

PRODUCTION MANAGER

Elizabeth Thompson

Art Director Maria Perala

PHOTO EDITOR Karl Kuchs

Online Editor Claudette Raynor

COPY CHIEF Emily Gravlin

WRITERS

Tamara Alazri Kat Audick Adam E. Bushen Gino Cerruti Robin Crowell Matt Deems Jaime Dunkle Stephanie Fudge-Bernard Melinda Guillén Breana Harris Katie Hoyt Nicholas Kula Kaela O’Brien Ashley Rask Janieve Schnabel Deeda Schroeder

Sam Gressett

COPY EDITORS

ADVISER

Kylie Byrd Rachel Porter

ADVERTISING SALES Brittany Laureys Kari Tate

ADVERTISING ADVISER

DISTRIBUTORS

DESIGNERS

Tom Cober Danielle Fleishman Dillon Lawerence Colton Major Maria Perala

Dive for fun pg. 36 Gettin’ ready p. 8

The wackiest drinking game p. 20

Cover photos and contents by Karl Kuchs

Dance shoes needed p. 18

Got quarters? p. 13

Portland, Portland, Portland p. 32

Jann Messer

Judson Randall

Ann Roman

Minors welcome p. 28

Daniel Johnston Karl Kuchs Jinyi Qi Miles Sanguinetti Corinna Scott Adam Wickham

VIDEOGRAPHER

Romeo Salazar

Stripping down p. 16

PHOTOGRAPHERS

ADVERTISING MANAGER ADVERTISING DESIGNER

Small carts, great food p. 30

Matthew Ellis James Putnam

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Novelty restaurants In the mood for love Top 5 gay bars A night owl’s guide to success Top 5 PDX music venues Cinema in the city Games galore Laugh out loud Top 5 strip clubs Dancing? In Portland?

On your mark, get set, drink!

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Beer awaits!

A black-tie affair Old-world charm Cascade Brewing Barrel House All-ages fun Nosh, nosh, any time you want Top 5 late-night food carts Strictly Portland Name that tune Fanatics welcome Taking a dive

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Vanguard Night Out Guide 2013

EastBurn

Photos by Miles Sanguinetti

Channel your inner child at EastBurn, where you can draw on paper tablecloths with crayons and sit in giant wicker swings while you eat. If that doesn’t sell you, they also have a bar, Skee-Ball and a huge aquarium in the basement. Their calamari and their lobster mac ’n’cheese ain’t too shabby, either.

1800 E Burnside St. 503-236-2876 theeastburn.com

Rimsky-Korsakoffee House

Salvador Molly’s

Located in an old house, RimskyKorsakoffee House is filled with creepy mannequins, odd knickknacks, rotating tables and some killer dessert. Open from 7 p.m. to midnight or 1 a.m., this place is perfect for a late-night snack.

This restaurant is definitely an experience when it comes to different international cuisine. They are known for their crazy decor, peanut shells covering the floor and huge menu selection. If “a pirate’s life for me” is your motto, then this restaurant is right up your alley. They’re also family friendly and have a crazycheap happy hour. Yargh!

707 SE 12th Ave. 503-232-2640 yelp.com/biz/ rimsky-korsakoffee-house-portland

Slappy Cakes A lumberjack’s dream, Slappy Cakes is the ultimate restaurant for pancake lovers.

Each table has a griddle and all the fixings to make your own pancakes. For those of you who can’t stand waiting until morning for more pancakes, they’re also open on Fridays and Saturdays from 5–10 p.m.

Novelty restaurants Ashley Rask

Vanguard staff Face it: You’re in a food rut.

If you’re really going to throw down $9.99 for a meal—on a collegestudent budget, no less—why not go somewhere with some pizzazz?

Here is a list of five of the best novelty restaurants in Portland, where you can have not only great food but also a memorable experience.

4246 SE Belmont St. 503-477-4805 slappycakes.com

Le Bistro Montage This restaurant offers great Cajun-style food and a loud and always entertaining environment. They are known for their bizarre comfort food and waiters who yell your order. They have everything from chicken-fried steak and vegetable linguine to frog legs and alligator jambalaya. After you’ve finished eating, they’ll wrap up your food in a foil work of art.

301 SE Morrison St. 503-234-1324 montageportland.com

1523 SW Sunset Blvd.

503-293-1790 salvadormollys.com

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Vanguard Night Out Guide 2013

Where to go when you come out

In the mood for love

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Top 5 gay clubs/ bars in Portland

Top 5 woo-worthy restaurants

Jaime Dunkle Vanguard staff

When I asked my friends about their top five gay bars in Portland, the first response I got was, “I wouldn’t use the word ‘top’ in reference to them. They are mostly bottoms.” Cute!

Anyway, here’s a quick-and-dirty list I compiled with local comedian and self-proclaimed “resident gay” Belinda Carroll.

Nothing screams pressure like planning a “romantic date” for you and your significant other. Here are the top five romantic havens and date spots for sweeping your partner off his or her feet.

Photo by Corinna Scott

Kaela O’Brien Vanguard staff

Andina Duck into this high-end restaurant’s bar during happy hour for tapas and cocktails that celebrate the vibrant cuisine of Peru. All small plates are $10.50—from stuffed sweet piquillo peppers to grilled octopus kebabs—and cocktails are decidedly tropical with ginger, pineapple and citrus playing dominant roles. Try the heat-spiked “sacsayhuaman” if you like a little habanero with your passion fruit.

1314 NW Glisan St. 503-228-9535 andinarestaurant.com

Le Happy 1011 NW 16th Ave. 503-226-1258 lehappy.com This delightful little creperie has the ultimate date vibe. The warm lighting and comfy little

tables make it easy to enjoy what seems like an endless list of crepes while snuggled up to your sweetie. The menu isn’t terribly expensive, either, so this date spot won’t break the bank.

St. Jack Sure, you could fork over the majority contents of your checking account and head to this Southeast Portland French restaurant for a multicourse meal—it’s definitely worth the splurge. But you might instead consider St. Jack’s tiny gem of a cafe, a petite annex off the main restaurant where the restaurant’s pastry chef turns out perfect little madeleines, cannelles and coffee drinks in the early morning hours—perfect to share at a cozy table overlooking the sleepy neighborhood.

2039 SE Clinton St. 503-360-1281 stjackpdx.com

Sapphire Hotel 5008 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

503-232-6333 thesapphirehotel.com Not actually a hotel, this bar is a great place to grab some late-night drinks with that special someone. The dark and mysterious feel of this place paired with the great music sets a very sexy mood. If the relaxed environment doesn’t win you over, the enjoyable upscale food will.

Valentine’s 232 SW Ankeny St. 503-248-1600 valentinespdx.com A cozy bar with a bit of a hipster vibe, Valentine’s is known for its charming and intimate atmosphere. It’s a great place to listen to some live music, poetry or a local disc jockey, and to grab a sandwich (the menu has some delicious vegetarian options) and some drinks.

If you’re into a more laid-back feel when it comes to dates, this is the place for you.

CC Slaughters Nightclub & Rainbow Room Lounge 219 NW Davis St. 503-248-9135 For drinks and glitz: If you’re looking for glamour and fantastic drink specials, CC Slaughters Nightclub & Rainbow Room Lounge is the flashy gay club for you.

Although it seems mostly male-dominated, there is Girltopia (For Girls Who Love Girls with DJ Alicious) every Tuesday night from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. This club features weekly events, monthly parties, block parties, Fetish Fridays and drag shows Sunday night. Live disc jockeys spin seven days a week. Happy hour is from 3–4 p.m. daily, and 3 p.m.–midnight on Sundays.

Hamburger Mary’s Bar and Grille 19 NW Fifth Ave. 503-688-1200 For shows: Hamburger Mary’s Bar and Grille is the best place to see drag and burlesque shows. It even does charity bingo. Food specials (like a beer and burger for $6 when advertised) look pretty appetizing. The hours are kind of wonky, though: Monday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Thursday–Saturday 11 a.m.–2 a.m., Sunday 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

Starky’s For maxing and relaxing: Starky’s is the best outdoor gay bar. Word on the street is that they make a killer Bloody Mary and have a yummy brunch menu. They’re old school and have been in Portland since 1984. Check it out if you want to get away from the throbbing, meat-market discos.

