Liam's Last Ride
Game Over: Liam
Liam's final boss battle before the wedding — arcade tournaments, escape rooms, and dive bar wisdom
Home Base
Alberta Arts District Airbnb — 3BR Craftsman Home
Budget-Friendly House Rental
Walkable to breweries, dive bars, and Ground Kontrol arcade. Craftsman charm with a backyard for pre-gaming. Multiple bathrooms, open kitchen for cooking breakfast and snacks. Pricing is estimated based on market rates for 3BR homes in this neighborhood in November.
$280–$340/night (split 4 ways = $70–$85/person/night)/nightDay 1 — Wheels Down, Game On
Arrive at PDX, pick up rental car (if needed) or rideshare to house
Group meets at baggage claim. Uber XL to Alberta Arts District house (~20 min, $35–$45 split 4 ways). Drop bags, settle in, grab snacks.
Tip: One person books the Uber in advance so everyone's on the same page — no confusion at the airport.
House arrival & setup
Check in, unpack, stock the fridge with snacks and Liam's favorite local craft IPAs. Set up the living room for the weekend — this is HQ.
Tip: Assign someone to take a group photo at the house entrance for the group chat.
Downtime — pool/yard/chill
Hang out at the house, play some board games or cards, get comfortable with each other. This is where inside jokes start forming.
Tip: Bring a deck of cards or a board game from home if Liam has a favorite — he'll appreciate it.
Escape Games PDX — 'The Heist' Room
Head to downtown Portland for the escape room (Uber ~15 min, $8–$12 per person). 60-minute puzzle room where the crew has to work together. Perfect icebreaker for a group where not everyone knows each other. Liam's puzzle-solving brain will shine here.
Tip: Arrive 10 minutes early so the crew can read the briefing and get hyped. Take a photo with the 'escaped' sign if you win.
Dinner — Lardo (Sandwiches & Fries)
Walk or Uber to Lardo in the Pearl District (~10 min from escape room). Pork-forward sandwiches, loaded fries, cheap and delicious. Casual vibe, perfect for a crew that just bonded over puzzles. Budget: ~$15–$18/person.
Tip: Order the 'Porchetta' sandwich — it's legendary. Get extra fries to share.
First Night Out — Dive Bar Crawl (Part 1)
Head to The Liquor Store (cocktail bar, casual vibe, $$ — Pearl District). Start chill, get the crew loose. Craft cocktails, no pretension. Budget: ~$12–$15/person for 2 drinks.
Tip: Liam should order a local craft IPA or a whiskey ginger — set the tone for the weekend.
First Night Out — Dive Bar Crawl (Part 2)
Walk to Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade (5 min walk). Retro arcade bar with 100+ games, pinball, and cheap beer. This is Liam's spiritual home — let him dominate a few games while the crew watches and cheers. Budget: ~$10–$12/person for drinks + arcade tokens.
Tip: Liam gets first pick of any game. Everyone else plays to lose and hype him up.
Late-Night Bite — Pine State Biscuits
Walk or Uber to Pine State Biscuits (Pearl District, ~10 min). Legendary biscuit sandwiches with fried chicken and gravy. Open late, cheap, and exactly what you need at midnight. Budget: ~$10–$12/person.
Tip: Order the 'Reggie' (fried chicken, bacon, egg, cheese) — it's a 21-year-old's dream.
Back to house, wind down
Uber back to Alberta Arts (~15 min, $10–$15 split). Grab water, maybe play some board games or Mario Kart at the house, crash when ready.
Tip: Leave a water bottle and Advil on everyone's nightstand before bed.
Day 2 — Sommelier Liam's Takeover
Wake up, breakfast at the house
Cook eggs, toast, bacon at the house. Cheap, easy, and everyone eats together. Stock the kitchen with coffee and juice the night before.
Tip: Liam makes the coffee — he's probably got opinions about the beans.
Downtime — chill, recover, prep for the day
Hang at the house, play board games, watch some gaming streams, or just vibe. This is the breathing room before the big day.
Tip: Have Liam pick the music for the house playlist — lo-fi beats and video game OSTs all day.
Lunch — Food Cart Pod (Alder & 10th)
Walk or Uber to the Alder & 10th food cart pod (Pearl District, ~10 min). Grab tacos, ramen, or whatever looks good. Budget: ~$10–$12/person. This is where Portland's food culture shines — cheap, authentic, no pretension.
Tip: Liam should hunt for a loaded ramen cart — his favorite food. If they have a 6-minute egg, he'll lose his mind.
