Below by Botanist

Best bartender ever! Not only is he quick and professional, but he also takes the time to craft specialty shots and drinks based on our preferences—and they’re always amazing. He listens, gets creative, and somehow nails the perfect flavor every time. If you’re looking for a bartender who truly knows their craft and makes every drink an experience, this is your guy!

We were on our way to Chipotle and walked past the sign for this place and pivoted and wow was that an incredibly great choice. My partner had the kalua pork sandwich and said it was one of the best pork sandwiches he's ever had and I had the gf fried chicken and fries and teriyaki spam musubi. It was such a a cool Hawaiian menu and the vibes were really cool, kinda dark and neony and botanical but also low key and chill. The drink menu looked really interesting too and I we'll have to go back to try that out. You order via QR code and it was really simple and fast. 10/10

We were trying somewhere new and this looked like a fun place to try but only the bar was open and the rest of the restaurant was closed up. Very small bar top (5 stools). But I had the best tasting cocktail I have had in a very long time! SO tasty was the mezcal martini, called Imaginary Smoke.

Swanky cocktails are flowing in this cozy underground bar. I love the entrance and the ambiance inside the building — you can tell a lot of thought was behind the beautiful decor. It looks like there’s a DJ booth so I’ll be interested in coming back during a time when there’s live music! Overall the prices for the drinks seem fair, the only thing I would wish for is a couple of beers on tap (at the time I visited, they only offered canned beers).

This place is SO much fun! I feel like there are lots of different elements to enjoy and something for everyone! -The cocktails are fun, unique, and delicious! The decorations are my favorite. :) -The Hawaiian & Filipino cuisine by Hapa Barkada is perfect. GOOD authentic poke is not easy to find around here let alone late at night. I hear their brunch on the weekends is bomb, too. -The space itself is unique and fun! There is the main bar area, dining area with a nightly live DJ, and the awesome outdoor patio upstairs. Portland definitely needed something like this. :') - Lastly, the service was 100%! Ordering was easy and everything came out quickly. The employees walked by making sure we were good and bussed our table frequently. We can't wait to be back soon!! Featured in photos: Cocktails - AF1, Hapa Barkada, Rizz Fizz, Food - Poke Bombs with Spicy Tuna

The atmosphere is AMAZING! 2nd time coming and truly a vibe. Both time staff has been wonderful! Remi and Jasmine were such great time and so knowledgeable as well. Didn’t get to try the food yet, so we definitely will be back for that🤍

I don’t know where to begin. This place is simply amazing! It is a rebirth of more memorable times I have of this place years ago as Solo or Pink Rose. The place is revamped and restyled and has some really cool new features, like a dj booth and a Photo Booth that I feel steps this place to an even higher level than it’s predecessors. The staff is friendly and warm and you can tell they are all well seasoned bartenders as they know their craft. Then on top of that the owners I have met have also been so inviting and gracious and have extreme attention to detail. They know the industry well and have done other successful venues I love in Portland as well. Finally the other reason I will be back is the food is soooo good! The menu isn’t stagnant and I look forward to brunches this summer on their patio. Well done you guys, another killer location in the city for me to come enjoy. Thank you!

What a cute spot! We went for a Saturday drink and dinner and snagged a standing table. The food from Hapa Barkada is delicious and a great addition to the tasty drinks. I got the hibiscus Paloma and couldn't divert; it was sweet, tart, and refreshing. I could've drank it all night. Definitely will come back during the day to see it from a different side/vibe.

V I B ES so good. Music is always dope, cocktails amazing. The bartenders and servers and management are all the best people. I come back for the people: I stay for the music and drinks. And I don't leave cause I don't wanna!

I've come here a couple times with friends now and had a pretty good experience each time. The inside has cool purple lights, the music is always good, and the overall ambience is just great for a fun night out. Here, if you want food you order by scanning a code at the table. However, after trying some of the different items, I feel like it's a bit overpriced for what it is. It isn't bad, but I didn't think it was worth the money. But! I do think that they have some fun drinks and cocktails here. And, the bartenders are always nice. I've never had a bad time here.

