Barwares, the slick new cocktail lounge behind Smallwares (NE Fremont at 46th, on Alameda Ridge) opens today (Tuesday, May 8). A soft opening last night was anything but: shoulders were rubbed, hobs were knobbed, bubbles were quaffed, and excellent Smallwares plates were passed through a sea of handsome patrons. The food we know is great, but what the public is about to see is an interestingly-designed lounge that has all the comforts of home: large windows open to the courtyard for summer air, a massive communal table comfortably hosts strangers, a large couch seats a slew of self-engrossed couples, and the long, deep bar is a good place to pile up dishes. The mixed styles of seating mean you can get comfortable in a variety of ways, from intimate to stammtisch.
Strange Brew was playing on the flat screen over the fireplace, but as of press time it could not be confirmed that this would always be the case.
Communal tables are the fucking worst.
I think they’re a bad fit for restaurants (Montage) but a bar is essentially a one-sided communal table, and bars are okay. So maybe a communal table in a bar would be okay?
@CC: YOU’RE A COMMUNAL TABLE.
For god’s sake, can we chill out on the bar openings? Seems like a new one opens up every week. Soon enough, bars are going to be like the Dunkin Donuts of Portland.
“I’m goin back to New York City. I do believe I’ve had enough.” – Dylan
OH MY GOD, TOO MANY BARS, WHY CAN’T I HOLD ALL THESE BARS???
Newsflash: bars are going to be like the bars of Portland, duder.
Communal tables are the worst.
No, you know what? People who LOVE to sit at communal tables and really gosh darn get to know all the other strangers – whoops, I mean “friends I just haven’t met yet!” THEY’RE the worst!
I’m really glad that I’m not at risk of being seated at a communal table with Reymont.
I would sit at a communal table with almost anyone, but i agree they suck, especially if you are with a date or your Girlfriend.