2913 SE Stark St. 503-230-7980

Escape Bar & Grill

Scandals PDX

9004 NE Sandy Blvd.

503-255-4300 Mostly for lesbians: Escape Bar & Grill is a friendly neighborhood bar for mostly girlon-girl girls. Go there if you’re tired of the male-centric gay bars. Escape has fun themed parties, like Glow, where high-powered flourescent black lights make neon-colored clothing pop!

1125 SW Stark St. 503-227-5887 Mostly for gay men: Scandals PDX is a good hangout for gay guys. It’s kind of a swanky bar, but it’s not stuffy. Scandals features drag shows, like the RuPaul’s Drag Race event every Monday at 8 p.m. The bar considers itself “Portland’s gay Cheers.”

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Vanguard Night Out Guide 2013

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Pregame wisely

Take your time to grab a drink, kick some jams and look just right before you head out.

Don’t get slammed before you leave the house. A drink or two before you head out will help you avoid racking up an unholy bar tab. But if you’re sloshed before you even hit the streets, your night of fun is going to fall flat.

A little social lubricant goes a long way, but making a fool of yourself from minute one won’t make your night more memorable—in fact, you probably won’t even remember it.

That said, a little pregame cocktail will help you save dough you can later use for a safe cab ride home.

A night owl’s guide to success Be a different you

How to gear up for a great night on the town

Don’t throw on your usual go-to bar-hopping outfit. Try on something you don’t usually wear. I don’t mean a sparkly sequined fedora or rainbow suspenders (though if that’s your thang, have at it).

Even the simplest alterations in your wardrobe can add an extra kick to your step: Wear your hair a different way, try some striking makeup, rock a new belt and get some serious bling on.

A good night out starts with you feeling awesome about yourself. With your confidence flowing, let the good times roll.

Photos by Daniel Johnston

Kat Audick Vanguard staff

Hype yourself up with your favorite tunes If your favorite tunes are Sarah McLachlan or Simon and Garfunkel, that’s great—but try some more energizing songs.

Get your brain space in a party mode while you’re getting ready. Or listen to some of the old classics to practice for a night of karaoke.

Whatever you choose, music will help you loosen up and forget about all the worries and stresses of the day.

Before you find yourself walking back to the same old bar in the clothes you’ve been wearing to school for two straight days, take these helpful hints into consideration.

We’re all creatures of habit, but science says that a little spontaneity is what we really thrive on—and as we all know, knowledge is power! So call your friends, text your boo and get ready for a memorable evening.

Have a plan

Switching up your look is a great way to feel flossy on your night out.

Stand out (and up) in a crowd with some fierce heels.

Portland is amazing in that there’s fun to be had around every corner. But too many options can land you in an entirely different conundrum.

Instead of talking in circles with your friends about “What are we doing next?,” at least have a loose schedule. Even if it’s just “We’re hitting up this bar I’ve heard about until we’re drunk enough to want tacos,” the smallest of plans is a good plan.

Planning frees your mind from wondering what to do next and lets you get absorbed in good conversation. Now is the time to try somewhere brand new, too. Look up a place you’ve always heard about and give it a go. If it disappoints, your favorite bar will always be there to catch you as a backup.

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Photos by Daniel Johnston

Photos by Adam Wickham

Top 5 PDX music venues

The Hawthorne Theatre Lounge 1507 SE 39th Ave. 503-233-7100 The lounge is in the same building as the theater, and it offers up a much more pleasurable music-going experience. Attracting smaller acts than the theater, the lounge offers an up-close and intimate setting for audience and performer.

Catching a show at the theater? Step over to the lounge for a preconcert beverage; as luck would have it, there are usually smaller acts playing as a prequel to the larger events going on next door.

Robin Crowell Vanguard staff

Backspace 115 NW Fifth Ave. 503-248-2900 Though it is not a general favorite of the Portland music scene, Backspace’s all-ages landscape offers what so many other venues do not—drinks for the of-age and sober fun for the youngsters.

The older crowd might get frustrated with the young’uns kicking the backs of their heads in an attempt to prove that moshing and crowd-surfing are still cool, but it does provide an avenue through which everyone can enjoy local and touring acts.

Branx/Rotture 320 SE Second Ave. 503-234-5683 Branx and Rotture is a terrific joint venture: Both are located in the same building, with Branx, the larger of the two, downstairs, and Rotture, which generally houses the 21+ shows, upstairs.

The venues have attracted the likes of Off With Their Heads, Dead To Me, American Steel and The Smoking Popes. This combination venue surely has something for everyone.

The Know

Dante’s 350 W Burnside St. 503-226-6630 While this is not one for the all-ages crowd, people over 21 will love this venue, if only for the fact that they do not have to be roped off to enjoy a cocktail and a live show. With fire and brimstone as its aesthetic theme, Dante’s provides showgoers with pleasantly hellish interiors and an intimate stage setting for optimal enjoyment.

While the venue has suffered a general lack of big names as of late, the bar has featured acts ranging from The Revival Tour to Nothington.

2026 NE Alberta St. 503-473-8729 Located in the heart of Northeast Portland, The Know is a 21+ venue with more soul than can be contained in one building. The bar generally has excellent and fast service despite the big crowds, and all music takes place in a separate room, so bar-goers can keep bar-going while showgoers can pay the cover and proceed to the performance.

A great place to mingle and enjoy eclectic live music, The Know serves as one of the best places to take in a show in the Portland music scene.

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Vanguard Night Out Guide 2013

Cinema in the city A night out at Portland’s top 5 movie theaters Breana Harris Vanguard staff

Bagdad Theater & Pub 3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

A great example of Portland’s cinematic brewpubs, the Bagdad is part of the McMenamins chain and boasts arguably the most colorful history of all their theaters.

Not only does it present discount films in its cozy auditoriums, it also hosts live comedy, music and events.

Besides the amazing architecture, one of the Bhagdad’s big draws is watching your movie while drinking one of McMenamins’ famous varieties of beer.

Hollywood Theatre 4122 NE Sandy Blvd.

This one might be cheating because it’s not a traditional movie theater, but if you love cinema, the Hollywood Theatre is a must-see.

Built in 1926, the building has been renovated to include 50-foot screens and digital surround-sound systems, and there’s always something unique on the schedule.

The nonprofit theater presents screenings of classic, independent and campy films, and it even hosts its own Oscars party.

Laurelhurst Theater 2735 E Burnside St. The historic Laurelhurst opened in 1923, but it’s been a theater and pub combo for the last 12 years. The movies aren’t the most recent—like many of the pub theaters, they’re discounted, second-run films—but the pub serves pizza, wraps, wine and microbrews.

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Photo by Corinna Scott

At the Laurelhurst, every show after 5:30 p.m. is 21 and over—sorry, minors! But if you’ve ever sat through crying babies in an R-rated film, you’ll love this rule.

Top 5 gaming bars

Living Room Theaters 341 SW 10th Ave.

Games galore

For an awesome and distinct moviegoing experience, it’s hard to beat the Living Room.

Open since 2006, this theater was the first in the country to feature entirely digital projection.

Living Room features a fantastic blend of Hollywood films and independent movies that you can’t find anywhere else. The cafe serves salads and desserts along with beer and wine, and everything is remarkably affordable, including the tickets.

Tamara Alazri Vanguard staff

Sometimes a drink and a couple of friends or co-workers isn’t enough to guarantee a fun night out. Sometimes the only way to enliven a dud of a night is to inject some competition into the proceedings. Here are five top spots to get your game on in Portland.

Regal Fox Tower Stadium 10 846 SW Park Ave.

Encore Poker Club

If you’re just looking to see a recently released film at a good theater, Regal Fox Tower is a great option. It’s located on the second floor of the Fox Tower skyscraper, within walking distance of Portland State.

This theater has more of a conventional vibe, but it’s got comfortable seating and a friendly staff, as well as a great selection of films that’s way more “art house” than blockbuster. It’s perfect for those who just want to see a current film without the pub-style environment.

