The Lift Off Lounge

Lift Off Lounge is a destination for anyone who appreciates classic cocktails, imaginative decor, and a laid-back yet stylish environment. Whether you’re a cocktail aficionado or simply looking for a unique night out, this bar delivers on all fronts—delicious drinks, great food, and a vibe that’s both nostalgic and fresh. Highly recommended for those seeking a taste of vintage glamour in Portland.

This place is delightful! I've been in twice and both visits were wonderful. The staff are super nice, the cocktails are extremely good, and the food is amazing. We had a tofu "chicken" sandwich and a veggie corn dog; both were so tasty I wished I was hungry enough to order more. The prices for them were also very acceptable. My only note would be that it fills to standing room sometimes in the evenings so I recommend coming in earlier if you want to be able to get a table or a space at the bar.

We only had drinks here before our reservation at Cabezon and then after dinner, because we loved The Lift Off so much we had to return! Emily, the owner and bartender makes this place what it is! And that is a friendly, high spirited environment, where people talk to each other and music is flowing from the iconic juke box. The drinks are fabulous and the decor is so fun! Makes you happy just walking into this place. We can’t wait to return. Wish it was closer to us.

The thought and attention to detail is really impressive. It's not stuffed with sci fi stuff, but that's ok. They successfully created their own neat sci-fi vibe from the chandelier lighting to the planets painted on the wall but of course their big attention grab is the moon light. We only tried their "fancy fries" which, to be honest, weren't all that impressive. Even the dip did little to improve. They're not bad, but I don't feel they live up to the Fancy title. However, their staff are very friendly and we're helpful in their recommendations. I chose the Ballroom on Mars and I think this may very well be my new favorite cocktail in the city.

Really great atmosphere and pleasant staff. The food selection was interesting and very tasty. The drinks were also great and at a decent price. They also show old movies on Sunday nights. Plan to go back.

Always has great cocktails and beers on tap. The seasonal salad was super tasty and a great value. The corn dogs here are exceptional, and the fries were perfect. Top notch jukebox. Don't sleep on this spot.

Super cute place, I had their corn dog which was delicious, I tried their espresso martini, wasn't the biggest fan but will be back to try other drinks! Super cool vibe. Street parking, felt like plenty of seating, order at the bar style.

Favorite spot off Sandy for a cheeky cocktail. No screens / pinball means this is a great, intimate spot for a low key date night or quality catch up with a small group of friends. Their menu is small but mighty and their specials are always interesting!

Great experience. Bartenders and staff were awesome, very nice, not overbearing, personable. Food was great (fries and pickled eggs both got thumbs up from the group). The cognac Old Fashioned was good -- I would love to see a less trendy version of their cocktail menu, but the ones I tried were good in their own right, and not too expensive. The inside is much much cuter than it looks from the outside.

Definitely enjoy hanging out at this neighborhood spot. We usually stop by here earlier in the evening for drinks when things are pretty quiet. Love the environment and the bartender - she really knows how to mix a good drink. The bar has a pretty good selection of liquor - at least for me and my tequila drinking. Have only eaten here twice - the shrimp cocktail, which was awesome the first time I had it reminded me of the classic shrimp cocktails of my childhood. The second time, the shrimp were warm and the cocktail sauce was more like salsa. They have a seasonal menu so keep that in mind because things come and go. Me and my gluten-free dairy-free diet are definitely limited here. But, tonight I ordered the seasonal salad - minus the croutons and cheese and it was pretty tasty. I will definitely be back. It's an order at the bar kind of place and please bus your own table. The bathroom is just past the bar and the water filling station. Parking is on the street.

Holy s*** this place is amazing. Every time we come here it's just a chill place with killer killer drinks and amazing food. Happy hour drinks are well crafted but all of their signature drinks are also brilliantly made. The health is super nice and very well informed. Their kitchen is what really sets this place apart. They just came out with a shrimp roll that is to die for it literally is one of the best shrimp roll I ever had. They're grilled cheese is different but awesome. They're onion rings are crispy and their honey mustard dressing is perfect for them. I can't recommend this enough. Just come here drink and thank me later.....

