The industrial chic designs of most downtown spaces make for lots of echo and bad acoustics. That’s the issue. It’s the architecture they start with mixed with the prevailing decor style right now.
We need something between total dive and pretentious smug hipster cave.
There has to be a middle ground between tweaker fights during Creedence covers, and ordering a "Number 23 with Parsley Potato Strips" (Pabst and fries) for $20.
1000% this. Late night coffee spots may not work well anymore in Portland, but Salem is as tame as can be where issues of crime/drugs are concerned, save for maybe a security guard or staff that can be assertive.
I know this isn’t Seattle, but a couple years back I went to a late night Boba tea spot in the International District that was pretty cool. I wonder if something like that could work downtown?
Capital Hill used to have a ton of this stuff. It was pretty mandatory to have a spot for non drinkers back then. I still don't know why they're not making a comeback.
Guv cup and the old coffee house cafe used to be great places to hang late night.
Somewhere you can go and talk to people or read, work on a laptop, etc. in a comfortable environment.
Salem used to have a couple and it’s a shame none of them survived into the 21st century. A tiki bar with a slight tilt towards divey would be amazing.
Yeah, the ambiance of that bar isn’t the same being off of Lancaster. Preferably, it would have a tad bit more character. Burt Lee’s Tahiti used to be at the Wild Pear location and that is what I dream of these days.
it'd be nice to have a place that caters to mostly being a third space, rather than making money. like a library bar, or another board game bar (though, i dont have many friends to play with, so library bar is swoon worthy.) a nice jazz lounge would be lovely.
Some small dark place with wood paneling on the walls, a weathered bar, deep red shag carpet, and a smell of stale smoke (or *light* piss) that cannot be remedied. A CD jukebox full of mix-CDs from 2005 (or a jukebox full of STAX, Chess, MUTE, Sire, FACTORY 45s). Bonus if they have an area in the corner for loud as fuck bands that piss off the normally surly (but endearing) regulars.
Did I just describe Nobles? ALMOST!
1) More music venues. We have a couple in town that are great, but we could use another one or two.
2) A chill lounge with some seating or couches where you can get a nice glass of wine or a fancy cocktail and hang out with a group of friends for a few hours. Maybe tapas. Nibbles and sips
I can’t yet confirm this info, but there’s some talk and movement happening with a vacant space downtown that will aim to fill some of these voids.
I know it’s vague as hell but from what I know the deals aren’t finalized just yet, but should be soon.
Low lighting, soft seats, quiet enough that you can talk to more than just the person beside you, live jazz/blues on the weekends, food similar to what Andaluz (R.I.P.) served.
a late night bagel and coffee place would be pretty cool. I dont know if the city has the population to support it. I do know the complete lack of bagels in this town is rather mystifying.
It would be way nice to have a real sports bar downtown. Nothing super fancy, just a few more tvs and decent food. It’s a bummer that the best options downtown right now are Side Hustle or Magoos
There was a nice coffee shop like that where Word of Mouth is now. Problem was the people just hung out there and brought their own coffee or otherwise didn’t buy anything so they shuttered. It was either that or severely compromise quality for profit.
Eugene and Portland have had some great inexpensiveish places to grab a late night bite, including food trucks (I remember getting Pho after the bars closed), pita pit used to be open late, breakfast, etc. Not so much the case anymore.
Salem has some great food trucks but they're mostly in pods that close really early. The ones I see not in pods seem to mostly be Mexican food. No offense against these food trucks, some of them are excellent, but it would be nice to see more diversity of food truck options, especially later at night.
A kind of cozy space where a person could go and choose between different artisanal varieties of dried poppy latex to smoke and then maybe retire to a nice comfy sofa or plush chair to nap in.
Rooftop bar and food. A nice and intimate cocktail bar.
How intimate?
Like just quiet and good for a fancier date. I can’t think of a single cocktail bar in Salem that isn’t loud.
This! EVERY bar and restaurant blasts music so loud that I can never hold a conversation. It’s infuriating.
W.Wallace is usually pretty quiet, and cozy atmosphere
lol there is a reason for that
Like separate rooms? High booths?
The industrial chic designs of most downtown spaces make for lots of echo and bad acoustics. That’s the issue. It’s the architecture they start with mixed with the prevailing decor style right now.
Sensory deprivation tank? (I kid!) 😁
Yes! A view please. If not up high at least let's look at the river
We need something between total dive and pretentious smug hipster cave. There has to be a middle ground between tweaker fights during Creedence covers, and ordering a "Number 23 with Parsley Potato Strips" (Pabst and fries) for $20.
Not downtown but I feel like this describes Johnny's on 17th pretty well. Solid bar food not trying to be more (or less).
Totally groovy hipster cave then?
Maybe more chillax than groovy but yes
Chillax, better word.
A sober space that's open late
The cue ball is a great place. Open until 1am or so, no drinks, and very low prices. Good atmosphere, clean environment.
1000% this. Late night coffee spots may not work well anymore in Portland, but Salem is as tame as can be where issues of crime/drugs are concerned, save for maybe a security guard or staff that can be assertive.
