Light Your Bulb at the Tulip Shop Tavern

Posted on January 23, 2026 by Thebeerchaser

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Since I started my Beerchasing retirement hobby in the fall of 2011, I’v visited over 425 bars and breweries. About 140 have been in the Portland metro area – close to my home. That said, there are still many wonderful watering holes waiting for a Beerchasing expedition.

For example, I recently “discovered” Jerry’s Tavern – an outstanding dive bar that’s been adding hundreds of bottles to the sales of Miller High Life. Opening only about eighteen months ago, it has risen to the ranks of favorite dive bar for many Portlanders.

I needed a new bar for me to get together with a group of “old guys” who periodically gather for beer and to tell stories. Since most of the group are lawyers, the stories aren’t that interesting…but the camaraderie is good.

Past mustering of this group over the last two years has included the Basement Pub, the Sandy Jug, and Holman’s:

Since our last gathering towards the end of 2025, we added a few to the group, so I needed an establishment that had at least one large table and where the music and crowd noise wouldn’t preclude our conversations.

After some research and based on recommendations, I chose the Tulip Shop Tavern (hereafter TST) for a late Wednesday afternoon gathering. I was impressed with the owners’ backgrounds, the reviews and the ambiance.

That said, after a very positive experience, one of our group lamented:

“Williams, you must be losing your touch. This place has too much class. Next time we need a hardcore dive.”

That comment was taken under advisement by the Executive Committee (that would be me – Thebeerchaser.)

As the co-owner, Devon Treadwell stated:

““Tyler (her husband) and I take a lot of pride in making our home space cozy, ‘Devon Treadwell says. ‘We don’t want it to feel cold and dirty, but nice and warm. People want to hang out here.’” (Portland Eater 3/21/19)

They have succeeded in that desire.

Why You Should Raise a Mug at the Tulip Shop

(#1)

Tyler and Devon Treadwell are entrepreneurs and respected pros in the Portland hospitality industry. As stated in New Schoolbeer.com shortly after they opened TST in May, 2019:

“…Tyler and Devon Treadwell, local hospitality industry veterans, have quietly opened their tavern without much fanfare…Tyler Treadwell was on duty on a pleasantly warm evening, mixing drinks and pouring beers like a pro with years of experience, which in fact he is, with stints at Cascade’s Barrel House, Saraveza, and the Rum Club.

His wife, Devon, has put in working time at Higgins, Sweedeedee, and yes, also at the Rum Club.”

Perhaps their success with the Tulip Shop evolves from a combination of their prior experience, good instincts, willing to take risks, luck and a strong work ethic:

“The Treadwells put no small amount of sweat equity into the space, taking over the former Pop Tavern premises, putting in a lot of elbow grease to clean it up, and remodeling where needed.” (New School Beer)

They also have complementary skills – he handles the beverages including the outstanding cocktails (“The cocktails here get wild with a laundry list of spirits.”) and she handles the food:

“…The menu includes burgers, pork schnitzel, pickle-brined fried chicken, and Alaskan cod sandwiches, all using Dos Hermanos milk buns. TST also has beer-battered onion rings and French fries served with sauces made in-house including curry ketchup and Alabama white barbecue. Specials have included cheeses and chicken sandwiches.” (Portland Eater 4/20/23 – “15 Best Restaurants and Bars Along Killingsworth Street in Portland”)

Both the cocktails and the food have gotten rave reviews as has the ambiance.gg

And speaking of favorable reactions in the six years since they’ve been open, the TST is often mentioned. They made the list of Portland Monthly’s ten best bars in 2023. In addition to asserting that TST was the City’s best burger bar, Oregon Live’s Michael Russel included it in the list of Portland’s best bistros in 2024.

The awards continued in in 2025 with a ranking of 33 in Oregon Live’s best 40 Portland restaurants.

