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7 Best Things to Do at Night in Downtown Portland That’ll Keep You Wide Awake
- Play the night away at Ground Kontrol Arcade Bar
- Catch stunning night views along Tilikum Crossing
- Grab some late-night bites at Cartopia Food Carts
- Put your puzzle skills to the test at The Ritual Room Escape Room
- Strike down pins at Grand Central Bowl
- Browse books ‘til late at Powell’s City of Books
- Jam out with friends at Voicebox Karaoke Lounge
Writing this article took at least a couple of coffees and cans of energy drinks—and for a good reason. After diving into the exciting nightscape of Downtown Portland, I needed the energy just to keep up.
As the sun sets, the city isn’t winding down—it’s welcoming new adventures. Chilling after work, exploring new spots after dark, having a family night out, or going on a date—everyone’s out to create a night to remember.
I spent several nights chasing that energy—sometimes chilled out, sometimes wide-eyed from too much caffeine—and came away with a list of fun, safe things to do at night in Downtown Portland.
Check them out here!
1. Play the night away at Ground Kontrol Arcade Bar
Media credit: groundkontrol
Location: 115 NW 5th Ave, Portland
Contact: (503) 796-9364
Operating hours: 12:00 PM – 12: 00 AM
Cost: $10 and $20 game cards, $8 to $14 food and drinks
Website
I’ve always had a soft spot for retro things and gaming, so imagine the heaven I found myself in at Ground Kontrol Arcade Bar. With over 120 classic arcade games and pinball machines from the ‘70s to today, the nostalgia is real. Founded in 1999, this place has stood the test of time.
My competitive side kicked in with Mortal Kombbat II. And of course, no one could resist the magic of Dance Dance Revolution.
After working up an appetite, I devoured their mouthwatering Chili Dog—could’ve eaten it forever—and washed it down with cola and Red Bull.
The best part? Even if you’re not a hardcore gamer, Ground Kontrol welcomes everyone. If you love games or just looking for a fun night out, once you’re in, you’ll definitely want to come back.
Pro tip: Ground Kontrol keeps things fresh with a rotating lineup of events each month. Check out their Events Page to see what’s coming up next—there’s always something new to dive into!
2. Catch stunning night views along Tilikum Crossing
Media credit: photosbymikewarner
Location: Tilikum Crossing
Operating hours: 24/7
Website
There are things I never get tired of, and winding down at Tilikum Crossing at night is definitely one of them. It feels like stepping into a painting—the whole bridge lit up in motion, and what’s even cooler is that the lights respond to the Willamette River’s real-time conditions.
The river’s temperature, speed, and height influence how the lights move and change color. Watching them shift as I biked across made me feel in sync with the river. It’s the perfect place to slow down and cool off after a long day.
It’s a great spot for snapping photos too, especially with the basalt carvings and bronze medallions from “We Have Always Lived Here” by Greg A. Robinson, which honors the Chinookan people.
Pro tip: After enjoying the bridge’s light show, take advantage of Tilikum Crossing’s easy access to downtown Portland. It’s the perfect starting point to explore attractions like Tom McCall Waterfront Park and make the most of your night.
3. Grab some late-night bites at Cartopia Food Carts
Media credit: cartopiafoodcarts
Location: 1207 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Operating hours:
- Sunday – Thursday 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Cost: $6 – $19
Website
There’s something about late-night cravings after wandering around for a while, and Cartopia Food carts have a little bit of everything to satisfy whatever you’re in the mood for. It’s a global food stop (Mexican, Latin, Egyptian, etc.) that brings together an incredible variety of flavors.
I loved the fresh pad Thai from BKK Pad Thai, and the fish sauce tots from Bottle Rocket were the perfect combination of crispy and savory. So, if you’re a local exploring diverse food scenes or a tourist wanting a taste of home, this is the place.
The atmosphere here is just as welcoming as its food. The cozy beer garden, complete with fire pits and string lights overhead, makes it the kind of place you’ll want to hang out for a little longer.
Pro tip: Portland nights can get a little chilly, so grab a spot near one of the fire pits in the beer garden. With at least three fire pits, you can stay cozy while enjoying your food!
4. Put your puzzle skills to the test at The Ritual Room Escape Room
Media credit: escapismportland
Location: 10505 SW Barbur Blvd #302a
Contact: +15033893101
Operating hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:30 PM
Cost:
- $90 for 2 players,
- $110 for 3 players,
- $140 for 4 players,
- $170 for 5 players,
- $200 for 6 players,
- $225 for 7 players,
- $250 for 8 players
Some nights are just the best time to dive into a world of secrets, you know? The Ritual Room Escape Room at Escapism is exactly that. From the moment we got there, we were pulled into the mysterious, secretive Vox Aurea Society.
