Bar Guide 2015: Higgins Bar

1239 SW Broadway, 222-9070, higginsportland.com. 11:30 am-midnight Monday-Friday, 4 pm-midnight Saturday-Sunday.

Not so long ago, this tastefully tatty, wood-paneled barroom was a prime spot for power lunches with The Oregonian journos who ran this town. When many of them got laid off, this is where they had their wake—funded by a tab donated over the phone. The survivors were relocated to a random office building down by the Cookie Cabana. Now hyenas like us waltz right in and grab a soft, leather-topped stool. We order a pint of Upright and a burger made with grass-fed beef served on a rugged house-baked bun with stanky blue cheese dripping off onto the side salad. We chat freely about upcoming stories. When you eat lunch at Higgins, life is pretty good.

Entertainment: Listening to lawyers from out of town tell you how Portland used to be, with surprising accuracy.


Our Favorite 178 Portland Bars | Bar of the Year: Stammtisch | Best Bars No. 2-5

Strip Club Hangouts | Sports Bars | Shot 'n' a Back | English Bars | Dessert Cocktails 

Patio Bars | Bars That Look Like Houses | Skee-ball Bars | Cart Pod Bars

Where to Eat After Bar Close | The Most Important Little Bar 'Hood in Portland

WWeek 2015

Willamette Week’s reporting has concrete impacts that change laws, force action from civic leaders, and drive compromised politicians from public office. Support WW's journalism today.