New ownership, inventive cocktails, live music, and a chef driven menu have transformed Portello Lounge into one of Bend’s most talked about destinations.

Guests sang along during Music Bingo, conversations carried throughout the lounge, and nearly every table was full.

Cocktails came in vintage glassware, and the murmur of conversation drifted from the bar onto the patio. It was the kind of atmosphere people usually expect to find in the middle of downtown Bend.

Instead, it was happening inside Portello Lounge.

Since purchasing the Northwest Crossing destination in July 2024, Bryan Smith and Rachel Fishman have reimagined the experience through creative cocktails, chef driven cuisine, live music, and a calendar packed with events designed to bring people together.

“We walked in and immediately saw what was possible here,” Fishman says. “The location was incredible, the character was already there, and we knew we could create something special.”

Today, Portello has become the place many locals discover once and immediately start telling their friends about.

A Familiar Address with a New Personality

When Smith and Fishman first walked through the doors, they found a beloved neighborhood business with loyal customers, a strong reputation, and nearly two decades of history.

Portello had built a loyal following over the years, earning a reputation as a neighborhood wine bar where guests gathered over charcuterie boards, bruschetta, paninis, and a curated wine list.

“We were drawn to what Portello already meant to the neighborhood,” Fishman says. “Our goal was to take everything we loved about it and introduce some of our own creativity along the way.”

The couple introduced changes gradually, adding their own personality while preserving the qualities guests had come to appreciate. They built custom shelving themselves, added a decorative back bar, and incorporated plush velvet couches, lounge chairs, antique glassware, candles, floral wallpaper, and disco balls that reflect their love of hospitality and entertainment.

“We wanted people to walk in and immediately feel welcomed, stay a little longer than they planned, and leave excited to come back,” the owners say.

Drawing from their own love of music, Smith and Fishman made live performances a priority, giving local artists a stage while offering guests something new to discover each weekend.

Cocktails Inspired by Stories Worth Sharing

Portello may have expanded its cocktail program, though wine remains an important part of the experience.

“We still carry the same amount of wine by the glass,” Smith says.

The difference comes through creativity. Guests can order a Smoked Maple Bacon Old Fashioned, a honey Apricot Daiquiri, a Green Tea Negroni, or a seasonal Cantaloupe Sour made with house-prepared ingredients.

“People describe it as summer in a glass,” Fishman says.

Several drinks carry personal meaning. The Miss Moxie cocktail pays tribute to Smith’s late father, who often used the word “moxie” when talking about courage and taking chances. The tribute extends beyond the cocktail menu, inspiring the name of the couple’s business, Smith Moxie LLC. Another drink, The Gregory, honors Smith’s father through his favorite combination of gin and orange juice.

Every cocktail is made to be memorable without taking itself too seriously.

“People connect with drinks they know,” Smith says. “We just like putting our own spin on them.”

The Food That Keeps People Talking

The cuisine has evolved alongside the lounge’s broader transformation.

Working closely with Chef Nikki Munk and the culinary team, Smith and Fishman have focused on creating a menu that feels fresh, welcoming, and worth talking about. New dishes, house-made ingredients, and globally inspired flavors have helped establish a growing reputation among guests while allowing the menu to continue evolving.

“Our goal has always been to create food that surprises people and gives them a reason to come back,” they say.

Guest favorites include Moroccan carrots served over whipped honey feta with pistachios, house-made meatballs, a honey mustard chicken sandwich, and a Caesar salad that regularly earns rave reviews from diners.

“I can’t tell you how many people have told us it’s the best Caesar salad they’ve ever had,” Fishman says.

The collaborative approach between ownership and the culinary team has helped Portello continue refining the menu while maintaining the welcoming atmosphere that defines the lounge.

The Night Everyone Wants a Seat For

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CAPTION: Wednesday Music Bingo at Portello Lounge

While some restaurants become known for a signature dish, Portello has become known for a night of the week.

Wednesday Music Bingo has grown into one of the venue’s busiest events, regularly filling seats throughout the lounge. Behind the microphone, Fishman keeps the energy moving by playing recognizable hits and encouraging friendly competition, and plenty of audience participation.

“People ask if it’s really like that every week,” Fishman says. “And the answer is yes.”

Live music every weekend, Taco and Tequila Tuesdays, wine specials, seasonal events, and community fundraisers have helped Portello develop a loyal following while attracting newcomers who may never have visited Northwest Crossing before.

Why Guests Keep Coming Back

Great food and cocktails may bring people through the door, but relationships are what keep them returning.

Community remains central to Smith and Fishman’s vision for Portello. Alongside expanding the food and beverage menus, the couple has hosted charitable events supporting causes ranging from Alzheimer’s awareness to mental health initiatives while building the relationships that have become such an important part of Portello’s identity.

They also credit much of Portello’s success to the team that helps create the experience guests have come to know and love.

“Our staff is amazing,” Fishman says. “They’re fun, kind, and they genuinely care about creating a great experience.”

Many guests first discover Portello through a recommendation from a friend, a social media video, or a glimpse of a packed patio, then quickly understand why the lounge has developed such a loyal following.

While Portello continues to honor its neighborhood wine bar roots, Smith and Fishman have created a lounge that is uniquely their own.

Ready to experience Portello for yourself? Explore menus, events, live music, and upcoming happenings at Portello Lounge in Bend.