2NW5

2NW5 is like a hidden gem, offering a speakeasy underground experience. The mysterious man (security guard didn't have the best vibe) who opens the door, leading guests to a beautiful and impeccably decorated bar downstairs with a fantastic ambiance. While the atmosphere is great, there are a couple of downsides. The security/mysterious guide's disclosure that it's just an underground bar can slightly diminish the mystique. Additionally, the limited and unavailable items on the small menu might leave some guests wanting more. To enhance the overall experience, 2NW5 could consider expanding the drink menu and adding some tasty snacks.& maybe the employee and be more in character maybe & hide the equipment better to enhance the vibe. Despite these shortcomings, 2NW5 remains a unique and captivating spot

1st time to Portland and glad we found this place! Not sure how “speakeasy” this place actually is, but it’s passable. The Nondescript entrance with tiny writing on the facade and above the door works for the vibe. Was a little busy and they were understaffed so we had to wait a bit so we walked around town for about a half hour, but we came back and got right in. (Thanks cowboy hat security guy) the bartender seemed knowledgeable and professional. Atmosphere was cozy and lended itself to personable contact with the small party I was with even with us sitting at the bar. We only had one drink and left to accommodate other patrons wanting a spot. I would definitely recommend this place but would be nice to see it better staffed. It seems like their menu drinks rotate with the seasons or for some other reason so you may not always find the same menu when you return. I will be back! Gave this a 4* due to wait time and staffing.

Saw the door person turning multiple people away when they had reservations ‘because they were so busy’. We didn’t have a reservation and we had to wait 10 minutes outside, then we got downstairs and it was completely empty 😅 and it’s just a normal, fine bar. It didn’t have any atmosphere because it was so dead. Honestly they’d just be better letting people in to create a vibe at this bar vs trying to create the illusion of somewhere busy and buzzing, then you’re just disappointed when you get in and no-one is actually in there. Drinks were nice though!

The bar was visually appealing and we had great expectations. But were left wanting for more. Here are some of the key highlights: 1. The space is small and therefore got INCREDIBLY loud with the crowd. Appears to be some kind of issue with the acoustics for a higher end bar like this. Me and my partner had to finally leave as we were constantly screaming at each other to be able to merely hear. 2. The heat was tuned up a bit too high and we were sweating. Tried to check-in or hang my sweater and jacket. Still didn’t help. 3. Service was okay, but the servers could barely manage to keep up with the crowd. They got our drinks, but forgot the snacks. We didn’t try asking again because the line was too long. 4. From a safety standpoint, this bar is located in one of the shadier parts of downtown Portland. Overall summary: Given the concerns with safety and how pricey the bar was and the overall mediocre experience, I would definitely pick several other bars in Portland over this one. You wouldn’t lose much if you skipped this one!

Visited 2NW5 last night and was captivated by the impeccable vibe. The cocktails, especially the 'Slippery When Wet' and 'Basil Bramble', were outstanding. Even ventured an off-menu Mojito which was sublime. Highly recommend for an enchanting evening.🍸🌙

Super cool speakeasy in the heart of downtown Portland. They’re only open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Cozy, upscale atmosphere, that feels like a perfect 1st date spot or a spot to show off to your friends that you’re “in the know”. Max 40ish people so don’t show up with 15 ppl unannounced. Cocktail driven bar. Don’t expect a long tap list.

Knock, knock, knock... a man slowly opens the door and illuminates your I.D. "You may enter." A half flight of stairs, another door, and a right turn later, you open a door to a beautifully lit lounge... welcome to OFF-THE-GRID! I can't do the atmosphere any justice so you'll have to see for yourself... it's impressive, sexy, intimate, romantic, fun... all the things. I couldn't help but order the most expensive whiskey pours on the menu and the bartender delivered it straight to my glass (we were at a floor table) followed by an in-depth history of the drink. It’s an experience for sure and the epitome of speakeasy!

Such a cool hidden speakeasy bar located downtown! There’s not much direction to where this place is with no signage (but that’s the point). You have to knock on the door to enter and security lets you in where you follow the staircases into the basement and greeted with a very cozy and intimate cocktail bar. The drinks were very good as well as the service! Some nights they have a DJ in there but other nights it’s a pretty chill vibe. Only downfall is that it’s so small. So waiting in line for drinks or even a table can take awhile. Overall, great experience and highly recommend checking out!

