41 — Ming Lounge at the Republic Cafe

History by the Glass

Season 3 of History by the Glass reaches its culmination with a trip into the heart of Portland's historic Chinatown district to visit the century-ish old Republic Cafe (222 NW 4th Ave.) — the oldest Chinese-American restaurant in the city — and its random and remarkable Ming Lounge. Still stuffed with Christmas ham and eggnog, Alfredo and Nathan shackled themselves to longtime friend of the pod Bill Clifford and headed into the red-tinted unkown to seek the treasure of character-centric historic bar experiences. And thanks to bar host Heather Nissa Ragonese (and perhaps the epicurean spirits of all the Chinese, Japanese, and/or American customers of years past) they found it in droves on an unforgettable night in old Portland. First, however, they summarized the HBTG year that was and previewed a forthcoming interview with Oregonian/Here is Oregon reporter Samantha Swindler — curator of the state's most distinct human interest stories and newfound historic bar researcher —in another overflowing episode of History by the Glass! Bar visit and episode recording: Friday, Dec. 27, 2024 HBTG theme song: "Frozen Egg" by Lame Drivers Interlude music: "Right Track" by Lame Drivers