We’ve been watching a bunch of the World Cup games at one of our favorite bars in Valencia — the Portland Ale House. Found on Calle Salamanca near Plaza Canovas, the Portland’s blinking neon arrow provides an unfailing beacon for the thirsty.
The Portland is extremely popular among young American and British expats, but also among natives, and there’s a nicely mixed crowd on most nights. Especially popular are the Sunday night pub quizzes, which get underway at 20:00.
As far as I’m concerned, there are two overwhelming reasons to show up. First is the sports — American football is shown here (during the season), making it perhaps the only spot in downtown Valencia to get your pigskin fix. Secondly, the Portland has a number of great microbrews.
And it’s a place to meet people, especially if you’re an expat who’s missing the homeland a bit. The owner, Mike, is actually from Portland (Oregon) and always happy to chat. Check it out… regardless of where you come from, this is an awesome pub in one of the city’s best corners.
Portland Ale House (on Facebook)
Calle Salamanca 10
Location on our Valencia Map
963 810 406
Valencia
19°
Lee wrote,
I’d second your comments. I went to The Portland to watch the England-Slovenia game. Good atmosphere, nice staff & it’s not too expensive either. It’s the first bar I’ve been to in Valencia where people are actually WATCHING the games!
Link | June 24th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
The Soccer Scene in the USA in the next 4 Years wrote,
[...] there came the Ghana Bomb ( yet again – after the the world cup 2006). We watched the game at the Portland a micro brewery bar in Valencia run by a guy from Oregon filled with Americans. And I had my camera ready to capture [...]
Link | June 27th, 2010 at 9:33 am