Tim ([info]littlebluedog) wrote in [info]damnportlanders,
@ 2008-02-08 10:10:00
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OLD PEOPLE BARS
Gang!

Me and my lady are hanging out with a longtime friend of mine, and his lady, later tonight, like around 10. We're all in our mid-to-late 30s and would prefer to hang out at a place with good drinks that is conducive to conversation, i.e. not too crowded and/or noisy (don't want to have to shout to hear each other).

Atmosphere: Anywhere with character, from kinda rough'n'gritty to kinda swank.

Location: N, NE, NW, downtown, not burbs.

Any suggestions? TIA.

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[info]typsie
2008-02-08 06:18 pm UTC (link)
Paddy's and the Rialto come to mind (both downtown). Also the Goose Hollow Inn is one of my favorites, but they only have beer and wine.

I'm totally tracking this thread as I'm always looking for new places that aren't trendy/crowded/blaring.

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thanks!
[info]littlebluedog
2008-02-08 06:26 pm UTC (link)
Rialto: never been, and I know it's mainly a huge room with lots of pool tables ... any semi-private, darkish tables for semi-private conversation?

Paddy's: good suggestion! Was just there the other night.

Goose Hollow: yeah, the beer and wine is kind of a downer.

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Re: thanks!
[info]cratermoon
2008-02-08 06:57 pm UTC (link)
I'd go with Paddy's just for WALL O' BOOZE, but if you were just there, maybe not so exciting.

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Re: thanks!
[info]shademalek
2008-02-08 11:52 pm UTC (link)
dude, if you want private, do Old Town Pizza. OLD building with a few little isolated spots. The bartenders and staff there are freaking awesome too.

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[info]meisterdorf
2008-02-08 06:24 pm UTC (link)
Mid 30's is not old. Hell you still qualify for the singles game night....

You might check out the newly remodeled Grand Central Bowl. The bar is awesome, and very swanky. Who knows, you might even be tempted to shoot some pool or knock down some pins. Its on 8th and Morrison.

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[info]littlebluedog
2008-02-08 06:27 pm UTC (link)
I definitely have been looking for an opportunity to check that place out, but I think I'd rather do it when planning on a bowling night. Which, as it might turn out, may be tonight!

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[info]cheekyassmonkey
2008-02-08 06:30 pm UTC (link)
i drive past it every day, and watched the gorgeous remodel (though i do miss the mosaic mid-50's white family), and plan on setting up a bowling night soon.

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[info]boy_asunder
2008-02-08 08:06 pm UTC (link)
Check out the bowling prices before you do. The prices I heard quote were fucking insane.

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[info]cheekyassmonkey
2008-02-08 08:55 pm UTC (link)
all the details here, and yes quite $$.
http://www.conceptentertainmentgroup.com/grand_central

not a regular place to bowl, but with 6 people, it looks like a fun way to hang out.

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[info]matrixleap
2008-02-08 08:37 pm UTC (link)
I think I might have to try that place out...I love to bowl...

And I got a new ball [transparent with a skull inside] and retro blue fire shoes!

Thanks!


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[info]jef182
2008-02-08 06:27 pm UTC (link)
Wilf's

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[info]littlebluedog
2008-02-08 06:28 pm UTC (link)
Whalens I'd Like to Fuck?

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Well- that much is obvious...
[info]jef182
2008-02-08 06:40 pm UTC (link)
But it's a classy, swanky jazz-trio bar in the Union Station Train Deopt. Think "Quasi Gangster Vegasoid"

http://www.barflymag.com/bar/wilfs.html

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[info]leroy_brown242
2008-02-08 06:42 pm UTC (link)

Jennifer Whalen, tbh

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[info]littlebluedog
2008-02-08 06:48 pm UTC (link)
Is that your GF? How interesting, it's rare to run across folks with my last name.

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[info]leroy_brown242
2008-02-08 07:01 pm UTC (link)
Actually it's just some mountain biker I found on wikipedia. :)

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[info]littlebluedog
2008-02-08 07:05 pm UTC (link)
HA - rock on.

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[info]fozz47
2008-02-08 06:35 pm UTC (link)
http://www.chameleonpdx.com/

Kinda swanky, great place for you old timers, no stairs so you can get in with your walker easily!

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RonTom's
[info]gungalagunga
2008-02-08 06:40 pm UTC (link)
RonToms at 6th and E. Burnside is good, but I've only been in the early evening during the week so I don't know how loud it gets late on a Friday. It doesn't seem set-up to get too loud though. Nice to get a spot by the fireplace this time of year.

http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=84408&category=22214

Beware, there is no signage with the name but it is right on the corner.

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Re: RonTom's
[info]bruce_lee
2008-02-08 07:12 pm UTC (link)
i love ron toms but it will be too loud and crowded on a friday night. check it out on a week night though!

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Re: RonTom's
[info]zind4gi
2008-02-08 11:07 pm UTC (link)
RonTom's is actually too dark (like I hardly see who I am talking too) which might be bad if you are trying to pick up someone (hehe.) The service was not that good either. Not bad, but not good. The two times I've gone there, nothing has changed.

