A well-lit tropical bar with a variety of liquor bottles on arched shelves, wicker lamps, and a counter adorned with fruit and glassware.

The Love Shack

Architect: Annen Architecture
Photographer: Carter Hiyama

  • Located in Portland’s Slabtown district, this restaurant tenant improvement project transformed a compact 1,200-square-foot space into an immersive tiki bar experience. Situated just next door to the owner's other restaurant, G-Love, this new venture was led by Garrett Benedict, with architectural design by Mark Annen.

    The vision was to create a vibrant and atmospheric escape. The scope included a full build-out of a new back-of-house kitchen and a dramatic revamp of the front-of-house. Key features include custom booths, a gold plaster back bar, and a bamboo-clad palapa that anchors the space. The bar boasts a translucent sea glass countertop, a Venetian-style gold plaster back bar with integrated lighting and carved arches, and casework designed to elegantly display wine, liquor, and glassware. Additional design highlights include tambour wood-lined booths, woven rattan pendant lights, and a large-scale tropical mural that brings a touch of glam to the moody, tropical aesthetic.

    The result is a fun, transportive space that’s already made waves locally—earning the title of Best New Bar in Portland by Eater in 2024.

  • Best New Bar in Portland by Eater (2024). Learn more here.

A bar with illuminated shelves displaying various bottles of alcohol, decorated with wicker pendant lights, tropical plants, and a pineapple on the counter.
A clear glass bottle with text on it, positioned on a wooden table with two empty glasses on either side. A green leaf pattern is visible in the background.
Interior of a modern restaurant with wooden seating, a thatched roof decoration, and a bar area with bottles of alcohol displayed on illuminated shelves in the background, with large windows and lush green plants.
Display of wine bottles on the top shelf with labels reading 'Benvoli' and 'Veuve Clicquot,' and organized wine glasses on lower shelves, set against a warm, rustic wall with backlighting.
Ceramic figurine of a colorful toucan holding a pink drink umbrella, decorated with green leaves, on a wooden surface.
Close-up photo of a cocktail glass with a pink drink and a slice of dried lemon on top, placed on a wooden surface with a blurred background.
A display shelf with bottles of whiskey and decorative glasses on a lit background.
A wooden table with assorted appetizers, salads, and a beverage, set in a restaurant with wooden wall decor.
A wooden bar shelf with illuminated arches displaying bottles of wine and empty glasses underneath.
A display of wine bottles and glasses on shelves illuminated with warm lighting, set behind a wooden bar with a glass door on the right side.
Interior of a restaurant with tropical decor, bamboo and thatched roof accents, black walls with large green leaf wallpaper, and wicker light fixtures.
Interior of a modern restaurant with bamboo and thatched decor, large windows, hanging wicker light fixtures, wooden booths, and a white counter with chairs.
Interior of a modern restaurant or bar with wooden booths and a thatched roof structure decorated with dried leaves. Large windows let in natural light, and woven pendant lights hang from the ceiling. Shelves with bottles are seen in the background.
Shelves with wine bottles, upside-down wine glasses, and inscribed glasses against a textured, warm-toned wall backlit with warm lighting.
Bar area with illuminated shelves filled with various bottles of alcohol, bamboo ceiling with woven accents, and hanging woven light fixtures in a tropical-themed setting.
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