Portland Hunt & Alpine Club

I came here with some friends ranging in age from 30 to 58, there were 5 of us. I have to say I don’t get the draw. The drinks were not good and we didn’t even finish ours. We were definitely not hipster enough and I felt we were lacking in plaid. Lol
The service was ok but they weren’t very warm just there.
I honestly think we just are not the target audience and that is OK. We hit 4 places and this was the only bad fit.

Two friends and I dropped by here on a recommendation from a waiter earlier in the day. We were definitely not disappointed. The atmosphere was fantastic – I love the long communal tables and the general Nordic feel of the place. The menus are really cool, and I plan to hang the «toast» at some point in my kitchen. We ordered The Skier cheese plate (delicious…who knew I liked some types of blue cheese?) and cocktails. I got the White Noise for my first round (elderflower, grapefruit, etc.), which was nice and light. For my second round, the waitress convinced me to go outside of the box. Despite not being a lover of spice, I ordered the Bone Crusher (mezcal, lime, agave, red pepper) which was shockingly not too spicy, and absolutely delicious! There was an almost barbecue-​type taste at the end of the drink, which I really enjoyed.
Will go back when I run a half marathon in Portland this summer!

Probably one of the coolest cocktail bars I’ve ever been to. If you dropped this place into the trendiest neighborhood in SF or Brooklyn it would be right at home, but without the pretentious characters that come with those locales. The bartender whipped up some delicious drinks for us and did so with plenty of skill and flare. We didn’t try any food because we had dinner reservations, but we sat at the bar and watched many dishes get prepared and they all looked delicious. We’ll definitely be back next time we’re in Portland.

We came to Hunt & Alpine on the recommendation of the hostess at Central Provisions, while waiting for our table for dinner there, and we’re so pleased we did! It’s a great spot, with fab drinks and wonderful service. It somehow feels simultaneously open/​airy and really hip and buzzy, a really fun spot.
We sat at the bar, and really enjoyed chatting to the bartender. The cocktails were outstanding — we tried a few, of which the bonecrusher was our favourite. Perfectly balanced, totally delicious. We also had a pickle plate, which was reeeeeeally good.
We are really pleased we stopped in and will be back for our next visit to Portland!

This seems to be one of the more popular places to get a cocktail in Portland. We came before dinner for a quick drink and of course that popcorn. The popcorn was very addictive. I just kept going and going and grabbing. It was seasoned with green chile power, butter and Parmesan. I ordered an old fashioned which was made very well. It’s definitely a nice ambiance inside and a great place to come get a drink.

This is now one of my favorite places in Portland, and that says a lot. I went here for post dinner drinks last weekend and it blew me away. It’s not the type of place you would expect in a smaller city like Portland. The inside was gorgeous and the bartender was fantastic. Their menu comes as a map with a leather bound booklet as the drink menu. So freaking cool.
I ordered the White Noise drink which was amazing. Another member of the group ordered the Bonecrusher. And even though it’s not my typical type of drink it was the best made cocktail I have ever tasted. We also ordered the house popcorn which I highly recommend. $ 5 is steep for popcorn but it was plenty for our party of 3.
If you’re looking for cheap drinks this is not the place. But if you want a well made cocktail and a unique experience, this is where you should go.

This place was such a cool find last night! We were doing a pub crawl and really wanted a bite to eat and we heard this place had yummy snacks. I had a buzz on so I wanted carbs and salt… I got the pretzels! They were fantastic and hit the spot so perfectly, all of my friends had a bit too and fell in love! I will definitely be going back :)

This place is just cool. From the lighting, the tables, the liquor-​wall (patent pending) to the waitstaff, this is a fun place.
We often go here for a drink before dinner or for a snack. Two of our favorite drinks are the firecracker and the espresso martini. The firecracker is just as it sounds, spicy and full of good stuff. The martini has that wonderful alcohol espresso mix I can’t get enough of.
As for the food, the options are small, but hey, it’s a bar. The pickle plate and popcorn are standouts though.

Grabbed a drink at the bar quick over New Year’s weekend and enjoyed myself. The place was hopping and had a good vibe. The crowd was a mix of couples, friends, older people, younger folks and some families. The bartender was efficient and friendly.

Hanging with my best lady friends and my husband. This place is cool. It comes off as pretentious but when you settle in it is pretty cool. Great original cocktails and a very nice waitstaff.