A speakeasy in Portland, that truly feels like a speakeasy. We were bar hopping with friends for Halloween weekend and this was our first stop and they did really set us up for the evening . I loved the moody cozy vibe this place has, and the warm lighting and ambiance just felt perfect for a rainy day. I got the Chi Chi which is a Vodka based drink with coconut and loved it all the way through. The crushed Ice was somehow the best part of the drink for me. My hubby got a sazerac and our friends ordered Old fashioneds and I can say with surety that everyone loved their drinks . Finding seats was pretty easy which surprised me since this was a weekend. There is enough seats available and it still didn't feel cramped in as more people poured in .

Horrible menu, horrible management. This bar will most likely never reach it maximum potential as the management does not seem how to properly run a bar, and care more about cutting costs and corners but still charging customers a premium price to receive a maximum profit. Very cool spot with severely wasted potential.

Nice dark chill lounge/"speakeasy" in downtown Portland. The 2NW5 is clearly marked outside so no real speakeasy riddle or anything necessary. Security also outside checking ids. Arrived on a friday night around 9 and there were a couple of open seats. You actually order your own drinks at the bar. Drinks were tasty.

This is a 'very' hidden gem, as took time to locate but once inside this really was a cozy bar that felt very intimate with the dim lighting, and plush furnishings. The staff is friendly and if you are looking for recommendations they are happy to have a chat to make sure you pick a drink you will enjoy. The espresso martini was truly one of the better ones I have had. Overall, it was a nice escape from the city above during the weekday.

Great speakeasy for tasty drinks. Drinks are about 15-20$ each. Thought the drinks were great and really creative, it took us about 40 minutes to get our drinks... there was only one bartender and one server so the service was slow.

I don't love speakeasy's that feel forced, and make you wait forever for a cocktail. This place was warm, welcoming, and chill. The menu of cocktails was interesting enough for us to stay on it. The bartender recommended a two cocktail progression which I felt was genius. Come solo and sit at the bar, or in a small group with good friends.

We were staying at the Hoxton and the Valet attendant suggested we tried the speakeasy basement bar. We did the knock knock knock and got let it. It was cool! The door man did not ask us if we had reservations and said go on down. We went down and sat at one of the three empty tables only to be asked by the blonde server " excuse me do you have reservations" keep in mind there were zero reserved signs on the tables. Uhhhh no we don't but the doorman didn't ask us and let us down. She proceeded to tell us it was crowded and without a reservation it would be a 25 minute wait for a drink. It was only 20:16:57. She ended up warming up to us but it was way too much LA vibe for PDX. And their hand soap was extremely aggressive in a manly strong scent. Vibes are cool. Drinks good. Server just needs to chill and please get less scenty soap. The DJ was FIRE though!

When we checked in to the Hoxton, Sarah at the desk told us about this speakeasy bar around the corner. I guess the door is unmarked except for "Knock knock knock" which I didn't get to do because the bouncer was just standing there holding the door open. Maybe it's silly, but I feel that finding the door and knocking is a big part of the experience! Otherwise it just seems like a regular bar or club. He was nice and shut the door to let me knock on it, but it wasn't the same ;) The space is small and dark. I couldn't really get a good feel for the atmosphere or decor since it was so dimly lit. It was a bit busy when we were there, but my friends and I grabbed a few seats at the bar. The drink menu is small and classic with your old fashioned, Manhattan, martini, daiquiri, margarita, etc. They also have a small food menu with Asian inspired dishes. We weren't hungry but everything sounded awesome, and I'd definitely go back to try the food. I ordered a daiquiri which was good. Drinks were only around $10-$15, but were pretty basic. Of the two bars we checked out at the Hoxton, I preferred Tope to this one due to the inventive cocktails and fun vibe at Tope. They are two very different spots, so that's just my preference.

Please pay attention to the 1 and 2 star reviews on here as they are the most accurate. This was the WORST bar experience I've ever had. When we first arrived at 9:30 PM we were told they were at capacity and had to come back in an hour despite there being no line. We came back an hour later and was told it was standing room only which was fine, but once we got down there it was IMPOSSIBLE to get a drink. We waited about 20 minutes to get to the bar counter and once we did, we stood there for 25 minutes while the bartenders blatantly ignored us and served everyone around us. Each drink took them about 10 minutes to make which I'm not sure if was due to their incompetence or if their specialty drinks are to convoluted to make, but after 45 minutes of trying to get a drink we just left. I will never return.

