Wikipedia

Botanist House

Botanist House, or simply Botanist, was a cocktail bar and restaurant in the Pearl District of Portland in the U.S. state of Oregon. The business opened in 2018 and closed in 2021.

Botanist House
Entrance, 2022
Map
Restaurant information
EstablishedNovember 2018 (2018-11)
Closed2021 (2021)
Owner(s)
  • Matt Davidson
  • Robbie Wilson
CityPortland
CountyMultnomah
StateOregon
CountryUnited States
Coordinates45°31′47″N 122°41′06″W / 45.52962°N 122.68513°W / 45.52962; -122.68513

Description

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Botanist was located at the intersection of Lovejoy and 13th Avenue in northwest Portland's Pearl District, in a space previously occupied by Pink Rose and below an Office Depot store.[1][2] Matt Davidson and Robbie Wilson are co-owners.[3][4] Botanist's menu was mostly gin- and seafood-driven upon opening.[5] Eater Portland's Brooke Jackson-Glidden said of the interior: "The bar itself ... is all bright greens and pseudo-’20s vibes, with jazz on the playlist and an old-school backlit bar. A large vintage cocktail poster dominates the main bar space, next to a tiny, 25-ish seat dining room lined with vintage liquor bottles and posters of botanicals."[6]

History

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Botanist opened in November 2018.[6]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the bar started a meal assistance program; by April 2020, the business had distributed 6,200 meals. Derek Boaz was executive chef at the time.[7] The bar also partnered with Meals on Wheels and the winery Stoller to assist hospitality and restaurant workers, as well as seniors.[8][9]

 
Entrance sign, 2022

Botanist operated from a nearby rooftop patio previously occupied by On Deck Sports Bar.[10][11][12] A Change.org petition organized by Botanist seeking to allow takeout cocktail service received more than 1,600 signatures.[13] In November 2020, Botanist confirmed plans to start takeout cocktail service in violation of state law; owners called the act a "Civil Disobedience Protest".[14] The act of defiance was canceled after the Oregon Liquor Control Commission began considering rule changes.[15] The bar received some noise complaints after hosting live music.[16] Takeout cocktail service continued through at least March 2021.[17] In April, Botanist partnered with Rose City Drag for the bar to host Flawless Shade's drag series Climax.[18]

Botanist closed in 2021, during the pandemic.[19][20]

Reception

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Botanist was nominated in the bar of the year category for Eater Portland's 2018 Eater Awards.[21]

References

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  1. ^ Cottell, Pete (November 27, 2018). "Botanist Introduces the Joys of Gin to the Non-Secret-Agent Crowd". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  2. ^ Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2018-07-12). "The Pearl Is About to Nab Its First Real Gin Bar". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  3. ^ Gormley, Shannon (November 17, 2020). "Botanist House Owner Matt Davidson is Aware His Protest Against the Statewide Freeze Could End His Business. He's Going to Do it Anyway". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  4. ^ Smith, Suzette (April 8, 2021). "Takeout Club: Botanist and Havana Cafe Are Safe Spaces for Drag Brunch and Poke Nachos". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  5. ^ Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2018-08-28). "The 10 Most Anticipated Openings in Portland This Fall". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2020-06-18. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  6. ^ a b Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2018-11-16). "A New Gin-Heavy Bar in the Pearl Opens Today". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  7. ^ Falkers, Brittany (2020-04-12). "Pearl District restaurant serves more than 6,000 free or reduced cost meals during COVID-19 outbreak". KGW. Archived from the original on 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  8. ^ Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2020-04-13). "Portland Hotspot Eem Will Return This Week With Thai Barbecue Takeout". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  9. ^ Spokesman, The Review, Tidings. "Stoller, Botanist House help service industry workers, Meals on Wheels People". Portland Tribune. Archived from the original on 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Frane, Alex (2020-07-27). "Pearl District Cocktail Bar Botanist Is Opening a Rooftop Marketplace for Restaurants". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  11. ^ Frane, Alex (2015-04-23). "20 Portland Bar Patios for Socially Distanced Imbibing". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2020-03-11. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  12. ^ Frane, Alex (2018-03-23). "The Essential Portland Cocktail Bars That Are Still Serving Drinks". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  13. ^ Russell, Michael (2020-04-30). "Looking for cocktails kits to-go? Vancouver restaurants have you covered". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  14. ^ "Portland cocktail bar Botanist to start 'to-go' option in protest of state's liquor law". KPTV.com. 2020-11-16. Archived from the original on 2021-01-13. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  15. ^ Foden-Vencil, Kristian (2020-11-10). "Portland's illegal cocktail-to-go protest is over before it started". opb. Archived from the original on 2020-12-08. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  16. ^ Allison, Megan (March 6, 2021). "Facing noise complaints, Portland restaurants find ways to adapt". KATU. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  17. ^ Frane, Alex (2021-01-15). "16 Portland Bars and Restaurants Now Offering Cocktails To-Go". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  18. ^ "Drag Brunch returns to Pearl District". KOIN.com. 2021-04-04. Archived from the original on 2021-04-19. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
  19. ^ Frane, Alex (2021-12-08). "Pearl Cocktail Bar Botanist Has Closed for Good". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2021-12-09.
  20. ^ Prewitt, Andi (2021-12-14). "Pearl District Cocktail Bar Botanist Has Permanently Closed Both Its Subterranean Bar and Sprawling Patio". Willamette Week. Retrieved 2021-12-17.
  21. ^ Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2018-11-29). "Vote Now for Portland's Bar of the Year". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2020-08-04. Retrieved 2021-04-19.
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