The Spare Room Is the Antithesis of New Portland’s Bougie Homogeneity

Housed in a gigantic space that used to be a bowling alley, it’s the kind of place where the best of both epochs commingle under dim lights with strong, cheap drinks.

(Vivian Johnson)
By Donovan Farley

4830 NE 42nd Ave., 503-287-5800, spareroomrestaurantandlounge.com, 7 am-2:30 am daily. Happy hour 3-6 pm daily: $2.50 wells, food specials.

Established: 1977

The Spare Room is an Old Portland icon that stands as the antithesis of New Portland's bougie homogeneity. Housed in a gigantic space that used to be a bowling alley, it's the kind of place where the best of both epochs commingle under dim lights with strong, cheap drinks like the infamously underpriced Beam and Coke ($3). Entertainment runs the gamut on most evenings. Local indie-rockers like Minden or the Woolen Men could be onstage, or the large dance floor could be completely filled with bodies sweating to the Get Down, a monthly soul, funk and R&B dance party that's almost too popular. The food is typical bar fare with a homey twist–think meatloaf and spaghetti dinners—and is highlighted by $5 daily specials. Like a chilled-out and boozy Waffle House, the Spare Room also serves breakfast daily at 7 am, making it the rare establishment that's a great place to begin and end your day, provided you can do so while remaining employed.

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