The Box Social (Portland, Oregon)
| The Box Social | |
|---|---|
The bar's exterior in 2022 | |
Interactive map of The Box Social | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | December 2011 |
| Owner(s) | Eric and Shannon McQuilkin |
| Location | 3971 North Williams Avenue, Portland, Multnomah, Oregon, 97227, United States |
| Coordinates | 45°33′07″N 122°40′01″W / 45.5519°N 122.6670°W |
| Website | bxsocial |
The Box Social is a bar and restaurant in Portland, Oregon, United States.[1][2][3] Established in late 2011, the business operates in the north Portland part of the Boise neighborhood.
Description
The 1,000-square-foot bar The Box Social operates from a "boxy glass-and-steel contemporary" building in the north Portland part of the Boise neighborhood.[4][5] The interior has a dark mahogany bar, a mural painted by artist Maria Joan Dixon,[6] and a stuffed peacock.[7] One guide book by Moon Publications says the atmosphere is "dark and romantic".[8] Eater Portland has described The Box Social as a "sultry" cocktail bar,[9] and "a sumptuous, intimate lounge" with snacks such as bread with pimento cheese spread, parmesan popcorn, and hummus plates.[10] The food menu has also included a fig compote panini,[11] goldfish crackers, and a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup.[12]
Among 22 drinks on the menu in 2015 were Brown Derbys and the Ramos Gin Fizz, as well as versions of daiquiris,[13] margaritas, Manhattans, and Negronis.[14] The Cooler has bourbon, Applejack, orange liqueur, lime, and apple drinking vinegar, and the Stone Cold Fox has Goslings Black Seal Rum, habanero-ginger honey, lime, and mango.[6] The Feather and Nail has Fernet, ginger liqueur, and lime juice,[15] and the Thoroughbred has Torani Amer, brandy, maraschino, lemon, and pomegranate shrub.[16] The bar has also served beer, wine,[9][10] and RuPaul-themed Aperol spritzes.[17]
History
Spouses Eric and Shannon McQuilkin are co-owners. In July 2011, The Oregonian described plans for The Box Social to open by the end of the year.[4][18] The bar opened in late December,[19] in a space that previously housed an art installation by Cascade AIDS Project.[20][21]
The Box Social launched a book club in 2013.[22] In 2025, the bar was among five participating in a "Bazaar Crawl" on North Williams Avenue.[23]
Reception
According to Portland Monthly, "Portland has long considered this candlelit cube a quintessential date spot."[11] Writers for the magazine included The Box Social in a 2012 list of Portland's best new bars.[16] In Thrillist's 2026 overview of Portland's best cocktail bars, Alex Frane wrote, "The Box Social might be the best cocktail bar for dates: it's intimate, warm, and romantic. It's a small space, but rarely overcrowded. The small bites are fine, but take a backseat to the excellent cocktail menu."[24] He also included the bar in Eater Portland's 2020 list of the city's "legit" late-night happy hours.[10] The website's Nathan Williams included The Box Social in a 2024 overview of "delicious" eater on North Williams Avenue.[9] In a 2025 overview of Portland's best romantic bars and restaurants for date nights, Katrina Yentch, Thom Hilton, and Brooke Jackson-Glidden said the bar's happy hour menu and "low-key energy [make] it a great spot for first dates".[17]
References
- ^ "Low-key, high-class imbibing on Williams". Thrillist. 2012-01-09. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ "100 Portland Happy Hours: North". Portland Mercury. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ Powers, Colin (2013-04-19). "Flower-powered drinks are 'spring in a glass': The Cocktail Hour". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ a b Russell, Michael (2011-07-22). "The Box Social coming to North Williams by end of year". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ Fodor's:
- Fodor's Inside Portland. Fodor's Travel. 2020-04-07. ISBN 978-1-64097-251-3.
- Fodor's Oregon. Fodor's Travel. 2023-06-13. ISBN 978-1-64097-601-6.
- ^ a b "First Look: The Box Social". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ "The Box Social: Drink In A Box". Willamette Week. 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ McCollom, Hollyanna (2019-05-14). Moon Portland. Avalon Publishing. ISBN 978-1-64049-368-1.
- ^ a b c Williams, Nathan (2023-06-16). "Delicious Destinations Along Portland's North Williams Avenue". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ a b c Frane, Alex (2018-11-30). "Portland's Legit Late-Night Happy Hours". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ a b "The Box Social". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ "Drink 2012: Listings by Location". Willamette Week. 2012-04-11. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (2023-08-07). "Ask Eater: Where Can I Spend a Quiet Happy Hour?". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ Walsh, Chad (2015-07-14). "Portland's Top $10 And Under Craft Cocktail Programs, Mapped". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ "Finding Fernet". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ a b "Best New Bars 2012". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ a b Yentch, Katrina (2022-02-11). "Portland's Best Romantic Restaurants and Bars for Date Night". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ DeJesus, Erin (2011-07-22). "A "Box Social" Bar, St. Johns Distillery, and Alberta Bottleshop". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ DeJesus, Erin (2012-01-03). "The Box Social; Spielman Coffee Roasters Now Open". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ "Gossip That Should Have Gone To Rehab". Willamette Week. 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ "Future Drinking: This Week in OLCC Applications". Willamette Week. 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ Parks, Casey (2013-01-03). "Box Social starts a book club, learn to talk on ham radio: North Portland news roundup". The Oregonian. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ Gebel, Meira (2025-04-25). "Portland's N Williams hosts Bazaar Crawl". Axios. Retrieved 2025-11-16.
- ^ Frane, Alex (2016-07-13). "The Best Cocktail Bars in Portland". Thrillist. Retrieved 2025-11-16.