#IPW2023

  PORTLAND POPS WITH NEW OPENINGS, TRENDS, AND EVENTS THIS SUMMER

Summer in Portland is set to pop with new hotel and restaurants openings, pop-up dining experiences, and unique events. Whether it's new eats by some of Portland's most acclaimed chefs, immersive art experiences, summer concerts or quirky festivals, we've rounded up a few of the new trends, openings, and events that we're most excited for this summer in the Rose City.

TRENDING NOW:

Portland – The City of Pop-Ups: Portland's culinary scene has re-emerged more diverse than ever before with many chefs hosting weekly pop-ups in long-standing restaurants that loan out their space on the days they are closed. For example, Dame Restaurant has become a collective of sorts where travelers can go on a journey of Mexican cuisine with Chef Lauro Romero's Clandestino pop-up at Lil' Dame and then pop over to Chef Luna Contreras' longstanding pop-up Chelo at Dame. The name Chelo pays homage to her grandmother, and cooking as a channel for both community and Luna's voice as a brown trans Latina. This pop-up concept has opened the door for many chefs to serve their food without having to worry about staffing, rents, etc., allowing them to focus purely on the food itself.

This concept has also been an incubator for many chefs who started as pop-ups, like F&W Best New Chef 2021 and James Beard Award Nominee Chef Carlo Lamagna, who went on to open Magna Kusina and now hosts pop-ups in his restaurant—with two new outposts slated to open this year, in Denver and the Portland suburb of Beaverton. Learn more here.

SUMMER OPENINGS:

The Ritz-Carlton, Portland: Portlanders are buzzing about with excitement as the city prepares to welcome its first five-star luxury hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, Portland. Opening summer 2023, The Ritz-Carlton, Portland will be the first Ritz in the Pacific Northwest (yes, there isn't even one in Vancouver, Canada yet) and has already transformed the city's skyline with its glistening 35-story tower built from the ground up.

The Forest Park-inspired lobby will welcome travelers as they enter to check into one of the 251 guest rooms and suites. On the 20th  floor, you'll find unparalleled city views from The Ritz-Carlton signature restaurant helmed by chef Pedro Almeida who comes by way of the Penha Longa Resort, the Ritz Carlton's Sintra in Portugal which is home to three Michelin-starred restaurants. Slated to open November 2023, The Ritz-Carlton food hall will feature 10 outposts all by local Portland vendors, including Prime Tap House, Birria la Plaza, Cake Bar, Kim Jong Grillin, and a spot by Portland pop-up Sunrice in collaboration with Magna (as noted above in the pop-ups section). Travelers looking for some R&R can bask in the 19th-floor spa designed for Portland's city flower – the rose – featuring rose-imbued treatments, an “athlete-grade” fitness center, an infinity pool with a “hidden mountain lake”, and more.

Acclaimed Portland Chefs Opening New Spots: Lately, it's hard not to feel inspired by all of the great food in town and the chefs that make them. This summer, a slew of Portland's top restauranteurs and chefs are planning to open second, third and fourth restaurants around town, including James Beard nominated Chef Peter Cho of Han Oak who is slated to open a new Korean BBQ joint in June. James Beard Award 2023 Finalist Thomas Pisha-Duffly's new fantastical bar – Houston Blacklight – is expected to open in June as well, while Portland legend Akkapong Earl Ninsom's new spot – Yaowarat - inspired by Bangkok's bustling Chinatown is expected to open July/ August.

Multi-Court Recreational + Social Space: The People's Courts, a 48,000 sq ft multi-court recreational and social space in Northeast Portland, is scheduled to open this summer. The People's Courts is a destination-worthy venue bringing something truly unique to the Pacific Northwest region through high-quality courts and games for all ages, groups, and skill levels, paired with exceptional local food, inventive drinks, and a welcoming social atmosphere year-round. In addition to recreational activities like Pickleball courts, Bocce Ball courts, Cornhole, Disc Golf and more, The People's Courts will also have two restaurants, "The Kitchen" and "The Parlor." The Kitchen will offer a bar and grill menu designed by Nate Tilden of Clyde Common and Olympia Provisions Co-Founder and Culinary Director, along with a great list of local beer, wine and cocktails. The Parlor will feature a menu of tavern style pizza created by Brian Spangler of Apizza Scholls and soft serve ice cream and shakes.

New Immersive Art Experience: Hopscotch, a uniquely curated immersive art experience, recently announced that its second permanent U.S. location will open this June in Southeast Portland. The 23,000 square foot will feature large-scale installations created by more than fifty local, national, and international artists. Each installation will showcase diverse and experiential creations that explore the intersection of art and technology while providing a one-of-a-kind, interactive experience for guests of all ages.

OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES + EVENTS:

Summer Concert Series: Portland's biggest outdoor summer concert series, PDX Live, will return to Pioneer Courthouse Square for its second year – known as the city's living room - for its second year. The concert series will take place August 9-24 with a stellar line-up including Northwest folk-rock icon Fleet Foxes, a live performance from Greensky Bluegrass, while indie-heads will be happy to see sets from beabadoobee, Alex G, Tegan and Sara, and Japanese Breakfast. Rock buffs, rejoice: Descendents, Patti Smith and Her Band, Explosions In The Sky and The Flaming Lips are locked in to make stage-shattering appearances.

Waterfront Blues Festival: Downtown Portland's largest and longest running music festival, the Waterfront Blues Festival, is back for July 4th weekend with a jam-packed lineup including Buddy Guy, The Mavericks, JJ Grey & Mofro, and more. Now in its 36th year, Waterfront Blues Festival is one of the Pacific Northwest's most anticipated and beloved events. It draws a diverse and multigenerational crowd to the gorgeous setting of downtown Portland's Tom McCall Waterfront Park for a celebration of music, culture, and community, and is one of the most renowned, exciting and dynamic blues experiences in the world.

Portland Rose Festival + Oregon Brewers Festival: Every year for more than a century, the City of Roses has thrown itself a massive party in the form of the Portland Rose Festival. This year, the festival kicks off on Friday, May 26 of Memorial Day weekend with the CityFair and Opening Night Fireworks. It will run through Sunday, June 11 with events such as the return of the 35-year-old Oregon Brewers Festival, marking the first collaboration between the two festivals with a tap takeover curated by OBC Founder Art Larrance at CityFair June 2 – June 4. Fleet Week and the Dragon Boat Race are additional highlights for the festival, all taking place at Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland on the Willamette River.

Quirky Summer Events: Not to forget distinctly Portland festivals like the Portland Rose Festival Dragon Boat Race on June 10-11 (a favorite of the beloved-by-locals Rose Festival, May 26-June 11), Portlandia Mermaid Parade and Festival slated for July 29th, and Pickathon Music Festival, August 3-6. Learn more about Portland summer events, here.