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| Conan’s Pub If Hawthorne Blvd. was a bow tie, stretching from the bar bend at one end, and the coffee swash at the other, the knot would be at 39th Ave. Across from the block wide Fred Meyer and next to the overpriced Mexican franchise knock-off Una Mas is the box shaped building which houses Conan’s Pub, the biggest little bar in town. The dimensions of the room are staggering, about as high as it is wide, and there’s a huge stage which could entertain twice the room’s capacity. But with 150-200 people on a given weekend night, the club is far from tiny. You just wouldn’t be able to fit much more. There’s video games and pinball, a pool table, and when the bands aren’t playing, there’s even ping-pong. It’s built the way a club should be, the way pioneers did it, the way high-schools and community theaters across the country have always been designed: a lot of room for dancing and viewing, big-ass stage, and as many games as you can fit. All the place needs is a basketball hoop and a foosball table and they could be the southeast YMCA… but with liquor and video poker.
The venue boasts shows every Wednesday through Saturday, not including the free reggae Sunday nights. But they will make special arrangements for touring acts or local showcases should the room be needed on a Monday or Tuesday. While their happy hour is truly happy, with low drink prices and friendly regulars who can usually be found shouting out the questions to Jeopardy along with Ken Jennings, the Pub is planning to expand their music for the 6-8 blue collar crowd. (I promised to mention Jenn, vying for and quite possibly capturing the title “nicest happy hour bartender in town”.) The India Oven is next door and intolerant of drums during business hours, though, so look forward to mellow, unwinding type of music created by guitar players, dj’s, or maybe even an odd theramin maestro. Whoever ends up playing the slot, they’ll try not to interrupt the game show. But when the restaurant next door closes, the music cranks up. Geoff Minor, booking agent for Conan’s and Night Piper Productions, admits that his forte is heavy metal, and the club is the most open venue in town to bands that do the metal thing, but Minor hosts artists as varied in style as Metal Church and Geoff Byrd. The night I was there I saw Brian Kenny Fresno, Drats, Jr. Private Detective and The Bats from the Pyramids of Egypt, four very different bands who were equally fun to watch. Geoff is adamant about this. He wants to offer new bands a place to cut their teeth, regardless of style and hierarchy in the Portland scene. He does not, however, favor unpracticed or unprofessional musicians and says (I also promised I’d quote this), “If you’re not ready to leave your garage, then do not fucking call me.” Geoff also makes it clear that the success of the club has had nothing to do with the local press, for which he harbors a bit of a chip. In the four years that owner Doug Davis has been on the scene, the club has continued to grow as many others have either closed or undergone reconstructive surgery. Minor says that there is a scene in Portland which is very different from what the local papers think is cool. That’s why he’s holding MetalFest in conjunction with Sabala’s [MLP v2:i4] on September 10th and 11th, to protest the corporate interests of MusicFestNW. He stated that it’s going to take club owners working together, in a spirit of camaraderie and integrity, to make the Portland scene, with all its diversity, as exciting as it is talented. Protest and inclusiveness? Go figure. It seems to be the order of the day (which beats Conan’s microwave bar food… bleh). Whether you’re a bow-tie guy or chic chick, the staff and clientele of Conan’s will treat you with respect, honesty and friendliness. And a genre you’re into is being featured, plan on enjoying every band on the bill.
Loosen your tie at 3862 SE Hawthorne. Open at noon on the weekends, 2 on weekdays, and stays open late 7 days a week. For upcoming events, contact information, and a sexy photo gallery, go to http://www.conans-pub.com/ or call 503-234-7474. For booking call Geoff Minor at 503-319-3154 |
