Woodstock Wanderings is Cold

Instead of reviewing a single business, this week the Quest is ranking the top 10 warmest places in Woodstock. On those afternoons when the Portland weather sneaks up on you like a demon of frigidity, where do you go? 

10. Woodstock Wine and Deli

Entering into Woodstock Wine and Deli is probably your first option while traversing down Woodstock from Reed, and it is a fine choice for warmth. It’s only subtly above room temperature but it's large enough of an open space that there’s a chance you could sneak in for warmth and simply not be noticed. However, its spacious atmosphere might be off-putting to the coziness you seek, for it lacks a lot of warmth drawn from bodily density. They’re pretty quiet on afternoons, but later night wine tasting tends to draw more of a crowd.

9. Woodstock Laundry

As a laundromat, this place is typically pretty warm, and the aura of slightly damp, slightly warm clothes tends to be a comforting one. They also offer free laundry from 10:00am to noon on the first and third Wednesday of every month, which is a pretty warm deal if you ask me. 

8. Woodstock Library

This place is warm enough, with a slight draft from time to time, but the lovely smell of books, the positive energy of kids learning how to read, and the intensity of that one guy who brought way too many computers to the library to a small table he’s supposed to share with 5 other people all do wonders to add pleasant warmth to the vibe. 

7. Cloud City

For an ice cream place, it’s certainly a challenge to have too much warmth inside or be associated with warmth at all when one of their prime selling points is a food with “ice” in the name. However, they still manage to keep it nice and warm here. As an added bonus, the windows have nice fairy lights, which do well to add to the overall ambiance and warmth.

6. Pizza Roma

First off, something about the squishy leather booths here always makes me feel warm, and there’s enough indoor seating that it’s unlikely you’ll have to sit outside. The smell of pizza, too, never fails to make me feel warm inside. The kitchen is in full view, so you get to witness the warmth you will eventually get to eat.

5. Otto’s Sausage Kitchen and Meat Market

This place is somewhat warm, and although most seating is by the door, the place tends to have a nice, warm, bustling atmosphere. What really gives this place credit, though, is the grill outside, which helps provide warmth not just inside, but all down the street, where the smoky smell of cooking hot dogs warms the lost traveler. 

4. Double Mountain Taproom

A place that never ceases to be a beacon of warmth to me, this place has a very friendly, cozy vibe (which I’ve already gone into detail in describing in a previous Woodstock Wanderings), and has high-top window seating and booth seating which give you a variety of options for warmth. Their spicy pizza, too, will keep you warm for the rest of the day.

3. Papaccino's

This place is filled with a lovely, homey atmosphere and the warming smell of coffee. It’s likely you’ll be able to find another Reed student whom you can appreciate warmth with as well, as they flock here often! Hearing Sigur Rós inside was a big plus, as Icelandic post-rock artists are experts on channeling warm energy where it’s hard to find.

2. Red Fox Vintage

Their warm winter wear throughout the store has saved me from the cold on occasion, allowing me to look stylish while doing so. A massive heater on the ceiling named “Hot Dawg” provides a nice blast of steady, warm air throughout the many different rooms of this store, and navigating through these rooms is a warm activity to do! The slow ballroom music playing in the store, along with the plethora of vintage items, gives the same wonderful warm energy as a grandparent’s house. 

1. Viking Soul Food

While not very large, this has got to be the warmest place on Woodstock I’ve visited so far. A nice amount of warmth gets channeled right to the entrance, providing warmth and bliss to all who travel here. You feel the true soul of a Norwegian in this place, ready to handle whatever below-freezing temperatures come their way. Something about the magic potential of a lingonberry allows it to feel warming even through the medium of an iced drink.