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Name: Sapphire Hotel
Address: 5008 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR, 97215
Telephone: (503) 232-6333
Price range: Under $11
Rating: 4.21

Sapphire Hotel

5008 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR, 97215

(503) 232-6333
Store is closed

Sapphire Hotel Menu

Starters

Nuts & Olives

Pickled Veggies

Soup du Jour

French Onion Soup

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Tandoori Spiced Chicken

Artichoke & Arugula Dip

Mussels & Clams

Salmon Corn Cakes

Seared Sea Scallops

Nuts & Olives

Pickled Veggies

Soup du Jour

French Onion Soup

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Tandoori Spiced Chicken

Artichoke & Arugula Dip

Mussels & Clams

Salmon Corn Cakes

Seared Sea Scallops
Greens

Sapphire

Caesar

Panzanella

Green Bean Salad

Sapphire

Caesar

Panzanella

Green Bean Salad
Entrees

Sapphire Burger

Roasted Beet Burger

Parmesan Risotto Cakes

Pomegranate Glazed Flatiron Steak

Butternut Squash Enchiladas

Sapphire Burger

Roasted Beet Burger

Parmesan Risotto Cakes

Pomegranate Glazed Flatiron Steak

Butternut Squash Enchiladas
Platters

Meze

Farmers Platter

Meze

Farmers Platter
Happy Hour

Cup of Soup

Sapphire Salad

Caesar Salad

Tandoori Chicken

Pita Pizza

Meze Platter

Artichoke Dip

Salmon Cakes

Cup of Soup

Sapphire Salad

Caesar Salad

Tandoori Chicken

Pita Pizza

Meze Platter

Artichoke Dip

Salmon Cakes
Eat

Nuts and Olives

Pickled Veggies

Soup du Jour

Sapphire Salad

Caesar Salad

Meze

Tandoori Spiced Chicken

Pita Pizza

Artichoke and Arugula Dip

Salmon Corn Cakes

Nuts and Olives

Pickled Veggies

Soup du Jour

Sapphire Salad

Caesar Salad

Meze

Tandoori Spiced Chicken

Pita Pizza

Artichoke and Arugula Dip

Salmon Corn Cakes
Sweets

Ginger-Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee

Molten Chocolate Lava Sundae

Cinnamon Sugar Bread Pudding

Single Fromage

Ice Cream

Ginger-Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee

Molten Chocolate Lava Sundae

Cinnamon Sugar Bread Pudding

Single Fromage

Ice Cream
Beverages

Stumptown Coffee

Rhubarb or Juniper Dry Soda

Foxfire Tea

Lemonade

Eddie's Fancy

Italian Soda

Perrier

Shirley Temple Soda

Stumptown Coffee

Rhubarb or Juniper Dry Soda

Foxfire Tea

Lemonade

Eddie's Fancy

Italian Soda

Perrier

Shirley Temple Soda

Healthy Meal suggestions for Sapphire Hotel

Starters

Nuts & Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pickled Veggies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup du Jour [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Onion Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon Wrapped Dates [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tandoori Spiced Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Artichoke & Arugula Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels & Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Corn Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Sea Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nuts & Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pickled Veggies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup du Jour [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

French Onion Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Bacon Wrapped Dates [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tandoori Spiced Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Artichoke & Arugula Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Mussels & Clams [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Corn Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Seared Sea Scallops [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Greens

Sapphire [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Panzanella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Bean Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sapphire [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Panzanella [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Green Bean Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Entrees

Sapphire Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Beet Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Parmesan Risotto Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pomegranate Glazed Flatiron Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Butternut Squash Enchiladas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sapphire Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Roasted Beet Burger [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Parmesan Risotto Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pomegranate Glazed Flatiron Steak [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Butternut Squash Enchiladas [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Platters

Meze [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Farmers Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meze [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Farmers Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Happy Hour

Cup of Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sapphire Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tandoori Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pita Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meze Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Artichoke Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cup of Soup [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sapphire Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tandoori Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pita Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meze Platter [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Artichoke Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Eat

Nuts and Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pickled Veggies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup du Jour [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sapphire Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meze [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tandoori Spiced Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pita Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Artichoke and Arugula Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Corn Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Nuts and Olives [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pickled Veggies [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Soup du Jour [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Sapphire Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Caesar Salad [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Meze [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Tandoori Spiced Chicken [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Pita Pizza [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Artichoke and Arugula Dip [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Salmon Corn Cakes [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Sweets

Ginger-Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Molten Chocolate Lava Sundae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cinnamon Sugar Bread Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Single Fromage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ginger-Vanilla Bean Creme Brulee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Molten Chocolate Lava Sundae [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Cinnamon Sugar Bread Pudding [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Single Fromage [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Ice Cream [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]
Beverages

Stumptown Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rhubarb or Juniper Dry Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Foxfire Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eddie's Fancy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Italian Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Perrier [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shirley Temple Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Stumptown Coffee [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Rhubarb or Juniper Dry Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Foxfire Tea [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Lemonade [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Eddie's Fancy [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Italian Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Perrier [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

Shirley Temple Soda [ Carbohydrates (ms): 0, Sodium (s): 0, Saturated Fat (ms) : 0, Calories: 0, Sugar (ms): 0 ]

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Write An Anonymous Review

Chris R.

Great cocktails, atmosphere, and food.
(4)
Jay B.

Came here to wet my whistle. On a real scorcher theres nothing i crave more than a steaming hot bowl of cream cheese and artichoke. Looking for a hottie with a naughty body? The chef resembles a young Larry Bird crossed with Rodney Dangerfield. Break me off a piece of that.
(4)
Albert R.

First off let me say my family and I fell in love with Portland, this restaurant had a story to tell and we wanted to hear it. Whether it's true or not that this building was used as a brothel back in the old days was not as interesting at the ambiance and menu that where before our eyes. A environment that seemed to have Been cultivated from pioneer charm, and a type of eccentricity that I simply love and appreciate. The food was amazing I Chose the charcuterie plate, my sister the seared scallops, and my girlfriend the risotto cakes with chicken. Although the Chinese five spice was a little weird with the Italian style risotto which was in a small puck form and fried, it was still interesting enough to warrant a conversation regarding the food and ambiance. I would highly recommend this place to friends and family and I will be returning in the future.
(4)
Laurel J.

I've always thought of the Sapphire Hotel as a place to go for cocktails after dinner. After a complete revamping of their prolific cocktail menu (seriously edited down), they've made room for some incredibly delicious food. Dinner included. Sapphire Hotel has always operated like a well oiled machine - efficient and friendly. The atmosphere is romantic and sexy (former brothel, mind you) without seeming pretentious or trying too hard. It's like a self confident woman who is who she is, take it or leave it. Cocktails are always on par and the bartenders know their craft. We had the clams and mussels in a coconut curry broth and it was excellent. We also ordered the flank steak and risotto cakes with scallops. All very, very well done. Please also note there are lots of vegetarian options along with gluten-free change-outs on the menu. Something for everyone. We were seriously pleased with the menu changes now giving us an option for coupling tasty, inventive cocktails with dinner fare.
(5)
Rylan A.

Cannot get enough of this place. Outstanding customer service above all, with an excellent happy hour. $4 house wines. The artichoke dip and salmon corn cakes make me die in all the right ways.
(5)
Shy A.

Came by for HH and loved how initmate and charming it was...since that day, we've come back on a weekly basis. Hey guy! Hey guy! Is a fantastic drink and practically the only thing we order....the most popular drink is a sweet one but one you have to try because of the pop rocks. The food is veggie friendly but seem to always lean towards the bacon wrapped dates which are tasty. Ton of drink choices, good service without hovering and overall a fantastic place to kick back with a few drinks and catch up on what's good.
(4)
Olivia P.

This place is amazing. I sat at the bar and watched the bartender work. He is truly an artist - very talented and fast! He does all the fancy cocktails for the whole place by himself. They are super complex and use high-quality liquor and juices. I had several drinks and all were great. The marionberry margarita was especially amazing. Would recommend sitting at the bar and watching him work. I also had the happy hour salad and artichoke dip and both were really cheap and delicious.
(5)
Heather C.

I want to like this place because it's cozy and romantic at nighttime and I'm always looking for an establishment with the right lighting to make me look glamorous. Who isn't? Their cocktail menu is extensive as well as creative, so that, along with the model glow is why I go back. Oh, the snacks also past my snack test. My main complaint is that the staff can often be a little unwelcoming and it ruins the sexy, at ease vibe. If I feel like I'm harshing your mellow by showing up with 2 gal pals and ordering a few drinks (and we are well-behaved, mind you), I can find another bar to visit. If it's just you and a date, you're probably going to be fine. If you're a group of 3 or more, prepare to apologize for your presence.
(2)
Lily S.

Just about the sexiest bar to find a glass of wine and a fancy burger in Portland. When I went with friends a couple weeks ago, the lights were dimmed and there were lots of candles lit. We loved the whole experience (including the absolutely enormous ladies room). *The Sapphire Burger is the best burger I have eaten in Portland. Bigger and more expensive than a Little Big Burger, but cheaper than a Yakuza burger and with the added perk of truffled yam chips.
(5)
Bill K.

Really slow. Sat at the bar which we thought would be a smart move, but apparently the bartender doesn't have time to look up at customers. Some waitress took our order after a considerable wait. The drinks took even longer to come out. Guess they went to the store to buy limes or something...we had margaritas and they weren't even good (way too sour). Then we had to wait to find a random waitress to settle up again. The bartender acted like she was doing us this huge favor by finally cashing us out. Place was cozy and had good music on, so maybe not just one star...
(2)
Carolyn S.

Really cute little place! Homey atmosphere and friendly service. My husband and I met a friend here on Sunday night for some live jazz and food. The jazz group was good and the sound was surprisingly not overwhelming for such a small space. I had the vegetarian burger which, I'll be honest, wasn't my favorite. It didn't have a burger texture (I'm not talking meat, it didn't even have a veggie patty consistency) but seemed more like a scoop of quinoa and beet mushed together. It tasted very healthy and didn't have the oomph I look for in a veggie burger. The sweet potato chips were excellent however and the cocktail I had was quite complex and delicious. I'd go back for live jazz!
(4)
Brittanie M.

I had been wanting to try this place forever! It is very cute and the service was pretty above average. I certainly noticed they were good about keeping the water glasses filled,which I really appreciate. That being said, I also took note of the bathroom. It was clean! A big plus. But I also noticed a cute sign explaining that the bar would pick up cab fare for anyone unable to drive home from drinking too much. I really think all bars ought to operate this way, it's ultimately a win-win situation and keeps everyone safer! Anyway, I only had a beer on this visit but I'm confident they've got great cocktails.
(4)
Maxene A.

5 stars:] The ambiance is sexy, the cocktails are delish, the food justifies the calories and it always screams swanky date night! Welcome to Sapphire Hotel, where you can come with a friend to consume and converse, or with a date for relaxed evening. set up:] The insides are dimly lit with deep red sexy lighting. The tables are small, but allows for great one on one space. It's just a touch too loud however it takes care of any awkward ease dropping, and makes you lean in close for good conversation. Le Menu:] -Cocktails are all hand crafted, run $9 and taste just as described, no mass produced flavoring syrups, but hand crafted love and creative names. -Starters are great for snacking between sipping. 9$ bacon wrapped dates, $3 nuts and olives, $8 artichoke & arugula dip. -Entrees start at $10 and range from burgers to risotto cakes -nothing has been a disappointment yet. -Desserts are only $7 and ginger-vanilla bean creme bru-lushious! tasty! Honorable Mention:] -The menu has a glossary! this is so nice,especially when you're not fluent in the cocktail world (raising my hand, awkward smile). this breaks down the taste to expect from the given cocktail. -Daily Happy Hour from 4 to 6. drink specials and $3 soups and salads, $6 chicken dishes, and $6 salmon cakes. Pretty good place to unwind at :)
(5)
Sarah C.

Sapphire Hotel is as good as it gets. In March I had a birthday gathering with over 20 guests. Sapphire Hotel doesn't take reservations but at the time I didn't know that. I contacted the manager via email & she had no problems helping me out especially since I contacted her well in advance. She fell ill that evening but she still managed to contact her staff & request the back area to be saved for my event. I was so appreciative of her & our one server for the night. I can't recall her name but she did an impeccable job taking care of our group that ended up seating all over the Sapphire Hotel. HH is everyday from 4pm-6pm & Sun-Thurs 10pm-close. The apricot blonde cocktail ($6) is my favorite from this menu. Spicy & sweet, just the way I like my drinks. Caesar salad ($3) isn't that good so you can skip that item. The meze ($5) on the other hand is great. It's big enough to share or have it all for yourself. They'll refill the pita once you run out, too. The food menu ranges from $2-$6, well drinks & wine are $4, & PBR is just $2. Try the desserts. We ordered the molten chocolate lava sundae & not a speck of cake or ice cream was left on the plate. It's good. Very good. "The most popular drink" ($9) is on my list to try the next time I'm back at the Sapphire Hotel. Pop rocks in a cocktail has to be awesome, right?!
(5)
Lisa B.

Who could not love a restaurant that has 10 pages of cocktails and only 1 page for food. I don't have time to be distracted with all these food choices. I have drinking to do! After 4 of the most delicious cocktails possible I don't care what kinda burger you put in front of me. Although, the beet burger is awesome and the bacon wrapped dates are better than most dates I've brought here.
(5)
Heidi C.

Our drinks took too long. They weren't very strong. The appetizer lacked creativity. There was a super awkward date going on, to my left. An old man and a rather plump woman half his age. On the right was a couple making out on the couch. I threw up in my mouth a little and we left.
(3)
Candice R.

I had never been here before, and went for my friend's birthday. I was the first to arrive, and cringed when I walked in because it was pretty small, and I felt bad because I knew a lot of people would be coming. So, I sheepishly asked a server if she could help me rustle up some tables. She and another server WERE AMAZING! They were SO accommodating; they didn't roll their eyes at all--and joked around with me about which couples at various tables would probably be leaving soon, so we could snag their tables. They were able to get us all seated together in a matter of 10 minutes! In addition, my friend ordered a drink that she ended up not liking, and she sheepishly sent it back (she felt terrible doing such a thing!) and they were so nice about it and told her not to worry about it, and made her a different drink for free. So, now that I know this place is not for large groups, I will not put them out next time I go. However, they never did let on whether or not they were put out in the first place! Good job, Sapphire hotel! Also, great ambiance and killer cocktails!!
(5)
Jess P.

It's all been said before, but this place is one sexy spot. Whoddathunk that taking your date to a former house of debauchery would be the starting point for a perfect night of romance....and really good food and drinks. Eat, Drink, Kiss. I'm going to be honest here. I wasn't absolutely, totally blown away by the butternut squash enchiladas. They weren't bad at all (the cheese was a tad bit grainy) but I tried the risotto cakes and those guys blew my enchiladas straight out of the water. Even the pickled veggies impressed me more. But of course, that could just be because the other dishes were real, real, reaaaal good. Oh, and about the bread pudding. Um, we all agreed its the best bread pudding in the world. So now that we've got that settled, you can quit looking. Come here. Stuff yourself. The spotlight though must be directed to the drinks. Super creative cocktails that are fun and strong. I put all of my faith in the bartender, who surprised me with fantastically concocted cocktails. I do not regret letting him decide my method of inebriation for the night, whatsoever. It's a wonderful place for a date night, or hanging out with friends. Swanky, sexy, cool. The servers/bartenders are sweethearts, and what they serve you up will likely blow you away.
(4)
Katie C.

I wanted to go somewhere "new" on a first date and all of my friends suggested Sapphire. We showed up around 9pm on a Friday and it was crowded but we took a seat at a unique bar-style table that was a bit more private than the actual bar. The staff was attentive without being overbearing and the drinks were DELICIOUS. We got the "most popular drink" and the "scotch egg" and taste tested both. The pop rocks aren't just a novelty - they definitely add to the flavor of the drink! The atmosphere is relaxed and has great low lighting for a romantic evening. It is the perfect spot for conversation, just don't come here hoping to mingle! It is set up more like a restaurant. The area is also pretty secluded from other hip bars. There are several dives nearby but they all looked pretty dead.
(4)
Sarah B.

Sapphire Hotel had me at hello. Neither Sapphire in color nor an actual hotel, the place's odd moniker and rep for being a smokey, sexy first-date spot (complete with low lighting and strong drinks to help awkward couples break the touch barrier) kept me at bay for far, far too long. Far be it from me to give my gaggle of unruly out-of-town guests, family-friendlies and general hooligans the wrong impression by arranging to meet them for an intimate affair, so Sapphire stayed on my to-visit list for a few years before last Sunday. Casting about for a place to eat before heading out for a movie, I remembered Sapphire and decided to give it a shot sight unseen. It's in that little bend in the road on Hawthorne, so it's a little awkward to get to, but as soon as we stepped through the door I knew I'd found a hidden gem - and fell immediately in love. Dark, richly colored walls adorned with heavy-framed mirrors, a quirky, burlesque-y loft display, candlelight and perfectly perfect mismatched details all add up to far more than the sum of their parts - the place OOZES atmosphere. I wanted to move in right then and there. But then. Oh, then! The drinks came. I ordered hot tea - usually something that gets a sneer at some of Portland's Other Adult Establishments. And yet! Mine came in a cute little pot, with a mug and saucer and spoon and pitcher of milk and assortment of sugar cubes and even the fake sugar I like because I am secretly an old lady. Heart palpitations! And the cocktails! Holy heaven in a cordial cup! The Bijou is my new favorite gin drink - and I do not say that lightly. I'm a self-appointed gin evangelist, and take my gin pretty seriously (and, let's be honest, pretty copiously). From the 99 1/2 at Vintage to my home-concocted Aviations, gin is Serious Business in the Sarah B. household. And the Bijou, my friends, is a transcendental gin beverage. I even took a picture of the menu listing, risking flash-photography embarrassment, so I can attempt to recreate it in the comfort of my own kitchen. I could go on. But we're all pressed for time here, so let me sum up by saying that whatever your boozy fancy, you'll find something that exceeds your expectations here. Try something different and you'll stumble into a new favorite. Let's move on to the digestibles, shall we? We started with dip (artichoke), dates (bacon-wrapped, goat-cheese stuffed), and one helluva cheese plate. ALL FANTASTIC BEYOND MY WILDEST DREAMS. The cheese plate was PERFECT - figs, grapes, bread, and hearty portions of the nommiest cheeses; the artichoke dip was 10x as delicious as any artichoke dip I've ever had (really) and the dates - 'nuff said. Main courses! I had the beet burger - which was a gamble for me, considering I don't like beets. But the quinoa sold me so I took a gamble and won the veggie burger lottery - so. freaking. good! Perfect texture, perfect moisture, perfect flavor, perfect bun, even. It even came with some unexpectedly delightful sweet potato chips on the side. I could barely contain myself - seriously, I kept rhapsodizing between bites until people started looking at me funny. My only regret is my constantly wavering commitment to my girlish figure - it was heartbreaking to have to stay my hand from ordering dessert - everything sounded amazeballs. Next time, Sapphire Hotel. Next time.
(5)
Janelle M.

This was my first time here and I was quite impressed. The drinks were good, the service was fantastic, and he food was fabulous. The artichoke and arugula dip to die for!! I will be back!
(5)
Amanda S.

I love this place! The drinks are so much fun! Pear martini is just SO pretty! I also had the best drink of the house (something like that- it had pop rocks in it) and it was creamy and fabulous! The food is pretty yummy too! I have had salad and also the Parmesan risotto cakes and both left me happy. This is a fantastic place for people watching and for relaxing. I will be back for sure!
(5)
Shanti A.

Butter nut squash is seriously off the chain. Place is a romantic panty dropper. Music and specialty drinks
(5)
Noel Y.

Had a date there last night. It's a cool spot, but not mind blowing. I'm being picky in that Portland has a lot to offer. The food and drinks were good. I like the candle light ambiance. But it's loud. The tables are a bit close together. No reservations, so time it right, or deal with a line out the door. I thought that the food portions were a bit small. Salads and desert was great. Again, i am being picky. It's an ok place, but for the money, there are better spots in Portland.
(4)
RJ H.

On rare occasion you run into a trifecta of 5 star satisfaction and from my perspective The Sapphire Hotel earns that reputation... Cool relaxed vibe ...perfect for after 10 pm hanging drinking or eating An amazing bartender and waitstaff Consistently delicious food and drink choices The service is always prompt I love the immediate let's get started with drinks . We had some questions about alternatives to using traditional ingredients for a Negroni...the waitperson was helpful with great gin ideas and before we could spell Aperitif the bartender came over with various samplings of bitters to try. ..and ladies I was reminded this bartender looks a bit like Brad Pitt or a young Val Kilmer ...I could not deny this..and he's simply a very cool dude We cant resist the bacon wrapped dates( multiple orders) and this time around shared the flat iron steak with potatoes and veggie.. Simple and cooked perfectly Whether salads, starters. Or entrees( an excellent simply cooked burger) are all quality choices... It's a place where lingering is a must...nightcaps are always in order. Excellent service food, waitstaff and bartender....and one of the best vibes in PDX.
(5)
Laura F.

Haven't enjoyed an eating/drinking experience so much in a long time. I'm still thinking about the beautiful cheese plate. I need to taste my way thru the drink menu now. I went with the Manager Choice and I must say...best cocktail I've ever had. Just need to plan my next date here soon!
(5)
Jessica K.

Lady and the Tramp have nothing on this place. Sharing spaghetti in an alley while some guy plays you some tired song? That's so 1955... Nowadays you want to hit up some sexy intimate spot with some killer drinks and good eats. Sapphire Hotel is that spot. As romantic as this place, is, it's not a bad place to hit up with a group of friends for happy hour either. Need extra space? Sit outside. The service is top notch, and they have some really affordable food and drink options. The apricot blonde drink with pepper infused vodka is excellent. So is the tandoori chicken. The caesar salad? Not so much, but for $3 it's hard to complain too much. Now, back to the real reason we're here. Date night. The dark, lantern-lit decor sets the mood for cozy evening. I prefer the couch in the back and have been lucky enough to snag it twice. They have a really good beer list with rotating taps, but you owe it to yourself to try their cocktails. The names and accompanying descriptions are fun and flirty, but this is a bar that means business. They carry the good stuff and have a strong whiskey and scotch list to match that stellar beer, wine and cocktail offering. Get the cheese plate. Is your date vegan or GF? Never fear, they'll be happy here too. Their motto is Eat. Drink. Kiss. I think it's more along the lines of Eat. Drink. Get Laid. Enjoy!
(4)
Jenna C.

This place is perfect for a date, ladies night or a nice intimate gathering. Food is good, drinks are good, staff is super attentive and nice and the ambiance is spectacular. A solid choice for happy hour.
(4)
Dardee L.

The first time we visited it was wonderful. Both the food and service were outstanding. This time...the service from multiple employers was hostile. We felt very uncomfortable and embarrassed that we took two other couples with us. The dirty looks and snide comments from the staff was uncalled for and unprofessional.
(2)
Eric S.

The Sapphire is my favorite spot for drinks on Hawthorne. The menu is always mixed with creative concoctions. The food options are solid as well. Service is consistently good. Late nights will get busy; be patient. Happy Hour is excellent here. #sapphirehotel
(5)
Heather S.

Sapphire Hotel is my new favorite place! It's swanky, intimate, and romantic! They have a huge drink menu (didn't taste those though), incredibly delicious food, and the best, warmest, friendliest, most generous service of any restaurant in Portland! It's rare to find a beautiful and hip restaurant that doesn't have attitude, but Sapphire Hotel does it! I was there with my parents who'd eaten just a short time before and wanted to share the steak. Unlike most places that become snarky, Sapphire Hotel server was incredibly nice about it. And, then, the steak came out and the portions -- charged for 1 -- were nearly the same size as my partner's steak! When we ordered their incredible sundae with caramel and homemade pistachio brittle, they added on their warm chocolate cake, which was AMAZING! It was so kind of them! We stayed for the incredible 1920's and 30's jazz music band (Inspired Beets: therecordstache.com/2012â€¦ ), it was amazing, Sapphire Hotel became like a speakeasy, and the warmest service, delicious food, and incredible music (I love that time period and music!), was blissful: like stepping back in time!
(5)
Steve H.

The dark red interior has a vaguely Asian British Empire vibe, like some lounge in 19th century Singapore. It's swanky as heck in a smoldering sexy way. Very romantic. This is a great date place--as the clientele you see there will attest to. It's a fairly small, intimate space with a confident sophistication rarely found in Portland, and yet it's refreshingly cozy and inviting rather than pretentious. It's on Hawthorne after all--nearly out at Mt. Tabor--not downtown. The staff are friendly and efficient and drop-dead gorgeous. They make mighty fine cocktails there as well. This place and I share a common love for the Manhattan cocktail, and they make 'em here with love. They used to make a version on the rocks called the "Tom Waits". You can still get it if you ask.
(4)
Laura S.

