Blue Bird Tavern We hit this spot at the tail end of an extensive research day in St John’s. Every and I mean EVERY bartender in the area knew the Blue Bird Tavern and either looked at us askance or made comments to the effect of “good luck with that” ...
Tag: Steven Shomler Dive Bars
Your Inn TavernYour Inn Tavern
Your Inn Tavern Look beyond the unfortunate name of the Your Inn Tavern (say the first two words fast and think of waterfalls) and what you will find is an historic Portland dive bar. Open since 1923, this is a charming little spot on a sleepy street in the St ...
The Ranger TavernThe Ranger Tavern
The Ranger Tavern The Ranger Tavern is the Cheers of dive bars. Don’t understand that reference? Brush up on your 80s tv. In a nutshell, it’s a place where everyone knows your name. Their motto even speaks to this ethos: “Never a stranger at The Ranger Tavern”! Comfortable and welcoming, ...
Island CafeIsland Cafe
Island Cafe How bougie did I feel pulling up to Island Cafe aboard a boat owned by some dear friends and fellow dive bar enthusiasts? Pretty damn bougie! But, Island Café rapidly brought me down several notches. Despite the enviable waterfront location smack dab in the middle of the Columbia ...
Park City PubPark City Pub
Park City Pub First off, I wanna lobby to bring back the former name of this establishment because it is so incredibly awesome: “Sir Loin’s”! Why would anyone ever change that name to “Park City Pub”? I’m still chuckling to myself. That being said, I think the present, blander name ...
The Low Tide LoungeThe Low Tide Lounge
The Low Tide Lounge We were en-route to check out a different dive bar when this little gem appeared and we immediately put on the brakes to stop at The Low Tide Lounge. So glad we did! Have you ever known a dive bar in Portland without video poker machines? ...
Over Easy BarOver Easy Bar
Over Easy Bar Serendipity led us to while away an hour at The Over Easy Bar (AKA The Over Easy Bar and Breakfast) on the corner of the 6 points in St Johns. Jason welcomed us in for a greasy breakfast and a stiff, see-through breakfast cocktail to start the ...
Rumpus RoomRumpus Room
Rumpus Room The name “Rumpus Room” gives me visions of a 1970’s era basement lair with rust colored shag carpeting, triangle shaped ashtrays, earth toned velveteen couches and a cheeky wet bar serving up cheap pull tab topped beers and Reunite on ice for the ladies…ok, back from fantasy land. ...
George’s Corner TavernGeorge’s Corner Tavern
George’s Corner Tavern I was so hungry when we arrived at George’s Corner Tavern only to be greeted with a view of a burned-out side building (courtesy of the friendly local arsonist) and news that the fried chicken we had been dreaming about was not available today as a result. ...
Donnie VegasDonnie Vegas
Donnie Vegas Talk about a thirst trap; Donnie Vegas’ Instagram account had us thirsting for a trip to this honest-to-goodness dive bar for a frequently featured “Frosé”. Whatever the fuck that is! One sunny summer day we wandered in to find out what all of the hubbub was about. Imagine ...
The Slammer TavernThe Slammer Tavern
The Slammer Tavern It’s impossible to be unhappy at The Slammer Tavern because everyday is Christmas!! No joke – Christmas décor, tchotchkes and extensive lights adorn every surface (somewhat concerning from a fire safety standpoint, but danger is part of the charm of dive bars, IMHO). I get a little ...
Space Room Lounge and Genie’s TooSpace Room Lounge and Genie’s Too
Space Room Lounge I immediately loved the quirky space age décor in Space Room Lounge. Black walls with apparently hand-painted murals, sexy curved black booths, spaceship shaped light fixtures. Just delightful. Must be the influence of all of the cheesy space movies and tv shows I watched in my youth. ...