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[info]tertyl
2008-02-08 06:53 pm UTC (link)
i always suggest Ringler's Annex as a nice little place that has fun drinks and simple atmosphere. plus it's downtown and within easy reach of any other items you may want to saunter off to. and if-said-friends are from out of town, they have to try a RubinAtor.

http://www.mcmenamins.com/index.php?loc=45&category=Location%20Homepage

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Echo, babeee
[info]mendemama
2008-02-08 06:54 pm UTC (link)
MLK near Thompson, non-smoking, Excellent bartenders. They have a late night happy hour 10-midnight/close. It's not a scenester type place, lots of good conversations at Echo Restaturant late-night.

Tonight, Aaron will probably be your bartender. Echo is one of the few places I go where they love to create drinks, that are actually good.

If you don't go there, I'll set your hair on fire. Which will involve little itty bitty matches. Trust your boozehound friend.



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Re: Echo, babeee
[info]littlebluedog
2008-02-08 07:01 pm UTC (link)
I've been! I can't remember why, but the experience ... well, it wasn't good. I am thinking it was because it was crowded and my date and I weren't getting along too well, and those hardwood floors are CREAKY. However, I'd like to go back, and get one of the tables next to the window. It's a great location, lots of character.

If we go, can I name-drop? ;)

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Re: Echo, babeee
[info]mendemama
2008-02-08 08:12 pm UTC (link)
drop my name freely. Aaron is pretty solicitous.

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Re: Echo, babeee
[info]ms_xeno
2008-02-09 06:02 am UTC (link)
YES !!

If I actually get a fucking raise some time this year that's definitely where I will celebrate !

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[info]bruce_lee
2008-02-08 07:15 pm UTC (link)
maybe you'd like the bar at three doors down on 37th just north of hawthorne. the bartender makes amazing drinks (get the whiskey sour; he makes a homemade blood orange sour mix!!!!) and you can order deliiiccccioouss food. if they have the "crouton with goat cheese and madeira mushroom cream sauce" order it. you will thank me.

my only concern is that they might not stay open late enough, so i'd call ahead.

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[info]littlebluedog
2008-02-08 07:20 pm UTC (link)
Have been there for a delicious dinner, but only once. This might be a good excuse to go back and try it out for cocktails. Thanks!

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[info]thatsassylassie
2008-02-09 12:59 am UTC (link)
Kaylee's brother is a waiter there. If this isn't on "The List", it should be. :)

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[info]diffuse
2008-02-08 09:08 pm UTC (link)
get the whiskey sour; he makes a homemade blood orange sour mix!!!

oh wow. i think i know where i'll be this weekend.

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[info]bruce_lee
2008-02-08 09:14 pm UTC (link)
it's extremely delicious. it's expensive though, which is why i only go when a relative is visiting and hey take me out to eat.

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[info]diffuse
2008-02-08 09:20 pm UTC (link)
oh, good to know. i will hit up the sugarmamas

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non_agenda_eyes
2008-02-08 07:18 pm UTC (link)
Scandals.

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[info]boy_asunder
2008-02-08 08:07 pm UTC (link)
Oh lord no. Not on the weekend.

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[info]virtual_anima
2008-02-08 07:28 pm UTC (link)
XV downtown? I know it's not smoking past 9. If you get there early, you can take over the upper lounge room and have it like your own private, leather seated bar.

If you get there late though, depending on the day, it's not the bar for you.

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[info]thirty_three
2008-02-08 08:11 pm UTC (link)
Pour on NE Broadway.

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[info]circumambulate
2008-02-08 09:13 pm UTC (link)
Hobos
Higgins


Edited at 2008-02-08 09:13 pm UTC

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[info]littlebluedog
2008-02-09 01:50 am UTC (link)
Thanks! Higgins is a fave.

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[info]voxie
2008-02-08 10:56 pm UTC (link)
There's an interesting little eatery\tap room on E. Burnside(south side)and 18th or 19th. They have liquor, iirc, non smoking, delectable looking food menu, great staff and the taproom has ski-ball and some kind of stock car racing game. Dangitol, but I can't remember the name of the place (old folks disease, I'm there).

oh, and they still have abyss on tap.

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[info]zind4gi
2008-02-08 11:12 pm UTC (link)
Another vote for Pour. I loved the coziness and quietness and ambience.
And if you are feeling tiki, than just a few door or two down is Thatch Tiki Bar.

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[info]shademalek
2008-02-08 11:54 pm UTC (link)
Dude, for Tiki, the ONLY place of relevence is the Alibi!

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[info]zind4gi
2008-02-09 01:04 am UTC (link)
Yeah, but it is too loud and smokey on a Friday night. If you definitely want to do the karaoke, though, it is great and I do love the Tiki motif.

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[info]robotdeer
2008-02-09 03:15 am UTC (link)
http://www.hobospdx.com/ I really really enjoy this place there is music but you can actually talk and hear people... they serve good drinks and their food is great as well. Also it is a Gay Bar but is far far on the other side of the spectrum when compared to C.C. Slaughters or the Eagle... hell it is more lowkey than most Hetero oriented bars.

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[info]littlebluedog
2008-02-11 04:41 pm UTC (link)
Thank you sir.

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[info]robotdeer
2008-02-11 07:19 pm UTC (link)
you are most welcome.

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