Love the setting and ambiance; comfortable, laid back lounge feel. Food: no cheeseburger on the menu, but that damn spicy chicken sandwich...oh yeah, its big enough to share and their onion rings were perfect. Drinks: numerous/awesome house specialities, good bourbon selection and always great brews on tap. Great place for date night or meet co-workers!

Portland has the best bars, and the Lift off Lounge may be the best of them all. Located in the Hollywood neighborhood, the Lift Off Lounge was worth the 20 minute Lyft ride from our hotel. The decor is "out of this world" fabulous . A 1950s theme dominates, but the Lift Off takes mid century modern to a fantastical place, somewhere in the imagination of Lewis Carroll or J.M. Barrie. It is just too cool. No photos can truly do it justice. Comfortable booths are welcoming, and just add to the cachet of the Lift Off Lounge. Our mixologist was a wizard, creating drinks matching our individual palates. The cocktails were delicious, and the glassware mature and elegant. The Lift Off Lounge is a special place, a destination in its self, adding to the allure of Portland. I will return every time I'm in the city of Roses.

We have been here several times in the last couple of years! The look, vibe and music are amazing! Great cocktail menu, fun food choices and pretty good service. The bartenders are friendly enough, but sometimes can give the cold shoulder. I do love coming here and will continue.

Very good on many levels with one needed area of improvement. They are a welcomed addition to the neighborhood. The interior vibe is appealing: semi-upscale with a cross-mix clientele. It's dark. The Happy Hour is better than most in terms of selection and ends generously at 7:00 p.m. The Old Fashioned with rum (is that even a thing) was yummy. The tomato and cheese fried pie, soup and salad is good a value for $9. The chicken pot pie - not on Happy Hour - was sizable and better than average. And the asparagus was more than passable. The Ricotta Dumplings were very dense, I did not taste any ricotta. The were more like gnocchi al dente. ** The ordering process is semi-lame. No instruction as to where to order food and drink at the bar. So people are just all over the place elbowing seated customers while trying to get the attention of the two bartenders. Sometimes an orderly queue develops, other times not. I can't stand this Portland order-at-the-bar trend. It may or may not be more efficient, but definitely curtails additional drink orders (revenue) and reduces tips. The building is of historic significance, it's one of the earliest in the area. It would be cool if they displayed an old photograph. That said, the service was friendly and prices are overall fair. I'm looking forward to working the menu.

Lovely green themed throwback bar and lounge, with comfortable booths and sidewalk tables. The menu always has half a dozen creative craft cocktails, and if that's not your thing there is a full bar. Some snacks - enough to keep all us picky eaters happy. This week we walked over and sat inside. INSIDE! Woo-hoo. The door was open for good circulation of air and the number of folks was limited. There were plenty of tables on the sidewalk on Sandy, and around back a great area with more tables. A spot for everyone to feel safe in. It's good to be back among y'all again. We're emerging like cicadas after a long sleep and we need to stretch and make some noise. Can I buy you a drink?

Love the art deco and emerald green ambiance! Food is great and drinks are fantastic. The bartender was a real pro. Nice little place to go have drinks and a light meal on date night before an event. I like that this part of the neighborhood isn't chaotic with people. Portland needs more places like this one.

This spot is sooo cute. You walk in and order at the bar, then take a seat. The bartender made amazing cocktails, I had a blood orange margarita(which was perfectly spicy) and my friend, who is a martini connoisseur, had their tequila martini. We LOVED our drinks. We ordered curly fries, they came out with micro greens on top?? Yes plz. For dinner we got the shrimp n grits and the chicken sandwich. The shrimp came fried which i was surprised by, but it was super tasty. The side salad was a good size. Very neat place, perfect for friends or dates. I will be back.

Fun place and the cocktails were good. The burgers looked amazing but we did not eat there.

Is there anything better than a blood orange margarita? This cocktail lounge on NE Sandy offers a retro, cosmic vibe for the perfect night out with friends.

I got to give credit where it's due!! I accidentally stumbled in here yesterday night. & walking in I was just in shock of how cool it is and why haven't I ever heard of this place before!! First off it's theme of 60s diner. The bartender was nice right off the bat. The drinks were yummy! But the food OH MY GOSH, finger licking!!! You must have this chicken sandwich and their fries w herbs. They have huge large booths and I believe karaoke on weekends. We went in and it wasn't packed at all (surprisingly since it's such a cool spot) so having privacy with my partner there was nice. This is a hidden gem in Portland :)

Great food. Great service provided by lovely people. The ambience is unique and super chill. Love it. Never change.

