#2283 - The Modern Man, Portland, OR - 9/13/2013

It would be understandable if your first impression of The Modern Man was that it was just another prohibition-style barber shop serving complementary shots of Burnside bourbon, with a hidden entryway down a faux mineshaft to a speakeasy in a simulated, antique train. Then again, the key with anything that goes this far out on a limb is the execution, and from the decor to drinks to food to attitude to general vibe, the execution here is near flawless.

This is the third Modern Man opened in Portland by Chris and Emily Espinoza since 2011. The taxidermy, the antique books, the complementary craft whiskey and beer, and the hot towel razor shaves are all perfectly calculated to evoke a 1920s-era glorification of manhood, which could have easily slipped into cheesiness were it not for the deft handling of the owners. The barbershop on the main floor specializes in "traditional cuts, modern cuts, crew cuts, high & tights, medium regs, tapers, flat tops, pompadours, hot towel straight razor shaves, beard shaping and mustache trims."

In this particular location, you can also reserve a ticket to be escorted behind a curtain and down a simulated mine shaft into an antique train car setting, complete with private booths including televisions simulating the passing landscape. From there or at the bar in front, you can order a well-made Sazerac, Sidecar, or Manhattan,

I suppose that there must be a number of people out there for whom this would this would be entirely too ostentatious, particularly if hoisted atop an already existing aversion to Portland style, tattooed and bearded hipsters. But for anyone who interested more in enjoying life than criticizing the way others enjoy it, this place is the bees knees.

3956 N Mississippi Ave, Portland, OR 97227 - (503) 522-8470
Est. Sep 8, 2013
Web site: themodernmanpdx.com - facebook
Reviews: thrillist - eater - aboutfacemag - yelp