Aalto Lounge

A decade on, most of today's hippest bars will be either insufferable or belly-up. When it opened around the turn of the millennium, this den of sleek midcentury modernity and "bracing cocktails" (their words) was the undisputed coolest of all eastside bars. Things have changed—but not really. The DJ still stands almost shoulder-to-shoulder with the bartender making your cocktails, the absurdly generous happy-hour specials still draw couples looking for luxe à la cheapo, and the vinyl spun still ranges between classic East Coast hip-hop and obscure outlaw country. What's different? Well, the cocktails blend brandy with a new local smoked tea liqueur, and the bigger crowds are across the street at the Liquor Store, where kids too young to drink when this place opened huddle outside smoking. For bars, there is such a thing as aging gracefully, and Aalto has managed it.

Happy hour: 5-7 pm daily. $2 select cocktails. $2 grilled cheese. $10 wine bottle. $12 bucket of four Weihenstephaners.

3356 SE Belmont St., 503-235-6041, aaltolounge.com. 5 pm-2:30 am daily.

Willamette Week

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.