22 Top Client Entertainment Ideas in Portland, OR

By: | Updated: December 20, 2023

Here is our list of the best client entertainment ideas in Portland, Oregon.

Client entertainment ideas in Portland are fun and exciting activities to show your client a good time in the city. Examples include a bike tour with treats at Voodoo Doughnuts or catching a Portland Timbers match. The purpose of these activities is to deepen your relationship with clients while showing your appreciation.

These activities are similar to Portland team outings, ways to entertain groups in Portland, and luxury gifting ideas.

This list includes:

  • VIP client entertainment ideas in Portland
  • client appreciation event venues in Portland
  • places to bring clients in Portland
  • client meeting spaces in Portland

Let’s get to it!

List of client entertainment ideas in Portland

If you are lucky enough to live in Portland, then you know the city offers a wide variety of unique activities to entertain locals of all ages. When you choose any of these venues to host a client, you can develop your relationship while having a great time outside of an office environment. Here are the best ways to entertain clients in Portland.

1. The Great Guac Off™️ (Top Choice)

Guacamole making competition

If you are looking for an experience that promotes creativity and teamwork, then consider The Great Guac Off! Teams will go head-to-head during this guacamole-themed event.

Here is what to expect:

  • 90 minutes with talented hosts who lead the session
  • exciting avocado facts, trivia, and mini-games
  • delectable guacamole ingredients and dippers
  • an optional secret ingredient to challenge attendees
  • an epic guacamole mash-off and judging round

To keep planning simple, we will bring all the necessary ingredients to the venue of your choice. So add The Great Guac Off to your agenda to help your staff bond!

Learn more about The Great Guac Off.

2. Ultimate Trivia Showdown (Popular)

You can challenge your team to an exhilarating game of trivia with Ultimate Trivia Showdown! This innovative experience lets your staff compete in engaging and exciting games.

Ultimate Trivia Showdown includes the following:

  • 90 minutes guided by a talented host
  • trivia questions from a broad range of categories, such as sports and history
  • entertaining games, puzzles, and question rounds
  • thrilling challenges like Smarty Pants Ultimate Trivia and The Champion Challenge
  • optional customization for a personalized experience

Additionally, we will bring all essential materials to your selected venue. If you are looking for an opportunity to showcase your staff’s skills, then look no further than Ultimate Trivia Showdown!

Learn more about Ultimate Trivia Showdown.

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3. Mix n’ Mingle (Team Favorite)

Your team can experience a captivating networking atmosphere with Mix n’ Mingle. During this experience, participants engage in activities designed to foster meaningful conversations and forge lasting bonds.

The key features of Mix n’ Mingle include:

  • a 90-minute session guided by a world-class facilitator
  • thoughtfully designed icebreakers that spark conversations
  • engaging activities that enable genuine connections
  • group discussions and collaborative team challenges

Further, we will meet you at your chosen venue with all the necessary supplies. By participating in Mix n’ Mingle, you can establish profound connections, strengthen relationships, and enhance collaboration within your team.

Learn more about Mix n’ Mingle.

4. Hammond Guide Services

The Willamette and Columbia rivers surround Portland, and you can treat your clients to a fishing expedition with Hammond Guide Services. Owner Jason Hammond is a second-generation fishing guide who takes guests out on the water year-round.

Depending on the location and time of year, you may find chinook, steelhead, or sturgeon in the local waters. Sturgeon are a great choice for an impressive outing, as they put up a big fight when reeling them in. Further, you may hook halibut, walleye, rockfish, or Dungeness crab. You can take clients out for a half day, a full day, or even a multi-day trip. At the end of the day, you can have a big cookout with all the fish you caught!

Learn more about Hammond Guide Services.

5. Vista Balloon Adventures

Oregon is full of beautiful scenery, and there is no better way to see it than from a hot air balloon! Vista Balloon Adventures can take your clients out on a memorable adventure. Since 1989, Vista has run over 11,000 flights with over 79,000 passengers.

Starting at dawn, participants will watch 100-foot-tall hot air balloons fill with over 200,000 cubic feet of air. Then, up to six balloons will fly over the Willamette Valley. The tour lasts around an hour and showcases mountains, volcanoes, and wine country. After the flight, you can watch the balloons deflate.

Learn more about Vista Balloon Adventures.

6. The Float Shoppe

Taking clients to a relaxing spa day is a great entertainment idea, so consider stopping by The Float Shoppe. This venue is home to several float tanks, otherwise known as sensory deprivation tanks. During this experience, visitors will get into a tank of water that makes them float. The Float Shoppe offers tanks with lids for a traditional sensory deprivation experience or open-lidded tanks. This activity helps folks unwind and ease fatigue. Afterward, clients can get a 60- or 90-minute massage. A day at The Float Shoppe is the ultimate relaxation activity.

