Your Drink Runneth Over at the Bible Club

Posted on July 1, 2026 by Thebeerchaser

Welcome back to Thebeerchaser. If you are seeing this post through an e-mail, please visit the blog by clicking on the title at the top to see all of the photos and so the narrative is not clipped or shortened. (# External photo attribution at the end of the post #1.)

Although I’ve visited and reviewed about 150 Portland area watering holes since starting this hobby in 2011, there’s still no shortage of interesting establishments which beckon. Such was the case with the Bible Club, which I recently visited with a former Schwabe law firm colleague, Margaret Hoffmann.

And I would suggest that the Bible Club is unique in the truest sense of that word and not the overused expression which people use to convey something that is very unusual. First, it’s a speakeasy – I’ll address those characteristics below – but there are only a few of these in Portland which merit the label. (#2)

But what really distinguishes the Bible Club? It’s the trappings and resulting ambiance when one walks into this historic home in a neighborhood setting. As stated in a 2016 article in the Portland Mercury shortly after it’s opening:

“Despite its unadorned facade on SE 16th, just barely off Westmoreland’s main drag, Bible Club is one of the most aggressively beautiful bars in Portland. It’s just so full of stuff. It demands to be slowly explored, visually and tactilely. Virtually everything in the bar—from the tools the bartenders use, to the glassware patrons drink from—is American made pre-1930.“

Now before telling you more about the bar – a little bit more about Margaret Hoffmann. She’s a Beerchasing regular going back to 2016 when she, Brian (Brain) King and I made a foray to one of my favorite bars – Mummy’s Bar and Grill – unfortunately now gone but not forgotten.

We met at Margaret’s office and ambled the block and one-half from the PacWest Center to this underground treasure. The picture on the right below, shows, Mounir Ghobrial one of the brothers who co-owned the bar and restaurant for many years serving our drinks.

Interestingly enough, after graduating from the University of Alexandria in Egypt with a Masters Degree, he worked as a chemist for ten years before co-founding the restaurant with his brother in 1980.)

In 2025 Margaret and I had a great visit to another “spiritual” bar when we visited a classy establishment. The Holy Ghost, one of the bars owned and operated by Portland’s Three-on-a-Match Bar Group.

Marget is now retired and besides having been honored in her profession as a top product liability litigator (Oregon Super Lawyer and named as one of the Best Lawyers in America), she is also skilled at fly fishing and in her “spare time” spends additional court-time playing pickle-ball and traveling the world.

We agreed to meet at 4:00 when the bar opens, but I got a call at 4:10 and Margaret informed me that she got mixed up and was at the Holy Ghost instead. The fact that she made the drive to the Bible Club in fifteen minutes at rush hour, is a “testament” to her fortitude.

Is it Really a Speakeasy?

The only other Portland so-called speakeasy I’ve visited was in 2017 – a classic – Gil’s Speakeasy, where they were true to their motto: “We’re the nicest assholes in town!” Unlike the Bible Club, Gil’s is a great dive and makes no pretense otherwise.

The historical definition of a speakeasy originated during Prohibition. It was not illegal to drink alcohol during Prohibition. The 18th Amendment and the Volstead Act specifically banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of intoxicating liquors, but they intentionally omitted actual consumption or private possession of alcohol.

These havens provided illicit drinks – usually bootlegged cocktails – in a space where the entrance was disguised and required a password or code and one could partake while socializing with others.

Contemporary speakeasys are now legal – noted for their “intimate, vintage-inspired décor, creative, craft cocktails and maintain the mysterious, exclusive atmosphere of their historical roots.”

The Bible Club fits these criteria to a T.

Walking into the Bible Club is like stepping into the 1920’s. It is totally upscale and almost like a museum. Nicholas, our friendly server, explained that before it opened in 2015, the owners had furnishings and embellishments – even the wooden floor – flown in from all over the country.

Affirming this premise is another article published shortly after the opening. Willamette Week gushes:

“This Sellwood side-road speakeasy is a Prohibition-themed bar so oddly sincere and unhip in its dedication that it utterly flips the script on authenticity Almost every item in the bar is over a century old, from great-grandma crystal glasses to the huge ‘Bible Club’ meeting sign behind the bar to a sewing pinking device used to pretty up orange-peel fronds.”