Oh my! I like this place. Pretty sure this is the best corn dog I've ever had, and the martini sidecars made with New Deal Vodka are magic. You didn't have enough drinks on the airplane to be able to deal with the woke zoomers of Portland yet, or perhaps you're on the way TO the airport in which case you DEFINITELY need drinks. Either way, stop here and they'll fix you right up.

10/10 recommend. 50's vibes. Big big cute moon night light. Drinks were superb. The martinis were 50's style with a side of mini spirit chilled in ice- sweet touch. Great price for the amount of booze. Delicious booze. Beautiful presentation and tasty. Surprising authentic jukebox. The music was 50's, made us get up and do the shuffle after two drinks each. We got the fried chicken sandwich which was holy cow mom wow!!! Blew us away, glad we got it to share. Way too big for the mouths I know of. We had to eat it was utensils. Delish.

The Lift Off Lounge is out of this world! Great decor, fun jukebox, very well-crafted cocktails, and super tasty food. Be sure to try the shrimp cocktail - the warm fried saltines really elevate the dish. Other food items are equally tasty - they even have a vegan corn dog - yum. A favorite drink is the Ballrooms of Mars. The owner/bartender also makes an excellent Jungle Bird, and she is very friendly. This is one of our favorite bars, and is a quick walk from our house. Great vibe. We dig the cool retro booths. Even the bathroom has quirky touches. Highly recommend!!!

Today Kim and I stopped at the latest space age lounge in Portland, Oregon. We were overwhelmed by the AWESOME decor as we walked into the Lift Off Lounge! It liked the Jetson's meets a lounge in Portland, Oregon. Kim and I decided to have one of our favorite "OLD FASHIONEDS" that was generous, but no big ice cube or cherry. We did enjoy some great Happy Hour onion rings. Then we had to try fried ham and cheese pie, soup and salad also off Happy Hour. They also offered a 3 cheese fried pie or a veggie pie. Can't wait to go again!! LET'S DO A YELP EVENT HERE BABY !!

A fairly new bar to the NE Portland scene. I thought the decor was retro and the colors were amazing. We were able to get there for happy hour so the prices very good. I had a martini and my wife had an old fashion. We both thought the drinks were yummy. We also ordered a variety of food. The ricotta dumplings were crazy good. We really liked the fish and chips as well. This is some place I'd like to revisit on the way home from work real soon.

L.O.L is kinda 50-ish, or at least it wants you to think it is. It's got that Sputnik v. John Glenn mentality but it's hard to carry it off properly in the casual dress style of 2022. It's got a decent retro-feel juke box, and by golly that shows they really ARE trying, so plenty of cheers for that. But if they are going to try to be 50's shouldn't we customers try to push our game a little. I mean, we dress a little south of a Keokuk barn dance these days and poor Lift Off looks shabby because of it. The feng shui is all wrong too, not that that would have made two shakes difference in 1958. Get that Earl Stanley Gardner era narrow tie, your wing tip shoes and unfiltered Camels, and ... wait! Is that Della Street over there by the bar? Ohhhhhh, that's right, no smoking indoors (a good thing) anymore. How 50's is that?!?!

Decor, music, friendly staff and delicious food what else could you possibly need? Toilet seat covers, that's what you need. My guess is this business is male owned ‍. Overall I'll return for that wedge salad and shrimp cocktail!

I went here for the first time last week and I'm so excited this place opened up in the neighborhood! The cocktail menu is reasonably priced and has a good variety of classic, seasonal, and tropical cocktails. I had a tequila cocktail called La Perla, and it was tasty and strong! We only tried small bites from the food menu--the veggie critters and the shrimp cocktail. Both were again reasonably priced and delicious! The shrimp cocktail was also served in an interesting glass that made it seem more special. Loved the variety of the menu and that it's not all fried and greasy like some bars. But what really knocks this place out of the park is the decor! The green lights outside set a cool vibe that continues to the interior. The bar itself is beautiful with vintage green tube lighting at the ends of the bar shelves. There are green candle holders lining the bar, and even the upholstery on the seats is green. I love this theme since most bars are red, so I find this to be relaxing and refreshing. Overall, The Lift Off Lounge is a great addition to the neighborhood with its unique, Gatsby-esque atmosphere and a great cocktail and food menu. I'm looking forward to going again and becoming a regular! :)

Look for the bright green martini glass along NE Sandy and you'll find this hidden constellation. I love the look of this place and the way it hugs its triangle street location. The owners are very nice here and its a nice throwback to old jukebox music and modern style. I've had their meat pie and shrimp cocktail and while its small eats, they're very good! Definitely a spot to take photos at.