Learn more about The Float Shoppe.

7. Blackbird Wine Shop

Blackbird Wine Shop sells delicious wine and cheese for the ultimate tasty outing. Available wines come from all over the world, from Slovenia to South Africa. Pour lists rotate daily so clients can go back again and again to enjoy new flavors. To go with the wines, visitors can enjoy cheese and snack pairings. Examples of available menu items include charcuterie plates, burrata, and hummus. Additionally, Blackbird hosts regular events, such as pairing cheese with wine and enjoying wine during the solstice. If you are interested in hosting your own event, then Blackbird can cater!

Learn more about Blackbird Wine Shop.

8. Arden Restaurant

Tasting menus are a luxurious way to enjoy an outing with your clients, and one of the top client appreciation event venues in Portland is Arden. Arden has a small menu, so each dish is high quality. The firm focuses on seasonal local ingredients and wine.

This restaurant offers a prix fixe menu that features four courses for the table with an option to add a wine pairing. The menu changes regularly, but some current examples of dishes include clam and brown butter tagliatelle and McFarland Springs trout. Larger parties can reach out for a partial or full restaurant buyout.

Learn more about Arden.

9. International Rose Test Garden

For the flower lovers in the group, the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park is a beautiful activity. In the park, visitors can see more than 650 varieties of roses across 10,000 bushes. The roses bloom between April and October, with June being the best month to see the petals at their peak. Portland’s nickname is the City of Roses, and after seeing this garden, you might understand why. Taking your client to the rose garden is a great way to enjoy the fresh air and get to know each other outside the working environment.

Head to the International Rose Test Garden.

10. Hoyt Arboretum

Hoyt Arboretum, pronounced White, is one of the most beautiful areas in Portland. The intention of this spectacular 190-acre arboretum is to conserve endangered species and educate the Portland community about the benefits of nature. On top of the ridge, hikers will find more than 12 miles of beautiful trails offering some of the greatest views in Portland. Visitors can see more than 2,300 species of different trees and shrubs from six continents around the world. If your client enjoys nature and being outdoors, then this is the perfect appreciation event.

Take a hike at Hoyt Arboretum.

11. Portland City Grill

At Portland City Grill, your clients get the chance to take in the best views in the city while enjoying some of the most delicious food available. If you prefer a lighter evening, then take your clients for a wine or cocktail night in the gorgeous bar. The dishes at Portland City Grill are spectacular whether you enjoy Northwest-inspired fare or love Asian food. The steaks are superb as well.

Get dinner and drinks at Portland City Grill.

12. Deschutes Brewing Portland Public House

Deschutes Brewing is an iconic beermaker in the state of Oregon. The original location is in Bend, in the eastern part of the state. Now, you can enjoy this brewery’s craft beer and delicious food in Portland without making the trek across the state. You can take your client to Deschutes Brewing Portland Public House for a laid-back, urban atmosphere. Once there, you and your client can taste any of the 26 regular beers on tap or one of the experimental or seasonal beers brewed on-site in Portland. Expertly crafted food is the perfect pair for the beer. You can reserve a table on OpenTable or call the pub directly to reserve a room for a larger group.

Head out to Deschutes Brewing Portland Public House.

13. Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden

Located in Southeast Portland in East Moreland, the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden is a unique 9-acre garden filled with beautiful and rare plants and hybrid species of rhododendrons, azaleas, and other trees and shrubs. Plus, your client can check out the variety of geese and ducks that migrate through the area each year. This rhododendron garden is one of the most unique client meeting spaces in Portland as you reserve space for a special event.

Check out the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.

14. Voodoo Doughnuts

This shop’s infamous pink box is recognizable worldwide. These flavorful and creative donuts are sure to please any client. You can bring your sweets-loving client to Voodoo and let them get a true Portland experience by trying a Voodoo Doll donut or one of the many other creations available. The chain has many locations scattered throughout the city.

Grab some donuts at Voodoo Doughnuts.

15. Portland Timbers

The Portland Timbers are a professional soccer team that competes in Major League Soccer. The Timbers play in the Western Conference. All home games occur at Providence Park, conveniently located in downtown Portland. As soccer has become more and more popular in America, the attendance at each Timber match has grown, as well. You can bring your client to catch a game and cheer on the home team.

Catch a Portland Timbers match.