Can I say... Holy Hell, Spectacular! Quite possibly the coolest place I've ever had dinner and drinks at. The lighting, atmosphere, food, and drinks are all outstanding. I had called a couple days in advance to inquire about a large party stopping in before an event later in the evening. After being told that they did not take reservations per-say, the hostess told me that if I called a half hour ahead, they would get the tables ready and hold them for 15 minutes after our estimated arrival time. This worked out great!! Each of our party ordered a couple of the infamous cocktails, and each and every single one was mouthwateringly good. I had "The Other Woman" and "Cherry Blossom Girl", they were so unusual and wonderful. For an appetizer I had the artichoke dip, and a bacon cheeseburger for the main course. I have absolutely no complaints whatsoever about anything that came to our table. Oh, I am so going back. I simply need to sample every individual item on the menu, at least a couple times =)
(5)
Eliza D.

Great vibe. We had a very pleasant waitress, it was slow- so maybe she was happy to have people to take care of. I didn't get the other reviews about the weak service- we had a nice experience, a group of 4- yummy cocktails, figs wrapped in bacon were pretty much to die for and went great with the whiskey drinks:) We will be back.
(5)
Jeremy L.

Have been here twice, and been very impressed both times. Great tap list, creative mixed drinks, and great food. Cozy atmosphere (if not a little tightly packed in) Worth checking out, for sure.
(5)
Deanna N.

Ultimate quintessential date spot - uber dark zen with asian red the and the most flattering lighting. Bacon wrapped dates and creme brulee with ginger a must. Love sitting at the bar and eves dropping in on blind dates - heh!
(5)
Tim R.

Cocktails Cocktails Cocktails This place has that cool, I'm in a random place setting, with A LOT of specialty cocktails. Although the cocktails I tried were whatever and a bit strong, I would come again to try others. The place was packed and busy but we were able to get a table on a late Friday night with "no reservations" **. I did not try their food so the review is just based on cocktails. ** Anthony Bourdain reference
(3)
Brandy V.

Very cool place with great cocktails and excellent food. I've had the mussels in coconut curry broth a few times and it is consistently tasty. The steaks I've ordered have also been very good. Great atmosphere, and a fun place to get drinks and/or dinner. Nice staff and good service.
(5)
Eli B.

Cocktails and food were worth the wait! Very laid back atmosphere with attentive service.
(5)
Kemi A.

This is a place that takes you back into time where the Ladies of the Night drank, socialized, met their customers, and probably did some blow in the Powder Room circa 1920. So this is totally my kind of place!!!!! I had a drink called Room Service. Do I know what was in it? Nope. Do I care? Not really? But that drink made me feel scandalous. Top that off with a side of pita bread, olives, and hummus and you have a winner. The decor is super cute (you must check out the bathrooms!) and the music takes you back. This place reminds me slightly of the Violet Hour in Chicago (another adorable place!), only a bit more slutty. Me likey. I could spend hours here. I could spend all my $$ here. Like your favorite prostitute, you'll keep coming back for more.
(5)
Carissa M.

The "trust the bartender to make you something fun" cocktails have always been fun and a delight, the food is excellent and the bar itself is a treat. What is not to like?
(5)
Ziyan C.

Great spot to grab drinks. I'd call the decor dimly-lit-classy-quirky. If you look closely at the host stand at the door, you'll notice it's actually a giant sewing machine. There are all sorts of non-matching but cute pillows on the seats along the wall. Every light fixture is different but independently beautiful and antique-y. We sat in this big leather chairs by a fake fireplace and I felt like I was in someone's living room at a house party, enjoying some delicious drinks. Our server gave me a good drink rec after I described what I usually like (light, refreshing, tart or spicy). Once we ordered a round it became increasingly difficult to get her attention though - it got pretty busy in there, and even though we were right by the bar she often walked right past us without really checking if anyone needed her. Love the fun drink names/descriptions... * You're not my real dad - 4 stars Broken promises can only take one so far. (Bourbon, *scotch syrup, Punt e Mes, *cedar bitters, smoke. Short. $8) My friend got this. Comes in a classic scotch glass on a metal coaster. With a cigarette - a REAL cigarette - on the coaster. Hilarious. On the drink itself - not my type of thing, but my friend loved it (he goes for old-fashioned's quite often) * The Bold Friend - 4.5 stars He offers a solution to all your problems, but he will also date your ex. (Gin, lemon, *ginger-red jalapeÃ±o syrup, *habeÃ±ero shrub and ginger beer. Tall. $8) Loved loved this! Exactly what I was looking for. Definitely spicy, just enough to not be overwhelmingly so, and comes even with a pepper on the glass. The flavor mixes well surprisingly with the gin, not usually a base that I like. I think the ginger beer added the "light refreshing & tart" component I often look for in a drink.
(4)
Kirsten Q.

Awesome drinks, great food, cozy atmosphere, super friendly service. My husband and I were really happy we found this place. We will be back!
(5)
Ian H.

Every single time I come here, I am reminded at how awesome this place is. They serve up some of the best drinks in town and they definitely earn some bonus points for creativity and clever naming like the "you're not my real dad" which is a fantastic cocktail that is served with a cigarette on the side. The only bummer about that is you really wanna smoke it in the bar while you sip away but those days are long gone in portland's renegade past. The friend farmer is another good one. It's a gin cocktail served with cranberry shrub and a sprig of rosemary. A word to those who ask "what the hell is shrub?" Google that shit. Basically, it's drinking vinegar and it tastes amazing. I could really go on and on about several other cocktails they have but I don't want this review to be like a movie trailer that spoils all the surprises before you have a chance to unearth them yourself. This food is always spot on. I usually get their burger which definitely holds its own in such a burger-centric place like our dear Portlandia. However, tonight I went for the Cobb salad and the Mrs. ordered the Nicoise. Both knocked our socks off. After eating several disappointing Cobb salads around town, it was nice to have one that brought me back to flavor country. I like the subtle twists these guys put on theirs to make it their own. They put chicken confit in there instead of sliced deli meat and the blue cheese they use is several notches above the bagged crap you get most other places. The wife's Nicoise was very nicely done with no skimpage on the tuna and other fixins. Beautifully dressed and loaded with goodies, I had almost wished I ordered that instead... Almost. Dessert here is always a good call. It's not something we usually get while out for supper but after the heavenly ice cream we experienced on our first visit, ordering one of their sweets seems obligitory at this point. Tonight's confection of choice was the molten lava chocolate sundae with salted pistachio brittle and caramel. Holy shit, it was good. I believe Ashley's exact words were "it's so fucking good it makes me want to punch someone" With all that wonderment already keeping us satisfied, the music here is like the icing on the proverbial cake. Sundays are our favorite night because they always have a different, really good, little jazzy band laying down some smooth buttery ear food. I love the sapphire hotel.
(5)
Tabletalkpdx.com T.

Friendly service that is knowledgeable, yet approachable. A fun place to go with a date, or just to hang out with friends.
(4)
Dee H.

I LOVED this place! Thank you dear bestie for taking me here! The ambiance was delicious and the lighting very fitting. The names of the drinks were perfect for a brothel turned restaurant. I'm excited to go back to Portland just to check this place out again. Drinks were delicious and the food was wonderful! Service was the only slightly less than stellar aspect. Not poor by any means, I just appreciate smiles in life, I guess/
(4)
Tim B.

Great place to go for drinks and snacks with friends. It's small so you might have to wait, but it's worth it. The drinks are great and well made. The food is also tasted and reasonably priced. It's worth checking out, you will be glad you did.
(5)
Danni D.

It is a tiny bit possible that the Sapphire is trying to kill me. It all started when they put the Poolboy back on the menu. I thought I had gotten him out of my system. It has been a number of years since I last saw him. But he's back for the summer, and he is just as perfectly tuned and toned as I remember. The Poolboy is a damned fine mojito with a dark rum float on top. He occupies the corners of my brain when I should be otherwise sober and doing productive things for humanity and Earth-kind. Some would call that "work." I have taken to referring to it as "those hours that stand between me and the Poolboy." As if that weren't bad enough, he calls to me in the middle of the night as well. I swear he texts me at odd hours. Sure, to the untrained eye it seems my phone is simply alerting me that it is my move in Words With Friends. But I know it's the Poolboy, reaching out across the Boulevard, enticing me to come back to the Sapphire to get lost in the liquid refreshment of Summer. Well that is exactly what I plan to do. I'm diving in, head first. I'll get sober in September, when fresh mint season ends.
(5)
Emma V.

This is one of our most favorite places to go on a date. It is small and has a very cozy atmosphere and while you might be intimidated by it's hip factor initially, the staff is very nice and friendly. Great drinks with an extensive menu of cocktails and wines. The food is great as well. One of our most favorite late night spots.
(4)
Shelley B.

I just spent $9 on a margarita only to find out it was made from a bottle of well tequila that I could've bought for $8 at the liquor store. Not too happy about it. I could've splurged on something nice.
(2)
Allie W.

Great ambiance! Very fun place to meet friends and post up for awhile, although it can get very crowded, very quickly. I love the cherry blossom drink - very rich and sweet, definitely better for a dessert but it is delicious. I've made it a regular staple for east side happy hours due to the selection of cocktails and appetizers. I've had scallops before, which were wonderful, but expect pricey and small portions.
(4)
Tamara C.

Sultry. Sensuous. Seductive. No, I am not describing myself. I am not that vain, I didn't write this review about me. However, Sapphire Hotel, these adjectives describe it to a "T". From the moment you brush the heavy, deep red velvet curtains aside and step inside The Sapphire, you are transported from the mundane, stressful, hustle and bustle of life to an ambiance charged with sexy. This is a perfect place for a date or to catch up with an old friend. The cocktails at Sapphire are without a doubt some of the finest in Portland and the appetizer I selected as well was simply delicious. Crispy Eggplant Crostini. The tables are set rather close together and it is really easy to spy on your neighbors and make mental notes of what they are having and say "self, I am having that next time." Sapphire mon cher, Ã la prochaine.
(5)
Sam C.

The Sapphire Hotel is a rare find. On a street that is loaded on both sides with popular, delicious places to eat and drink, its not common to find a place that serves it up right with no wait time to get in. My wife and I chose this place as our starting point for our anniversary. I found the decor charming, it had an upscale-but-not-trying-too-hard vibe. Candle lit tables, rustic seating with vintage throw pillows, and ornaments like peacock feathers and velvet curtains set the tone for bourgeois-fancy dining. The drink menu is really something. They have many unique cocktails, such as the "You're not my real dad", which is a concoction of bourbon, scotch syrup and cedar bitters which hilariously comes with a cigarette garnish. Dinner was fantastic. We started with salads. My wife ordered the signature sapphire salad, which combined spiced, candied walnuts with a delicious citrus dressing, and I had the Caesar which was flawless. We were perfectly " appetised" by the time our entrees came. She ordered the flat iron steak which came grilled exactly to medium rare, and had a unique pomegranate reduction sauce. To be honest it was a turn off to me, but after tasting it I had to digress. It was delicious and incredibly rich. Garlic mashed potatoes were amazing. My entree was the parmesan risotto cakes with seared sea scallops. It completely surpassed my expectations. Crispy, toasted parm on the outside, creamy and herbal on the inside, paired with two large scallops cooked perfectly and topped with a light buttery chanterelle sauce. Both meals were expertly portioned, and filled us just enoughfor a very reasonable price. Altogether, we had two salads, 2 delicious entrees and 4 drinks, and we only spent $83 including tip. Overall we were very pleased and will be back. Our only complaint was the service. We waited a long while for our drinks even though they weren't busy, and our waitress didn't seem to care much. She wasn't all that attentive and seemed distracted.
(4)
Darla D.

I give 4 stars based on drinks, beautiful servers, and sexy chill atmosphere. On every occasion here, I have had a good drink. Most recently, Retrosex, was a great drink. I would, however give 3 or less stars if I was basing my review on the food alone. Looking at the classy menu, I think I am in for a real treat, but when the food comes, it's just meh. There are only 5 entrees, only one of which is gluten free. The flatiron steak is a $16 disappointment with a tiny bit of mashed potatoes and the veggie they served with it was some kale. How boring is that? Kale? It's very cheap, sure it is in vogue, but really? Just kale? My tiny Asian girlfriend and I both ordered the steak and we both left hungry. The steak was not seared on the outside, but rather lightly tan, the sauce on it was very much like brown gravy. I expected more. The time before this, I was looking for a gluten free meal, I ordered the Ceasar salad with chicken, minus the croutons, but they were out of chicken, so my meal was essentially lettuce and dressing. The humus plate is boring too. In summary, this is a good spot for a romantic drink or a quiet and dimly lit bar for a chat, , maybe desert, the lava cake is good, but I would not make this my dinner destination again.
(4)
Sarah R.

This place is so loud and crowded. You will practically touch those at nearby tables. Drinks are crazy strong - almost to the point of being gross (unless you like taking straight shots). I went here on date night with the husband. I don't get why people think its a romantic place - its 100% NOT romantic. Over priced. Overly loud. Get ready to be crammed in.
(2)
Patti F.

Always great food, efficient service, veg/vegan choices (and happy substitutions if asked), great wine selection, great beer selection, beautiful cocktails - great great great. I love the atmosphere, love the motto (eat, drink, kiss), love the vibe.
(5)
K P.

Great date night starter! Good happy hour, the bacon wrapped dates are a must! Nice atmospher, and interesting back story on the building!!
(5)
J V.

If you're going to get the veggie burger, you should know that it doesn't come with any extras - just burger, bun, and some sauce. Which for $11, comes across as highway robbery to me. Of course, you can pay an extra $1 for three small slices of avocado or $2 for a bit of lettuce... Not worth visiting for food.
(2)
Stuart R.

Comfortable atmosphere and incredible drinks. Great spot to get to know someone better. :-)
(5)
Aimee B.

Holy Shit this place is great. The atmosphere, the drinks, the food. It's really nice. For food I go the hummus plate and the beet burger made vegan. The hummus plate was full of flavor with nice, soft, warm pita to go with my fresh cucumber and tomato. It was a good starter. The beet burger was seasoned to perfection. I was really in the mood for fries and was bummed when I saw they had chips...until I tasted them. The chips are soooo good. Salty and delicious. And the dip they have with the burger and chips is garlicky and creamy and so good. Ugh.
(5)
Teresa J.

I had the Nicoise salad Friday night and it was delish! I hadn't planned to order food, as I'd just had veggie dumplings and a matcha shake at Tao Of Tea, but I saw one delivered to the table next to ours and had to ask what it was. When our server said "Nicoise" I jumped on it. The serving was big enough for two. Nicoise is a composed, not tossed, salad, and the ingredients were attractively arranged. The seared ahi was done to perfection; the olives were plentiful; the haricots verts or green beans were the right amount of crispy and lightly bathed in dressing; the egg on top wasn't the usual boiled, but fried, which was okay; and there were regular and purple boiled new potatoes. Interestingly, the salad did not include capers or anchovies; usually a Nicoise will have at least one of these. Perhaps because, unbeknownst to me at the time, the Sapphire Hotel has a reputation for being a place to woo a potential shagmate. And that might explain how the rest of the evening went... My "friend" went away disappointed, and I was confused, but never mind. I'll be back for another Nicoise.
(4)
Tien D.

Pretty loud and crowded. Their selection of mixed drinks is somewhat small. They can make all types of drinks if you ask them for something specific, but I like a list in front of me for days when I feel indecisive and just want to choose from an extensive menu. They have a couch in the far back, which I like. I love bars that have that comfy home feel. But other than the couches, table seating is just too close together for my tastes.
(2)
Julie B.

We won't be back. For some years, this has been a place we liked to return to on occasion, as it has a nice atmosphere, and offered high quality cocktails and a sophisticated vibe. It had been some months since we had been in. The music was less tasteful than the norm when we walked in, but I initially ignored that. Then, we sat down... and I looked at the cocktail menu. "Sophisticated" is no longer an option. The drink names are... "clever." Ahem. When I mentioned the change to our waitress - who, by the way, was wearing a baseball cap, tank top and tight jeans, and looked for all the world like she was working in a sports bar - she said that the new bar manager was "Sassy." Well, these drink names aren't sassy - they're kind of cheap. Nearly every drink name has an explanation having something to do with sex, some more tasteless than others. I chose the "Retrosex" "for those cold nights when it is okay to sleep with you ex." Meh. I'm not laughing. Since when do drinks have to offer cheeky quips about sex and sex appeal to be good cocktails? The thing is, there's dozes of bars where I could go drink a "Blow Job" or a "Hot Sex" or any number of more tastelessly labeled drinks. That totally wasn't what I was looking for. I don't consider myself a prude, but when I'm in the mood for sophisticated.... that's what I want. Don't misunderstand me - I'm a young thirty something. I'm the crowd the place USED to cater to. Someone who wants a dark bar with great drinks and a slightly vintage vibe. Cest la vie. We almost couldn't order drinks, the menu options were so damn distracting, and of course, since I said something to this effect, the drinks we're particularly good either. For the money, we will be sticking with the Driftwood Room and the Secret Society, and are open to recommendations of places that still call cocktails .... cocktail names.
(2)
C. M.

Was just there last Friday and my server was nice but the bartender and bar back were incredibly rude and snotty. No kindness there.
(2)
Dani P.

Love this place! The atmosphere has a mellow and cozy, romantic feel to it, with a varied customer base. Great place for a first-date, or just a calm dinner out with close friends. The staff are welcoming, and the drinks & food are really good. The happy hour here is a wonderful deal, good portions of well prepared food at fantastic prices, and the drink deals aren't bad either. The Pearl Necklace drink was their special today for $5.00, yum! I had heard of this spot on Yelp. Sooo happy I made a point to check it out!
(4)
Art V. B.

Very good food (great sweet potato fries and veggie burger) and excellent service. I particularly liked the chill atmosphere and the jazz music on a Sunday night.
(5)
Jon R.

Eat, drink, kiss my ass. Stupid drinks, overpriced menu, horrible ambient garbage on the stereo, and stuck-up service. A real scenester place.
(2)
Seasons K.

I have always enjoyed this place. Great food and cocktails, stunning decor, and an awesome happy hour. What more could I even ask for?
(5)
Lenny B.

They have some really good happy hour snax, I had artichoke and arugla dip and a great cheese plate thingy, they weren't $1 but obviously good cheese isn't cheap. Excellent drinks and the fig infused bourbon is a must try.
(4)
Abby M.

It took me nearly four years of living in Portland before I discovered this former brothel and source of immense happiness. It's just so cozy, for one thing, and kind of makes you feel like all the women of the night who worked there once were really comfortable doing whatever it is they had to do. Always busy, it seems, which is the only drawback, as it's a small place. Great servers, and fabulous food. I dream about the Sapphire salad, a little number with caramelized walnuts and goat cheese. The happy hour is a steal, with low prices and all the same portions as the regular menu. Do not walk. Run to this place.
(5)
Sabrina P.

Terrible! Server walked away before taking order, screwed it up and seemed a confused by the request of mustard on side. $11 for a burger with no fixings and it looked like someone had already ate half my fries when they came. Next time I'll go to Burgerville. They are better and cheaper!
(1)
Mary D.

on our trip to portland, this was one of our first stops. the ambiance was super cozy, warm, and a little sexy. I'm so glad we stumbled upon it. the hostess immediately greeted us with a kind smile, and we sat down right away (side note: i love booths that have little pillows) Their cocktails are fabulous. Truly, truly, truly. I was not disappointed by a single drink that we ordered. I kind of fell in love with the lavender chocolate martini. Literally, one of the best drinks i've ever had. And dare i forget our server? Fucking fantastic. jacklyn was hilarious, attentive, and gave us a list of places that we ought to check out during our trip. We ordered four cocktails, a burger, and a salad and spent way less than we would've back home. Everything was spectacular.
(5)
Richard T.

Loved this place when it was first renovated, maybe four years ago, it was even darker, the menu a little more old imperial (bring back "staying over") and it had the feel of an upmarket oriental opium den, which I found oddly alluring. Stopped by on Saturday night. The atmosphere's still great. The female to male ratio is the opposite of most other bars. The staff are friendly but over worked. I ordered the cheese plate, and it came with only one cheese on it, which seemed absurd for $15. I finally found the courage to mention this to our waitress as we were leaving and she explained this was a mistake and handled the situation (and my embarrassment at complaining) brilliantly. The food is well presented, but merely OK. The drinks menu is, for want of a better term, a little feminized, concentrating on exotic fruity cocktails and wine, with a limited selection of beers and a lack of concentration on the stronger stuff - not a criticism, more a reflection on the demographic served. I'd go back, but I feel it's lost its edge a little.
(3)
Pat G.

One of my favorite places to go in Portland for a couple's night out. Why not five stars? Well, as with a lot of places in town, it's hit or miss. When it gets busy (and it can get very busy), the service gets kind of dismissive and chaotic. It starts to feel unpleasantly like a tourist bar. The drinks also stretch the limits of SE price sensitivity. Still, they are some of the best cocktails in town. And then atmosphere, on the right night, is just the right balance of romantic ambiance and ruckus to make for a comfortable scene. Service varies a lot. Last time we were there, our server was awesome-- friendly, good suggestions, and attentive. Other times, they make it clear they have other things to do and places to be. Again, it could be that the management understaffs the place when its busy, but that's really not the customer's concern. I must say that the food is surprisingly, and consistently, good-- given the bar-nature of the place. We had the scallops last time, and they were to-freeking-die-for. I've been trying to replicate the flavor of the puree at home with no luck so far. In fact, everything we've tried there has been satisfyingly good. With the Sapphire, I'd say trust your instincts. If it looks crazy inside, it's not a good night to go (unless you want that crowded, sweaty, trendy feel). If it's a little less busy, go for it. Did I mention that they have Chimay on tap? Yeah. You might want to take a cab.
(4)
Lisa E.

I love this place! It's a little hole in the wall that makes great drinks! The atmosphere is very chic and casual at the same time. It's a great place to go in the summertime. Last year they had butternut squash enchiladas that I still crave to this day....
(4)
Khang N.

Great date night spot. Portion size are perfect and the steak I ordered was cooked to perfection. The place is lit beautiful with candles making the dinner warm and welcoming. I was bummed that the sign did say make yourself at home but as they were closing I thought I was able to stay after and continue to make myself feel at home! Ha.. Kidding but this place rocks. 5 star,
(5)
Blaine B.

Love this place. Great food, and great atmosphere. I wish they still had the brunch on weekends.
(5)
Emily L.

Suffice to say, the entirety of the 3.5 years I've lived in Portland, I've wanted to go to the Sapphire Hotel- -and I've epically failed at achieving that feat until yesterday. It was pouring out and all I wanted was some dim lighting, warmth, good music and something sweet. The server was essentially a wee psychic cherub of Bacchus, as she brought over my pink champagne and ridiculously good dark chocolate and marscapone cake and I listened to an upright bass, muted trumpet and saxophone produce some jazzy melancholic tunes that were still conducive to conversation. Good food, good drink, good service, good atmosphere- -Yahtzee!!!
(5)
Sarah B.

Decadent and beautiful. This is a gem in the nightlife of Portland. After a full night of great food, drinks and pool, we headed over here for some late night goodies and conversation. Dimly lit, draped in lavish colors and depth. I was really impressed with how easy it was to fall into the backdrop and enjoy the scenery. There were a few open tables to choose from. And a variety of patrons. From intimate couples to rowdy groups of friends. We ordered a delicious port and the black and white cake and raspberry torte. The port was rich with chocolate undertones and complimented both desserts. The black and white cake was light and delicious, while the torte was very rich and impossible to finish. A nice end to a great evening.
(4)
Jodi K.

Step back in time. An antique bar adorns the restaurant. The ambiance speaks of days gone by. Lovely. And to my surprise, the food was wonderful. great date night!
(4)
Eric P.

This is a nice comfortable place. Tried happy hour. Respectable food and drink. I think their website is better than the actual experience however. I give it a good solid middle to slightly better. There are much better happy hours nearby.
(3)
Ladan R.

Love love love this place. It is truly unique. They pay attention to detail so everything is very polished and put together. Drinks are good and the creme brulee is to die for. It does get crowded though so get there early on the weekend or you could be waiting up to 45 minutes for a table.
(5)
Af R.

Love this place! They have a great happy hour and good food.
(5)
M B.

How have I never reviewed Sapphire Hotel? This is a go-to spot for me, and deservedly so. The drinks are cheap (well, compared to other artisan cocktaily-type places)--around $8 for a well made, hearty-portioned and strong, creatively titled drink (all focusing around the hotel theme--"Bellhop", "Going Up?", etc.) Now, I wouldn't necessarily say this place is sexy, per se. It has the air of an 1890's brothel--a bit moth eaten and musty, with chinese lamps and red walls. It's cozy and a bit damp in the rain, but it's lively and always packed to the gills, and if you can overlook a few of the spots, stains and wrinkles the old gal's got in her dress, you can have a grand time. The music is awesome, the mood is always perfect, and like I said, the cocktails rock. I love this spot for dates, for a fun, one-on-one girl's night, heck, I'd even go here with a group and sit at the big table in the back.
(4)
Evey I.

