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GAMES
cal-sport
A flashing neon sign is the first clue that Cal-Sport doesn't fit into the neighborhoods it borders. Located in a sliver of Northwest Portland that resembles neither the gleaming Pearl District nor the Victorians nestled below Washington and Forest parks, the gauche tavern is right at home between the train tracks and the freeway. It's decidedly declassé and not at all retro, but the well-worn stools are inviting. In addition to 13 taps spouting all kinds of brews, from Alaskan Amber and Black Butte Porter to Bud Light and Foster's, Cal-Sport offers plenty of pool, Keno, video poker and karaoke. Don't lose your nerve just because you've lost a few bucks--the crowd is perfectly receptive to a botched version of "Paradise City," and there's a spacious dance floor. Practice your moves in the mirrored "crazy calypso" room adjacent to the bar (follow the steel-drum beats). If you have false teeth, allergies or a heart condition, do not eat the popcorn. (CM) 1033 NW 16th Ave., 223-0099. Open daily. 13 taps. twilight room
People arrive here the moment the doors open and stay until closing, playing serious rounds of video poker and pool. The T-Room has 18 beers on tap and two cask beers (IPA and Mirror Pond). Although Guinness is on tap, the most popular beer award here goes to hoppy, unfiltered Widmer Hefeweizen. A blue-collar crowd (matching the blue shag rug) mingles with University of Portland students, especially on Thursdays, when microbrew pints are just $1.50. (IR) 5242 N Lombard St., 283-5091. Open daily. 20 taps. watertrough saloon
The Watertrough is a den. Not of thieves or lions--just serious drinkers, pool players and hardcore shuffleboarders. Yes, there are such people! There are no windows, so if you're not a smoker, you'll want to arrive before 11 pm to take advantage of the still relatively dioxin-free air while shooting 25 cent pool. The Trough doesn't have a homey atmosphere, chic cocktails or great snacks, but it does emit an experienced air. To escape friendly scrutiny, act as if you know the lay of the land. Upon entering, stride to the bar, order a $1.35 glass of Redhook ESB or a bottle of Anchor Steam and stake out a pool table. Learn the Trough protocol by studying the swagger of veteran customers, not by asking questions. If this all sounds a bit grim, don't be intimidated--folks are quite congenial as long as you play it cool. After a couple of crisp Pike IPAs, you'll be ready to do away with anonymity, claim this place as your own and send a few disks down the smooth grain of the shuffleboard table. (CM) 4815 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 234-4970. Open daily.
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