The past decade has been flourishing for the Alberta Arts District in NE Portland, Oregon. What was once a desolate neighborhood of poverty and crime has transformed into a lively arts community centered around the beloved Alberta Street. Alberta Street is a 20-block promenade of restaurants, coffee shops, bars, art galleries, and some truly funky small businesses. The area is locally famous, and is only growing in popularity. Grab a friend and take a walk! Alberta Street has something for everybody.
Start the day at one of Alberta’s renowned breakfast restaurants, whether it be the quaint diner, Helser’s, or the all-organic and vegan friendly Tin Shed. Be aware, these restaurants can fill up fast on weekend, and you’ll find yourself waiting outside up to an hour for a table. However, seeing dozens of people huddled outside in the rain is of assurance to the high-quality breakfast waiting for you inside. Besides, both of these restaurants, and most others, have fresh pots of coffee for you while you wait. If you find yourself a member of this weekend rush, don’t get impatient. This is a perfect time to strike up a conversation with the bohemian locals.
As you walk off your full stomachs, there is a myriad of funky shops to keep your mind from slipping into a food coma. For the music lovers, drop in and play some instruments in Trade Up Music, or dig through the bins of Little Axe Records, a house converted into a record store. Shoppers will be delighted to pop in and out of several boutiques and vintage clothing stores. The east end of Alberta, between 26th and 30th, boasts a handful of local art galleries whose displays change every few weeks. The galleries host sculptures, paintings, installations or street art, and can range from fascinating to minimalist to downright creepy. If your timing is right, you may walk into an art show and can speak with the artists themselves while enjoying a complimentary glass of wine.
When night rolls around, the youth of Portland begin to roam Alberta in search of kicks at the local bars and cafes. Head to the Bye and Bye for pristine people watching and to taste it’s famous fruity cocktail served in a giant mason jar, called, you guessed it… the Bye and Bye. If you’re looking for a wild night out, walk down the street to The Know, Alberta’s ‘punk bar’ which has live bands performing every night. An hour at The Know will give you an authentic glimpse into Portland’s thriving subculture and underground music scene. Bands at The Know often move on into the national spotlight, so this venue gives you the chance to say ‘I knew them when…” to all your friends. If loud music and dancing never tickled your fancy, then seek refuge in the tranquil Random Order Pie Bar. Random Order is a small café that serves coffee, cocktails, and fresh baked pies. With its intimate and calm setting, Random Order is usually filled with aspiring writers and groups in deep conversation. They stay open late, for the ‘quiet night out’ folks, and have a local DJ every Wednesday whose spins mellow jazz beats while you munch on your pie.
The best time to visit Alberta Street is in the summer, when the shops and café’s open up to the sidewalk like a European dream, but every season has its own charm and magnificence here. Come take a walk, and the unique Alberta energy will leave you feeling rejuvenated and inspired.