This was a cute spot that felt quintessential Portland. Loved the retro vibes and the cute music jukebox. Check this spot out for an intimate date night!

Invetive and delicious craft cocktails in a super fun atmosphere. And they've got great snacks. Three onion rings are to die for.

Small little quaint place, dark and very unique atmosphere. You walk in and order your food and drink from the bar, then find a table. The menu is very limited and changes often. We had the shrimp cocktail, fried mushrooms, and salad! The food was absolutely amazing! Perfectly crafted, you can tell the menu is special. The saltine crackers for the shrimp were SO good, baked and warm! The onion rings had a batter that was freaking amazing along with the side of dipping sauce that just melted in your mouth. A Gem in Portland!

Excellent atmosphere! Love the decorations, music, and decor. Delicious signature cocktails and food! I got the Ballroom on Mars and was so good!

Fantastic martinis and mixed drinks. Hand dipped corn dogs and Elota corn are great! Staff is very friendly and professional.

I adore the decor and vibe of this bar. This is very 1950s space kitsch. Beyond the decor, this bar is all style and little substance. It's hard not to jump to that conclusion when I was served the worst dirty martini I've ever tasted. To be fair, it IS a $6 happy hour martini made with well vodka. The bar was also slammed so I'm sure the bartenders were trying to get drinks made as quickly as possible. On the other hand, martinis shouldn't smell or taste like straight vinegar. *shudder* I'll try this place again once it feels like the kinks are worked out.

I don't typically post unless an impression was made, and it's safe to say impression made. I had the fried chicken sandwich. It needs to said that this was the best chicken sandwich I've ever had... in my life... ever... All other chicken sandwiches are on notice that they're not the very best in the world. My apologies to those eateries who wish to claim that honor, I'm afraid you're late to the party. The chicken is fried crispy to perfection and the meat was somehow moist and tender too. The slaw, pickles and fresh dill work together to form the perfect flavor. They slather it in a spicy mayonnaise, but it doesn't over power. The bun managed to hold all this together without being soggy or stale, just perfect. Oh yeah, it's roughly the size of a football... give or take. Also of note, the bartender was very helpful and mixed a mean margarita. We had onion rings too, which were good, but weren't really needed considering the sandwich situation. Very impressive local bar. I'd recommend if you're up for something new!

Super fun spot! We were looking for a new themed bar to try in Portland and this place exceeded our expectations. Some of the best cocktails I've ever had!!!

OH MY GOD! The food! Finally portland is back! I typically stop in for a quick rosé after work and the hospitality is always great but I had no idea the food was so amazing! Friday night the scene is great and the cocktail menu is so unique. So proud to own a business on the same block as this space. Please stop in!

Great music, great vibe, great drinks! We really dig the ambiance of this place. We instantly felt at ease in this low-key, fun-looking neighborhood bar. We got the Fall Spritz and we both really liked it! Can't wait to come back and try the food.

Calling all lounge lizards! If you need a place to lay your head low during these trying times The Lift Off Lounge is the place to be. Handcrafted cocktails, dim lights, and good music. This place has the vibes. Not to mention Emily our host made sure everything was taken care of from the moment we walked in. Let's keep places like this alive in Portland!

Great atmosphere, food and drink! 20-30 themed bar. Bartender was very nice and makes a great drink!

The first time stepping into The Lift Off Lounge I was transported through time. Sinatra filled the air. The vintage feel of the green vinyl lined booths and the white bar top made me feel at ease, like I literally was my father, in another time. A slew of draft beers enticed me, along with many local canned beer, but I chose a cognac old fashioned, and was not disappointed. I will be coming back for late night style and class!

