Moving into the space vacated by Shift Drinks would be a challenge for any bar: making its sparse, industrial space cozy could be tricky, and the bar would have to live up to the beloved industry spot’s reputation. But City Bridge & Tunnel is making admirable strides to do so. The spacious dining room now features comfortable tufted green couches and chairs, stylish marble tables, live plants, and a massive art piece of roses along one wall. The drinks are accessible and familiar — all classics at the moment, but made with a steady and confident hand. Daiquiri lovers will be more than satisfied with the bright, funky blend of rums in the house daiquiri, and those looking for something a little more booze forward will find it in the crisp and clear Vesper. Negronis on-tap means the drink is well balanced and quickly delivered. The bar is still evolving, and will soon see additions like djs and private dining rooms, though owner Brandon Glasser promises it won’t ever become a nightclub — just a solid, late-night spot for a cocktail, glass of wine, and some food.

This Old Town queer bar is one of those overwhelmingly cool places, where everyone is dressed to the nines — in drag or otherwise — in a red-and-blue-lit, brick-lined space. Though the cocktail menu isn’t the most obvious draw to Rebel Rebel, it remains fun and lively, incorporating culinary elements like fruit and spice. The watermelon-grapefruit margarita variant is a summery option in a lovely pink hue, while the WAP (whiskey and peach) evokes memories of afternoons on a country porch. Keep an eye on the bar’s Instagram for event details.

Another new queer bar in Portland’s Old Town, the Queen’s Head blends British pub culture with classic drag, serving hand pies and gravy fries while performers in full-length gowns lip sync in the corner. The cocktails here also wink at U.K. standbys — the bar uses things like Pimm’s and earl grey syrup for fruit-forward drinks named after absolute icons (Mary Berry, Catherine Deneuve, Marilyn Munster). In a nice, inclusive move, the non-alcoholic cocktail menu is almost as long as the boozy side; the Cinnamon Hadley, blending spice-infused lapsang souchong with lemon, is particularly nice, as well as the rose five-spice lemonade known as the Frida. Take a peek at the event page to see if they’re charging a cover.

“A bar with sports” is the way Jackie’s owners describe it. This sprawling, multi-chambered bar bustles with activity most nights, as diners watch games out on patios and in dining rooms while downing margaritas, Champagne, and local beers. The drinks here hold to the tried-and-true formula of “classics with a twist,” and it works thanks to the experience of its bartenders. Chai-spiced Old Fashioneds, Moscow Mules touched with halva, ube and coconut daiquiris, and yuzu lemon drops are a few examples. The bar offers seating indoors and out.

Can it still be considered a cocktail bar with no alcohol on the menu whatsoever? Suckerpunch’s temporary pop-up answers that question with a resounding “Yes.” Here, bartenders mix thrilling concoctions using potable vinegars, kombucha, teas, and other flavorful, alcohol-free ingredients. The corn tea and smoked maple syrup Straight From the Fire is a standout, thanks to the inclusion of grape must. Noticeably, the cocktails at Suckerpunch aren’t meant to replicate well-known boozy drinks like gin and tonics; the focus is on crafting original, captivating libations free from alcohol. Suckerpunch is open by reservation only with proof of vaccination.

The newest addition to the whiskey-heavy bar group that includes Paydirt and Old Gold might be its most fun. The insides are wholly unrecognizable from when it was home to the Bar at the End of the Universe, now with stunning blue tile work, sapphire paintings, and tufted leather bar stools on gorgeous hardwood flooring. The drinks focus less on whiskey than its sibling bars do, instead celebrating agave spirits — fans of dark, lush drinks can find tequila and mezcal Old Fashioneds, while those who enjoy the lighter libations can select from a list of highballs made with the same. However, newcomers should start with the ephemerally fluffy gin fizzes, shaken for five minutes by Japanese bubble tea shakers. Holy Ghost offers seating indoors and on a shared patio.

Bellwether fits well in the old Victorian house perched on the side of Mt. Tabor. Its spacious wooden dining room and extensive back patio make an elegant setting for the stunning cocktails coming out of the bar. Bellwether’s drinks tend towards bright and strong, with an emphasis on agave spirits and rums, with plenty of citrus. Those looking for a light and spritzy highball can find those, too. Some cool and funky natural wines along with local beers round out the drink menu, while a limited but satisfying food menu leans towards pub classics with a few outliers, like a vegan chickpea curry.