The Spare Room


The Spare Room

The Spare Room

We almost drove right past the Spare Room Restaurant & Lounge, not because it is tiny, but more because it is a weirdly nondescript monstrosity. But inside, it hits all of the right notes!

Dark and dingy with the lingering aroma of bleach in the air. It’s a cavernous space. There’s not one but two bar areas; one traditional with a modest sized bar with bar stools and the obligatory poker machines, the other tucked off to the side with pool table, full-sized shuffleboard and a cozy seating area.

There are tons of  booths and tables scattered within the vast main area as well as a stage that appears it may have hosted strippers at some point in the past (though the pole is no longer in evidence). Posters about the place advertise musical acts and karaoke.

Full bar, just three taps with PBR and bud light occupying two of those. The efficient kitchen with titty posters visible through the pass-through puts out a full menu including turkey dinner with all the fixins’!

The best part! The Spare Room serves breakfast ALL DAY! Our server proclaimed their bacon is the best in town. We were appropriately reserved in our judgement, but turned out she was not wrong.

They also have $5 breakfast and lunch specials that were a good deal. Hopefully the last supper velvet painting on the wall won’t be prophetic for our meal.

Is The Spare Room a destination dive bar? No, but it is a solid locals dive with cheap and good eats. Dive bars serving breakfast are rare gems.

Plus, you could bring your kids, if so inclined, as it is technically a bar and a restaurant. Not sure if that is a selling point or not, but there you have it!

Quadrant: Northeast

Address: 4830 NE 42nd Ave Portland – [GOOGLE MAPS] – [WAZE APP]

Website: https://www.spareroomrestaurantandlounge.com/

Happy Hours: 

Full kitchen: Yes

Jalapeno Poppers: Yes

Breakfast: Yes, all day everyday

Outdoor Seating: No

Distinguishing features: Breakfast all day everyday, good food specials, kid-friendly?

 

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

Photos by Steven Shomler

Website Wizardry by Arthur Breur

 

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