Wikipedia

The Box Social (Portland, Oregon)

The Box Social is a bar and restaurant in Portland, Oregon, United States.[1][2][3] Established in late 2011, the business operates in the north Portland part of the Boise neighborhood.

The Box Social
The bar's exterior in 2022
Map
Interactive map of The Box Social
Restaurant information
EstablishedDecember 2011 (2011-12)
Owner(s)Eric and Shannon McQuilkin
Location3971 North Williams Avenue, Portland, Multnomah, Oregon, 97227, United States
Coordinates45°33′07″N 122°40′01″W / 45.5519°N 122.6670°W / 45.5519; -122.6670
Websitebxsocial.com

Description

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The 1,000-square-foot bar The Box Social operates from a "boxy glass-and-steel contemporary" building in the north Portland part of the Boise neighborhood.[4][5] The interior has a dark mahogany bar, a mural painted by artist Maria Joan Dixon,[6] and a stuffed peacock.[7] One guide book by Moon Publications says the atmosphere is "dark and romantic".[8] Eater Portland has described The Box Social as a "sultry" cocktail bar,[9] and "a sumptuous, intimate lounge" with snacks such as bread with pimento cheese spread, parmesan popcorn, and hummus plates.[10] The food menu has also included a fig compote panini,[11] goldfish crackers, and a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup.[12]

Among 22 drinks on the menu in 2015 were Brown Derbys and the Ramos Gin Fizz, as well as versions of daiquiris,[13] margaritas, Manhattans, and Negronis.[14] The Cooler has bourbon, Applejack, orange liqueur, lime, and apple drinking vinegar, and the Stone Cold Fox has Goslings Black Seal Rum, habanero-ginger honey, lime, and mango.[6] The Feather and Nail has Fernet, ginger liqueur, and lime juice,[15] and the Thoroughbred has Torani Amer, brandy, maraschino, lemon, and pomegranate shrub.[16] The bar has also served beer, wine,[9][10] and RuPaul-themed Aperol spritzes.[17]

History

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The bar's interior, 2014

Spouses Eric and Shannon McQuilkin are co-owners. In July 2011, The Oregonian described plans for The Box Social to open by the end of the year.[4][18] The bar opened in late December,[19] in a space that previously housed an art installation by Cascade AIDS Project.[20][21]

The Box Social launched a book club in 2013.[22] In 2025, the bar was among five participating in a "Bazaar Crawl" on North Williams Avenue.[23]

Reception

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According to Portland Monthly, "Portland has long considered this candlelit cube a quintessential date spot."[11] Writers for the magazine included The Box Social in a 2012 list of Portland's best new bars.[16] In Thrillist's 2026 overview of Portland's best cocktail bars, Alex Frane wrote, "The Box Social might be the best cocktail bar for dates: it's intimate, warm, and romantic. It's a small space, but rarely overcrowded. The small bites are fine, but take a backseat to the excellent cocktail menu."[24] He also included the bar in Eater Portland's 2020 list of the city's "legit" late-night happy hours.[10] The website's Nathan Williams included The Box Social in a 2024 overview of "delicious" eater on North Williams Avenue.[9] In a 2025 overview of Portland's best romantic bars and restaurants for date nights, Katrina Yentch, Thom Hilton, and Brooke Jackson-Glidden said the bar's happy hour menu and "low-key energy [make] it a great spot for first dates".[17]

References

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  1. ↑ "Low-key, high-class imbibing on Williams". Thrillist. 2012-01-09. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  2. ↑ "100 Portland Happy Hours: North". Portland Mercury. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  3. ↑ Powers, Colin (2013-04-19). "Flower-powered drinks are 'spring in a glass': The Cocktail Hour". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  4. 1 2 Russell, Michael (2011-07-22). "The Box Social coming to North Williams by end of year". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  5. ↑ Fodor's:
  6. 1 2 "First Look: The Box Social". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  7. ↑ "The Box Social: Drink In A Box". Willamette Week. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  8. ↑ McCollom, Hollyanna (2019-05-14). Moon Portland. Avalon Publishing. ISBN 978-1-64049-368-1.
  9. 1 2 3 Williams, Nathan (2023-06-16). "Delicious Destinations Along Portland's North Williams Avenue". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  10. 1 2 3 Frane, Alex (2018-11-30). "Portland's Legit Late-Night Happy Hours". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  11. 1 2 "The Box Social". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  12. ↑ "Drink 2012: Listings by Location". Willamette Week. 2012-04-11. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  13. ↑ Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2023-08-07). "Ask Eater: Where Can I Spend a Quiet Happy Hour?". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  14. ↑ Walsh, Chad (2015-07-14). "Portland's Top $10 And Under Craft Cocktail Programs, Mapped". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  15. ↑ "Finding Fernet". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  16. 1 2 "Best New Bars 2012". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  17. 1 2 Yentch, Katrina (2022-02-11). "Portland's Best Romantic Restaurants and Bars for Date Night". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  18. ↑ DeJesus, Erin (2011-07-22). "A "Box Social" Bar, St. Johns Distillery, and Alberta Bottleshop". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  19. ↑ DeJesus, Erin (2012-01-03). "The Box Social; Spielman Coffee Roasters Now Open". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  20. ↑ "Gossip That Should Have Gone To Rehab". Willamette Week. 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  21. ↑ "Future Drinking: This Week in OLCC Applications". Willamette Week. 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  22. ↑ Parks, Casey (2013-01-03). "Box Social starts a book club, learn to talk on ham radio: North Portland news roundup". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  23. ↑ Gebel, Meira (2025-04-25). "Portland's N Williams hosts Bazaar Crawl". Axios. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
  24. ↑ Frane, Alex (2016-07-13). "The Best Cocktail Bars in Portland". Thrillist. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
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