The Observatory
8115 SE Stark St Portland, OR 97215Phone: (503) 445.6284
Located in: Southeast Portland - Visit Website
BarFly's Review of The Observatory
Like a celestial wonder shining midst the bleakness of the otherwise dreary outer edges of southeast Portland, this less cozy version of Sapphire Hotel provides an atmosphere rich with warm colors, candlelight and starburst lighting.
Despite its far out location (or perhaps because the competing neighborhood offerings are no competition), a very hipster and very attractive crowd gravitates to The Observatory, despite the scarce seating and occasionally lukewarm dishes.
Creatively mixed and wittily named, the cocktail menu offers choices rarely spotted in the Montavilla galaxy: The Thyme after Time is a thyme and fig cordial with champagne, nattily festooned with a wee fig on a stick, and is possibly the only fig near 82nd that’s not in newton form.
Hearty steaks, chicken fried chicken and, mmmm…, crispy fried bacon fat skewered and served with pate and cheese provide a chic twist to southern comfort flavors for those concerned about arteries that flow too freely.
With notoriously strong drinks and prices that aren’t out of this world, it’s easy to see why so many are pulled into The Observatory’s orbit.
Has recently annexed the adjacent space to form the Over and Out, which connects via a doorway past the bathrooms in the rear.
| The Observatory's Happy Hours | |
|---|---|
| Monday | $1+ doms, $2+ menu, $3+ drafts, $4+ wells, $5+ wine 4-6pm |
| Tuesday | $1+ doms, $2+ menu, $3+ drafts, $4+ wells, $5+ wine 4-6pm $1+ doms, $2+ menu, $3+ drafts, $4+ wells, $5+ wine 4-6pm. 10-midnight |
| Wednesday | $1+ doms, $2+ menu, $3+ drafts, $4+ wells, $5+ wine 4-6pm $1+ doms, $2+ menu, $3+ drafts, $4+ wells, $5+ wine 4-6pm. 10-midnight |
| Thursday | $1+ doms, $2+ menu, $3+ drafts, $4+ wells, $5+ wine 4-6pm $1+ doms, $2+ menu, $3+ drafts, $4+ wells, $5+ wine 4-6pm. 10-midnight |
| Friday | $1+ doms, $2+ menu, $3+ drafts, $4+ wells, $5+ wine 4-6pm |
| Saturday | $1+ doms, $2+ menu, $3+ drafts, $4+ wells, $5+ wine 4-6pm |
| Sunday | $1+ doms, $2+ menu, $3+ drafts, $4+ wells, $5+ wine 4-6pm |
Chinese Village, Country Cat, Montavilla Station, Over and Out, Romo's Latin Quarter, Roscoe's, Thatcher's, Vintage Cocktail Lounge
This place is getting busier and busier every time I go there, and so it should since the food, drinks and service are top notch.
Intelligent, focused servers. Creative yet tasty food. Good cocktails. Tasteful art.
Seems like every time my wife and I are coming home from a Gorge hike or what have you, we always think of the Observatory when we feel like stopping for a bite and a drink.
I think I've been there twenty or so times at this point and not once have I encountered a food or service issue. This is the kind of place that makes Portland special.
Except for one weirdly moody server, the Observatory is a little slice of heaven! The drinks really are outstanding, particularly the Capricorn (pureed strawberry w/ black pepper-infused vodka) and the Sexy Caper (a dirty martini, but with caper brine instead of olive). The food is delicious, too, and probably essential after a couple drinks...
