neighborhood watch

The Lobu Lowdown

Give it up for Portland, Oregon's new sub-pop scene.</h2>

Once home to warehouses, drifters, and not much else, Lower East Burnside began to morph about a decade ago, as music-minded hipsters started migrating to Portland in search of a cheaper, sleepier Seattle. Today, the nabe (dubbed LoBu) stretches 12 blocks, beginning at the Wilamette River, and features some of the city's hottest rock venues, shops, restaurants, even an art fair. Though the threat of developers and chain stores looms large, for now the area remains a cultural mecca on the cusp. Here's where to head before this 'hood in so in, it's out:

Real Estate: This quasi-industrial area doesn't offer much in the way of houses or condos to by, but rentals are relatively inexpensive. One-bedroom flats above turn-of-the-century storefronts run $575; two bedrooms go for around $750.

Eating and Drinking:
	Doug Fir Designed to look like a campy ski lodge, the diner, above, is also an indie rock haven. Splurge on blackberry cosmo ($7) and doughy onion rings ($5), then head to the lounge to take in a show (usually no more than $12) by acclaimed crooners like Josh Rouse. (dougfirlounge.com)
	Farm Café Locals line up around the block to get into this converted 1880s Victorian house and how down on mouthwatering organic fare. The $6 sunken chocolate soufflé with coffee ice cream, in particular, is worth the wait. (503-736-3276)
	Bossanova At 10,000 square feet, this is one supersize social club. Just a few of its popular offerings: deejays spinning new wave in the lounge, $8 tango lessons, pool tables ($6 an hour), and such regional grub as Oregon Painted Hills flatiron steak for $12.50. (bossanovapdx.com)

Shopping:
	Ozone Records 03 Around since the early 90's, Ozone used to be located in downtown Portland until rising rents sent it packing to LoBu. Thumb through stacks of obscure vinyl and CDs, and go home with death-disco artist Panther's self-titled debut ($8) or the $5 Piracy Funds mix-tape by beat-junkie duo M.I.A and Diplo. (503-227-1975)
	Hippo Hardware These three floors of reclaimed drawer pulls ($1 and up), claw foot tubs ($450 and up), and chandeliers ($50 to $2,500) are sure to impress-if not overwhelm. (503-231-1444)
	
Other Attractions:
	Portland Rock Gym For a different scene, RPG offers thousands of square feet of climbing walls. A three-day pass is only $9. (portlandrockgym.com)
	Affair @ the Jupiter From September 30 to October 2, the Jupiter Hotel hosts this alt-art fair featuring works like eerie ink prints by Jen Corace ($60) and $400 watercolors by Carson Ellis (affair-jupiterhotel.com). But you can get a bargain at the mod motor lodge anytime of year; after midnight, the $90 rooms are just $60.
	- Katie Shimer


"I got rid of cable because there's so much going on here now. You can go to a show every night-or just people-watch out your window."
-Josh Blanchard.
Lower East Burnside resident and singer-keyboardist for local band Point Line Plane
	
	
|36| june/july 2005
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