When asking yourself about something to do near me in Portland with a group of friends or family, consider
Up North Surf Club
Why Up North Surf Club is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Up North Surf Club, located in Portland, Oregon, is more than just a surf shop; it is a vibrant community hub where passion for surfing meets craft beer culture. Founded in 2017 by Martin and Karen, the shop offers a unique fusion of craft surfboards, specially branded apparel, and a curated selection of craft beers, all designed to celebrate the Pacific Northwest surfing lifestyle. This surf shop stands out because it creates a local brand that resonates strongly with Oregon surfers, avoiding the typical California or Australian heavy surf branding. The space encourages socializing and community connection much like the traditional gathering spots of bar culture, making it a great meeting place to relax, catch up, and share surf stories. Up North Surf Club's laid-back atmosphere blends the vibes of a surf shop with a welcoming bar setting, creating an inviting environment where both surfing enthusiasts and beer lovers feel at home. Its commitment to supporting and representing the local scene is evident through its exclusive products and community-oriented approach.
Here's what people think of Up North Surf Club
As of recent, Up North Surf Club holds a 4.8-star rating based on 117 reviews.
Customer reviews of Up North Surf Club are overwhelmingly positive, reflected by a high rating of 4.8 from over 117 reviews. Many users praise the unique concept of combining a surf shop with craft beer, emphasizing the welcoming and relaxed atmosphere that makes it a perfect spot to gather with friends. Positive reviews highlight the quality and authenticity of the branded goods, the friendly and knowledgeable staff, and the shop's strong community vibe, which fosters meaningful connections among locals and visitors alike. Patrons often mention how the shop has successfully created a distinctive brand that truly represents the Oregon surf culture, distinguishing itself from larger surf brands. On the other hand, less frequent negative feedback sometimes notes the limited physical space or the shop's niche focus, which may not appeal to everyone looking for a traditional retail or bar experience. Overall, the reviews reflect a strong appreciation for the owners' vision of blending surf culture with craft beer, making Up North Surf Club a beloved community destination. The consensus among reviewers is that this business succeeds excellently in its mission to support and connect Portland's surfing and craft beer communities through an original and engaging concept.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
DAn Dee
This is our go to neighborhood spot to relax or watch a game. Super relaxing and everyone that works there is so welcoming. We always meet interesting, fun people and it is the BEST DOG BAR in Portland.
Scott Mazariegos
Joined the mug club last year and have really enjoyed Up North and the people that hang there. Lots of good beers, a cider or two and a CBD on tap with cans and bottles to go that match what’s being served. They rotate through beers like crazy so you know most likely you won’t see what you where having last week (so drink up yo!) A great wine selection + stuff for the kiddos. Food can be brought in from other places and Pollo Bravo is right next door and are so good about bringing your food over when it’s ready. And what really makes this place are the peeps behind the bar.
Kevin Smith
Rad spot, will definitely be back. CBD seltzers on tap coupled with surfing supplies. A place you'd only find in Portland. Cool company swag and chill ambiance.
Nykle Jordan Ill
Great tap room - very friendly service. They always seem to have the best bar dogs in town!
Elliott Paull
One of my favorite spots in the hood to catch a tasty brew and score the latest gear... you’ll see me in that camo coaches jacket! Ask about their beer stein club, it’s worth it 🤙🏻
How to reach Up North Surf Club
None
Website: None
Why Up North Surf Club may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at Up North Surf Club with your friends?
Up North Surf Club is an exceptional choice for gathering with friends because it perfectly blends a warm, inviting atmosphere with an authentic surf culture vibe that’s both exciting and laid-back. With a stellar 4.8 rating from over a hundred reviews, it clearly resonates strongly with locals and visitors alike. The moment you step inside, you feel the inviting buzz of friendly faces and vibrant energy, making it an effortless spot to rally your group around. The club's unique fusion of lush vegetation and surf-themed decor creates a refreshingly relaxed ambiance, inviting conversation and camaraderie. Whether your group comprises seasoned surfers, casual beer enthusiasts, or just a bunch of friends craving a good hangout, Up North Surf Club accommodates everyone with ease. The ability to watch surf footage or local sports on the TVs adds a dynamic entertainment element that sparks shared moments and lively discussion. The thoughtful curation of local tap beers and specialty brews ensures your group will find tastes to delight every palate. Put simply, it is not just a place to drink but a community-centered experience that elevates any meet-up into something memorable.
What activities make Up North Surf Club ideal for a group meetup?