This is a fantastic bar and my choice for dates. Their salmon corn cakes rock, and their cocktails are amazing, especially Going Up, if you like spicy cocktails. My favorite bar in PDX. The only gripe is long waits sometimes.
(5)
chase r.

Ive got to go with the 5 star. Wifee and I have been frequenters here for a few years now and this place restored my love for SE PDX joints. Best service, excellent and creative food, good prices, BEST SERVICE! This place is like home for us; we're there just about every weekend.
(5)
Tim B.

"EAT, DRINK, AND KISS" The Sapphire Hotel is really a great place to relax and have a drink or six. I have yet to have a bad experience here. The food is top-notch, they have fantastic drinks, and how often do you get to drink in an ex-brothel? The happy hour rocks too. PBRs for a buck soup for two bucks, Caesar salads for three, and more. This place may have some of the highest quality "happy hour" food money can buy. Though it does get really busy and sometimes there can be a wait for a table, but it is well worth the wait. I think this is a place I could go everyday. It is romantic, comfortable and they have live music from time to time. The burgers: This is not your everyday old fashioned "stain-your-shirt" burger. These burger are made with love. AND if you are wanting it done rare or med. rare, they will do it for you, which I have found to be pretty uncommon at most restaurants. I had a blue cheese burger and it was loaded with huge chunks of cheese (looked like marshmallows, and not the little hot chocolate kind). The meat is of great quality and they will cook it to perfection for you. It is all about the quality of the meat. The servers are very attentive; they would frequently check in with me wondering if I was needing another drink (I love this, it is a pet-peeve of mine when my drink goes dry for an extended period of time), though they are never obnoxious or invasive. The employees have always been really nice here. The first time I went here was to listen to some music, and a friend of mine accidentally kicked over and broke the bands tip jar (it was giant!), everyone was so nice about it and just laughed it off, even when she kicked over their "back-up" tip jar, which didn't break, it only fell over. There is not anything about this place which I see as bad. It is an ideal bar for a relaxing evening: -cute servers -great beer -great happy hour -they will PAY FOR A CAB if you have had a few to many drinks -yummy food (made with love. No it isn't just the burgers made with this special ingredient) -dim lighting -non-smoking -outdoor seating -clean bathrooms -live music
(5)
David B.

Great place to take the girlfriend and her mother. Nice friendly, relaxing environment. You could spend 3 hours here and not even realize it. Excellent staff, superb appetizers make up for the small but good entree list. Plenty of wine/drinks to try!
(4)
Alisha R.

This place is just the right mix of class and sass. Their cocktail menu is really extensive and they offer a good variety of choices. The food was great and being that my husband is both gluten and dairy intolerant, the fact that they were able to accommodate his diet needs was really great. I will definitely be going back.
(5)
Jenny L.

After a party, we walked over to the Sapphire Hotel for drinks at their bar. Vibe was good. Good crowd, excellent seating area and extremely reasonable prices on the drinks. I had an Apricot Blonde - pepper infused vodka - WOW. Each sip was like swallowing small flames of goodness. It took me a while to finish my drink which meant I was nice and toasty by the time we left. The bartender/waitress was friendly which is good. You know? Good service is much appreciated. The interior was looking sexy which I enjoy at a good bar. Their happy hour prices looked cheap which is A+ in my book.
(4)
A. B. C.

the sapphire is definitely one of my favorites. it's dark and swanky, but not too swanky...like the brothel that it used to be. it's a nice and warm place to grab a drink (a hot toddy perhaps?) when it's pouring rain outside. it's very cozy. the service is great, and you may have to wait for a table (which is really awkwardly spaced when it's raining and you don't want to stand outside...) this review is mostly going to focus on their new amaziing breakfast menu, though. it blew me away! when we were deciding where to go for breakfast one sunday a freind suggested sapphire and i was like...say whaaaat? and apparently there isn't too much of a wait because word hadn't really gotten around to how delicious it is... here's a round-up of what we had: bread pudding french toast with bourbon mint syrup, mediterranean benedict, crimini and oyster mushroom benedict, and i had the SWEET POTATO & YAM FRITTATA with kale, chard, smoked Maasdam & Sriracha sour cream. drool. win, win, win, win! we also had some succulent hot adult beverages, and i hear they make a mean bottomless mimosa! that will have to be sampled on a day that i don't have to be responsible and go to work...
(5)
Lauren G.

Reasonably priced champagne cocktails? For me? Oh, I'll knock mine over in a (totally tooootally unlike me) fit of clumsiness? You'll bring me another? I love you.
(4)
Ajia T.

Went here on Friday for happy hour with friends and really liked the place. The service was on point and very friendly. We sat outside at first, due to the fact that we were starved for sunshine and it happened to appear that afternoon. The limited outdoor seating is nice and comfy enough, but we moved inside when the sun went down and, man, was it ever inviting! Very warm decor. Love the throw pillows! I can imagine this would be a truly lovely date spot. The food was very good and even somewhat unique. I really liked that the hamburger came with gouda cheese as an option and was served with red potatoes, rather than fries. Tasty! The artichoke dip was TO DIE FOR. Spicy, cheesy, thick...mmmm! We all wanted to take a bath in it. Drinks were reasonably priced, too: I bought a round of German Chocolate Cake shots, expecting them to cost the usual $7 or $8 each, but they were only $6 each (and that was after happy hour ended). Cocktails were mixed well and only $5 on the happy hour menu...PBR Tall Boys were only $1. Very cool. I'm definitely coming back here, but maybe for date night next time!
(4)
Lenka B.

I would like to add that being at Sapphire just makes me feel sexy. That on top of delicious food and drinks is hard to beat.
(4)
Adam E.

I accidentally went here on a date once. No, the Sapphire was on purpose but the date was an accident. I didn't realize, you see. I just thought I was meeting someone at some bar down the street that I'd never been to. But then I got there and it was kinda nice and fancy! The only thing that saved me from feeling obligated to put out was that we sat outside and I could pretend I was just at any outdoor cafe. The drinks were good, as were the appetizers. I stuck with those, again, to avoid acknowledging the fact that this was indeed a date. I had a fabulous Tom Collins, in an attempt to look uncool, but apparently that drink is back in style. So if a girl you barely know invites you for drinks here, you are going on a date, just FYI.
(4)
Wendy L.

Everyone is so nice here, the food is amazing and they have quite an electic drink menu! This is my new favorite!
(4)
Michelle M.

I am so charmed by this restaurant/bar, whose drinks measure up to its style. The Sapphire Hotel has an outstanding cocktail menu, tasty entrees, plus a classy bathroom if you're a lady. One of my favorite drinks is the Cherry Blossom Girl, which consists of a cherry-infused Bourbon and Amarena cherry syrup. It sounds awfully fruity, but it balances a dark cherry flavor with the spirit's dryness. The bellini, which is perfect bubbly drink for summer, is an impeccable combination of refreshing champagne and pureed peaches. To eat, the salmon corn cakes and artichoke-arugula dip are exquisite starters. If you're craving some meat, I recommend the Sapphire Burger, which features a thick, juicy patty and truffled yam fries. Spend the extra dollar for cheese and enjoy one of the best cheeseburgers in the neighborhood. Their decor really stands out: it's almost over the top, but it works the rich red velvets and lacquer finishes. The staff have always been pleasant and service is well-paced. While the setting is ideal for a date, its warm and inviting atmosphere makes it equally lovely for a night out with a friend or two.
(5)
Canmy H.

The food and drinks were great but the service was very poor. My guest and I sat down, waited 20 minutes until a server asked for IDs. As soon as she asked, she walked away without checking our IDs. 15 minutes later, my guest and I went up to the bar area to order drinks since I server never returned. The bartender glanced at us twice but did not acknowledge us. Finally a different service came up to the bar, asked for our IDs and then our choice of drinks. Before we could get our drinks, the original service asked to see our IDs again and took our drink orders. At the end of the night, we had to ask the same server for our check twice before we finally got it. It was NOT a busy night, she was neglegent, and did not deserve our table's gratuity. The staff were snobby but the food and drinks were good. Will not be dinning here again.
(2)
Scott Z.

Very intimate, great for dates. I thought the prices were quite cheap for the quality of the food and the Sapphire burger is by far the best I have ever had.
(5)
Cedric J.

Sapphire is one of my favourite places to go. Any night is fairly chill, even if it is super-busy. It gets a ding for the service. Over the last two or three years I've been coming, the service has been offencive to some of my guests with snootiness issues and miscalculations. Good beer on tap, good specials, and great food. I keep coming back whenever I'm in the area.
(4)
Colin L.

What can I say? Probably my favorite restaurant in Portland. The ambience, service and food are all A+. I've yet to be disappointed by any dish. Go there quickly!
(5)
Coral C.

Two words: Cheese Plate. We dropped by after work tonight to get a drink and some dessert. While none of the desserts caught our eye, we opted for the cheese plate. Warm brie, french bread, walnuts, goat cheese, blue cheese, grapes, apples, figs, and roasted garlic. YUM. Definitely large enough for two to share. I'm glad it's right around the corner from my house, it's the perfect late night spot for a cocktail and a snack.
(5)
Cam T.

Thank god for bicycles. *hic* They weeble & wobble but don't fall down. No matter how many times my endless mimosa gets refilled. *hic* $10 for tangy, bubbly happiness is a ridiculously good price to pay while attentive staff make sure that your intimate relationship with the elegant glass flute remains frisky. And many thanks for the scrumptious brunch menu that amuses your bouche, absorbs all that alkyhol, & barely dints your wallet. So far, my favorite is the $11 rustic pizza that changes daily. Flat, crunchy crust that reminds me of an herbed lavosh bread topped with sparing yet flavorful amounts of a strangely nutty mozzarella, cherry tomato slices, crimini mushrooms...at least in it's most recent incarnation. Who knows what accessories it will be sporting next weekend? The piquant meyer lemon crÃªpes stuffed with creamy goat cheese & a dollop of blueberry ketchup or the sage pork sausage & arugula strata with layers of taters alternating with fluffy moist egg are a close second depending on my current level of gluttony. BUT, I have yet to tackle the caramelized onion & pepper bacon tart, eggs benedict, nor bread pudding so there may be some jockeying for my attention in the future. With delectable filling entrÃ©es averaging $10, laid back jocular staff making sure that the bottom on that mimosa flute never sees the light of day & picnic seating to take advantage of the gorgeous weather I anticipate a lot of weebling, wobbling, & jockeying on the weekends. *hic*
(5)
C W.

Best cheese + meat plates EVER! Perfect for date night.
(5)
S J.

I went on a very busy night and the service was way above average. They were accommodating for our party of six, checked in at perfect times, and made helpful suggestions. Everyone in my party loved the food. The menu seemed to be well thought out. Both drinkers and non enjoyed themselves. I appreciated the non-alcoholic drink section on the menu. Not all places make non-alcoholic drinks look as good as the real. Downfall- when full, the place is very loud. It is difficult to hear the person directly across from you.
(4)
Akila F.

I don't know if anybody has seen the movie 2046 but the decor would have easily fit in with this place. It's dark and red, and has the feel of a swanky 1920s asian hotel (I imagine). The drinks were incredible. I'm normally an IPA kind of guy, but decided to mix it up with some martini/lime/cilantro (!) concoction. delicious. The soup and bean flautas I ordered were also good, but It's all about the cocktails here I believe. This seems like it would be the perfect date destination (I imagine)
(5)
David R.

The Sapphire Hotel. It's an intimate restaurant with a small bar in the back. In the late 19th century legend has it a wise and lovely Indochinese women migrated to Portland from Canada. On this present location she established a warm and exotic environment where only invited guests were allowed for an evening of dining and entertainment. Knowing the right person, or being the right person, and with of course ample cash on hand, an evening at The Sapphire was an experience unlike any other brothels of its time. Providing fine dining, good wine, spirits, and of course beautiful women, many men came away from an evening at The Sapphire with memories that never faded. As homage to it historical past, The Sapphire is decorated in oriental paper lamps, dim sconces, candlelight, and amongst the upper rafters antique bed stands and bureaus that purvey the atmosphere of the brothel now past. It was in the modern Sapphire Hotel where I had taken a woman I happened to have been dating for several months. We had met one night downtown at another famous Portland bar, the Shanghai Tunnel. We exchanged numbers. This led to late-night phone calls and eventually a couple of dinner dates. An attractive girl, a few years my junior, we shared much in common. I enjoyed her laugh, and her quick wit and dry humor. Relationships however can be a mystical thing. Sitting across from her and sharing an appetizer, I felt the duality of a head that told me she was something special, but my heart did not seem to equally share in the enthusiasm. To this day I cannot explain why people do, or do not, fall in love. Call it pheromones, chemistry, kismet, or what ever label you wish to apply. You know love when you feel it, not when you think it. It was before the dessert that I excused myself to wonder up to the bar to order myself a cognac, and for her espresso. It was at the back corner bar, standing there waiting for my drinks, that my eyes were trapped by a striking woman of green eyes and cropped, dark hair, sitting with two of her friends on the opposite side of the bar. Chemistry, or maybe pheromones, I cannot explain it. At that moment my heart came with fire, and while we stared at each other for only a few moments, and as cliche as it will sound, time hesitated. The bartender placed my drinks in front of me but I was not paying attention. She mouthed the word 'hello', and I likewise fumbled to say the same back. Life is peculiar. There are rules that we follow. We follow some of them out of survival and necessity, and others we simply follow without every questioning why we are supposed to behave in such odd manners. Life is what you make of it, each moment you have a choice. As I reached for my drinks, I glanced up one last time at this women with green eyes, soft, rounded shoulders in a black dress and thought about what choices I could make right now, right in that moment. I could have walked over, asked her name, gotten her phone number. I could do this. I could make this choice. Back at our table I handed my date her espresso. I slunked down in my chair, roiled the cognac around the glass in my hand. Later I rose from the table that night at The Sapphire with my date. I walked to the door, catching a fleeting glimpse in the large wall-mirrors of this women looking back at me. Many men once entered this building under different circumstances back in the day, but I couldn't help think about how always history repeats itself. I never saw the green-eyed women in the black dress again, and weeks later I stopped dating the girl I was with that night. What could have been, and the choice I made, still linger with me. The Sapphire Hotel has made memories for many men that last them their lifetime, but those memories are bittersweet. Perhaps it is not the head that cements regret into us, but rather the ache of a burning heart, intentionally extinguished by unwritten rules we choose to follow. distilledpublishing.blogâ€¦
(4)
robin w.

Ambiance is the key word here....sexy, exuberant, ruby-red, fiery, opium-den-mystical Ambiance....this is The Sapphire Hotel. With Chinese Lanterns, jumping candle-light shadows, old-world Asian pagoda-esque interior, decadent throw pillows, dragons, silk hanging curtains, and RED....coats and shadows of crimson everywhere....one might get the impression entering The Sapphire Hotel that some strange absinthian adventure into Indiana Jones-land is about to unfold.... The SH is an ideal get-away from the typical pub or bar experience. Go for the decor alone, but note the excellent drink specials. Don't be discouraged by the menu- which is limited, at the very least it's unique. I'd recommend this joint for late night after-dinner drinks only.
(4)
Chyna T.

Two words: Lounge Singer. Fig infused bourbon with pomegranate and a splash of rhubarb bitters. A-mazing. Great atmosphere to boot.
(4)
Rylen F.

I love it here! It is the quintessential neighborhood joint. I can't quite put my finger on it - but it is all about the ambiance that pulls Sapphire together. The food is mostly good, I don't recommend their mexican food options, such as the 15 bean flautas or the sweet potato enchiladas one's dry and flavorless the other gooey and over the top. That being said their pizza's, burger, chicken and hanger steak are all fantastic and satisfying. Their salads hit the spot and their appetizers are generous and over all good. My husband will often make a meal of the ahi tuna appetizer and a salad. I am a scotch drinker myself, but I have tasted a cocktail or two here and indeed they are delicious! Very fresh and true flavors - this this one of the only places in town that seduces me to try something other than my standby. I had an Apricot Blonde which was a spicy lemondrop with pepper and apricot puree. Absolutely pure goodness. Not overly sweet at all with a clear flavor of fresh green peppers. But again what really make this place a winner is the whole package - alone the food and even the drinks might not be remarkable. There is an easy casualness to Sapphire. Even if it is packed when you are sitting down you feel taken care of and laid back. It is not in the least bit pretentious or swanky it is just the perfect blend of all the elements that come together to make a perfect casual place to be and be happy! Thanks Sapphire - keep up the great work!
(4)
Wendy G.

Found the Sapphire Hotel here in Yelp and stopped in while in Portland. Thinking we were just having some drinks - we got some of their special cocktails. I had the Nina Simone and it was so decadent. We ordered the cheese plate and it was amazing! There were only two of us, but it could have easily fed 4. We decided to stay and split an entree since the cheese board was so huge, got the mushroom risotto cakes with shrimp. Again, incredible. The wild mushroom broth totally took this dish to the outer limits. Great decor (former Asian brothel), very nice wait staff and great food, what more can you ask for?
(5)
Ellen M.

Love this place! It was so dim and interesting on the inside... you could totally see how this place use to be a seedy travelers hotel! The drinks they offered were completely unique. I got some Mulled Wine which was sooo perfect to match the wet Portland weather.
(4)
Sylvia S.

I love living a stone's throw from the Sapphire. Didn't even know they had a rockin menu until the husband took me there for dinner. Sweet happy hour drinks and food and excellent service.
(4)
T V.

Hip, a little too hip. By that, I mean the gimmick is cute for a little while, but it's otherwise attracts... let me not finish that sentence. Anyway, our server was nice and attentive but also seemed a bit pushy. The live music was pretty cool to accidentally be there for. The decor and ambiance makes for a quirky little place that would be good for a date. The drinks are very good (can't taste the alcohol? that's the point) but the food is way, way overpriced.
(3)
kate m.

As if I didn't already think Sapphire was the PERFECT neighborhood spot, now they serve breakfast! Bottomless Mimosas, Meyer Lemon Crepes with Fresh Berries and Carmalized Onion with Pepper Bacon Tart. It's as good as you would expect from Sapphire!
(5)
Anna M.

Only had a cocktail(salty dog I believe, pretty hard to screw that up) but I really enjoyed this place. Fancy shmancy without making me feel TOO out of place. On the menu they had a little story about how it is a place for kissing. That was cute and sweet, but made for a really awkward first date.
(3)
Stephanie B.

I've been to Sapphire for both dinner and brunch and have always been impressed. They have a great drink menu that is unique and their food is really good overall. My friend claims they have the best burger ever and will always order that both at dinner time and brunch. It is served with sweet potato fries and is quite tasty. I love their green bean salad at dinner time and just the usual breakfast of eggs, bacon, potato and toast. The potato casserole is like scalloped potatoes for breafkast and is really good. Plus the never-ending mimosas on the weekends are great too!
(4)
Courtney D.

French charm in a neighborhood hangout This place is gorgeous all over. It's got a sexy, candlelit vibe for starters, which makes you feel like you've entered a pretty fancy place, yet the atmosphere oozes a cozy neighborhood ambiance. You can order some pretty decent wines here for less than you'd pay at a grocery store. Pair the wine with some scrumptious small plates or tasty appetizers, which are all priced moderately. I love their french onion soup and three cheese ravioli, which comes with an awesome pumpkin sauce. You can get both for less than $10. I'm eager to go back and try their butternut squash enchiladas. Do those sound yummy or what? Tip: Every Sunday night is local music night. If you buy a CD from the artist, the owners will give you a free drink coupon.
(5)
Brenda G.

A great time for New year's. This was my first visit, and it won't be my last. Great food, wonderful atmosphere and excellent staff. A great place for a first date. With great food and the old brothel "attire," it sends great subliminal messages:)!
(5)
Dan P.

A brothel at one point in its past, the Sapphire has somehow retained a a classy, sultry feel that wraps you like your lovers arms in the dimly but appropriately lit booths and tables. I can think of no other place that I would like to spend a romantic evening alone with my wife or friends sampling the Sapphire's exquisite drink selection and appetizer menu. There is something about this place that inspires a warm friskiness that makes it a great last stop for the evening. I love this place!
(4)
C T.

This is out regular Sunday night location. Perfect for a date! Romantic ambiance, nice drinks, and awesome food. We love the staff! Live jazz on Sunday night. Worth more than a detour.
(5)
S A R A H.

I didn't know I could so thoroughly enjoy an $8.00 cocktail during a recession, but apparently it's possible. It's possible at an establishment like this because the drinks are incredible, the environment soft on the eyes, and the service is kind and cheerful. Back to the drinks: Drink #1: Marionberry Margarita. Not only very fresh but gorgeous looking. Drink #2: Going Up! Serrano infused vodka with cilantro and something else that I can't recall. I wanted more, but I stopped. All I know is that I will return to this little gem for more $8.00 recession drinks and not feel one bit guilty.
(5)
Kevan B.

Food is good. But be prepared to spend a boat load for a yummy snack. Service also sucked.
(2)
danielle l.

if i were simply rating the few food items i've had, sapphire would fall at a solid three stars. however, the fantastic ambiance and warm service (though a bit slow) really make it worth of a grade bump. dimly lit, pattern-rich and full of neat things like greenery over the doorway and optical-illusion creating mirrors adorning the walls, the sapphire hotel is one of the coziest places i've ever been in portland - even while sitting in a solid wood chair. i want the decorator to come to my house and work their magic. the happy hour menu is nothing to scoff at, but at the same time it's not the best around. $4 wells, $5 daily drink special (i tried one - apple brandy with muddled ginger and sweet and sour - delectable!), and a few appetizers for a couple of bucks cheaper. beer is far from cheap here, so i recommend it when you're in the mood for cocktails. and that's not to say that their cocktails are cheap ($7-8), but they are FANTASTIC. i don't even recommend anything in particular. try them all. okay, i lied. the going up? and the lounge singer are two favorites. oh, and i'd probably walk here barefoot for the artichoke and arugula dip. i'm not as big a fan of the rustic pizza as others are, and while the thai chicken salad is ENORMOUS (and only $10), i found the vermicelli to be on the stale side, and the veggies weren't quite as flavorful as they looked. seared ahi is A+. i still need to try the antipasta platter and the pomegranate glazed hanger steak. and because they cook to order (and i won't eat a hamburger unless i can still hear it "moo"), i might try the sapphire burger as well. all in all, the kind of place where you could go with the intention of staying for an hour, and realizing you've been there for four. whether you're buying more rounds or not. (pretty) well done, sapphire hotel.
(4)
Kayt d.

I stopped by for happy hour drinks and was pleased with the service and ambiance. Since the Sapphire Hotel is literally stumbling distance from my house I will most definitely be back for a mid-week dinner-- made up entirely of their tasty happy hour appetizers. (Well, they look and smell tasty... I haven't had any yet.)
(4)
Adriana C.

Loved this little place. It's lively yet romantic. Perfect little spot for a date or just have a drink with your friends. You can go an Ina dress or jeans! I had their Going Up! A Serrano tequila garnished with cilantro, it was delish, if you're into spicy cocktails, this one isn't TOO spicy but I enjoyed it. For appetizer we had their artichoke dip, oh my was it delicious, highly recommend it. And lastly, for the entree I had their risotto Cakes woth shrimp, honestly, It doesnt even need the extra shrimp it's so feeling amd delicious without in itself. Loved fhe flavor. Definitely a must come back place for me.
(5)
David O.

The atmosphere, and drink selection, to begin, are great. Those points alone are worth a trip in, sitting down, and drinking in the scene while enjoying a whiskey. But beyond that point the food is also great; we shared a charcuterie tray, which was (with the option we chose) populated with three meats or cheeses from the moderate sized selection of each. It came with almonds, pickled veggies, a nice spread and some roasted garlic, and even had gluten free options, and was a nice lead-in to the steak and mashed potatoes we had to follow. A great place to stop in and have good food, with a fantastic environment, and be able to share conversation with the person next to you.
(4)
Vinnie B.

Oh what a SEXY space. Came with a group of friends and had a very relaxing evening, just what I needed after a busy weekend. Cocktails ~ Muddled fruits and great liquor. Mixologist knows how to make a drink. I had the "Bold Friend" spicy and packed with flavor. Food~ The Beet Burger was very good and at first I thought this would be sweet but it wasn't, It's very savory and not dry, I added avocado... Get This Artichoke dip was as advertised it's good for two people, so if you are sharing get two orders. ( kinda small) Get This Sapphire Burger with the brioche bun. This was very good ! I had Two bites before my friend snatched it from my "cold dead hands" LOL Get This. Service~ Attentive but not overbearing. My water never hit the bottom of the glass. This is a great place for a nice romantic night out and to have a great Cocktail and some pillow talk.. Remember, Please don't drink and play guitar.
(4)
Maki D.