True to the genre, the Bible Club has no external signage or indication of the business or the upscale character that greets you when you walk in. As one 2024 Yelp review aptly described:

“The atmosphere makes you feel like many people probably felt back during the Prohibition. Sneaking into an illicit drinking establishment, grabbing a drink and hoping you don’t get caught. Accompanying this whole vibe is live jazz music. Could not ask for a better environment to imbibe.“

I’m not going to attempt to describe all the memorabilia and accoutrements, but these pictures give you a very good idea.

The Drinks

The Bible Club also comports with a speakeasy’s renown for esoteric and upscale (expensive) cocktails crafted by skilled bartenders. (#3)

Margaret and I eschewed these, however, for our standard “Beerchasing” beverage – martinis – up and with olives although Margaret opts for vodka and I elect gin. (And one of those in the picture of me below was Margaret’s!)

We didn’t eat and although its food offerings are limited to reasonably-priced sharables such as a Charcuterie board, stuffed mushrooms, baked meatballs and a Ceasar salad option supplemented by a few dessert choices, the chef gets very good reviews.

There is also an appropriately named, “Revival Patio” – not for religious ceremonies – but where live jazz draws good weekend crowds (it seats about eighty) for a minimal $6 cover charge. The no-smoking requirement is a plus. (#4 – 6)

We were sold on the Bible Club although our time there was short. About the only negative I can cite is the wooden chairs were pretty uncomfortable – a comment made in at least one review – and the couch is reserved for parties of at least six.

Consistent with the low-key speakeasy theme, I only found two newspaper reviews of the Bible Club both of which were cited above – written ten years ago shortly after the opening.

Rather than believe me, take a look at some of the Yelp or Trip Advisor reviews and you will see this is a place you should visit. Just remember, they don’t take reservations – the seating is pretty limited and they have a loyal clientele.

Restuarantji.com – April 2016: “Bible club gives you the feeling you’ve found a hidden gem without doing anything more than walking up to what looks like a house and intruding to be offered some of the best drinks in the city crafted by excellent mixologists.”

Yelp.com – July 2025: “This place is so much fun! The environment is classy low key with amazing signature cocktails. All the cocktails are twists on classics that are just phenomenal to look at, let alone, delicious to drink. The food is good, but the drinks are really what it’s about.

The waitstaff are engaging and seem to enjoy their job as they never stopped looking after their guests with a smile.” (#6)

Cheers!

External Photo Attribution

#1. The Bible Club Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=998729678926193&set=pb.100063675094960.-2207520000&type=3).

#2. Yelp.com (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bible-club-portland?select=hE5MxBy8SvVFFQFbyDQoVw).

#3. The Bible Club Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=767575455374951&set=pb.100063675094960.-2207520000&type=3).

#4. The Bible Club Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=546150357517463&set=pb.100063675094960.-2207520000&type=3).

#5. The Bible Club Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=861056589360170&set=pb.100063675094960.-2207520000&type=3).

#6. Yelp.com (https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/bible-club-portland?select=DdbMEKM5CwhTWGKcMTyqwQ). #7. The Bible Club Facebook Page Profile Picture (https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=707033701429127&set=a.490803056385527

February Figuring – Part I

Posted on February 6, 2026 by Thebeerchaser

I Want My Mummy(s)

In 2016, Thebeerchaser hit the depths and regaled you with the story of one of my favorite downtown Portland haunts – that being the now gone-but not forgotten, Mummy’s Bar and Grill – only one and one-half blocks from the Schwabe law firm’s offices in the PacWest Center. https://thebeerchaser.com/2016/12/06/mummys-a-buried-portland-treasure/

I told you about the co-owners – Phillip and Ghobvial Moumir – two wonderful gentlemen who emigrated from Egypt and started the restaurant sometime around the mid-80’s in a confined, dark, idiosyncratic subterranean space across from what was then The Oregonian building – offices and printing presses.

