Branch Whiskey Bar
2926 NE Alberta St Portland, OR 97211Phone: (503) 206.6266
Located in: Northeast Portland & near North Portland - Visit Website
BarFly's Review of Branch Whiskey Bar
Oh whiskey, whiskey—more than barley—you’re gonna be the death of me. Artisanal whiskey (whether bourbon, scotch, or rye) has invaded the Portland consciousness with a suddenness that seems wholeheartedly insincere (you feel my distrust? It’s withering), but fact is, at the largely nondescript, square-tabled Branch, the art of the burnt cask gets its serious propers even amid the ever-more-cluelessly-gentrified Alberta Arts district.
The bar’s spirits are also buffered by a knowing salted/spiced, winkingly fine-dining food menu that knows how to complement the house drink. “Branch” is, of course, the spring water that good-souled whiskey drinkers add sparingly to their drink, and while Branchhattans, smoked whiskey cokes and other creative, well-considered concoctions abound, we advise a simple attentiveness to the deeper-than-deep, 50-solid whiskey selection itself, with honestagod whiskey flights available as if whiskey were wine.
Why, you say? It’s because we’re a pack of self-satisfied alcoholics steeped in history. Whiskey cures cancer, if you didn’t know: out with the bad cells and in with the new, which tastes like the old. What’s more, Branch won’t even make you pay through the teeth or out the ass for it. So get crackin’ that rye.
Alberta Rose Theater, Alberta St. Oyster Bar and Grill, Bernie's Bistro, Binks, Siam Society, Soi Cowboy Bar
first of all, when i go to a bar, it's for good booze and good comfort food;that's it. i could care less about the ambiance or the company.
if that's what you're looking for, look no further. they have just about every whiskey under the sun, and all types as well (bourbon, canadian,scotch,etc.) if cocktails are your thing, they make them well here. the menu is small but delicious. you MUST get the duck fat fries. i don't even like french fries, but i fell head over heels for these.
when i last went they had a phenomenal bacon burger. the beef tasted grass-fed, local, farm to table, and all of the other prefixes which i give only a minimal shit about, but it was delicious. the bacon tasted like premium black forest ham expertly seasoned and cured to make a sort of super-thick, voluptuous crack-cocaine in pig form. oh, and they heaped it on the burger; no skimping here. with a massive portion size and only 14$, i felt "obligated" to get hammered on several of their premium bourbons.
i was born and raised in the alberta district. i still remember it as the drug and violence filled cesspit of 15 years ago, and am disgusted every time i walk down the street. but this bar makes me supress my gag reflex and head on down to them.
if you have a little extra cash and a desire for good food designed to go with great booze, and not the other way around, check this place out.