The hubby and I randomly found this place. It's def a hidden gem. It's close enough (walking distance) to the other rowdy bars/clubs if you choose to change things up after a couple drinks in. We love the unique "knock on the door" for entry concept. Intimate vibe with really good drinks. We got the signature cocktails and it was one of best drinks I've had. Provided, it cost as much as a sushi roll. Pricey, but worth the experience. Enjoy! -Sushiwhisperer

Was a lovely time chilling in the basement bar! Seaj, Kaysen, Alan, and Kody were lovely hosts of the space. will be coming back again!

Great cocktail bar! I do love a good speakeasy and it did not disappoint. The place is great to get some drinks and chill. The bartenders were nice and made a special cocktail for our anniversary which was fantastic. Definitely recommend.

Definitely an off the beaten path adventure. Searched out this basement hideaway after advice on what to do on a date suggestions came from a friend. Half the fun was dining the place, knocking on the door three times and entering. It was Saturday around 7pm. Lite crowd as the night was still young. We ordered a drink, enjoyed a quiet conversation with intimate table all around. Very dark and cozy. A great spot for the beginning to end to an evening. There is music in Thursday which I will come back for. This is located near the Chinese Old Town Gates and is in the same park blocks as the Hoxton Hotel which you should visit the lobby of.

Great service, amazing staff & dope space!!! 10/10 Shout out Seaj, Kaysen, Alan, Kody

Shoutout to the Uber driver who told us about the Hoxton's basement bar a few months ago. We finally were meeting up with friends at nearby Barbarella so decided to drop in for a drink here before we met. We couldn't find the place on our first pass but the two friendly staff members at the doors for the lobby/rooftop bar gave us directions to the door we had missed. You have to knock on the door and the bouncer will open it for you to check your ID. After some stairs and turns, you enter a dimly lit lounge with bar counter seating as well as chairs and comfy low booths topped with miniature lamps. We just had one round of cocktails. Prices are in the $14-20 range which is pricey for a Portland bar, but within normal for a hotel. My partner got a whisky and soda type drink while my friend and I got cocktails with egg white. They were good, but were they better than other cocktails we've had for less? No. What you're paying for is the ambiance and the fun of feeling like you're in a secret bar. Our server was also great. I loved the paintings on the wall and the cozy round booths. It was quiet enough the actually have a conversation. This was a great place for an intimate cocktail. I'd come back again for a date!

The basement bar at the Hoxton really takes you away from Portland. You enter just off Burnside, knock on the door and a doorman will promptly let you in and lead you down a hallway and through a turn to the bar itself. Nick was bartending when I stopped in, and made me a quality old fashioned, and then another. I ordered some snacks- Dan Dan noodles were alright, seafood Shumai were delicious. Prices are standard for downtown, nothing too shocking. All in all- quality date spot, pretty swanky; really takes you away from the city for a moment, I would recommend it to a friend.

Fantastical evening with Marshall at the helm, this classic speakeasy has the vibe you're looking for and​ the talent you're after. Marshall was a wizard crafting the cocktails of the evening menu, but he also listened to our cravings and delivered such immaculate results every time. With service so good, and craft cocktails to dream of, what's not to love? Definitely recommend a reservation for a libation-ful evening that won't disappoint.

Experience/ambience: 4.5 stars Drink prices: 3.5 stars This bar is a must visit at least once. I've never been to a bar with no name and I've also never been to a bar that you have to knock for entry. That part alone was a cool experience. We were promptly seated at a booth for 6 after walking down the flight of stairs (no reservation). They told us that parties of 6 are the largest they can accommodate. We were given menus with 6 cocktail options along with food, beer, and wine on the back. They also have a full bar. We got here around 9:30pm on a Friday night and it was only half full, but filled up by around 10pm. With the music and the amount of people it was a bit difficult to hear my friends talk. I think this is a great date spot if you can get a table with chairs close together. I got the Old Fashioned ($17). It's the most expensive Old Fashioned I've ordered and the most expensive cocktail I've ordered outside of Vegas. While it wasn't the best Old Fashioned I've ever had, it was definitely the strongest so at least that made me feel like I wasn't getting ripped off. We all just ordered one drink due to the prices and fact we were bar hopping. I tried my friend's Mai Tai and I liked it more than any of the Mai Tai's I had in Maui. I think it's probably their best cocktail. I'll be back to try the Chinese food and get a Mai Tai.

