History by the Glass

Making the best of this brave new world, Nate & Alfredo up to old tricks behind their soul-sucking laptop cameras.  On Feb. 21, 2020, we made a triumphant return to newly-reopened Renner’s Grill (56:35), 22 months after a devastating kitchen fire closed the longtime anchor of SW Portland’s Multnomah Village bar scene. This comeback story was to be paired with a forthcoming visit to the enigmatic Stanich’s in what we were calling our “Lazarus” or “Flatliners” episode -- two old bars pronounced dead that somehow returned to tell the tale. Now, every drinking establishment in the metro area will face the same improbable challenge. On March 16, COVID-19 social distancing efforts forced every bar, tavern, saloon, pub, and lounge in the state to put its stools on the counter and send its staff into the virtual unemployment line. Even as our local health news slowly improves, they all face an uncertain future. We discussed it all over several rounds in our Steinhaus/ Buddy’s L

Once an infamous downtown dive, Kelly's is now an affable motorcycle themed tavern and live music venue.  Buoyed by a lifestyle-enhancing new sponsor, we embarked on our first HBTG visits of 2020! First, a visit to Portland’s third-oldest bar — a former downtown dive “men’s resort” turned vintage motorcycle joint, Kelly’s Olympian (09:54). Next, we happily marooned ourselves on an island of “Old Portland” goodness amidst a sea of rampant redevelopment at NW 23rd's Nob Hill Bar & Grill (38:54) where Nate ascended into cheeseburger heaven and Alfredo re-discovered a bathroom just short of perfection.  New year, same old beautiful bullshit... History by the Glass rolls on! NW gem Nob Hill Bar & Grill now boasts HBTG's top-ranked burger -- 9.5/10!!

No better bar story in Portland than that of Huber's On Dec. 27, 2019, we donned our gay apparel (tuxedo t-shirts, obviously) for an old school holiday special at the two oldest bars in Portland -- Jake's Famous Crawfish (est. 1892) and Huber's (est. 1879). Yes, like one of Dean Martin's classics from the '60s, we classed it up and drank it up, before, during, and after as we explored the fantastical, magnificent, 100% original histories of these two remarkable downtown venues. We shared the story of the legendary Way Fung "Jim" Louie overcoming a national plague of anti-Chinese rhetoric to become one of Portland's most beloved bar and restaurant proprietors at Huber's. And we tell you how, a few blocks away, Jacob Freiman employs his  mastery of locally plentiful crawfish and bon vivant attitude to make Jake's the go-to spot for the city's discerning drinkers in the early 20th century. You want bar history? You want bar history?