535 NW 16th Ave. 503-206-8856 If you want to save the money you’d blow on a trip to Vegas, consider gambling in town.

Open for nearly two years, Encore Poker Club is a social gaming club that provides a Vegasstyle atmosphere complete with a casinostyle poker room, full service bar and lounge.

Other features include a big-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, video games and board games. Poker tournaments start as early as noon and continue until 3:30 a.m.

“At the Laurelhurst, every show after 5:30 p.m. is 21 and over—sorry, minors!”

Ground Kontrol 511 NW Couch St. 503-796-9364 With more than 60 classic video games, 27 pinball machines and a full-service bar, Ground Kontrol remains the Northwest’s premier arcade bar.

Photo by Kayla Nguyen

If you’re one of those guys or girls who spend hours relentlessly glued to the latest Call of Duty or are obsessed with classic Donkey Kong, this two-story, arcade-loving hell-raiser of an arcade offers the perfect fix.

Ground Kontrol’s bar is open until 2:00 a.m., so stock up on beer, wine and video games, because the only time drunk driving is acceptable is when you’re playing Cruisin’ USA.

Rialto Poolroom 529 SW Fourth Ave. 503-228-7605 Open since 1920, Rialto is Portland’s oldest and largest pool hall, and was named best dive bar in America by Playboy magazine.

In an upscale setting, Rialto combines a good number of pool tables, patio seating and a full bar. It offers private parties and a delicious menu of tasty appetizers like greasy potato melts, oyster shooters and a hummus plate.

If you feel like sneaking off for a little private time, The Jack London Bar is Rialto’s underground parlor, located at the back end of the bar. It’s a great place to wind down with friends, shoot some pool and throw back cheap beers. Stop by for two hours of free pool all day Monday.

Sam’s Hollywood Billiards 1845 NE 41st Ave. 503-282-8266 Located in Portland’s Hollywood district, Sam’s is your classic pool bar that does it better than anyone in town. Home to many professional pool players and leagues, it offers thirteen vintage Gold Crown tables and an assortment of entertainment including poker, pinball and trivia.

The dim lighting and rich colors make Sam’s a comfy atmosphere for hanging out with your pool-loving friends. They make sure not to let their customers go hungry by offering breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Slabtown 1033 NW 16th Ave. 971-229-1455 For all you fast-talking, vegan-eating, gameloving freaks, Slabtown offers a perfect mixture of entertainment like pinball, air hockey, pop-a-shot and Skee-Ball. Greasy falafels and gyros are also on the menu.

Every Thursday at 5 p.m., Slabtown serves up a free, first-come-first-served pinball extravaganza and switches it up between blaring live rock ’n’ roll bands and karaoke nights from hell.

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Vanguard Night Out Guide 2013

Al’s Den and The Ed Forman Show 303 SW 12th Ave. Friday–Saturday, 10:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.

Laugh out loud Local comedians pull back the curtain on underground comedy Jaime Dunkle Vanguard staff

“If you want to make an audience laugh, you dress a man up like an old lady and push her down the stairs. If you want to make comedy writers laugh, you push an actual old lady down the stairs.” —Tina Fey I dabbled in standup comedy as part of my early college experience—I was approaching my 30s and used my first three years of school for soul-searching. It turned into a gig writing and performing sketch comedy with local comedians.

When most people mention comedy in Portland, they usually think of Helium Comedy Club, Harvey’s Comedy Club or Curious Comedy Theater. But what about other venues that host comedy events?

I talked to three of my comedian colleagues about what they’re up to right now, to give Portland State a glimpse into the always changing comedy world.

Photos by Kayla Nguyen

I performed sketch comedy for The Ed Forman Show (a live-comedy talk show) last year, and it was such a high sharing the stage with Aaron Ross (Ed Forman). He always instinctively knew what the audience wanted, and it was contagious.

It didn’t matter when we went off script or screwed up because everyone on stage was in sync. Maybe it’s because Ross is usually the only actor in his shows.

Ross, a Portland State graduate of communication studies, is the stripper-loving Ed Forman, sardonic host of The Ed Forman Show.

His twisted late-night comedy resides downtown at Al’s Den, the basement club under the Crystal Hotel.

The show is free, drinks are reasonably priced and the energy is always raw.

“Because it’s located in a hotel, we get some different people all the time—a wide variety of ages from different places,” Ross said in an email. “[It] helps expand the show, and when we kill it for 60–70 new people a night, it is a real badge of honor—lets us know we got something here.”

Ross is currently unveiling new characters, namely Bob Ross’ brother Rob Ross as host of The Joy of Felt Penning, and, illustrating his

pun-mastery, the Compliment Fisherman. (He said it’s exactly what it sounds like.)

Ross explained why the live comedy experience is so unique and worth checking out.

“Being in a live audience, grabbing a drink, a date, and being a part of a show is nothing you get sitting at your fucking laptop. The end.”

The Ed Forman Show celebrated its 400th performance during the week of March 7.

Catch The Ed Forman Show every Thursday– Saturday at Al’s Den.

Tonic Lounge with Whitney Streed 3100 NE Sandy Blvd.

Wednesday night, doors at 9 p.m., show at 9:30 p.m.

Whitney Streed is one of the most brilliant sketch-comedy writers in Portland. We wrote and performed several sketches together for the now-defunct Chuck N Buck Show at Dante’s. We ended up oil-wrestling after a Thanksgiving protest for our last sketch together.

Whenever I was stumped on a line or a punch, she always knew exactly where to take the joke.

Streed, who also writes and performs for Tonight on the Rocks (Chuck N Buck’s replacement), hosts the Weekly Recurring Humor Night every Wednesday at Tonic Lounge. The night is a stand-up comedy showcase followed by an open mike.

“We’re coming up on the two-year anniversary,” Streed said in an email. “Every week it’s great local comedy plus more and more folks from out of town, including folks in town working at the local clubs.”

Before the humor night series, Streed worked on a burlesque show called Hangover Helper with Frankie Tease, but it wasn’t sustainable.

Tonic’s owners invited her to host a comedy show, and it’s gaining more recognition: Some of the performers have appeared on Portlandia and at Bridgetown Comedy Festival.

“I love all of it. I love putting together the shows, I love seeing comics improve and grow,” Streed said. “I love hosting it and having it feel like my space. It pleases me deeply.”

Witness the hilarious brilliance of Streed every Wednesday night at Tonic Lounge.

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Tonight on the Rocks with Richie Stratton at Dante’s 1 SW Third Ave. Tuesday nights, stand-up at 8 p.m., improv at 10 p.m.

This guy can flat-out do anything. Richie Stratton and I also worked together on the Chuck N Buck Show, and he just stole the audience every time.

His famed character, Dr. Science, stunned everyone with his perverse naivete—he somehow coherently combined pornographic themes with complicated physics.

He’s on fire as a standup, too, as the kind of comedian who makes you want to get onstage but also stops you from doing it because you know you won’t be as good as he is.

Now he hosts Tonight on the Rocks at Dante’s, a zany, live, late-night sketch comedy show with a big cast of characters.

“We have so many talented writers in town,” Stratton said in an email. “I wanted to showcase a collaborative effort with people I think are funny, and create a show I’m proud to be a part of.”

Stratton’s strategy is to have his cast constantly interrupt him. He said he wants controlled chaos onstage.

“I have a few crazy ideas we’re playing around with, like me interviewing someone while I wear a steak and have dogs a foot away on leashes,” Stratton said. “I’ve been trying to make the interviews interesting. We did one where the guest and I ate a Habanero pepper [and] then did the interview.”

Stratton said he’s planning to get his tongue pierced on stage and will interview a guest immediately after.

See Stratten’s genius for yourself at Dante’s every Tuesday night.

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Vanguard Night Out Guide 2013

‘I just wanna see you strip’ Chris Brown isn’t the only one: 5 strip clubs for any taste Melinda Guillén Vanguard staff

Photos by Corinna Scott

Most popular: What do you, Chris Brown and T-Pain have in Devil’s Point 5305 SE Foster Rd. common? The unrelentAfter consultations, ratings and word of ing, deep-seated desire mouth, it became clear that Devil’s Point one of the most popular strip clubs in to visit a strip club. Strip isPortland.

