Black Cat Tavern

Here is one of those little dives that certainly lacks either pretense or douchebags. It does indeed have that going for it.  But in that way, it's also a lot like many of the other bars in the area.

Sure it's spacious, but the space isn't exactly filled. If you called out, you might hear an echo.  If you're into shuffleboard, then you'd be into it that much. It's true.

It's cash only and sans liquor license. Personally, I can't really wrap my head around the idea of a dive bar without a liquor license. Why, that's almost as strange as the jukebox that doesn't ever seem to be playing anything. That means, the song you'll be hearing is crickets unless you have the wherewithall to do something about it yourself.

The schedule seems to be irregular as well. I walked by numerous times hoping to scope it out, yet it was closed. The barkeep is really friendly. True that.

But while I want to commend the simplicity of a neighborhood dive, it's also a little dreary; you might want to consider sneaking in a flask to keep you company.

The Black Cat has a lot going for it.

It's as fine a shuffleboard bar as I've seen in Portland...it has an expansive backyard-like outdoor space...it has other misc. entertainment options, like a jukebox, pop-a-shot, and pool tables...it has beer prices nobody would complain about...and it has an outwardly surly, but sneaky friendly bartender lady that always keeps things lively.

I'm no regular, but I'm batting 1.000 for good times at the Black Cat.

It's as fun as you want to make it, a great place for semi-large gatherings of friends looking for casual drinks n' games, and generally d-bag free (unless I'm the d-bag? uh oh).

Plus, on your birthday, you get your first beer - any beer in the house - for just a quarter!  (Hell, I'll be honest, it may have been a dollar or even a penny for that first bday beer...needless to say it wasn't the only one I had that night and I kinda forgot what the exact special was, but hey, it was cheap and awesome regardless!)

Sellwood and East/West Moreland are filled with lovely bars, but I'm glad the Black Cat is there adding a little blue collar attitude to the mix.

Went here to play some shuffle board.  It was raining out so we didn't get to enjoy the outdoor space, but it looks nice out there with a ping pong table, horseshoe pits, and a grassy lawn with chairs and a gazebo if I remember correctly.  

We were there at 8:30 on Saturday and it was pretty quiet in the bar.  No background music, just the commentary from the ducks game on the tube.  There were maybe a total of 14 people in the bar including ourselves and the bartender.  It usually seems pretty quiet in here, more of a neighborhood joint.