slides: Ten Great Bars with Vegetarian Menus

Wednesday, September 09, 2015

Jack Rushall, GoLocalPDX Contributor

A bowl from The Bye and Bye.

Everybody just take a second and admit that vegetarianism is a thing because it is officially the second week of September, which means it’s also Vegetarian Awareness Week. Admittedly, we now live in a time where a "meat free" kitchen is apparent inside a close friend's bungalow and some bars feel the same way.

See Slides Below: Ten Great Bars with Vegetarian Menus

Though it has been historically difficult to escape the omnivore lifestyle, vegetarians and perhaps the more militant dinner table conversationalists – vegans – are celebrated in the modern Portland fine dining and bar scene for their revolutionary stance on animal rights. Fortunately, foregoing the consumption of meat does not mean that vegetarians cannot enjoy the luxury of booze. In Portland, Oregon, there is probably enough craft beer to fill the whole of the Willamette River.

However, drinking can be awkward when vegetarians (and vegans) get the drunchies (or just work up a normal appetite) at a particular bar that is unaccommodating. In honor of the culinary discrimination our recent or lifelong vegetarian enthusiasts experience on a regular basis, we name ten local bars with vegetarian-centric menus that water the mouths of all local inhabitants, including those who are not solely of the leaf-eating persuasion.

Related Slideshow: Ten Great Bars with Vegetarian Menus

Are you tipsy and want a cheeseburger, but with soy curls? Hopefully, you're drinking at one of these ten picks.

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Sweet Hereafter

Sweet Hereafter has it all: a trendy aesthetic, an outdoor patio, and another, actually outdoor patio (with a fire pit and a smoking section), as well as really solid food. In fact, this really solid menu is also genuinely vegan. Suggestion: try the Eastern Bowl with avocado or the Blackened Tempeh Sandwich. Or both. Seriously, bring a friend or intimate friend and split these two things down the middle.

3326 SE Belmont St.

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Hungry Tiger

Tiger? Wasn't that the name of the dog from The Brady Bunch? Well, it's also the second word in the name of one of Portland's best vegan bars. With a happy hour all day on drinks both Sunday and Monday mixed with some of the purportedly best vegan nachos known to man, Hungry Tiger is a great stop on your vegan Portland pub crawl this week. Also, on Tuesday, you can get 3 vegan tacos for $5.

213 SE 12th Ave.

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Black Water Bar

Looking for greasy bar comfort good (almost a category of food in and of itself) that is all vegan? Black Water Bar is one of the rare birds that will satisfy your demands. Try the vegan mozzarella sticks and expect to spend only $10 per person, covering both food plus drank.

835 NE Broadway

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Vita Cafe

Vita Cafe off Alberta is first and foremost a brunch spot -- also, a brunch spot with a comparatively tiny wait (if you're an anxious or impatient Portland bruncher). But most importantly, at least for the sake of this article, Vita Cafe is also a strictly vegetarian and vegan establishment. And somehow even more importantly, this place has a killer selection of organic and non-organic beer, biodynamic and vegan wines, and brunch cocktails as part of their full bar. So for those looking for drinks to combine with their leaf, check out this showstopper.

3023 NE Alberta St.

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White Owl Social Club

The $5 vegan burger at White Owl Social Club apparently dominated this year's burger week in terms of the "vegan angle," according to the Portland Mercury. Though White Owl's official bar slogan is "Lose Yourself With Us," we have a feeling that they want you to remain intact with your vegan self this week when it comes down to their cuisine. With a patio as large as time and a menu that is not only vegan-centric but also largely gluten-free, you can party comfortably here during Vegetarian Awareness Week.

1305 SE 8th Ave.

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Harlow

Yes, it's true; Harlow specializes in vegan food and juices - but did you also know that they have a booze menu? The Kingfisher cocktail is not only scrumptious but creative including ingredients like sailor jerry spiced rum, honey, housemade chai, and coconut milk - and it's served hot. Perfect fall drink, am I right? Harlow specializes in making the act of eating food "feel good," so one can only guess the act of drinking is not far behind.

3632 SE Hawthorne Blvd.

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The Bye and Bye

Oh, The Bye and Bye, a.ka. Sweet Hereafter's funky, NE first cousin. Patio seating here is spacious in both front and back but the real draw is sheer ecstasy for those looking to collaborate with healthy vegan bowls and fruity, voluptuous cocktails. A couple of suggestions: try the BBQ Brussel Bowl because you can get the Eastern Bowl at Sweet Hereafter. And. you. must. try. the. Champagne. #4.

1011 NE Alberta St.

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Casa Diablo

How about a good vegan menu at a strip club? Known as the Strip Club Capital of America, you can bet that Portlanders are going to want to make some of those menus green. We can't comment much on the strippers, but it's clear that Casa Diablo has got your back if you have finished your starter salad somewhere else and are in search of an entrée with a more fulfilling backdrop.

2839 NW St Helens Rd.

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East Glisan Lounge

East Glisan Pizza Lounge has more vegetarian options than Sizzle Pie and also many more cocktails, wines, and beers to choose from while you do your vegan thang. Finding good vegan pizza (that is also gluten-free) is hard to come by, but somehow East Glisan Pizza Lounge is at the forefront of pioneering a product that will keep your good conscience in check. Also, a happy hour (from 4-6 PM) combo of a piece of veggie pizza and a cocktail will only knock you back 8 bucks. Sheesh.

8001 NE Glisan St.

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Alleyway

With vegan nachos, vegetarian tacos with seitan for $3, and even a vegan cheese steak sub, Alleyway is a dive bar with a heart of lettuce. Located on trendy Alberta, this bar also has a large back patio that is especially lenient towards vegan smokers and vegans with dogs. Also, something for everyone: fries are $3 during happy hour.

2415 NE Alberta St.