The setup was that we had to prove we were worthy of joining, or else we’d face some serious consequences. The place was eerie, with dim lighting and creepy symbols all around. My team and I had 60 minutes to solve puzzles and uncover hidden secrets.
Solving everything was challenging but a lot of fun, especially with friends squealing when we figured something out. The staff stayed in character the entire time, which really added to the creepy vibe. I loved that it felt like we were actually in the story, not just playing it.
Pro tip: Split up and take different sides of the room—it helps you cover more ground and saves time. And definitely wear something comfy! You don’t want to limit your moves when you’re reaching or crouching your way through puzzles.
5. Strike down pins at Grand Central Bowl
Media credit: grandcentralbowl
Location: 808 SE Morrison St
Contact: 503-236-2695
Operating hours:
- Monday: 4:00 PM -10:00 PM
- Tuesday – Thursday: 4:00 PM -11:00 PM
- Friday: 3:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Cost:
- $60 per hour and $5 per person for shoe rentals (from 4 PM to close),
- $50 per hour and $5 per person for shoe rentals on (Saturdays and Sundays from 12 PM to 4 PM)
Grand Central Bowl is the place if you want a night of party and bowling. It’s immersive with lighting, an audio system, and projection screens that elevate the mood like no other (and the couch is super comfy!).
There’s also an arcade, which was packed with over 40 games, from old-school classics to newer ones we hadn’t tried before. We ended up hopping from game to game. One of my favorite parts was racking up a bunch of tickets and trading them in for prizes!
The food was so delicious. We shared some Cheese Curds for the Soul and paired them with a Dr. Pepper. I also had the Turkey, Bacon & Bavocado Wrap—chef’s kiss! I had so much fun that I didn’t even realize how late it was.
Pro tip: For a whole new experience, consider booking one of their themed packages. They come with a private bowling lane, unlimited bowling, glow-in-the-dark lanes, and even food and drinks. It’s the perfect way to keep the fun going all night!
6. Browse books ‘til late at Powell’s City of Books
Media credit: powellsbook
Location: 1005 W Burnside St
Contact: 800-878-7323
Operating hours: Open daily, 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Cost: $10 – &20 used books, $250 – $7,500 rare books
Website
I’ve been to Powell’s City of Books a lot, but honestly, it hits differently at night. I mean, exploring tiny worlds through books in the stillness of the evening. Hands up to that!
Sometimes, it suddenly strikes me with awe that I’m roaming around in the world’s largest independent new and used bookstore. I love how it’s color-coded by room, it makes wandering feel like an adventure.
It’s a routine to grab a drink at the cafe and flip through a few books I’ve picked up. It’s such a satisfying thing to do and a perfect way to hang out with someone and chat into the night.
Pro tip: Besides books, Powell’s is also a treasure trove of unique gift ideas, with lots of curated items for all kinds of tastes. So, next time you’re browsing for a new read, you might just find yourself picking up a little treat as well.
7. Jam out with friends at Voicebox Karaoke Lounge
Media credit: voiceboxkaraoke
Location: 734 SE 6th Ave
Contact: (503) 303-8220
Operating hours:
- Monday – Thursday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM
- Friday: 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM
- Saturday: 2:00 PM-2:00 AM
- Sunday: 2:00 PM -12:00 AM
- Guests under 21 are welcome:
- Sunday – Thursday: Until 9:00 PM
- Friday & Saturday: Until 7:00 PM
Cost:
- $8/hr to $14/hr prime hours for Standard Suites Individual,
- $75/hr to $120/hr for Standard Suites Group,
- $90/hr $180/hr for Premier Suites Group
Voicebox Karaoke lets me let loose and sing at the top of my lungs without bothering my neighbors in the middle of the night. It’s also great for just keeping things chill with friends. We were genuinely impressed by the huge songs we could queue straight from our phones.
That last time I went, I kicked things off with a classic Oh! Carol by Neil Sedaka (who doesn’t love a little throwback?). Later, my friend and I absolutely went for it with Defying Gravity from Wicked. We were practically performing at that point!
Food-wise, we kept it simple. We ordered some mini eggrolls and taquitos to snack on between songs, and they totally hit the spot. For drinks, we got a couple of slushies and shared a bottle of saké.
Pro tip: Create a shared playlist with your group ahead of time using Voicebox online song search. That way, you spend less time deciding and more time singing your heart out!