Downtime — back at the house
Return to HQ, play video games, cards, or just hang. This is the crew bonding time where the real inside jokes form.
Tip: If Liam brought his mechanical keyboard, this is the time to let him explain the switch types to everyone.
Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade — Private Tournament
Uber to Ground Kontrol (Pearl District, ~15 min, $8–$12/person). This is THE moment. Liam gets a private arcade tournament with the crew. 100+ games, pinball, craft beer on tap. Budget: $40/person includes tournament fee + 2 beers. Liam's the star — everyone else is here to watch him shine and compete for second place.
Tip: Assign someone to keep score and take photos of Liam winning. This is the highlight reel moment.
Axe Throwing — Urban Axes Portland
Uber to Urban Axes (Northeast Portland, ~20 min, $10–$15/person). 90-minute session where everyone throws axes. High energy, competitive, and a natural icebreaker if anyone's still shy. Liam gets to channel his competitive gaming energy into something physical. Budget: $45/person.
Tip: Liam goes first on every throw — he's earned it. Everyone else cheers like he's in the World Series.
Dinner — Ox Restaurant (Argentine Steakhouse)
Uber to Ox (Pearl District, ~15 min, $10–$15/person). Wood-fired meats, South American flavors, casual but elevated. This is the 'nice dinner' of the trip without breaking the bank. Budget: ~$35–$40/person (entree + drink). Liam gets to order whatever he wants — he's earned it after dominating the arcade and axe throwing.
Tip: Get the wood-fired ribeye and a local craft IPA. Tell the server it's Liam's bachelor party — they might comp a dessert.
THE BIG NIGHT — Dive Bar Crawl (Part 1)
Head to Hale Pele (tiki bar, Pearl District). Award-winning tiki bar with erupting volcano decor and rum drinks. Start the big night with something fun and visually wild. Budget: ~$12–$15/person for 2 drinks.
Tip: Order the 'Zombie' — it's a classic tiki drink and a conversation starter.
THE BIG NIGHT — Dive Bar Crawl (Part 2)
Walk to Multnomah Whiskey Library (speakeasy, Pearl District, ~10 min walk). Members-only whiskey temple with 1,500+ bottles and leather chairs. This is where Liam becomes 'Sommelier Liam' — he gets to taste whiskeys and share his opinions unprompted (which he will). Budget: ~$15–$18/person for a whiskey flight or cocktail.
Tip: Tell the bartender Liam's the expert — he'll get a kick out of being treated like a sommelier.
Late-Night Bite — Lardo (again, because it's that good)
Uber back to Lardo (Pearl District, ~10 min, $8–$12/person). Grab another round of sandwiches and fries. You've earned it.
Tip: Order something different this time — try the 'Meatball' or 'Porchetta' if you got something else on Day 1.
Back to house, THE HONORING MOMENT
Uber back to Alberta Arts (~15 min, $10–$15 split). Everyone gathers in the living room. This is the toast round — each person shares one specific memory of Liam + one wish for his marriage. Keep it to 90 seconds each. Liam sits in the center, soaks it in.
Tip: Have someone record this on their phone — Liam will want to hear it again.
Day 3 — Recovery & Departure
Recovery Brunch — Screen Door
Uber to Screen Door (Southeast Portland, ~15 min, $10–$15/person). Legendary brunch with praline bacon and fried chicken. This is the final meal together — make it count. Budget: ~$18–$22/person (entree + coffee + tip).
Tip: Get the fried chicken and biscuits — it's the best hangover food in Portland.
Light Activity — Portland Brewery Tour (BeerQuest)
Guided walking tour of Portland's best craft breweries (Pearl District, ~2.5 hours). This is a chill morning activity before departure — the guide handles everything, you just taste beer and listen. Liam gets to taste local craft IPAs and share his opinions (because he will). Budget: $60/person.
Tip: Book the 11:00 AM tour so you're done by 1:30 PM and have time to get to the airport.
Head to airport
Uber XL back to PDX (~20 min, $35–$45 split 4 ways). Everyone heads to their gates. Trip over.
Tip: Take one final group photo at the airport — this is the last memory.
The Bars
Ground Kontrol Classic Arcade
Retro arcade bar with 100+ games, pinball, and craft beer
This is Liam's spiritual home. 100+ classic arcade games, pinball machines, and cheap craft beer. Pearl District. The vibe is pure nostalgia and competitive energy — perfect for a gamer.
