The holidays are the time to gather together with your people--a group of friends, your extended family or the company you work for. The Portland dining scene offers an array of fantastic options for group outings, with choices available for small, intimate gatherings or large parties that will fill up the entire space. Private dining spaces in Portland can come with additional amenities like live entertainment, audio-visual equipment or personalized party planning. Let the holiday season begin!
The Pearl District
One of Portland’s most celebrated brewpubs, conveniently located on the Streetcar line, Bridgeport can accommodate private groups of 25-115 people. The team will help you plan your event step by step. Choose from a variety of appetizers, plated options or buffet arrangements. Buttermilk Fried Chicken Bites? Yes, please. Northwest Seafood Platter? Oh, yes. To schedule your event, contact the Events Manager at 503-241-7179 x310 or events@bridgeportbrewing.com.
There are three event spaces to choose from at Brix Tavern: The Whiskey Room, a private dining room well-suited to dinner for up to 25 people; The Back Room, a larger space that can accommodate up to 80 seated or 125 cocktail-style; or The Living Room, an intimate, elevated space that can accommodate up to 12, and features comfy couches, a high-definition flat screen TV and a bird’s-eye view of the entire joint! Spoiled, huh? Oh, and one last thing--the pizzas and meatballs are amazing! To explore these options, contact Annette at Annette@brixtavern.com or 503-943-5995.
Daily In The Pearl will help you plan a menu for your event that is sure to wow your guests, whether you prefer to have a seated dinner for up to 50 or a cocktail reception for up to 90. Some examples of passed hors d'oeuvres could include Fried Bocconcini (mozzarella cheese balls) with Tomato Jam, and Mushroom Fritto with Smoked Paprika Aioli. Entrées might be Olympia Provisions Kielbasa or a Skirt Steak Chimi Churri and Shrimp Skewer. Each meal can include sides like Cauliflower and Swiss Cheese, Braised Greens and Corn Bread served family-style. To plan your event, email hello@dailyinthepearl.com.
Oba features festive Nuevo Latino cuisine, and boasts an award-winning wine list. Oba is able to accommodate diners who desire vegetarian, dairy-free or wheat-free options. Additionally, a personal event coordinator can assist you with details like customized entertainment and audio-visual needs. For more details, contact Galit Reilly at galit@obarestaurant.com or 503-750-7675.
Photo: Ringside SteakHouse
Northwest
Ringside Uptown offers two options for private parties: The Barrel Room, which accommodates up to 40 seated or 65 standing, and The Wine Room, which will work for parties of up to 18. Treat your guests to an exceptional dining experience that can include Ringside’s famous Onion Rings and Chili Lime Crab Cakes, a House Caesar Salad or Iceberg Wedge Salad, entrées like Filet Mignon, Free Range “Brick” Chicken, Fresh Oregon King Salmon, or Maine Lobster Tail and desserts like Vanilla Crème Brûlée or Meyer Lemon Tart. Contact Emily Olsen at Emily@RingSideHG.com or 503-223-1513.
Your company, friends or family can enjoy a journey to Morocco, complete with pre-meal hand-washing, sharing food family-style (get ready to scoop with bread!) and belly-dancing. The five-course meal begins with traditional Lentil Soup, Salad Marrakesh and B'stilla Royale (a pastry stuffed with chicken), then includes each diner’s choice of entrée (great picks are Tagine of Chicken, Lemon and Olive, Braised lamb in Ginger, Saffron and Garlic Sauce with Fried Eggplant or Vegetarian Couscous. The meal ends ceremoniously with dessert and mint tea, poured theatrically. To arrange your event, call 503-248-9442.
Photo: Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
Downtown
Rock Bottom offers semi-private and private group dining options. The Pool Room, a semi-private space on the second floor, is excellent for up to 125 guests and includes two billiard tables and seven flat-screen TVs for entertainment or presentations. The Mill Room, a semi-private space in the heart of the brewery, accommodates up to 30 guests. The East Side Room works for up to 60 people for a plated dinner or 45 for a buffet dinner. Fantastic hors d'oeuvre choices are the Latin Salsa Stack, Asiago, Artichoke and Crab Dip or Southwest Egg Rolls. For something more substantial, your event could include a build-your-own fajita, street taco or slider station. Ask about planning an event that includes a brewery tour! Contact Jennifer Mezgar at jmezgar@cwrestaurants.com.
The Chef’s Alley is an intimate semi-private dining area that seats up to 22. Swank Restaurant and Swine Moonshine and Whiskey Bar feature the highest quality farm-to-table creatively plated ingredients, an exceptional wine list and Prohibition-style craft cocktails. If you are making plans for Turkey Day, Chef’s Alley is still accepting reservations for their Thanksgiving Dinner. For a more casual experience, a Thanksgiving bar menu is also available. Call 503-943-5844 to discuss your event needs.
Dan & Louis Oyster Bar. Photo: Natalie Migliarini
This five-generation, family-owned business is sure to make your group feel welcome! Whether you desire the acclaimed Clam Chowder, fresh oysters, a fried platter of Cod, Prawns, Oysters, Calamari, Clam Strips or Grilled Alaskan Sockeye, Dan and Louis is sure to be a memorable experience. For parties larger than eight, book a reservation online or call 503-227-5906.
Photo: Davis Street Tavern
Old Town Chinatown
Davis Street Tavern is consistently voted number one in "Best for Groups" by opentable.com. Banquets and dinners for up to 40 guests can be arranged on the mezzanine, and for up to 70 guests in the main dining room. Alternatively, the entire restaurant (a generous space showcasing Douglas Fir beams!) can be reserved for groups as large as 200. The fine-dining-in-a-tavern menu features the best of what the Pacific Northwest has to offer, including an extensive wine list focusing on local selections. To inquire about event options, complete the online form.
Best wishes for the holiday season! Enjoy being cozy, savoring Portland’s fabulous dining scene and cherishing the company of people you are blessed to have in your life. That’s what this season is really about, right?
