It’s official! Portland has its own version of the 40/40 Club with the newly opened Honorable Mention—at least according to this New York expat. Honorable Mention, Portland’s new sports lounge, which is co-owned by Portland Trail Blazers’ point guard Damian Lillard, opened earlier this month inside The Benson Hotel. The space blends a sultry, luxe vibe with a cozy, welcoming feel that’s perfect for gathering with your crew of friends and sports lovers. The Bridgetown Bites team stopped by its media night this week and came away impressed.
Honorable Mention: Background/Origin Story
Honorable Mention brings together an impressive ownership group led by Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard, alongside other Portland hospitality heavyweights including JR Duperrier (Janken), David Lucas, and Mark Byrum of Urban Restaurant Group. Together with Chef Bobby Brown, the Honorable Mention team has created something new for Portland, one of the city’s first luxury sports lounges. In a place where breweries and brewpubs dominate key sporting events, Honorable Mention stands out by offering an upscale but approachable space that celebrates Portland’s deep love of sports and local athletic talent.
Tucked into the lower level of the historic Benson Hotel, Honorable Mention is easy to spot once you descend the lobby’s winding marble staircase. Once you cross its threshold, the spacious lounge pairs moody lighting with cozy gathering spots like a long bar and tufted round banquettes, great for larger parties. Cool blues, gold accents, and mid-century modern touches set the tone, while sports memorabilia—including a display of athletes’ kicks—nods to Portland’s iconic brands like Nike and Adidas.
Food and Drink Offerings
Sampling the menu at Honorable Mention was a treat—and the vegetarian options impressed us just as much as the meat dishes. We tried a little of everything, from chili-braised beef nachos and bacon-cheddar mac ’n’ cheese to the lacinato kale and garlic pizza and playful sweet corn ribs. For heartier fare, the fried chicken and the Tomahawk steak stood out—both juicy, well-balanced, and perfectly seasoned.
Now let’s talk about their drink game, which is also strong! We focused on the cocktails, which are mid-range to reasonable in price at $14, especially for an upscale downtown lounge. However, the beer and wine list is solid, too, with a thoughtful mix of local craft brews and approachable wines by the glass. Two cocktail standouts were the Sucker Punch, a smooth tropical rum-based cocktail with island vibes, and the Nutty Espresso Martini, a decadent blend of peanut butter whiskey, coffee liqueur, and cold brew that tastes like a spiked dessert. Both are worth a return visit!
And there you have it—Honorable Mention marks Portland’s entry into the luxury sports lounge scene and leaves us eager to return. If Damian Lillard’s goal with this project was to help build the city up, Honorable Mention feels like a strong step in that direction. It was a lovely way to spend a Portland weeknight in our beautiful city.
Honorable Mention at The Benson Hotel [opened March 6, 2026]
309 SW Broadway, Portland
The Benson Hotel website | Instagram | Facebook
Judith Rich
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