My two law firm colleagues on one of my visits, Margaret Hoffmann and Brian (Brain) King – did not hesitate to join me for drinks even though they were both Super Lawyers and it was with somebody from firm Management.

I look back fondly on those pre-retirement days and was thus heartened by a post in a blog I follow. Writer John Chilson, a content strategist and writer for architects, developers and urbanists, also has a fascinating blog – Lost Oregon. One of John’s laudable missions is to save historic building in the State.

“‘Lost Oregon’ aims to document the history of architecture of Oregon, some buildings lost to time, others being repurposed, recast, and reused, others rising anew. Oregon has a ton of great old commercial buildings with great bones. Let’s be creative with them instead of tearing them down.”

John did a great narrative with pictures in a post entitled, “The Mummy’s Mystery.” I was flattered that he included a link to my post on Thebeerchaser, but what made it even better was a comment from another noted Northwest writer, photographer and architect – Harley Cowan. (see below)

Harley, like John, has an incredibly interesting background and we’re fortunate to have both of them in Portland

External Photo Attribution at the end of the Post (#1 – #2)

Harley’s comment on the Lost Oregon blog post was great:

“While working at Yost Grube Hall Architecture in the nearby PacWest Building, we would occasionally take an office happy hour at Mummy’s and take over the place–which wasn’t hard because it wasn’t big–because Joachim Grube enjoyed it so much. It reminded him of his time in Sudan in the 1960s. The two Egyptian guys who owned it were real characters–very friendly, talkative, and funny as hell if you were paying attention. They called Joachim ‘The Big Boss.’

My understanding was that Oregonian staff were regulars before the paper moved. We would joke that the atmosphere at Mummy’s was dead, but when it filled up, it was fun, authentic, and strange. You really felt like you weren’t in Portland anymore. The owners, always found sitting at their same places at the bar, would criticize us on entry for not coming back sooner. We need more places like this. It’s a loss for sure. A relic from another time.”

What I loved about this comment was that Yost Grube Hall was my law firm’s primary architects (we went through many remodels and expansions with them) and I knew Joachim (who passed away in 2022) and others in the firm well, although never aware of their affinity for Mummy’s.

Check into the Lost Oregon website. John is a talented writer and conveys his expertise well. https://lostoregon.org/2026/01/19/the-golden-nugget-milwaukies-almost-hidden-gem/

It’s obvious to me that although Mummy’s no longer serves great gin martinis or the best falafel sandwich in Portland in what some fondly described as a “tomb experience”, it’s legacy will never be buried.

How Dare You Discriminate!

The NCAA College Football Playoffs are now history and pigskin fans wait with anticipation for the Super Bowl on February 8. That said, a recent Substack column by my friend and former Beerchaser-of-the-Quarter – Dwight (The Godfather) Jaynes – longtime broadcaster and journalist caught my attention and brought to light a grievous situation. (#4)

“They have changed team nicknames everywhere, but there’s one that should be cancelled now!”

Take a look at this excerpt and you will see why I thought the post was excellent. (#5)

OK, I understand the new world order. I get it that we all have to look for new ways not to offend people. We must work at simply being nicer. I get it. My former high school changed its nickname from Indians to Warriors decades ago…The Redskins are gone and the MLB Indians have turned into Guardians…

I’m not fighting any of those changes. What bothers me, though, is that not all the offensive nicknames have been changed. There are some nasty ones still out there. And we’re seeing it right now in the College Football Playoffs.

There is one school out there torturing a group of people who are largely unable to defend themselves. It isn’t fair and I guess I’m going to have to step up and call attention to this terrible injustice…Mississippi and its fans are nasty. Unaware, perhaps, of what they’re doing.

‘Ole Miss.’

Come on now. One of the first rules I learned as a kid was ‘Respect your elders.’ It has to stop…This is blatant sexism, which hurts even more because of the blatant ageism…

Although I haven’t used AI for any writing, a few images for the blog have been fun to employ so I had it create the following and asked The Godfather for permission to cite his column. I thought this image nailed it! (#6)

While my high school alma mater Oregon City didn’t need to change our mascot name from “Pioneers,” there was for a time, some ill-advised clamor about “Pioneer Pete’s” appearance.

