Brews and Browse: Portland's Wi-Fi Friendly Pubs

by Gary Corbin

Portland is at the forefront of both craft brewing and wireless Internet connectivity. It makes sense, then, that Portland should marry the two and take the lead in yet another cool way: Wi-Fi access in Portland pubs.Wi-Fi has caught on big time in Portland. One Web site lists 72 free local "hotspots" (not including the plethora of Starbucks that offer Wi-Fi). But the list focuses mostly on coffeehouses and the like. What about those of us who like to sip a different brew while we browse? I recently surveyed Portland-area pubs and found 24 that offer some form of Wi-Fi access (see sidebar). Many pubs advertise it - like Main Street Ale House in Gresham and the ever-expanding McMenamins chain, which sports Wi-Fi in 13 of its Portland-area pubs. And there's "more to come," boasts the groovy brothers' Web site.The Lucky Lab will have Wi-Fi "within a few weeks," says owner Gary Geist. Ken Johnson of Fearless Brewing says he will, too, once he "finds a secure way to do it." Bridgeport will have it in its Northwest Portland pub when it reopens (but not in the Hawthorne Ale House - sorry.)Others are riding the wave for free. You can "hijack" others' signals at Alameda Brewhouse, the Hedge House, Oak Hills Brewpub and the Hazel Dell in Vancouver, Wash. Amnesia benefits from free Wi-Fi on the entire Mississippi Street strip. Then there's that plan of the city's to implement free Wi-Fi; if that goes through, all of Portland's pubs will be Wi-Fi friendly. Now there's a vision!
Get out of town
In case you want to get away from it all - but not quite all - you can find Internet access here and there in resort areas. For the most part, coastal pubs haven't found the need for this competitive edge; only McMenamin's Lighthouse Tavern in Lincoln City shines the Internet beacon for seaward travelers. For skiers, the going is a little easier. Mt. Hood Brewing in Government Camp takes care of our local lift-riders. For those traveling a bit further for the magical pow, McMenamin's Old St Francis School in Bend will get you connected.
Gary Corbin
our latest honorary beer scribe!

Side Bar
Portland's Wi-Fi Friendly Pubs
East side
*Alameda Brewhouse, 4765 N.E. Fremont St.Bar of the Gods, 4801 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.
*Hedge House, 3412 S.E. Division St.Kennedy School, 5736 N.E. 33rd Ave.
Laurelwood Public House, 1728 N.E. 40th Ave.
Main Street Ale House, 333 Main St., Gresham
The Mash Tun, 2204 NE Alberta Street
McMenamins Edgefield, 2126 S.W. Halsey St., Troutdale
Rose and Raindrop, 532 S.E. Grand Avenue
Roots Organic Brewing, 1520 S.E. Seventh Ave.
Coming soon: Lucky Labrador, 915 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.

North Portland/Vancouver
*Amnesia Brewing, 832 N. Beech St.
*Hazel Dell, 8513 N.E. Highway 99, Vancouver, Wash.
McMenamins on the Columbia, 1801 S.E. Columbia River Drive, Vancouver, Wash.
White Eagle Saloon, 836 N. Russell St.
West side
Blue Moon Tavern & Grill, 432 N.W. 21st Ave.
Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, 405 N.W. Cornelius Pass Road,
Hillsboro Daily Double Cafe & Pub, 2037 S.W. Morrison
St.John Barleycorns, 14610 S.W. Sequoia Parkway, Tigard
McMenamins Greenway Pub, 12272 S.W. Scholls Ferry Road, Tigard
*Oak Hills Brewpub, 14740 N.W. Cornell
RoadRock Creek Tavern, 10000 N.W. Old Cornelius Pass Road, Hillsboro
Rogue Ales Distillery and Public House, 1339 N.W. Flanders St.
Coming soon: BridgePort Brewing Co., 1318 N.W. Marshall St.

Out of Town
Golden Valley - 980 4th St, McMinnville
McMenamin's Grand Lodge - 3505 Pacific Ave, Forest Grove
McMenamin's Lighthouse - 4157 Hwy 101, Lincoln City
Mt Angel - 201 Monroe St, Mt Angel
Mt Hood Brewing Co. - 87304 E. Government Camp Loop, Government Camp
Walking Man - 240 NW First, Stevenson, WA
* = Signal borrowed from nearby provider

Guest on Tap has developed a map showing all of the Pubs with Wi-Fi. Please look to our website at http://www.guestontap.com/map.shtml for this information. Guest on Tap wants to know of any Wi-Fi friendly Pubs that we might have missed. Please e-mail us any pubs that we need to add to our list!
Cheers! Prost!