PDX - Favorite Dive Bars - now smoke-free!

[MichaelG]

When I was younger, I used to enjoy a good dive bar - interesting ambience, cheap drinks, etc., but over the years the smoke got to me, so I stopped going.

But now with the new non-smoking laws, I'd love to hear your recommendations. The first place I visited was the Horse Brass and it was such a pleasure drinking beer without cigarette smoke on either side of me. Then it was Renner's in Multnomah. Different vibe, but still better off without the smoke.

Any recs of cool places - i.e. dive bars - that used to be smokey, but now are not?

[Michaelene]

Shanghai Tunnel on SW 2nd and Ankeny is awesome - especially the now nonsmoking downstairs.

[gkeepers]

Scooters - right by Jakes Famous. Its all about Scooters

[Lehrs]

What about the Space Room? Hadn't been in years, finally made it back a few weeks ago. Still pour a nice, strong drink. Nice to be able to breathe in there again! The Pagoda closed on New Year's Eve - RIP. Planning to go to the Lowbrow Lounge if it's still worth a visit - went many many years ago and didn't return because of smoke . . .we live near the Moon & Sixpence and had braved the smoke to go there over the years but it is so much more pleasant now. They did close for several days after New Year's and did a deep clean including steaming the rugs, so there isn't too much lingering smoke smell. We are just so happy to be able to eat there again. Haven't ventured into Sandy Hut yet. Guess we'll have to one of these days for old time's sake..........cheers!

[SauceSupreme]

Space Room is great, right across the street from BoG. One bonus for Sandy Hut: they're across the street from the new Voodoo location there on Sandy.

[SauceSupreme]

My favorite dive bar of the moment is Marathon Taverna on W Burnside and 18th. I'm also okay with Bar of the Gods on SE Hawthorne next to Apizza Scholls.

[AlbertaHound]

Great call on Marathona - although IMHO, Bar of Gods is a little too "hipster."

Get to the bar at the Pagoda at around 39th and Broadway before they tear it down for another soul-sucking bank...

[Nettie]

I thought the Pagoda had already closed! But if you're in the neighborhood you could stop at the Moon and Sixpence for some fish and chips (although personally I'm giving the carpet a few more months to outgas before I try it).

[Leonardo]

My first place to try is Horse Brass.
After that will be Handy Slut...er...I mean, Sandy Hut!

[porky pine]

The food at te Bar of the Gods is good for dive bar food. Their mezza platter is the best thing to eat in the neighborhood after 10 I think.