And social media reviews are quite positive – almost effusive as is this one from Yelp in July 2025:

“Get the double smash burger and thank me later. It was quite possibly the most perfectly cooked smash burger patty I’ve eaten. Crazy good. On top of the amazing burger, the rest of the experience was pretty solid, too. The onion rings were delicious, and the staff were very friendly as well. All in all, a solid spot that I’d gladly revisit

“Crazy good” (#2)

Since my group of old guys, just drank beer and did not try the food, I returned a week later with my former lawyer colleague at the Schwabe firm, John Mansfield – a “victim” of many prior Beerchases.

John had the Daily Special – three tacos for only $11. I feasted on the fried-chicken sandwich ($15). We both agreed that the menu and quality of food merits a return trip(s).

By the way, our server, Rochelle, was a gem and Darren the bartender was also great.

I had a nice chat with Tyler Treadwell and his vision was impressive. First, he was smart to hitchhike on the same great location of two previous dive bars which had been successful but eventually closed.

NE Killingsworth is an eclectic collection of shops and restaurants that has a following both by locals and those from the burbs. The prior two bars also had character:

Ducketts from 2010 to 2016 – “… a bar should be a place where everyone feels welcome and as I kept an eye on the broad cross-section of humanity ambling in and out the front door my heart warmed to this little neighborhood dive.”

Pop Tavern from 2016 to 2019 – “For a bar explicitly devoted to pop, there’s a sense that this, finally, is a place where history is preserved… as advertised by a lit-up indoor marquee that faces only toward the people already drinking, ‘LESS FASHION MORE THRASHIN’, the sign might entreat the bar’s drinkers.”

Tyler and Devon upgraded the bar so it’s (in Thebeerchaser’s opinion) a seamless integration of an upscale dive and neighborhood bar. That said, Tyler stated that he is well aware that bars go through cycles and need to adapt and change to both retain existing customers and attract new patrons. (#3)

It should be noted about the only complaint besides it being very busy (any bar owner would love that complaint) was that the loud music along with multiple conversations made it difficult to have a discussion. Our group of old guys wouldn’t offer that lament as it would lead to inquiries about which of us had hearing aids.

(Above left to right – Kimball Ferris, John Kelly, Larry Frank, Doug Blomgren, Doug Walta, Bernie Stea and Don Williams)

Although I have a lot of Portland bars I’ve never visited to this point which need exploration, I’ll definitely return to the Tulip Shop Tavern. Besides supporting a great hospitality couple and the robust food menu at reasonable prices, there are exotic cocktails and slushees to investigate.

We stuck to the draft beer lineup, which was great, but as one mixed drink connoisseur stated: “A cocktail is a hug you give yourself.” Anyone reading the news these days, certainly needs a hug. A slushee would also fill the bill and they look outstanding.

“Stay thirsty, my friend!” (#4 – #7 above) (#8 – #9 below)

External Photo Attribution

#1 Tulip Shop Tavern photo as appearing in Eater Portland.com May 23, 2019 (Two Rum Club Alums Open Their Killingsworth Americana Bar Tomorrow [Updated] | Eater Portland).

#2 Tulip Shop Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1426513856143969&set=pb.100063561036461.-2207520000&type=3).

#3 Tulip Shop Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=335177764527053&set=pb.100063561036461.-2207520000&type=3).

#4. Tulip Shop Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/tulipshoptavern/photos/pb.100063561036461.-2207520000/142666123778219/?type=3).

#5. Tulip Shop Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1132005755594782&set=pb.100063561036461.-2207520000&type=3).

#6. Tulip Shop Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1182866800508677&set=pb.100063561036461.-2207520000&type=3)

#7. Tulip Shop Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1229264675868889&set=pb.100063561036461.-2207520000&type=3).

#8. Tulip Shop Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1228521969276493&set=pb.100063561036461.-2207520000).

#9. Tulip Shop Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=497126849082679&set=a.4971268390826800).

The A and L Sports Pub — A Sporting Chance?

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Thebeerchaser

Welcome back to Thebeerchaser. If you are seeing this post through an e-mail, please click on the title to bring up the post so the narrative isn’t clipped or shortened. (External photo attribution at the end of the post #1)

During my thirteen years of Beerchasing where I’ve visited and reviewed over 400 bars and breweries, I’ve presented followers with photos and stories of only four sports bars. I’m just not really enamored with them and they seem somewhat stereotypical.

