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The Slingshot Lounge
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon-Fri. 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 a.m.
Sat-Sun. 2:00 p.m. - 2:30 a.m.
- Parking:
- Street
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- DJ, Juke Box
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Yes
- Coat Check:
- No
14 reviews for The Slingshot Lounge
I see people driving around with those "I heart Foster-Powell" stickers on their cars. This used to perplex me. When I moved here, some folks kind of instilled a stigma about outer SE Portland to me: that it's crap. Avoid at all costs. Speed up when driving through. Don't talk to strangers - they're probably either crackheads or prostitutes. So I used to see Powell-Foster as a gateway and use it only to get from here to there.
Living in the area, exploring it, has helped me to understand why people love the Foster-Powell neighborhood. It's because of places like Slingshot.
It's spacious. I like spreading myself out and being able to breathe, unless I'm in a moshpit, which a bar should not be.
There are two rooms: one's the bar, which is cool enough in its own regard. Monstrous booths (that hold six to eight people); a cigarette and munchies vending machine; jukebox; a photo booth! Who doesn't get all nostalgic when seeing those old school photo booths... The two restrooms have been called dirty. Really, they're not. They're just kind of... punky. Chaotic. The walls are splattered with a plethora of chalk writing. That's different than dirty, kids.
The other room is my favorite part of the bar. This is generally where I'm squatting. In the mighty mighty Game Room... Muah hah hah... This room has enough open space in the middle of it to hold a breakdancing competition (which would be pretty rad, if I do say so myself). The various games are spread out, as if they don't get along with each other, or they're about to wrestle each other. FOUR pinball machines, two old school arcade games, two pool tables, one air hockey table, one shuffleboard table, and one foosball table. I think I almost peed myself with that statement alone...
One negative part about the game room is the echo. When people start playing air hockey, it sounds more like an air raid and can get nerve-wreckingly loud. They also occasionally play punk at Mach 1 decibals.
It's rare to see the place packed, except for brief moments and occasional events, which is surprising. Every so often, a DJ performs. I haven't seen a live band, but i don't think they're opposed to it. And the lighting is also very dim with dark walls, so you might want to swap out your beer goggles for night vision goggles.
Once your eyes adjust to the darkness, you can find the owners working behind the bar or in the kitchen (with its revamped food menu). They're cute, tattooed, and loveable. Some of their bartenders can seem stand-offish; they just take some getting used to.
One other thing about the bar that I love: the art. The main bar has a series of giant prints of tattooed men. Within the last few months, they've started displaying local artists' works in the gameroom, which is also nice.
Oh yeah, i forgot to mention. The drinks are stiff and pretty affordable. And they've got a nice mix of beer on draft.
But heads up: I don't think they open until around 4pm most days.
Nice location, good beer, *great* space, nice seating... just about the only "cool/hipster bar" in that area.
But, the employees there are unfun. Loud "metal/punk/ska" at any time/all the time, even if there are only three people there. And seems to be run by the skinhead/gearhead crowd. So if you like being intimidated by the staff, like sneers by the clientele for not being a tough guy, like waiting at the bar while the tender talks to/serves his friends first, then hey, great place.
Too bad. Had high hopes for it.
Awesome menu and very great atmosphere. I had the best home-made macaroni and cheese of my life today. It was the perfect combination of soft and crispy. I intend to go back for more, as the menu has a surprising amount of variety.
Bartender was friendly and had great recommendations. Drinks were downright cheap and the game selection is impressive. Not pretentious yet not a dive bar. Some have called Foster Road an up-and-coming scene. If so, the Slingshot has definitely made a contribution to that cause.
Went here after work with friends that go there all the time.
What's not to dig? Punk and metal, strong cocktails, and a stray cat they've adopted and named Whiskey. A fucking mascot for christ's sake!
I like cats, metal and alcohol, what can I say?
I'll be back here.
While I haven't been since they added the game room, and I'm giving it 5 stars because it was effin' AWESOME before the game room! It must be dialed up to 11 now.
Not much to say - great atmosphere, comfy big booths that can fit 6-8 people easily, good drinks, and even though there is smoking, it's fairly well-ventilated (and I'm a little bitch when it comes to smoking in bars these days - I'm a bitter quitter.)
Dig it!
Slingshot you've outdone yourself!
I've been to the Slingshot before. I liked it enough. But I just returned for the first time since their *game room* opened (tadaaaah) and everything's changed. So I start anew!
Now the smoky garage-y bar with awesome deep booths, pinball, and a resident cat (small pumpkin!) that was allllmost worth the trip out to 52nd and Foster, but nearly too similar to the B-Side to warrant the distance, has been strengthened by the addition of the business space next to it, basically doubling (!) the size of the bar.
And what does that space hold?
Oh, I'll tell you!
1. shuffleboard (reason enough, really)
2. foosball
3. pool
4. some old-timey games in the back
and the crowning glory (so i hear)...
5. air hockey
AND this room obviously creates more space for bodies, so the booths won't always be full and you won't have to stand there awkwardly while people leer at you (who leers, these days anyway? so passe).
AND the smokiness has decreased considerably.
AND it's awesome.
party!
Here's what I love about Portland in general- no pretension going on here- just a place to drink, air-hockey the crap out of your arm, foos ball it up and chill with friends. Albeit the "game room" feels a little underutilized, that's fine with me...I'll always slingshot my way over here when I'm in town.
I hate going to bars, and generally cringe when a friend suggests going out to one. But I'm glad to have Slingshot in the neighborhood. Big booths, good pinball, and friendly enough bartenders. The best part though, is that they have framboise on tap. Along with some other interesting drinks (the name escapes me, but one includes strawberry soda and emergen-C). Mysteriously this place is never packed, which is kinda nice.
The beer selection on tap is pretty good. Someone else mentioned framboise, yes, this is the best tastiest stuff. And I really dig the big booths, seriously, they could hold 8 people. But, I don't dig the bartender clipping his nails behind the bar. Just not cool.
This place is awfully clean. But the bathrooms are dumpy. They have big arty posters of people with tattoos. Lighting is blindingly dim, and they BLAST speed metal and punk. Like, don't count on having a conversation or being able to think very clearly. Service is disinterested. I am confused.
Moved into the neighborhood and was stoked to have a new local. The owner was always a favorite of mine at his last gig, which, surprise surprise, was one of my locals.
Great tap selection, awesome game room. The only negative I can think of is that there is never anyone there, but for me that's not really a negative. I don't think it's smoky because I'm usually the only one smoking, or drinking for that matter.
Haven't tried the food, but with Cava across the street and Devil's Point for scenery I'm happy to have Slingshot around. Please people, hit this place up. It need more bodies.
whoah, after reading the reviews of the new game room addition i may have to fly back just to play. shuffle board alone would perfect the place. the owner, eric, an old bonfire bartender could be the nicest person ever- and may be worth going just to see if hes there to chat with cause he is an absolute sweetheart. other than that, the cementy bar is awesome, the booths are long and deep and there is a cute little area out back. i cannot believe there is a game room, will up the review to five stars just based on how sweet that room must be.
2 words- Air Hockey!!! A great bar! A sweet beacon of light in the Foster-Powell Neighborhood. Great atmosphere, friendly staff, tasty drinks. One of my favorites!
