Bars, Taverns & Restaurants
AARON’S PLACE
4420 SE 39th/Holgate
Years: April 1979 - September 1980
Disco/Tavern
In the premiere issue of Cascade Voice, page 24 there’s an article PLAYER’S “Why did I buy into a bar? I have no idea. Chris and I have talked about it for 3 years, and we finally said-OK-Fine!” And with this mandate Mickey and Chris have jumped in with both feet into what used to be called Lulu’s, and has now been appropriately renamed “The Players Pub.” Located at 612 NW 21st, it is a nice, comfortable neighborhood drawing all types of people.
This is Mickey’s first experience in ownership, although this Portland native has been a popular figure behind the bar for several years. Chris, who arrived here 5 years ago from Salt Lake City, was formerly one of the owners of Aaron’s. Players sports a baby dance floor, home cooked specials on Sundays, elimination pool on Thursday and Saturday, and plans are underway for nightly pinochle, cribbage, and backgammon sessions.
Photo: NW Fountain, March 1980
Ad in NW Fountain, March 1980 page 19 MONDAYS SUNDAYS THURSDAYS
Article in NW Fountain, October 1980, page 11 EASTSIDE BAR CLOSED: “One of Portland’s first gay bars on the east side of the river, Aaron’s, closed last month. For a while it opened (in April ‘79), it was one of Portland’s busiest bars, certainly the busiest Southeast which was the city’s first eastside gay bar.
citations & references:
Listed in East Portland places in the NW Fountain, page 15, March 1980
Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1981 (Some L) (PT)