There are scads of big screen TV’s, trophies and sports memorabilia – a lot of it somewhat tacky – and often boisterous regulars wearing their team jerseys.

I cherish the conversations I’ve had in most of my bar/brewery visits, but sports bar patrons are often immersed in pro or college games and understandably are not eager to engage. Fortunately, I’ve had great Beerchasing companions at the four sports bars shown below – so I didn’t need to meet new people.

Claudia’s Sports Pub and Grill (2012) – a classic that closed in 2023 after sixty-five years. It’s now named Suki’s and unfortunately “…a karaoke bar with sports.” (Yeah right…)

The Marathon Taverna (2014) – a boring pseudo sports bar – our visit was saved by great conversations with Beerchaser-of-the-Quarter, Jack Faust and his son, Charlie.

The Independent (2017) – a decent sports bar on SW Broadway in the heart of Portland where we had a robust group including the Faust clan.

The Angry Beaver Bar and Grill in Corvallis (2020) – this great watering hole in the heart of Corvallis was visited before an Oregon State vs. Washington State football game.

Our group included 1967 OSU Giant Killer starters, Billy Main and Steve Preece with his wife, plus the late Dr. Bob Gill along with my fraternity brother and friend of over 50 years, Jud Blakely. (#2)

Why the A and L Sports Pub?

Since I asserted above that I’m not a fan of sports bars, why would I chose the A and L when there are so many other good bars and breweries on my list to visit in the future?

My selection of the bar was based on my recent discovery of classic dive bar, Angelo’s thanks to a connection with Darren Zayman – a part-time bartender.

Both bars are owned by Angelo and Leonor Markantonatos, (thus, the A and L…) who opened Angelo’s in 1996, and before that owned the Vern. Four generations of the family and they have been a fixture in the Portland bar scene for decades.

Darren, first worked at the A and L after talking Angelo into hiring “a guy with absolutely no bar or restaurant experience with a novel sales approach” discussed in my post on Angelo’s. You should visit Angelo’s located in the Barmuda Triangle District on SE Hawthorne.

Darren Zayman (Daz) and Angelo’s regular, Paul

Daz suggested I raise a mug at the A and L, so I did a little research and discovered a peripheral item of interest on the bar in a Willamette Week article dated 2/15/23:

“But the Markantonatoses owe more than $25,000 in property taxes. In a brief phone conversation, Angelo, 91, said he gave the bar to his son, also named Angelo, 57. Angelo the elder says he’s dying, so we didn’t push him for details.

We’d love to talk to Angelo the younger about the tax issue, but he didn’t call us back. Nor did they respond to a message on their hyperactive Facebook page. The bar employee said her boss was ‘scarce’ and ‘hard to pin down.’

Two signs of compliance: The Markantonatos family made a property tax payment of $10,000 on Nov. 15, and another for $4,500 on Feb. 8.”

Beerchasing Companions

Photo Oct 16 2024, 6 15 26 PM

Since I wasn’t focused on meeting new people, I chose two of my favorite Beerchasers to join me – Jim Westwood and Bernie Stea – both lawyers. The last time the three of us had raised a mug together was in 2020 at the Rose City Book Pub. (#3 – #4)

Those who follow this blog, know about Jim Westwood and his amazing background ranging from the Portland State College GE College Bowl, to a stint as a TV weatherman, to service in Navy Intelligence (where he learned Thai) to his distinguished career as an Oregon appellate lawyer.

But Bernie has an incredible background as well.

His Beerchasing exploits besides the Rose City Book Pub were at NEPO 42 and Zarz (gone but not forgotten) both in 2017. We tried for another at the Slow Bar in Portland, but it never happened.

While I was patiently waiting for him while downing an IPA, he called asking where I was, to which I replied, the Slow Bar (on Portland’s east side). He then somewhat sheepishly informed me that he was sitting in the Low Bar (permanently closed after the pandemic) in downtown Vancouver.

