Aalto Lounge

This is the best Happy Hour I’ve been to in a long time. Amazing service from Kaeli and Andrew.

Another cool ass bar in Portland with more of a modern and urban feel to it. I like. I like a lot! The aesthetics of this place is truly pleasing to my eyes. They have a variety of drinks and even a whole section on their menu dedicated to «old fashioneds». So for all you O.F. lovers, I would highly recommend this place.
There’s a photo booth in the back (everyone loves a good photo booth picture when intoxicated) and seating in the back. There are candles and cushioned seats — which makes for a good date night, I would say. This area of the bar definitely gives off the loungey feel that you didn’t really see when you first walk in.
Then, theres even more seating in the patio out back!

Great happy hour. Pretzel was over cooked and the cheese sauce was hella garlic. Service was prompt but chilly. Place is packed with 20 something attractive whatevers. Place was cute but we aren’t into the pretty kid crowd. Seemed antiseptic.

Super modern place with an AMAZING happy hour. Drinks are delicious and priced just right, and the food is delicious. Super loungey ambiance and fun to just chill and talk. Music is a nice mix.

I’m really divided on how I feel about this place. The interior is ultra-​modern which isn’t really my style but their outdoor seating is awesome. The service was very pretentious, unwelcoming, and slow. It had a very minimal crowd on a weekday during happy hour and it took over an hour to get served one pretzel and one grilled cheese. The happy hour deals are incredible though. $ 2 can get you a variety of things on their daily happy hour 5−7pm — everything from cocktails to a large soft pretzel to a grilled cheese and cup of soup. They also have a decent beer selection. Unfortunately, they definitely expect you to tip well during happy hour because of the cheap prices, which I would have no problem with if the service was actually good.

I came in to this bar yesterday with a couple friends to try their $ 2 happy hour. We were all very impressed with both the food and drinks. They have a grilled cheese that comes with a tomato soup. The quality of the cheese and bread was very good, and the soup was to die for. I ordered a slow burn to drink, which does in fact have a slightly spicy burn after drinking. To cool down after I ordered the cucumber drink (The Dandy). Both drinks were excellent. I would really recommend this place for drinks with friends, the value of their happy hour is one of the best in town. The crowd was also pretty young, early 20’s mostly, and the music loud with lots of mood lighting.

Really good happy hour and really awful /​pretentious service from our bartender
We really took a gamble with this place given similar reviews about the service here.
I would HIGHLY recommend if you decide to go here to not sit at the bar, get a table and really brace yourself for a bartender who could care less if you’re around.
I’m not sure if a business like this can afford a bartender like this employed… The Cooks in the back did however, personally hand us our bites with a smile and some pride in their work.
Maybe it’s because we came in dressed up and the bartender thought we didn’t fit in… Sad, just sad.

The space is cool, went on a low night so not many other customers and we had our chance to sit in a few different spots. The bartenders were bartenders, not overly friendly, but made a good drink and we got them quickly, because again, no one else there. They had a DJ and he sounded alright, we were surprised for a weekend evening in the summer it wasn’t busy. but new to the area so we don’t know anything yet. Will definitely be back though, my cocktail was great. Cannot comment on food but the look of the menu there were more options for a veg than vegan, lots of cheese stuffs. They also have a digital photo booth.

Drinks ok, unfortunately piss poor attitude from the staff. We were in line close to end of happy hour, but should’ve qualified us for HH prices. Both the bartender and the kitchen staff (I’m assuming) snapped at us, the kitchen staff yelled at the bartender in front of us. Uncomfortable and unprofessional. Visiting from Seattle, my 4 friends and I will be sure not to return! There are plenty of bars nearby with staff who want our money!

Cool lounge décor with a choice of three different vibes: 1) outdoors on the large patio 2) just inside the patio door– an ultra modern, dark, lounge area 3) The space room near the bar –with a people watching window, a lounge area, loads of space at the bar and intimate tables.
Bartenders are friendly, cocktails are inventive and amazing! Happy hour (5:00−7:00pm) is crazy, ridiculously happy -$ 2 for 3 different craft cocktails (try them all!) finish with a yummy grilled cheese and cup of chunky cream of tomato with basil soup… so good!

Brooklyn-​chic haven for hipster dicknoses.
Shitty service, snobby staff, smelly clientele. Party at one table literally reeked of the molly sweats and hamster cage.
Couldn’t tell you about the booze (same as anywhere else) or the tomato soup (wait…tomato? in a soup? such a rarity!) because the staff were too cool for school to serve us– no shit, after waiting ten minutes at both a table and the bar, one of these twunts finally piped up with a «good riddance» when my girl said «let’s just go». We crossed the street and had a great night at Belmont Inn, where people were actually having a good time.

Three blocks from the boyfriend’s place, so we’ve been Working our way down the cocktail list, and there have been impressively all good! Grilled cheese and tomato soup as everyone states is delicious, and we never make it on time for the $ 2 happy hour, but it’s only $ 5 regularly and worth it. We got the grown up Jell-​O shots last Saturday out of curiosity… and they were refreshing! Grapefruit and tequila this time, but I’m told they rotate. The space is a bit schizophrenic, but those cocktails are really on point!

Aalto has a cool, dark, Scandinavian-​modern vibe that will leave you feeling pretty chilled. The cocktail menu is well-​thought out, complete with homemade shrubs and an ‘Old Fashion’ section, including Danish Aquavit. We didn’t imbibe on happy hour but I’ve never seen a place do $ 2 cocktails, impressive. Definitely worth a stop by on Belmont, I heard their patio is quite nice.