According to their website, Devil’s Point clubs need no introduc“has everything you need: lascivious ladies, tion, so without further video poker and world class DJs that bump from Hank Williams to MIA.” delay, here are five strip everything Anyone whose vocabulary includes “lasciviclubs in PDX suitable for ous,” has a fully stocked bar and partakes in “Stripparaoke” (people can sing karaoke with anyone’s taste. the dancers) gets full stars in my book.

The food-oriented:

The penis-oriented:

Acropolis Club

Silverado

8325 SE McLoughlin Blvd

318 SW 3rd Ave.

Acropolis Club is the place to go if you’re looking to get wet—whet your appetite, that is. This venue comes with a fully stocked bar, and the steak is highly recommended.

No need to mention the ridiculously cheaply priced food here. Oh yeah, strippers included.

Ever wish Magic Mike had been in 3-D? Well, this club is the next best thing.

Silverado is one of Portland’s best-known gay men’s strip clubs. Featuring chiseled abs, cut v-lines and “sexy” tribal tattoos, the dancers at this club are all male and would love to rock your world. Yes, please.

For keepin’ it (relatively) classy:

For the shut-in:

Magic Garden

Hunks & Babes

217 NW 4th Ave.

(877-707-5353)hbstrippers.com

Classy, different, deviating from the strip club norm: This next strip club does one, two or all three of these things, depending on whom you ask.

Magic Garden has certainly garnered mixed reviews through the years. Some say it’s dirty, boring and grungy, others enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

One thing is certain, however: If you’re looking for a venue in which you can enjoy a nice drink at the bar and just happen to have a nude woman dancing in the background, then this is the place for you.

If that’s what it takes to make you feel classier, then embark on a journey to the Magic Garden.

Don’t feel like being social but would still love naughty bits in your face?

If you are too lazy to make your way to a strip club, the next best thing is hiring a Portland stripper to come to you.

There are many services at the tips of your fingers that can make it happen, and one that comes well recommended is Hunks & Babes.

Isn’t the 21st century swell?

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Vanguard Night Out Guide 2013

Dancing?

In Portland?

Get down where the gettin’s good

The Crown Room

Refuge PDX

205 NW Fouth Ave. 503-222-6655

116 SE Yamhill St. info@refugepdx.com

You knew it’d be on the list, and you’ve heard all the stories: Bouncers here are horrible goblins because they took someone’s fake ID, or wouldn’t let someone in that couldn’t stand without peer assistance. Those are all true.

The horror stories about the establishment’s bathrooms are just an urban legend nowadays, after a recent remodel. That said, the Crown Room is the kind of weird dingy club that you’ve seen in early-2000s coming-ofage movies. It’s dark, hot, small, loud and awesome.

The music generally rules, and the floor is expansive yet intimate enough to dance with someone without coming off as a creeper.

Groove Suite 440 NW Glisan St. 503-227-5494

Nicholas Kula Vanguard staff House dance parties may be the norm in Portland, and that’s fine if you want to dance for 45 minutes in someone’s living room to a handful of boring Crystal Castles remixes.

However, sometimes able-bodied revelers need a little more lateral stimulation in a place designed for such, to a soundtrack provided by a licensed professional. Unfortunately, Portland’s dance scene falls short of almost every other similarly sized city.

This doesn’t mean that our scene falls flat, it just means that nothing is likely to fall into your lap without appropriate research.

Photos by Karl Kuchs

Formerly Pi-rem (as in the mathematical symbol), the space used to be a speakeasy of sorts: The building had no signage and offered would-be patrons only an obscure descending staircase. Eventually, ownership changed hands and Groove Suite was born.

Widely regarded as having the best sound system in the city, the nights are incredibly diverse: While the bulk of Portland clubs are hung up on dubstep and electrohouse, Groove Suite caters to the fringe—Chicago house, minimal techno and U.K. garage acts get regular burn here.

The clientele is incredibly diverse, and it’s worth a scope even if you’ve never heard of the three genres listed above.

Holocene 1001 SE Morrison St. 503-238-7639 You won’t find a lot of real-deal EDM (electronic dance music) here, but what you will find is a cachet of closeted hip folk who check their inhibitions at the door and get down to any non-EDM thing that Holocene happens to be hosting that night.

Holocene features music that is about as close to EDM as its patrons can enjoy without getting upset at themselves. That said, synthtinged music with 4-on-the-floor beats is pretty standard here, along with other nights that feature world music, soul and other lesselectronic sonic treats.

The Whiskey Bar 31 NW First Ave. 503-227-0405 This is one of the best places in the city to dance to actual EDM. The people on the decks are talented individuals (and sometimes duos), and although the club has its big-cityimitation moments, the space and crowd are what amounts to Portland’s version of a club scene.

It’s a refreshing atmosphere considering how all-too-many club owners in Portland try to rehash what they saw in Los Angeles or Vegas when they went there seven years ago.

The Whiskey’s name is where its LA-aping ends; the club is Portland all the way.

Recently legitimized as a music venue by a joint effort between snitches and the Portland Police Bureau, the once hush-hush Refuge now lets anyone in who has money and an ID. However, that doesn’t mean that the space hasn’t stopped booking the best electronic music in the city whenever it rolls through town. It’s a huge, cavernous space that begs to be danced in. And their top-notch sound system is a big bonus.

For your more regular weekly dancing, look elsewhere, but don’t hesitate to check Refuge’s calendar frequently.

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On your mark, get set, drink!

Stumbling upon the wackiest drinking game in history

Zach Bigalke

Photo by Karl Kuchs

Vanguard staff

Sometime about 3,000 years ago in Zhou Dynasty China, two people held up a certain number of fingers, each simultaneously guessing what the total number of fingers would be. The one whose number was furthest from the answer drained the glass between them, and Jiuling, the world’s oldest continuously played drinking game, was born. And people have created diversions to enhance their imbibing experience ever since.

The disciplines go hand in hand. Just walk into any pub in Portland and, without fail, you’ll find something to divert your attention as the glasses go down. Maybe the place caters to classic bar-scene sports with pool tables or dartboards. Perhaps the locale’s game of choice is foosball or shuffleboard.

Some may have a stack of board games in the corner, while others have trivia cards on the tables.

Where there is alcohol, somebody is sure to come up with an entertaining way to consume it. Most college students know some variant of Quarters, bouncing coins into glasses of beer or spirits. If you have a deck of cards lying around, there are countless ways to make the booze flow faster. And what else is beer pong but an entertaining excuse to keep drinking with friends?

We’ve had at least three millennia to craft ingenious ways to play while we drink. But it was an accident of history, the reflexive prevention of a party foul, which led to the creation of the wackiest drinking game in the world.

Twenty-seven years ago, the Jackson Hole Air Force, a piratical fraternity of renegade local skiers in Wyoming, was huddled in the Bear Claw Cafe at the base of the tram in Teton Village. The group was futilely waiting out a blinding storm, drinking away the time as the skies dumped 14 feet of snow onto the mountain. The bartender was sliding full

mugs down the bar to the patrons, with the beer-slicked and highly polished wood providing little friction. Then one glass got away, sliding beyond the last outstretched hand and flying off the edge.

One of the barfly skiers astutely snagged the glass in midair before it hit the ground. In one swift motion, he immediately pounded what brew remained, slamming the empty mug back onto the bar for full effect. As the group of friends clustered in the pub cheered, the disappointment of a ski day missed gave way to an epiphany.

The group set up bar rails outside on snow mounds once the storm had settled, calling their new game Gelande Quaffing after the German term for a style of ski jump that had been popularized by Pepi Stiegler, the 1964 Olympic gold medalist who relocated from Austria to Jackson Hole a year after his victory. With four people on each team, two groups compete to see who can catch more mugs of beer in a minute.

