When it comes to brewed drinks, Portland is a pro — and we don’t just mean coffee + beer. Tea has a history here, too, reaching back to 1972 when Stash Tea Company was born in an old Victorian house on South Water Avenue. One of Stash’s founders even went on to create two more Portland-based tea companies: Tazo Tea in 1994, then Steven Smith Teamaker in 2009.

So yeah … you could say modern tea history was steeped right here in Portland. And winter is the perfect time to explore the city’s teahouses, where you can sip on quali-tea blends at tasting rooms or get the royal treatment at a high tea luncheon.

You may recognize the Tea Chai Té shop in the Sellwood neighborhood from multiple episodes of “Portlandia.” Enter through an old train caboose + choose a handcrafted tea blend to sip in the lounge areas, main tea hall, sky box, or outdoor courtyard.

☕ The Tao of Tea | Multiple locations

Learn about Chinese tea culture + enjoy organic teas at The Tao of Tea’s Tower of Cosmic Reflections teahouse within Portland’s Lan Su Chinese Garden.

☕ Steven Smith Teamaker | Multiple locations

Sample tea flights or ceremonial matcha at the Central Eastside tasting room or try vegetarian dishes infused with tea at the cafe in Northwest Portland.

☕ Lovejoy’s Tea Room of Portland | 3286 NE Killingsworth St.

The afternoon tea services at Lovejoy’s will have you feeling like British royal-tea. Choose from several menu options like the “Queen’s Tea,” which comes with tea sandwiches arranged delicately on a tiered serving tray, salads, a warm scone with clotted cream, fruit + desserts. The actual tea list features dozens of varieties from around the world, ranging from classic to eccentric.

Raise a pinky finger + share this story with your friends using the buttons below.

EVENTS

Today

Geeks Who Drink Pub Quiz | Thurs., Jan. 20 | 7-9 p.m. | Ecliptic Brewing Moon Room, 930 SE Oak St. | Free | Gather your smartest friends for seven rounds of audio + visual live-hosted trivia with prizes and gift cards.

Friday

An Evening with Steinway Pianist George Ko | Fri., Jan. 21 | 8 p.m. | The Old Church Concert Hall, 1422 SW 11th Ave. | $25+ | As part of Portland Music Month, a portion of ticket sales will support creative grants + local musicians. 🎹

Saturday

Sauvie Island (Bald Eagles & Winter Waterfowl) | Sat., Jan. 22 | 8-11:30 a.m. | Gillihan Layover Tce. | Free | Register in advance to join naturalist Elaine Murphy on her search for migrating avian species.
Havana Nights Featuring the Mambo Kings | Sat., Jan. 22 + Sun., Jan. 23 | Times vary | Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall | $25+ | Take in the spectacle of internationally-renowned dancers + tango classics, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and Spanish zarzuela melodies. 💃
Planting Work Party | Sat., Jan. 22 | 9-11 a.m. | Springbrook Park, 2899 SW Diane Dr., Lake Oswego | Free | Help get native conifer trees in the ground + remove invasive species. Bring your own gloves and shovel.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

MORE JANUARY EVENTS

Note: COVID-19 protocols are changing rapidly to curb the spread of the Omicron variant in Portland. Please make sure to check event listing pages + venue websites for the most up-to-date information.

NEWS NOTES

Weather

53º | Mostly cloudy with morning rain | 85% chance of rain

Sunrise + Sunset

Rise: 7:43 a.m.
Set: 5:00 p.m.

Coming Soon

Developers are breathing new life into a historic downtown Hillsboro building. The 17,000-square-ft. former U.S. Bank building on Northeast 2nd Avenue + East Main Street will provide space for Ex Novo Brewing Company, Grand Central Bakery, Sizzle Pie, and The Sudra. Construction may start this month. (KOIN)

Closed

One of Portland’s only Cajun-Creole restaurants — Acadia on Northeast Fremont Street — has closed its doors for good. Owner Seamus Foran announced the closure following a “difficult” time during the pandemic. A COVID-19 exposure last weekend prevented Acadia from hosting its final takeout services. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Health

The coronavirus testing site at the Portland Expo Center will reopen Mon., Jan. 24. The site has been closed since Jan. 14 as state health officials work to expand capacity to meet high demand for testing driven by the latest surge in COVID-19 cases. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Job

Love brand storytelling? Want to create paid content that’s actually worth reading? 6AM City is now hiring a West Coast-based Branded Content Editor. This remote role will generate creative campaign strategies and write content for clients across all soon-to-be 24 markets. See details + apply.
We're hiring a Sales Executive to lead our advertising relationships in Portland. This exec would manage the entire PDX territory, identifying and securing new advertising partnerships, and growing existing client relationships — all while earning $100,000+ with unlimited PTO. To be considered or recommend someone, learn more + apply.

📸 @kohrhKOIN

Dogs of all shapes, sizes, and breeds found their way to Portland this week for the Rose City Classic dog show, happening now through Sunday. Get to know some of the world’s top dogs, watch them compete in breed + agility shows, and bring something home from dozens of vendors for your canine pal. The show starts at 8 a.m. each day and tickets can be purchased online.

#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?

Just use #PDXtoday on social media.

Points Balance

zero? That can't be right

EARN FREE GEAR

Keep earning and learn other ways to earn points here. Then redeem them for exclusive Portland swag at The 6AM Shop.

Share now with your friends, family, and all Portland lovers using the buttons below:

Here is your unique referral link ⤵️

Copy, paste + save this link in a safe spot or find it here each morning.

pdxtoday.6amcity.com/subscribe/

THE WRAP

Editor's pick: Hi, Portland. I want to mention one more fabulous spot for tea: Tea Bar. There are a few locations around town, including one in the Richmond neighborhood + another in the Pearl District. Tea Bar is woman-owned and serves up matcha lattes, as well as herbal, boba, and milk teas. My favs? The cardamom chai latte and the ginger lemon tea toddy.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Get to know a falconer who’s keeping murders — of crows, that is — off of Portland streets.

Today's edition by:

Cambrie

PDXtoday Team

Editorial: Cambrie, Benjamin, Trevor, Britt

Sales: Jennifer

Advertise with us.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.