Astoria, Oregon, sits where the mighty Columbia River enters the Pacific Ocean. Not only is this waterfront city Oregon’s oldest, but Astoria is on the list of the most unique cities within the region as well. Its placement between land and sea made it an ideal port city and a hub for fishing and canning.
Today, businesses rooted in fishing industry history still operate the same way. But other defunct industrial buildings have been revitalized to welcome locals and travelers alike for a meal paired with a craft beverage. The Knot Bar at Bowline Hotel is one of those destinations.
Bowline Hotel
Bowline Hotel is a member of the Adrift Hospitality Group, which runs a collection of hotels and restaurants in Long Beach and Seaview, Washington, along with the group’s distillery, Adrift Distillers, also located in Long Beach. The hotel’s building was once a working seafood processing plant nestled on the edge of the river. Now, it’s a luxury-meets-industrial boutique hotel featuring riverfront rooms and cozy modern furnishings.
The revitalized hotel offers a one-of-a-kind stay, complete with in-room free-standing soaking tubs, fireplaces, stunning river views, on-site barrel saunas and lush linens. Because of the location’s pier structure, it’s also home to plenty of charming sea lions that swim underneath the hotel. (White noise machines and earplugs are provided in case they become a bother.)
The Knot Bar
While the accommodations at Bowline Hotel are certainly a draw, it’s the in-house restaurant and bar that continuously tops the list of the best spots to check out in Astoria. And for good reason.
The Knot Bar is a large, inviting mixed-use space housing the boutique hotel’s front desk, a cozy fireplace seating area, a full bar with seating, along with restaurant seating boasting waterfront views.
The bar’s loyal to local approach is evident with a creative cocktail list featuring drinks made with Northwest producers. Nearby distillers such as Burnside Whiskey, Pilot House Distilling, Freeland Spirits, 2Bar Spirits and more are featured on the bar. And of course, cocktails are also made with the hotel’s sister distillery, Adrift Distillers, which is celebrating its fifth year in business this March.
Another highlight of Adrift Hospitality’s approach is giving back to the communities it operates in through its Cocktail for a Cause program. Each month, a new libation is crafted specifically with a beneficiary in mind. A portion of proceeds from the drink’s sales, whether enjoyed at Bowline’s Knot Bar, Shelburne Hotel in Seaview or Pickled Fish in Long Beach, are donated to boost the chosen organization. Previous recipients include the Liberty Theatre in Astoria, the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum, Peninsula Wild Care and the Sou’wester Arts Week.
Other Nearby Spots to Sip
This long-standing brewery is a pillar of the Astoria community, operating in a revitalized 1924 building less than a 10-minute walk from Bowline Hotel. You’ll find multiple spaces to enjoy in this city-block building, with a menu featuring woodfired pizzas upstairs, along with ample seating and wildly delicious pub fare downstairs. Not to mention, an extensive taplist no matter where you choose to sit.
Formerly Reveille Ciderworks, Astoria’s only cidery Fortune and Glory opened in a new space November, 2022. The inviting taproom boasts flights and pints of English Pub-style and Belgian Farmhouse-style ciders, along with housemade snacks.
Bowline Hotel and The Knot Bar is located right next door to Buoy Beer Company’s waterfront location. Due to the unfortunate collapse of the building’s roof in June, 2022, this location is not currently open. However, those looking for a refreshing Buoy beer and great food can find the Buoy Beer Taproom operating out of the Astoria Food Hub, just three blocks away from Bowline Hotel.