For years it enjoyed favor as a niche pastime, eventually disseminating through the ski resorts of the Rockies via the transient community and a series of entertaining YouTube video footage. Finally, the original group of rowdies who stumbled upon this absurd combination of athleticism and alcohol teamed with sponsors to create their own Gelande Quaffing World Championship in 2008. It took a quarter of a century, but the world’s wackiest drinking game is no longer obscure. The sixth annual world championship took place on Feb. 27 in Teton Village, at the base of the tram where it all began.

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Beer awaits!

Photos by Miles Sanguinetti

Top 5 classy-ass, upscale restaurants

A black-tie affair

Every beer connoisseur needs to try these 5 pubs

Adam E. Bushen Vanguard staff

Stephanie Fudge-Bernard Vanguard staff

Whether you have a hot date, are pretending you’ve socially ascended or want to know what a Dockers commercial looks like, press your slacks and head to these fine-dining locations.

It doesn’t take long for Portland to transform indifferent beer drinkers into snobbish craft connoisseurs. With 51 breweries inside the city limits, Portland flaunts beer like Vegas flashes, well, everything.

Deciding on where to drink on an evening after class can be the hardest part. But depending on your mood, palate and company, you can narrow the search for the perfect pub experience down to a single location.

1. Andina

Tugboat Brewing Company 711 SW Ankeny St. 503-226-2508

One of the closest brew pubs to Portland State is the Tugboat Brewing Company, a quaint little place located right before West Burnside on Southwest Broadway. If you’re looking for a subdued, quiet place to step out of the rain and reflect on finals, the Tugboat is the perfect place to grab a beer. The staff is always personable and quirky, the decor is charming in its simplicity and there is a homey collection of board games to entertain the more restless friends you bring along.

Hair of the Dog 61 SE Water Ave. 503-232-6585

Exhausted students looking for a spirited beverage can head just across the river—Hair of the Dog Brewing Company, located on the corner of Southeast Water Avenue and Yamhill Street, has some of the strongest brews you can find in the city. Patrons will discover an assortment of drinks that are well above 10 percent alcohol by volume, and Hair of the

Dog makes it a mission to create original and creative beers for customers’ enjoyment.

Lucky Labrador Brewing Company 915 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

503-236-3555

Lucky Labrador Brewing Company, a large brew pub located just a touch further south, on Southeast Ninth Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard, is another Southeast gem. Not only are there delectable drinks on the menu, but there’s also an outside, covered patio for furry friends to visit, so it’s a great spot to sip a cold one with your dog.

Hopworks enjoys the distinction of being one of Portland’s first eco-breweries—handcrafting awesome organic brews in an eco-friendly, sustainable environment. In addition to the killer beer (try the Survival Stout, made with coffee from Portland’s own Stumptown), the menu is full of variety and includes vegan and gluten-free options.

“A taste of Peru in the Pearl” is this fine restaurant’s motto, and its fresh and authentic offerings should prevent you from being put off by any unfamiliarity with Peruvian food. Dinner prices range from $19–35, but Andina does have a happy hour seven days a week, from 4–6 p.m.

What the happy hour menu lacks in variety it makes up for in affordable prices.

In addition to dinner and happy hour, Andina has a lunch menu, vegetarian menu, gluten-free menu, dessert menu and tapas menu—demonstrating the variety of selections a patron has to choose from. From the dinner menu, I recommend the “conchas del Senor de Sipan”: quinoa-crusted diver scallops perched atop wilted spinach and potato-parsnip puree with golden-beet-and-crabmeat “cannelloni” and a duet of red beet and passion fruit reductions.

Resist the cliched steakhouses and give this great Peruvian food a try.

1314 NW Glisan St. 503-228-9535

Full Sail Brewing Co.

2 Bluehour

Hopworks Urban Brewery

307 SW Montgomery St. 503-222-5343

2944 SE Powell Blvd.

503-232-4677 hopworksbeer.com

Full Sail Brewing Co. is closer to campus with a waterfront location on Southwest Montgomery Street. This scenic pub also has a glass wall so you can check out the brewing action and offers a close-by place for PSU students to drink great beer.

Another restaurant that changes its menu daily, Bluehour’s chef “honors the Pacific Northwest bounty while placing his own elegant interpretation on classic and innovative Mediterranean-inspired cuisine.”

The restaurant offers lunch, dinner, happy hour, late-night food and dessert. Like Portland City Grill, Bluehour offers a fantastic happy hour selection with food prices ranging

If you want to make a pub crawl out of this whole thing, head a little farther southeast to Hopworks Urban Brewery. Open since 2007,

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from $1–9, specialty cocktails for $6, premium drafts for $4 and glasses of wine for $6.

The late-night menu is also a reprieve from the pricey dinner menu ($19–40) and offers a wide selection of flavors from $1–14.

You can’t pass up the Cuban sandwich with pork belly, proscuitto and house-made pickles for only $5 from the late-night menu.

The restaurant has a lively and exciting atmosphere and makes for a truly enjoyable dining experience.

250 NW 13th Ave. 503-226-3394

3. Gruner Perhaps Gruner isn’t quite the prototypical upscale Portland restaurant, but it oozes sophistication. It focuses on the hearty flavors and old-world comfort of middle Europe.

The restaurant offers lunch, dinner, dessert and happy hour and has a full bar with a fine wine menu featuring selections from Austria, France, Switzerland and Germany.

Though the dinner menu boasts a wide variety of options, I can’t seem to visit this restaurant without ordering the house-made sausages, which include Bavarian bratwurst and Alsatian-style saucisson with sauerkraut, sweet mustard and Yukon Gold potatoes. For $18, it’s not the most expensive meal you’ll ever buy, and for lovers of German food it’s money well spent.

(Oh, and Gruner just happen to serves one of Portland’s best burgers, but it’s not on the menu and can only be ordered from the bar. FYI.) 527 SW 12th Ave. 503-241-7163

4. Portland City Grill Though it almost feels banal to add Portland City Grill to the list, its happy hour menu

keeps me coming back and is a great way to taste some fine dining for a good price. Happy hour is from 4–7 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to close.

There’s also the famous view from the 30th floor of “Big Pink.” These two factors make it an ideal destination for a date or late-night dinner with friends. From the happy hour menu, I recommend the oven-roasted salmon cakes ($7.25), the kung pao calamari ($8.25) or the curry fried fish and chips ($8.25). With good food this cheap and a famous view, Portland City Grill is a must-try.

111 SW Fifth Ave. 503-450-0030

5. Veritable Quandary A downtown destination, VQ has been around since 1971. Its website boasts: “Long before the Pearl District or South Waterfront hype, this Portland gem has been a consistent mainstay of Portland’s dining and social scene.” It also claims the best outdoor dining experience.

VQ offers lunch and dinner and has a full bar, with brunch available on Saturdays and Sundays. What’s unique about this restaurant is that the menu varies daily, and it has a wine selection of more than 200 bottles. Prices for the dinner range from $21–30, so it’s pricey but not overly so.

Though it’s hard to give recommendations because of the revolving menu, I suggest the sturgeon with Oazaca chile and lime mojo if it’s on offer. The restaurant is also a convenient jaunt from campus.

1220 SW First Ave. 503-227-7342

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Old-world charm

5.

Portland’s Euro pubs offer good beer, good food, good atmosphere Janieve Schnabel Vanguard staff

Photos by Kayla Nguyen

When I hear the term “Euro pub,” my mind jumps to the image of a bearded old fellow in a delightfully rustic bar, a pint in hand and a barkeep who knows to keep ’em coming. I think of fish and chips, haggis and good beer.

Is that what they’re like in the U.S.? I was asked to find out. And nothing says “intrepid journalism” like spending a weekday afternoon barhopping.

Euro pubs are a special sort of establishment. The common features in all those I visited were an extensive beer list, a comfortable atmosphere that combined old-world charm with modern luxuries and, of course, charming staff.

One disappointment: no “barkeeps” to speak of, but I’m pretty sure they only exist in the badly made European period movies I love so much.

4.