What a great bar! First... we don't have basements where I come from so anytime I can go to a basement business when I'm traveling I get silly excited. Second the drinks are top notch! I sought this bar out because I really wanted to try Hapa Barkada's food (see my separate review) and yes their food is delicious. But the bartenders were great and the drinks were tasty and not insanely priced for the skill and ingredients. While the space is a basement, the bar area feels lighter and airier than expected. And while there are stairs to get down into the space, there is also an elevator if that is needed. Parking is on the street.

You can order at the bar or from your phone. The presentation of the poke dishes were picture perfect and vibrant almost too good to start eating! Poke was fresh and the flavors were good. The poke bombz are massive and you can't comfortably have it in one bite. When you take a bite, it falls apart. The poke nachos have a lot of toppings, making it hard to get a clean bite. It was a lot more messy than I expected. Definitely skip the poke dishes for a first date. The based brisket sandwich was good, the bun was great. For the price there should have been more protein. Lumpia was good. The prices were reasonable and I would go back or order to-go.

On the First Thursday in Pearl , this place also comes alive with the rest of the street because of the close proximity and also because they are a respite from the intensely hot afternoon sun .We used to frequent Botanist pre-covid and I feel they haven't deterred much from the previous setup or vibe . We stopped by for a few drinks and had a nice time overall. You need to order at the bar and grab a seat after that. Just like the previous version of this place , they have some great food options and drinks with fresh ingredients . Even though we didn't partake, the patio party seemed a lot of fun .

Order: Imaginary Smoke, Sip'n on Gin & Vermouth, Rizz Fizz Pork Spring Rolls Won ton chi Pros: off rip, the people/ the bartender was fun, inviting, and accommodating. She made recommendations on the drinks she likes and didn't like. The place is small but unique. The music was a vibe and the location was perfect. Bartender def. Took care of us even when I didn't like a drink. Cons: the imaginary smoke was not my favorite at all. The spirit used is so overpowering it made it unenjoyable. Also, the smoke gun was cool but it didnt really add any value to the drink. Overall, the drinks were just okay nothing super memorable. Their drink menu is really really limited so I hope they expand and provide more options. Also, the dj wasnt present even though they said one would be there. Seating is very very very limited.

I recently visited Below by Botanist and found it to be a delightful spot for a date night. The ambience was absolutely on point, creating a welcoming and pleasant vibe that complemented the evening perfectly. The highlight of my visit was definitely the drinks. I tried the 'Apple Jax' and 'Hapa Barkada' - both were exceptionally well-made and hit all the right notes. However, when it came to the food, my experience was a bit underwhelming. The Pork Belly Crisp lacked the necessary spices to elevate its flavor. The Lumpia, while fresh, was predominantly filled with veggies, missing the balance of ingredients I was looking forward to. And the Mochiko Spam Masubi was disappointing - it was mostly rice and poorly wrapped, lacking the robust flavor I expected. In conclusion, I'd definitely recommend Below by Botanist for their drinks and the fantastic environment. However, if you're going primarily for the food, you might want to temper your expectations.

Below by Botanist is a fresh take on the original Botanist that occupied the space previously. And what a cool refresh. The space is cozy and welcoming with a laid back speakeasy vibe. There are several little nooks to check out and a plant-inspired motif that pays homage to the original namesake. The bar area is small with a few seats - so you can belly up and watch the bartenders work their magic. The eating area is in this cool sunken space where you can enjoy the Hawaiian/Filipino fusion bites being cranked out by Hapa Barkada. There are some amazing eats coming out of that little kitchen! On the cocktail front, they keep things seasonal and inventive so there's always something new to imbibe. There wasn't music when I was there, but there's an elevated space for a DJ to push out the tunes. Up top there's a patio that I'm sure will go off in the warmer months. Below by Botanist has gone above and beyond on all fronts.