The Liquor Store
Craft cocktail bar in a former liquor store, casual and unpretentious
Craft cocktails and rotating taps in a former liquor store. Pearl District. No pretension, just good drinks and a chill vibe. Perfect for starting the night.
Hale Pele
Award-winning tiki bar with erupting volcano decor and rum drinks
Tiki bar with a literal erupting volcano and rum-focused cocktails. Pearl District. Visually wild and fun — perfect for the big night out.
Multnomah Whiskey Library
Members-only whiskey temple with 1,500+ bottles and leather chairs
Underground whiskey bar with 1,500+ bottles and leather chairs. Pearl District. This is where Liam becomes 'Sommelier Liam' — he gets to taste whiskeys and share his opinions unprompted.
Ecliptic Brewing
Space-themed brewery with outdoor seating and creative beers
Space-themed brewery with outdoor seating and creative IPAs. Northeast Portland. Casual vibe, good beer, and a fun atmosphere. Great for a chill afternoon or early evening.
Where to Eat
Lardo
Sandwiches & Fries • $10–$15/person
Pork-forward sandwiches and loaded fries from a beloved food cart turned brick-and-mortar. Pearl District location, cheap, delicious, and perfect for late-night bites.
Pine State Biscuits
Southern Breakfast • $10–$12/person
Legendary biscuit sandwiches with fried chicken, bacon, egg, and gravy. Open late, cheap, and exactly what you need at midnight after a night out.
Ox Restaurant
Argentine Steakhouse • $35–$40/person
Wood-fired meats and South American flavors in a casual-but-elevated setting. Pearl District. This is the 'nice dinner' of the trip without breaking the bank.
Screen Door
Southern Brunch • $18–$22/person
Legendary brunch with praline bacon and fried chicken. Southeast Portland. The perfect recovery meal on Day 3 — hearty, delicious, and exactly what hangovers need.
Alder & 10th Food Cart Pod
Food Carts (Mixed) • $10–$12/person
Portland's most iconic food cart pod with tacos, ramen, Vietnamese, and more. Cheap, authentic, no pretension. Perfect for a quick lunch.
Budget Breakdown
Pack This
- - Light jacket or rain shell (November in Portland is cool and rainy)
- - Comfortable walking shoes (Pearl District is walkable, but you'll be on your feet)
- - Mechanical keyboard (Liam's bringing his — let him show it off)
- - Phone charger and portable battery (long nights = dead phones)
- - Sunglasses (for the brewery tour and any sunny moments)
- - Casual button-up or nice t-shirt (for Ox Restaurant dinner)
- - Swim trunks (just in case the house has a hot tub)
- - Advil, antacids, and hangover electrolytes (Liquid IV or Pedialyte)
- - Deodorant and toiletries (shared house, multiple bathrooms)
Pro Tips
- - Liam's the star this weekend — make sure he knows it. Every activity is designed to let him shine (arcade tournament, axe throwing, whiskey tasting).
- - Book the escape room and arcade tournament in advance (48 hours) — they fill up fast, especially on weekends.
- - November in Portland is cool (45–55°F) and rainy — bring a light jacket and waterproof shoes. The weather won't slow you down.
- - Ground Kontrol is Liam's spiritual home — arrive early on Day 2 so he gets first pick of games and the crew can watch him dominate.
- - The Multnomah Whiskey Library requires a membership ($15 one-time fee) or you can call ahead and ask if they'll let a group in — mention it's a bachelor party.
- - Pearl District is walkable — most bars and restaurants are within 10–15 minutes of each other. Use Uber for longer distances (axe throwing, brewery tour).
- - Liam will absolutely share his opinions about keyboard switches, whiskey notes, and arcade game mechanics — let him. That's the whole vibe.
- - Take photos at Ground Kontrol and the axe throwing venue — these are the highlight moments for the group chat.
Group Logistics
Transport: Uber/Lyft for all moves. Group of 4 = standard UberX or Uber XL ($8–$15 per ride). No party bus needed for this group size. Estimate $15–$20/person for transport across the full 3 days (airport pickup, activities, nightlife, airport dropoff).
Nightlife Strategy: Dive bar crawl with no cover charges or VIP minimums. Start at The Liquor Store (casual cocktails, 9:00 PM), walk to Ground Kontrol (arcade + cheap beer, 10:30 PM), then Hale Pele (tiki bar, 11:00 PM), finish at Multnomah Whiskey Library (midnight). All venues are in Pearl District within walking distance. Budget ~$50–$60/person for the full night (drinks + food). No reservations needed for dive bars — just show up.