Ten after 10:00

Portland after dark can sometimes be a bit of a let down, especially if you’re newly relocated from a more nocturnally active environment. But fear not, all you night owls: here’s a sampling of close-in businesses that love the nightlife as much as you do.

Backspace
115 N.W. Fifth Ave.
Open: Mon. to Fri., 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sat. and Sun., 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

In addition to locally made (and deliciously French-pressed) Stumptown coffee, Backspace boasts pool tables, chess sets, and pay-by-the-hour Internet and gaming stations. With a low-key living room vibe and ample patio seating, Backspace is a refreshing change from the rest of the bar-and-diner scene downtown.

Ground Kontrol
511 N.W. Couch St.
Open: Sun. to Thurs., 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Fri. and Sat., 12 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.

When you truly need a break away from the late night standards, head to Ground Kontrol (just around the corner from Backspace) for massive amounts of pinball and retro video gaming. And here’s the best part: you can enjoy a pint of PBR while being a pinball wizard or playing Super Mario Bros. 3 at the bar. 21 and over after 7 p.m.

Ford’s on Fifth
121 N.W. Fifth Ave.
Open: Mon. to Thurs., 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Fri. and Sat., 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.; closed Sundays.

Completing the Northwest Fifth Avenue and Couch Street trifecta of after-10 p.m. fun, Ford’s is the place to go for cheap hot dogs and sandwiches. A “naked dog” only sets you back $1.95, so be sure to hang on to a handful of quarters for some post-Ground Kontrol noshing. Only open late on weekends, but in an open-late deprived place like Portland, anything helps.

Le Happy
1011 N.W. 16th Ave.
Open: Mon. to Thurs., 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Fri. and Sat., 6 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.; closed Sundays.

It’s a bit of a walk up to Le Happy’s home at Northwest 16th Avenue and Lovejoy Street, but if you have a really strong late-night crepe craving, it’s worth the trip. Le Happy has an excellent full menu of dinner as well dessert-style crepes, decent wells and a small selection of wines.
For the classiest of classy, order Le Trash Blanc—$5.50 for a PBR and a bacon and cheddar crepe.

The Roxy
1121 S.W. Stark St.
Open: Tues. to Sun., 24 hours; closed Mondays.

A landmark diner in Portland, tucked away on Southwest Stark street and conveniently open 24/6. This is the place to go near campus when you need coffee, fried food and a trashy late-night diner atmosphere. Just keep in mind the occasional long wait for a table and the legions of panhandlers at the door.

The Pita Pit
421 S.W. 10th Ave.
Open: Mon. through Wed., 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.; Thurs. to Sat., 11 a.m. to 4 a.m.; Sun., 12 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Yes, it’s true: a short walk down 10th Avenue from campus, delicious, freshly made pita sandwiches can be had until as late as four in the morning. The overhead fans generate a lot of white noise, so this may not be the best place to lounge with friends over your meals. However, the service is speedy and the lines are often small, making this a great stop-in destination. Pita Pit also delivers, but beware—the staff often won’t answer the phone until the 11th or 12th call.

Powell’s City of Books
1005 W. Burnside St.
Open: 9 a.m. to11 p.m. daily

Portland’s own landmark bookstore is open until 11 p.m. every night, to help satiate any and all nocturnal literature cravings. The adjoining café is a great spot to relax with a magazine or two over a cappuccino, and it’s also where they keep the graphic novels.

Suki’s Bar & Grill
2401 S.W. Fourth Ave.
Open: Mon. through Fri. 9 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.; Sat and Sun 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.

There are a lot of bars in the downtown area that are open until 2:30 a.m, So what’s so great about this one? Suki’s boasts not only a warm and welcoming bar staff, but karaoke Thursday through Saturdays, open mic comedy on Tuesdays, and D&D Night (ask KJ Dick about schedules). Even more: a great menu of cheaply priced and largely-portioned eats, from chicken strips to pad thai to hangover-worthy breakfasts. A Vanguard staff favorite.

Voodoo Donut
22 S.W. Third Ave.

How to get your all-night study group to love you, in two easy steps: 1. Pick up a Voodoo Dozen (that’s thirteen pastries, not twelve) for $8; 2. Bask in their adoration and pass around the napkins. Voodoo Donuts, an eclectic little donut shop open 24/7 (except from Sundays at 2 p.m. until Mondays at 6 a.m.), brings joy to the night crowd via a rainbow-colored sugar rush. Crowded (but especially great) after the bars close.

The Original Hotcake and Steak House
1002 S.E. Powell Blvd.
Open: 24 hours daily.

Giant hotcakes, delicious steaks and a well-stocked jukebox are just three out of many reasons to stop in to this 24-hour diner, also located right across the Ross Island bridge on Southeast Powell. Need three more? Mounds of fries, delectable Hawaiian burgers and handmade shakes. Shazam!