A Little Drink, Food and Salvation

By Sam Dodge Soule, pdxguide.com

Come to Beulahland.

At the rapidly developing intersection of 28th and Northeast Burnside -- currently the site to a burgeoning clutch of trendy eateries, hipster re-sale shops and long-standing dive bars -- one finds a little bit of the "Promised Land."

At least, a promised land for those who find a sense of salvation by escaping work-a-day drudgery over a cold pint and some hot soup, perhaps engaging in a board game or two with a friendly stranger while listening to a DJ spin jumpy ska tunes and swooning reggae. Eat a little. Drink a little. Talk. Relax.

Now in it's third year of operation, Beulahland remains a brilliant little tavern possessing a comfortable, almost Southern-style ramshackle vibe. It has become a favorite for youngish neighborhood locals at anytime during the week, as well as to a much wider cross-section of folks who show up for the bar's diverse entertainment calendar of live music, DJ's and special events on certain evenings. It is an inviting and unpretentious watering hole, a tavern with a character both lively and a little bit drowsy.

Inside exposed brick commingles with broad plastered sections of walls painted in solid red or green. However, little of the wall space can be discerned under the tavern's teeming collection of '80's underground rock posters, classic beer ads, black velvet and matador paintings, not mention a monthly revolving gallery of framed art.

About the room shelves are stuffed with books and board games. A battery of vintage Formica topped kitchen tables stand carelessly arranged around a wide and rustic horseshoe bar that on one side planes out to the size of bunk bed. The jukebox is at anytime likely bursting with an excellent selection of punk and rock 'n' roll. Attached to the ceiling over the front window pokes out from a giant replica of a Ranier beer bottle.

Available at the bar is a carefully chosen variety of quality micro beers on tap. Sandwiches are hearty and moderately priced but the extensive soup repertoire of the Beulahland kitchen is what most regulars praise. Breakfast from 7-ll has just been added. Monday nights are $2.50 pint nights.

For entertainment, Beulahland offers the following: Monday, DJ's; Tuesday, Trivia; Wednesday, Service Industry Night; Thursday and Friday, DJ's; Saturday live music.

Careless, but not sloppy, Beulahland succeeds where other Portland taverns catering to a primarily indie-hip clientele devolve into unsettling dens of people-in-black trying to humor themselves in a kitchy atmosphere of thrift score overkill. This bit of the promised land is just a little bit more laid back than that.

The opinions expressed within are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of pdxguide.com or The Columbian Publishing Co.