Lovely spot! I only came here for a drink before taking off. I loved the ambiance of this place. I could see myself on a date here or on a ladies night for some noshings and drinks. So in the past, Sapphire Hotel was a brothel and a hotel...and even though it's not anymore, it's alluring aspects still linger with it's red walls, and dim lighting. The seating is intimate, and the back tables are lower with cozy chairs around them. The artwork is a bit eclectic with mosaic tiled table lamps adorning the tabletops, and local artists artwork scattered about the walls. The dranks! Holy moly drink city! The names of the drinks are quite a read in themselves, but also the ingredients! For example: The most popular drink, vodka, lime, coconut, orgeat, shirley temple soda and pop rocks. It was a tad tart but still rather enjoyable! I would most definitely come back for more of these drinks as well as to try the food. It was pretty packed when we went, but not so packed we had to wait for a table, which is a great sign that this place does well. Note to self: go on a date here.
(3)
Susan M.

Sapphire Hotel is one of those places that you just don't want to review b/c you don't want too many people to know about it. ;) Call me selfish but I just want to keep this gem a secret. We don't live far from here so this is our go-to joint at least once or twice a month. We always get the same drinks (HeyGuyHeyGuy & the Friendly Farmer aka Cranberry Punch) and we always have a great relaxed time here. The food is delicious. We recently got the cheese platter; beautiful presentation of awesome delightful treats. Oh and their bread pudding... holy h3ll!! Some of the best I've ever had. The staff is very attentive and the ambiance is chilled. It's hard to find a cool lounge over on our side of town so I'm definitely grateful SH is so close by.
(5)
RG S.

I visit Portland often for work. Some of the best parts about this city for me are the people, entertainment and choices of food. So when I find a gem of a place I tend to go back for more. That won't be the case with the Sapphire Hotel. I've eaten at the Sapphire only one time before with friends and the service and food was good. Their trademark drinks must keep people coming back. They are indeed creative and delicious. Tonight I stopped in alone at about 930pm. It's often awkward dining alone but I just could not resist having a good meal after a long day of work. I started with black coffee with Kahlua. When my meal was served, I waited for some time before I could catch and remind the server about my wine and bread that I requested to be served with the meal. I had ordered the Flatiron Steak with a reduction sauce, mash potatoes and a "seasoned vegetable" The seasoned vegetable turned out to be a few leaves of Romaine lettuce heated (unevenly I might add) in a pan with unremarkable oil and too much salt. When I was half through the steak, the server stopped and asked if everything was OK. I explained the seasoned vegetable was not good - being bland and over-salted. I felt like she gave me a "So what's your problem look" and shot back "So you want me to take it away?" I said no the steak and potatoes were good and I wanted to finish that part of the meal. I was hoping she might at least offer an alternative. Giving me the middle finger would have had the same effect for me. It struck me she asked about my meal not at all out of consideration for my having a pleasant meal - but just out of pure habit. She could have kept walking and never asked for what that was worth to me. When I got the bill they charged me the full price of the dinner with no adjustment for the badly cooked greens. What also surprised me were the charges of $3 for coffee and a charge of $8 for the shot of Kahlua in it (Geez, really?). Middle finger feeling again. Maybe she was tired and over-worked or the wrong profession. Maybe it was just too late to get the level of service I expected. And maybe, as is my opinion, they have enough regulars and the curious coming in they don't have time or care what one lone customer experiences. I have never written a review before because I understand the restaurant business from the inside and know there are just some days and somethings that miss a connection - so I tend to be laid back in judgement. But in this case I felt an exception was in order.
(2)
Melanie T.

We came for late nite snacks and weren't disappointed with the atmosphere...music, service, great!! Because the server said the chicken skewers were dark and white meat but they weren't. They were all thighs. We did not like that at all.
(4)
Briana T.

This place is epic! I've been twice in one week now and I'm excited to go back. Their drinks are so phenomenal, especially "the most popular drink" it has pop rocks! How fun is that? Also, their artichoke and arugula dip make you think you're in a magical place, it's so good!
(5)
Lorena L.

I was looking for a place to take my boyfriend on a date... scoured Yelp until I found the Sapphire Hotel! I thought the premise was cool - not every day you get to hang out in an ex-brothel. We dressed up a little and motored over after work. It's easy to find! Don't worry about dressing up, people were in everything from jeans to dresses and heels. It's a great place for drinks, as made clear by the menu. Loved that they had a glossary of drinks and drink terms. C had the Absinthe Classique (or something like that), I had The Most Popular Drink - creamy and fizzy from the Pop Rocks and absolutely delicious. I had the parmesan risotto cakes (AMAZING) and C had a salad (predictable... he said it was tasty.) The ambiance was a little different than I was expecting - less heavy red curtains and more wood. Cool spot, not too different from a lot of other hipstery Portland bars. The booth in the corner looked cozy! We sat at a bench/table combo with some pillows. Come here for amazing drinks and a light dinner. The drinks are worth the money, I promise. Definitely coming back with friends.
(4)
Miel H.

$4 decent red wine at Happy Hour. Pricier, finer wines available as well. Great decor and chill ambiance, but not a dive bar. Cute not gritty, employed middle income not blue collar. Seems like it would be a great date spot. Seating at the actual bar vs table is a bit short on room, but you get to see every move of the staff and it invites conversation. Very neighborhood-y spot and hard to believe the bordello history at this location, but makes for a deepening understanding of how Portland used to live. It felt a bit too upscale for me, but then, if you've been reading my reviews, you know that I like way less in home furnishings and way more in odd characters at the bar. Four stars because my actual preferences for style aside, service was stellar, atmosphere was positive.
(4)
Aimee L.

Still a great little place to hide out with a cocktail and a friend or sweetheart. Very good old fashioned and the artichoke/arugula dip was insanely good. Nice waitress, only reason for the non-perfect review was the burger was almost all the huge chunk of beef so you couldn't taste the other toppings much (and for $14.50 that's essential). Otherwise still a great place!
(4)
Deb F.

I'm basing this on one evening hanging out for Happy Hour, but I think I can say with assurance that the Sapphire Hotel is an awesome place to go. We got there early on a Saturday and found ourselves a cozy spot along the wall. The server was super sweet and helpful. She also had amazing hair! I had the Room Service (marionberry margarita served tall) and frickin' loved it! It looked like 2 drinks in one glass until I stirred it up a bit. Sweet but not too, boozy, but not too much. Loved it. Hubby had the Other Woman. Yes, right in front of me and everything, and I was okay with it. That one is apple bourbon, ginger and pear in a martini glass. I'm not a bourbon fan but it was good. We each had a salad, and I had the salmon & corn cakes (3) that were delicious. He had the Five Spice Chicken, which tasted like, well, chicken with five spice. It was meh. But it was a good light dinner. We hung out and talked and people watched and enjoyed the jazz and eventually pried ourselves up and went on our way. Very nice place to hang out and yes, everyone looks fabulous in the red-walled lounge, don't they?
(5)
Tiffany M.

Drinks! They have a ton of drinks on the menu, something to suit any taste. I love coming here for a drink before dinner or to get some happy hour grub. We went for brunch once for the bottomless mimosas and were disappointed with that, so we stick with the former time of day to visit. My favorite drink is The Bold Friend because it is, as advertised, bold as shit. Not for the faint of heart. Sexy vibes! Darkly lit, red walls, comfortable couches or a cozy bar at which to snuggle. The bathroom is so dark I literally couldn't see the toilet. Hmmm... maybe the light just burnt out.
(4)
Nicole B.

Four of us Snagged a table outside on a hot Saturday afternoon and just chilled it for hours. Staff was helpful when we needed, let us just drink and nibble and gossip. We split a charcuterie board with great pickles, some salmon corn cakes and bacon wrapped dates. All pretty good if on the snack sized side. Cocktails fun, inventive, and our server had lots of good suggestions.
(5)
Teresa R.

If you're a fan of Old Fashioneds or whiskey cocktails in general, do yourself a favor and order The Lounge Singer. It is hands down one of my favorite cocktails in the city. I have taken myself out to Sapphire just for one of those and their spinach dip. Their spinach dip is one of the best I've ever had! Great happy hour. And free live jazz Sunday nights! Super cute date spot. Casual but with a snazzy flair. You could get away with your comfy jeans or your fancier dress. What's not to love?
(5)
Tara R.

I have wanted to stop in here numerous times, so glad it finally happened! The staff are nice, the drinks are amazing! The most popular drink is by far my favorite alcoholic drink of all times. It comes with a side of pop rocks!! That alone makes me want to dine here every day. The food was tasty, we went during happy hour and tried quite a bit, every thing is high quality and super tasty.
(4)
Michelle M.

I love this place. Not only for its history, it's great ambiance, and it's neat bathroom, but for its yummy happy hour. I'm never disappointed with HH, and their drinks are pretty good. Their Pate is super flavorful but has a lot of that iron taste most people don't like. I enjoy it, though, being the pate lover that I am. What's also great is their bacon wrapped dates. Yum, yum, yum, yum, YUM! Great service!
(5)
Chase F.

I went here for the first time last night for a couple pre-function cocktails. Good LORD do they make a mean Old Fashion up in this place! It was super packed and my drink was working long and hard to get to me as they only had one bartender, but when it finally came, it made quite an impression. In fact, this might of been the best Old Fashion(s) I have had in my short life. I went up and complimented the bartender. I am not usually that guy. I'll be back. (Schwarzenegger voice)
(4)
Krista V.

Great drinks. Chill atmosphere. We had the cheese board and a salad both fantastic! Service was great as well. Definitely will be back.
(4)
Von T.

Very cool eclectic spot with great drinks and a really good happy hour. Must go with friend or a date night you wont be disappointed.
(5)
Donna K.

This romantic Portland dinner date spot always sets the mood for a great night or an ending to a great night if your last stop is here for cocktails and desserts. Dinner is great. The cheese plate is delish, but the cocktails and the dessert is where the orgasm is at!! Best best bread pudding in the history of the universe. It's a caramel pecan toasted bread pudding with whip cream on the side. The texture is right on. Bits of it is crispy, some bites are soft, some chewy, it's satisfaction in your mouth! Even if you are not a bread pudding believer, you will after one bite! The dessert is completely shareable, it's huge!! My favorite cocktail is the pomegranate margaritia! It's not on the list of cocktails, it's under the happy hour menu, but you can still order during other hours. Bonus: you can order drinks while you wait for a table. They have a drunk fund, which will put you in a cab if you're way intoxicated.
(4)
Lindsay D.

Perfect place for a date or to unwind!!! I've been here for a couple of relaxing, romantic date nights. We had such a great time that we came back for more! The atmosphere is very intimate and dimly lit, perfect for unwinding on the weekend. It actually used to be a brothel and 'shady hotel' (in their words) in the 1900s, so this might explain the sultry, inviting, calming atmosphere; it still holds on to that old world charm it had over a century before. Their food (especially the specials they had on Vaentine's Day) has always been melt-in-your-mouth amazing. I specifically remember a Lobster Bisque they had in there that I could've eaten 3 bowls of! So good. Some of their entree and drink prices can get a little spendy, so I've usually only gone here on special occasions. They do have a happy hour option, so that's a way to still visit and not break the bank. The atmosphere and food/drink has always made this a great Portland spot to visit! Highly recommended!
(5)
Rachel P.

Really great atmosphere, a lot cozier than expected. The cocktail menu is fantastic, however if you're feeling intimidated they are happy to make your old stand by! The burger was really nice and juicy (gluten free buns available) and the yam chips were so addicting! The service was on point! I am already planning a return visit.
(4)
Shannon S.

Outstanding food and a mixologist to match. The only reason this place didn't get a 5 was the seating... But I guess that's part of the charm.. Either way, it's worth the drive.
(4)
Stephanie B.

i love love love the sapphire hotel! it's funny to me that people writing negative reviews are complaining about the food or service. the drinks are what we care about!!! they have a thoughtful, diverse drink menu, and are willing to humor those too stupid to know what they want or too picky to order off the menu. i have had appetizers and never had anything bad to say about them! i've also never had slow service, but i don't usually go on friday or saturday nights. overall, the best drinks and MOST INCREDIBLE ATMOSPHERE. one of my favorite place to get drinks in portland
(5)
Yaeka K.

Great service and lovely brunch. Decor is cozy
(5)
Jav V.

Good cocktails and good food. Don't be turned off by the prices. The drinks are big and the food portions are huge.
(4)
Carissa W.

Located in an ex brothel, the red walled and dimly lit Sapphire Hotel is a downright swanky bar. The candlelight and small tables encourage leaning in and even canoodling. The drinks are excellent, the staff is always friendly, and the food and dessert are unique and yummy. Happy hour from 4-6 is fun, but the best hour for the sapphire is after dinner or at the tail end of a date. Everyone looks gorgeous in the low light, and with a few specialty drinks and desserts it may be the perfect date spot.
(5)
Deb P.

Hands down, our favorite bar in Portland. Delicious cocktails and food. Fabulous atmosphere (it was a brothel years ago) and decor.
(4)
Marci C.

Ok I found my Place! Originally from LA, and living part time in SF, Sapphire Hotel is the perfect blend of casual and chic. I had a lovely seat at the window with my date, little flicker of candlelight. Ordered the Trophy Wife, a lovely blend of ginger, peach and lemon. There was a nice happy hour menu as well. I will be back for sure.
(5)
christine c.

i used to frequent this place back when my fiance was this guy i was seeing. we loved this place for its fresh food and fun cocktails. well, last night i snuck out of the house without fiance and kids and went for a drink there myself. it was fabulous, as usual. the bartender really knows how to mix em, my mai tai came with a fun layer of grenadine at the bottom and tasted virgin but got me tipsy- the perfect drink, right? then the food! i had forgotten how fresh and wonderful it was. and they do use organic/local ingredients whenever possible! i had the panzanella and it was so perfect! atmosphere: it made me have a moment of wishing i was unattached and free...then i realized simultaneously that 1- l completely love my life and 2- i can always live vicariously through the other patrons at the Sapphire Hotel.
(5)
Nanielle T.

Ahhhh.... The Sapphire Hotel. I love their happy hour it's a great deal. The decor is very romantic and hip and the cocktails are truly yummy. It's one of the only places in town with a selection of Champagne cocktails. We oredered 2 salads for $3, a caesar and a goat cheese number with pecans and such. We also had some blackened chicken tenders with this amazing creamy mustard dip! and yes salmon cakes YUM!!! The service was good I'm sold-
(5)
Angela K.

There's no hostess to greet you, so be prepared to wait and wonder if you'll get to sit. Basically, the service wasn't top notch and a little snooty...will explain later. I ordered the Sapphire burger medium cooked with pink. The tarragon cornichon relish was yummy, but the beef wasn't cooked the way I requested. My gal friend ordered the Roasted Half Chicken and it was raw in the center. We politely got the server's attention and showed her the raw meat and requested that the chef was notified. She took offense to the news and made us feel like a burden. She clearly wasn't having a good night and it set a very uncomfortable vibe. After we apologized for the second time for being a hassle (which we weren't being and my friend could have gotten seriously sick and they should have been apologizing to us), our server grudgingly took the chicken dish off the check. We then ordered their homemade ice cream. Very light and delicious. The food was decent enough to want to give it a second chance. This would be a good place to come to with a small close group of friends and enjoy a cocktail or two. Very intimiate setting and lighting. Small dining area and limited seating, so not great for big groups.
(3)
Ben S.

Freakin great. Maybe the best bar in Portland. As someone else said, you can take anyone here. Good drinks, specials, decent food. Non-smoking! Warm, romantic. Total success for what they are aiming for.
(5)
Shanna C.

I think the reviews here made this place seem like much more of a swanky, romantic hot spot. I had wanted to go here for months and finally went with my boyfriend and was glad because half of the people there were in couples, but you could totally arrive in a small group of friends and fit in well/not feel out of place. When we first got in we found an empty table and stood by it for about a minute trying to decide whether it was a seat yourself type of place or wait and be seated... really weird. I'm still not sure what the answer was, but the waitress was nowhere to be found. Once she did arive though, she was attentive, like remarkably attentive, to the point where i felt bad for ordering just one drink. We decided to leave because she kept coming back and asking if we wanted another round. Their bathroom was very cool though and made me feel like I was at the Moulin Rouge. If you do go, get "The Other Woman" - a delicious martini that is quite refreshing and easily consumed (I could have had a few probaby had the waitress not rushed us so much). All in all, a nice place, but I probably won't go back because ther are just better places to go for drinks in Portland.
(3)
Noe'lle M.

no.1- it's dark and red with dark wood tables and candle light. no.2- the cheese plate is beautiful. it also came with roasted garlic, figs, grapes, walnuts and bread. butternut squash enchiladas are quite good. so are the salmon crab cakes. no.3- i had a good spanish wine. no.4- nice servers and they let you enjoys things and don't rush you. no.5- music is always lovely
(5)
Evan H.

I've been coming to the Sapphire occasionally since it first opened. The drinks are excellent and the space is intimate. It fronts like it's upscale but I've dressed been here in jeans and a hoodie and haven't felt out of place. I used to love getting a drink here after work, since it was on my way home...before Portland went smoke-free (which changes nothing about the Sapphire). The food menu has expanded a great deal and I haven't, truthfully, indulged in much of it, but the cheese plates and appetizers I've shared over the years have been more or less what we anticipated--a little pricey, but pretty tasty. It can be hard to get seating and it has developed into a bit of a scene, but it's a fantastic place to have a drink if you have a long wait for Apizza Scholls, or are making a night of the upper Hawthorne bar scene. I met my current partner here, actually. I have nothing but nice things to say about the Sapphire!
(4)
Jes P.

The perfect place for tasty, late night cocktails. Lovely ambiance befitting a night out with the girls or a romantic evening with your man. I love the elevated bedroom decor, the long pink floral tapestry on the wall, and the cutouts of birds lacquered to the tables. The details make this place and the cocktails and desserts are fabu!
(4)
Olivia H.

i wish i could give this place 8 stars! i love it! my new fave place in town. the girls here are all super sweet! the menu is awesome! best happy hour around! whilst enjoying a little slice of heaven at the sapphire, dont forget to try the hanger steak! you wont be sorry!
(5)
Suzanne L.

Cool spot, dim lights, wood burning fireplace. Its a great place to go with friends to have nice conversation and good drinks. They had a great menu, but all we got was a Mediterranean plate with hummus, baba ganoush, and taziki with pita. It did the trick. Drinks are innovative. On the night I was there (just after the election) their special was "Barack my World Sangria" but I opted for a twist on the classic Sidecar. It did not disappoint.
(4)
Katie M.

I've only been here once but it gets 5 stars from me for an excellent happy hour both drink-wise and food-wise. The caesar salad is great.
(5)
Randolph W.

I don't get it. Granted we were a bit tired as it was late. But we read great things, and it's close, and we really wanted to try. We stopped in around midnight and were still offered full menu which was nice. The waitress was also friendly with the exception of leaving the door open while gathering outdoor furniture to close up when it was about 35 degrees outside. We didn't have drinks, so maybe that was the issue. We did order four items. We had the bacon wrapped dates, green bean salad, duck tacos, and the butternut squash enchiladas with jalapeÃ±o emmenthaler sauce. All run by the waitress and she said all were great, even telling us the enchiladas over beef bourgogne. The tacos were pretty good, but nothing crazy. B-. The dates were average at beat and the blue cheese stuffing non-existent. Pre-made and so hot we couldn't eat for 10 mins. C-. The green bean salad had some sort of fried ball on top with a fried egg inside. Not seasoned at all. Kale was off and rainbow chard was missing. For $10 it should have been something pretty good. I hate having to add salt unless it's on fries with a burger, but we had to. C-. Lastly, the enchiladas. At this point, I wondered if we were on Kitchen Nightmares. A bowl/dish that might have been from Denny's and a disgusting dish. It just didn't work. It also was pre-made and tasted like it was microwaved to 500 degrees. Grease and cheese dripping everywhere, jalapeÃ±os out of a jar, it we both had a bite and had that feeling you might regret eating this a few hours later. F. We got our check and left. Place is cool inside. Music was exceptionally loud for a small and mostly empty place playing gangster hip-hop. I got the impression the bartenders were forced to play because they finally just changed the station. Just way too many options around here to go back.
(1)
Brandy S.

This is a really beautiful and exotic bar with red Chinese lanterns and dark wood tables. We didn't try the appetizers, but the desserts were good (we tried the bread pudding and the peach cobbler). As for drinks, I tried my first Appletini and I love it. My boyfriend, who never gets drunk, got a little buzz from the Long Island. Some of our friends had the sake and really enjoyed it too.
(4)
Alexandra M.

Great in every way, ladies are personable, decor great, lighting, good, drinks, only problem is its so popular you sometimes have to wait awhile! tho they magically seem to make it not so long:)
(5)
Suzanne F.

This is a good place to go on a chilly Friday night for snacks & a good drink! We had originally intended to go elsewhere but the scene was too busy, loud, and just not quite right. Fortunately for us the Sapphire Hotel is within walking distance of our place & was just the ticket! There were 2 spots left at the bar & we quickly availed ourselves. The atmosphere is great - lots of slightly seedy history (think: ladies of the evening, sailors on leave, etc.) with suitable complimentary lighting. Everyone looks swell & years younger! We each had a cocktail (they make a solid champagne cocktail with Angostura bitters). Stuart had a glass of good red wine which worked perfectly with the burger he ordered. It came with cole slaw & roasted potatoes. He loved it. I ordered a snack - 'hot shrimp cocktail' which was 2 skewers of grilled shrimp served with a fantastic spicy dipping sauce. Yum! I will make a point of coming back often!
(4)
Cosmolicious L.

We didn't stay there, but stopped by for some cocktails and appetizers. Awesome hotel bar! Perfect cocktails. Tasty snacks. The darks layers of beautiful materiel draped on the walls made it feel cozy and made me not want to leave. Ever. UPDATE: Jokes on me. No hotel. Can't stay there no matter how much you drink.
(5)
Nina S.

Great food. Great for date night.
(4)
Lily C.

Good drinks, very attentive service, and a sultry atmosphere. A little 'spensive, but if you go during happy hour the prices are reasonable. The waiter was so darned friendly I started to wonder if he was hitting on me. GREAT place to bring a date! I haven't tried the brunch yet.
(4)
Emily B.

As this is only about four blocks from our house, we walk to the Sapphire for a drink every so often. My fiance likes the lemon drops and I like the ambiance and outdoor seating in the summer. The one problem: on weekend nights when the place gets full, the noise level is really high.
(4)
Edible S.

gotta add the burger.. their burger is high on my list, tied with the tasty Marche burger in Eugene, oregon
(4)
Donal B.

Just got back from a meal at Sapphire. The food was great. Smaller portions, however, very tasty. The decor has a very Asian style to it, however, it doesn't reflect the menu options. My wife had the hanger steak and I tried some and it was delicious. I ordered the Ahi Tuna. My plate came a little late because the chef over cooked it. The waitress took it upon herself to have them redo the meal. It only took about 5 minutes to get my meal, but she compted me a free beer while I waited. Salad and apps options were exceptional and I like that I can come by after 10pm on some nights and get a $1 tall boy of PBR. The staff was very friendly, timely and offered good service. Meal prices were from $8 to $14. We had two drinks, a salad, appetizer and two main courses for $50 + tip. I would go back for sure. There was some live music as well. Loud enough to notice, but didn't interrupt conversations at the other end of the restaurant. I would have given it 5 stars, if not for my meal being a little late.
(4)
ray e.

oooh sapphire hotel. i had a pomegranate margarita and some other tasty drink. i had a multi-layered discussion on race, gender, politics and what it means to be a queer woman of color in a straight white world. ambiance? comfy. vibe? unpretentious. drinks? yummy. server? attentive and swift. four stars!!
(4)
andrew P.

Best brunch in Portland!
(5)
Patrick M.

Let me start off by saying if I could give them 5 stars I would, but it would be for service. All of the wait staff were EXCELLENT beyond compare. They made sure everything was taken care of, water filled, and were not intrusive! Now where I get to the one star rating. The drinks, eh, lots to choose from and lots of interesting ingredients. They were ok, not like WOW, we need to come back soon! The food. Well, I ordered the French Onion Soup and the Tandoori Chicken bites. The soup, eh, again, nothing to rave about. The bread with the cheese that is typically on top of the soup should be covered in cheese, very crisp on top and soaking up the soup from beneath. This was just plain soggy and it seemed like the bread was either a rye or wheat..again, eh. The chicken was moist and tender, but really had no flavor. My partner ordered the Veggie burger. The consistency was mushy and the fries soggy. Again, not really worth it. I left the waitress a really good tip based upon service and not food/drinks. Glad we tried it but won't be back.
(1)
Selena N.

I've been here a few times, and have always enjoyed their drinks and their food. They have a great wine selection and appetizer list.
(4)
Heather T.

