The PoMo Bar Bathroom Challenge: Get Privy to Our 7 Favorites
Departure's space-age bathrooms
Image: Michael Novak
Bars—like art and food—are often best judged by the intentions of their creators. And if you want to quickly approach the heart and soul of a bar, you’d best head to its bathroom: does the WC capitalize on the opportunity for a new experience? And seamlessly extend or expand on its vibe? Or does it flush it all away? Nothing kills a buzz like staring in the mirror of a stark, fluorescently lit bathroom.
We challenge you to slosh your way through all seven this month. These are our current favorites around town.
This story is part of our Essential Guide to Portland Bars. Read more here.
The black light theme reaches its fully potential in the Houston Blacklight's bathrooms.
Image: Michael Novak
Houston Blacklight
Thomas and Mariah Pisha-Duffly have a bathroom artist: Chet Malinow. After collaborating on the washrooms of their first two restaurants, Gado Gado and Oma’s Hideaway, they’ve once again tapped the Portland artist to turn the toilets of their new bar into three-dimensional versions of its muse: blacklight posters. Hand-painted murals depicting lava lamps and psychedelic designs change color under constantly shifting black lights. It’s pretty trippy, dude. 2100 SE Clinton St —Matthew Trueherz
Don't look into the mirrors at the Uncanny if you've had more than two drinks.
Image: Michael Novak
The Uncanny
Everything is slightly askew at this sprawling, North Mississippi house-turned-bar. Owner Adam LeBeau cribbed the name from a favorite old film. In The Uncanny (1977), cats are supernatural creatures—and the devil in disguise. The litter boxes at the Uncanny, the bar, sport unsettlingly low light and geometric infinity mirrors that have you looking not quite yourself. 3560 N Mississippi Ave —MT
Wall-to-wall Alice in Wonderland for Someday's bathrooms
Image: Michael Novak
Someday
The bathroom at this bar off SE Division plunges down the rabbit hole. Interior designer Sarah Murff’s grandmother was a card-carrying member of the Lewis Carroll Society, and regularly dressed her up a la Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. When she happened upon hand-printed wallpaper graced by the Walrus, the Carpenter, the Playing Cards, Snowdrop the white kitten, and of course, White Rabbit himself, she couldn’t resist. Down The Alley, 3634 SE Division St —MT
The Pink Rabbit knows how to stick to a color scheme.
Image: Michael Novak
Pink Rabbit
According to owner and operator Collin Nicholas, the neon-soaked bathrooms at this trendy Pearl District cocktail spot elicit regular screams from unsuspecting guests. Nicholas took over the space in 2021 and put the whole thing through a redesign, emphasizing a “bright, fresh, downtown Palm Springs” vibe that is amplified in the john. Subway tile and beachy photographs line the walls, palm frond wallpaper covers the ceiling, and the whole thing is bathed in an alluring soft-pink light. Selfie takers, rejoice. 232 NW 12th Ave —Conner Reed
Bar Norman's bathroom turns recycling into treasure.
Image: Michael Novak
Bar Norman
When designing this chill neighborhood wine bar, owner Dana Frank got hands-on. At first glance, what looks like wallpaper in the bathroom is actually dozens of individual vintage wine crate labels tiled in collage-like fashion. 2615 SE Clinton St —Michael Novak
Ground Kontrol's PacMan tile bathrooms
Image: Michael Novak
Ground Kontrol
Who says the games need to stop at the bathroom door? Ms. Pac-Man and her bowless counterpart Pac-Man exist in tile form on the bathroom floors of this classic arcade and bar in Old Town-Chinatown. While you’re popping into a stall or choosing between the 1UP and 2UP urinals, they’re munching dots and evading ghosts. 115 NW Fifth Ave —Margaret Seiler
A mirror everywhere you look in Departure's bathrooms
Image: Michael Novak
Departure
Floor-to-ceiling chrome and infinity mirrors carry the vibe of this rooftop spaceship of a restaurant into the loo. If the walls in Departure’s bathroom could talk, they’d be able to tell you about pretty much everyone in town; who hasn’t taken an “I’ve been abducted by aliens and took a selfie in their bathroom” pic here? 525 SW Morrison St, 15th floor —MT