In order to salvage his pride, I didn’t remind him that I sent him a link to Slow Bar the day before confirming our lunch appointment. (#5)

My first encounter with Bernie was in 1980, when as the Oregon State Bar’s Financial Manager, I had to question him as the Director of Continuing Legal Education about his CLE department budget. He showed up for the interrogation with his Osborne laptop computer with the budget laid out on a SuperCalc spreadsheet. (Even then, he was an early-adopter of technology.)

As I “attacked” his figures we started a friendly rivalry which entertained Bar staff when we “replicated” the dialogue at all-staff meetings. It became a well-received staged production in the tradition of Jane Curtain and Dan Akroyd on Saturday Night Live.

After Bernie would make a mock eloquent plea as to why his budget should be increased, my reply was:

“Bernie, you ignorant slut!” (#6 – #7)

https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=jane+you+ignorant+slut&mid=5ACAC950C589B99D5F685ACAC950C589B99D5F68&FO

In 2017 when he didn’t show up at Slow Bar, I commented to Bernie that he must have used the “Maps Application” on his Osborne. Bernie, however, is one of the smartest and most versatile people I’ve had the privilege to call a friend.

His undergrad days were at the University of Maryland, where he had a double major in Journalism and Engineering (who’s ever heard of that combination….) and then graduation at Maryland’s Francis King Carey School of Law.

He was a member of the distinguished scholastic society Order of the Coif and Law Review, and then worked as a law clerk at the Maryland Court of Appeals. Bernie has repeatedly distinguished himself (other than with his misguided budget presentations)

After jobs at the Oregon State Bar and Portland State University, Bernie has spent the last twenty-five years as a technology guru – helping law firms, start-ups and corporate clients on all facets of electronically stored information, particularly in the context of litigation and investigatory matters and on the legal responsibilities associated with electronic evidence collection, review and production.

And concurrently – for about twelve years – he and his wife – former Portland radio newswoman and anchor, Debb Janes – were managing real estate brokers specializing in family estates on acreage, and multi-generational homes in SW Washington. (#8)

Perhaps that education and experience should give me pause when labeling Bernie an “ignorant slut…” (But probably not….)

But I Digress – Back to the A and L

Now it’s a little bit perplexing why Willamette Week labeled the A and L as a “beloved sports bar,” since they have never featured it in their Annual Best Bar Guide. I guess, however, that a watering hole that for the 2023 Super Bowl offered an “all-you-eat spaghetti and meat sauce with French bread and salad for $15” and is a Pittsburgh Steelers bar will attract a fond following.

And although the exterior is somewhat off-putting, the social media reviews are consistently positive. These three are typical:

“The A&L Burger was de-lish and the fries were on point. Friendly service and great food! We’ll be back soon.” Yelp 3/16/24

“Great people, great service, great drinks, great prices, and 6-10 dart boards set up at a time! What more could you ask for. Also have pool and video lotto.” Yelp 12/26/22

“…..The inside is like night and day from the outside. The place is roomy, has more than a dozen TVs, a whole darts room that is legit, Oregon Lottery, and one of the best cheesesteaks I’ve had in Portland (I’m from Jersey and my wife is from N Philly). The staff has always been nice to me even though I’m not a regular.” Yelp 2/11/23

Photo Oct 16 2024, 4 58 49 PM

The A and L, with its very expansive space, seemed a bit sterile, although it has a great juke box. But to be fair, that’s probably because there were just a handful of patrons on a Wednesday afternoon.

Contrast that with the description on a Sunday morning in 2018 – typical, I assume, during any NFL Sunday:

“First and foremost, they open early on Steeler Sundays, due to the time difference….so we thought we would ‘arrive early’ by getting to the bar at 9:30 am. It was PACKED with Steeler fans already at that point. More than half of this very large sports bar is dedicated to the Steelers and their fans.” Yelp 10/9/18

As a non-lawyer, but one who worked with them for almost forty years, I could share stories with these two counselors who both worked at large competitor firms (Miller Nash and Stoel Rives with my Schwabe Williamson.

It was only when these two intellectual behemoths started waxing eloquent about the rule against perpetuities and how complexity theory understands law as an emergent, self-organizing system that I focused on my $3.50 pint of draft PBR and began thinking of my next dive bar to explore….