What comes to mind when you hear the words “whiskey library”? Is it leather-bound armchairs, dim lighting and wood-paneled rooms lined with oil-paint portraits? Is it filled with old men doing things like reading the paper, smoking cigars or making business deals?
The Multnomah Whiskey Library is happy to do away with most of those stereotypes, although you’ll still find some leather upholstery. Beneath the twinkling glimmer of more than 2,000 bottles of spirits, this renowned whiskey bar is on a mission to make the world of whiskey more accessible to everyone. Here’s what to know about this world-class bar that’s the hub of a thriving, walkable community full of indie boutiques, retail, restaurants and hotels.
Pull Up a Seat at a More Inclusive Library
After the bar changed hands and the new owners wanted to make it more inclusive, Kimiko Matsuda joined the Multnomah Whiskey Library in 2022 in a newly created role: director of culture. Since then, she’s shepherded a vibe shift at the library to be more relaxed and welcoming — more lively dinner party than shareholder meeting. “The idea of a whiskey library feels very ‘Shh! Serious!’” says Matsuda. “And it’s not.”
The Library, as staff call it, hosts a robust calendar of ticketed events, dinners and cocktail hours. Matsuda introduced a new series called Behind the Rails, which is geared toward BIPOC creatives. She also began booking a diverse mix of chefs from some of Portland’s best restaurants and food carts for paired dinners open to everyone.
Outreach to other businesses has also been a key part of Matsuda’s work at the Library. She helped organize a neighborhood event called West End Wednesdays, a monthly celebration (January to November) of the many small businesses in the southwest part of downtown. Participating businesses stay open late and offer something special. At The Green Room, the Library’s ground-level, no-reservations bar, that means happy-hour specials on oysters and martinis, plus a DJ.
There’s also been an enhanced focus on hospitality. The bar still has a paid-membership program, which includes perks like free reservations, use of the exclusive members’ lounge, early access to ticketed events and more. Non-members can make a Hall Pass courtesy reservation for $25 per person.
What visitors may not know is that there’s no need to become a member — or even make a paid reservation — to get the experience. “We take walk-ins every day,” says Lani Sickman, general manager. “We want walk-ins. We love to see them.”
Sip Creative Cocktails Paired With Local Produce
While whiskey geeks will find much to get excited about here — the collection was nominated in 2024 at Tales of the Cocktail for world’s best spirits collection — you don’t have to be an expert to have a great time at the Library. “I actually think this place is better if you don’t have a lot of knowledge,” says Sickman.
Friendly, expert staff are happy to guide customers through a whiskey list as thick as a book, or suggest a cocktail. There are plenty of whiskey-based concoctions, including some based on bar-exclusive single barrels, but there are also fun, creative drinks highlighting other spirits as well as several nonalcoholic libations. Each March the entire cocktail list features collaborations with other women bartenders around town in honor of Women’s History Month and in support of a local charity.
Don’t forget to order some food with your cocktail. Chef Bill Wallender, formerly of Ava Gene’s and Quaintrelle, has brought a renewed focus on local sourcing from producers like Flying Coyote Farm in Sandy and Baird Family Orchards near Dayton. Snack on an order of seasoned popcorn then move on to Northwest oysters or a seared strip steak. Just don’t fill up before dessert. The chocolate cake — a tiered concoction of silky ganache, tender cake and crispy hazelnuts — is purpose-built for pairing with a dram.
Shop for Clothes, Books and Art in the West End
The Library sits in Portland’s West End, a loosely defined neighborhood in downtown that includes some of the city’s most iconic businesses — think Powell’s City of Books, the Crystal Ballroom and Tender Loving Empire. But it’s also home to a host of indie and boutique shops that make waiting for your name to come up on the Library list a pleasure.
Celebrate the connections between Portland and Japan a couple of blocks away at Kiriko Made, a Japanese clothing store specializing in apparel made from traditional textiles, as well as accessories and home goods. Or find a new fit at Frances May, which stocks men’s and women’s apparel from dozens of indie designers. Art lovers shouldn’t miss the latest exhibit at INDUSTRY One, a commission-free gallery for contemporary artists from around the world. Relax afterward with a bite to eat at popular Mediterranean restaurant Lil’ Shalom.