Really delicious cocktails, and a solid beer list. I wasn’t in the mood for wine, so I didn’t check out the wine list. The Bonecrusher is spicy and smoky and I know I“ll be craving it in the future. The Firecracker is really good too.
My only negative is that the food doesn’t really suit the drinks in my opinion. The Skier (their cheese plate), wasn’t really doing it for me. For starters, it came with giant tortilla cracker which was hard to eat either the hard cheeses or the soft cheese, and there was a huge hunk of blue cheese and a tiny wedge of something softer.
Still, even though I personally wouldn’t count on snacking here, it’s a fantastic spot.

New Years Eve was about the bajillionth time that I’ve been here but writing this review now is by no means an indication of it finally meriting one. In fact, I have held Portland Hunt & Alpine in high regard since the first time my friend Amanda had brought me there. We went all out that first time.
We tried The Skier, which is an assortment of New England cheeses, jams, and a few other items, The Smörgåsbord with meats, fish, and cheese, Oysters, and Salt Cod (which I currently do not see on their menu). In the words of Anthony Bourdain, «I [was] happy.»
My favorite drink to get is the Bonecrusher. A smoky and spicy blend of mezscal, agave, lime, and red pepper.
It is usually quite busy here and the way they arrange the area facilitates being social. Not to get too nerdy but the big tables in the middle remind me somewhat of Hogwarts…

This was suggested to us as good place for a post-​dinner drink — and it turned out to be exactly what we wanted! It was a Monday evening so it was understandably slow but I’d love to go back on a busier night. It’s located right off the square in the Old Port/​Downtown area just a short walk from our hotel. The bar is reminiscent of a place back home in Providence (The Eddy) from the ambiance, style of cocktails, the crowd, and option to order fancy bar food/​snacks.
It’s a great place for a group, date, or just a couple of friends. Bartenders were super friendly and would definitely go back if I’m bopping around town looking for a very nicely crafted cocktail.

Some tastey treats on the menu, still a little pricey for the portions of food and cocktails. Atmosphere is nice, but a little pretentious at times. Certainly plays up the hunt & alpine theme nicely. We had The Hunter which was probably my favorite dish of the evening. They make a Good Old Fashioned among some more adventurous cocktails.

Stopped in for a few pre dinner drinks and I was really surprised. The space is small and very modern and minimalist. They have a large selection of spirits including 12 yr pappy van winkle for 40 $.
The bartender was very nice, talkative and friendly. Actually found out that he is from the same place in Maryland I am from. What a small world. Hubs said he made a very good old fashioned.
Would definitely come back here and would love to have a nice place like this back in DC but sadly if that happened it would become way too crowded and taken over by hipsters.
Love this place! Highly recommend it.

I like this place. I don’t visit bars quite as often as I used to so when I do, I just want a good, interesting cocktail. The sloe gin fizz is my drink of choice. I’ve tried others on the menu, but I prefer the gin fizz. I also like the snack options here. The warm nuts are delicious and not to be missed and the soft pretzels are also a good option. I’ve never had a bad experience here. I find the bar service to be fine. and I’ve also sat at the tables and the servers have been friendly and efficient. The bartenders aren’t super warm and fuzzy, but that being said I’ve had some good conversations with them. I get that sometimes there seems to be a weird attitude or vibe here but I can let that go because I really like that gin fizz.

Unlike most people over 30, I don’t have a problem with the space. I’m fine with the minimalist Scandinavian style. I do however agree with my fellow tricenarians (yeah its a word, I just looked it up, why do we only use the one for people in their 80’s?) when it comes to the lackluster service. It ranges from OK to bad. Last time I was there it seemed like they had kind of given up. both the staff and the partly open kitchen area just looked shabby and disheveled.
Speaking of giving up, they appear to have given up on their plan of charging $ 2,500 a year for the right to drink your drinks behind the big screen of reclaimed lumber. I’m still baffled that they thought that was a good idea.
Generally, the drinks are really good. The only time that wasn’t true was on New Years Eve a few years back when the menu was all champagne based specials that were weak in every sense of the word.
My go-​to used to be the bottled Americano. Because I love Americanos, and because it was only $ 7, and because it came in a bottle so you didn’t have to worry about it being a half assed pour. But it’s not on the menu any more.
Actually, the menu may be the best part about the Hunt and Alpine. That leather is top notch. Very pleasant on the hand.
Lastly, what’s with the arty map of the other Portland above the toilet (of which there is only one! how is that even allowed in a space of that size?)? Is it a joke? Was it an accident that they just decided to leave? Do they not know?

