Adding more fuel to the fiery debate, this funky, Americana space labels its hot dogs as “Hot Dog Sandwiches.” Despite the late night, alcohol-fueled arguments this will no doubt cause, the inventive hot dogs, like the Seoul Dog (kimchi, sambal aioli, and scallions) and Tijuana Dog (cream cheese, pico de gallo, jalapeño, and cilantro), satisfy until 2:30 a.m. daily. For those who want to keep the party going, there’s always the “taptails” like a margarita or frosé.

This rustic cocktail bar serves its full menu — with things like steak frites, pub salads, and hand-dipped corn dogs — until 2:30 a.m. nightly. The bar operates as a full service restaurant upstairs, but diners can order anything off the menu at the busy wooden bar or by the fireplace outside, making it one of the few places in town to offer a chicken pot pie and excellent cocktails into the early hours of the morning.  

With retro dive bar vibes, nightly karaoke, and a menu of Chinese-American classics like sweet and sour pork, chow mein, and an assortment of fried rice plates, the Ambassador has been a late-night party staple in Hollywood for over 30 years now. The restaurant and bar offers its menu and entertainment until 2:30 a.m. each day, generally to crowds. 

Sister bar to Interurban, this rustic, wood-paneled German beer hall delivers the bratwurst till 1:30 a.m. daily. The late-night menu starting at 10 p.m. includes schnitzel, roasted vegetables with goat cheese, pretzels with mustard and obatzda, and sausages in many forms.

An industry haunt for those in the know, Cassidy’s provides a wood-paneled, old-school sanctuary of serenity and righteous bar food. Its dinner menu — including the popular half-pound burger with Tillamook cheddar and pickle relish aioli with fries — is served alongside a generous happy hour selection until 2 a.m. daily.

This Portland institution is famous for its raucous wee hours, bizarre and bounteous Cajun fare, and art — both on the walls and demonstrated via the tinfoil used for leftovers. Nowhere else offers alligator macaroni, fried frog legs, and creamy butter cake until 2 a.m. nightly. And yes, the servers bellowing oyster shot orders across the restaurant is normal.

With a late-night menu as extensive as it is tasty, it’s not surprising this trendy Vietnamese spot maintains a bustling vibe into the wee hours — until midnight on Sunday through Thursday, and until 4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, when industry workers come crawling in after busy shifts. The eponymous “Luc Lac,” a wok of seared beef tenderloin with Hennessy, beurre de France, and black peppercorn, is a hit at any time, especially alongside small plates like coconut prawns and cream cheese wontons.

Note: At the time of publishing, Luc Lac was temporarily closed for repairs

There are a few carts at the legendary Cartopia that are open late, but none so iconic — or as late-night-alcohol-absorbing — as at this potato cart. If over-indulgence is the problem, poutine is the clear answer, with beef or vegetarian gravy draped over chunks of cheese and golden-fried potatoes. The partially covered patio hums with activity during the summer months, as late night revelers enjoy the variety of potatoey goodness, from Thai peanut sauce poutine to PB&J fries. It’s only open until midnight during the week, but 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

A dive bar in its purest form, this local haunt with national buzz is open until 2:30 a.m. serving its go-to menu staple. It’s not sleek, it’s not trendy, and it’s definitely not healthy. What it is is really good fried chicken and jojos (monster-sized potato wedges) for those who appreciate that ethereal quality and art and are content to wait for it over a few stiff drinks.

Something between a dive bar and an old-school diner with vinyl booths and velvet art pieces, Dots Cafe stays open as late as any bar can in Portland — until 2:30 a.m. each day. It does so with a fully decked out bar menu that offers options for all sorts of diners, including gluten-free vegan rice bowls, cheese and bacon-loaded french fries, burgers, vegan burgers, salads, nachos, and quesadillas. 

The Lutz Tavern exemplifies retro-Portland late night dining, with its thick-paned windows, assorted leather booths, pinball machines, and, especially, its menu of fried foods that is offered until 2:30 a.m. on the daily. Those looking for a healthy end to the night should head elsewhere, but those seeking a platter of fried food, from wings to fries to some pretty outstanding onion rings, or a bologna sandwich or burger, can head to the Lutz.