Trader Vic’s in the Pearl?
Tiki titan’s return in the works
Posted by: John Chandler on Dec 09, 2010 at 10:00AM
16 Comments
Jeff Manning at the Oregonian is reporting that a local group of investors headed by J. Clayton Herring, president of real estate firm Norris Beggs & Simpson, is doing some legwork to bring Trader Vic’s back to Portland. As town elders will recall, the famed Polynesian restaurant and bar chain had a local outpost situated beneath the Benson Hotel in the space now occupied by El Gaucho, but it closed up shop in 1996.
According to Manning’s article, the new locale would be in the 7,900 square-foot building that was home to Manzana restaurant at NW 12th and Glisan. I have calls in to some of the players involved and more details will follow as they materialize.
As anyone who knows me can attest, I love me some tiki bars. I dig the Fog Cutter and pupu platter at Thatch, and I’ve crooned Steely Dan at The Alibi on a number of occasions, despite their tendency to serve weak cocktails. While I generally don’t patronize national chains (boo!) I have to admit I have a soft spot in my head for Trader Vic’s. I was spirited there by some record company publicists upon being named Oregon Editor of The Rocket in 1995 and plied with exotic rum drinks. I remember marveling at the prices and thinking, Holy cow! Some of these cocktails cost $7!
What do you think drinking buddies? Is there room in our hearts for Trader Vic’s? Should it be in the Pearl? Are Portland’s homegrown tiki bars good enough to serve all of our tropical needs? Discuss.
I love all things Tiki related and hope to clink a coconut one day with you JC,
YES to Trader Vic’s. xoxo
Next time you’re at Thatch when Heather (dark hair, Cramps and Paul Newman tats) is behind the bar, ask for a Dapper Thief. It’s her concoction, and it’s amazing.
I prefer Don The Beachcomber but would be happy of Trader Vic’s returned. It was the returning GI’s who brought Polynesian Bar-B-Que back to the sstates.
I’m with you: I normally avoid national chains, but some are non-threatening enough that I give them a pass, and I’d probably put Trader Vic’s in that category. That being said, if it’s in the Pearl, I’ll probably rarely go, just because I rarely find myself out for food/drinks in the Pearl.
I agree. I could support Trader Vic’s in general, but think they’d be better if it were located somewhere besides the Pearl. Either North Portland or something on the east side. Ergo, something where finding a parking spot won’t cost more than your cocktail, and you don’t have to sell state secrets to get it. I’d take free street parking over expensive valets any day.
I’m a big Alibi fan, but can you ever really have too much tiki?
seriously?! a tiki-themed-over-priced-national-chain in that huge space?! there’s not enough tourist activity in that area to accommodate such a monstrosity (locals will go, but won’t return). i give em 7mos before they see their error and another 12 to actually close it. Kowabunga indeed.
If you’re into Tiki styles and find yourself up in Vancouver BC, check out www.waldorfhotel.com
Possibly the oldest original Tiki bar in North America?
That location is cursed.
Like so many Portlanders, I have long been hoping for a Hard Rock Cafe in that space, but I guess an international, tiki-themed, chain restaurant will have to do. Shoot, if we’re lucky, maybe this same ownership group could open an Applebee’s on Hawthorne!
On the bright side, at least it will provide some jobs for a few dozen Portlanders for a few months.
@dejvicka, @james: It does seem like an awful lot of space to fill. Perhaps they’re contemplating a tiki mall or theme park. A blender ride? @stevepdx: I wouldn’t put Trader Vic’s on a par of corporate blandness with Applebee’s. After all we had a Trader Vic’s downtown for 30 years. A certain amount of cheesiness is ok, but if it turned out to be a Planet Hollywood-type venture I would help pass out the torches and pitchforks.
I remember Trader Vics at the Benson and have very fond memories of being there many times. It was always so fun and exciting. I love the Alibi and have been a regular there since I turned 21, many many many years ago. I also remember the tiki torches outside the front door of Trader Vics. They were not lit any more in the later years however. But when I was in high school cruising Broadway they were lit. I would be happy to see Trader Vics back in Portland and would go there should it open. Some where in North Portland would also be a great location. Cheers to a new Trader Vics in Portland.
Duane J
I am “over the moon” with joy with the news Trader Vic’s is returning to Portland. Not only have I missed their special cocktails….but the puupuus that are the world’s best hors d’oeuvres….and choices of entrees, etc. So delicious. We used to patronize the Vic’s in the Benson and have missed it so much. Have enjoyed Vic’s in Phoenix and even Munich (which is great!) but to be able to have them back and in the Pearl is just too good to be true. We will be there often!
I love the idea of Trader Vic’s returning to Portland, I had my first date there and enjoyed Trader Vic’s as a place to relax from swift world around us and escape into a tropical island. Each time you go to Trader Vic’s you would see something different from all the creative items in the Polynesian restaurant. The food and drinks only added to fun experience each time I went there. I fear the lack of packing may harm the location as three restaurants have failed at that location. I can’t wait to be one of the first to enjoy the the return of Trader Vic’s to Portland.
Thrilled! Was so disappointed when the Trader Vic’s in Bellevue, WA suddenly closed right before my dad’s 80th birthday party there! I literally grew up in the Trader Vic’s in Denver, sleeping in the booth while my parents imbibed Fog Cutters! I’ll be headed Portland way to visit!
Crab Rangoon and Bongo Bongo Soup, here we come!