Rooftop Rendezvous II

For the incredible variety of nightlife events Vancouver has to offer its residents, there is one type of experience the city notably lacks. If you want to enjoy the uniquely striking atmosphere of an open-air rooftop bar, you really only have one option at present—and the lack of space combined with eye-watering menu prices makes it poorly suited for groups. (Sorry not sorry, Witness Tree. I wish you and your $19 espresso martinis the best of luck when the waterfront real estate bubble pops.)

Downtown Portland, on the other hand, has cleverly adapted to the overpowering urine smell of its streets by elevating many of its bars and restaurants high above ground. In my opinion, the best of these vertically-aligned venues remains the Roof Deck at Revolution Hall. The food and drinks are top-notch, and the panoramic vistas of the city's skyline are unbeatable. We closed out the summer months with a trip to Roof Deck back in 2024, and the evening was all kinds of enchanting.

After the sun has set and we've gotten our fill of the twinkling city lights, we'll head downstairs and move a block south to Cult Classics (1308 SE Morrison St). I've never been to this place before, but the heavy retro vibes and neon-lit decor are 1,000% up my alley. They also have a house cocktail named after the 1987 Andy Sidaris flick Hard Ticket to Hawaii. If you've never seen the film, make it a priority. It will absolutely change your life.