I wish I lived in SE because I want those bacon-wrapped dates in my life more often. Everything I've tried on the menu is great, in fact. I'm a bartender myself and when I drink here I'm constantly reminded of how much I DON'T know about trending liquors. I mean that in a good way. They are stocked with lovely and exotic bottles of yumyums that I look at, study and taste as a learning experience. The drinks are prepared with care and love. Sitting at the bar is like a little show if you're into that. Any time I have a friend that asks me for a place to take a date I suggest this haunt. But don't let that deter you if you're solo. I've taken MYSELF out for a date here. The bartenders have always been pretty dang busy every time I've gone there but they've always made time to have a quick little chat with me. These people know their stuff and they're cute to boot.
(5)
foodfoodfood f.

I think people just go here to drink, because the food menu is really limited and mediocre. The parmesan risotto is like sludge, and there are only four or five entrees (two of them are different burgers). I really wish they would work on the menu, as it's a cute space, but they probably make most of their bank from the drinks (and it shows).
(2)
Emilie S.

Seared scallops on a bed of very heavily truffled spinach. Perfect gibsons, excellent wine and drink menu. Medium priced, all very tasty dinner and app options. Inexpensive and high quality happy hour options. Gingery, well executed crÃ¨me brÃ»lÃ©e. Salad was fine, but not particularly special. Service was excellent and refreshingly friendly.
(4)
Veronica W.

Lovely place, and wonderful food!
(5)
Lauren G.

I love the cocktails. And when I didn't like the cocktail I ordered, our server happily replaced it with one I did want. The cheese plate was also delicious.
(4)
Sarah W.

What the heck? People like this place? My experience there was terrible. First of all, the decor is nothing like I had imagined. I guess I expected it to have a little more resemblance to a hotel, and that the 1930's vibe would be more polished. Instead, it looked like dirty old junk strewn about. Our server was awful to us. I already ordered my drink but then I realized she didn't tell us what their seasonal beer was so I asked. She looked at me for a second like I was an idiot and then replied "Well, we don't stack our drinks here so you can't have another one right now." Um, did I ask for another drink yet? No. I was just curious. (She also didn't mention their dinner specials either...) Our dinner was not good at all. I got the beet burger. I wish she would have told me that the burger is really dry and it really does need the cheese to be edible. My boyfriend's burger was also gross. There was so much dill on it that it too was inedible. We told the server that we'd like a second drink with our dinner. But since she didn't deliver our plates she didn't get to take our order. By the time she came by to check on us, we were practically finished with our lackluster meal. "Well, I guess you guys don't want your drink anymore then," she said to us. "Um, well, actually we did." She audibly scoffed at us and then took our drink order. 2 stars because the drinks are good.
(2)
Melissa H.

This is my favorite bar in Portland. The atmosphere is fun and relaxed. Order the "retrosex", a cocktail with basil and elderflower liqueur.
(5)
Kara P.

Met up with a friend for happy hour here. The atmosphere was very nice, easy to have a conversation as well as an attentive and friendly staff. We sampled several of the happy hour dishes the Artichoke & Arugula Dip was by far my favorite thing. I stuck to the house red wine, which was very good, but next time I would like to try something off of the cocktail menu because some of the items looked really good.
(4)
Matthew W.

I liked the Sapphire Hotel, but I was not overwhelmed. The service was below average, but the food was decent and the drinks were more than acceptable. Lighting is low and seating is somewhat cramped. The decor was eclectic and actually spawned a few conversations. We went right at the 4pm opening time and only had the charcuterie and meat plates, bread and olives. I was impressed with the charcuterie plate, though the meat plate was not up to par with others I have enjoyed elsewhere.
(3)
Jacob M.

Great service, wonderful ambiance, delicious and diverse food choices; I'm hooked!
(5)
Savvy G.

Love This place! It's deep SE PORTLAND but worth the drive it's dim lit, peacock feathers, awesomeness! Food is great and it's romantic. The great thing about it is you see couples and groups dressed up and not dressed up at all. It is far from a scene I love it!!!!
(5)
Jer J.

Happy hour! Limited HH food menu - got the Sapphire salad and corn/salmon cakes. Also got the bacon-wrapped dates (regular menu). Hubby got hangar steak and french onion soup (regular menu). Oh, and house white wine - which was good. So I made the mistake of saying go ahead bring everything out at once, as I misunderstood the server when she asked. I meant I didn't care about having appetizers first or anything, but instead I basically said bring everything out at once, even if some things are done before others. Oops. So everything came at once. My salad would have been yummy with candied nuts, seasonal greens, maybe blue cheese and a good vinaigrette. But, it was the mixed greens from a tub, and they were wilted. WILTED. You know what I mean - we've all bought those plastic tubs and picked out the wilted pieces of lettuce. Ewwwwwww. Okay, bacon-wrapped dates - you can't go wrong - and they were delicious. Buuuuutttt....I've never had them with pits. Usually they have blue cheese or something inside, but I wish I had known they weren't pitted. Hurts when you bit into one and there's a *&%* pit. They were also cold. Weird but maybe supposed to be that way? Still yummy tasting, I mean, how could you go wrong with bacon wrapped anything. The french onion soup (FOS) came with a couple of pieces of french bread on the side. It looked like your typical FOS. But it was the most saltiest, beef-broth-from-a-can-tasting soup. Really big disappointment, especially at $8 per bowl. Hubby said worst FOS ever, which was very surprising as he's more laid-back about food usually. The hangar steak was delicious - perfectly cooked and really good. My salmon/corn cakes were good too, with a good sauce that wasn't too much. I loved the decor and swankiness factor. The chair was horribly uncomfortable, but they had pillows I could put underneath and behind me. The server was lovely and sweet and everything came out quickly. The place really started filling up (on a Thursday) after 4:30. I'd probably go back to check out other food if we are in the area, but the quality of some dishes were a big let down for a first visit.
(3)
Nikee W.

The Sapphire is probably my favorite late night hangout in all of Portland. It's like a sexy haunted opium den with great drinks and a killer french onion soup. They obviously nailed it with the ambiance, but they back it up by having great drinks and a solid menu. Normally I would be appalled to pay $8 for a drink but these concoctions are unique and delicious and huge! For food, I love the pita and hummus platter and again, the french onion soup is one of my all time favorites. It serves as a great spot for date night/girls night/ and all other nights.
(5)
Nathan S.

Quite frankly one of my favorite places in Portland. Their drinks are tasty, the food is good and I like the atmosphere. Also, it's hard to find better late night eats (past 10PM) than Sapphire. I have been going there for many years and they are pretty consistent. Sapphire may not be fore everyone. The space isn't great for groups of more than 4 or 5 in my opinion. It's usually loud because it tends to be busy and sometimes my wife has a difficult time hearing conversations (but I swear she's half deaf). And their tap selection is small. The service has always been good but is occasionally slow like on a Friday night when they are very busy. A great SE spot!
(5)
Tet W.

I came here for Sunday dinner. I've been wanting to try this place for awhile. It's a nice swanky place that definitely has a romantic feel. The restaurant is dark with Asian colored lanterns hung with pillows on the bench. The tables are dark wood with a candle light lit at each table. They also have a nice bar where they can cook up different cocktails. This is the perfect place to bring a date or if you're feeling frisky with your partner and you just want to set up the mood for a great night. My waitress was nice and prompt with my order. I started the night with the arugula and artichoke dip with French baguette which was piping hot when it came out. It had a bit of tartness with the sour cream and jalapeÃ±os. This is a nice appetizer to share but can also be eaten by one person as well. I also had the Sapphire burger with white cheddar and bacon for an extra $3. This burger is fantastic and my hands were dripping with juices and yummy grease. It was hella tasty. The truffled yam fries were fantastic but a bit soggy. It also came with a mayonnaise based dipping sauce which was a nice accompaniment to the fries. Overall, the food is great and the ambiance is relaxing and fun. I highly recommend coming here for happy hour or just a fun night out with friends or your significant other.
(5)
Rosy D.

Romantic! Candlelight, the sapphire coffee cocktail, a low mumble of other conversations, tasty desserts! The service can be a teensy bit slow, but if you are there to have a relaxing romantic evening with your significant other you don't mind the waiting time. It adds to the ambience that the build up of waiting for your food will prove that "good things come to those who wait."
(4)
Emily S.

Favorite bar in Portland. Super cozy but I always seem to get a spot. The artichoke dip is phenomenal & they always have a cocktail on special.
(5)
Tiffany H.

Great drinks, and bartenders that will provide suggestions and good drink information. Drinks are moderately priced for Portland. Delicious food as well. Great decor, aRelatively pretentious attitude, but such is the Portland way.
(4)
Mark A.

very creative and well designed coctails. $8 or $9 a pop tho. food menu is more about fancy than a solid meal. very friendly servers, but one of them had the worst b.o. i have ever smelled in the service industry. it was BAD. to the point where management should have sent him home to shower. it was actually kinda funny.
(3)
Morgan M.

Great food, appetizers and entrees. The atmosphere can get a little noisy when it's crowded, but it's a great date spot. Last time I was in there was a family with a small child near the back who alternated between crying, and banging a spoon against the table. Not really the management's fault, but it's not really a child friendly environment, and they should consider not allowing minors. Their cocktails are excellent. Anyone who reviews them as "not strong enough" has no class. In Portland it's all too common for bars to ruin the delicate balance of a drink by tilting the ratio of booze to mixer. The cocktails here are mixed by a professional, and are some of the best in the whole city. They have a great scotch selection as well. Overall, one of my favorite "fancy" places. A little pricey, but you won't be disappointing with any aspect of the experience.
(4)
Kristen M.

EAT. DRINK. KISS. is pretty much the motto of the Sapphire Hotel. History lesson: way back in the day (early 1900's), when sailors and travelers came through "Rose City", they would stay at the Sapphire hotel with "lady companions". People rented rooms for (hours), nights, days or weeks. Gypsies and musicians served as entertainers at the lobby. As time went on, the lady companions ventured out to get jobs around the area, people started to sell art in galleries and the hotel turned into apartments for rent. Currently, the lobby serves as a lounge for this establishment, serving up great mixes of alcoholic beverages. The vibe is cool and chill. Very red, very simple, very seductive. **EAT** Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to order any food since I previously went out for dinner. Neighboring tables ordered little appetizers to share with their date. They also offer simple bar food and desserts as well. **DRINK** What I came here for! The menu is quite extensive and unique concoctions of cocktails are available. If you opt to stick with your personal "go-to" drinks, they offer classics as well. AND they offer pretty much can personalize your drink with any brand of alcohol (except for Absolut Vodka). Our waitress was very kind. She welcomed any questions we had about the menu since it was our first visit. She also took care of us quite well - made sure we had enough water filled, checking to see if we needed another cocktail (thanks!). [**RETROSEX**] made up of Gin, St. Germaine, grapefruit, lemon and a basil tincture is served in a snifter glass. You definitely got that basil essence within your drink. It was quite light and refreshing! I didn't even know I was drinking alcohol with this one! Our waitress mentioned it was a popular fave amongst the customers. ($8) [**THE HOUSEKEEPERS WALK**] is made out of tequila, port, lime, ginger and soda. I was a bit skeptical about ordering this drink since tequila and I don't really have much of a good track record. You know how you get a tequila-based drink and you can totally smell tequila or even the taste of it without drinking it? Well with this little concoction, you don't get that ordeal. Better yet, you don't even know you're drinking tequila! Woo hoo! ($8) **KISS** Yes this place is quite an intimate date spot! For a group of girls grabbing a cocktail to catch up, the rest of the clientele were couples! (Eeek! We didn't get that memo since it was our first time here!) If a guy is planning to impress a girl, this is one spot I'd recommend! And once these couples left, you definitely knew there was some hanky-panky going on! I highly recommend The Sapphire Hotel as a venue for drinks! Service is superb! Couldn't ask for more kindness and information from our awesome waitress! Parking is on the street or nearby neighborhood. Whether you're here with girlfriends to catch up or just on a date with that "special someone", I'm pretty sure you'll have a lovely time here!
(5)
Ame P.

So many delicious drinks. I love the interior of Sapphire, feels like a mysterious hole in the wall brothel. The drink menu is always super creative and tasty and my favorite food on the menu is the ahi. You gotta try it!! If you got bad vision, beware that the lighting is low in this establishment... Which could work in your favor depending on your motive for the night... The crowd is always diverse and eclectic. The staff is friendly and attentive. What more can you ask for?!
(4)
Brian J.

Maybe I have higher standards for what I consider romantic. Sure, compared to IHOP this place is romantic. But I expect romantic to be cozy, offer you and your partner a bit of privacy. A certain quietness and mystique. But at the Sapphire you're seated side by side with lots of other people in one big rectangular room. It's quite common, really. Ok, the lighting is low, but that's about where it ended for me. I found it loud and unspectacular. My partner had coctails which got high stars from her. However, my wine tasted like vinegar, as if it had sat in the bottle for a few days. I would have loved to have mentioned to our server but she vanished after bringing drinks and did not return. I saw her gaily chatting with other staff, then dodging into the kitchen, then more chatting and then back into the kitchen. It wasn't that busy of a night. Over an hour later when we were ready to leave, I finally literally had to wave my arms to get her attention. I don't know, but hey, maybe that customer staring at you is expecting you to drop by, or thinking "gee, that guy has been nursing that glass of wine for an hour, I wonder what's up with that?," or even going so far as to check in once every half hour or so might net y'all some better tips.
(2)
Lauren L.

This place is just....MAGICAL. So here I am, it's a Thursday night after dinner with the girls, and my friend says "Let's get drinks at the Sapphire Hotel." Of course, I oblige. Park my car around the bend near a dumpster and an old Chevy with three wheels (one got stolen, apparently...) and we head to the Sapphire Hotel. My friend tells me it used to be an old brothel - eh, whatevers. But once you get inside, it has the coziest, warmest, hip vibe. It's feels upscale and trendy without the pretentious snooty aura. It's not dingy or dirty - definitely not a dive bar/lounge - it's super chic but has a chill vibe to it. Plus, the Happy Hour drink menu is amazing and once again...just magical. I have no clue what drink I got (it was their special concoction for the evening) but it tasted so delicious. We just hung out and....chilled out all night. Perfectttt.
(5)
Melinda M.

Remarkably intimate for such a busy, crowded restaurant. Despite a packed house on a Friday night, we got a table relatively quickly and automatically felt like we were in our own little world. Intimate ambiance with an atmosphere that screams some pdas are okay here. Their specialty drinks were yummy, if a little weak. There was a full bar to fill that void. Not a whole lot of entree options, but some very good ones. I had an excellent dish of mushroom cakes with shrimp. My date had the beet enchiladas and they could have used a bit more seasoning. Service was very good - attentive and kept things moving. Probably helpful for getting the large waiting list through, yet we didn't feel rushed by any means. Overall, definitely not a place to miss on your Portland adventures.
(4)
Brit K.

My Fiancee and I went to Portland for a weekend trip, and this was the first place we went (on a recommendation by a friend of mine). We arrived around 9:45 on Saturday 4/6/13, and surprisingly, the wait for a table (for 2) was only 5-10 minutes! I say surprisingly because the interior is rather small. The atmosphere was fun and sexy, and didn't take itself seriously at all, which was exactly what we were looking for. My fiancee was wearing a dress shirt and black slacks, and I was wearing a dress and heels, and we were a little more dressy than some people in the bar, but I didn't feel out of place at all. For my first drink, I ordered a "Floozy" ("Â°Pear vodka, Benedictine, Amer, lemon, honey and Aphrodite bitters. Up.") which was FABULOUS. It was the perfect mix of sweet and bitter, with a little bit of an herbal quality. (I do NOT like very sweet drinks.) For food, I ordered the butternut squash enchilada, and it was a great choice. It was fairly heavy with cheese sauce, so if you're not in the mood for heavy food, I would avoid this dish. It was all-around enjoyable with the sweetness of the squash, and the spicy jalapenos in the sauce. For my second drink, I ordered a "Backhand" ("Bourbon, Fernet, *cardamom syrup, *reduced orange and bitters. Short."), and it tasted exactly like chai with alcohol. The taste was slightly sweet, and extremely spicy with cardamom, and I liked it very much, but not as much as the "Floozy." There is no fruit flavor to this drink (the "reduced orange" really only adds a slight sweetness, but doesn't really lend an orange flavor), so if that's your thing, I would avoid this cocktail. All in all, this was a lighthearted, fun start to our weekend, and I will definitely go back next time I go to P-Town.
(4)
Esperanza C.

The staff is extremely accommodating and pleasant. Good ambiance. So much fun to meet a friend there. Inventive drink menu and the dishes (many gluten free) are tasty.
(5)
Darcy N.

AMAZING cocktails, friendly and attentive staff. The menu is small, but the food here is superb - I'd love to see more entrees though. All around, this place is delicious. It has a wonderful, intimate atmosphere. Not a lot of seating though so beware of wait during peak hours. The bartender, or should I say Mixologist, with top knot really loves his craft. It was great to watch him create. I love you, Sapphire!
(5)
Barry T.

Great cocktails - the traditional ones are done expertly and the original ones are great but not over the top. The service was attentive and efficient, the staff knew the menu well and were friendly. Our service went into great detail answering any question we had. The atmosphere is romantic and sultry, and the noise level makes the place vibrant. The food was excellent and prepared perfectly. Tandoori chicken was succulent, the soup du jour was fantastic as was the French onion soup. We also enjoyed the small plates of the scallops and the albacore. Dessert was a fantastic chocolate lava cake with a coffee cocktail. The crowd is diverse and typical SE Portland. It was a great evening.
(4)
Diaz M.

Ahhhmazzing drinks here. You have options here and you will not be disappointed. Historical, rustic , romantic and very cozy place to take a date.
(5)
Amanda K.

I have a not-so-secret fantasy of having a hot and heavy make out session (and more) in the bathroom at the Sapphire Hotel. It's so tastefully decorated and warm and inviting and intimate, but those descriptions could actually be applied to the whole bar. Sexy, sexy, sexy. Dark and dim. Inventive and delicious cocktail offerings. The image in your head of a hot and heavy make out session in that lovely bathroom with whiskey and bitters on your breath. I've brought out-of-towners here, i've brought a date here, and i've sipped here quietly by myself before. Every time is a win. Please visit this place. Or don't, I get a little cranky when the table I like to frequent is taken, anyways.
(5)
Robinton H.

One of my top 5 favorite places in Portland. Been coming here for years, but making sure not enough for it to lose it's magic. Split a cheese plate with someone you love or might want to love. I hear the cocktails are great, but this where I learned to love red wine (fitting color considering the decor here).
(5)
Jill S.

I really like my bars to look like a bordello in Chinatown in San Francisco circa 1907. Lovely, warm: red-lit lanterns and dark walls. Unexpected and suggestive in an eerily wholesome way. A shabbily seductive lair designed by a deposed Hungarian countess. Service was friendly, warm, and made me feel cherished. Cocktails composed of juxtaposed flavors: spice, herb, fruit, spirits. Interesting and tasty drinks with plenty of punch: I wanted to try them all!
(4)
Rick M.

Ok, so my fiancÃ©e and I decided to try this place out. Walk in and grab a table by the door. Given that it's cold, we decide to try to move away from the door to a table in the middle. We get told we can sit there because there's only 2 of us and they are saving those tables for larger parties. I would get that if the place was full or there was a wait list, but there was neither and you have 2 people standing right in front of you. We grab a different seat and order drinks, the only saving grace of this place, good drink menu and tasty drinks. We order some food, fiancÃ©e asked for gluten free enchiladas. Food shows up in a bowl basically. They made them with no tortilla (so they would be gluten free) rather than to use a corn one as a substitute, disappointing, that basically makes the enchiladas a bowl of soup with a crusty top. I got a burger; was a good, flavorful burger. I was asked if I wanted lettuce and tomato, sure. Menu says it comes with an aioli, cool. Get the burger and it's plain; everything, including their sauce was on the side, build and butter your own burger entirely? I get that with some of the fixings like lettuce and tomatoes, but ive never seen a place put their sauce on the side. Also, none of the add ins are included in the burger, they wanted to charge me for lettuce and tomato when it wasn't listed in the menu as a cost add in...lame. All in all, I would give it 2.5, but since I can't, I always error on the higher side cause I try to be nice.
(3)
Raina D.

Stopped in for drinks and dinner before heading to the Expo Center to see Cirque. They seem to really specialize and excel in their house cocktails, having and extensive list of pretty complex and lavish things to choose from. I had the Apricot Blonde -- pepper vodka, apricot, and some other stuff. Was quite good, and quite spicy! My mate had Man of Leisure -- bourbon, peach, cayenne, and other things. He liked it as well. For food, I had risotto cakes with mushroom sauce. I was expecting something a bit different. There weren't many mushrooms included (like 3 whole ones and a couple chopped) and the sauce was more like broth, having said that, it tasted pretty good but one note. Maybe some parsley would have added a little bit of freshness to an otherwise heavy and umami filled plate of ricey goodness. My beau had the squash enchiladas, which were suffering from a watery sauce as well. They definitely needed some more spices to make them enchiladas, as it was, it was squash in a tortilla with watery cheese sauce on top. NO seasoning. The ambiance and layout was nice and quaint, but nothing really piqued my intrigue or made it stand completely out. All in all, I'd come back to try more of their drinks, but not for the food.
(3)
Jack D.

Had a dry spell - for awhile now - finding a really nice place to have a designer cocktail. Stumbled into the Sapphire and ordered the "Lounge Singer." One of the best drinks I've had in a very long while. Got here on a sunday, at 1600 (opening) and grabbed one of the two window seats by the door with my hot girlfriend. Nibbled on delicious Salmon Corn Cakes people watching and pondering "when" to stop ordering drinks... exceptional service.
(4)
George M.

Ever think to yourself "Gee, I wish I could be having sex right about now"? Sure, 82nd avenue is a short drive away, but we're talking about getting it the old fashioned way. To woo your date with class, designer drinks and dimly lit ambiance, take her to the Sapphire Hotel. We're not talking about impressing her with wealth (El Gaucho) or uber-hipness (Dig a Pony). The Sapphire is the perfect balance between "trying too hard" and "not trying hard enough." An appetizer and a coupla cocktails is the best shot you got, player. Use it wisely. The atmosphere is hip, but not pretentious. The drinks are upscale, but not snooty. The food is creative (baon-wrapped dates stuffed with cheese? Hell effin yes) but not overpriced. Not trying to get laid? Well, go there anyway you sexless android. Just might class your ass up a bit.
(5)
A K.

Sapphire Hotel is well known for being a good happy hour spot, a place that serves unique cocktails (Would I like another Nina Simone? Yes, pretty please!) and a hot destination with "mood lighting" for dates and/or encouragement all around for patrons to create random PDA sightings. I concur.
(5)
Ignatius R.

While you will likely be corralled in very close proximity to other couples, Sapphire Hotel is not an unromantic place for a date, and by date I mean drinks with light eats. The food is pretty decent. It's medium pricey. A little bit fancy, but please do not go there if you are actually hungry as the portions will likely disappoint. I used to really enjoy this place a lot more several years ago before they vastly changed their offerings, and then changed them again. Now I'm not quite sure what kind of food or quality I'm going to get at all. Thus, my presence there has become less frequent. The drink menu nowadays is pretty much saturated in self-congratulatory filth and innuendo. Because this aspect is so prominent and there is no apparent theme to the place, it only comes off as gimmicky, poorly thought out, and cheaply executed. I can understand how stuff like this can be funny, it's just that the way it's done at Sapphire isn't. If anything it does seem to resonate quite well with the theme and undertone of "trashy hipster" evident in the decor, several servers, and the people in general who frequent this establishment. However, I don't think this is how they would describe it. The service is very Portland-meh. You never know what you're going to get but I can't say that all my experiences have been bad. Sometimes you might find yourself attended by a 'cocktail waitress' who thinks she's too cool for her own job, and this, while thoroughly obnoxious, is nothing new or unheard of when discussing service in the Portland area. It's just going to happen. Food: 8/10 Drinks: 7/10 Ambiance: 8/10 Value: 7/10
(4)
Sherry S.

Went back recently.. they have some dynamite cocktail recipes, very unique!!! They are very attentive and warm.. had a champagne cocktail.. wanted something upbeat and bubbly.. it was and so was the person that waited on me. My choice for entree was the No choise salad and I added shrimp.. Wonderful! I've always loved nicoise salads anyway because you get all these different veggies and alternative flavors you can mix up in your mouth like as in this case a sort of fried poached egg.. green beans, grapefruit, olives.. All in all.. very relaxing, laid back feel to this place.. cavelike.
(4)
Ana B.

