We Portlanders relish our warm summer nights. And now we have a new – legal – option for lounging about on the street with a drink in our hands.
On a one-block stretch of Southwest Ankeny Street between Second and Third avenues in Old Town, picnic tables trump pickup trucks as the cobblestone alley has been closed to traffic for the summer.* White lights twinkle and candles flicker as this most European-feeling slice of the city fills with revelers. (more…)
Through the end of August, travelers and locals alike can save on shopping, dining and parking in downtown Portland while also helping the homeless with Compassion Coupons.
Here’s how it works: visit www.downtownportland.org/compassioncoupon for a list of merchants and their deals, including 20% off frozen yogurt at TartBerry and $1 off evening parking at SmartPark. You can print off your favorites, or pull them up on your smartphone with the Forkfly app. Then, for every coupon that is redeemed, $5 is donated to the Bud Clark Commons to help fund a mentor outreach program to provide homeless adults with the services they need.
Other great deals include nearly 50% off custom men’s wedding bands, 2-for-1 Nutcracker tickets, 20% off dinner at Portland Prime, or gifts with purchase at Crafty Wonderland — so start shopping and saving with a do-good deal.
On Thursday, Sept. 8, fashion will take center stage on the streets of downtown Portland as shoppers celebrate the city’s second annual Fashion’s Night Out with in-store events, trunk shows and giveaways.
Director Park will serve as the evening’s stylish hub, presenting fall fashion shows, light refreshments and snacks, a raffle benefiting New Avenues for Youth and mystery goody bags featuring American Express Gift Cards worth $25-$500 (available with a $150 qualifying purchase; limited quantities).
With complimentary parking from 4 p.m. to midnight at the SmartPark garage at Southwest 10th and Yamhill, and gratis pedicab rides to participating retailers from Director Park, you’ll have no trouble racking up the purchases to qualify for one of those gift cards — so you can plan your next downtown shopping spree right away.
Downtown Portland is a vibrant place that never ceases to surprise — even around 9:45 on a Saturday night in mid-July, when I happened upon this scene in front of the Nordstrom on Broadway: self-described “street band” All the Apparatus, wrapping up an energetic (and, judging from the assembled crowd of dancers and head-nodders, enthusiastically received) set.
The band — which, according to my colleague Courtney, moves around to two or three downtown street corners on Saturdays — might soon be popping up in a city near you. Check their website for details of their August tour of western states.
Back in the early years of the cupcake trend, Saint Cupcake came on to the Portland scene and soon thereafter, their mini- and full-sized cupcakes started making appearances at nearly every work event, baby shower and birthday party in town. The adorable Northwest Portland location was busy any time of day and those waiting in line for a box of take-away treats often fell for the pop-in-your-mouth mini variety knowing that no one would know they’d already had one when they went to enjoy another with the group. Now that is smart snacking.
In June, Saint Cupcake moved from its original location to a spot downtown along the MAX light rail line and within walking distance of many a commuter who will now be able to make their families and friends happy with a surprise box of treats any night of the week. Visitors to Portland should be happy, too — the new location is close to many downtown hotels. (Another Saint Cupcake is located on Southeast Belmont Street.)
The menu clues you in to which days select cupcakes are available, but in my opinion there is really no reason to look beyond the red velvet. Vegan options are available every day as well. Snack on.
Summer is finally here! For the majority of Portlanders, that means one thing: getting a table at an outdoor patio or grabbing sidewalk seating at a favorite bar or restaurant. Summer is a glorious three- to four-month stretch when we enjoy our world-famous microbrews, spirits and food outside without the fear of getting rained on.
Flanked by Violetta and Elephants Delicatessen, downtown Portland’s Director Park — once the site of a parking lot — is a popular lunch spot for shoppers, office workers, people-watchers and (ahem) snap-happy parents chasing their toddlers through the fountain.
Dining Month Portland returns to the Rose City this June. For the entire month, 60+ participating restaurants will offer three-course dinner menus — including an appetizer, entrée and dessert — for just $25. To sweeten the deal even more, diners can win more than $1,250 worth of restaurant gift certificates through the Downtown Portland Facebook page.
Participating restaurants are spread out across the city, with 20 in the downtown core. Old and new favorites are on the list, including James Beard Award winners and nominees like Paley’s Place, the Heathman and Nostrana. Recently opened restaurants that are already getting a buzz include Aviary, Cocotte and Otto.
Dining Month Portland is sponsored by Open Table and American Express. For every reservation booked on Open Table through this link, the Downtown Marketing Initiative will make a donation to the Oregon Food Bank.
June is just around the corner and Portlanders know what that means: It’s Rose Festival time! This year’s theme is “Carnival of Roses,” and with Portland’s drag icon Darcelle XV as the grand marshal for the Starlight Parade, it’s going to be a carnival extravaganza.
The festival — which was named the best in the world in 2007 – begins with the opening of CityFair (formerly known as the Waterfront Village) on Friday, May 27 with a free concert by Curtis Salgado followed by a spectacular fireworks display. CityFair will be open three full weekends from May 27 – June 12. Tip: Admission is free on opening night. (more…)
I could see it out my window. Trucks rolling in, colors popping. The Wednesday Portland Farmers Market officially returned last week, marking the start of weekday markets to compliment the larger Saturday editions in the South Park Blocks, Hollywood and Beaverton. Weekday visitors will find themselves mingling with local chefs, students, lawyers and the downtown lunch crowd (get in line early for a Salvador Molly’s tamale). My purchases last week included asparagus from Veridian Farms, fresh flowers for home and soppressata salami from Olympic Provisions. Berries will be here before we know it and if you don’t make it through town on a Wednesday or Saturday, don’t worry, there is also a Monday market at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
On a one-block stretch of Southwest Ankeny Street between Second and Third avenues in Old Town, picnic tables trump pickup trucks as the cobblestone alley has been closed to traffic for the summer.* White lights twinkle and candles flicker as this most European-feeling slice of the city fills with revelers. (more…)
On Thursday, Sept. 8, fashion will take center stage on the streets of downtown Portland as shoppers celebrate the city’s second annual 
Dining Month Portland