Up North Surf Club offers a variety of activities and features that make it the perfect venue for groups to meet, relax, and enjoy quality time together. Foremost, the club’s strong surf bar identity provides an engaging backdrop, with surfboards, coffee table books, and a small gift shop selling unique surf gear and memorabilia, which can spark conversations or inspire future adventures. For beer lovers, the club boasts an impressive lineup of ten taps filled with local beers and rare one-off brews from well-regarded West Coast breweries, allowing friends to sample something new with every visit. Watching live sports or curated surf videos on twin TVs brings an additional layer of entertainment, uniting groups through shared interests and cheering moments. The welcoming and attentive service ensures that groups, large or small, feel well cared for throughout the visit. While Up North Surf Club does not serve full meals itself, it encourages ordering delicious food from the nearby Pollo Bravo—famous for stand-up chicken and a crisp radicchio salad—making it easy to plan a well-rounded outing with drinks and bites. These elements collectively create an energetic but cozy atmosphere that invites everyone to linger, connect, and make memories.
How does the ambiance support group gatherings at Up North Surf Club?
The ambiance at Up North Surf Club is carefully crafted to foster a sense of community and ease, two crucial factors for successful group meetups. The interior strikes a balance between lush greenery and surf-inspired art, transporting visitors to a coastal vibe without leaving the city. This feeling of being “up north” near waves and nature creates an informal atmosphere that quickly dissolves barriers and encourages open interaction among friends. The soft lighting and music choice promote relaxation yet keep the vibe vibrant enough for energy to flow during lively conversations or celebratory toasts. The presence of a well-stocked gift shop and coffee table books related to surfing culture adds an intellectual and nostalgic element that can be enjoyed casually during the visit. Notably, the staff’s friendliness and welcoming attitude play an integral role in making groups feel not like customers but like valued guests in their own clubhouse. It is this cohesive sensory and emotional experience that makes Up North Surf Club far more than just a bar—it is a home base for social connections and shared enjoyment.
What food and drink options are available to accommodate diverse tastes in a group?
Up North Surf Club excels at providing a focused yet high-quality drink selection designed to satisfy a variety of taste preferences within any group. Their tap list features approximately ten rotating choices, including well-regarded local beers and exclusive one-off brews from popular West Coast breweries, ensuring both craft beer aficionados and casual drinkers find something they enjoy. The small but curated tap menu encourages tasting flights, which are perfect for groups to share and discuss different flavors. Beyond drinks, while the bar itself does not offer a full kitchen menu, it partners with the neighboring Pollo Bravo restaurant to provide top-notch food options. This partnership allows groups to order standout dishes such as their renowned stand-up chicken and the radicchio salad, which are flavorful yet light choices that complement the beers without overwhelming the palate. This flexibility lets group members mix and match their food and drink preferences without compromising quality or convenience. The combined experience of drinking exceptional beers and sharing thoughtfully prepared dishes from a local favorite makes gathering here a gastronomically satisfying affair.
What makes Up North Surf Club stand out compared to other local meetup spots?
Up North Surf Club’s combination of niche surf bar identity, intimate neighborhood vibes, and stellar service distinguishes it clearly from other local venues. Unlike typical bars that prioritize volume or flashy gimmicks, this club offers authenticity—its atmosphere is steeped in genuine surf culture, as evidenced by everything from decor to surf video programming to the gift shop’s curated merchandise. This authenticity resonates deeply with patrons who appreciate a specialized environment that feels both inspiring and welcoming. Additionally, its relatively low-key yet refined beer selection demonstrates a commitment to quality rather than quantity, which continually earns praise from discerning beer fans. Many reviews note the exceptional friendliness of the staff and the sense of community that pervades the space, creating a “home away from home” sensation. Situated amid the friendly Killingsworth Street neighborhood, it serves as a neighborhood staple that newcomers and long-time residents alike embrace. This combination of cultural specificity, community warmth, and a high standard for service makes Up North Surf Club a standout destination for group meetups.
What practical tips should groups know when planning a meetup at Up North Surf Club?
Groups planning to meet at Up North Surf Club can maximize their experience by considering a few practical tips. First, the club’s popularity and stellar reputation suggest making a reservation or arriving early, especially on weekends when the place tends to fill up due to its neighborhood charm and quality offerings. Second, since the kitchen is limited to drink service only, coordinating with the adjacent Pollo Bravo for food orders in advance can streamline your group’s dining experience without long waits. Third, if your group includes diverse tastes in beverages, exploring the rotating taps together and possibly joining their ‘mug club’ can enhance the experience with perks and a sense of belonging. Fourth, since the club features surf videos and live sports broadcasts, picking meetup times that coincide with these can heighten the group’s communal vibe. Lastly, bringing a small budget for unique surf gear or memorabilia in the gift shop can add a fun shopping element to your visit. Overall, thoughtful planning around seating, food pairing, and entertainment can make your group experience at Up North Surf Club memorable and enjoyable.