Rose & Thistle Pub 2314 NE Broadway

With an open atmosphere, a substantial beer list and an easy-to-navigate menu, the Thirsty Lion seemed quite promising. The service was good and the food tasted all right. However, I was surprised by just how local everything was. About 75 percent of the beers are from the Pacific Northwest.

Additionally, the food portions were smaller than I expected. Very pleasant, but not really what I’d hoped for.

My editor recommended the Rose & Thistle, so I dutifully checked it out. It has a good menu and a friendly atmosphere. It’s got a Scottish feel to it, with the much-debated haggis offered as an appetizer. It also has a good selection of Scotch whisky, and you feel very European walking into its highly stylized entryway—complete with hanging sign.

Atmosphere: 8/10 Food: 6/10 Drink menu: 7/10

Atmosphere: 8/10 Food: 7/10 Drink menu: 7/10

3.

Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub 112 SW Second Ave.

2.

Gustav’s Bier Stube 5035 NE Sandy Blvd.

Kells is a rather large, intimidating-looking place with a lot to offer. It has a welcoming atmosphere and a good (if expensive) beer menu. The food is all right, but my mother’s Irish, so I might have some specific expectations when it comes to Irish fare. Take that part of the review with a grain of salt. The staff was friendly, if a little distant, and it was a comfortable place to grab a bite.

Walking into Gustav’s was like getting a warm, loving hug from that high-functioning alcoholic uncle everyone has. I knew going in I was going to enjoy the food and that the beer was going to be worth the dehydration. The food was delicious; the beer menu was extensive; and the service was quick and full of pep.

Atmosphere: 9/10 Food: 7/10 Drink menu: 7/10

Atmosphere: 9/10 Food: 8/10 Drink menu: 7/10

1.

Is it magic?

If you think you’re lucky, head to Kell’s and try to make a dollar bill stick to the ceiling!

Thirsty Lion Pub & Grill 71 SW Second Ave.

Horse Brass Pub 4534 SE Belmont St.

I was hesitant to trek all the way to Belmont just to try one pub, but I’m glad I did. Horse Brass was worth it. What a place! The beer selection was fantastic, and the food menu has something for everyone. The prices are good for the amount of food you get (so many leftovers!). It’s heavily decorated, but it adds to the charm. And the staff is friendly and genuine. All in all, a great place that was worth the trip.

Atmosphere: 9/10 Food: 8/10 Drink menu: 10/10

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Stephanie Fudge-Bernard Vanguard staff

Cascade Brewing Barrel House Some of the tastiest beers in Portland

Photos by Karl Kuchs

Photo by Miles Sanguinetti

Dark, bubbly liquid explodes into a complex bouquet of sultry sweet-and-sourness in your mouth, the flavor lingering like the kiss of your first love in a dying sunset. You set your glass down and aren’t sure whether you really just drank beer or if you tasted some heavenly nectar sent from Portlandia herself.

This is the kind of experience you can expect when you try one of Cascade Brewing Barrel House’s sour beers. Cascade offers some of the most beautifully bizarre beers you’ll find anywhere. Their powerful taste can punch the unsuspecting drinker right in the teeth, and the rich ruby color of many of the beers is the prettiest I’ve ever seen.

The brewery creates its extravagant elixirs by aging beer in wine, port or, occasionally, whiskey barrels. Cascade uses our region’s fresh fruit and hops and adds them during the aging process. The results are frequently, astonishingly unique and delightful, though certainly not for every palate.

Located conveniently right across the river on Southeast Belmont and 10th Avenue, it offers free parking surrounding the pub, and you can enjoy outdoor seating on those rare occasions the sun decides to pop out.

Once inside, you can sit at one of the many wood-topped barrels Cascade uses as tables.

The interior is clean, and the decor has an industrial edge to it that’s quite charming.

You’ll find that the staff are dressed as casually as the customers and have the bizarre disposition of actually liking their jobs.

There aren’t many big eats on the menu, but you can snack on a cheese platter or a delicious Gruyere sandwich. The menu is a bit pricier than other places, but the quality is worth the splurge.

Despite the plethora of microbreweries on every street corner, it’s sometimes difficult to find a truly unique beer. Ultimately, it’s worth it for beer lovers to try a sour, and the best sours are at Cascade.

Sure, we’ve got hoppy, hoppier and the hoppiest beers to choose from, but even craft beers can get old when you’re visiting the same haunt again and again.

Portland State students have the good fortune to live in a city full of unique craft beers and should take full advantage of the opportunity. Do yourself a favor and start with Cascade. You won’t regret it.

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All-ages fun This isn’t ’Nam, this is bowling—at Hollywood Bowl, above, or Grand Central, below.

The Dude abides.

Photos by Riza liu

Activities for those under 21 Kaela O’Brien Vanguard staff

It can be tough being under 21 and living in Portland—a city where beer-drinking is a culture.

However, there are still a number of places where people of any age can go to have a good time.

Bowling The Hollywood Bowl bowling center and arcade offers the Rock Your Brains Out to Cosmic Bowling event every Thursday night from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. In addition to a blue-and-purple lighting scheme, it offers unlimited bowling, shoes included, for $8.95 per person.

Or you could get the same offer plus a $10 arcade card for $14.95 per person.

Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. are karaoke nights in the lounge.

4030 NE Halsey St. 503-288-9237 hollywoodbowlpdx.com

Grand Central Restaurant and Bowling Lounge is a great place for allage groups. There is dining and bowling for everyone, in addition to a full bar.

808 SE Morrison St. 503-236-2695 thegrandcentralbowl.com

Roller skating While the rides aren’t operating during the winter, Oaks Amusement Park’s skating rink is still open and is a great place to spend an afternoon. During the day, you can skate to the sound of live organ music, or enjoy skating to a live DJ in the evenings during the 18+ adult-jam skate sessions.

7805 SW Oaks Park Way 503-233-5777 oakspark.com

Miniature golf Go mini golfing with pirates at Glowing Greens. This indoor, pirate-themed 18-hole course is

vibrant and colorful thanks to black lighting. Located in downtown Portland and open until midnight on weekends, Glowing Greens is a great option for underage students.

509 SW Taylor Street 503-222-5554 glowinggreens.com

See a movie

Nosh, nosh, any time you want Adam E. Bushen Vanguard staff

5th Avenue Cinema, Oregon’s only student-run theater, is operated entirely

by Portland State students and shows a huge variety of both mainstream and independent films.

Students can see films for free, and you can get free popcorn.

510 SW Hall St. 503-725-3551 5thavenuecinema.org

The witching hour has come and gone. The bars—closed.

Food carts—shuttered until morning. Fast food—not unless you have a car. It’s late, you’re drunk and hungry, and lukewarm convenience-store hot dogs sound about as appetizing as uncooked rice. Where can you go, then, when you’ve got insatiable cravings? Here are your destinations.

The Roxy 1121 SW Stark St. The Roxy is an obvious selection. The only thing better than satisfying your late-night munchies is doing so while people-watching at the Roxy, downtown’s only 24-hour sitdown diner. Located on Southwest Stark Street between 11th and 12th avenues, it’s conveniently close to campus. Drop in anytime after 11 p.m. and you can expect a drunken and boisterous clientele. The staff will hardly be able to contain their enthusiasm for your business, but that only adds to the appeal of the place. Take a seat and enjoy a cup of coffee and traditional American cuisine.

Photos by Daniel Johnston

People-watch and stuff your face at the Roxy, downtown’s 24-hour diner.

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drink, you’ll find a variety of both green and fruit smoothies as well as fresh-made juices.

For those seeking to fill their bellies, Southeast Grind has a nice selection of cold and hot sandwiches, wraps, salads and appetizers. Friends recommend the breakfast burrito (a combination of my two favorite late-night munchies).

Located at Southeast Powell between 12th and 13th avenues, it’s convenient for you Southeasters.

Tik Tok Serving everything from chicken fingers to “arrogant” French toast, you’ll certainly find that one dish your alcohol-saturated belly or ganja-induced munchies yearn for.

The Original Hotcake House 1002 SE Powell Blvd.

For many, breakfast is the only answer for 2-a.m. hunger. Fortunately, the Original Hotcake House caters to these desires.

