Girls Night Out in Portland

200 SW Market St, Portland, OR 97201 (map)

For a pre-show dinner or casual evening out, there's no better place to book a dinner date with a pommes-frites and pate-loving girlfriend. The dining room's tin-pressed ceiling and wicker chairs are undeniably charming, and the baked escargots are a godsend to anyone who's craving cuisine from abroad.

1022 W Burnside St, Portland, OR 97205 (map)

This swank lounge dishes up New American cuisine, but in-the-know club hoppers come here for dancing, not dining. The modern, cavernous space transforms into a full-throttle dance party Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights; this is the place to wear that slinky LBD and those attention-grabbing gold heels.

909 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205 (map)

626 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205 (map)

Tasty late-night eats, complete with live jazz, magician's tricks and tabletop art.

404 SW Washington St, Portland, OR 97204 (map)

With plate breaking, ouzo guzzling and belly dancing, it's practically impossible not to have fun here.

411 SW Third Ave, Portland, OR 97204 (map)

The bar has been a happening spot for years.

111 SW Fifth Ave 30th floor, Portland, OR 97204 (map)

Downtown suits, tourist-types and gaggles of fresh-faced gals drink and dine with the best view in town at this sky-high bar. Of all nights, the Sunday evening happy hour draws the biggest crowds. If you come early and are willing to vulture for a window seat, you'll get a view of the waterfront and discounted eats and drinks all night long.

925 NW 11th Avenue, Portland, OR 97209 (map)

Mature women skip the taverns and local dives and instead slide into a booth at this dark, broody martini bar. On the menu: snacks of baked brie and charcuterie, dry martinis and post-dinner indulgences like a lush chocolate cake aptly nicknamed the Chocolate Sinkhole.

1001 NW Couch St, Portland, OR 97209 (map)

If the sommelier's 3,000-plus bottle cellar isn't motivation enough to pay this elegant restaurant visit, try persuading girlfriends to join you for a glass of Pinot by reminding them about the kitchen's crave-worthy truffle fries. Also worth mentioning are the classic cocktails and refined bar scene that make this spot a frequent stop for the sophisticated set.

250 NW 13th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 (map)

This chic urban restaurant's stylish vibe attracts equally fashionable patrons, including lithe young women cloaked in designer duds and condo-dwelling thirty-somethings and beyond who come to Bluehour for a white-tableclothed dining experience. The younger crowds settle into the sleek bar for cocktails and cheese flights; refined women catch up over meals enhanced by luxe ingredients like caviar and truffles.

1203 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209 (map)

A happening happy hour spot--if you can score a table.

1425 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209 (map)

Swanky crowds congregate in the Pearl's most sumptuous pool hall.

422 NW Eighth Ave, Portland, OR 97209 (map)

Upscale-casual dining room highlights seasonally-inspired fare on tree-lined North Park blocks.

10 NW 12th Ave, Portland, OR 97209 (map)

Girls who like beer, big-screens and baby-faced boys will gravitate toward this upscale Pearl District tavern, located in the historic Weinhard brewery building. More than 100 beers on tap make for plenty of imbibing options while massive plasma-screen TVs and a billiards room provide endless entertainment. Next door, a more subdued dining room makes for good overflow seating when the bar gets too crowded.

701 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210 (map)

This high-profile corner restaurant has earned a reputation as a destination for fancy, French-influenced meals. But, it's the lavish, layered dessert cakes that keep women coming back for birthday dinners, celebrations and plain old every dining. Just don't expect anyone to split her Kahlua and espresso-soaked sponge cake; though they are large, these addictive desserts aren't meant for sharing.

612 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209 (map)

2112 NW Kearney St, Portland, OR 97210 (map)

Vibrant and bustling, Serratto hums with life on 21st Avenue's Little Italy.

2904 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211 (map)

With a lime-inflected Southern Belle cocktail in one hand and a $3 po'boy in the other, budget-conscious diners settle into happy hour at this Southern-styled Northeast hangout. During the rainy season, a candlelit dining room proves the perfect post to sample the bistro's Cajun-styled comfort food but in warmer weather vintage garb-wearing gals trade those indoor tables for seats on the lush garden patio out back.

200 NE 28th Ave, Portland, OR 97232 (map)

1932 NE Broadway St, Portland, OR 97232 (map)

Broadway's tapas bar serves up killer drinks and a hot Spanish theme.

820 N Russell St, Portland, OR 97227 (map)

Casually cool Eastside women make regular dates to imbibe at this inky-black Northeast neighborhood bar, where the scene is as winningly seductive as the cocktails. Exotic drinks and surprising sips like a silken avocado daiquiri put this internationally acclaimed lounge on the map for any mixology-loving maven.

4440 NE Fremont St, Portland, OR 97213 (map)

Gather your gal pals and dine at the place the whole city's buzzing about.

3356 SE Belmont St, Portland, OR 97214 (map)

1001 SE Morrison St, Portland, OR 97214 (map)

1758 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214 (map)

Possibly Hawthorne's hippest spot to sip and be seen.

3402 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202 (map)

This whimsical European dessert house encourages women to embrace their sweet tooth and indulge in Queen of Sheba truffle cakes and bite-sized confections. And for those lucky women who have an aversion to chocolate and sweets, there are plentiful aperitifs and more than 30 beers on the menu.

5008 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97215 (map)

The lush red walls and sexy, candlelit bar at this former brothel make it look like a more appropriate date night locale than a hangout for close friends. But half-off happy hour martinis, a weekend brunch and cozy banquettes perfect for gossiping in make it a regular destination for girlfriend get-togethers.

3377 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202 (map)