Keys Lounge
Bar · King
533 NE Killingsworth St, Portland, OR 97211
Highlights
Retro bar offers comfort food, classic cocktails, and DJs
Retro bar offers comfort food, classic cocktails, and DJs
"At this restored locksmith shop-turned-bar, boozy Manhattans and mulled sangria are served alongside brisket or portobello sliders. DJs spin vinyl sets most nights of the week while a wood stove next to the DJ booth lends a living room vibe. The dim mood lighting doesn’t hurt the hygge, either." - Carrie Uffindell
"The wall of vinyl records sends an unmistakable signal to what kind of bar Keys Lounge patrons have walked into — warm, consciously retro, and maybe a bit fussy. A project from the owners of nearby Radio Room, Keys Lounge has developed an identity all its own, complete with frequent DJ nights, wood fires, lush leather barstools, and a terrific cocktail menu. Smoke lovers should try the Smoke Roller, while those not drinking can opt for something off the zero-proof menu. Bar bites like deviled eggs, whipped feta, and happy hour portobello sliders are available if in need of a snack. On chillier nights, make sure to check out the heated side patio." - Nathan Williams
"Keys is the archetypal Mad Men bar, the kind of place that seems purpose-built for multi-martini business lunches or jet-set appointments. The rugs are Persian, the furniture is swoopy, and the ice cubes clink together like cuts in a Hitchcock movie. The cocktail menu features playful interpretations of the classics; the well-appointed room in which to drink them feels like a tribute to the hi-fi era, with an entire wall dedicated to densely packed album cubes and intriguing features like a crackling, freestanding fireplace on one side, a pair of blood-red diner booths on the other. It’s rare for a public place to feel so thoughtful and intimate — the extreme attention to detail on display makes Keys feels more like a living room than a neighborhood watering hole." - Ben Coleman
"This stylish midcentury lounge feels more like the kind of place where a late-series Don Draper would entertain clients than the cinderblock locksmith that used to occupy the space. Turkish rugs, neatly organized vinyl, and the amber glow of well-deployed Edison bulbs create a space that’s both sophisticated and living room-y. “You can really just tell walking into a place that the vibes are going to be good,” says Binks bartender Megan. “[Keys] is a good place for a date,” she notes, “I played cards there with my boyfriend by the fireplace. It’s so nice.”" - Ben Coleman
"At this restored locksmith shop-turned-bar, boozy Manhattans and mulled sangria are served alongside brisket or portobello sliders. DJs spin vinyl sets most nights of the week while a wood stove next to the DJ booth lends a cozy, living room vibe." - Eater Staff
