On the list....!

Places to go -

Hophouse
Moon & 6pence
Tug Boat Brewing
Torta-landia
Sellwood Pub

(the below have been visited, but not detailed on their own pages)
Muddy Rudder - Score ?? I haven't played games here, but it was suggested by the comment below.  I have been to the location and agree it would be a great place to try a game. Nice atmosphere and nice tables. A nice pub in an unexpected location.  Full bar, I haven't tried their food.

Hopworks - Score - 7 Great Happy Hour and decent food, Not great for camping out. Too crowded for gaming during busy hours.

My Father's Place - Score 9. High score is based on the Wednesday night gatherings.  I haven't been on other nights.  Tables are mostly small, the lighting is darker and the food isn't amazing.  Also, if you are precious about keeping your game clean, don't play it here. This does still get a 9 score though, because they are super game friendly and the Wednesday night group is large, welcoming and has a large pile of their own games so you will find something and someone to play with whether you bring your own or not!  Crowd tends to be mid-20's, with some 30's. Bar atmosphere with some food.  Large (50+? people) turnout on Wednesday nights: https://www.facebook.com/dicedrinks


Where else?

Mash Tun - NE

Mash Tun

2204 NE Alberta (actual entrance is on 22nd, just South of Alberta)

Mash Tun is one of my favorite locations so far.  The only thing holding it back from being perfect is that it got crowded quickly on the Tuesday night we went.  We only stayed for a couple of hours, because people were waiting for tables by 7-8-ish.  We quickly realized that it was likely because they have a special on Tuesdays all day: $2.50 pints and $8.50 pitchers.  I'm interested to go back on another night.

They also have Happy Hour M-F 4-6 & Sun-Thurs 11-12. ($1 off house beer and well drinks)

General Atmosphere:

8 - It was full by 8pm on the Tuesday we visited, so ask your server before playing. Or I'd suggest playing games that are smaller and only encompass the time and space that it would take to consume your regular purchased items.  The overall feel is Portland upscale pub.  Upscale pub.... meaning exactly that - upscale for a pub.  So t-shirts and cargo shorts or whatever are fine, the decor, patrons and staff just seem to be a little more purposefully put together than a place like Lucky Lab.

Lighting:

9 - Well lit,  but not too bright. We sat by the front window, which could be better than the interior. There is also an interior skylight and high ceilings which add some great natural lighting.

Tables:

8 - Smooth laminate tops in varying sizes. Some are tall round bar style tables. Mostly sized for 4 people.  

Food:

8 - Food is classic pub style grub with the strange addition of pita pizzas. Veg/vegan are well marked. The Tempeh Things are just deep fried tempeh with sauce, nothing special, but tempeh! We didn't get a chance to try much more since we'd all had later lunches, but what we did have suggested that the burgers and sandwiches and salads would be really good.

Drinks:

9 - Full bar with focus on their own and other beer. Tuesday is cheap beer day!

Meeple score:

8 - The servers are nice, and games don't seem like a problem, but it was too busy to camp out.  Certainly worth a revisit from us on another night, or just going to play some cards.

Hours - Mo-Thurs 12pm-12am,  Sat 12pm-1am,  Sun 10am-12am

Game nights held as of this post - None that we are aware of right now

Mellow Mushroom - NW

CLOSED (see comment below) - Mellow Mushroom

1411 NW Flanders St

This is a chain that's somewhat new to Portland.  A pizza place with large menu and casual environment.  It's bustling, but mellow and cheap beer on Mondays!

General Atmosphere:

8 - It can get crowded, so ask your server about playing first.... ALWAYS ask your server before playing anywhere that you aren't a regular.  The place is open, modern pizza parlor style. It closes at 10pm, which can be early for gaming and drinking.

Lighting:

8 - Well lit,  but not too bright. 

Tables:

6 - Smooth laminate tops in varying sizes. Mostly size for 4 people.  With the pizza platforms, large menus and other stuff on the tables, it can be hard to play larger games.

Food:

8/9 (quality/options) - Food is high-end pizza parlor fare. There is a wide variety for all eating preferences. Gluten free and veg are well marked.

Drinks:

8 - Full bar with focus on beer. Cheap deals on Mondays all day.

Meeple score:

7 - The servers are nice, and games don't seem like a problem, but it doesn't scream "games" here.

Hours - Su-Thurs 11am-10pm,  Fri-Sat 11-11

Game nights held as of this post - None that we are aware of right now

Sorry I didn't get any photos of the restaurant interior!

Night Light - SE

Night Light

2100 SE Clinton

This is a bar, with food, dark lighting... but a pile of games at the door, so what is there to do, but play something!

