Jack Harvel

(Reporter/Millennial)

To kick off our second round a few days later, it was another airy, open space with high ceilings and a mellow trip welcoming us at dusk. I forego the selection of Bend Brewing Company beers on tap because we’re here for cocktails, dammit! Our choice was nicely presented and delicious as all get out! The five ingredients combined for a tasty treat that tickled my taste buds and became my favorite drink so far on this cocktail caper. Who knew that rum and scotch, buffered by sweet honey and tangy ginger, could get along so well?! And us older folks appreciate the laid-back vibe.

Nicole Vulcan (Editor/Generation Xceptionalism)

AllieNoland

Drink: Raiders of Isla

Location: Waypoint Bar, The Grove in NW Crossing Ingredients: Rum, ginger, lemon, honey, scotch

Back in my day, it was easier to sit in a bar in a bustling market hall and focus on just getting down to the business of heavy appointment drinking (so hot back then), because there were definitely not so many DOODLES around to distract me with their damn cute doodle stuff. Back in my day, dogs went back behind some AT&T phone booth and did their thing, and we just got what we got; not so much of this designer dog business. I admit, I was having a hard time focusing on this drink because I was on NWX doodle watch. They’re just so damn cute, and they’re everywhere in NWX, including inside this bar. This drink was good, too – offering the always welcome flavor combo of booze, lemon and ginger, but with a lingering hit of scotch to keep you on your toes.

This was the strongest drink

I tried on our little cocktail tour and had an interesting mix of sweet and smoky flavors. The atmosphere is minimalist and would appeal to the clean, blank and sparse sensibilities that dominate the more upscale aesthetic of people in my generation. The presentation is no-frills, which I kind of prefer, but am giving it a 3/5 because the other drinks had some garnish to make it more visually appealing. Overall, though, I’d definitely come back for drinks.

Allie Noland (Reporter/Gen Zer)

Casual drink spot at its finest! The windowed wall and open concept of the bar made it the perfect early afternoon cocktail stop. I am sure it lights up at night, too. With varied seating options, people can stop in at the bar, grab a cozy booth or sit at a table. It’s a fun, easy spot to take friends and family. The drink wasn’t my style, but it had a simple beauty to it. The honey, lemon and ginger made it taste like a tasty wellness shot, but the smoky scotch was overpowering. Maybe it’s my underdeveloped 20-something palate, but smoky liquor is not my favorite. I could tell the drink was made with high-quality ingredients and it did do well on the booziness scale. I will go back, but probably order something else.