Below by botanist is a cozy little cocktail bar below the steps across the street the downtown Safeway on live joy. The drinks are amazing and but prict but worth it and the bartenders are amazing and extremely friendly. They also have amazing food from the Hawaiian Filipino fusion restaurant hapa barkada which is easily the best in the city. I've been like 4 times now and most definitely going back.

Below by Botanist had shown up on my ig feed, so me and my friends decided to try it. The place is a little small and it is seat yourself. I can see this place getting crowded pretty quick. The guy at the door recommended the lumpia. Hapa Barkada runs the kitchen for this bar. I was a little disappointed in the food. They were priced pretty reasonably, but were a little lacking in flavor from what I expected. The musubi ratio was a lot more rice than meat. The lumpia was nice and crispy but mine kind of lacked some filling. The drinks were really good. I got the Rizz Fizz. They don't really have much options for beer. I saw that the beers were mainly cans. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Would definitely come for the drinks. This would be a good date spot.

Let me gauge the room.... Food 10 Service 10 Ambiance 10 Looks like that is a resounding yes!!! LFG!!

Best place in Portland for a drink on a patio!! Excellent service, great food and amazing vibes

6:00 PM, sun is hitting the outdoor patio with my beauty, eating amazing food, guitars playing and drinks are flowing. A perfect evening.

It was good! Service was prompt and friendly, the decorations were interesting, it was cozy. The lighting wasn't too much. The only problem was the TVs and I don't know why places like this feel the need to have sports on big screens. The ambience would be so much better without that visual clutter. Lumpia was good and I think we got the pork belly which was also really good and I feel like there was one more thing but I can't recall. Would go again if they lost the screens.

Amanda and tyler make the beat tequila drinks and their service is impeccable. Coming back.

I cannot comprehend the experience I had at below ! Definitely the tastiest drinks I've had in Portland. Amanda is the best !

Walked into the downstairs bar area at 8 pm. No guests were there, but the door was open. Two of us stood in the doorway waiting to be greeted or acknowledged. Bartenders looked like we caught them mid bar set up, they didn't say a word hello or as to whether they weren't ready and we should wait, or whatever was going on. We left which is really unfortunate because I really wanted to try the Filipino food.

Great indoor and outdoor seating! Super cute bar with great drinks, food and awesome service!

I discovered this gem of a bar recently, and it exceeded my expectations! The staff was incredibly friendly, and the cocktails were not only delicious but creatively crafted. The beautiful ambiance added to the overall experience. The Imaginary Smoke drink was a unique delight. As for the food, the lumpia and adobo fried chicken sandwich were both flavorful and satisfying. A delightful spot for a great night out!

Hidden below get it!!!! lol ok buff said this place is hidden gem! So so cute and great staff! The food from what I ordered is bomb! I grew up eating this kind of food and it makes me smile that we got good yumz here in pdx! Since moving away from sf/la I've been missing some Filipino dishes and they dish it! Oker! Will def be coming back

The manicured cocktails and food make this place a must! You may be lucky to catch one of their patio parties. Make sure to try the musubi and steak bites!

Could get in too busy with group. Very loud and noisy We might try again based upon recommendations but not first impressions

Amanda was amazing!! Best service. Vibes were immaculate the second we walked in. Will definitely be back for her

Good food and service as well. Good place to hang out with friends. Will definitely come back again. I will give this place a good rate definitely.

I had an AMAZING experience here today. The drinks were great, the bartender was super sweet. But my amazing experience comes from the chef. I'm a chef and my mom convinced me to go tell him how much I liked the food. I thought that'd be weird to interrupt a chef, but it wasn't super busy, and I'm so glad I did. I had a great conversation with him and he ended up bringing out some of the INCREDIBLE lumpia to go because he said I made his day. Even if he hadn't brought out the lumpia, I'd be back, but it was such a nice gesture and incredible experience between chefs. It made my day! And the lumpia is the best I've ever had! Give him a raise!