The team behind Portland‘s ‘New American Kitchen,’ G-Love, have recently opened The Love Shack, a cocktail bar situated directly next door that offers guests an eclectic mix of tropically inspired cocktails alongside their twist on classic bar snacks.
Located in the city’s Slabtown neighbourhood, an affluent area sandwiched between the hip Nob Hill and Pearl districts, The Love Shack opened its doors earlier this year with a bingo-style menu that consists of delectable delights such as Croissant Banh Mi (marinated pork, pickled carrot, cucumber, cilantro, sambal aioli); Oysters + Champagne for two (oysters on the half-shell, mignonette, mini champagne bottle); and a Milk Bun Reuben, as well as a selection larger plates to accompany those sunny cocktails.
Wanting to transport guests to warmer climes, interiors feature a Venetian gold plaster back bar and a hanging, palm-covered palapa that floats above four cosy booths. Seating six, the bar is topped with translucent sea glass while woven rattan pendant lights hang from the ceiling and a large-scale plant scene adds dark green tropical feels.
Central to the experience at The Love Shack is the service style: servers roam the space with sleek black steel bar carts, custom-designed by chef and restaurateur Garrett Benedict. The bar carts accommodate plates of snacks and drinks and are integral to facilitating a continuous cocktail party atmosphere with passed drinks and food. It’s a far cry from the typical chill of Oregon.
While the food menu is a collaboration between Benedict and executive chef Andrew Lee (who worked with the chef and restaurateur in San Francisco, and was part of the opening crew at G-Love), the beverage menu is helmed by Quintin Scalfaro, the long-time bar manager at G-Love whose expertise shines through in The Love Shack’s inventive cocktails, including a Gold-Flaked Martini.
With a more stylised and laidback ambiance, reminiscent of an upscale beach bar, the vibe and service complements that of G-Love, providing guests who visit both with an all-round experience. Open Wednesday to Sunday, and with seating for 38 in all, with additional standing room at a drinks rail, Portland’s The Love Shack is a little old place, where we caaaan get together.
The Love Shack Portland Photography, Carter Hiyama.
