Wikipedia

Circa 33

Circa 33 was a bar and restaurant in southeast Portland, Oregon's Sunnyside neighborhood, in the United States.[1]

Circa 33
The bar's exterior in 2018
Map
Restaurant information
Established2010 (2010)
ClosedSeptember 26, 2021 (2021-09-26)
Street address3348 SE Belmont Street
CityPortland
StateOregon
Postal/ZIP Code97214
CountryUnited States
Coordinates45°30′59″N 122°37′48″W / 45.5164°N 122.6300°W / 45.5164; -122.6300
Websitecirca33.com

Description

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Thrillist describes Circa 33 as a speakeasy with "classic" cocktails, pool, and darts.[2] Circa 33 had a "secret bar"[3] and a wrap-around patio.[4]

History

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Circa 33 opened in October 2010.[5] The bar was operated by the restaurant group Independent Restaurant Concepts.[6] Joshua Johnston has also been credited as a co-owner.[5][7]

The bar participated in The Oregonian's Dumpling Week in 2018,[8] 2019,[9] and 2020.[10]

Circa 33 was among local businesses in the Rose City Downtown Collective seeking support in 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd protests.[11] In August 2020, when Circa 33 was closed because of the pandemic, the bar's alleyway and back patio hosted a "gin-centric pop-up bar" called Gin Alley.[12][13] Gin Alley served strawberry-and-pepper gin fizzes, hazelnut mai tais, and martinis.[14] Circa 33 also supported a proposed plan to convert several blocks along Southeast Belmont Street into an outdoor dining area.[15]

Circa 33 closed in September 2021.[16]

Reception

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Exterior of Circa 33 and neighboring Aalto Lounge, 2012

Adam Lapetina of Thrillist included Circa 33 in his 2013 overview of "How to get into the 14 best speakeasies in America".[17] Writers for Business Insider included the bar in 2014 and 2015 lists of the "coolest speakeasies" in the United States.[18][19]

In 2020, Eater Portland's Brooke Jackson-Glidden included Circa 33 in her overview of "Where to Throw a Bachelorette Party in Portland".[20] Zagat gives Circa 33 ratings of 4.5 and 4.4 out of 5 for decor and service, respectively, and says, "This cool, dark Prohibition-themed Sunnyside lounge boasts a towering liquor shelf accessed by a library ladder, as well as outstanding classic cocktails at moderate prices; the service is usually excellent, and the awesome semi-covered alleyway patio and back-area speakeasy hidden behind a swinging bookshelf are added benefits."[21]

References

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  1. ^ "Circa 33". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  2. ^ "Circa 33". Thrillist. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  3. ^ Lassalle, Janelle (November 1, 2016). "Portland Food Secrets You Definitely Want to Know". Thrillist. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  4. ^ Mesh, Aaron (March 26, 2013). "Take It Inside". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  5. ^ a b DeJesus, Erin (October 18, 2010). "Post-Prohibition Bar Circa 33 Takes Over Beautiful Pizza Space". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  6. ^ Silverman, Julia (June 1, 2020). "Amid Unprecedented Strain on Portland Food Banks, a New Humanitarian Effort Is Here to Help". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  7. ^ Pitawanich, Christine (May 27, 2020). "Plan would let Portland restaurants expand into the street for social distancing seating". KGW. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  8. ^ Russell, Michael (January 29, 2018). "Dumpling Week is back! Meet the 30 participating restaurants and their special dumplings". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  9. ^ Gabrielson, Kjerstin (January 28, 2019). "It's Dumpling Week 2019! Check out the 36 restaurants and their special dumplings". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  10. ^ Gabrielson, Kjerstin (January 29, 2020). "Dumpling Week is back, with 35 Portland restaurants offering special dishes". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on February 9, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  11. ^ "Downtown Portland's plea for support to 'rebuild the spirit' of the city". KATU. December 2, 2020. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  12. ^ Frane, Alex (August 28, 2020). "A Gin-Heavy Cocktail Pop-Up Will Soon Take Over a Southeast Portland Alleyway". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  13. ^ Smith, Suzette (September 4, 2020). "This Week in Food News: Farewell to Ford Food and Drink, Gin in a SE Alley, and the Pearl's New Italian Market". Portland Mercury. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  14. ^ "Where to Drink Outside This Week". Willamette Week. October 4, 2020. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  15. ^ Mesh, Aaron (May 27, 2020). "Murmurs: Unrest at the Oregon Employment Department". Willamette Week. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  16. ^ Frane, Alex (2021-10-01). "Belmont Speakeasy-Themed Bar Circa 33 Has Closed Its Doors for Good". Eater Portland. Retrieved 2021-10-01.
  17. ^ Lapetina, Adam (December 4, 2013). "How to get into the 14 best speakeasies in America". Thrillist. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  18. ^ Stanger, Melissa; Robinson, Melia (September 8, 2014). "The Coolest Speakeasies In America". Business Insider. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  19. ^ Fowler, Brittany (September 22, 2015). "The 25 coolest speakeasies in America". Business Insider. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  20. ^ Jackson-Glidden, Brooke (January 28, 2020). "Where to Throw a Bachelorette Party in Portland". Eater Portland. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  21. ^ "Circa 33". Zagat. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
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