Portlanders’ infatuation with breakfast is evident by the line that greets you upon arrival.

Luckily, those in line are probably as drunk as you are, which makes the wait something of an experience in itself. As its name suggests, the hotcakes are where it’s at. In addition to these warm, nummy discs, the House has plenty of greasy foods that will satisfy the need-thatfried-goodness craving. Just make sure your appetite can withstand the wait, for at the end of the tunnel is a delicious and satisfying tonic to your insatiable hunger.

3330 SE 82nd Ave. To all the rowdy drunks out there, this place may not be for you. Tik Tok’s clientele is a little older than the other places I suggested, but its great food makes it a late-night must-try. When you do, be sure to bring an appetite. To say the portions are “generous” would be an understatement. What also sets this place apart from the rest of the diners is that it has a bar, so if you weren’t quite satisfied with your level of intoxication and last call hasn’t yet been shouted out, you can achieve your goal upon arrival.

Javier’s Taco Shop 121 N Lombard St. Javier’s is one of my personal favorites.

Though a good distance from downtown, Javier’s is a late-night-munchies destination spot. After a drinking binge, the only food more satisfying than breakfast is Mexican. Your options are pretty limited at 1 a.m., so Javier’s has quite a corner on the market. Though unassuming from the outside, once you step in you’ll join a hodgepodge collection of Portlanders. The atmosphere is bustling, and a fun combination of English and Spanish conversations fill the air.

Order up a nice greasy, meaty burrito and rest those weary legs—just be sure to get yourself home safely before the food coma kicks in.

Southeast Grind 1223 SE Powell Blvd.

Southeast Grind is Portland’s only 24-hour coffee shop. It’s got a fireplace, which makes any establishment that much cooler. In addition to sobering up over a cup of coffee or espresso

It’s worth the long trip north to chomp on Javier’s tacos.

Tik Tok offers breakfast around the clock, with omelets that can also be made with egg substitute for all you vegans out there. I also recommend the Belgian waffle with strawberries or blueberries. Breakfast is only one aspect of the Tok’s menu, though. It also offers steaks, burgers, pasta, seafood and desserts.

So whether you’re in the mood for a giant omelet, a grilled cheese sandwich or chicken fried steak, Tik Tok has what you’re after.

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Top 5 late-night food carts After-dark delights—to go!

Photos by Riza Liu

Kat Audick

Vanguard staff

Chez Dodo 3441 N Vancouver Ave. Open Monday–Friday until 11 p.m.

Grilled Cheese Grill 1027 NE Alberta St. Open Friday and Saturday until 2:30 a.m.

When you’re leaving the bar and your stomach needs comfort food something fierce, Grilled Cheese Grill has got a sandwich for you—and it’s even better than Mom made it.

The grill’s spectacular grilled cheeses come with delicious add-ons like roasted jalapenos, thick-cut bacon, pesto, avocado and more.

Order up a glorious golden sammy and scarf it down on the big, heated yellow bus for a guaranteed great night.

Chez Dodo is the Mississippi neighborhood’s diamond in the rough. This cart may be the winner for most successful food fusion in all of Portland.

Serving up hot Mauritian food nightly, eating here means experiencing a rare and delicious blend of French, Indian, African, Creole and Chinese cuisine. Come here to get your fill on unique, soulful food that’s filled with flavor.

Elmasry

Pyro Pizza Southeast 12th Avenue and Hawthorne Boulevard Open Tuesday–Sunday until 3 a.m.

Pyro Pizza is the place to go when you’re craving late night cheesiness on top of the best crust in town. Locally sourced, fresh ingredients join forces to create each flawless wood-fired pizza.

Pyro is king when it comes to some of the most savory sausage and creamy mozzarella in town, both of which are made in-house.

After a night of boozing at Hawthorne bars, let this be your crunchy, melty, saucy safe haven of good eats.

Southwest Third Avenue and Washington Street Open Monday–Thursday until 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 4 a.m.

Looking for some kickin’ chicken schwarma?

Perhaps a colossal falafel? Gyros fit for latenight heroes? Elmasry is a sensational Middle Eastern destination for all you night owls.

With budget-friendly prices and later hours than all the watering holes downtown, this cart is your one-stop spot for last-call munchies. So hunker down with some warm, soft pita, spicy, savory fillings and fresh tzatziki sauce while you wait for that cab ride home.

Potato Champion 1207 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

Open Tueday–Sunday until 3 a.m.

Weeeee are the chaaampions, my friends— Potato Champions, that is.

Poutine is the solution for all your latenight cravings. Finish your night with a basket of fresh Belgian-style fries topped with squeaky cheese and savory gravy and seasoned to perfection.

Totally sober or sloshed to the floor, you’ll find yourself wandering back to this pod just to dine like a Canadian champion every chance you get.

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Strictly Portland Nocturnal undertakings Photos by Kayla Nguyen

Kaela O’Brien

For a truly original, tasty doughnut, try Voodoo’s own Voodoo Doll. Bonus points for reenacting the doughnutman stabbing scene from Wayne’s World.

Vanguard staff

If you’re looking to do something at night that captures Portland’s unique culture, there are several options beyond dinner at a local restaurant or a good beer.

Shanghai Tunnels Explore Portland’s history by taking a nighttime tour of the Shanghai tunnels. During the 17th and 18th centuries, underground tunnels were constructed linking Old Town/ Chinatown to the central downtown area. Bar and hotel basements would open into these tunnels, which eventually led to the waterfront, allowing shipments to be rapidly taken from the docks into storage.

It’s not the tale of efficient trading, however, that’s gained the attention of Portland tourists.

The tunnels get their name from the practice of “shanghaiing,” or the kidnapping of ablebodied men to be sold into slave labor aboard ships. This practice is rumored to have taken place in the tunnels for years.

During an hour-and-a-half tour, guests receive an oral history lesson and have the opportunity to explore the tunnels and some of the tricks used to kidnap men. Tours are by reservation and are $13 for adults and $8 for children.

503-622-4798 shanghaitunnels.info

OMSI The Oregon Museum of Science and Industry represents Portland’s love of nature and science. OMSI offers a learning and social event on the last Wednesday of every month, called OMSI After Dark. These events are 21+ and unite socializing, dining and science.

Ticket prices vary each month, but guests can expect to sample local beer, wine and food from various vendors and explore the monthly exhibit.

1945 SE Water Ave. 1-800-955-6674 omsi.edu/afterdark

The Crystal Ballroom

Voodoo Doughnut

Powell’s City of Books

The Crystal Ballroom, opened in 1914, is among the oldest ballrooms in the U.S. It’s boasted headliners such as Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead.

With all-ages shows, there’s no reason for any Portlander to miss this venue. The “floating” mechanical dance floor has been fully restored and is in working condition. The floor was originally one of only a couple in the Pacific Northwest. Now, however, the mechanical dance floor is one of only a few left in the U.S. Incredibly decadent and detailed decor make up the interior of the ballroom, and with a large variety of shows ranging from local groups to national acts, there’s always a reason to be dancing at the Crystal Ballroom.

Where better to go to get a late snack after a night dancing at the Crystal Ballroom or touring the Shanghai tunnels than the original Voodoo Doughnut? Open 24 hours, Voodoo boasts a huge array of doughnuts, ranging from the common glazed doughnut to the specialty “cock-n-balls” doughnut.

Started by two young friends seeking to open a Portland-friendly business, Voodoo captures the “Keep Portland Weird” culture with its doughnuts and environment. The store’s interior is painted in a variety of bright and neon colors, nearly all the employees sport hip beards or glasses and tattoos, and there’s almost always a line out the door.

Last but certainly not least, if you’re looking for a quiet and relaxing way to spend an evening getting to know Portland, look no further than Powell’s Books. Open until 11 p.m. on weeknights, this monster-size bookstore takes up an entire city block, boasting 68,000 feet packed with books.

1332 W Burnside St. 503-223-0047 mcmenamins.com/425-crystal-ballroom-home

22 SW Third Ave. 503-241-4704 voodoodoughnut.com

1005 W Burnside St. 503-228-4651 powells.com

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Name that tune

Photos Kayla Nguyen

A sampling of PDX karaoke venues

Fanatics welcome

Katie Hoyt

Vanguard staff Looking for something to do on an otherwise quiet Friday night?