When my class graduated in 1966, our parting gift was a massive plywood rendering of Pioneer Pete (replete with musket and bowie knife) to hang at the entrance to the gym which it did for years until a new school was built in 2003.

Fortunately, in 2001 when a few activists wanted to “emasculate” our mascot by “photo-shopping” out his musket or trashing existing images, the ill-conceived move was ultimately resisted – overcome by objections from a broad swath of alumni.

One suggestion was to replace the musket with a flagpole. (It might have been hard for pioneers to kill game with a flagpole…. #7)

I recounted this story in a 2012 Beerchaser post, because it was quite interesting as reported in this excerpt from the December 12, 2001 story in The Oregonian:

” A burly guy with a coonskin cap, Pioneer Pete stands like a sentinel throughout Oregon City High School. He stares from hallway murals, the backs of varsity jackets and walls in the gymnasium and football stadium.

A musket in his grip and a knife slung off his hip, Pioneer Pete is catching some flak these days. Some students and administrators say his weapon-toting ways break rules that apply to students. He’s even been booted off the cover of a brochure advertising the search for a new superintendent.”

For Better or Worse? (#8)

The pandemic brought global and national changes from its declaration in March 2020 to May 2023, when it was officially announced as ended by the World Health Organization. That said, many of the adjustments we made as individuals during that difficult period linger or have become permanent parts of our daily lives.

It changed our routines in working, shopping, traveling and socializing. A Pew Research study from just a year after the pandemic started revealed:

“The vast majority of Americans (89%) mentioned at least one negative change in their own lives, while a smaller share (though still a 73% majority) mentioned at least one unexpected upside. Two-thirds (67%) of Americans mentioned at least one negative and at least one positive change since the pandemic began.“

One old guy’s (not me….) response was pretty representative –“The destruction of our routines has been disorienting.”

It was very difficult for quite a while, to see our four granddaughters exclusively and then primarily by FaceTime. Trips to the gym stopped and ZOOM became an ongoing occurrence in everything from attending church, non-profit board meetings and Happy Hour and social gatherings.

I had visited and reviewed almost 400 bars and breweries from the start of Thebeerchaser.com in 2011 until the pandemic and in the next three years, the additions numbered only about twenty until I could hit new establishments with abandon again.

Since travel was largely restricted, it did, however, motivate me to reconnect with some of my former college and work associates I hadn’t seen in years by ZOOM.

NROTC Class of 1970 — Mulvey, Palmer and Williams

For example, Jerry (Rodent) Mulvey, Bill Palmer and I started a quarterly ZOOM meeting which has continued and provides an opportunity to recount stories from our midshipman summer training cruises and college pranks. (Usually, they’re the same ones we related one quarter before, but forgot…)

Janet and I initiated one hobby in 2020 which has continued and we really enjoy – jigsaw puzzling. Maybe it was Deepak Chopra’s quote that started it although it was probably more due to boredom and trying to divert our minds from the news and figure out what was happening.

“There are no extra pieces in the universe. Everyone is here because he or she has a place to fill, and every piece must fit itself into the big jigsaw puzzle.”

We started with 300-piece, graduated to 500-piece and now only do 1,000 piece. Since 2020, we have done at least 100 puzzles of all different brands and images. You can see a few of our favorites below:

And the experts have supposedly asserted that tackling these challenges is good for the brain:

“Studies have shown that doing jigsaw puzzles can improve cognition and visual-spatial reasoning. The act of putting the pieces of a puzzle together requires concentration and improves short-term memory and problem solving.” (https://blogs.bcm.edu/2020/10/29/a-perfect-match-the-health-benefits-of-jigsaw-puzzles/)

I would suggest, however, that the concussive ramifications of knocking one’s head against the wall when stumped may refute that theory. And oh, are they addictive – “I’m just going to get one more piece or make this connection before I go to bed….”

Janet and I are both grateful to my former legal management colleague, Linda Lehmann (see photo below) for her encouragement and generosity in helping us get started and continuing in this healthy activity. (#9)

And finally, after the pandemic, puzzles have been a good family activity (albeit sometimes competitive) especially on beach trips – and the granddaughters participate.