If your idea of a perfect bar involves strong cocktails with the ability to turn a casual dinner into an evening that lasts a lifetime, Deadshot is the spot for you. Located in the Central Eastside, this bar opened in 2018 by Adam Robinson, who enjoys infusing flavors and seasonings he discovers on his world travels. Think of bold-flavored cocktails mixed with unusual ingredients like mustard, cardamom and egg yolks. Who would have thought of that? Local's Order: Who Is Jack Nance.

Portland Monthly magazine named Scotch Lodge the best bar in Portland in 2019. No small feat, considering they opened that very year. But in a lot of ways, the award is not surprising when considering the well-curated cocktail menu, relaxed vibe and expert execution by the talented bar tenders. The biggest draw is the roundup of rare whiskies and scotches on offer. Local's Order: The Lotus Espirit and Four Grain Old Fashioned.

Bible Club PDX is a stylish speakeasy in Sellwood keen to impress all who walk through the door. The menu (cleverly called Ten Commandments) lists the 10 cocktails on offer any given night. Every drink is generously poured and spirit-forward, stealing the show. The vibe is equally intriguing, a charming 1920s home donning a speak-easy inspired interior makes this one of the most unique bars in Portland. Local's Order: Holy Smokes.

Abigail Hall is one of the newer bars in Portland, but that doesn’t stop it from being a hit with locals. One of the biggest perks about this downtown bar (apart from the strong drinks) is the walk-in only policy. Swing by any hour of the day to see if you’re lucky enough to score a table, no reservations necessary. Happy Hour runs Tuesday – Saturday from 5-6pm, so expect a wait unless you show up early.

Serving traditional American fare alongside creative cocktails in a cozy setting serving drinks well into the evening hours, the cocktail bar at the Sapphire Hotel is the best place to be for those in search of creative drinks. The menu is chock-full of perfected classics and innovative concoctions. The Not An Espresso Martini (Vodka, Spanish vermouth, cold brew concentrate, salted brown sugar) is highly recommended, but everything on the menu is sure to impress.

Hale Pele is a tiki-themed Portland cocktail bar boasting an exciting menu of 50 (yes, 50!) colorful mixed drinks. Which local doesn't dream of a tropical beach vacation come February? Well, thankfully locals have somewhere to turn when a 6-hour flight to Hawaii is out of the question. Almost everything is made in house, from the juices to the syrups, which ensures every drink is fresh, balanced and strong.

Offering a full food menu, Palomar is technically a restaurant, but locals see past the disguise -- the mixed drinks are worth the occasional long lines. Palomar serves Cuban fare alongside thrilling tropical cocktails like daiquiris and creamy piña coladas. In terms of good vibes, this bar checks all the boxes. Vibrant shades of turquoise and pinks splashed on the walls, while energetic music competes with the symphony of blenders at the hands of skilled bartenders.

Impeccable Pacific Northwest fare coupled with an exciting cocktail list, what's not to like? Offering both indoor and outdoor seating, Bar West was clearly designed with the vibe in mind. The best seat in the house is on the outdoor patio (reservations highly recommended). Invited your friends and make the hardest decision of the night: to split a bottle or a build your own adventure using the seasonal cocktail list? Anyway you slice it, you're guaranteed to have a good time.

If your knowledge of whiskey expands beyond the aisles of the local grocery store then you're in for a treat. The sophisticated interior (clad with dark leather furniture, bookshelves storing 1,000 whiskey bottles and classy music) clearly evokes library feels. But rather than Nabokov and Dickens lining the shelf, you'll find the knowledgeable team scrolling past Ardbeg and Lagavulin. It's a treat all around, especially for whiskey enthusiasts.

Dating back to 2007, Teardrop Cocktail Lounge is a staple in the Portland community. The bar was voted as one of the Best Bars in America by Esquire Magazine, but locals hardly noticed (we've known that for a while!). Focusing on serving perfected classics using high-quality ingredients, the vibe is sophisticated and posh, making this a great date spot for those looking to impress. Order the Late Check-Out (gin, passionfruit, red bitter, sherry, lemon) and see what all the fuss is about.