George’s Corner Tavern – 2023 Update George’s Corner Tavern is another long-lived dive along Interstate Avenue. In business since 1934, the neighborhood is a touch gritty as evidenced by the multitude of security cameras and combination lock on the bathroom door. But the large dedicated parking lot is a welcome ...
Blue Bird Tavern We hit this spot at the tail end of an extensive research day in St John’s. Every and I mean EVERY bartender in the area knew the Blue Bird Tavern and either looked at us askance or made comments to the effect of “good luck with that” ...
Your Inn Tavern Look beyond the unfortunate name of the Your Inn Tavern (say the first two words fast and think of waterfalls) and what you will find is an historic Portland dive bar. Open since 1923, this is a charming little spot on a sleepy street in the St ...
Island Cafe How bougie did I feel pulling up to Island Cafe aboard a boat owned by some dear friends and fellow dive bar enthusiasts? Pretty damn bougie! But, Island Café rapidly brought me down several notches. Despite the enviable waterfront location smack dab in the middle of the Columbia ...
The Low Tide Lounge We were en-route to check out a different dive bar when this little gem appeared and we immediately put on the brakes to stop at The Low Tide Lounge. So glad we did! Have you ever known a dive bar in Portland without video poker machines? ...
Da’ Hui Bar & Grill Portland is truly a magnificent city – host to not just one, but two full blown tiki themed dive bars. That we know of! Somehow this absolute gem escaped our notice for years. Discovered by accident en route to another dive in the neighborhood, we ...
Rumpus Room The name “Rumpus Room” gives me visions of a 1970’s era basement lair with rust colored shag carpeting, triangle shaped ashtrays, earth toned velveteen couches and a cheeky wet bar serving up cheap pull tab topped beers and Reunite on ice for the ladies…ok, back from fantasy land. ...
George’s Corner Tavern I was so hungry when we arrived at George’s Corner Tavern only to be greeted with a view of a burned-out side building (courtesy of the friendly local arsonist) and news that the fried chicken we had been dreaming about was not available today as a result. ...
Donnie Vegas Talk about a thirst trap; Donnie Vegas’ Instagram account had us thirsting for a trip to this honest-to-goodness dive bar for a frequently featured “Frosé”. Whatever the fuck that is! One sunny summer day we wandered in to find out what all of the hubbub was about. Imagine ...
The Slammer Tavern It’s impossible to be unhappy at The Slammer Tavern because everyday is Christmas!! No joke – Christmas décor, tchotchkes and extensive lights adorn every surface (somewhat concerning from a fire safety standpoint, but danger is part of the charm of dive bars, IMHO). I get a little ...
Billy Ray’s Dive Billy Ray’s Dive is a garden variety, pleasant enough neighborhood dive bar. I wouldn’t drive across town for it again, but would probably hang out there once in a while if I lived nearby. It has a calm vibe and the regulars seemed happy enough. The copper ...
The Candlelight Restaurant and Lounge Business in the front, party in the back! Yep, it’s the mullet of dive bars. The Candlelight Restaurant and Lounge looks like your garden variety seedy Chinese restaurant at first, but this one has a dive bar attached. It’s pretty clean inside, which was ...