Why is Up North Surf Club a perfect venue for all ages and occasions?
Up North Surf Club manages to be inclusive and flexible enough to accommodate a wide range of ages and occasions, which is why it suits diverse groups looking to host celebrations or casual gatherings alike. While the core of its identity is a surf bar appealing primarily to adults, its welcoming, family-friendly vibe invites even newcomers or mixed-age groups to feel at ease. The friendly staff and relaxed environment mean celebrations like birthdays, reunions, or casual team hangouts feel natural and low pressure, allowing everyone to enjoy quality social time without distractions. The mix of entertainment—from sports games to surfing footage—and variety in drink options allows groups to customize their experience whether they seek excitement or relaxation. Moreover, the presence of greenery and open layout provide informal spaces supporting lively chatter or quieter conversations, depending on the group’s mood. This adaptability across occasion types, coupled with its year-round accessibility, makes Up North Surf Club an excellent choice for gathering with family, friends, or colleagues seeking a vibrant yet comfortable setting.
How does Up North Surf Club contribute to its local community and culture?
Up North Surf Club plays an important role in the local community by serving as more than just a bar — it is a cultural hub that celebrates and perpetuates Portland’s laid-back surf ethos and neighborhood solidarity. By offering a place where locals and visitors can converge around shared interests in craft beers, sports, and surfing culture, it fosters connections that strengthen the fabric of the community. The club’s emphasis on local breweries and collaborative relationships with neighborhood businesses like Pollo Bravo reflects a commitment to supporting local entrepreneurship and building an ecosystem of mutual benefit. Additionally, the friendly, inclusive atmosphere encourages new visitors to feel welcome, helping to integrate diverse groups into the area’s social life. The gift shop’s carefully chosen surf gear and memorabilia promote appreciation for the sport and lifestyle, which resonates deeply with Portland’s outdoor culture. Through all these dimensions, Up North Surf Club acts as a vibrant anchor for its community, enriching both culture and local economy.
What unique experiences can groups expect when visiting Up North Surf Club?
Groups visiting Up North Surf Club can anticipate a blend of unique experiences that go beyond a typical night out. The carefully designed interior invites guests into an immersive surf culture environment, where every detail—from greenery to vintage surfing books—contributes to a distinctive atmosphere. The rotating craft beer taps, featuring hard-to-find local brews and seasonal releases, allow for fun beer tasting sessions that encourage sharing and discovery among friends. Watching surfing footage on the big screens alongside local sports creates a communal viewing experience rarely found in typical bars. The presence of a mug club offers regulars exclusive perks and a sense of belonging that often translates into a more personalized and memorable visit for groups. Beyond the indoor experiences, its proximity to natural surf spots, like Oswald State Park about 77 miles away, means groups can plan combined outings of action on the waves followed by relaxation at the club. This combination of thoughtful programming, top-tier drinks, and local flavor makes every visit a one-of-a-kind social event.
Why is the service at Up North Surf Club highly praised by visitors?
Visitors consistently praise the service at Up North Surf Club for its genuine warmth, professionalism, and attentiveness, all of which contribute to an inviting and comfortable atmosphere. The staff are known for going beyond standard hospitality, with a particular focus on making every guest feel like part of the community rather than just a customer. Whether welcoming newcomers or engaging with regulars through the club’s mug club program, the team’s approachability and knowledge enhance the overall experience. This personalized service ensures that groups, especially larger ones, are taken care of smoothly, with prompt drink recommendations or assistance coordinating food orders from nearby establishments. The friendly vibe created by the service helps transform the club from a simple gathering place to a favorite neighborhood hangout. In many reviews, patrons highlight the staff as key to the club’s charm and the main reason they keep returning, reinforcing service as a pillar of Up North Surf Club’s success.
How do the location and accessibility of Up North Surf Club benefit group meetups?
Up North Surf Club’s location on Killingsworth Street in Portland offers significant advantages for group meetups due to its accessibility and neighborhood charm. Situated in a vibrant part of town, the club is easy to reach by car, bike, and public transit, allowing groups with varied transportation preferences to convene without hassle. The surrounding area is known for its friendly, community-oriented vibe, which supports a relaxed and welcoming meetup experience. Proximity to other local businesses, especially Pollo Bravo for food, adds convenience for groups looking to enjoy a full night out without traveling far. Additionally, being in a lively Portland neighborhood means groups can extend their gatherings with strolls or visits to nearby coffee shops, shops, or parks afterward. All these factors combine to make Up North Surf Club not only a destination but a convenient, accessible hub for group socializing in a welcoming urban setting.