Sloan’s Tavern – In Memoriam
We’ve been itching to get to this place and so glad we finally did! Especially since word on the street is they are closing for good at the end of this year (2022). And that’s a damn shame. This place is great! Walk past the semi-truck front-end inexplicably lodged in the wall and duck inside prepared for a time warp.
It’s like your hip grandma’s house from the 1970s was hermetically sealed and preserved in all of it’s glory then teleported to North Portland circa 2022. Gold accents, mirrored tile, crushed velvet bar seats, swivel-footed vinyl rolling chairs. There are a couple of inoffensive tvs, 2 juke boxes (one appears to play old 45 records), the ubiquitous poker machines and a pool table. Round, mega porthole windows add character and not unwelcome daylight.
Even though this place is oddly, spotlessly clean and bright inside, it is still absolutely, 100% a dive bar of the first order. Bartender Bill provides easy banter and has a crusty exterior hiding a heart of gold. Solid, greasy food fare is on offer to fill the tank (burgers, sandwiches, nachos, fries, a damn good BLT). 7 taps, 3 crap, 1 cider, 3 craft. Lotsa regulars, calm, peaceful atmosphere, at least on a Tuesday afternoon.
Try to score the table that backs up to the semi cab – it’s fun to see all of the buttons, levers, dials, gigantic steering wheel and street view through the front windshield. Get on over to Sloan’s before they shutter the place. It is worth the trip.
Address: 36 N Russell St, Portland
Quadrant: North Portland
Happy Hours: None posted
Full kitchen: Yes
Jalapeno Poppers: No
Breakfast: No
Outdoor Seating: A few sidewalk tables and chairs
Distinguishing features: Hmmmm, let’s see – perhaps the semi-truck cab stuck to the front of the building?
Words by KC Shomler Author of Falling Out of Love With My Career
Photos by Steven Shomler
