Driftwood Room

Doesn't Recommend

speedyg

Joined 5 years ago

I've been to the Driftwood Room on several occasions, but last night was the worst restaurant experience I've had in many years. It was our first visit there in over a year, and clearly much has changed. My wife and I decided to go here because we were both craving a burger and, until last night, the burgers at the Driftwood Room were among the best in town. We arrived shortly after happy hour, and the bar was starting to empty. Our waitress sat us down and took our drink order. This is when things started to go badly.

15 minutes later our waitress returned to take our drink order - again. We reminded her that we had already placed our order and she ran back to the bar. She found our drinks, already made, and sampled both of them with a cocktail straw to ensure they were still good. They weren't, but she served them anyway. We ordered our burgers immediately before sampling the drinks because it was clear that service was going to be spotty and they arrived in record time (about 5 mins) which made us immediately suspicious. We also asked for water, which never arrived. We had intended on ordering a beer to go with the burgers, but we never saw our waitress (or anyone else) until I went to the bar after it was clear that we were on our own. As far as the food went, the meat was more grey than brown and the bun was boring and tasteless, but the fries were quite good.

The bartender, who I explained my displeasure to, (Mike?) was the highlight of the night. He was professional and apologetic. He comped the meal and offered to get us anything else. By then our desire to stick around was gone and we left, but his hospitality is worth noting.

It will be a long time before I take a chance on the Driftwood Room again. It's a pity, because they had a good thing going once.

Recommends

Lonnie F.

Joined 5 months ago

great little place to unwind after a hard day at work

Recommends

netman

Joined 2 years ago

A step back in time. I love the Driftwood Room at Hotel Deluxe. It has has that old Vegas feel. I expect the Rat Pack to step in any moment. If you want THE BEST Manhattan you have ever had, go to the Driftwood. It has that great bourbon/cherry flavor and I guarantee you best be prepared to have more than one. They are phenomenal.

Recommends

gregm2008

Joined 3 years ago

Best Speakeasy!. A truly amazing experience. The art of the lounge with a wisp of the Speakeasy the "mood". Speaking of "Moods" this is what you request if you want a custom blended libation. Give your mixologist your taste, and they will give your a concoction along with an outline of each of the boutique libations offered in this amazing den.

Located in the Hotel Deluxe, downtown. A must experience.

Recommends

rising

Joined 4 years ago

Quaint. Great cocktails and appetizers. I love the old Hollywood feel.

Doesn't Recommend

valeobrook

Joined 5 years ago

Least favorite part of our stay.. The bar itself is lovely and my husband and I could easily have had a really nice time but for the bartender. We stayed at the hotel over Valentine's and this was our first stop after we checked in.

My husband had a beer first off, a Ninkasi, that tasted a little off. So for his next drink he decided to get a Maker's old fashioned. As we waited for his drink to arrive, we heard the bartender discussing with an older couple at the bar what he was making for my husband so we were watching him as he made the drink and spoke about it to the couple. As we watched, we saw him poor Jim Beam, a less expensive whiskey, in instead of the Maker's Mark that my husband had ordered. No big deal, we're both in the service industry and we figured he got distracted while talking to the other people, so when the bartender's helper came over with the drink, we asked him if they had made it with Maker's like he ordered. The younger guy went over and asked the bartender, who replied, loudly, that yes, he had made it with Maker's. We were a little stunned. We had seen him poor in the wrong stuff, and now that he was lying about it, we were a less sure that it was a mistake.

Afterwards the bartender never returned to our table and did charge us for the Maker's, an upcharge for the more expensive whiskey. We have been telling everyone we know about the experience to make sure that if they do happen to visit this bar, that they keep an eye on their bartender and their bill.

Recommends

willyum

Joined 5 years ago

Unique and Cozy. If you're in the mood for a bar worthy of Sam Spade, this is it: dark, plush, and did I mention....dark. Your eyes adjust after awhile and you get to chuckle at the newcomers feeling their way around as they enter this cave-like bar. But it's really cool if you just go with the flow and let the vibe take over.

What's even more cool are the cocktails. They are fresh, inventive, and oh so wonderful tasting. A little pricey, but this isn't a place you're going to hang out every night, so go ahead and splurge. Treat yourself to some great drinks, good food, and maybe even a chance encounter with a Maltese Falcon.

Oh yes, it's a bar for adults, not the ersatz hipsters who criticized its non-hip music and lack of beer selection. I have two suggestions for these folks: please learn to spell (you never know when it could come in handy) and when you just want a PBR, find another venue (or better yet, just stay home). Sorry, couldn't resist a little poke at these self-important little weasels who think culture begins and ends with them.

Recommends

Ashley Gartland

Joined 5 years ago

This lobby bar is more than a watering hole for overnight guests: it's a local hangout for cocktail-obsessed Portlanders.. In Short
Tucked into a corner of the Hotel deluxe lobby, the Driftwood Room is entirely seductive with its dim lighting, curving wood-paneled walls and clubby atmosphere. At the brick-backed bar in front, cocktail aficionados watch mastermixologists perfect their craft. Beyond the bar, cozy couples and hotel guests indulge in inspired sips at intimate tabletops for two. Cocktails such as the sparkling Elizabeth Taylor attract sophisticated types while cocktails like the Yule Nog offer a seasonal option for curious imbibers. Also available are a selection of eats from Gracie's dining room including a grilled Oregon organic beef burger and lighter snacks of charcuterie and French fries.

Recommends

chitownfoodie81

Joined 5 years ago

Great Experience. We were staying at the Hotel deLuxe and decided to try their happy hour, and we wish we would have been there every night we were in town! The happy hour portions are the regular portions, and the food is excellent. The pork belly was down just right, and the sweet corn polenta was fantastic, and who can pass up oysters on rock salt? The drink menu is innovative, with new twists on classic cocktails. Our bartender, Mike, was friendly and out going, and shared his extensive knowledge of mixology - try their take on a manhatten, with an absinthe wash - it will do the trick on a cold night, and we have had a mojito so fresh.

Recommends

tropicana2323

Joined 7 years ago

Great Happy Hour. We came here one early evening to catch happy hour. I was surprised at the food portion for the menu! It is well worth it! The drinks arn't too bad either, they pour decently. Although I must agree with the review before about the music issue. They need to make it not feel like an old man's bar, because it really isn't but sometimes it feels that way. But that is something that could easily be fixed. The atmosphere is cozy, it is a lot smaller than I expected but thats one of the unique things about it. I would reccomend it to someone who wants to spend it with some close friends or a date.