Getting onstage and belting out an improvised verse or two is always a good time.

Here are five of the best karaoke bars in Portland, guaranteed not to disappoint.

Alibi Restaurant and Lounge A funky and unique place to go with friends, the Alibi is Portland’s oldest tiki bar. The karaoke is in full swing, and the drinks are fun and fruity. The tacky tiki decor and island atmosphere is what this spot is all about.

Featuring a wide variety of food options, from hamburgers to Hawaiian cuisine, the Alibi’s got you covered.

4024 N Interstate Ave. 503-287-5335 alibiportland.com

The Boiler Room Karaoke is on the agenda seven nights a week at the Boiler Room. This cool and quirky bar is known for its delicious drinks and enthusiastic performers. Get in

early, because it gets crowded quickly. And don’t worry about being alone out there— like-minded songsmiths never hesitate to join in. As with any karaoke venue, all levels of experience are welcome, so don’t be shy. Get those choruses out of your system.

You know you had a good night when Suki’s shows up on your online bank statement the next morning.

228 NW Davis St. 503-227-5441 boilerroomportland.com

Top 5 Portland sports bars

Chopsticks III The sister bar of Chopsticks Express on East Burnside, Chopsticks III is a popular hangout for aspiring Portland crooners. Come for the songs and stay for the tasty food and drinks served up all week long. With an extensive selection of music, you’ll find just about any tune you’re looking for.

Get yourself a beverage and something to nibble on, and sing the night away.

535 NE Columbia Blvd.

503-283-3900

Suki’s Bar and Grill Suki’s has yummy bar food, cheap drinks and a great

Photo by Miles Sanguinetti

Matt Deems

Vanguard staff karaoke stage, and is a common destination for Portland State students. The staff are as friendly as they come, and there’s a large pool table for those who are too afraid to sing.

If you’re looking one of PDX’s hidden karaoke treasures, head on over to Suki’s.

2401 SW Fourth Ave. 503-226-1181 sukisbargrill.com

Voicebox Karaoke Lounge The food and drink options are just a bonus at Voicebox: Music is the focus at this Hoyt Street

For those sports-lovers out there, Portland offers a variety of options to combine all your vices into one satisfying experience.

Blitz Pearl hangout. Stage fright? You wont have to worry about that here—Voicebox has private rooms for you and your group of friends to sing the night away discreetly.

They also have a comprehensive collection of specialty drinks and excellent happy hour prices.

Make sure you call ahead on weekends if you want to reserve a space.

2112 NW Hoyt St. 503-303-8220 voiceboxpdx.com

Perform for a packed venue, minus the packed venue.

Blitz has a few locations in Portland; the best is located in the Pearl District. Blitz Pearl is a two-story sports bar: The lower level offers a large projection screen, pool tables, air hockey, shuffleboard, a full bar and plenty of TVs throughout. The menu is a comprehensive listing of typical pub nourishment, and there are two separate happy hours scheduled every day. Blitz broadcasts local and national games along with select pay-perview events.

110 NW 10th Ave. 503-222-2229 blitzpearl.com

The Cheerful Tortoise The Cheerful Tortoise is a big supporter of Portland State Athletics and often ranks among the city’s best sports bars. It offers

a full bar, pool tables, a staggering 46 TVs, arcade games and lots of food and drink specials to draw you in. It’s a convenient stop on campus and a great place to watch your favorite Portland teams throughout the year.

Cheap breakfast options and an extensive beer selection make The Cheerful Tortoise a popular port of call for downtown Portland sports fans.

Known for its more-upscale style and large outdoor deck, On Deck features 25 TVs, stadium-style food and lots of weekly specials. On Deck hosts occasional live music and is a frequent stop for Timbers Army regulars.

The drink menu boasts an exhaustive listing of beer, wine and cocktails.

910 NW 14th Ave. 503-227-7020 ondecksportsbar.com

Henry’s Tavern: American Bar & Grill

Spirit of 77

10 NW 12th Ave. 503-227-5320 henrystavern.com

Cheer on your favorite team at the Tortoise­— it’s right on campus.

On Deck Sports Bar & Grill

1939 SW Sixth Ave. 503-224-3377 cheerfultortoise.com

Henry’s Tavern is a beer-lover’s heaven, stocking more than 100 varieties from near and far, without all the standard sports-bar frills. The tavern has a full restaurant serving burgers, sandwiches, pizza, sushi and more. A retreat from the typical sports bar experience, enjoy the game with a good meal and a tall glass, or plan to attend one of the bar’s many monthly events, including a whiskey dinner and a St. Patrick’s Day bash next month.

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A hidden gem across the street from the Oregon Convention Center and within walking distance of the Rose Garden Arena, Spirit of 77 is named for the Portland Trail Blazers’ championship year. It offers a giant 9-by-16foot TV screen and free arcade basketball, foosball, Skee-Ball and pinball, plus a topnotch menu. It’s no surprise the Spirit has received national recognition, including being named one of Esquire’s “Best Bars in America” in 2011. The Spirit is the perfect destination for a good game and some tasty craft beers.

500 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

503-232-9977 spiritof77bar.com

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Vanguard Night Out Guide 2013

Taking a dive A quick look at 5 of Portland’s best dive bars Gino Cerruti Vanguard staff

B Side Tavern B Side is the place to go if you want bartenders who pour with reckless abandon and don’t judge you if you ask for a Long Island.

The patio area is the highlight, though— no-nonsense, simple and, if you’re a smoker, ashtrays as far as the eye can see. If you want a change of scenery from all of East Burnside’s swanky establishments, check out this one.

632 E Burnside St. 503-233-3113

Billy Ray’s I’m surprised that David Lynch hasn’t filmed in this bar yet—the decor harkens back to the ’50s with red-top swivel chairs, a neon sign out front that somehow meshes well with the local crowd and rhythm and blues music blaring from the jukebox. Your wallet won’t take too big a hit from the cheap beer, but be sure to save some quarters for the pinball games upstairs.

2216 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

503-287-7254

Low Brow Lounge Quite possibly the only dive bar in the Pearl District, Low Brow is the spot for those of us who just want a little more authenticity in our drinking routine. The servers can be a bit surly at times, but the dimly lit ambience and

Photo by Jinyi Qi

economical prices on beer make this dive a go-to for those who eschew the foo-foo.

1036 NW Hoyt St. 503-226-0200

The Matador You know a bar is good when you walk in and see a group of leather-clad punks staring intently at an overhead TV playing Commando on mute. The audio is replaced by noisy pinball games and whatever ’80s hits have been synced up on the jukebox. The drinks are reasonably priced, too. Tip: Get the “King Tot” if you prefer your tater tots Godzilla-sized.

1967 W Burnside St. 503-222-5822

Swift Lounge Swift Lounge is what I consider “nu-dive.”

It has the elements of a traditional dive bar— dirty bathroom, cramped interior, hipster overload—but contains some 21st century modifications, such as DJ sets featuring all your favorite ’90s jams and some incredibly tasty (and inexpensive) mason-jar cocktails. If you need some sustenance, try the fondue fries.

1932 NE Broadway 503-288-3333

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Vanguard Night Out Guide 2013

Cheers, and be safe tonight.

Love, The Vanguard The Vanguard’s unsung videographer, Jann Messer, wishes everyone a bitchin’ night out in Portland. Here’s to you, Jann.

eak? r b y d a stu d e e N to... e m Co

Photo by Karl Kuchs

O n ly a c o u p le b lo c k s f r o m campus! * Tuesday–Saturday Karaoke @ 9pm, Wednesday’s after Live Music * Live Music Every Wednesday 8–10pm, NO COVER * Open 10am Weekdays * Open 9am Weekends with Brunch until 2pm * Weekday Happy Hour 4–8pm

Grab your study buddy and bring in this ad for buy one get one coffee or hot chocolate.

Open through March 22nd; Re-opening March 30th Offer expires 4/30/13

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