Outdoor patio venues for rehearsal dinners and special events

Xport Bar and Lounge, from their website.

It’s winter here in Portland: short, damp days are the norm. But before we know it, summer will be here in full force. There’s nothing more glorious than a nice summer day in the Northwest. Everyone wants to spend time outside, so they head to one of our fine restaurants that have outdoor patio venues.

Are you thinking about having a special event or perhaps a rehearsal dinner using an outdoor patio venue? The time to plan that event is now. Once folks start shedding layers and ditching umbrellas, you can be sure that these special outdoor patio event spaces are already booked up.

Here’s a selection of outdoor patio venues for rehearsal dinners and special events in Portland, Oregon. All of them are unique; many feature great views of the city.

Departure

The view from the west patio of Departure Lounge is dramatic! ©Evrim Icoz Photography

This restaurant sits atop the historic Meier and Frank building next to the Pioneer Courthouse. Meier and Frank was THE Portland downtown department store, but is no longer with us. Much of the old building is taken up by The Nines Hotel. Departure features pan-Asian food and its outdoor patio features one of the most impressive views of the city!

Xport Bar and Lounge

The Xport is another downtown rooftop venue. Located above The Porter Hotel, XPort offers eclectic New American cuisine. The patio features sweeping views of the West Hills and the Cascade Mountains.

The Hairy Lobster

Located in the Pearl District, this seafood restaurant has a patio that is directly across from Jamison Square Park. This shaded outdoor patio can accommodate parties from 70-110 people. Editor’s Note 5/26/22: This venue has closed.

Revolution Hall

Revolution Hall.

This Southeast venue consists of the former Washington High School, a public school that served Portland from 1924 to 1981 and counted Linus Pauling as a student. It now hosts Revolution Hall, one of the city’s premier music venues, plus restaurants (including Martha’s), bars, and private event spaces. The Roof Deck Bar is an outdoor patio venue available for private events from mid-June to mid-September.

Shine Distillery

Shine Distillery’s Patio.

This new distillery is located on vibrant North Williams Avenue. Besides spirits, you’ll find a restaurant and a small patio overlooking the neighborhood. Williams Avenue really comes to life during the summer months, manifested in the scores of cyclists you’ll see bounding up the bike lane!

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Hope this list gives you some ideas for outdoor patio venues for rehearsal dinners and special events in Portland, Oregon. And again, we urge you to make your reservations early, and to call us if you need some help planning your event.

{Portland Wedding Coordinator’s Hot Tips} Six Venues Where You Can Party ‘Til Late

Here are six Portland wedding venue locations that we love that allow you and your guests to have music and dance way past the typical 10pm venue deadline.

Castaway

The first venue is Castaway Portland, a historic warehouse turned event spot in NW Portland that can hold up to 400 guests. Castaway has a great patio; if more outdoor space is needed, their neighbors Pomarius Nursery and Versailles Gardens can be rented. This venue allows for indoor music and dancing until late, depending on your preference and the 12-hour total event time limit. Both garden areas can remain open late as well, allowing guests to have cocktails and continue celebrating in these outside locations, though outdoor amplified music must conform to City of Portland ordinances.

World Forestry Center

Our second venue is the World Forestry Center, located in Washington Park. They offer many different indoor and outdoor combination options at this venue, which is only one of the many reasons we love them. You can choose to have their beautiful tent and enjoy the outdoor plaza, right next to Cheatham Hall, a great option for an indoor space. You and your guests can enjoy the outdoor area until midnight with amplified music, which makes for great late night dancing – a rarity in Portland. There is also the option of moving to one of their inside spaces.

Continue reading “{Portland Wedding Coordinator’s Hot Tips} Six Venues Where You Can Party ‘Til Late”

{ Portland Wedding Venues } “Under the Radar” with the Portland Wedding Coordinator

Under the Radar is a weekly blog series on Portland Wedding Coordinator, showcasing cool new or little-known Portland wedding venues that I’ve stumbled across recently. Many of our Under the Radar wedding ceremony and reception venues are ones you won’t yet find in the popular wedding guides. If you use one of these sites, please let them know you heard it here first!

Portland-weddings-at-lewis-and-clark-college

Photo by EJP Events via Instagram

Today we’re pleased to present the historic estate at Lewis and Clark College. Lewis & Clark College has been located on the historic Fir Acres estate in Portland’s southwest hills for more than 60 years. The Great Lawn and Reflecting Pool Gardens are the showcase of the campus.

Weddings at Lewis and Clark have true indoor-outdoor capabilities up to 162 guests – the Great Platt lawn can be used for an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour, paired with Stamm Dining Hall, an indoor banquet facility complete with tables and chairs – just add catering from one of the four exclusive caterers on the Lewis and Clark list.

For outdoor-only events with tenting or tent-for-backup, the Great Platt Lawn can accommodate into the hundreds of guests.

Or, if you would like an indoor ceremony and outdoor reception, you may pair the Agnes Flanagan Chapel with any of the outdoor locations. The chapel accommodates up to 500 people, featuring a magnificent
Casavant pipe organ, and stained glass windows. The chapel renovations include a new, elevated stage, a sophisticated sound and lighting system, and ADA accessible restrooms.

Finally, an important detail for outdoor weddings: the nearby Miller Building classrooms provide ample indoor, air-conditioned amenities for your getting-ready period, as well as modern restrooms for your
guests’ comfort.

EJP Events is happy to be recognized by Weddings at Lewis and Clark as a preferred planner. You
can download the official brochure here. Please feel free to contact me at info@ejpevents.com to begin your process of exploring the possibilities at this historic and elegant location. Additional indoor and outdoor wedding and rehearsal dinner sites are available – just let me know and I can give you the full tour!

Next week on Under the Radar: Mazamas Lodge, Government Camp – stay tuned…