Efficient, pleasant and attentive service in a lively downtown setting.
I sat at the bar with a friend and was served right away I had tonic and lime– (I was the DD) and my friend enjoyed an Allagash White.
Usually when I request a non alcoholic drink at a bar in town I get rolling eyes but the bartender was more than happy to ensure both our water and my tonic glasses remained full at all times– ensuring I felt comfortable and free to enjoy the company I was with.
I was very impressed with the service (and hey-​the tonic and lime was tasty if not original on my part) and I look forward to going back to try one of the (many) inventive, locally coined cocktails that caught my eye on this trip.

Décor: Clean, modern, dark.
Food & Drink: DELICIOUS. Excellent quality and very innovative. Wanted to order one of everything libation and sustenance.
Ambiance:
Hip. Young crowd. Chill.
Overall:
Would be back to try more drinks with friends for a good chill night out.

I have been many, many times and I have given this place many, many fair chances and every time I leave disappointed– either with the service or the drinks– but mostly with the service.
I guess I’ll start with what I do like. For the most part, I dig the drinks. Delicious hand crafted cocktails inspired by a different era. Many different eras. The cocktail menu is sprinkled with a few originals too. They have a happy hour special every day, my favorite of which was the Mexican Firing Squad. Though it isn’t on the menu, if I’ve asked for it, they’ve always been willing to make it for me.
The only drink I’ve had that I haven’t liked was the Oaxaca Cocoa. In their defense, it was my fault for ordering it in the first place even after reading the description. I should have known that drinking chocolate, mezcal and chartreuse would taste like drinking a bottle of hot, smoky perfume topped with whipped cream. It just seemed like a good choice this past cold New Years Eve. I left it unfinished and out $ 11.
As for the service, where do I begin?
What’s interesting is that I’ve received better service seated at one of the long communal tables than at the bar. The floor service is pretty fast and efficient. They are quick to fill the glass water bottles and make suggestions to uncertain drinkers. They aren’t super engaging otherwise which of course is to be expected– but I feel like this should not be the case at the bar.
I have sat at the bar countless times to be ignored by a bartender too intent on chatting with buddies or pretty, statuesque tourists form Boston and NY. Am I jealous? Of course. I want their attention. So I can order a drink. Service with a smile might be nice too. Thats all I ask. When I am lucky enough to be approached after short eternities trying to catch the tenders’ eye, I feel like I am a nuisance. I have had my drink unceremoniously slammed down in front of me numerous times.
Once my husband’s water glass was thrown down so hard and hurriedly that half of it splashed onto the bar and all over his hands. No apologies there. No clean up.
When we went in for NYE a year ago we sat at the bar for literally 25 minutes without drinks– not because the place was busy (it was a tomb) but because the bartender was talking on his cell phone behind the bar. And then talking to his co-​workers. And then just being super loud and obnoxious. We had been psyched to find one place with no NYE cover that wasn’t packed to the gills, but we were so put off by the service that we had one drink and trudged back through town to another more warm and inviting establishment where we were immediately greeted with a smile and even given a free glass of bubbly to ring in the New Year.
Which leads me to my next gripe– the ambiance. There is none. I have often come in to get out of the winter elements to leave feeling colder than I was before. There never seems to be any joy. The staff seems unhappy. I don’t know that I have ever seen anyone smile. The music is bland– often a bad cover of a great song or else another genre that one wouldn’t associate with a fun Friday night on the town, or happiness of any kind. I’ve gone alone, as a couple and with large groups of friends and it’s always the same, we’ve all felt it. It’s as if joy isn’t tolerated. Is it uncool to smile? Well, no wonder I don’t fit in here.
I am not one to write bad reviews and I feel I am always very fair, but I fear that I have given up on PH&AC. I am very disappointed because I really wanted to like this place. I was excited for a taste of home. Prior to moving here I spent 15 years in Boston enjoying the revival of the craft cocktail scene and was looking forward to a great mixed drink in the town of a million craft beers (which I also love.)
Oh well, I guess I’ll stick to PH&AC’s warmer contemporaries.