Driftwood Room

11/07/08

Great Experience

by chitownfoodie81 at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: Great food and specials
• Cons: Drinks, a bit pricey, but fresh and worth it

11/06/09

Unique and Cozy

by willyum at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: Great mixed drinks
• Cons: Slow service, High prices

This lobby bar is more than a watering hole for overnight guests: it's a local hangout for cocktail-obsessed Portlanders.

by Ashley Gartland at Citysearch

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.

02/22/07

Great Happy Hour

by tropicana2323 at Citysearch

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.

• Pros: Great Food
• Cons: Bad Music

01/06/07

This bar isn't a bad bar but...

by poonslang at Citysearch

This bar isn't a bad bar. It just lacks a couple of things. Better music for one. This one detail failed makes me slightly annoyed. Even "cocktail" Music should be well considered and not just a steady dribble of crooner b sides. The edge between ironic and slaphappyy senile is razor thin already.

Another reason this bar completely sucs is the help. I only say HELP because they need some here at The Driftwood Room. Not that there isn't plenty of suitable candidates paired in corners mocking the payers or pestering them about the Hapless Hour menu. Maybe the management of the former Mallory Hotel should rethink the required Glengarry Glennross screenings.

Like I say this isn't a horrible bar. But I just started drinking again ( odd years ON! baby) and this dump grew fat and lazy and geriatric in my absence. I don't need singing bartenders but I need you to express that serving me is your pleasure and you will so fully prove this that it shames my wallet into apologizing for this drunken mess sitting on it; so undeserving.

Speaking of wallet you better bring a couple if you plan on even catching a buzz. Nothing Special Beer: 5$. Give me a freakin break.

And there isnt any wireless to email your buddes with.

Maybe Drift somewhere else.

The grace of a bygone era distilled into one classy little bar.

by Contributor at Citysearch

In Short
Located in the retro Hotel DeLuxe, this clubby bar has remained relatively unchanged since the mid-20th century. Formerly the hotel's solarium, the bar is now dark and cozy--a swell choice for intimate conversation. For those who seek anonymity, it can be found among the traveling businessmen and holiday-makers who lodge at the hotel. Driftwood offers lunch, a bistro menu for dinner, and light fare until closing. Brunch and light bites are served on Sundays.

07/17/06

Awesome Happy Hour Menu

by amelieb at Citysearch

Supercheap highclass food on the happy hour menu. I've made this a regular stop for 'dinner' lately. I never went to the old Driftwood Room so I can't make a comparison, but I can say that the new place is a lovely little find. Very dark and mysterious in an old Vegas way, especially with it's odd kidney bean shape.

• Pros: CHEAPCHEAP Happy Hour food! Nice staff. Pretty interior.
• Cons: Small bar. A little dark. Not good for the solo reader at the bar.

07/11/06

Avoid this vacuous and fabricated poseur pit.

by jmking02 at Citysearch

The new Driftwood Room at the renovated Mallory Hotel is a sad shadow of its former glory. Its limp-wristed, high-priced menu is over-pushed by unctuous and insincere bar staff. The drinks said staff pour are insultingly stingy for the price they charge. On the plus side, the new Driftwood Room is non-smoking. Avoid this vacuous and fabricated poseur pit.

• Pros: It's dark inside. Non-smoking.
• Cons: Poor value for your money.

05/11/06

Don't make a special trip here

by brian_stouffer at Citysearch

We stayed at tha Mallory Hotel which was a great experience. We dropped into the bar there and it was dark and small. Nothing special, but pretty good for not leaving the hotel. You don't want to make a special trip to drink here though. The one bartender was nice though as were all of the Mallory employees.

• Pros: bartender
• Cons: bleak, small, dark

01/16/04

Disagreed with Citysearch

by jshearer789 at Citysearch

I was excited to try this place, but when we arrived I was surprised how shabby everything was. The bar was cramped and filled with a much, much older crowd. Only two beers on tap. Very disappointed.

• Cons: Atmosphere, Cramped