Before coming to the Sapphire Hotel I saw an add for it in the Portland Mercury which featured a young lady holding a martini, completely obliterated. I thought to myself, this looks like my kind of place. Contrary to what that ad would lead you to believe Sapphire room has class to spare and is not the sort of place you'd want to get shit faced at. I came in for drinks and conversation, however it looks like the food is the main event. On a Saturday night there was a bit of a wait for dining, but we strolled up to the bar with ease. Although I did not have the pleasure of ordering food, everything looked top notch. Sapphire would be a wonderful way to kick off a romantic evening with dinner and drink. The atmosphere is intoxicating, its quaint and has a way of summoning you to relax, sink into your cocktail and leave the outside world behind.
(4)
J. Kirsten E.

Great food! The clams & mussels were really tasty and I don't usually like clams. The Beet burger was good....the sauces are yummy. The atmosphere is relaxed and the music not too loud for having a nice conversation with freinds.The service is great. We also tried the steak and it was very good--the sauce was a little sweet and light. The price was more than reasonable. We tried a taste of the Chartreuse liquor and it was very unusual! It seems to have many different aftertastes that keep hitting you after you take a sip. Its worth a try if you like something different. I also appreciated the history of the place--really gives it some charm. We will be back. Observation: There was a lot of birds on stuff in this establishment.
(4)
Kim H.

This is my default bar to visit after work when I need to be spoiled by great drinks, friendly service and good food. The couches in the back by the fireplace are cozy and informal. The drink list is imaginative and well constructed. My only wish is that they would stay open a bit later.
(5)
Hoa N.

Love this place. Great quality food, ambiance, libations, and friendly service. Very unique place. I will be coming back for sure.
(5)
H M.

Cute place. The food is really good, as is the service. The drinks were *so* good. This would be a good first or last stop on a night out.
(4)
Laura C.

If you're looking for dark and mysterious, this is your place. I came here with friends but can totally see myself here on a date. Even though it's small (it seemed so because it was packed) and the tables are close together (again, that could be because it was packed), there's a feel of intimacy because of the dark lighting. The nice thing about dark is that you can't tell if your surroundings are shabby or dirty. The decor was was Portland's signature look of eclectic and vintage. We ordered the bacon wrapped dates (my favorite) and and spicy peanut glazed chicken wings. Both were totally nummy! (my word, probably not anyone else's) I chose to drink "The Other Woman". How would I pass that up? Yes, it's a girl thing to choose drinks, paint colors and nail polish according to their name. It was very good as well. If you haven't been and are in the neighborhood, you must try this bar/restaurant. If for no other reason than to experience eats and libations in a hotel that used to cater to traveling sailors and women of the night.
(4)
Bryan I.

I have to admit, this place has a nice intimate atmosphere for a couple to have a great conversation over a drink or small meal. There was great service, good quality food (the humus platter has nicely-prepared veggies to compliment the pita/humus), and the pita pizza is simple & novel with fresh creme cheese, pear, & spinach. To be honest, I was fairly disappointed with their happy-hour salad, the flavors just seemed really off...but that's really the only negative I can draw from it for now.
(4)
Josh W.

Im really torn here....I wanna give it 2 stars, but I feel it's better than that. Why the low rating? Well....simply because they premix the mimosas!! I have a stomach condition where alcohol really doesn't affect me much, but mimosas with LOTS of OJ KILLS ME. I asked our VERY NICE server if I could have a side of OJ so I could adjust the flavor myself and she said they premix, and it's how they stay on top of service. OK OK...I understand that, but really....the mimosa was PURE oj....I would've paid an extra $40 to go to Saltys and have mimosas the way I like them, along with the all you can eat buffet. We both got the croque madame (really salty). We asked the server what was good and this is what she suggested. For some reason, we were thinking it was a type of benedict? Although, I have to say the mediterranean benedict dish looked AWESOME. I will try this place again, but I'm gonna ask if they still premix the mimosas....cuz that don't fly to well with my gut. all in all....we had a great time, the food was A-OK...service was great and super friendly.
(3)
Annie B.

Wonderful place!!
(5)
Michael H.

The drinks are good, I had a coffee drink and a pear drink called a Floozie so so good. For food I had the beet burger.... So so yummy. The atmosphere here is so relaxed and very chill. I love that it used to be a lobby of a brothel. Def a fun place to kick back and relax.
(4)
Rex N.

I just moved to the neighborhood and my lady and i needed a night out. We didn't want to be McMenamin'd or Bridgeport'd or BOG'd to death --the hawthorne drinks scene is pretty lame. The atmosphere is dark and sexy and you can get your voyeuristic kicks by watching/eavesdropping on all the couples around you. The food is solid, the cocktails are, as the kids say, "bangin'". The bartenders are friendly and hardworking, the servers are friendly and good-looking. (my girlfriend couldn't take her eyes off our petite server who looked like she was dressed for yoga in clothes painted on). The desserts, mmm... the desserts. they are top flight. I would say they have the best desserts to be found on all of hawthorne, possibly save for Castagna. Sapphire is a place to take a date, or to take some well behaved friends and is even a delightful spot to hit solo --just grab a comfortable bar stool and enjoy the scenery. The live music on sundays is spectacular. It's a quartet of old dudes, they're super. I'll be planning on many sunday returns to the sappire.
(5)
Walter H.

Excellent and very attentive waitstaff. Okay drinks, bad food. And there's NO reason for it to be as loud as it is; we've been in similar restaurants where you don't have to scream to be heard from 3 feet away.
(2)
Alyssa A.

Best pita pizzas ever. And a great Happy Hour. I love the dark, sultry atmosphere here. It was once a seedy one-night stand kind of hotel where ladies of the night had their way with you. Some of that ambiance remains...making it a really delightful date spot. The humus plate is decent. The salads and soups are always top quality and we never leave without trying one of their signature drinks.
(4)
Courtney S.

I'm in love with Sapphire Hotel! Fantastic cocktails in a cozy romantic atmosphere! I have only come for late night appetizers and drinks...which are always delicious, but I would definitely come for dinner too. My favorite to drink is their French 77 and for dessert, their Molten Chocolate Lava Sundae! It comes with house made vanilla ice cream, salted pistachio brittle, and caramel! My mouth waters just thinking about it! I highly recommend this place for a date night or even fun for a group of friends. There always seems to be a little wait, but everything here is worth waiting for!
(5)
Jessica W.

Live music on Sundays, good happy hour, great dinner. Enjoy this place a lot and it is one of the few places in Portland where I have been back several times. The Sapphire Hotel has an intimate feel. Many of the tables are 2-4 person, so this is not a place for larger groups. Both the food and drinks I've had here have been great and the prices are very reasonable. Looking forward to the next time we go back!
(5)
Don B.

Oh yes. They serve weekend brunch now. And it's good. What else would you expect? Beginning with Mother's Day weekend, Sapphire is now serving up a truly delicious weekend brunch menu along with a list of some signature and some new creative cocktails. Bottomless mimosas ($10), a Bloody Mick (bacon salt-rimmed bloody Mary with steak garnish), and a various array of hangover quashing cocktails start off the menu, and set the stage for a gourmet collection of brunch offerings. Food items include a couple of delicious benedicts (the Mediterranean Bene features artichoke hearts, red peppers, and kalamata olives), some stratas, delicious Meyer lemon crepes, a to-die-for bread pudding with a bourbon/mint syrup, a bacon and onion tart, and a whole slough of other offerings. There are even a couple of lunch items including their super bomb burger. The prices range from the $7 range up to $12 (for the steak and eggs). The space is a little different in the light of day, but still entertaining and cozy. You can enjoy the well-lit front windows or retreat to the more dimly-lit back area with your Bloody if your eyeballs are too stressed from the night prior. The service is, as always, awesome. It's great to have a new place to grab brunch in the hood, and with the quality food and cocktails these ladies are serving up, I can only expect business to be booming in no time.
(5)
Brittany N.

So far, this has been the most delicious meal I've had in Portland! My friend and I came and split a few dishes - we loved everything so much, we just kept ordering more and more. My favorite two dishes were the seared ahi and the artichoke and arugula dip.. So amazingly delicious!! The service was very good - friendly girls who let us be as weird as we wanted :] The place is adorable and has great history. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a really amazing meal - in fact, I just did recommend to someone at my hostel!
(5)
Jessi S.

If you want a good cocktail you need to stop here. They have some very nice regulars but also the specials are creative and tasty! The food is also well executed. The cheese board in particular is worth ordering. This place has it all: ambiance (it used to be a brothel), booze served in a dangerous manner, and tasty bites!
(5)
Abbie H.

Last night was my third visit to the Sapphire Hotel and I finally decided to give in and let it get into the 5-star club. My first visit was for $10 unlimited mimosas and brunch on a Sunday. They don't mess around with the mimosas! I could barely get half of mine down and they would come around with a giant pitcher of mimosa goodness and re-up me without me even asking! For brunch I had some sort of spinach scramble and potatoes that was very very good. Second time was for happy hour drinks and food with some friends. We ordered a bunch of things to all try. My favorite was the butternut squash enchiladas (YUM!) and the artichoke dip. We also ordered the sea scallops and although the portion was super tiny it was heavenly! So last night, we opted for an outside table for a while and then got cold. Even though it was extremely busy our server kept an eye out for us and let us know when there were seats inside. Among the drinks: the warm drinks are really good. I had the Dr. Diego with tequila, habanero, and chocolate. VERY spicy! Also tried the "Blood and Sand", a scotch drink that was very smooth. The atmosphere at the Sapphire is really cozy and inviting and I could definitely see it being a good date spot. Also check out some of the interesting history of the place! Go to Sapphire! But beware, it does get busy on the weekends.
(5)
Carl E.

I have been here a few times now, twice for dinner and once for brunch. I have never left disappointed. Their food is fantastic, and their drinks are even better. I don't like tequila, but i can't stop drinking the "Going Up." I don't recall if it was a special or if they've changed their menu since my last visit but their duck confit is amazing. A couple of the tables are painfully small, but after a few drinks that becomes irrelevant. Great place for a special night out with prices that won't break the bank.
(5)
Jens J.

We came here for drinks last night after dinner. I had innocently indicated to JP we were just going to go up onto Mt. Tabor to view the sunset, but just as we pulled off Hawthorne, I had him stop here. He didn't object. Ah yes, the bordello-Asian fusion theme in the dÃ©cor has plenty of sapphire color. I really like the little miniature "living room" upstairs complete with a pint-sized sofa. I could see Mary Norton's "Borrowers" living in there. Interesting, the lounge was filled and it was mostly women. Only a couple guys including this one guy sitting up at the bar, who was decked out in blue jeans, a sheepskin jacket and a cowboy hat. This being Portland, and not Pendleton, I found him curious. We didn't eat here, but I wouldn't mind coming back to try the bacon-wrapped dates. JP stayed with IPA beer while I had a martini. +1 to our server because she came back to our table to see, since they didn't have Cointreau, if it was OK to use Gran Marnier as the splash. I'm glad she asked, because Gran Marnier is not OK. She was, however able to use Triple Sec for the splash.
(5)
Vi B.

This place is like a really high-class, elite, 1920's Asian whorehouse. And in a good way. I live a minute away from the Sapphire lounge, but being filled with Wanderlust (and impregnated with the idea that it's cooler to venture outside your neighborhood for eats), I don't eat there very often. But yesterday, on a bicycle ride, I passed by the elusive SL and their dark, wooden doorstep. I was seduced in by the crowd that was sitting in (and outside) the place, who seemed to be having a ball. Yum. That's all I can say. Yum. My Hanger steak was marinated juuuust right, and the Sweet potato MP was a perfect accoutrement to the dish. The SL salad was generous, and was brought out to the table 2 minutes after we ordered it. The Meze plate was a good starter, but didn't really offer anything fantabulous (although I recognize that the purpose of pita bread/spreads is just to be for stomach-filler purposes, not to bedazzle). I will say that my favorite thing about the restaurant is the ambiance. It had montage-type lighting (darkish, but not too dark), and decorated in an old 1920's Asian hotel theme, with paper umbrellas, Chinese murals, and silk robes. For a restaurant that only had a little space to work with, SL really did a good job of making the most of it and using the size to its advantage by making the space seem more lively and intimate. Because of the lighting, the intimacy of the space, appreciation of Asian art/clothing/paper umbrellas, and sophisticated (but not stuffy) clientele, all night I was waiting (with bated breath, mind you) for a beautiful Geisha to arrive to my table to offer "top secret massage." So, yes. The Sapphire Lounge is like a really high-class, elite, 1920's Asian whorehouse. And in a good way.
(4)
Dan H.

Sapphire Hotel. A lovely place to gather, eat, drink and kiss. This is what the menu stated. I did 3 of those 4 things. I'm still waiting for the kissing to start. Met up with some folks for happy hour. It was actually a friend and a bunch of her friends which was nice. Always like to meet new people. It was a good group and the conversation was good. We all ordered some drinks and some food. I had the Sapphire Salad (Citrus vinaigrette, candied walnuts & Parmesan) $3 and the Meze Platter (Hummus, tzatziki & tapenade with warm pita) $5 which was huge. For $8, I ate really well. The service was very friendly and prompt. The lighting was a bit too dark. I think I have pretty good eyesight, but I couldn't read the $5 drink special that was on a board near the bar. Yes, we were towards the front of the restaurant, but if the lighting was better, you can bet your sweet bippy that I'd be able to read that sucker. That isn't really important though.
(4)
Keirsten L.

Super cool staff, didn't charge me for drinks when my date's steak took too long due to some mysterious snaffoo in the kitchen, we were having a great time anyways and didn't notice, but I'm just stoked I didn't have to ask. Classy folks.
(5)
Aaron H.

I wish they had found a seat for us last night? Seemed like a pretty simple task that was made more complex than necessary....I am not too sure why but the empty seats were not for our party....Oh well, maybe we should go someplace a bit less sophisticated...I gave it 2 stars because I remember a time in the past when I did get a seat and it was well worth it. We will see if I come back though I would like to
(2)
Lynn S.

Regular haunt if mine. Sexy AND casual...it can be done. Stop in for happy hour before you are off to any creative endeavor. Love cheese...try the Artichoke and Arugula Dip; it doesn't disappoint.
(5)
Jenna R.

Best PLace to go on a date. I absolutely love this place have been back several time over the past 3 years. First of all, I am going to say i had the best Top Sirloin burger of my life here, it had gouda cheese on it. But honestly you can go wrong with anything on their menu. There cocktails are really unique and STRONG!! worth the money. its not the cheapest , but great for a special date or to treat yourself. I love the atmosphere . its nice dark and cozy, i guess it use to be a brothel back in the day so it almost has a speakeasy feel too it. The staff is attentive and not annoying. Cant go wrong with this place.
(5)
Rich M.

The intimate atmosphere, and creative mixology allows this place to serve as a launching point to whatever your heart desires. An intimate encounter, a discreet pleasure, a new burn, may all start here. The furniture is cozy and comfortable. The wait staff is attentive, but non-intrusive. If the walls here could talk, I bet their secrets would be amazing. The drinks were a wonderful blends of traditional alcohols and fun mixers. You won't find a kids menu, a high chair, or a booster seat here. But you may find something a little more than just a casual romance....
(4)
Shelb E.

May I call this bar sexy? It could be the well-mixed drinks, the dim lighting or red walls - it could even be the nummy appetizers. But something about Sapphire Hotel is just so seducing. I've been a few times, and have always encountered great service, comfy seating and a great selection of food and drink. Suggestion: bring a date. Just down fawn over the bar more than the person you brought!
(5)
Vanessa P.

My first night in Portland, we headed over here because they stay open later than most other places. It has a wonderful ambiance (lighting, music, decor). Their happy hour menu started at 10pm, which was good timing since we arrived not too long after. To drink I ordered the Penthouse Suite (sangria with Lambrusco, blueberries, strawberries, and grapes). Of all the sangrias I had in Portland during my trip, this was my favorite. To eat my friend and I both ordered the squash enchiladas. By far one of the most decadent and cheesiest dishes I have probably ever consumed. Before leaving we also ordered another drink; the waitress recommended their marionberry margarita (called the Room Service) which had a mixture at the bottom that tasted like key lime. All around this was a gem of a place to visit during my trip. Nice tid bit: one of the staff member's at Sapphire makes the water pitcher and plates.
(4)
Kendra W.

Great for dates, great for taking out-of-towners out in the neighborhood, great for meeting your girlfriends for a drink, and in the early evening on a weekday you might even see a knitting party. That's why we love this place, because it has great atmosphere and is welcoming to all. Good and drinks are good. Service can be slow when they're busy.
(4)
courtney s.

The best thing going for this place is the drink menu. I love the clever approach to the drink menu that features options labeled as Standard Room, Junior Suite or Penthouse reflecting the quality level of the listed liquors. The service is horrible and the decor is tired.
(2)
Eve N.

The first thing I must mention about this place is that they make my favorite cocktail in the entire universe. I actually dream about it and think about it throughout the day. It is called the "Going Up?" and it is A-maze-ing! The going up? is serrano infused vodka with muddled cilantro and citrus served with a salted rim. I cannot explain it, but the combination of flavors is magical. It is savory, and spicy and sweet, and delicious! That isn't the only good thing about the Sapphire Hotel, however. It is a cozy bar with sexy lighting and tasty food. They have an amazing cheese board where you can select 3 cheeses from their menu and they serve it with nuts, grapes, and figs. The risotto balls are soooo yummy too. This place can get crowded and often there is quite a wait for a table, but it is worth the wait. I find it a little pricey, but worth the splurge... and as for the Going Up? You cannot put a price on that!
(4)
Ron R.

Loved the atmosphere. Had superb service. Food was B+ but any shortcomings were made up by everything else. Good wine. The molten lava chocolate cake topped it off. Felt very intimate (with my hot date) even though it got packed. Left really happy.
(5)
Nini L.

Small little place. Lots of character. Hard to get a table when they are busy. Food is ok; but the specialty drinks are really good. Service is really friendly.
(4)
Caitlin H.

I am a vegetarian, and ordered the warm green bean salad which was described as including green beans, kale, almonds, frizzled leeks, and a fried egg. (meat optional) When I received the salad it contained ham. A lot of ham. What is really ironic is that their menu is so meticulously encoded to indicate if an item is vegan, or gluten free. I complained to the waitress and she actually said, "oh, I was wondering if you knew there was meat in that." Thanks for the heads up. They did take it off the bill. I hope they change the menu, because I really want to like this place.
(2)
Joshua D.

Definitely a fun place, whether it's a date night or just evening libations. It's small, crowded and loud, but with good reason, as the drinks are good (The Italian Job received a glowing review from the lady) and the food is relatively strong. Plusses: drinks, the antipasti plate (almost worth a five-star review on its own) and the truffled yam fries. Satisfactory: The burgers were good but nothing mind-blowing and the bread pudding was missing something. Minus: They messed up Stumptown Coffee, which I wasn't aware was possible. All in all a good experience. Will I be back for dinner? Hard to say. But the drinks and antipasti platter merit a definite return visit.
(4)
Michael B.

Great place for a date night. The happy hour menu is quite limited but the offerings are delicious. The tandoori chicken is seasoned quite nicely and the salmon cakes are light and flavorful. The service has always been really attentive and efficient. I always look forward to our visits there. Just wish they expanded their menu a tiny bit more.
(4)
Jill W.

Been twice and loved it each time! In a city that rarely takes reservations, this place is a breath of fresh air. No, they don't take reservations, but when I called ahead to warn them a group of 7 was going to be showing up, they did everything they could to accommodate us. The servers are incredibly nice and helpful and I don't think they have one bad thing on their extensive menu. The Nina Simone, a champagne cocktail, is my favorite. Also, the Sapphire Burger is amazing! All in all, it's a really great place to start your night out.
(5)
Brittany K.

Blech. Lemon crepe thingees tasted like they were injected with Palmolive dishwashing soap. Artificial to the max. My eggs benedict came out and I thought, those egg yolks look small. Huh, maybe I have quail eggs on my benedict. Then I stuck a fork in them and what did I find? BOILED EGG YOLKS. I mean, this benedict had two freaking hard boiled eggs atop English muffins. For me, a breakfast joint doing this is equivalent to a burger place serving you completely raw meat, or worse, cat food. Wow I said, I got unlucky. Then I looked at the table next to me, and there was some guy, poking his benedict, looking very sad at the state of his eggs. Same problem,. Screw me once, shame on you...screw me twice, shame on me, or that other poor sucker that ordered a benedict. I did like the fact they had bottomless mimosas. I did not like the fact that my boyfriend said on multiple occasions "I can see the bottom." The waitress would not refill these things. Courageously, the bf got up and filled his own glass with the mimosa pitcher that was sitting a mere 5 feet away, to which the waitress said "I was going to do that for you." Oh yeah? Whatever.
(2)
Ryan L.

Amazing place, but watch out for the allure. I usually find myself wanting to go back too frequently, and while the prices are very reasonable for the quality, I'm sure my bank account doesn't love it as much as I do. Easily one of the best restaurants/bars in Portland. The ambiance is picturesque, not too subtly romantic, and yet still leaving a feeling easy and comfort. I think all of the specialty cocktails they make (perhaps with the exception of the Last Resort) are incredible, and they make a particularly good mezze platter, especially if you grab it during their happy hour.
(5)
Corrie H.

Sapphire is like a vacation in 1930's Shanghai... super cute Chinoise decor, delicious cocktails, and glamor. Go for happy hour and order the $5.00 cocktail special. You won't go wrong. Or choose from the four pages of cocktails. There's "The Man of Leisure": bourbon, peach shrub, drambuie, cayenne and soda. There's the "Lounge Singer": fig bourbon, rhubarb and pomegranate molasses. You get the drift. As for happy hour food, there are a variety of delicious/cheap/and non-fried options--a variety in Portland. Try the $3.00 Sapphire Salad (citrus vinaigrette, candied walnuts and parmesan), the decent $5.00 Meze plate, or the $5.00 tasty Tandoori Spiced Chicken with yogurt tahini sauce. You'll be able to make a meal for less than $10.00 a person.
(5)
Linda J.

I will really miss this place once I move away. This is one of my favorite bars in Portland. The ambiance is amazing. Everyone I take there falls in love with it! It's just really chill and their drinks are amazing (well worth the price). Their desserts are fabulous too. Hell, their food is good! I will go so far as to say their bathroom is one of the cutest I've seen at a bar. Service has always been good. I'm glad I got introduced to this place early on. It's down the street so it's convenient as well! You should definitely check it out. It used to be a brothel and it's one of the gems that Portland has to offer! I'd definitely recommend the Coco Cabana if you're lucky enough to go there when they have it 'in season'. I love that drink. *update to this review* I found a hair in my dessert the last time I went, and the "jazz band" they had playing there was so damn loud I lost my voice trying to yell across the tiny table to the handsome guy sitting across from me. No bueno. Then the server was kind of a B^%$& because she wanted to close out and had somewhere important to be. I guess she didn't learn the part about hospitality when she went to get her license. Or do they even teach that here (not that they should have to, but apparently they should). Definitely killed my buzz. Not so enthusiastic about this place anymore. Especially if they're going to keep having mediocre bands blasting the "music" in that small space. **update to my update** i went back again and the appetizers were good and so was the service. i'm happy to report that they redeemed themselves. i would highly recommend the lavender chocolate cocktail. YUM!
(3)
Karen E.

I'd never been here and was told this was a great little place. Love the dim lighting and decor. It relaxes you immediately upon arrival through the front door. Happy Hour prices are a little high for martini cocktails but they are tasty. I didn't stay for the food but it looked and smelled so good. I'm eager to come back and try food next time. Service was great even though the place was packed on a Friday Happy Hour time. At least I know if I go at the same time again I can get seating immediately. There was a wait for tables by the time we left at 7.
(4)
Cassandra C.

Really nice atmosphere, strong drinks. Cannot comment on the food.
(4)
A K.

I love this place. I REALLY love this place. I love that it is a quick jaunt from my home, I love the atmosphere, I love the drinks and I love the food. I come here all the time so suddenly I realized how stupid it was that I hadn't yelped it. I've had dinner, just drinks and Happy Hour here (not all at the same time...well, sometimes it turns into the same time). All is fabulous. Their drink menu is extensive, as are their recommended liquors. The do a FANTASTIC martini. My favorite thing to eat? Their BEET BURGER. Phenomenal. I also always ask for a side of their Brussels sprouts instead of the fries because I love the sprouts - the fries are still delightful. Don't forgo the bacon-wrapped dates. Go, enjoy. Please? But not when I'm there so I can get a seat.
(5)
Jessica G.

Food was amazing. Especially loved the bread pudding that we had for desert. The cocktail menu has so many fun cocktails and all the ones that I tried where fabulous. The atmosphere here is also so Portland. I just loved it.
(5)
Laura N.

