Welcome to our end-of-the-year roundup of top posts on Bridgetown Bites in 2025—we have chosen the ten most-visited for the year. These posts were about restaurant openings, both happening at the time or at a future date; and roundups focusing on dumplings, anticipated restaurants, Thanksgiving, and SNAP meals (no questions asked). Fun fact: That prior year (2024) our Thanksgiving roundup also placed in the top 10.
Cider Bite will close. After a decade in business, Portland’s oldest cider house will close; their final day of service will be Sunday, October 19. Founder Jeff Hanneson posted about the closure on their website:
“The decision to close did not come lightly. Like many small businesses, we have faced unprecedented challenges over the past few years-from COVID restrictions, multiple break-ins, and incidents of vandalism, to dramatically rising operating costs and a significant decline in tourism and downtown foot traffic that has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Our beloved city has struggled to regain its vibrancy and to overcome the barrage of negative national media coverage and public perceptions of safety. With our lease set to expire at the end of October and the landlord requiring higher rent and expenses under a long- term agreement, we were unable to secure an acceptable and sustainable extension that would allow us to continue.”
Prior to the closing they will host some special events and will be selling some of the business’s ephemera. Sorry to see them go. 1230 NW Hoyt Street, Portland
It’s time to review the top posts from last month! In June 2025 it was pretty straightforward: Readers were interested in restaurant and bar openings … and strawberry shortcake. ‘Tis the season, after all.
We got a nice little bump in traffic in June compared to May: About 36,000 unique visitors generated almost 50,000 page views. That’s an increase of approximately 6% and 4%, respectively.
Thanks to everyone who read, shared, commented, and passed on tips! It means a lot.
Formerly Crush Bar, will be Peacock. Photo credit: Google.
Peacock is the name of a new dedicated queer bar in the old Crush Bar space. They hope to open in July 2025, but as of mid-July, it’s looking more like mid-August, according to my sources. I spoke to Aaron Grimmer, one of the persons behind the project, and here is what I learned from him.