Bars, Restaurants, & Taverns
THE NEW RITZ
519 SW 11th
Years: 1976 – 1979?
Later would become BEAR HALL SALOON
See Flight 181 for another bar at this location
This was located within the New Ritz Hotel which had been known as Hotel St Marco whose address was 1116 SW Washington. The address and entrance were on 11th around the corner from the hotel entrance. Per Damron Address Book: (enter thru rear Alley).
The New Ritz is mentioned in Portland listing Northwest Gay Review Page 12 – June 1977 1116 SW Washington 248-0398 “Astroflight” with ad “The New Ritz at your service.” [and July/August 1977 page 30] [the 1116 SW Washington was the entrance to the hotel]
Below mention in an OregonJournal article dated April 4, 1977 which asked people, “Where do you go for an evening out?” Vicki responded, The New Ritz or The Rafters “above the Embers
• Ad from Northwest Gay Review October 1976
February ad in the 1977 issue of Northwest Gay Review
April 1977 Northwest Gay Review
Northwest Gay Review November 1976
Northwest Gay Review November 1976
citations & references:
Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1978 under Bars/Clubs with notation YC – Young Crowd, D – Dancing, * - Very Popular and note: (Disco) (enter thru rear Alley)
Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1979 under Bars/Clubs with notation HIP – marijuana, D – Dancing, and note: (‘Teenie-Boppers’) (Unisex) (enter thru rear Alley)
Not listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1980 or thereafter
Mr. Hunky contest at Darcelle’s XV, “Honor Tillman, second runner-up received the Congeniality Award from the contestants. He is the manager of the New Ritz Disco. Page 10 Northwest Gay Review June/July 1977
Per article in NW Fountain, page 8 January 1979 in “Rumor Has It” by e.j. Fact: Good n’ Plenty closed rapidly in early December. It wasn’t Tushy or Lee’s Fault. Rumor: A pizza parlor will open after the first of the year in the Good n’ Plenty space. Just what the area needs, natch. Rumor: Couple of straights are buying it. Same for New Ritz Disco.