6 Incredible Black Owned Bars in Portland: Cheers to Good Times

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I’m not a big drinker. Mostly because I do not like the taste of alcohol. There are just so many other things I would rather drink that something that does not make my tongue flinch, but that’s a personal taste thing. I know I know. The second reason is because a few medications I take are extremely disagreeable with alcohol. My body will sometimes violently expel the alcohol from my body, regardless of how inebriated I actually am (I am forever so sorry [redacted bar name], I took my chances with alcohol that day and it did not play out). In any case, I decided to put together this list of Black owned bars in Portland also for a few reasons.

First – I didn’t see one.

Second – I decided to do something about that.

Third – bars are basically a watering hole, no pun intended, for adults. It’s where folks can meet new people or reconnect with their current ones. They often become third spaces for people, a combination of good music and, if lucky, good food too. However for Black people in America, third spaces can also hold an extra layer of hesitation because of potential prejudice and racism from either the business or the crowd.

Or both, honestly.

Especially in Portland when you’re often the only Black person in the room and everyone’s looking at you (or specifically your hair and wonder if they can touch it) and the playlist is straight from a 2000s frat party.

Listen, I like Mr Brightside as much as any other American, but can we please have some variety???

Anyways, what led me to visiting more Black owned bars in Portland was one, yes, I needed better background music, but I also wanted to find and celebrate pockets of Black joy and community in Portland. It can be really hard moving to Portland as a Black person, or any person of color, so finding those little spots that make you feel not only welcomed but included is priceless.

I hope this list of Black owned bars in Portland helps you find a new favorite hangout spot. And without further ado…

Pour One Out

Just kidding, I have more more ado. I wanted to take a quick second to recognize and remember the fantastic Black owned bars in Portland that have since closed but have a lasting impression on the city. Thank you for both the drinks and the memories.

• Sante
• Capitol Bar & Lounge
• Abbey Creek: The Crick PDX (Abbey Crick Vineyard in North Plains is still open! About 30mins from downtown Portland)
• Mighty Moe’s Tanker

Black Owned Bars in Portland

Okay NOW let’s get this show on the road. In no particular order, here are some amazing Black owned bars in Portland to visit and order great unique drinks, delicious bites, and sometimes a great show.

Mermosa

address: 1422 NW 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97210

…alright you got me, Mermosa is technically a restaurant, but I REALLY gotta give them their flowers for such an incredible bar program, especially when it comes to their wine and champagne selection. I know I shout Mermosa at the top of my lungs whenever someone asks for a Portland recommendation, but it’s because it’s that good. Specifically why it’s on THIS list of Black owned bars in Portland is because if you’re looking for a morning dranky-drank, hands down catch up on the goss with cute flirty drinks at Mermosa.

They’re one of my favorite places to get breakfast in Portland and their brunch cocktails are soooo pretty – especially their flights (pictured). They often have live music or DJs to serve as perfect backdrop while you indulge. Before you ask, yes, you can order Mermosa wines for home too 😉

Olive or Twist

address: 925 NW 11th Ave, Portland, OR 97209

If you wanna feel REAL fancy, wow, you gotta go to Olive or Twist. They are a martini bar that’ll make James Bond feel right at home. I had never had a martini before and the staff was kind enough to literally walk me though the various takes on a classic martini as well as their own twists (oo I see what they did there) on the globally iconic cocktail.

Also, they literally brought me a chaser of pickle juice and for that, they deserve an award. If you’re not the biggest fan of martini drinks, they also have wines and a few beers. Or if you’re the DD and not drinking at all, don’t worry, your mouth will still be entertained with their incredible food menu. I have NEVER gone to a bar and had a salad as good as their Caesar, but they also have great sharable plates so you can keep the convo going long into the night.

Joe Brown’s Caramel Corn & Lounge

address: 5601 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97211

Joe Brown is known around Portland for having (imho) the best caramel corn in the city. They have a very established booth in the Lloyd Center Mall, but a few years ago they opened a second location on MLK Blvd and this one came with a cute lil bar and lounge attached! Don’t worry, for all of you just going for the popcorn and not looking for the bar side, there is a separate entrance and you can grab your bag and go.

