Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 72 Page 73 Page 74 Page 75 Page 76 Page 77 Page 78 Page 79 Page 80 Page 81 Page 82 Page 83 Page 84 Page 85 Page 86 Page 87 Page 88 Page 89 Page 90 Page 91 Page 92 Page 93 Page 94 Page 95 Page 96 Page 97 Page 98 Page 99 Page 100 Page 101 Page 102 Page 103 Page 104 Page 105 Page 106 Page 107 Page 108 Page 109 Page 110 Page 111 Page 112 Page 113 Page 114 Page 115 Page 11626 p o r t l a n d monthly magazine portland after dark courtesy photos Culture & CoCktails H eading uptown, just a skip across Congress Street from MerrillAu- ditorium, you’ll find the tweedy InkwellBar within ThePressHotel. Ac- cording to Derek Hunt, the “lively but relaxed lounge-style atmosphere and cozy seating by the fireplace” make the old-school media- themed bar the perfect mise-en-scène. Beyond the artistic small plates, patrons will find cocktails to match the evening’s theme. For example, “a dramatic and fancy evening calls for a twist on the classic Manhattan, which describes ourJustNorthOf drink (rye whis- key, B&B, Luxardo, dry vermouth/bitters)– a reference to our location 312 miles north of Broadway and 42nd.” Ahead of a show, don’t miss Inkwell’s “Off the Record” happy hour (Su.-Th. 4-6 p.m. and 10 p.m.-1 a.m.), with $5 select local craft beers on draft and wines. Only a three-minute stroll from Mer- rill, a leisurely stop at Dobra Tea is the per- fect way to extend an afternoon matinee or start an evening on a zen note. Swathed in rich hues of burgundy and turquoise with Persian-style rugs and floor-pillow seat- ing, it’s “a great space to relax and unwind and the perfect space for conversation with friends or relaxing with the whole fam- ily,” says co-owner Ray Marcotte. (Actors from Portland Stage frequently stop by pre-performance to get “into the zone.”) Over 100 tea varieties mean everyone will find something to soothe or energize, from chocolate-laced comfort teas (try the “Memories of Prague” made with Black Assam tea mixed with semi-sweet choco- late) to heady and invigorating blends (the “Taste of Kashmir,” a mix of green, black, and oolong teas with orange peel, cloves, ginger, and cinnamon). And since no one wants to provoke disapproving sidelong glances with a rumbling tummy, don’t leave without a bite of something decadent like a matcha cheesecake, currant scone, or chocolate-drizzled macaroons. set the stage If the tickets in your hand are for a perfor- mance at Portland Stage, the Little Tap House is less than a four-minute stroll (six minutes with heels) through the colorful Arts District. With white stucco and exposed brick walls, the rustic-modern locale combines a neighborhood-pub feel with an up- scale aesthetic–perfectly suited for an evening of artistic and intellectu- al stimulation. (It even lured in Ber- nie Sanders for a post-rally indul- gence of fish and chips.) “The Little Tap House is a cozy nook to hang your hat before or after an event. Feel the warmth of the wood in- terior and comfort of friends around you while listening to some jamming tunes,” says Robin Landry. “The beer connois- seur is bound to find a favorite local brew or special one-off style to sip on. If the con- cert falls on ‘date night,’ sharing a local beer flight is a romantic way to have an en- joyable tasting experience together.” More than just a beer haven, Little Tap House’s cocktail creations like the Maple Manhat- tan (Knob Creek whiskey, Aztec chocolate bitters, Maine maple, sea salt rim) are en- core-worthy. don’t Miss Over on the East End, the St. Lawrence Arts Theater isn’t the only place with a flair for the dramatic. Petite, crimson Lo- lita is a beloved spot for local theater-go- ers. The small plates menu lends itself to a quick bite pre-performance, and the kitchen is open until 10:30 p.m. for a post- show feast. Stella Hernandez, co-own- er and wine director, describes the self- styled “Vinoteca and Asador” as “warm and urban, but decidedly low-key.” Cock- tails sipped at the zinc bar are a must. Hernandez recommends the Bijou cock- tail (gin, green Chartreuse, sweet ver- mouth, orange bitters)–“complex and her- baceous with a lovely, opulent color that is very much about drama.” Not to be outdone, South Portland’s Port- landPlayersis surrounded by great pre-show spots, including the laid-back ElsmereBBQ, with its fascinating auto-garage-chic interior; David’s388, with its warm hues and urban- cottage feel; and the bright and airy Italian spot, Enio’sEatery. n the CoMebaCk kid asylum, portland’s long-standing alternative music venue, has been reincarnated and renamed as aura. on april 27, the newly- minted nightclub will open its doors to the public. “one of our biggest priorities was fix- ing sight lines,” says owner Krista newman. the result? tiered seating, a balcony, and expanses of room for over 1,000 attendees in the main stage. true to its roots, the venue’s spring and summer lineup features an eclectic mix of acts, from Jimmy eat World (may 11) to frankie ballard (June 3) to lupe fiasco (may 14), and "new genres we haven’t touched on yet,” according to newman. a smaller performance space located in the basement will provide a venue for local bands and events. Golden Dragon Acrobats will perform at MerrillAuditorium onApril 6.Why not start the night with a cocktail at the Inkwell Bar in the Press Hotel? Jimmy Eat World May 9 atAura.