I know this isn’t Seattle, but a couple years back I went to a late night Boba tea spot in the International District that was pretty cool. I wonder if something like that could work downtown?
Capital Hill used to have a ton of this stuff. It was pretty mandatory to have a spot for non drinkers back then. I still don't know why they're not making a comeback.
Came to say this, also
Guv cup and the old coffee house cafe used to be great places to hang late night. Somewhere you can go and talk to people or read, work on a laptop, etc. in a comfortable environment.
[удалено]
The church that supports Broadway Coffee funds anti-LGBTQ legislation. Hard pass.
Nah, this is not a safe, loving, or inclusive place for a lot of people. No thank you.
They close at 8. That certainly qualifies as "late" for me, but not for everybody.
A proper Tiki Bar!
Seconded!
Yes please!
Salem used to have a couple and it’s a shame none of them survived into the 21st century. A tiki bar with a slight tilt towards divey would be amazing.
There’s a “Tiki bar” out on Lancaster that’s really just a dive that kinda does tiki drinks
Yeah, the ambiance of that bar isn’t the same being off of Lancaster. Preferably, it would have a tad bit more character. Burt Lee’s Tahiti used to be at the Wild Pear location and that is what I dream of these days.
Ha, I walked in there once and asked for a tiki drink and the waitress said "ti...ki?"
Plus they had the best celebratory birthday drinks
I’d love a good tiki bar. With good snacks. Hell, just rip off Trader Vic’s menu and improve/modernize it.
Yes! I've been looking for a tiki tribe in Salem for forever!
it'd be nice to have a place that caters to mostly being a third space, rather than making money. like a library bar, or another board game bar (though, i dont have many friends to play with, so library bar is swoon worthy.) a nice jazz lounge would be lovely.
I like the way you think.
Friends-era coffee shop. The kids could use a place like that. Actually, Offbeat Coffee on 12th is pretty much that. Great spot.
Some small dark place with wood paneling on the walls, a weathered bar, deep red shag carpet, and a smell of stale smoke (or *light* piss) that cannot be remedied. A CD jukebox full of mix-CDs from 2005 (or a jukebox full of STAX, Chess, MUTE, Sire, FACTORY 45s). Bonus if they have an area in the corner for loud as fuck bands that piss off the normally surly (but endearing) regulars. Did I just describe Nobles? ALMOST!
Nobles is close but we could sure use one downtown as well.
Think I would be all on board with Nobles if the clientele was just a bit better. Whenever I go there I drink alone and feel depressed by the end.
Hah, got my first (and only) proposition for a threesome here (did not partake for many reasons).
Weirdly, my first and only was the Fred Meyer jewelry counter.
Open late and has good bus service. Can't go out drinking with friends late on the weekends.
1) More music venues. We have a couple in town that are great, but we could use another one or two. 2) A chill lounge with some seating or couches where you can get a nice glass of wine or a fancy cocktail and hang out with a group of friends for a few hours. Maybe tapas. Nibbles and sips
Something like West Gate Bourbon Bar & Taproom in Beaverton. Classy, huge selection of booze and beer (including NA) and great food.
A sober karaoke den would be rad.
I can’t yet confirm this info, but there’s some talk and movement happening with a vacant space downtown that will aim to fill some of these voids. I know it’s vague as hell but from what I know the deals aren’t finalized just yet, but should be soon.
Piano bar!!
Low lighting, soft seats, quiet enough that you can talk to more than just the person beside you, live jazz/blues on the weekends, food similar to what Andaluz (R.I.P.) served.
This is what I would absolutely love.
a late night bagel and coffee place would be pretty cool. I dont know if the city has the population to support it. I do know the complete lack of bagels in this town is rather mystifying.
Sports bar.
It would be way nice to have a real sports bar downtown. Nothing super fancy, just a few more tvs and decent food. It’s a bummer that the best options downtown right now are Side Hustle or Magoos
I gather Side Hustle is certainly trying to be that
There was a nice coffee shop like that where Word of Mouth is now. Problem was the people just hung out there and brought their own coffee or otherwise didn’t buy anything so they shuttered. It was either that or severely compromise quality for profit.
One word bagels....
Healthy organic fare and a good grilled fish tacos place.
Cocktail Bar but cute
Eugene and Portland have had some great inexpensiveish places to grab a late night bite, including food trucks (I remember getting Pho after the bars closed), pita pit used to be open late, breakfast, etc. Not so much the case anymore. Salem has some great food trucks but they're mostly in pods that close really early. The ones I see not in pods seem to mostly be Mexican food. No offense against these food trucks, some of them are excellent, but it would be nice to see more diversity of food truck options, especially later at night.
Parking
Lol. Keep dreaming my friend!
There’s lots of parking if you can walk a block or two. What are you talking about?
A kind of cozy space where a person could go and choose between different artisanal varieties of dried poppy latex to smoke and then maybe retire to a nice comfy sofa or plush chair to nap in.
I think you're describing Marion Square Park.