Underage and Underwhelmed: Where Can Minors Go to Have Fun in PDX?

Monday, October 06, 2014

Kemea Smith, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Saucebox restaurant

Great Happy Hour at Saucebox 214 SW Broadway in Portland

Being a minor in Portland is like being an inch too short to ride everything at an amusement park.

You're the “kid” of your crew, the one who is constantly overlooked because of your age. Yep, you’re past your early regrettable teen years and on the verge of being a fully fledged, bar-hopping adult, craving a hard cider on tap.

Unfortunately, your dreams of going to the Doug Fir to watch your favorite bands aren’t going to come true just yet: instead, you have to walk home as your 21-and-over friends ditch you for a night in the city.

But don’t fret; all is not lost, and there are still some things to do before you hit 21.

Here’s a guide to finding the best places to chill, eat and dance in PDX while you're still a minor.

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Related Slideshow: Incessant Adolescence Slideshow

The best places to chill, eat, and dance in PDX while you're still a minor.

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ASIAN FUSION HAPPY HOUR

Located across the street from Mary's, the city's iconic and oldest strip club, is Saucebox, an attractive restaurant with a contemporary ambiance and appetizing happy hour snacks for a great price ($1-$5). Start off your meal with a Pepsi (sorry, no saké for you) and a bowl or two of fried taro chips seasoned with a mix of spices and seaweed. Once you've wolfed down the chips, try the vegetarian sweet potato spring rolls or the chicken-filled tapioca dumplings. Get a savory plate like the pork noodle bowl with soft udon noodles in a spicy sweet sauce, or the tofu pad-thai to round out the deliciousness.

214 SW Broadway Portland., 503-241-3393., Happy Hour 4:30 pm-6:30 pm Tuesday- Friday, 5 p.m.- 6:00 p.m Saturday.

Photo Credit: Saucebox

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FEELING BLUE?

Night clubs are a trap for sad twerking attempts, brash men, and cliched pop music remixes. At Barefoot Blues , however, sultry smooth voices issue from speakers as women twirl and gyrate their hips to the rhythm. So you've never gotten down to the blues before? Not to worry, each event has a lesson before the action takes place so newbies can get comfortable with this intimate historic dance. Plus, the first time is always free!

Tango Berretin 6305 SE Foster Road., lesson 8:30 - 9:15 p.m., dancing 9:15 p.m.- 1 am., held every second and fourth Friday of the month.

Photo Credit: iStock

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COLD BREW

You only sold three pieces of clothing at Buffalo Exchange for a grand total of $9.54 in cash, and are craving a cold black brew with a sugary sweet pastry. Instead of hitting Starbucks and getting a sugar-filled iced grande mocha frappucino, travel to Coffee Time, the community coffee shop. This cozy space has lots of nooks, booths and outside seating so you can plop down those unwanted clothes and do some people watching. Have your friends meet you there and enjoy a couple of rounds of Cards Against Humanity while that bearded man with the uneven eyebrows watches the absurdity.

712 NW 21st Ave., 503-497-1090., 7 a.m.- midnight daily.

Photo Credit: iStock

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PACK A PUNCH

Try out Punch Bowl Social on a weekday, when you can quickly get a bowling lane and your order of greasy duck fat fries sprinkled with rosemary and Parmesan. If your thang is belting out your favorite song 'til your throat gets, than you can get one of the private karaoke rooms and sing to your hearts’ desire. Bring your loud-mouth, competitive friend on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. to participate in the Geeks Who Drink competition (minors can play, too).

340 SW Morrison Street, third floor., Minors allowed till 10 p.m. daily.

Photo Credit: Punch Bowl Social

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FIVE SPICE

It’s been an exhausting night, you’ve sweated off half your body weight at that rowdy concert and now you have a monster in your stomach that won’t shut up. Make your way to the recently renovated Lúc Lác Vietnamese Kitchen, order its “pride and joy,” aka Pho, and slide into a booth while you bob your head to the hip-hop beats.

835 SW 2nd Ave. Portland., 503-222-0047., Lunch 11 a.m.- 2:30 p.m. Monday-Friday., Dinner 4 p.m.- midnight Monday-Thursday., Dinner, 4 p.m.- 4 a.m. Friday-Saturday.

Photo Credit: iStock

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PASS THE PIPE

A former convenience store is home to King's, a relaxed hookah lounge with its fair share of regulars, sitting back and laying low on raggedy stuffed cushions. Try out the aromatic rose, or, if you're feeling extra adventurous, the “fuzzy navel” or “King’s special mix." Relax and enjoy the philosophical and comical conversations from customers as you take another drag and watch smoke swirl in the air.

1806 NW Couch Street., 503 -719 -6456, 503-719-6742., 5 p.m.- 2 a.m. Monday-Thursday, Sunday, 5 p.m- 4 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Photo Credit: iStock