Small Bites: Kachka, Bar Nouveau, Mayor Millie, and More

Mayor Millie's Mexican Lager label at Montavilla Brew Works.
Mayor Millie will be there at this Saturday’s event!

A new cocktail bar from Kachka is coming this summer. The Portland Business Journal reports that Kachka will open a “full bar concept” in what was the Aimsir Distilling space. Aimsir closed in early January; you may be aware of the tension between them and Jade Rabbit, who are now operating on SE Belmont and 23rd.

Anyway, the article indicates that “[Owner Bonnie] Morales had already leased 2,100 square feet in the same building for a production facility. Half of that space was earmarked for distilling Kachka’s horseradish vodka. The vodka production started in the new space in February, Morales said. By taking over the Aimsir lease, Kachka is adding another 1,500 square feet, but more importantly, the space comes with a fully built out kitchen and distilling equipment.” No name for the bar yet, but I’ll keep an eye on it. 2117 NE Oregon Street, Portland

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Montavilla Brew Works Celebrates 10 Years in Portland

Montavilla Brew Works looking west in Portland, Oregon.

This year marks the tenth year in business for Montavilla Brew Works, which serves as both a brewery and a taproom on the Stark Street commercial strip in the Montavilla neighborhood. In honor of those ten years, they’ve decided to celebrate throughout 2025 with a variety of special brews and collabs. But don’t worry, they’ll have a big birthday bash this summer, too.

I sat down with Michael Kora, one of the founders of Montavilla Brew Works, to learn more about this yearlong event, plus some history of the building and the business.

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