Joe's Cellar

Joe's Cellar
The bar's exterior in 2022
Map
Restaurant information
Established1941 (1941)
Street address1332 Northwest 21st Avenue
CityPortland
CountyMultnomoah
StateOregon
Postal/ZIP Code97209
CountryUnited States
Coordinates45°31′57″N 122°41′40″W / 45.5326°N 122.6945°W / 45.5326; -122.6945

Joe's Cellar is a diner and dive bar in northwest Portland, Oregon. Former names include Nimar Cafe, the Dinner Bell, the Ace of Diamonds, and the Smoke Stack.[1]

Description

Portland Monthly has described the Northwest District business as "a classic Portland dive bar with unmatched longevity".[2] In 2021, Willamette Week said, "Dive bars are generally good places to hide from the sun, but Joe's Cellar seems designed to make you forget sunlight exists. It's windowless and mostly lit by the glow of lottery machines, TVs and neon beer signs. And there's always a sweaty tallboy waiting for you behind the bar."[3]

History

Established in 1941, the business closed temporarily for repairs in 2013.[4][5]

Reception

The bar's interior, 2022

In his 2017 overview of "Portland's 10 Best Scumbag Breakfasts", Pete Cottell of Willamette Week wrote, "No amount of cheap eggs and ham steaks covered in flat-top ashes can overcome the lingering pee smell and disorienting windowlessness that makes Joe's what it is. Not to mention, the sad $7.50 breakfast of eggs, toast, hash browns and bacon wasn't even cheap. The food is best ignored unless you show up before 10 and opt for the $3 "working man" special of biscuits and gravy with a coffee."[6] In 2018, The Oregonian's Grant Butler included Joe's Cellar in an overview of "30 great Portland bars that are still going strong".[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ DeJesus, Erin (2013-04-15). "NW 21st Dive Bar/Greasy Spoon Joe's Cellar Shutters". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on 2015-04-30. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  2. ^ "Joe's Cellar | Restaurant Listing". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  3. ^ "The Top Places to Drink in Slabtown This Week". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on 2020-06-24. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  4. ^ Njus, Elliot (2013-07-18). "Joe's Cellar building in Northwest Portland sold; new owner plans to reopen shuttered tavern". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  5. ^ Hottman, Sara (2013-04-24). "Longtime Northwest Portland hangout Joe's Cellar closes after building is deemed unsafe to occupy". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2021-12-10. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  6. ^ "Portland's 10 Best Scumbag Breakfasts, Ranked". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on 2020-12-30. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  7. ^ Butler, Grant (2018-06-29). "Raise a glass to 30 great Portland bars that are still going strong". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2020-12-30. Retrieved 2021-12-10.