Mousetrap Tavern
Mousetrap Tavern is a cute neighborhood-y place. It’s a little light inside and the service is a bit too friendly for this to be a traditional dive bar. It has a good long bar with comfy barstools which have backs for when you are ready to belly up for an extended period. 6 taps, 2 of them craft, full bar.
Mousetrap Tavern has an extensive fried foods menu. We partook of a fried feast that included mini corn dogs, jalapeno poppers, and well-crafted tots with a variety of dipping sauces including sweet chili sauce. All delicious, and thank god for Lipitor.
They serve breakfast, which is always a plus, but, it is a very minimal menu. 3 Pool tables. Video poker (duh). Back patio, but no heaters. Weird but clean bathroom.
In short, I’d stop in if I was in the area, but I would not make a special trip.
Address: 2305 N Lombard St, Portland – [Google Map]
Website: https://www.mousetraptavern.com/
Quadrant: North Portland
Happy Hours: 11-4 daily
Full kitchen: Yes
Jalapeno Poppers: Yes
Breakfast: Yes, but limited
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Distinguishing features: Solid neighborhood joint. Extensive fried foods menu, if that’s your thing
Co-Conspirator’s Note (Arthur): Mousetrap Tavern is one of the select few Portland dive bars that actually has its own website–and their is pretty darned good. (This factor may be a disqualifying point in the argument over whether this is a full-on dive bar, dive bar lite, or honorable mention.) Their site even includes a menu, but considering the site also still includes a link to a Christmas fundraiser, I wouldn’t count on its being current on items or prices!
Article by KC Shomler
Photos by Steven Shomler
Website Wizardy by Arthur Breur