Oregon is home to a lot of restaurants, bars, wineries, and breweries, but there are tons of hidden gems that the majority of Portlanders just aren't unearthing. To help guide us to these potential discoveries, we've enlisted some of our city's many food players to share their under-the-radar recommendations for a weekly feature dubbed Dining Confidential.
Image of Swift Lounge courtesy Robert T. via Yelp
Late-night industry hangout/hideout Pho PDX made the official transformation into the much buzzed about LucLac Vietnamese Kitchen this fall, and with that the ever-increasing high profile of its bar manager/co-owner, Adam Ho, continues to shine, even into the wee hours of the night. Ho is never one to shy away from a complicated cocktail. So where does he go when he wants to grab a drink? Here's one of Portland's up-and-coming bartender's favorite local watering holes.
So one my favorite go to bars in this town that definitely needs some credit is Swift Lounge. So why Swift Lounge? Top reason, Tyler Cowdry bartender/co owner is the man! Tyler always has a fun, inviting, winning attitude behind the bar. The man will sling a mean drink (big 32-ounce cocktails in mason jars), knows his beers (killer Belgium beer selection that you would not expect), and bottom-line, will pour you a stiff shot (just what a bartender needs at the end of the night). Swift is nice and dark, music is always great (always end up dancing drunk there), and houses a fun hip drinking crowd. Great bar food that is served up til bar close — I'm a big fan of the mussels and fries. Overall, all-star bartender Tyler Cowdry, great drinks, tasty eats til late, fun hip environment, Swift Lounge is a winner.
· Swift Lounge [Official Site]
· All Previous Dining Confidentials [Eater PDX]