Am I in Asia? Am I in Amsterdam? Am I in Love? Am I in Fatuated? I am definitely checking yes to all of the above - and had a special someone asked me if we should "get a room," I probably would have been saying yes to that too after merely walking into this alluring abode of amore! The romance is contagious, what, with deep, warm red walls, the glow of candles against Asian themed art, intimate seating arrangements, desserts that are as beautiful as they taste and, oh right, the stiff drinks. This is a perfect date spot...especially after taking in a movie or show at the Bagdad. Small and sexy, it is easy to feel like you are the only two people in there - but luckily the servers are used to in, it seems like they have made an art of stepping in at just the right moments and managing to avoid moments of baby-talk, dirty-talk, or any other various forms of flimflam. Creative cocktails and delicious desserts are nice, but it is really the romance that you will be indulging in at the Sapphire.
(5)
Chris L.

My wife and I have gone here with family, friends and our secret "girlfriend" and each time, the Sapphire turned out to be the perfect destination. Immediately you are drawn in by the deep red tones, comfortable seating, and intimate ambiance. They manage to walk that fine line between Portland cool and Portland pretentious. Each visit, the food was perfect, the drinks were superb and the company was fantastic. If you have friends or family visiting from out of town, and are looking to show them a slice of Portland, you really can not go wrong with the Sapphire Hotel.
(5)
jason b.

We just had a few drinks here but now we can't wait to go back and try their food. The bartender was extremely friendly and helpful when selecting drinks. We had already eaten elsewhere but the parade of hot food streaming by us made us want more!
(4)
Jihae H.

This place is sassy and sexy - a perfect date night or girls' night out venue! Have visited this place on many occasions now - even though everytime we head to Hawthorne, our thought is always to try someplace new - we invariably end up here. The drinks are super delish and we always end up having a few more than usual, making for the now requisite Hawthorne street bar crawl. Food here is homey and well executed. I dream of the butternut squash enchiladas, a cheesy creamy dish served piping hot (watch your tongues folks!) and the burger is also faaantastic. The only bad experience I had here was when my friends ordered the flat bread pizza - we were not warned that it was not a traditional pizza in that there was no sauce, no cheese and pretty much no flavor. I hear the pizzas are different almost daily, so I'm hoping it was a mere fluke, but we have never ordered it again after that. That being said, I have to finish this by saying I LOVE this place. It has a unique atmosphere for dates or with friends that is distinctly intimate and we've always had a great time. We always spend a few hours here lingering over drinks, appetizers, food, after-dinner drinks and never feel rushed. Love it!!!!
(4)
Devon D.

Brunch at Sapphire is an all around great time. the food rocks, the drinks are masterful [and strong], the space is cozy yet eclectic and exudes a high energy. i will be back.
(5)
Shelly V.

Sapphire Hotel is a perfect blend of hot and hip. Sexy, open atmosphere still maintains a very comfy, intimate feel. Low-key servers deliver cocktails and amazing food. Hang out with friends or bring a date. Truly a Portland gem.
(4)
Geoff K.

It's hard to think of a sexier place to grab a cocktail than the Sapphire. The mood is pitch perfect and the cocktail menu matches. Sapphire is an ideal bar to bring a date to grab a nice comfy dark and romantic corner. I just love this place!
(4)
Rachael J.

Holy amazing drink menu Batman!! So many unique and tasty options, many with homemade ingredients. The happy hour menu is very tasty as well with reasonable portion sizes. I had the salmon cakes and salad and left well satisfied. I went on a Sunday afternoon and by the time I left the place was almost full. Easy street parking was a bonus and means I will be back again for sure!!!
(4)
Jonah M.

The food and mixed drinks were both excellent, and they actually pull off the sexy ambiance that they are going for.
(5)
Clare S.

Best date night spot ever. When the hubs offered to take me out anywhere I wanted as long as I got dolled up, this was an easy choice. We arrived right at the start of a busy Friday night and were able to grab the last available two top table without a wait. We started with drinks, I had the Apricot Blond and although spicier then I anticipated, it was lovely. We started with the clams and mussels in a lemongrass sauce. They were so scrumptious that when the clams and mussels were gone, we were literally spooning the broth out. The witness was sweet enough to offer to bring us some bread. We split a Caesar salad for round two and it was the perfect balance of dressing. Overall a yummy salad. For an entree I had the risotto cakes with scallops in a mushroom sauce and it was literally to die for. What made this night extra great was the amazing service. We always had everything that we needed and when we were almost through with our food, we had a couple friends show up to grab a drink with us. There was a large wait going on and we knew there was no chance of getting a 4 person table. Our waitress let us move a chair onto our table to we could all fit in for one last drink. Our neighbors were more then fine with it, so I didn't feel too bad. Overall a great night with great food. I would highly recommend.
(5)
Martha R.

The deep colors, the swanky couches and chairs, and the lighting make you feel for a moment that you're playing rich for the night. It seems like it'd almost be over the top with how rich it all is, but it works - it definitely works. The food plays right along with the ambiance, fancy, rich, and delicious. Did I mention that the ambiance was delicious? Well, it is. It is so intimate that it'd be great for a sexy date, but it's also great for hanging out with friends - you can feel connected in a non-sexual way, but specially connected. The seared tuna, the dates stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped in bacon, the house salad, and the champagne were all wonderful. We also had the antipasta platter containing all the things that an antipasta platter should contain. The best of the best is that it's a non-smoking joint, and reading the history of the place makes you like it even more. It's right there on the menu - go read it for yourself.
(4)
Andrea G.

Wow. I love this place and just realized that I've never written a review. Really, it is my favorite place for drinks. It's dark, warm, and romantic and the perfect place for a date (yes, yes I would know). Someone clue me in if I'm wrong that this place was once a brothel? With drinks this tasty and an atmosphere like this, it's definitely a brothel in my belly. Yeah I don't know what that means, but there's definitely a sexy drink and food relationship going on when I visit this place. I can't recommend the mulled wine enough for a rainy cold evening. It is pure bliss. Seriously the best drink that I've had in this town. I've turned 3 friends on to this drink. It is so tasty that you'll want four. Not that I would ever know this! I've had a few of the food dishes and they're decent. The meze platter is definitely a good'un with some super tasty hummus. I've had a couple of the entrees and they were nothing to write home about, but this is a place that I would come for drinks and a nice relaxing evening. And I will continue to go here and get my mulled wine drink on. Great, now I'm wanting one RIGHT NOW.
(5)
J B.

This is one of our favorite places when we want a retreat to good food, drink and atmosphere. The place feels great and is reasonably priced.
(5)
Kari S.

Good date place. I've never had a full dinner here, but it is perfect for a light meal and some good drinks. They have a decent happy hour. Plus the service is always great. It's the kinda place where you can dress up a little or just come in your street clothes and you are good to go. My partner and I tend to get the Meze plate which is a nice appetizer to share. Small warning though; the tzaiki tends to be a bit too garlicy. Other than that is fabulous.
(4)
Kristin B.

Having been to the Sapphire for dinner before (seared tuna, ftw), we headed over there for brunch last weekend - scrumptious veggie benedict (asparagus/spinach)... with a side of bacon. My partner went with the Sapphire burger (reliably delicious), and we were both impressed by the damn fine coffee. Didn't go for the bottomless mimosas, but it seemed to be a popular option with other folks... Interesting and classy-feeling decor, friendly servers, tasty eats and good cocktail options, a woman-owned business that supports local non-profits ... what's not to like?
(4)
Kym S.

My favorite place I've been in Portland in the last two months, for sure. I met two girlfriends here for some drinks and I will be back many times. They really know how to make a tasty cocktail here - and not your run of the mill cosmos, lemon drops and martinis. They have a section of specialty cocktails (all of the ones I tried were fantastic), champagne cocktails (which is right up my alley since I love me some champagne!) and warm cocktails (which is especially nice for those chilly nights). They also have beer, wine and sake selections as well. These are the ones we tried and they were all delicious: -The Other Woman -The Italian Job -Room Service -Chalet We also ordered the bread pudding for dessert and it was OUTSTANDING! I want to go back and try more, but I'm afraid I won't be able to order anything else now. I will be back though, many times so I will try it all. They seem to have a good regular and reverse happy hour so I'll need to check that out too. My next mission though is to make it over there for some brunch. Yum!
(5)
James C.

Coming from out of town, we found this little cozy spot on yelp! sk we decided to try it out... Atmosphere is amazing and the staff was very friendly and informative.. I had the pomegranate steak and it was delicious... My girlfriend had the Sapphire burger which she describes as just okay... However the overall atmosphere makes this place worth going to... The "Trophy Wife" Martini is amazing too
(4)
Jen K.

This is one sexy/cool spot on Hawthorne. I am a bit of a history freak and love the Asian touches, so this place speaks to me. The deep red walls, Chinese lanterns, candles, and artifacts from the Sapphire's sordid past. They've got the lighting and the vibe just right. Everyone looks good at the Sapphire. I've had the Room Service (their house special Marionberry Margarita) and Lobby cocktails. The drinks are excellent and the service is not the speediest in town, but fine. Definitely one of my top picks for cocktails in Portland.
(4)
Paige H.

Still a wonderful place for date night or girls' night out. The cocktail are amazing and the atmosphere is so authentic to the Portland experience. Even on a Saturday night they aren't too crowded. The service is still slow though and the food is still just okay.
(3)
Arielle S.

Sapphire Hotel is a Portland treasure! The signature cocktail list is a combo of sweet and sassy just like I like it...the apricot blonde is delightfully unique with its very subtle initial taste and pow boom bam there is a party going on in your mouth. The combo of sweet with a bit of spice makes it oh so nice. I also enjoy the Other Woman- who doesnt?? The atmosphere is very intimate and the dark red walls and slick lighting make Sapphire very hip and a good place for date(the light is oh so nice.) The sapphire hotels somewhat exudes the feeling of the history of the building. Inside the womens restroom you learn that the Sapphire hotel used to be a brothel. Plus points in my book, very cool. The food here is on the same level as the drinks. I enjoy the cheese plate and the mezza/hummus platter, the portions are good sized as well. The burgers and the black bean burgers are both go to items. They have both a late after work happy hour as well as a late night happy hour that begins at 10.
(5)
Lyndsey L.

It doesn't matter where my travels take me, or where my honey and I live (which, in the past, has been in parts of Oregon not pertinent for a quick trip to SE), the fact remains: we will ALWAYS go out of our way for Sapphire. Gas prices be damned. This is our haunt. Where we celebrate anniversaries in romantic ambiance, where we take family from out of town to show them a quintessential Portland experience, or where we meet up with friends for lunch. Knowledgeable wait staff, and huge personality contained in the walls of this rather intimate restaurant are huge selling points. But what we come back for, time and time again, is the fantastic food and the wonderful drink selection. I'm partial to their Nina Simone cocktail (pomegranate and Grand Marnier), and their Sapphire Burger. The Sapphire Burger is one of the best burgers I've had. Strong statement, I realize, but their chef has done something amazing here. Served with tarragon cornichon relish on a brioche bun, with truffled yam fries on the side, I usually add Swiss Cheese for $1. They have a roasted beet burger on offer for any veggie friends. I also recommend their Pomegranate Glazed Flat Iron Steak: juicy, flavor packed, and melt-in-your-mouth. If price drives your dining decisions, as it drives many things in today's economy, rest assured: when it's just us two, we can usually dine here for under $40 (including very generous tip). So do yourself a favor. Bring your friends or your better half down to Sapphire Hotel and have a 5 star dining experience. This is what Portland is all about: great food and great people.
(5)
Devon D.

As of right now, this is hands-down my favorite bar in Portland. I love love LOVE the atmosphere here! It is decorated in warm reds with beautiful Asian inspired decor and hand painted murals and a little fireplace to warm the bar and the soul. The cocktail menu offers delicious concoctions with a constantly changing weekly special, the service is excellent, and the food is scrumptious and they serve til late. The bacon wrapped dates are like a party in your mouth.
(5)
Rachel R.

We chose this place based on the reviews on Yelp, and boy, are we glad we did! Sweet corn and salmon cakes for appetizer-- these were good- not great- but tasty and well prepared. Then, after waiting- and waiting- we received our entrees. WORTH THE WAIT, HOMIES! Incredible risotto cakes, pan fried for crispiness and served with some crazy good garlic butter prawns in sauce. Those risotto cakes were like, whoa. We also had the pomegranate hangar steak- who knew that pomegranate could be so amazing on beef? I don't even like horseradish, and I gobbled down the mashed potatoes that came with the steak that were clearly seasoned with some horsey. The flavor was subtle, and dipping it in that pomegranate sauce made it even more palatable. AND then we had the bread pudding- a nice twist on the original, with some kind of french bread used and cinnamon sugar dusting. MMMM! All in all, we had an incredible food experience- and loved the ambiance- but just be prepared for a long wait to sit down, and an even longer wait for your food to get there. Oh, and we were pleasantly surprised with the prices- app, two entrees, and a dessert for 44 bucks. Not bad!
(4)
Jeff M.

A Haiku Review of Sapphire Hotel: Came recommended. Ambience welcomes you in. Seems like a date spot.
(3)
kelly s.

One of the best date spots in PDX for sure, the rumor is true. They make ludicriously delicious and well executed cocktails, very welcoming, warm, interesting decor, which is very East inspired, but not in a tacky or poorly developed way like some others- ahem. Also, food was good, would love to try brunch. I am trying to be sparing the the 5 star rating, but the most delicious pumpkin cocktail, and marrionberry margarita I've ever had earned the accolades.
(5)
Lisa S.

It doesn't matter who they are, your date will look sexy here. It's like having dinner in someone's boudoir - lots of red. And God I love Stilton cheese....especially over a salad at The Sapphire with a glass of red wine. They have other wonderful things on the menu too - I've never been disappointed. Late dinner service is the best, 7 or 8-ish or later. I popped in once with a friend at around 5:30 pm for an early dinner, and we were completely ignored except for two glasses of water. We waited awhile and then left. One star off for this mis-fire. Overall a tasty, healthy, affordable choice for semi fancy-pants food.
(4)
Jose A.

If you like expensive appetizers; this is the place for you! This place was yummy but portion sizes suck (and I'm a small guy). The server was kinda snobby too. They wouldn't give us happy hour prices even though we were 10 minutes away. My experience sucked.
(1)
Furnock S.

2 visits in 3 days. Both wonderfully consistent. The bacon wrapped dates are little bites of perfect. The artichoke dip is equally awesome. Even the baguettes are great. Sapphire burger, yum! Did not try the signature drinks. Maybe next time. Oh, yes, there will be a next time. I'm not quite done looking at all the walls and other crannies.
(5)
Kate D.

My boyfriend and I went here the other night. It was super adorable and romantic! Food was very good and they had a well round wine menu! However I felt that their drink prices were a little high for what you got in return. But other then that it was great!
(4)
Ariella O.

We came for brunch on a weekend. The wait was short (ten min) even though the place was packed. I still have yet to find a place that can make a smooth transition from evening mystique to morning charm. After the Sapphire Hotel I am sadly still looking. The air is still heavy from the previous night's swanky debauchery and you get the sense that the servers just woke up from a back room opium den: clueless, disoriented and not fully clothed. Decent food and $10 bottomless mimosas (sweet jesus, yes please!) will bring me back, if anything just to check it out in the night time.
(4)
Ashley P.

Mmmmm...I love me some Sapphire. Whether it's a quiet drink at the bar with a friend, or a dinner date with my man, this is the place. They have an impressive and creative cocktail list and their bartenders are extremely competent at crafting them. Their food is quite delicious as well. Excellent happy hour with great deals on nicely sized and tasty plates. Call me a regular! I don't think I will ever tire of this place.
(5)
David N.

Everyone on here says this is a good date place, and I must agree. Chicks must be likin' the brothel atmosphere (it used to be a brothel, they say) because it probably makes them feel dirty in a good way... The Sapphire Hotel is a cozy little spot tucked away at the end of Hawthorne. The atmosphere is great for conversation, food, and drink. Although busy sometimes, it's never felt crowded. Happy hour food choices of soups, chicken, salad, salmon cakes, and the pita pizza aren't a bad variety priced between $3 and $6. Happy hour cocktails change on weekly basis but if you're like me and only drink beer, then they have a decent variety to keep you satisfied. Another great thing about The Sapphire is that in the event that you have a few too many drinks, they'll gladly call you a cab, on them. I know this because I read a sign right above the toilet every time I'm in the restroom. Although being too drunk to drive home probably wouldn't make for a very good date, I'd imagine the opposite would be true if this place was still a brothel.
(4)
JEN S.

The Sapphire Hotel has a really great atmosphere. It's pretty dark and intimate. That first time I went there was this really creepy guy hanging out at the bar creeping out all of the young girls, and then later he commented on how much he liked my dress. Sort of made me want to burn it, I was also worried he might puke on me because he was looking very drunk. I was hoping that someone might eventually ask him to leave. But anyways... I mainly went for drinks and ended up ordering a few of the Champagne cocktails that were all very reasonably priced and tasty. It was a bit late and I hadn't had dinner so I opted for something on the lighter side, the seared Tuna. For the price I thought it was a lot of tuna, and since I love Tuna that was ok with me, I chowed the whole thing and didn't share. The sauce that was on the place was a bit weird, it was the consistency of Jelly and didn't have a whole lot of flavour, so I could have done without that. The place completely cleared out around 11 which I thought that was weird for a weekend. We were the last people in there and I was really getting the feeling they wanted us to leave. We had paid our bill but just kept on chatting and a long, long time went by and I was literally dying of thirst because we were pretty much ignored after we paid our bill. Just as I was hoping for a glass of water to magically appear, one of the servers came by with a pitcher of water for us and totally saved the day. This is a great date spot and I will definitely be back to sample some dessert.
(4)
Gillian P.

This is probably my favorite restaurant in Portland. It's the perfect place for a romantic date. The place looks awesome inside. It's red and dim, with lots of pretty things to look at. The staff is all friendly and memorable, the cocktails are scrumptious and the food is delectable. Not to mention their happy hour is AMAZING. It's a win win. If you haven't been, it's definitely worth checking out. It's pretty small and cozy though, so groups aren't the best for this place. My favorite meal is the mushroom risotto with seared scallops. Mmmmm. ENJOY!
(5)
Liz R.

Awesome happy hour (have the margarita...my friend didn't and he totally regretted it while I was happily sipping on mine). We didn't eat that much food, but the special pizza was great. The artichoke dip was nothing to write home about, but artichoke dip usually isn't that great, so not surprising. What was great, however, was the ambiance and the staff. So friendly! A drunk woman fell off of her chair at the bar while I was there and every staff member in the place rushed to help her up. Good times.
(4)
Kelsey F.

A dark romantic place to have a happy hour. Delicious drinks and amazing food. Doesn't get any better than this.
(5)
Bo R.

If you ever wondered what it's like to drink at a sailors' brothel... If you ever got too drunk to drive home... If you ever wanted to try an "Italian Job" instead of a nose job... If you ever imagined what a small 1920s Chinese Restaurant crossed with an Amsterdam cafe would look like... then GO TO SAPPHIRE HOTEL. Came here for HH on a weekday. small quaint lounge that's intimate in ambiance yet spacious in setting. Great date location. 1/2 of the people here seemed to be waiting for their dates to arrive. but the place is still friendly to singles ready to mingle! WHAT WON ME OVER: they have a "safe street" fund so if you or a friend get too inebriated to drive, they will CALL YOU A CAB. yuup,it's on them. that's what i call restaurant integrity. TO GET: spinach arugula dip. came with a crispy chewy sliced baguette. FORGET: salmon corn cake. tastes more like a chunky tuna salad than salmon.
(5)
Maria P.

Let's talk about brunch. AMAZING food, bottomless mimosas (with fresh squeezed juice) for $10 and... never a line?!! I questioned posting, as the rare line situation is truly one of the best kept secrets in Portland. However, Sapphire deserves sincere props! Excellent date spot, with sexy ambiance. Dinners are great, too. Plus, the owners are awesome. Staff are always great: attentive (inc to mimosa refills), knowledgeable and friendly,
(5)
Colleen W.

I love this neighborhood and this sexy little date spot. Great cocktails and wine choices. I ordered a "NO-coise" Salad. It was a great, green treat with perfect potatoes, beans, a zingy vinaigrette and topped with a poached egg that had been lightly battered and deep fried. YUM!
(4)
Adriana K.

So this is just for cocktails, but I loved everything about this place - My sister introduced me to this place - great ambiance, and well designed - once a brothel, after all! We sat at the bar on a Saturday night, which wasn't too crowded. The hot bartender was awesome - she catered to both of our requests, and even made us a special drink of our own - on the house. I really appreciated that they concentrated on the art of a good cocktail - house made syrups, fresh juices, and a wide variety to choose from (of course, with it, a price, as I found when we got our bill). Exceptional service, great ambiance, and well crafted cocktails. Good thing I don't live close...
(5)
K. H.

Sapphire Hotel was quite romantic! I went for dinner with my husband and the atmosphere was dim and cozy. We ordered warm specialty cocktails and they were delicious. I got chicken with root veggies. The chicken was good and the veggies were great! Husband got the cous cous dish and he couldn't get enough of it. The portions were reasonable- we both ate all of our food, but weren't still hungry. If you have a huge appetite, you should probably get appetizers too. Bathroom was nice. Just sayin'.
(4)
Tan N.

One-word impression: ABSTEMIOUS I think being hungry and in a hurry is a bad combination in general, but that's how I found myself the other day before a meeting I had to go to. I was feeling like some sort of brunch, but I didn't want the long wait. While biking around, I found the Sapphire Hotel, a place that I had heard good things about and had been itching to try out for a while. I appeared to not be busy, so I figured it would be a good place to try out. The physical space was kind of cool, with this comfortably kitschy Asian decor. I think the space is better suited for being a bar at night than a brunch place, but still comfy enough. The service was a bit of an issue. They were initially pretty attentive to me and were nice to talk to about the menu options. What killed me was the fact they got my order wrong, and I ended up waiting over 30 minutes total for my food. I felt pretty neglected and grumpy after that in addition to dealing with the hunger pangs in my belly. I definitely had to restrain myself from taking it out on my waitress and from walking out. When I finally got my food, I had to wolf with down quickly in order to make my meeting. I got the Caramelized Onion and Applewood Bacon Tart, which was fine, but nothing to really rave about. It actually was fairly dry and lacking in flavor aside from the bacon, but at that point I didn't care because I was so hungry. The fact that it came with a couple of eggs, toast, and fresh cut fruit was definitely a plus. In the end, I have to say it was a pretty average meal and that I was let down. I was certainly not worth the wait, and it was certainly not worth being made late for my meeting. I'd be game for checking out the bar some evening, but there are better brunch options for me out there.
(3)
Lori S.

Sapphire Hotel's New Year's bash with Don & Won dj-ing did not disappoint! We had a great time.The cosy atmosphere, plush pillows and intimate corners of this bar / restaurant really helped create the chill relaxed mood we were looking for. The food was deliciousness, and the staff were so sweet and tolerant of all of us drunkards having a good time and dancing into 2010. Whoo hoo!
(4)
Sara M.

I've always enjoyed the times I've come to the Sapphire Hotel - 1st time was on a date and this was a perfect location for getting drinks and talking. I've been with large groups, small groups and one-on-one's. It's a reliable spot for nice ambiance and signature cocktails. PLUS they have a fund for people who have had sliiiiightly too much to drink (and who hasn't been in that position) to be able to get a cabride home. For free. Paid for by the Sapphire Hotel. Love sitting outside when the weather is nice or holing up at a candlelit table when it's stormy in Portland.
(4)
Brian M.

Had the marionberry margarita and it not only looked good...but tasted good. Scallops were really good as well. Served with a green pesto that accented it well. Bacon wrapped dates...I've yet to find someone who can screw this up. Something about anything you wrap in bacon.
(4)
Amber L.

I've been to the Sapphire Hotel twice for drinks, and I've been really pleased. Both times I went, I was in the mood for fruity cocktails. I've had one drink that I didn't like- the Apricot Blonde which wasn't fruity, and way too peppery. I've also gotten the Nina Simone and the Sleep Over which are both fruity, bubbly, and delicious. Haven't gotten a Going Up yet, but I really want to. I've had a sip, and it was incredible. Spicy, tangy, oddly sweet. Same for the So Far So Good. It was gingery with a definite taste of green tea, but frothy due to egg whites. Finally, the atmosphere at Sapphire is great for drinks with friends. Nice, dim lighting, and it's not too loud for good conversation. Recommended!
(4)
Carolyn K.

