The Insider’s Guide to Negroni Week in Portland (Including Negroni Slushies)

This year’s Negroni Week runs from June 5 to 11, and the now-global annual event traces its origins to Portland, where it was founded by Imbibe Magazine and inspired by Douglas Derrick’s (Nostrana, Ava Gene’s) industry party and fundraiser, the Negroni Social. Because of that, there’s plenty to do here in town — far more than a body or wallet can handle — so here are the best events and most promising drinks of the week (find the complete list of things to do here).

Tuesday, June 6:
What: Lacy Hawkins was a bartender at Nostrana before she left for New York to work at some of its top cocktail bars. She also won Speed Rack, the prestigious, woman-only bartending contest. Now she returns to Nostrana for one night only, slinging negroni with skill and charm. The event benefits Sankofa Collective Northwest
Where: Nostrana, 1401 SE Morrison St
Details: 5 to 7 p.m.; more details on Facebook

Wednesday, June 7
What: Party like it’s 1933 at Circa 33’s Negroni Speakeasy. Circa 33, the bar with a secret back room accessible through a bookshelf, will be throwing a 1930s-themed costume party for Negroni Week. Dress in your finest period wear and try some negroni jello shots while DJ Powerless spins prohibition era 78s on his pre-electric phonograph. The party benefits Oregon Food Bank
Where: Circa 33, 3348 SE Belmont
Details: 8:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.; more details on Facebook

Facebook/Negroni Social

Thursday, June 8
What: A boulevardier is a whiskey-based negroni — something between a manhattan and negroni — and The Woodsman Tavern is serving five variations on it, a few of which have smoked ham garnishes from the kitchen. Bar manager Daniels Osborne is paring the negroni variations with tasty $2 bites from Woodman Tavern’s kitchen, and a portion of the event’s proceeds goes to Oregon Food Bank
Where: The Woodsman Tavern, 4537 SE Division St.
Details: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Friday, June 9
What: Produce Row Cafe will be beating the heat on the patio with batches of Negroni Slushies. Sip on a frosty, blended negroni while dancing to the tunes of DJ Toanes, all for a good cause. $1 from every negroni sold will be going to the Oregon Food Bank
Where: Produce Row Cafe, 204 SE Oak St.
Details: 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Saturday, June 10
What: Try a different negroni from each bartender working at the Fireside, as all six bartenders bring their own take, with stations set up across the restaurant. Add some late-night happy hour and bumpin’ tunes for a proper way to end the week — all benefiting Surfrider Foundation
Where: The Fireside, 801 NW 23rd Ave.
Details: 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Sunday, June 11
What: Work off your Negroni Week hangover with Kokomo, a French inspired Tiki brunch pop-up at Rue at La Moule (think polynesian without the multiple layers of sugar.). Bar manager Jon Lewis will be joined by Tom Lindstedt (Little Bird, La Moule), and the duo will be making Plantation Pineapple Rum negroni, in addition to other drinks. The food includes La Moule plates, plus coconut shrimp and spam and eggs. $2 from each rum negroni sold will go to School of Rock
Where: Rue, 1005 SE Ankeny St. La Moule, 2500 SE Clinton St.
Details: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Negroni Week PDX [Official]