Bar Guide 2014: Church

By Matthew Korfhage

Church

2600 NE Sandy Blvd., 206-8962, churchbarpdx.com. 4 pm-2 am daily.

The sign in front of Church says, "Eat. Drink. Repent," but if you're really Catholic, church is where you drink for salvation. And the bar indeed has its saving graces. With its loosely themed knickknacks, even more loosely matched wood and decadent Southern comfort-food menu, the bar would not be out of place on Southeast Belmont or Division streets. On weekend nights it's evolved into a less indie-vibed Dig-a-Pony Sr., a '90s hip-hop to modern-beats party bar for the late twenties-early thirties set that draws a more diverse clientele than most Portland bars can muster. The bar's short on beer taps but has a fine selection of reasonably priced whiskey, with midpriced craft cocktails heavy on same. You'd have to be a bit desperate for exhaust-pipe black lung to hit up patio seating during Sandy Boulevard's rush hour happy hour, but still: The late sun streams as brightly and warmly through the massive windows as through any stained glass. MATTHEW KORFHAGE.

Happy Hour: 4-6 pm daily. $3 wells, $1 off drafts, cheap food, including $5 ribs.
Entertainment: DJs, a photo-taking "confession booth" that doubles as a makeout room.

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