Aalto Lounge — Restaurant in Portland

Please note: I work here. In spite of some inevitable bias, I'm going to state facts that would be difficult for anyone to dispute.

Aalto is the classy craft cocktail option in the bar-saturated 3300 block of SE Belmont. It's candlelit lounge bridges the gap between the lively cocktail bar and the chic minimalist patio (note: smoking allowed, dogs are not.) DJs spin 3-5 nights a week and are stationed front and center, within the bar itself.

The cocktails are affordable (nothing over $10), carefully crafted, and served up by a seasoned and knowledgeable group of bartenders. The Old Fashioned is superb, as is the Scorpion Mezcal version. Seasonal offerings are served up every several months, and are collaborative creations of some talented folks with decades of drink mixing experience. With the cold weather coming, get ready for toddy time (made with house-spiced honey!) There are also a few $3 cocktails available on the daily happy hour, which runs from 5-7. The Dandy is herby and earthy and sweet with house-made lavender syrup and cucumber infused gin; the Belmont Jewel is a neighbourhood favourite with whiskey and a house-made grenadine; the Slow Burn adds a pleasant spice with serrano infused vodka and pineapple juice, shaken and served up.

Also available on the daily $3 happy hour are a few light meals, including the legendary (seriously, I'm not just saying that) grilled cheese & tomato soup combo. Outside of happy hour, food offerings include little bites (almonds, olives, pistachios) and small hot meals (croissant sandwiches, artichoke dip). Nothing costs over $8.

The space itself is tastefully decorated with locally produced art, wood paneling, leather top bar stools, and lounge chairs. Aalto Lounge is named for Finnish designer Alvar Aalto, and the bar gives a nice hint of Scandinavian chic while maintaining a distinctly Pacific Northwest flair. The David Lynchian photo booth is a Portland favourite. So is the minimalist patio with the stained wood bench seating and low-set cylindrical concrete tables.

The most impressive thing about Aalto is that it manages to deliver a classy atmosphere, perfect for dates or an intimate group get-together, without the addition of swollen prices or ego. Everything is reasonably priced in comparison to other area cocktail bars, and you don't receive snobbery with your drink. All are welcome, granted that you're well mannered and appropriately tipping!.... (Seriously be nice and tip your bartenders....

God this place is excellent. Before last night I hadn't been in several years and I don't know why I had forgotten about it. I was perusing their website recently trying to decide on if it might be a good spot to meet some friends for casual birthday drinks with my husband and a group of our close friends, and noticed they had a gmail account listed on their website. I reached out to see if they might have space for us during happy hour and received a swift reply which stated they would absolutely reserve us a spot. Reservations during happy hour?? Rare indeed. So then last night when we (rudely) arrived an hour of when I had said we were going to be there in my email, they were already set up for us and the bar staff welcomed us enthusiastically even though (also super rudely) our entire group was not yet present. We proceeded to have an incredible night mostly because the service was incredible and the drinks were delicious. We were paying happy hour prices but definitely not receiving the typical rushed disaffected happy hour service typical of some other southeast bars. It was dope. Then I had to return tonight because I was under the mistaken impression that my husband had left his card at the bar. The bartender that was on went out of her way to check in with the bar staff from the lastnight even after looking in the main areas where they keep cards and not finding it. With the help of their hard work I was able to finally realize that It had been in my own wallet the entire time. Oops. At least I got to have another happy hour drink. This place is excellent. I would love to know if their bar staff goes through some sort of like required supreme kindness and friendliness training because they are just the cutest and nicest. I'll definitely be back as often as...

Everyone has already said this, the happy hour deals are phenomenal. It's nice that there are spots in Portland that are so affordable. However, if you tell me that a mocktail costs MORE than your cocktail, I am going to be perplexed by that. Regardless of if you have to spend 20 seconds making a mocktail because the cocktails are already pre-mixed, it does not warrant such an upcharge on the drink and honestly makes me unlikely to return. It was my first time because I'd always wanted to check this place out because of said happy hour. I did get the grilled cheese and tomato soup which was tasty. I think the industry as a whole struggles to offer decent mocktails for folks who don't/can't drink. I want to return, but I want it to be fair.

Don't misunderstand me, the servers were very kind and the space had a nice night life ambiance, but I hope that you might consider adding mocktails to the happy hour or NOT charging your customers more for a drink that has no...