Starday Tavern

Name another bar where the house dog greets you at the door. Well, this is Portland, so maybe there are others, but none that I have encountered. Genghis is a ball of friendly canine delight that sets the tone in this classic dive bar. Starday Tavern has great low lighting and is just this side of dingy, with broken-in ripped red vinyl booths.

The real action is at the bar though, with octagonal shaped stools, red laminate top and a resident barfly maven that gave us allll the deets. Like lotsa drink specials on different days including the Portland martini – a Rainier tall boy + a well shot for $5 all day on Thursdays. That’s some trashy goodness right there. Then there’s a $2 Wells cream ale and a free hug on Tuesdays when they also play tiki music at 6pm. She was also blathering on about some crazy event that happens Tuesdays at midnight, but I couldn’t tell if this was a rum dream of hers or a real thing.

Anyway, Starday Tavern has 6 taps, full bar, jell-o shots and an impressive array of canned craft beers. Not much food to speak of, save a couple of sandwiches, some sad looking packaged snacks and you can bring in pizza from next door. They have a vibrant live music calendar with acts performing atop a teeny stage in the front of the house. Starday Tavern is a friendly, comfy spot, great for loafin’, just ask Tammy.

Address:  6517 SE Foster Rd, Portland – [Google Maps]

Website: https://stardaytavern.com/

Quadrant: Southeast

Happy Hours: Sunday-Thursday 3-6 pm

Full kitchen: Sandwiches and you can order in pizza from Char 

Jalapeno Poppers: No

Breakfast: No

Outdoor Seating: A lone picnic table out front

Distinguishing features: A live dog mascot!

Words by KC Shomler Author of Falling Out of Love With My Career

Photos by Steven Shomler

Website Wizardry by Arthur Breur