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Portland Cocktail Week Preview

By Geoffrey Kleinman on 10/17/2011
When it comes to cocktail festivals, the grand daddy of them all is Tales of The Cocktail.  New Orleans in July is ground zero for all things spirits and cocktails. But there's been quite a battle going on over which event is going to rank second and third in the country. This isn't to say there isn't room for a ton of great regional cocktail weeks, but there is a sense that in a given year there are only so many of these events the major spirits companies can participate in and support, and that luminary bartenders will attend.

For one reason or another, like perhaps the undying adulation from The New York Times for all things Portland, Portland Cocktail Week has jumped from a small buzzworthy festival to a major contender for one of these big national spots.  The Portland craft cocktail scene has gotten a lot of attention nationally with Jeffrey Morgenthaler's barrel aged cocktails, Teardrop Lounge's legendary bar brawl at Tales, and artisan spirit makers like House Spirits, New Deal, and Bull Run Distillery all getting serious media attention.

This year's Portland Cocktail Week features a number of notable bartenders who are bringing their skills and knowledge to share, including Misty Kalkofen , who is presenting “Mezcal... the Heart of Oaxacan Tradition” on October 22 at 12:30pm;  Angus Winchester, who is unveiling his new bartender evaluation tool with “Angus Winchester's Bartender Challenge” on October 22 from noon-5pm;  Tony Conigliaro, who will be deconstructing one of the world's most iconic drinks with “Exploring the Martini” on October 21 from 3:30-4:30pm; and, Audrey Saunders, who on October 23 from 1-4pm will be a judge for the not to be missed “Speed Rack”.

As with most cocktail festivals, there are simply more things on the schedule than any one person can possibly cover.  Here are the events that should not be missed (in addition to the ones mentioned above):

Thursday October 20th

Welcome to Portland Cocktail Week with Pernod Ricard, 8pm - midnight at Wilf's (800 NW 6th Ave)
Dress in your best 50's attire and start Cocktail Week right with Pernod Ricard's Global Spirits & Cocktail Brand Expert (and all-around amazing guy) Simon Ford.  Simon is the man behind The Bartender's Breakfast at Tales of the Cocktail, so you know this opening party is going to kick some serious ass.

There is a super secret after party, but it is super secret, so tap your network to see if you can find out what and where it is. Trust me, it's worth the effort.

Friday October 21st

Bartender's Run to Kick Cancer's Ass, 10am at The Jupiter Hotel
It’s hard to think of a better way to start the day than doing a 4K through the city streets of Portland to help fight cancer.

Absolute Sensory Experience, Noon-1pm at The Jupiter Hotel
Chris Patino and Don Lee host a workshop that explores how we smell and taste. It's going to be a mind and palate expanding experience that you shouldn't miss. Learning how to taste or improving how you taste is one of the most important tools you can have in your tool belt.

Experience Cognac, 3-5pm at The Jupiter Hotel
The Cognac Board (BNIC) always does an amazing job with their workshops and often there are opportunities to taste some pretty amazing and rare cognac. Could you really live with yourself if you missed out on tasting cognac that was 40+ years old?!

Yacht Rocking with Don Q, 8pm-midnight at Lola's Room
Portlanders know that Lola's Room is one of the best places in Portland for an 80's party. Typically you have to wait in lines around the block to get in, but not for Cocktail Week, where your ticket will usher you in to one of Portland Cocktail Week's most notable party.  Don Q's glow-in-the-dark mini-golf party was a highlight of last years PDXCW, so we expect this party to be as notable.

Ketel One Caviar Toast, Midnight at Cellar Bar
It's a short hop across the street at midnight to toast with frozen Ketel One and fine caviar. Who says Portland can't be fancy?

Saturday October 22nd

Great American Distiller's Fest, 1pm-7pm at The Leftbank Annex
A 'great' opportunity to try spirits from a ton of regional distillers. There are a few gems not to be missed (that you may find outside of Portland), including Stone Barn Brandyworks, Vinn Distillery, and Cana’s Feast Winery.  Also hit Haus Alpenz, Bull Run Distilling, and Novo Fogo.

The Bon Vivants Present Triple Buck, noon-5pm at Davis St. Tavern
Davis Street is a short MAX ride away from The Left Bank Annex, but well worth the trip for a truly inspired event with The Bon Vivants, the brain trust behind Pig and Punch, one of the best grass roots spirits party we've been to.  They'll be pulling from the Brown Forman Portfolio, which of course includes Old Forrester and Woodford, two simply amazing spirit brands.

Robots Vs. Humans, 8pm-midnight at The Jupiter Hotel with 42 Below
It's a man versus machine smack down pitting bartenders against robo-tenders.  The stakes are pretty high here, so expect competing bartenders to bring their A game. Imagine the shame of getting your ass handed to you by a robot. It'll surely happen to some while others will show that a robot can never handle the finesse of a stir or straw taste a drink to know when it's just right.

Sunday October 23rd

Speed Rack, 1:00-4:00pm at The Leftbank Annex
Let’s be honest, you are going to be exhausted and hung over on Sunday. Don't try to avoid it. It's the nature of a cocktail festival.  Yes, there are some great things on Sunday morning, but let’s be realistic: odds are, you're going to be heading with everyone else for a late hangover breakfast at Tasty and Sons. No matter how hard it hurts, the absolute not-to-be-missed event on Sunday will be Speed Rack.

Speed Rack pits top female bartenders head-to-head in timed challenges judged by the amazing Misty Kalkofen, Audrey Saunders, and Charlotte Voisey, plus a local celebrity, Poison Waters.  The competition will be fierce. Among the competitors are Anu Anupte, Mindy Kucan, Sarah Rehmann, and Lydia Reissmueller. Did we mention that proceeds go to charity? How could you possibly miss this?

Imbibe Fifth Anniversary Party, 7-11pm at Spirit of 77.  
This event is invite only, but again, it's worth tapping your network for it. Imbibe Magazine is like the Kevin Bacon of spirit magazines: there are likely only a couple of degrees between you and someone there.  Spirit of 77 has gotten a lot of accolades and it’s well deserved as one of Portland's most fun bars.


Stripperoke, 11pm-midnight at Devil's Point
Portland has more strip clubs per capita than any other city in America and Devil's Point is one of the most notable. Stipperoke has to be seen to be believed. Guests get on stage and sing karaoke while live strippers dance around them. Add a mass of bartenders to that mix and it's going to be legendary!

Of course, these aren't all the events for Portland Cocktail Week, but it's a good place to start your planning.  Also, while in Portland there are a few places that out-of-town visitors should be sure to hit (outside of Portland's notable bars, which are listed here).

Barista Coffee (539 NW 13th Avenue):  Portland is home to some of the best coffee and baristas in the country. Barista is the best.

Cackalack's Hot Chicken Shack (Good Food Here cart village at SE Belmont St & SE 43rd Ave) You might not think of fried chicken when you think of Portland, but this food cart puts out simply mind-blowing food.

Pine State Biscuits (3640 SE Belmont Street and 2204 NE Alberta): Some of the best biscuits and gravy you'll ever find outside of the South.

Tasty n Sons (3808 North Williams Avenue): Best hangover breakfast - everyone is going to go here at some point.

Cassidy's Restaurant and Bar (1331 Southwest Washington Street): For when it's super late and you need good food and a shot of Fernet.

Upright Brewing (240 North Broadway #002): Right around the block from The Leftbank Annex, it's in the basement of the building. Take the time and grab a beer. They produce some of the best in the country.

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