Do you love things like the Haunted Mansion, Clue, and Halloween? Do you love being surrounded by gargoyles, skeletons, and haunted dolls? Would taps made from human skulls that dispense spirits of the alcoholic variety thrill you? Then you might want to make a jaunt to Raven’s Manor in Portland, Oregon.
When it opens, that is. Co-owners Rebecca Vega and Jared Bradley are not quite ready to welcome guests yet. But soon…
Let’s take a look at when opening day might be and what other spooky delights you might find in this creepy cocktail lounge. Which includes perhaps being housed in a real haunted bar.
Because according to Willamette Week, “As is the case with a number of Portland’s Old Town-Chinatown buildings, Bradley says the haunted theme may be augmented by the presence of wayward spirits at Raven’s.”
Oh yeah, this is a place I would totally jaunt to. What about you?
About Raven’s Manor
Here’s its description from its Facebook page:
Raven’s Manor is a haunted mansion themed cocktail lounge. Haunt fan or not, you are sure to have a blast with our menu of amazing and spooky themed cocktails and shots. Come by and check out our awe inducing interactive mixology experience!
The owners have even created a backstory for their lounge about how Dr. Raven “was a prominent elite known for his lavish parties, which were actually a ruse.” As Vega put it, “All the while he was secretly kidnapping victims and taking them down to his laboratory for human experimentation.”
Creepy!
But of course, the only experiments that will be taking place when Raven’s Manor opens will be its visitors experimenting with the offerings on the menu.
Raven’s Manor Opening Date
The owners haven’t pinpointed an exact opening date yet. Their website says “Coming soon.”
The Willamette Week article about the forthcoming lounge said that it’s “preparing to welcome its first customers through the doors in late April—barring any last-minute hitches with construction.”
What does Raven’s Manor serve?
On their Facebook page they’ve started debuting some of the 13 signature cocktails, which they divide into two categories:
- Deadly Tonics: spirit-forward cocktails with lengthy flavor profiles
- Eerie Elixirs: light refreshing cocktails, often on the sweeter side.
Here’s what they shared about a Deadly Tonic called Redrum:
On their website, they’ve shared a few other drinks from their menu, including:
- The Raven: A simple delectable cocktail to show respect to the dark man himself. A tonic of blackberries, Bombay Sapphire Gin, cranberry, and a touch of mint is sure to please. Give one of Dr. Raven’s favorite refreshers a try!
- Dr. Raven’s Reserve: Served in an Erlenmeyer flask, Dr. Frankenstein’s tropical and green glowing concoction will be sure to have you walking like a monster.
- Absinthe: 100% real absinthe, the traditional way. Just don’t overdo it, you may start seeing things that aren’t really there…or are they?
- Lingering Shadow: Fired Absinthe, Creme De Violet, Black Luxardo Cherries topped with Champagne. After this you will be seeing two of your shadow, or maybe something is just following you…
Elixir Experience
Another cool thing they’re going to do is offer an Elixir Experience by reservation only.
Guests will embark on a sort of scavenger hunt around the premises in search of clues to solve. Then they get to “use everything from chemistry equipment to cauldrons to create custom drinks.”
That sounds awesome.
Do real ghosts haunt Raven’s Manor?
Another part of the Willamette Week article that caught my eye was that it mentioned the owners have reported “strange sounds” and “motion-sensitive cameras” have recorded “movement long after everyone’s gone home.”
They’ve even rehomed a doll from Unsettling Toys to grace their interior!
That’s the number one thing that attracts me to any place: possible ghosts. The fact that Raven’s Manor is located in an old building with possible paranormal activity just adds to its allure. You know if I ever get there, I’ll take lots of pictures and share it!
But if you beat me to it, make sure to tag me in any photos you share online!
For More Info
Visit ravensmanorexperience.com.
Check-In
Are you more of a Deadly Tonic or an Eerie Elixir kind of drinker?
Sadly, I’m allergic to most alcohol so I’m pretty much forced to stick to mocktails. Or water. Which is so boring, I know.
Courtney Mroch is a globe-trotting restless spirit who’s both possessed by wanderlust and the spirit of adventure, and obsessed with true crime, horror, the paranormal, and weird days. Perhaps it has something to do with her genes? She is related to occult royalty, after all. Marie Laveau, the famous Voodoo practitioner of New Orleans, is one of her ancestors. (Yes, really! As explained here.) That could also explain her infatuation with skeletons.
Speaking of mystical, to learn how Courtney channeled her battle with cancer to conjure up this site, check out HJ’s Origin Story.
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I quit drinking when I hit middle age because the mornings after feel worse when you’re older! (I don’t miss it.) I would still go to Raven’s Manor and do the Elixir Experience because solving clues and making mocktails with chemistry equipment and cauldrons . . . YES!!
Another thing to love about Portland, Oregon!
And, yes, I hear you on that, Priscilla Bettis. At risk of being a bad role model for kids, drinking’s for the young ROFL!
Oh you’re making me feel so much better! I’d love to catch up with you and discuss SO many things over mocktails made in cauldrons someday, you know that?