The best bars & nightlife in Salem

26 bars & nightlife we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Nightlife · 26 places · showing the latest additions first

Scotch Lodge

Nightlife

Whiskey-focused cocktail bar with elevated Pacific Northwest-inspired small plates & a vintage vibe.

215 SE 9th Ave #102 (Portland)

Whiskey-focused cocktail bar with elevated Pacific Northwest-inspired small plates & a vintage vibe.

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Upscale shop offers wines by the glass or bottles to go, finger foods & custom-design bouquets.

3712 S Bond Ave (Portland)

Upscale shop offers wines by the glass or bottles to go, finger foods & custom-design bouquets.

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Wine bar with a warm vibe offering breads made by the owner, Chanelle, plus small snacks.

6664 SE Milwaukie Ave (Portland)

Wine bar with a warm vibe offering breads made by the owner, Chanelle, plus small snacks.

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Airy bar in a pyramid-shaped building serving the pub grub & beer the McMenamins chain is known for.

4495 SW Scholls Ferry Rd (Portland)

Airy bar in a pyramid-shaped building serving the pub grub & beer the McMenamins chain is known for.

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Whether you’re in a bold-red mood or craving something crisp, No Doubts Wine Bar keeps it fun with a rotating lineup and the kind of…

8408 N Lombard St (Portland)

Whether you’re in a bold-red mood or craving something crisp, No Doubts Wine Bar keeps it fun with a rotating lineup and the kind of elevated comfort food you actually want with a glass. Slide in this week for chill vibes, zero pretense, and just enough surprise to upgrade a weeknight.

From the Salem newsletter, August 5, 2026

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BAR Botellón

Nightlife

Bar Botellón keeps it delightfully simple, pouring Spanish-leaning wines, sherry and vermouth plus classic red-wine sangria alongside tapas…

606 NE Davis St (Portland)

Bar Botellón keeps it delightfully simple, pouring Spanish-leaning wines, sherry and vermouth plus classic red-wine sangria alongside tapas like jamon serrano, boquerones, marcona almonds and blistered peppers.

From the Tigard newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Hale Pele

Nightlife

Trade the gray for a glimmering pearl at Hale Pele, where over 50 classic and contemporary tiki cocktails use fresh juices, premium…

2733 NE Broadway (Portland)

Trade the gray for a glimmering pearl at Hale Pele, where over 50 classic and contemporary tiki cocktails use fresh juices, premium spirits, and house-made syrups. Pair them with island-inspired small plates, listen for thunder and volcanic eruptions, and pretend your inbox drifted out to sea.

From the Gresham newsletter, August 3, 2026

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Schilling Cider House & Gluten Free Kitchen keeps 33 rotating draft ciders flowing, with curated flights if you like to taste around, plus…

2800 SE Division St (Portland)

Schilling Cider House & Gluten Free Kitchen keeps 33 rotating draft ciders flowing, with curated flights if you like to taste around, plus a fully gluten-free menu where the fan-favorite corndogs steal the show. Not into cider? Swing by this week, they pour craft beer, gluten-free beer, cocktails, and solid NA picks.

From the Portland newsletter, August 7, 2026

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Settle in at Cristom Vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills and sip Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from a Willamette Valley icon celebrating…

6905 Spring Valley Rd NW

Settle in at Cristom Vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills and sip Oregon Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from a Willamette Valley icon celebrating 33 years of stewardship and craftsmanship. Summer Patio Sessions are a low-effort hang with friends that shows why they’re a Wine & Spirits Top 100 Winery eleven times.

From the McMinnville newsletter, August 4, 2026

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Portland Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room keeps the weeknight vibe strong with small-batch Oregon and Washington pours from the coast-born…

526 SW Yamhill St (Portland)

Portland Wine Bar & Winery Tasting Room keeps the weeknight vibe strong with small-batch Oregon and Washington pours from the coast-born winery in Manzanita.

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The Rambler

Nightlife

Homey neighborhood tavern in a converted bungalow serving cocktails, craft beer & sandwiches.

4205 N Mississippi Ave (Portland)

Homey neighborhood tavern in a converted bungalow serving cocktails, craft beer & sandwiches.

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Wine, bread & cheese served in an intimate space with wood paneling and unique, vintage decor.

1433 NW Quimby St (Portland)

Wine, bread & cheese served in an intimate space with wood paneling and unique, vintage decor.

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Tabor Tavern

Nightlife

Welcoming pub offers gastropub fare in a rustic, wood-decked setting with multiple TVs.

5325 E Burnside St (Portland)

Welcoming pub offers gastropub fare in a rustic, wood-decked setting with multiple TVs.

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Casual pub with 30 taps of house beers, wine & cider, classic bar food & retail brewing supplies.

1252 23rd St SE #110

Casual pub with 30 taps of house beers, wine & cider, classic bar food & retail brewing supplies.

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The Coin Jam

Nightlife

Clubby 21+ arcade bar with a variety of vintage & new games & a menu of comfort fare, beer & wine.

439 Court St NE

Clubby 21+ arcade bar with a variety of vintage & new games & a menu of comfort fare, beer & wine.

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Famous TV comics draw laughs at this stand-up comedy club with a variety of American eats.

1510 SE 9th Ave (Portland)

Famous TV comics draw laughs at this stand-up comedy club with a variety of American eats.

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Relaxed, brick-walled venue serving fry bread tacos and other dishes alongside brews from a sister restaurant.

5420 Denver St SE (Turner)

Relaxed, brick-walled venue serving fry bread tacos and other dishes alongside brews from a sister restaurant.

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Eclectic wine bar with a fireplace, couches, and a gold-flecked bar, offering tastings.

301 S Main St (Independence)

Eclectic wine bar with a fireplace, couches, and a gold-flecked bar, offering tastings.

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Industrial-chic cafe serving creative New American fare & morphing into a cocktail bar at night.

102 Liberty St NE #120

Industrial-chic cafe serving creative New American fare & morphing into a cocktail bar at night.

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Wine bar with cheese plates and desserts served in a cozy space with a patio, live music, trivia nights and other events.

3920 N Mississippi Ave (Portland)

Wine bar with cheese plates and desserts served in a cozy space with a patio, live music, trivia nights and other events.

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Relaxed spot for wines from around the globe, plus local cheeses, beers and ciders.

8527 N Lombard St (Portland)

Relaxed spot for wines from around the globe, plus local cheeses, beers and ciders.

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Nonprofit improv & sketch-comedy venue with a full bar, offering classes & space rentals.

5225 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd (Portland)

Nonprofit improv & sketch-comedy venue with a full bar, offering classes & space rentals.

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Beer and cocktails are offered at this relaxed hangout with a dog-friendly patio.

3565 SE Division St (Portland)

Beer and cocktails are offered at this relaxed hangout with a dog-friendly patio.

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Bar Diane

Nightlife

Cool hideaway with a patio presenting a large wine list, plus cocktails, small plates & local bites.

Entrance on NW 21st Ave through the gate next to Eb & Bean (Portland)

Cool hideaway with a patio presenting a large wine list, plus cocktails, small plates & local bites.

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Unfussy tavern offering hearty American comfort fare, with TV sports & regular live music.

3743 Commercial St SE

Unfussy tavern offering hearty American comfort fare, with TV sports & regular live music.

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Mellow bar featuring booths in the front, pool tables in the back & a cocktail menu.

2221 SE Hawthorne Blvd (Portland)

Mellow bar featuring booths in the front, pool tables in the back & a cocktail menu.

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