A Fly on the Wall

1737 NE 42nd Ave.
Portland OR 97213
(503) 954-1091

Complaining about coffee in Portland is treacherous territory. In a place where quality coffee is almost as much a birthright as water, it can sound trite to say, “there’s no good coffee in this neighborhood.” But when the developing standard is to be able to enjoy locally-produced coffee within a few blocks of nearly every major neighborhood (or intersection), sometimes that statement holds true.

Such was the case if you were in lower Hollywood. Part I-84 on ramp, part antique mall, the area can sometimes feel disjointed from the other solid sections of Northeast. Then Aliviar Coffeehouse came in and gave the Starbucks drinkers a better option.

“This neighborhood is weird – everything around here is pretty much an antique store,” Nick of Aliviar said recently. He’s half of the six-month old coffee shop’s staff on NE 42nd Ave., just one block south of Sandy Boulevard. It’s just him and Staci, the owner.

The place is small, charming, and is a nice spot to be if you’re in the area and looking for a chill coffee shop. They have good basics: pastries from Kettleman, wi-fi, accept cards and are open until 5pm seven days a week (although they may push it to 6pm). Their coffee is from Batdorf and Bronson, which I thought was pretty random, considering their tea comes from Intelligentsia. Nick insisted that after trying a bunch of different vendors (including Intelligentsia, Stumptown, amongst other local roasters) Batorf and Bronson was really their favorite. “Not many coffee shops have ‘em, so they’re excited we do.” I admit, I can’t think of any others, and my coffees were excellent.

They have a nice little loaning library in addition to a bookcase featuring local literature and cds. Nick also has hopes of bringing in a record rack dedicated to selling local vinyl. Stop by and say hi; these guys are nice.