I was so very excited to enjoy a birthday celebration with my friend and a bunch of others last night. I did my homework and read through the entire menu, knowing what I wanted to drink and order for munchies and how I thought the experience would go down. I read previous reviews about the fabulous food and service and was revved up for a screaming good time. Was I EVER disappointed. We showed up around 700 PM and the place was packed. That is a good sign, right? Except that they don't take reservations. For a small place like the Sapphire Hotel in a very popular neighborhood, I would have expected at least a call ahead type of seating scenario. I was the first there, so quickly got our name/group on the "list". When everyone finally started filtering in, we were requested to wait outside in the cold after it had recently rained...really? The few seats outside were wet. When we asked for a few napkins we were told that we couldn't clean the table. It took another 5 or so minutes for someone to come outside and wipe down the table - that is shameful. There was some standing room near the front of the establishment, but to be asked to wait outside was the first of many offenses that we incurred. When we finally got seated, we were a cozy bunch in the farthest rear and largest table area...we ended up with a few more guests than we had anticipated. Some of our overflow guests took up a few seats at the bar. They were ultimately asked to move out of the bar seats because they were taking up space for other guests - really? We were all paying customers. We were all ordering cocktails, we were all ordering many appetizers that we were sharing, I bought a bottle of wine. Our group might have spent an extra 100.00 + or more dollars had we not had such a poor reception from the servers that were working. The service was exceptionally slow and mostly rude. I have worked in the service industry in my past, from dish washer, cook, server and bartender so I know how the system is supposed to work. I'm sure this particular Saturday night was no more or less busy than a typically busy night for this establishment. I for one will not go back.
(2)
Brigid B.

Bottomless mimosas, delicious and interesting food (bacon tart!?) and luscious decor. I will definitely come back to the Sapphire on my next trip to Portland. The cocktails here are also heavenly, and the staff is accommodating and friendly. Our party was around 12 people and we had no trouble being seated or getting all our food within a few minutes. My only complaint is that the seating is not super comfy. It was like church pews. It may in fact have been repurposed church pews.
(4)
Todd P.

The Sapphire Hotel is red, dark & hot. The place has character a unique charm, is good for late night excursions or dinners. They had a classical / spanish acoustic guitarist / musician who was was really amazing the night I met up with a group of friends. The seared Ahi w/ sticky rice was to die for, the french onion soup was good & the beer was divine. Some of the servers are chatty others seemed a bit grumpy...either way they were sassy. Fine by me. SH is good for small groups or dates. If you are planning on hitting a bunch of bars start at the Sapphire Hotel, then work your way down the hill. After trying it out I want to take my girl there.
(5)
Christina A.

Went here for a drink with my boyfriend. I think the decor' is awsome. Whether your with a group or just on a date the mood fits any agenda. The drinks were a lil more spendy then I had orginally thought but well worth it if your just getting one or two...def not worth get trashed. If thats the case walk across the street to Swiggleys. All in all a great starter place and the location is supreme if your wanting to start from one end of Hawthorne to the other. My only complaint is the place smelled. I am aware of Hawthorne and understand you have to be open to these things but I just felt a lil dirty being there sober. However after a drink or two you don't seem to notice anymore. In the end I'll be returning.
(4)
Cortney R.

Yes, Yay I am certainly a fan! I am typically an Eggs Benedict junkie, but one of my favorite brunch buddies suggested the caramelized onion and bacon tart was a must have. The Allotta Memosa just couldn't be refused, and we did drink allotta them. Hubby had the grilled cheese, fully loaded, the potato leek soup, which was amazing and the Bloody Mick. OMG! That is the best Bloody Mary I have ever had. Loved the bacon salt, and the steak bite that garnished it, in fact, I think that all Bloody's should be served that way. I fully agree, that Sapphire Hotel is "A lovely place to gather, eat, drink and kiss", of which I did all three! ;)
(4)
Cari L.

I was laying in bed this morning telling my date about my favorite spaces in every city I've lived in and when I got to the Portland part of my life, without hesitation, I knew it was Sapphire Hotel. I love this place, for all the reasons everyone below has said - and it's been years, people. This is one of those gems that lives in your soul forever.
(5)
Jason H.

What a cool place. Great staff serving up killer cocktails and old brothel realness. The Lounge Singer (fig bourbon drink) was fantastic and the goat cheese ice cream for dessert was heaven. Yum. Yum. Yum. They also have a fund you can donate to that pays for your cab if you drink too much. Brilliant idea.
(4)
Kyle M.

I just got home after having brunch here and will never go back. It took an hour and 15 minutes (yes, 75 minutes) for our food to come out, during which time our waitress checked in with us once, not mentioning once what the trouble was or that anything was amiss. When my wife flagged her down and asked, the waitress' reasoning for the delay was that a 12 person table was sat right before us and created a traffic jam in the kitchen, as if 12 people ordering is some huge thing out of the ordinary for a restaurant. While waiting, it took 20 minutes to get my empty coffee cup refilled. After the grossly unacceptable wait, my medium-rare burger came out well-done, and my wife's steak and eggs was over-cooked with an extremely dry corn cake on the side. The food had the potential to be great, but missing the mark entirely on the order after a 75 minute wait for it is ridiculously unacceptable, especially considering my burger was $14. After paying our check, we watched as the waitress chatted with a coworker while we waited another 5 minutes to box up the rest of our food, so we get the hell out of there. On our way out, the table next to us were also complaining about their order being wrong, their burger being overcooked, and the excessive wait. In summary: three hours to have a meal, way too much money spent, bad service, and poorly prepared food.
(1)
Augustina M.

This is probably the best date spot in Portland. The atmosphere is cozy and upscale and tailored to intimate conversation. The food is fantastic and the service is usually friendly. It's a little pricey for a casual night out, but if you're looking for something special and you're not familiar with Portland this is a great place to go.
(3)
heather d.

I dig this place. I mean it was virtually a brothel at one time! Its dark and warm inside. The names of the house cocktails embrace the history of the place, and they are delicious and different..."The Trophy Wife", "The Happy Ending", etc.... Love it. Happy hour is nice, but not as discounted as I would hope. I do want to try this new brunch option, with the bottomless mimosa ($10?? please and thank you!!) The bacon wrapped dates are fabulous. Dare I say even better than Toro Bravo? Must be the stilton inside, which makes them a little more savory, to go with the sweet. YUM.
(4)
Mercy T.

The ambiance of the Sapphire is terrific. The waitress was very nice, even though not everyone in my party was reciprocating the politeness. My only complaint was for the price, we didnt recieve alot of food,. I suppose thats our own fault for going there, but it was very alluring. If you have the funds, i say have at it! its delicious!
(4)
Steve M.

I was doomed. It was date night with the girlfriend, I'd cooked the sumptuous meal, but we have a tradition on date night were we like to fancy up a lil bit and have a cocktail or two. Needless to day Date Night had come and I hadn't found a bar for us to go to this week :( Fortunately, I turned to yelp and several helpful suggestions (and some discussion w/the gf who I'd come clean to by this point) Sapphire Hotel was chosen for after dinner drinks. I know I'm not the first to review this place, so my mentioning of the warm, cozy, and perfectly romantic atmosphere that is ideally crafted for quiet conversations with that special someone may seem blase' at this point. When I mention the exquisite, cleverly named, delicious (and lethal) cocktails? Your ears might perk up a bit. It's very hard to dismiss the craftsmanship that has gone into the sweet alchemical decadence that is the hallmark of the Sapphires signature cocktails. We tried The Lobby,The Lounge Singer, and of course The Trophy Wife (which was AMAZING!! To be fair the Trophy Wife was tried a couple of times, which is how 'Date Night' became 'Let's get a lil tipsy night'.. Honestly? Between the decor, atmosphere, friendly service, and fantasti-booze I would have happily given this place 5 stars. But there's one lil secret that made me wish I could give a 6th. On the back page of their menu you'll find a small sake list with a glass of Monokawa unfiltered sake for.....3 dollars!! I honestly thought it was a typo, needless to say the delicious floral notes complimenting the vodka cocktails? Made for the perfect nightcap to a perfect Date Night :D p.s. I've got a fellow Yelper visiting me from San Diego next week, I feel pretty confident that the Sapphire will serve me well for 'Man-Date' night as well!
(5)
Julie M.

Add me to the list of people who LOVE the Sapphire. Great brunch - my friend and I loved every bite. Cozy ambiance, funky decor, calm, retro respect, lots of ways to Like the Place. Super spot for a special breakfast date, with quiet conversation. worth the trip...better yet Bike or take a #14 or 71 or 75 Bus.
(4)
Bradley Z.

This is probably my favorite restaurant in Portland. Heres why. *APRICOT BLONDE. My most favorite cocktail ever. I send people here all the time to try it. *Great atmosphere. Perfect lighting. *Food is always delicious. Great salads and I can not leave without ordering an antipasto. *Every time I've been there I've noticed that I love the music and it is at the perfect level. *I have been here many times and have NEVER had bad or mediocre service. *If these are not enough....... its woe-mantic. 5 STARS! YAY SAPPHIRE! A quick note about their advertisements. WTF?? Seeing the Sapphire ads and then going to the Sapphire is such a huge disconnect. Please stop. Don't make me feel dirty for eating there. Please.
(5)
Betsy S.

I agree with the other poster who called Sapphire the 'quintessential date spot'. Just the right amt of dark with just the right amt of ambient mood lighting. The whole atmosphere begs for leaning in close across a small table over a wonderful drink and tasty treats.
(5)
Andrea L.

Hmm. I was really intrigued by their bar menu and definitely wished that I'd had the opportunity to drink more. I had the Maggie Cassidy. I have to say that it sounded a lot better on paper. I kind of wonder if it wasn't executed properly as when I first sipped it, the flavor was overwhelmingly gin before leaving me with a strong taste of the grapefruit bitters that was unfortunately very reminiscent of cough medicine. I wasn't feeling it. Also a garnish would've really helped the aesthetic appearances of this drink. So my stars are kind of notched down b/c of my drink. Otherwise, I really dig the Sapphire Hotel, whose decor is reminiscent of a PG opium den. I was also really amused by all the awards for being best singles bar, best singles scene that were placed in the bathroom. Just the place to remind you that you need a date. We had excellent service, and I thought the prices were really reasonable, especially for their happy hour, which was what we were there for. And I know it's a singles bar, but I was pretty amused to see that when we were there the clientele was mostly couples or dudes studying. go figure?
(3)
Rachel A.

Oh my! Such a lovely place to have a drink and catch up with friends. The Lobby martini is delicious with just the right mix of cold vodka and tropical fruit juices. The staff couldn't be friendlier, and the cheese plate was quite substantial. I'll be very happy to go here again. The drink menu is innovative with quite a few cocktails I can't wait to try when I don't have to do the driving, and the food menu is full of familiar classics. No real surprises, but all done well.
(4)
IH K.

This was my favorite place I visited during my trip....not because the food or drink were that phenomenal, but because it was consistently impressive on every front. I was particularly fond of the decor and service. Being a fan of cozy conversations over dinner/drinks out and dim lighting, I worried about my options for this type of experience should I move here. I was on a desperate search for at least one spot like Sapphire Hotel, to prove to me the existence of such venues in Portland. Given the impression this place left on me, I was convinced I'd simply missed much of what portland had to offer and was sorry I didn't stumble upon similar places sooner into my trip.
(5)
Michael J. F.

In all the world of imbibing, this is a place I have to come on occasion to get what can only be found here at The Sapph. The exquisitely tasty Going up, and the wonderfully cool Room Service. The Going Up has serrano pepper infused tequila, and is an absolute delight.. The Room Service is a marionberry margarita, and by request you can get the serrano pepper tequila instead of normal tequila in it. Yum! And then there's the comestibles: the seared ahi, the salmon corn cakes, the rustic pizza, are just a few of the delicacies that have become staples in my diet. Sunday nights folks like Pete Krebs can be found livening up the atmosphere with their fantastic renditions of swing standards and originals. And the staff can't be beat.
(5)
Cody W.

Sapphire Hotel is one of those places that is fun depending on who you go with and what time you get there. I went there on a Friday night, and it was packed, so we had to wait for a seat. Then, after getting a seat, we were so close to two other groups of people on a bench that I ended up getting kicked twice by someone at another table. It's kinda hard to carry on a conversation with someone when everyone else can hear you and you can hear them. So if you are a spy or some type of covert agent, I wouldn't recommend this place. If you're a social drinker who wears shin guards, then it's the place for you. The good thing about this place is that the drinks are tasty, and they have a pretty decent variety. I had been looking for a place that had Chimay on tap for awhile, and finally found it here. They are a tad bit on the expensive side, but not too bad. The place kinda reminds me of a trendier McMenamins. All the furniture feels like it was made in the 20s. Aside from the feeling of being in a sardine can and the bruised shins, I really like this place.
(4)
Amado L.

What DO they put in those drinks? And don't get me started on the 40-ounce bottle of deliciousness (a.k.a. PBR) that they have available for consumption. I think that's what finally hit me. (Just kidding...it was the Jack & Cokes, I'm sure...) The Sapphire's ambiance couldn't have been more perfect for a snowed-in evening-- dark yet inviting. Our group commandeered the seating area in front of the gas fireplace, which kept our extremities comfortably warm. It's a cozy spot for a small group to gather 'round and scheme up ideas for world domination (or at least to come to a consensus on the reason for the Chinese-influenced decor). Now, about their food. I wouldn't say they were the best, but they were certainly surprisingly good for a svelte joint like the Sapphire. The Salmon Cakes were a delicious alternative to the more common crab cakes, and the Artichoke Dip had a great flavor. I'll definitely have to try the Blackened Chicken Wings during a subsequent visit-- I heard they had some fire in 'em. Definitely join them for their Happy Hour (4pm to 6pm) to start with. It'll certainly keep you coming back.
(5)
Willow W.

Sapphire Hotel gives me the opportunity to dress up a bit, then caresses me with complimentary light, warm ambiance and taste. The color is deep red. Sapphire could be a station in any location: ex-pat Asia, Chinatown West Coast, or the plot-building sultry scene in a 20's movie. Not only do they have ambiance down, but flavor. There is a chocolate port that satisfies in indescribable ways: it is drinking chocolate without the sugar after taste. Actually, it's more like drinking velvet. A favorite appetizer is the seared tuna, but there are larger portioned, more filling options to balance and share like the artichoke dip with bread or the meze platter. Hot alcoholic beverages enhance an Oregon winter like nothing else, and there are few places I'd rather be than sipping one at the Sapphire Hotel. Spanish Coffee, BFK and a lovely Hot Toddy do the trick. This is a popular date place, but it could be fun to take yourself on a date here, blend into the tapestries and absorb the atmosphere. It lends an intimacy to whatever you choose to do. PS: the service is also fabulous and skilled. They have it all!
(5)
Sara S.

The Sapphire Hotel is off the beaten path; or my beaten path at least. After learning of the lounge on Yelp, I decided to take my husband there for a pre-dinner cocktail on Halloween night. We entered the small, dimly lit room and chose seats at the bar. It seemed to be a slow night, with only 2 or 3 quiet groups of patrons inside. I immediately felt at ease, glowing in candle light and browsing one of the most delectable drink menus I've ever seen. I opted for the homemade pumpkin hot buttered rum and my husband ordered the autumnal "Other Woman." Both cocktails were perfectly crafted and fashionably restrained. However tasty it was, I warned my drinking buddy that if he went for one more Other Woman, he wouldn't have much of a chance with This Woman. The vibe in the bar was subtly playful, with nearly all of the staff dressed in Halloween costumes. We felt at home as a friendly cast of characters stopped by - Frida Kahlo, a cute super heroine, the chef from Ratatouille, an aardvark. I wondered aloud if we would have been any less impressed with our first visit had it not been Halloween, but did it really matter? Considering the 30 minute drive and the $8 drinks, I'll classify this spot as a "treat myself" kind of place. If I lived within walking distance though, I'd find it difficult not to spend most evenings there. The staff is super welcoming and chatty (if chatty's what you're looking for) and the vibe of the space is soothing and unpretentious. Let's be honest. I want to live within walking distance. I want Frida and the aardvark to be in my crowd. I want the Sapphire Hotel to be an embodiment, a representation, of my life - dark and rich, sultry and moody. I guess I'll start by aiming to go there once a month or so. Next time I'll try the food, which will hopefully bump up my rating to a well-earned 5.
(4)
Lydia H.

I am in love with this place. The boy and I came in on a Sunday night and had a couple of drinks and appetizers. Service was great and I loved the overall feel of the place. I had the "The Italian Job" and he had the "Nine Pick," which was his first ever cocktail with egg. We both loved our beverage choices and the waitress was very helpful in describing what the egg would be like in the drink before we ordered. We also had the artichoke and arugula dip and the mussels and clams (the lemongrass and coconunt broth was to die for). I am very excited for my next time.
(5)
Rachel H.

Late night happy hour here, 10-close, with strong drinks, good food, and quick service.
(5)
Janessa P.

The Saphire Hotel has a killer martini. It is made with serrano pepper vodka, apricot puree, triple sec, lemon juice, and sugar. Mmmmm. Mmmm. It's unappologetically spicy, and as Holden Caulfield would say, it makes me feel sexy.
(4)
Dan S.

This place was quite a find. Gotta go somewhere with a couple hundred reviews and a 4-star average. The wife had vegetarian leanings and ordered a Beet burger. I went with the Sapphire burger. Mine was scrumptious, but I couldn't force myself to taste something made from beets. She said it was delicious. Both came with yam fries, which are simply the best ever. For dessert we shared a peach blueberry cobbler, and it was a great way to top off a great meal. Service was excellent, atmosphere exceptional. Loved the mix of hipsters and boomers, and boomers who thought they were hip. An all-around fab place to go. We'll be back.
(4)
Man D.

Me & my boyfriend went here for my birthday dinner. I wanted to go somewhere romantic, so I yelped 'romantic restaurants' in PDX & this was the only one that fit the description. Really, the only romantic thing about this restaurant was dim lighting & candles on every table (which was stellar!) but other than that it was loud in there & the tables were very close together. I wouldn't describe this place as romantic, & since that's what we were looking for, we were a little disappointed. The dinner portions were small, but we split an appetizer & dessert, so we left w/ our tummies full. It was a cute little place w/ an extensive cocktail list, but I can't really see us going back there again. It just wasn't that impressive, but maybe my hopes were too high.
(3)
CaLiLu H.

Because our friends didn't want to brave the chaos going downtown for Halloween Night, we decided to meet up at the Sapphire Hotel and just play it by ear as to where to go next. We ended up staying at this cozy lounge the entire night and totally felt right at home with the other eclectically dressed servers who were also in the Halloween spirit. Because my husband and a few other people in our group had already eaten prior to arriving at SH, we ended up mostly ordering drinks. I loved my "Room Service" which was a martini with marionberries. My husband is a big fan of beer and ordered the more obscure beers they had on tap. Our Wonder Woman-clad server was super friendly and was able to cater to our large group efficiently. I will definitely be back because this seems like a chill place to get some drinks with the girls or a quiet dinner out with my husband.
(4)
ike n tina t.

This is a quite lovely after hour experience. Great salmon/corn cakes, blackened chicken and Sapphire salad..YUM.... When winter calls for a whisky next to the fire, sapphire is where I run.. HAPPY HOUR!
(4)
Eva J.

What was it about this place? Is it that it's set back on 50th, just far away enough from all the hustle and bustle of Hawthorne? Maybe. It's tucked in and right next to Albina Press. When I walked in with my friend it was girls night out, because table after table were women sitting together drinking and chatting it up. We sat and were promptly attended to. Our cocktails were delicious and they should be since mine was $8 a drink. The noise level was just right, so we could carry on and have our conversation. I didn't order any food but the menu sure did sound smacktacular. I have to say because it is set so far back away from everything is a major plus for me. I could see this being a great date place, because well there is something about once you leave this place, with a few cocktails in ya and just walking hand in hand that seems quite right about this place. It's classic.
(5)
Nisha D.

While reading Yelp reviews before crossing the river to find this place, I envisioned velvet carpet, a long wooden bar, and men with top hats. I was a bit off the mark--this is Portland after all, and while swank can be found, it doesn't ooze pretentiousness (thank goodness). This little nook of a bar in a Hawthorne neighborhood features teeny tables, a couple of comfy looking couches, and dim lights. It's a perfect place to bring a date, or some friends for a happy hour. Prices are not cheap, at least for the drinks. $8 a cocktail, across the board. I'm happy to say that I ordered "The Lobby" and loved it so much that I ordered another. It's not a place that I will come often, but it's a great place for special occasions, or just to bust out the romance on occasion. Fortunately, while prices may be hard to stomach, their drinks are not.
(4)
Petra L.

WHY HAVE I NEVER BEEN HERE UNTIL NOW? Seriously, I could live in this place. I just love the red, dim lighting, the bird-themed tables, the art, etc. More than that, I love the drink menu which apparently rotates often. I was there last night and saw drinks such as The Tourist, Going Up?, The Concierge, etc. I had (two) Going Up(s) and have possibly found my new favorite drink. Serrano chile-infused tequila with lime and assorted other flavors that made one person compare it to gnawing on a cactus but made me think of a Mexican dinner in a glass. I sampled the Concierge, too - a delicious cucumber-infused gin with ginger and lemon. I know nothing about the food (but I'm fairly sure I saw very little that was vegan friendly) but the drinks will keep me coming back.
(5)
Olivia B.

I still totally dig the ambiance, and the drinks, but some of my recent visits have left me a little disappointed with the food and the service. We've had one great server in our last ten visits (I wish I got remembered her name!), and the rest have been mediocre. Slow, hard to get their attention when we were wanting something, etc. The hostess's are always SOOOO nice and helpful there that I end up wishing they were the servers instead. I really did the hummus platter appetizer and my boyfriend loves the artichoke dip, but the rest of the food has been disappointing. When I took my parents, the chicken pot pie (maybe a special?) was SOOO dry they could barely swallow it. On another visit, the person next to us found a staple, yes a staple, in her burger. I will totally go again when I want a fancy drink and a dark lit place to chill with my boyfriend or friends, but the food and the service is not what will bring me back.
(3)
Sugarbee D.

One of my favorite spots. Excellent service, amazing local food and some of the best cocktails I've had. Their cheese plate is huge with a wide variety of fixings. Fresh salads and the pomegrante glazed steak is to die for. Jazz music almost every time I'm there, relaxing ambiance and the staff is very easy on the eyes. My only recomendation, don't go there if your in a hurry, this is a place to relax and chill out. See you soon sapphire!
(5)
Dale G.

Went here after dinner on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening while on vacation in Portland. It's a cozy little bar right after where Hawthorne wants to force you to turn right onto 50th. But don't be fooled! It's right there on Hawthorne, on the right just a few car lengths past that turn. The place was dark and comfortable, not much bigger than my apartment, with interesting looking people dressed nicely but casually. There were candles on the table, which came in handy for reading the menu. Our waitress was pleasant and attentive, but never pressuring. My nephew-in-law ordered some bacon-wrapped dates, which everyone enjoyed. I don't drink a lot, and I rarely have a good idea what kind of drink to order, so the Sapphire's drink menu was a real relief. It has four pages describing the ingredients of their house drinks. They make or infuse some of their ingredients in-house, which makes me think they're pretty serious about their libations. I had a top-shelf Personality a la Roy, and my daughter had a Sazerac which I tasted. Both drinks were quite tasty. It was an enjoyable evening with no glitches, just the right amount of service.
(4)
Liz S.

This place has one of the best atmospheres in town. Dark, luxurious, mysterious, and cozy on a rainy night with the wood burning stove. Another huge bonus is that they always have chimay on tap!!! It's a little bit expensive, especially for food (you won't find any crazy deals) but it's a price that I'm willing to pay for the privilege of sitting in this amazing spot.
(4)
Kimberly V.

A visit to the Sapphire is like living in Beck's Midnite Vultures album. The level of cute quirks - the red bordello artifacts near the ceiling, the big, beautiful dresser repurposed as the bar shelf - is proportionate to the accessible features, like the menu full of beets and bread and the friendliness of the staff. Almost uniformly, many types dig the Sapphire. Preppies, bohemians, ladies who lunch, and families with children all appear to get down at this bar. And because it must be said, the whisper of The Sexy can be heard, particularly if you sit on the couch in the back. Of course, if you just want a mellow night (not a Saturday, just a friendly warning) drinking flirtatious beverages with friends, you can tune out The Sexy and groove on The Not Interested But Keep Looking, Cowboy. I may have to give that name to a cocktail. So, rundown of the Sapphire Hotel's similarities to Midnite Vultures: Sexx Laws: Clearly. Just look around. The lounging station in the restroom *may* contain enough space to one to ask a rugged stranger if he'd be your chaperone at the halfway home. Hollywood Freaks: You would think there'd be more freaks, given the Hawthorne location, but the Sapphire attracts too well-heeled a crowd to really draw in the carnies. For that, you walk across the street. Get Real Paid: It helps, as drinks can get expensive. Debra: This is not a JC Penney's, but I suppose your chances of meeting someone's sister named Debra are about as likely. Nicotine & Gravy: The first can be consumed outside, but I'm not sure if the second can be found within. But after an hour or so here, miracles really do amaze me and my left eye feels kind of lazy.
(4)

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Address : 5008 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR, 97215
Phone (503) 232-6333
Website https://thesapphirehotel.com/
Click To Get Directions

Opening Hours

Mon :4:00 pm - 2:00pm

Specialities

Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner, Late Night
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Romantic
Noise Level : Average
Music : Background
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No

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Sapphire Hotel

5008 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR, 97215

Sapphire Hotel Menu

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