16. Kay’s Bar

Kay’s Bar has been a landmark since 1934 when the owners first started serving drinks in the Moreland neighborhood. Between the extensive list of craft cocktails, beer and wine by the glass, and tasty pub food, Kay’s is a fantastic place to bring a client for a happy hour celebration. This bar is truly a neighborhood favorite, and the comfortable and laid-back atmosphere is perfect for a good time with clients.

Grab a drink at Kay’s Bar.

17. Creative Culture Studio

Creative Culture Studio is a one-of-a-kind DIY and craft shop in Portland. While you get your creative juices flowing, sip on one of the delicious and unique milkshakes made in-house. Creative Culture Studio is locally owned, and its stated goal is to develop the creativity of the local area by starting a community of makers. Of course, the delicious milkshakes fuel the process. You can bring your client to Creative Culture for a sweet treat, and they get to take a craft home with them.

Get creative at Creative Culture Studio.

18. Voicebox Karaoke

The original location for Voicebox Karaoke was the Nob Hill neighborhood in Northwest Portland. Today, you can also sing your heart out in Southeast Portland at a second location. One of the coolest features of Voicebox is that you can reserve private karaoke suites for you and your client. This option is perfect for those who do not want to sit through a long list of songs to get their chance to shine. The drink and food menu at Voicebox is incredible, as well.

Find the perfect tune at Voicebox Karaoke.

19. KingPins

KingPins is so much more than a bowling alley. Both the Beaverton and Portland locations are the best places to bring clients in Portland and offer a wide variety of entertainment. From bowling to laser tag to the arcade, your clients will find something fun, no matter their interests. Plus, the food and drink menus will make you forget you are at a bowling alley. Craft cocktails, happy hour specials, and made in-house pub food will round out your evening. KingPins is an excellent choice to host your client for a memorable night.

Plan a fun night at KingPins.

20. Sauvie Island

Sauvie Island is a massive island, roughly the size of Manhattan, that sits where the Columbia and Willamette Rivers meet, around 10 miles northwest of Portland. This island is much more than an intersection. The entire island offers nature and adventures to entertain visitors of all ages. If your client enjoys fresh food, then there is no better place to pick fruits and veggies in the spring and summer. You can also spend an afternoon birdwatching, relaxing on the beach, or adventuring on kayaks or bikes. You will find lots to do with your client on the 24,000 acres of Sauvie Island.

Enjoy the day at Sauvie Island.

21. Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers are a professional basketball team located in the heart of the city. This team is one of two professional men’s sports teams in Portland. However, the Trail Blazers have been in the city the longest. During their tenure in Portland, the Trail Blazers have accumulated quite a fan base. Attending a game in person is incredibly exciting and one of the best VIP client entertainment ideas in Portland.  If you check the schedule, then you might find some fun themed nights. For example, a decade night from the 1960s, 1980s, 1980s, or 1990s. For a truly exciting night, look into watching the game from a VIP box.

Cheer on the Portland Trail Blazers.

22. Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall

Whether you have a client who loves stand-up comedy or prefers classical music, you must check out the schedule of events at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. This massive venue in the heart of Portland hosts some of the biggest names in every industry. You can bring your client to see comedians, musicians, and orchestras or even catch the live filming of a game show like Wheel of Fortune. Arlene Schnitzer is a fantastic place to take a client if you want to show them a great time in downtown Portland.

Check out a show at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Conclusion

Portland is a city full of amazing events and activities. If you are looking for a unique way to entertain a client, then you only need to look around to find the perfect outing. Whether you choose to stay indoors and dine at one of the incredible restaurants or prefer being outside on a hiking trail or in a park, you are sure to find an entertaining outing for your client in Portland.

Next, check out team building ideas in Portland and Portland retreat ideas.

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FAQ: Client entertainment ideas in Portland, Oregon

Here are the answers to commonly asked questions about client entertainment ideas in Portland.

What are the best client entertainment ideas in Portland?

You will find many places to entertain clients in and around Portland, Oregon. For example, KingPins has multiple locations and offers bowling, arcade games, laser tag, and awesome food and drink specials.

How can you entertain clients indoors in Portland?

You can entertain clients in Portland at indoor venues like a Portland Trailblazers basketball game. If you prefer to be outside, then head to Sauvie Island to pick fresh fruit or enjoy an afternoon on the beach.

What are some good places to take clients in Portland?

Some good places to take clients in Portland are to enjoy delicious food and local beer at Deschutes Brewing Portland Public House or to sing karaoke at Voicebox Karaoke.

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Author:

People & Culture Director at teambuilding.com.
Grace is the Director of People & Culture at teambuilding.com. She studied Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, Information Science at East China Normal University and earned an MBA at Washington State University.

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