brain freeze

Our Favorite Boozy Slushies for Summer Sipping

Turn up the party with these grown-up answers to the seasonal Slurpee.

07/24/2025 By Alex Frane and Portland Monthly Staff

Dining Alfresco

The Best Rooftop Patios in Portland

The city’s best views for when a simple patio won’t do.

07/09/2025 By Alex Frane

Cinematastic

Portland Outdoor Movie Guide

Open-air showings in and around Portland this summer include The Goonies at Sewallcrest Park and The Sandlot at Overlook Park.

06/26/2025 By Margaret Seiler and Portland Monthly Staff

Gimme Five

Portland’s Best Free Concert Venues

Parks, pubs, and street corners with live music that don’t cost a thing.

05/27/2025 By Matthew Trueherz

Berries

Strawberry Crisis! U-Pick Season Is Almost Over

If you’ve got U-Pick in your summer plans, the time to go is today, as farms struggle with a short season.

06/21/2023 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Dining Picks

Portland’s Essential Outdoor Dining Spots

Seven places with a singular blend of food and fun. Backyard rhinestone bar with fish sauce caramel ribs, anyone?

05/11/2023 By Karen Brooks

Summer Fun

Floating Hot Tubs Offer Novel Way to Get Out on the Willamette River

Can I get a Yacht Tub!

04/26/2023 By Sam Stites

Dining Picks

Portland’s Essential Outdoor Dining Spots

Behold: a wine-lovers' patio den carpeted in Astroturf, a hidden spot for sashimi and next-level cocktails, and a strip-mall A-frame with one table only.

04/24/2023 By Karen Brooks

Pop-Ups

4 Can’t-Miss Food Pop-Ups This Weekend

It’s your last chance to get your hands on a peach tea pork belly burnt ends jianbing.

08/26/2022 By Katherine Chew Hamilton

Pride

The Queen’s Head and Rebel Rebel Are Keeping Old Town Queer

The new bars are ready to restore Old Town to its former queer glory.

06/08/2022 By Thom Hilton Photography by Thom Hilton

Pride

What Does the Future Look Like for Darcelle’s?

Checking in on the future of Old Town's standby drag club

06/08/2022 By Conner Reed

Pride

All-Ages Pride Events for Families and the Under-21 Crowd

Gay Skate at Oaks Park, the big party at Waterfront Park, and more!

06/08/2022 By Conner Reed Illustrations by Dorothy Siemens

Events

A Rundown of Portland’s Biggest Summer 2022 Concerts and Events

An incomplete guide to Portland’s best summertime cultural offerings

06/08/2022 By Conner Reed

Editor’s Note

From the Editor: Why You Should Heed the Oregon Coast’s Invitation to Dive In

It may not be warm, but it's full of wonder.

06/07/2022 By Fiona McCann

Summer Fun

For Summer 2022, the Blues Festival Heads Back to Waterfront Park

After two years of pandemic disruption, the city's biggest summer festivals are full steam ahead.

01/25/2022 By Julia Silverman

Bars & Nightlife

3 Outdoor Pop-Up Bars to Try Before Summer Ends

Drink in a parking lot, a driveway, or a hop field.

08/20/2021 By Margaret Seiler

Outdoors

Oregon's Stupendous, Incredible, Magnificent Lake Country

Where to camp, hike, paddle, float, or just dip your toes in the water

07/13/2021 By Kiva Hanson, Reina Harwood, Fiona McCann, Margaret Seiler, Julia Silverman, and Benjamin Tepler

Bars

4 Must-Try Outdoor, Snacky Happy Hours

Good riddance, Zoom happy hours. Hello, drinks and food in the sun with friends!

06/17/2021 By Nick Townsend

Eat & Drink

These Tacos and Beer Pairings Make for a Perfect Portland Summer

We scoured the whole city, including Gresham and Beaverton, for the best tacos around.

06/03/2021 Edited by Katherine Chew Hamilton By Tuck Woodstock and Katherine Chew Hamilton

Little Joys of Summer

Get Out of Town with These Daytime Drives

Bored at home? Take a spontaneous drive through scenic Oregon and be back in time for dinner.

08/01/2020 By Julia Silverman and Marty Patail