Velvet is one of Bend's hottest new after hours spots for cocktails with friends.
There’s a little place in downtown Bend that has a lot going on for its size. Velvet is a small spot with big personality that doesn’t really have an equal counterpart in town. It’s a one-of-a-kind lounge and night spot serving up a visually tasty, sleek atmosphere and equally tasty cocktails and food.
One of the things I love about Velvet is that it is upscale and sophisticated without being pretentious or snobby. It could be, if it wanted to. It’s one of the sleekest, most artistically-inspired spots in Bend, with urban forest-inspired décor (think Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, but better), fancy cocktails and sexy, pillowed nooks for socializing. But contrasting with its upscale appearance, it’s accessible and welcoming to everyone, from the wealthy urban traveler, to the laid-back snowboarder, to the twenty-something chick dressed to the nines for a night out with the ladies, to the local construction guy looking for a good-priced tallboy.
What makes Velvet so welcoming? For starters, when I approach the bar I can be almost sure that I will be greeted by friendly and engaging Austin, or Cori. There are only a few people who run the show at Velvet, and it’s obvious that they love what they do. Their laid-back, friendly energy infuses the service. Cori is not just a bartender, she’s also the owner. She took over ownership of the place in January of this year after working as a bartender for quite some time, but ownership doesn’t keep her from mixing up her fabulous cocktails and connecting with customers.
Another aspect of Velvet that keeps it so accessible and friendly is its affordable prices. Along with its tasty variety of sophisticated and creative cocktails, you can also get yourself a beer in a can for just a couple of bucks. On the same menu that you can find a Mate Mojito with muddled mint and lime, coconut rum and organic lemon juice, you can also find yourself a 40 ouncer of PBR. Reflecting the salt of the earth to urban chic theme of the place, you can get your 40 “classy or trashy,” with classy being served up chilled in a bucket champagne style, and trashy being served in a paper bag, depending on the mood you want to embody. In addition to the already reasonable beverage prices on the menu every day, they’ve got a daily special that’s a smokin’ deal. Right now, on Mondays you can get a fabulous bloody Mary with all the fixins’ for five bucks, or an Old German Lager in a can for only a dollar.
Don’t let the focus on beverages fool you; Velvet also has some really fabulous food. The menu was designed by Jeff Hunt, chef extraordinaire of global fusion food cart and local creative food staple Spork. The food is also amazingly affordable, with no food item over 8 bucks and most items priced at around 6. My favorite dish is the Spanish tortilla, which is a fabulous frittata with onion, queso fresco and honey aioli. It’s a perfectly-portioned savory dish that hits the spot for dinner or late night munching. The BLT sliders are the most popular item on the menu and also fabulous. If you want something a bit more decadent, try the prociutto-wrapped mushrooms with goat cheese, chickpea puree and truffle oil…they are little bites of bliss.
Velvet is more than a lovely spot for fabulous food and drink; it’s a also a good spot to check out local art. During each First Friday artwalk, they showcase a different local artist. On First Friday in April, Velvet will feature the collage art, jewelry and fashion of cutting-edge local artist Sarah Viles, also known as the Homeslice. Come check it out, grab yourself a cocktail and wear what you want, because everybody is welcome.
Foodies Enjoy,
Cassie
One of the things I love about Velvet is that it is upscale and sophisticated without being pretentious or snobby. It could be, if it wanted to. It’s one of the sleekest, most artistically-inspired spots in Bend, with urban forest-inspired décor (think Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, but better), fancy cocktails and sexy, pillowed nooks for socializing. But contrasting with its upscale appearance, it’s accessible and welcoming to everyone, from the wealthy urban traveler, to the laid-back snowboarder, to the twenty-something chick dressed to the nines for a night out with the ladies, to the local construction guy looking for a good-priced tallboy.
What makes Velvet so welcoming? For starters, when I approach the bar I can be almost sure that I will be greeted by friendly and engaging Austin, or Cori. There are only a few people who run the show at Velvet, and it’s obvious that they love what they do. Their laid-back, friendly energy infuses the service. Cori is not just a bartender, she’s also the owner. She took over ownership of the place in January of this year after working as a bartender for quite some time, but ownership doesn’t keep her from mixing up her fabulous cocktails and connecting with customers.
Another aspect of Velvet that keeps it so accessible and friendly is its affordable prices. Along with its tasty variety of sophisticated and creative cocktails, you can also get yourself a beer in a can for just a couple of bucks. On the same menu that you can find a Mate Mojito with muddled mint and lime, coconut rum and organic lemon juice, you can also find yourself a 40 ouncer of PBR. Reflecting the salt of the earth to urban chic theme of the place, you can get your 40 “classy or trashy,” with classy being served up chilled in a bucket champagne style, and trashy being served in a paper bag, depending on the mood you want to embody. In addition to the already reasonable beverage prices on the menu every day, they’ve got a daily special that’s a smokin’ deal. Right now, on Mondays you can get a fabulous bloody Mary with all the fixins’ for five bucks, or an Old German Lager in a can for only a dollar.
Don’t let the focus on beverages fool you; Velvet also has some really fabulous food. The menu was designed by Jeff Hunt, chef extraordinaire of global fusion food cart and local creative food staple Spork. The food is also amazingly affordable, with no food item over 8 bucks and most items priced at around 6. My favorite dish is the Spanish tortilla, which is a fabulous frittata with onion, queso fresco and honey aioli. It’s a perfectly-portioned savory dish that hits the spot for dinner or late night munching. The BLT sliders are the most popular item on the menu and also fabulous. If you want something a bit more decadent, try the prociutto-wrapped mushrooms with goat cheese, chickpea puree and truffle oil…they are little bites of bliss.
Velvet is more than a lovely spot for fabulous food and drink; it’s a also a good spot to check out local art. During each First Friday artwalk, they showcase a different local artist. On First Friday in April, Velvet will feature the collage art, jewelry and fashion of cutting-edge local artist Sarah Viles, also known as the Homeslice. Come check it out, grab yourself a cocktail and wear what you want, because everybody is welcome.
Foodies Enjoy,
Cassie
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