Really, you’ll want to take a bag home.

For everyone else there, pull up a chair in their bar lounge. They usually have sports playing, though don’t quote me if they’re mostly a sports bar haha. Joe Brown’s Lounge is such a necessary space in the city because they keep it casual with super affordable drinks and you can literally just pop in and chill. A real “come as you are” atmo and that’s slowly becoming a rarity in today’s trend of new bars. Plus, they have some GEWD food.

Kaya PDX

address: 3003 NE Alberta St Suite 3, Portland, OR 97211

Oh Kaya is CUUUUUUUTE. If I lived closer, you wouldn’t be able to keep me out of this spot. As an LA (county) girl AND a budding sneakerhead, they really pulled on my heartstrings with the decor. It’s very chic without feeling stuffy, which I appreciate. For non-drinkers, they also have great mocktail options so you can have a fun drink too while you’re visiting. Kaya is perfectly located right on Alberta so the perfect spot to nightcap or pre-game.

That said, they also have their own super tasty menu so you don’t even have to leave to grab a bite. Personally, I loved their shoestring fries and their wings, but the whole food menu is banging. Matter of fact, let me put on my shoes right now because I might just go right after I finish writing this hahah.

Alberta Street Pub

address: 1036 NE Alberta St, Portland, OR 97211

Now this is a spot!! Also on Alberta, but a little less East, Alberta Street Pub used to be so fundamental in Portland’s early Black community and as of this year (2024) the establishment has returned to Black ownership. WOOO!! Welcome back to the Black owned bars in Portland title! Portland’s Alberta Street Pub has been a fixture of life in “Northeast” for over 30 years, under the name Love Train, so you know you can expect a live show here. There’s always some event happening, so you can always count of them to keep your calendar interesting.

They are currently renovating their cocktail and food menus (with bread supplied by Dos Hermanos?!!? OH I AM EXCITED) so I can’t give you the latest update on that, but what you can expect are great beers and ciders on tap in the meantime.

Sousòl

address: 227 SE 6th Ave, Portland, OR 97214

Last but certainly certainly not least – Sousòl. As the downstair bar to Kann, one of the BEST restaurants in Portland (and I do not say that lightly), the expectations for this spot were HIGH.

Guess what?

It delivered.

Sousòl is one of the coolest Black owned bars in Portland, really bringing a mix of elegance that we know and love from the Kann team and pairing that with the vibe of a sultry fun lounge. With Kann still having very sold-out table reservations, Sousòl is often given as a “second-best” option to taste some of the delicious food. Yes, the food is FABULOUS at Sousòl, but I’d argue that this bar can stand on its own two feet and a total separate entity from Kann.

The drinks are really fun and unique and there is also a robust mocktail and zero-proof menu that I so so so appreciate! It’s a little bit on the pricier side, but it’s one of my favorite Black owned bars in Portland!

Black Owned Liquor Stores

Aight, the list of Black owned bars in Portland wouldn’t be complete without some DIY love now would it? 10th Avenue Liquor is the only Black owned liquor store (that I know of) in Portland, conveniently located right in the heart of downtown Portland. While I don’t frequent liquor stores very often myself, 10th Avenue Liquor is the only one I go to if I’m needing to pick up a bottle for a potluck, housewarming, or movie night.

The owners are both super friendly and helpful – and I’ve also never been followed around the store unprovoked, which is an added level of psychological safety 🙂

Conclusion: Black owned Bars in Portland

Alrighty folks, that concludes my recount of all the incredible Black owned Bars in Portland! I hope you check them out and maybe find a new favorite to add into your rotation. If you are looking for more Black owned spots in Portland, I have a few other posts!

• Black owned restaurants in Portland
• Black owned coffee shops in Portland
• Black owned bookstores in Portland
• Black owned Bars in Portland (this one,lol)

Did I miss out on any other Black owned Bars in Portland? Or do you have a favorite? Let me know which of these Black owned Bars in Portland you’re heading to next!

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