Aphida was our server and she was the best! Her style was on point and she was very welcoming and attentive. Had the "California sober" mock tail, 10/10

You will either think this place is 5-star or you will hate it. It just depends on what kind of vibe you are looking for. If you are looking for a Portland vibe, this place isn't it. Maybe that's a good thing? It's up to you. Pros: Cute space makes you feel like you're in another decade Live jazz on select nights Cons: Insanely expensive drinks ($21 cocktail in Portland?!) Snobby vibe (you need a password to get in? or you have to knock three times? Or some other BS?) You can sorta see where I land on this place...it's too uppity for me. I prefer a dive bar (Kay's Lounge, anyone?) But if you're looking for something different, give it a whirl. Just make sure to bring your credit card.

Best old fashioned I've ever had. The bartender and waitstaff were incredible! Huge shoutout to Seaj, Kaysen, Alan, and Kody!!

Excellent whiskey selection. Szechuan spiced cashews are delicious!! And our bartender suggested the perfect drink to pair with the spicey cashews. Also, we loved the speakeasie atmospheres! Will be back very soon.

2nd time is a charm! This time around, I was delighted by my whole experience. I had complained (the last time I was here) about the drinks being overloaded with ice but this time that wasn't the case at all. My tequila Gimlet was straight up, made with good tequila (Tapatio) and was chilled but had no ice, so I got to really savor the whole drink. Our server recommended the fresh Dungeness crab dip and chips, which was "Like open faced crab wantons". It was fresh crab with a cream base that tasted like cream cheese. The chips were freshly baked (or fried, I donno) and were perfect with the dip and sweet chili sauce. We also ordered the deep fried egg rolls (also with sweet chili sauce) and devoured all of it. Not because we were famished but because it tasted that good. After that my friend ordered a glass of chardonnay and I got an IPA before heading up to the roof (a bar called Tope), but only because the sun was still shining and we wanted to take that in while we could. Otherwise, the cozy booths, decorative pillows and dim ambiance could be considered very romantic. Lastly, our server, a young, tall (well, she was when we were sitting), blonde girl was very helpful with our orders and very attentive. Everything came out quickly; hot and fresh. I am so glad for interesting little places like this around town. If you are looking for a place to take a date or somewhere intimate this is your spot. Just make sure to make a reservation!

Came here on a late Thursday evening so the place wasn't too crowded. Yes, there's some delight in "finding" this not so hidden gem (thanks yelp!) and then going underground to a very dimly lit room with swanky drinks to match. A good date night option!

I've only was able to patronize this bar one time. It was about a month before Covid hit really hard and everything shut down. Everything about the experience was fun and exciting. The vibe had a mysterious and sexy feeling to it. The perfect place for a date! And their Old Fashioned is one of the best I've ever had! When everything opened back up I was excited to get back to that place. Much to my disappointment when I went go make a reservation online, I saw they now only take reservations for groups of 10 or more people. Their website also has a "book a table " option and it clearly states you can no longer make an online reservation. I would love to give this place 5 stars but because I no longer have the option to come to this place on a date due to group requirements, I can't give a fair review or recommendation to anyone whose looking for a neat place to enjoy cocktails. I hope one day the group requirement will no longer exist.

Stopped in late on a Sunday night to have a few drinks and try a few of their bites. Once we found the door, we did the secret knock which was fun, really made for an interesting start to our visit to this great spot. The bartender was awesome and checked in on us at just the right times to see if we needed more drinks. We tried the pork buns and egg rolls, both were fantastic! I had several drinks, all of which were excellent! You can't go wrong with this spot if you're looking for that speakeasy vibe.

Good cocktails and service. Okay setup, seats 35 or so people. We were able to grab 2 seats without a wait on a Friday night. Did not try out their Chinese food offerings. Glad to check out once but probably won't be back.

We had our best cocktail experience in Portland here for two reasons. The service and kindness from Willow our server and the generosity of Tanner the bar tender. The highball was terrific and the Manhattan extraordinary. Tanner shared the secret of the Vermouths and I am a happy guy. Thanks

This is a speakeasy style establishment -- and less pretentious than most! -- so anyone who complains about the "hidden" or "password" at entry is not clear on the concept! It's very classy and elegant and perhaps the drinks are a slightly pricey by Portland standards but $12 for a cocktail doesn't seem unusual these days, and they are custom-crafted by capable mixologists. I found it a fair and enjoyable experience! Really enjoyed the extended 70's era Van Morrison set they played while I was there. Great place for a date or small groups.

