Galleria + Grotto opening in former Doug Fir Lounge space
The original Doug Fir Lounge location at 830 E. Burnside will become Galleria + Grotto
Doug Fir Lounge was one of Portland’s most popular music venues and bars for 19 years before they closed in 2023 and announced plans to relocate to the former Le Bistro Montage space under the Morrison Bridge. As Doug Fir’s new location has continued to be pushed back from a projected early 2024 opening to the current fall 2026 timeline, the original location at 830 E. Burnside has remained vacant and for lease until now.
The New School recently observed workers inside the papered over windows at the old Doug Fir Lounge space which anchors the corner of E. 9th and Burnside in front of the Jupiter Hotel. An Instagram post from @djdrewgroove back in September 2025 revealed the log-cabin themed interior, spaceship bar, and underlit floors and mirrors that gave the main floor bar its swagger were completely gutted. Now we have an idea of what is coming next, and I don’t mean Jupiter Next, the sister hotel just across the street.
Galleria + Grotto is a new concept from A2Z Jupiter and investment firm Fortrex Capital. Established in 2003 in Toronto, Canada, Fortrex started with a focus on residential development in underserved urban markets. In 2008 Fortrex moved into hospitality by acquiring a boutique hotel in Montreal, and then came to the U.S. in 2014 opening an office in New York. In Portland, the group opened the high end Japanese and Korean fusion restaurant “Janken” in Portland’s Pearl District in 2022.
Rendering of the upcoming Galleria + Grotto
Galleria & Grotto will be a modern vintage dining destination located within Portland’s historic music hall, attached to the newly renovated Jupiter Hotel. This is a 2-part concept utilizing both the former concert venue area downstairs as well as the main level lounge.
Fortrex must believe Portlanders really love fusion cuisine, just as how Janken blends Korean and Japanese, Galleria & Grotto blends Italian and American fusion cuisine “where tradition meets innovation and every dish is crafted with intention.”
The kitchen will serve fresh handmade pasta and seasonal ingredients with global influences and a mix of familiar comfort dishes and creative outside the box items.
Doug Fir’s signature aesthetic of futuristic elevated roadside diner in a modernist structure will be replaced by a contemporary “Great Gatsby” ambiance at Galleria & Grotto: Rich burgundy tones, golden accents, candlelight, and glamorous special night out vibes.
It looks to keep the late evening hours of Doug Fir, opening daily not until 5pm and staying open to 11pm on weekdays and 2am on Saturday and Sunday.
Another rendering of Galleria & Grotto gives a sense of the posh decor
While Galleria serves as the main dining room, Grotto is a private event space for gatherings of up to 90 guests. While the ownership has not specifically mentioned anything about live music, their OLCC application indicates licensing for both DJ and Live Music, though it’s unlikely this will be a full-time concert venue like Doug Fir.
Doug Fir should return to inner eastside Portland soon and rejuvenate an equally iconic space with an even larger concert venue at 301 SE Morrison Street. They are currently seeking a food truck/kitchen partner as they hope to open later this year. No word yet on a timeline for Galleria + Grotto, but the recently application for a liquor license indicates the near future.