Tropicale, A New Piña Colada Bar, Opens in Portland
Tropicale, A New Piña Colada Bar, Opens in Portland
Walk-up cocktail window and pan-Latin American menu by Mexico native Alfredo Climaco evoke an island vacation
Portland, Ore. (August 27, 2020) — Tropicale, a new walk-up cocktail bar with Caribbean and Latin American small plates, has opened in the Kerns neighborhood in Portland, Oregon. With this new brick-and-mortar space, owner Alfredo Climaco found a permanent oasis for his popular cocktails and zero proof drinks, both longtime attractions at the Portland Night Market and city street fairs.
A native of Puebla, Climaco started working at food stands from a young age and got his first bartending job at 17. When he moved to the United States in 2010, he worked in the service industry and enrolled in a local community college, learning English through business classes. Climaco applied for and received grants to continue his education and start a small business, working closely with organizations that foster BIPOC entrepreneurs, namely Portland Mercado, Livelihood NW and Prosper Portland.
The opening menu highlights Climaco’s beloved piña coladas, both rum-laced and zero proof, served in a glass or a pineapple, and garnished with fresh grapefruit and a Salem cherry. Margaritas can be ordered as traditional or spicy mango, and are served with a tajin rim. Two other opening cocktails are also available: the Tropicalia, with Sombra Joven, Ancho Reyes, fresh grapefruit, lime and Topo Chico, and the Negrete, with Union Joven Mezcal, Campari, sweet vermut and Xocotl bitters. A larger cocktail and zero proof menu will be introduced in the coming months, along with a deep collection of Tequila and Mezcal.
The pan-Latin food menu was created by Viviana Reyes-Climaco, Climaco’s sister. Dishes are predominantly Mexican with Caribbean and South American influences, including drink-friendly skewers like Anticuchos (grilled skirt steak, chimichurri ahi romesco, pickled red onion) and Pulpo (grilled octopus with chimichurri chorizo mojo, papas Amarillo and cilantro crema).
Tacos will change regularly and can be ordered by the piece, as a duo or trio. Opening tacos include Camarones (grilled shrimp, pickled cabbage, grilled mango salsa), Cochinita (banana-smoked pork, habañero-pickled onion, fresh pineapple salsa) and Ranchera (grilled skirt steak, ahi romesco, grilled pineapple salsa). A rotating cemita, the signature torta of Puebla, will always be on the menu at Tropicale.
Matt Lynch, a partner at Tropicale and co-owner of Super Deluxe, Boxer Ramen and others, spearheaded all design work for Tropicale, including its Lance Wyman-influenced branding. Lynch and Climaco met in 2012 and partnered together after the opening of Snappy’s, Lynch’s retro sandwich shop, earlier this year.
While weather permits, Tropicale will serve drinks out of an airy food cart parked in front of the brick and mortar space. The inviting patio is dotted with lush, potted plants and socially-distanced tables. A covered patio is planned for the fall and winter, where guests at Tropicale can witness the bar and restaurant action through two glass garage doors.
Green Talavera tiles, handmade in Mexico, frame the open kitchen at Tropicale. The white-tiled bar, backed by a light pink wall and rounded birch shelving, will seat eight in the future. For now, a window counter will allow for outdoor ordering on an ongoing basis.
Tropicale is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 pm to 10 pm. The bar will add Mondays to the opening hours in the coming weeks.
Instagram:@drinktropicale Address: 2337 NE Glisan Street, Portland, OR 97232 Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 12 pm to 10 pm Owner: Alfredo Climaco Executive Chef: Viviana Reyes-Climaco Partner & Designer: Matt Lynch
