Sugar Hill Bar to Open This Summer in SE Portland

Image credit: Jackie’s

Sugar Hill, a new ’70s-inspired bar, will open this summer in SE Portland. The people behind Sugar Hill are the same ones behind Jackie’s (formerly Century) on SE Sandy Blvd and Two Wrongs on NW 13th Ave in the Pearl. Neither of these places have a reputation for “taking themselves too seriously,” and I expect Sugar Hill will carry on that tradition.

I’m going to take a guess here and say that “Sugar Hill” hearkens back to The Sugarhill Gang, an American hip hop trio from the 1970s. They are well-known for their 1979 hit, “Rappers Delight” (it was their biggest hit in the U.S.). No doubt you have heard this song and know the opening bass line groove and the lyrics (even if you don’t know the lyrics): “Now what you hear is not a test: I’m rappin’ to the beat // And me, the groove, and my friends are gonna try to move your feet.” The song’s opening bass line originated in Chic’s “Good Times” and was sampled by the band without permission. You can read all about the interesting story here.

So Sugar Hill, the bar, will open in the old Circa 33 space on SE Belmont. Circa 33 was a restaurant and speakeasy-style bar. They even have their own Wikipedia page. Anyway, they closed down in the fall of 2021; Sugar Hill has completely renovated the space (I wonder if the secret area through the bookshelf is still there, though). There will be a total of 98 seats: 58 indoor, 40 outdoor.

As with their other two spots, and because this is Portland it has rules and booze and food, there will be food and drink. They have been looking to hire a sous chef for Sugar Hill.

They plan to be open seven days a week, from 4pm to 1am each day. Food and alcohol will be available during the entirety of those hours. Looks like they hope to have a DJ at times, too, aside from the recorded music on the sound system.

On their Instagram page, they say, “We are still undecided if bell bottoms are required upon entry, we will let you know.” Take what you will from that.

Despite their appreciation of bell bottoms, I wish the Sugar Hill folks all the best as they work to open this new spot.