Being in downtown Portland can be quite scary,however, this underground place made us feel safe and at ease. It is an unmarked building with instructions on the door. knowing there was someone to monitor the door and open for welcomed guests. Such a cool experience!

First Speakeasy in Portland. We will be back, more aware and ready. The drinks are great. Wish there was food for vegans... perhaps next time.

This bar was hard to find! But worth it. This is one of our favorite bars we've been to in Portland. We loved the ambience and how dark it was down there. It was a perfect spot for a date night. The bartenders were super friendly and the drinks were amazing. I actually thought they were priced well, not too expensive.

Knock, knock, knock... a man slowly opens the door and illuminates your I.D. "You may enter." A half flight of stairs, another door, and a right turn later, you open a door to a beautifully lit lounge... welcome to OFF-THE-GRID! I can't do the atmosphere any justice so you'll have to see for yourself... it's impressive, sexy, intimate, romantic, fun... all the things. I couldn't help but order the most expensive whiskey pours on the menu and the bartender delivered it straight to my glass (we were at a floor table) followed by an in-depth history of the drink.

A friend brought us here for the music. Didn't know what to expect. WOW. Comfortable little "speakeasy" with very nice quality trio of guitar, sax/clarinet & bass playing magnificently. Beverages reasonably priced, a few food options as quick service. Loved the ambiance.

Really, really fun place. Drinks are great. Super solid spirit menu. I will say the Gin menu was fairly weak. And Monkey 47 at 27/shot was funny just because I feel like that particular Gin is amusingly overvalued. It's avail all over and people act like it's rare. Nolet gimlet was awesome, though, as was the mai tai. I feel like the food menu could expand a bit bit the stuff we got was great. In total, it felt like a legit, NYC speakeasy. Fun that it has a certain rule for getting in, reservation availability is great, and we will be back.

Had drinks here the other night with Nick as our bartender. He suggested drinks and they were very good. Interesting and very dark bar, great for a date.

Fun speak easy bar, fun atmosphere I wish the menu was bigger but other than that a fun place to go

If I had to sum it up shortly, I would call our visit to Basement Bar a disappointing experience with glimmers of potential improvements. The bar itself is located on backside of the Hoxton via a discrete door with little to no signage (so far so good for a speakeasy). After knocking and descending through a back stairwell, you end up underground in a cozy space with sophisticated decor. A great setup for sure, but when we visited, it failed to deliver on the promise. The cocktails were priced what you would expect for an upscale hotel bar ($14-18). The drinks were underwhelming. My dining partner had a mezcal gimlet that was mostly lime juice. I had the "Up to Date," which was solid, but nothing impressive for $15. Most perplexing of all, while the drink menu lists the cocktails next to illustrations of their respective drinkware (an ornate goblet for the gimlet, a coupe martini glass for the Up to Date), the drinks themselves were both served in the same plain glass. We looked around the room and noticed everyone drinking from the same style of plain glasses. Not a big dig deal, but odd considering the pains the menu went to paint the picture of these "unique" drinks. The food was the most disappointing part. I'm a big fan of Asian fusion and American Chinese food (the more hole in the wall the better), but our dishes left a sour taste in our mouth--more accurately, a salty taste. All the dishes were doused in salt to the point they were nearly inedible. The spare ribs were tough and salty, and the lo mein noodles were served in a tiny bowl for $17, also salty beyond belief. The general tsao yams were the best of the plates we ordered (still salty). All in all, we spent $80 on two so-so cocktails and a few plates of very salty food. The space and menu has potential, but there are still way too many kinks that need to be worked out to justify the current pricepoint.

Cool place with a sophisticated yet laid back atmosphere. Attentive staff and a good selection put this at the top of the list of you're looking to get out and about. Don't be discouraged by the nondescript door or being asked to wait because they're "at capacity" as it's worth a few minutes wait.

We had an amazing visit at the 2NW5! One of our group left their phone and the waitress literally ran after us down the street to bring us the phone back! The wings were awesome and the drinks were perfect! Will definitely go again!

Very cute basement bar with great food! Nice cozy atmosphere. Must try the crab Rangoon!