The vibe is absolutely perfect for the location and size of this place. Dark, but not too dark, great food, an unpretentious laid back crowd, and super friendly bartenders and staff. The interior feels exactly like your hip grandmother's basement, with vintage "space age" fixtures and decor, and the theme continues to the ceiling which is painted a darker blue to make you feel like you're truly about to lift off into outer space. Lots of benches/one-sided booths line the walls for plenty of seating, and a handful wrap around for larger parties. Food and drink are fantastic as well - my group of friends actually started and ended a night here because we wanted another order of the zucchini and red pepper fritters! We also ordered a fried pie, the relish plate, and the ricotta dumplings, all of which were top notch. I do have to knock a star off for two reasons: the night we were there the HVAC was on the fritz (one of the staff kept having to hold the front door open to let in some cool air), and the dining area that's set down a couple steps from the bar is incredibly echoey when filled with people, making it impossible to hear the person next go you.

I had the onion rings and they are perfect. Also ordered the Italian Restaurant Salad. I asked for more dressing not knowing that the salad was already dressed because all features were placed on top dry. I asked for more dressing feeling like an asshole but glad I did. It's great! The only thing I would change is instead of calling the mozzarella just that.. go for the term ciliegine. It's the form of mozz you are using and sounds cooler. It means cherry sized and it's a cool talking point. Also the name of the salad sucks. Maybe like the DeVito or the Doo Wop or something. Italian Restaurant Salad? The beer selection is nice. I'll be back! Over all very pleased.

The bar is beautiful and the food and drinks are top notch- this is the kind of place the neighborhood needed! Another reviewer is unfamiliar with ordering at the bar- it's not difficult. Just order at the bar- geez.

What a beautiful place!!!! Bartender is super nice too. I WILL be back!!! The HH is amazing!

Rad rad rad! Amazing atmosphere, cocktails and the food is delicious. We had the chicken pot pie, dumplings and wedge salad- all amazing. Staff rocked too!

I love this place! Great Bioshock vibe with all the 1940s/50s style aesthetics. Great filthy dirty martini with Haku Vodka per recommendation of the bartender. I tried most of the starters and they were delicious, especially the onion rings. Those things are dangerously good! Will be going back regularly.

Welcome to the neighborhood! So glad this place opened. I've been saying that this neighborhood needed a proper cocktail bar and man, does this place deliver. Great cocktails, the food looks great and the staff is super sweet and welcoming. Great job guys, I'm excited to come in again.

This place has the best hot toddy, hands down. Fresh orange wedge, whole star Anise, and a Cinnamon Stick. I thought I had a cold coming on, and this took it right away, lol. The fried pies looked delicious but I have no patience, and you have to wait at the bar to order. Maybe I'll hit it again when there's no-one there, and check out that fried pie!

Last minute plans to join friends for a drink or two. Cool vibe, I like the spacy theme. Sat at a table, waited for service.... figured out needed to order at the bar. Now we know, but a tad confusing when you see a server clearing tables. Drink menu seemed interesting, I stuck with what I know (G&T) and didn't venture to try any of their specialty drinks. My friends enjoyed what they ordered. The Happy Hour food menu in my opinion could be updated and didn't have a lot to offer...unless you like pickles. I heard the chicken pot pie is worth trying. Worth checking out.

I love the atmosphere. It played classic music from a long-ago era. The bartender Shelby was very nice to me and a great conversationalist.

Went to this bar with a friend and we had a good time here. The vibe was good. The lounge itself was cute. I will definitely recommend this bar to a friend!

Nice decor and good vibe. Drinks were good and relatively inexpensive. Although it says so on the menu (not very noticeably), you need to order at the bar. And, not just anywhere at the bar, at the rubber mat in the center. There's the rub; even on a not particularly busy night, the bar ordering process is a real pinch-point. With only one bartender taking all drink and food orders as well as making all the cocktails, it's a slow process. Since they've only been open a few weeks, I suspect that they're still working out the kinks. I hope that the the future includes hiring some wait-staff and improving flow-time. The onion rings looked good but unfortunately the ones we ordered never arrived.

Emily is the sweetest bartender! she made me custom drinks she created on her own and they were delicious. she was so courteous willing to tweak the drinks to my liking though that was not needed because i love them.