Portland at 3 A.M

Three a.m. is a weird time. It is said to be officially the witching hour, so it would make sense to be safe and asleep at this time. It is also the hour you might find yourself in a new place because of a flight delay or a random layover, wide-awake with nothing to do.

How to proceed is the question. Most bars in most cities shut down around 2 a.m.; however, there are always a few options. Perhaps you are hungry and just want to eat some early morning pancakes, what now? Or, maybe you are sick of people talking about food all the time and you just want to see some sights while the crowds sleep tucked away in their beds. Well, if you are in Portland you have more options than you might expect.

For food, hop on over to the Roxy Diner, which has a 12-page menu! Order anything from a triple espresso to a triple-patty burger. It is open 24 hours a day, except for Mondays. Or try some Vietnamese at Luc Lac if you happen to be in town on a Friday or Saturday when they are open till 4 a.m. Of course, if a weird donut in the center of town is all you want, there is Voodoo Donuts, open 24 hours a day.

For a drink at this hour, head to Tik Tok. A bar, a restaurant, an institution and a place to drink 24/7.

If you are just tired, but totally awake, not hungry and a drink makes you cringe, grab a city bike and take a speedy tour of the city till the sun comes up and the supernatural subsides.