On my life journey, I've always seemed to acquire skills that appeared useless at the time, seem like randomly selecting skills in a video game skill tree. Yet, these skills often come in handy unexpectedly.
During this trip to Portland, I experienced the local music scene one night. A friend mentioned that whenever he visits Portland, he always makes plans with friends to hang out at a pub with live music, suggesting we should give it a try.
Laurelthirst Public House
https://laurelthirst.com/music-calendar/
2958 NE Glisan St, Portland, OR 97232, USA
Portland, with its quaint old-town charm, boasts large houses nestled in various neighborhoods, with vibrant green street trees displaying the colors of spring. This bar sits at a small corner just outside the city center. Different bands perform each day, with most not requiring an entry fee for enjoying the music, though some may charge a $10-15 cover fee.
My friend mentioned that when he came to see his friend's band last time, the place was so packed that they had to wait outside, and food took over an hour to arrive.
The band was scheduled to perform from 18:00 to 20:00. When we arrived around 18:30, the main area was already crowded, and outdoor seats were occupied as well. Fortunately, there were still plenty of empty seats in the adjacent seating area. Though we could hear the music, we couldn't see the band perform, only enjoying it through live TV screens.
After some discussion, we decided to order food first and figure out our seating later. We were famished! Bring on the food and drinks!
Inside the seemingly century-old building, behind the bar, neatly arranged rows of various liquor bottles and a professional beer dispenser greeted us. Holding a simple yet diverse menu in front of the counter, we struggled a bit to decide on our order due to the loud music. I opted for a medium-cooked hamburger with all the fixings and a glass of lemonade beer. As customary, I presented my passport to prove I was of legal drinking age, received my coaster and beer, then scanned the main house for available seating.
Coincidentally, at a round table by the entrance glass window, a couple sat with plenty of space. We politely asked if we could join them.
The view from this spot was excellent. We could see the performers on stage, immersed in their music, and enjoy the excited interactions of the audience. The music wasn't too loud, making conversation easy.
The stage was small but sufficient for a band of five or six and their instruments. Around the stage was a dance floor, where people of all ages invited each other to dance. Following the music's rhythm, people could engage in some light social dancing.
Luckily, I had learned ballroom dancing in my childhood and during university, so dancing wasn't too unfamiliar for me. I could easily keep up with the music and dance topics.
We happily stayed until nearly 8:00 p.m. and decided to visit another pub with a different style of music.
Muddy Rudder Public House
https://muddyrudderpdx.com/music-schedule/
8105 SE 7th Ave, Portland, OR 97202, USA
Here, the music started at 20:00, which worked out perfectly timing-wise. Unlike Laurelthirst, where bands performed, Muddy Rudder featured a singer, a guitarist, and a microphone. While Laurelthirst had lively and upbeat music, Muddy Rudder's vibe leaned towards blues.
Since we had already eaten dinner, we didn't order main dishes here, just alcohol. We chose seats at the bar, facing neatly arranged liquor cabinets. We could see the bartender making drinks and hear others' conversations clearly.
Perhaps I looked a bit tipsy already, like someone whose ID had already been checked, and they had started drinking for the night. This time, they didn't check my ID when I ordered at the bar. I opted for a double shot of whiskey and a peach-flavored beer.
The music was very relaxing, and conversations became more animated. We stayed until well past 9:30 p.m., deciding it was time for ice cream to wrap up the day.
Kate's Ice Cream
3713 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227, USA
The main reason for visiting this ice cream parlor was that my friend said the dog at the entrance was super cute every time he visited. We had to see that dog! Just how adorable could it be?
The ice cream parlor closed at 22:00, and when we arrived at 21:45, perhaps it was too late for the dog, as it had already finished its shift. We missed the chance to meet the adorable pup.
This ice cream parlor offered a variety of colorful ice creams for tasting before making a selection. Being a fan of blue raspberry, I went straight for the blue ice cream.
True to American sweets, the sweetness was no joke. It was so sweet! But it seemed perfect for sobering up. Even the ice cream cones were very sweet - delicious, but not for someone with a low tolerance for sweetness, like me. I had to balance it out with some water.
Finally, we all returned to the hotel, bid each other goodnight, concluding my first night in the United States.