Smaller-​sized bar tucked away with absolutely fantastic happy hour specials. Their $ 2 cocktails are all equally delicious; get the Dandy if you are looking for something slightly sour yet very refreshing. You can also get a $ 2 grilled cheese with tomato soup which is an incredible deal. Bar service was quick, efficient, and humorous. The bar really never got crowded until the very end of HH; this makes me think this place still has yet to be discovered by the masses. The regulars here are very friendly, quirky, and pleasant to converse with. I’ll be back soon.

In the running for best happy hour in Portland. When a friend told me they had $ 2 cocktails at happy hour, I was thinking weak well liquor drinks – boy was I wrong. 4 cocktails (well, 3 cocktails and jello shots) that were all delicious? Perfectly crispy-​on-​the-​outisde, melty-​on-​the-​inside grilled cheese with dipping «soup?» Almost no wait for either of these things before a quick rush at 6:30? Check, check, check. The space itself is charming – high ceilings, modern/​urban décor (I especially love the angled mirrors above the bar), and a darkened back room combine for a cozy yet breezy feel. Fairly diverse crowd, a mix of friendlies and post-​business folk. The bartender was competent and witty. I will definitely be back sometime for HH, and am intrigued by the almost-​nightly DJs.

This place is way, way cooler than its façade let’s on. Squeezed in next to the Stumptown on Belmont, Aalto is well worth a visit. The interior is new-​Portland cool, with dim lights, geometric art designs, and plenty of mod-​lounge seating. Aalto also offers up some fresh air with its cande lit outside seating area. The overall effect is a space that is both hip and relaxed.
Ambience aside, Aalto gets all the stars because they understand how to do Happy Hour. Daily deals (5PM-​7PM) such as $ 2 cocktails, and $ 2 tomato soup and grilled cheese or fresh pretzel are guaranteed to leave you happy.

O M G — THE BEST GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH WITH TOMATO SOUP I HAVE EVER EATEN! Seriously, T. T the best. You need to try this ESPECIALLY during happy hour 5−7pm daily. Their happy hour menu is splendid — everything is $ 2:
1. Cocktails:
a. Slow burn — its spicy but its a not too bad! Last one I had had pineapple chunks in it :)
b. Belmont jewel — sweet and delicious! I’d recommend getting 2 of these!
c. The dandy — another good choice. I’d recommend getting 2 of these too!
d. grown-​up jello shots — the flavor changes day to day, but usually very flavorful. It looks fancy because they serve it to you in a larger shot glass cup and a spoon to scoop out the goodness.
*After happy hour, the cocktails are $ 6!
2. Food
a. Grilled cheese sandwich — refer to the opening line, that is all. GET IT.
b. Oven-​baked pretzel — comes with this yummy cheese sauce that I could drink because it tastes so great.
Andrew and Rachel, the bartenders that I have met here, are so wonderfully nice and friendly. (Oh, and Andrew made this yummy tequila sunrise for me. mmMm) Couldn’t ask for better people to run this place. Music changes from night to night due to DJs. Pretty dim lite with candles being the main source of lighting. Depending on the time and day, it can get really packed — but don’t fret! There’s outdoor seating as well, equipped with heating machines.

I am a fan indeed!
So Portland has a look, right? Everything that’s cool is kind of anachronistic and off-​kilter, like it was lifted from the Instagram account belonging to the unholy union of a lumbersexual and a steampunk aficionado. Well, Aalto says «screw you, established Portlandia aesthetic. I’m gonna be modern and urban and people are going to love me!» And it turns out people do. this place my jam.
It turns out that Aalto is named after a modernist Finnish designer, which makes complete sense. The space is clean and forward thinking, with design elements that are engaging but not distracting. the seating is varied, but it’s good for a date or a group. We had six people and took over a section with two low cushioned benches, and it was easy to talk and stay comfortable. I haven’t even made it out to the patio which looks to be equally awesome. Also, the night’s DJ was really, REALLY good.
But enough about the design. Let’s talk drinks! I mostly stuck with the Vieux Carre, a rye cocktail with benedictine, sweet vermouth and bitters. It was definitely spirit forward, which fits my taste in drinks perfectly. I did sample my husband’s Poison Waters (Aviation gin with cucumbers and some other stuff) and while it’s not something I would usually order, he really enjoyed it quite a bit. The cocktail list here is pretty impressive, with a whole section dedicated to variations on Old Fashioneds, which is where I’ll spend my time on the next visit.
So rumor has it they have a kick-​ass happy hour. I haven’t been, but that’s probably something to pay attention to. Either way, I’ll be back to Aalto soon. It’s a great spot in a solid little block for nightlife.

I’ve only had the chance to visit this place a few times, but every time, it’s been beyond what I expected.
The layout of the lounge is cozy and at times tight. There’s a nice long bar where the bartenders and DJ hide out, tables against the walls, and a little hideaway on the other side of the bar. Despite this, people keep coming back and back again and I think it has to do with the superb customer service. The bartenders happily pour your drinks and these days, I find that refreshing. I would highly recommend not getting a Dirty Shirley (vodka+Shirley Temple) as it tasted like those super fragrant markers you’d color with from elementary school.
I just missed their happy hour during the last visit, but I hear it’s great! $ 2 well drinks and $ 2 grilled cheese just to name a few of their happy hour items!
Aalto is such a prime bar for dates (the lighting sets such a romantic tone) or a group hang out as it is convenient for a nice barhopping adventure.

I hate to give away this secret, but it’s the best happy hour in town. 2 $ grilled cheese, on real homemade bread and chunky tomato soup cup. but a drink too as the 3 listed for happy hour are all artisan and amazing! tip super well cuz it’s insane they even treat us this great!
they totally cater to being a neighborhood bar which I like. hay friendly and a queer event every someday based on a schedule. look it up on their website.