General Atmosphere:

6 - For gaming, it is a little strange... maybe.  It feels like a bar with patrons in their 20's mostly.  At about 9 or 10pm the bar became pretty full, even on a weekday and a wild pack of loud-talkers sat next to us and took over all hope of hearing anything at our own table.  The location does have a pile of games, and you'll see people bust out the "Connect 4" etc, but it is hard to get over the party vibe here.  The music is also loud.

Lighting:

5 - Dark inside. Nice covered patio and sidewalk tables, where people smoke.

Tables:

6 - Indoor tables are smooth sealed wood, and well cleaned in varying sizes and even heights.  A handful of large booths that are fantastic for playing if you can grab one.  Outdoor tables are all the black metal grate type top and not great for gaming.

Food:

7/7 (quality/options) - Food is a bit above average bar food. Items range from Short ribs and mac and cheese to kale salad and falafel.  Vegan and veggie item options are clearly marked and include a jasmine rice vegetable stir fry and mezza platter that strangely comes with bread instead of pita. Avg price $8

Drinks:

8 - Full bar with some interesting cocktail specials. 

Meeple score:

7 - Although there is a pile of games at the door, and the servers are nice, it didn't seem like games really fit in here.

Hours - M-F 2pm-2:30am, SA-SUN 10am-2:30am.

Game nights held as of this post - None that we are aware of right now

Bushwacker Cider - SE

Bushwacker Cider

1212 D SE Powell

Cider is one of our favorite go-to drinks when pub playing... so Bushwackers was an obvious choice to hit up.  The atmosphere is very casual, almost cafe style, with just a few square tables inside, and a similar number out.

General Atmosphere:

8 - Friendly, garage door pub. It felt a little sporty/college the night we went with an average estimated age of 20-30 it seemed.

Lighting:

7 - A little dark inside.  Large rollup door helps during daylight.

Tables:

6 - Indoor tables are smooth sealed wood, and well cleaned.  Seating is mostly at small tables for 2-4. We barely fit a single table playing with 3. Tables can be combined, but it would be rude to take the real estate from other clients if they need it.   Outdoor tables are the small black grate-top type and not good for playing much except possibly cards.

Food:

7/6 (quality/options) - Food is a strange, but interesting subject here.  They have only a few little snack type items here, hummus and bread, chips, and some others.  BUT, you are welcome to bring your own in, and we had a great meal delivered from the German place next door. We just called them up and they brought in on plates over to us and they returned later to pick up the dishes.  It was easy and the food was great!  A vegan seasonal plate is always available that is better than any food I ate while in germany. There is also a Subway in the same shopping center. 

Drinks:

8 - Cider mostly, with a few other offerings (no cocktails).  Flights, tap, and bottles are all available for cider.  

Meeple score:

9 - The servers are friendly and welcoming to gamers. Counter service only.

Hours - open noon - 11pm sun - thurs.  Fri & Sat, 12-12.  

Game nights held as of this post - None that we are aware of right now

Photo borrowed from Yelp

The Side Door - SE

The Side Door

425 SE Washington

The Side Door is my new favorite place to play.  We happened to go on a Monday when a few others  gathered for a regular monday night event.  The servers where awesome, and it just gives off that great neighborhood bar/pub vibe in general.

General Atmosphere:

9 - Friendly neighborhood bar/cafe feel.  Music selection was great and not so loud that it was hard to hear each other while playing.  Smaller space, but with a tall ceiling, it feels open.  Picnic tables out front.

Lighting:

8 - A little dark inside with a bit of a glare from some lights.  Large windows help during daylight.

Tables:

9 - Most tables are laminate and smooth, well cleaned.  Seating is mostly 4 with some booths and tall tables.  Outdoor picnic tables seem to be smoker domain, and not the best surface for playing.

Food:

7/6 (quality/options) - Food consists of salads, sandwiches, etc and soup/other specials.  Nothing to write home about, but clean and fair priced. Unsure of vegan options.

Drinks:

8 - Full bar and coffee bar. 

Meeple score:

9 - The servers are friendly and welcoming to gamers. Table and counter service.

Hours - open 7am-12am m-sa.  11am-12am sun.  

Game nights held as of this post - Mondays? Click Here

Photos borrowed from Yelp

The Barley Mill - SE

Barley Mill

1629 SE Hawthorne

Barley Mill is either the oldest or one of the oldest McMenamins locations.  It has great tables, and is always mellow inside, or outside in the heated and covered sidewalk seating area.  The questionable food and spotty service may be why it is usually mellow.

General Atmosphere:

7 - Portland Pub/restaurant, casual, low key with a sort-of psychedelic theme. Indoor areas with nice large tables and mostly booth style benches.  The outdoor space is fantastic for some fresh air even when chilly.  The music is loud and the speakers are not great outside which equals... bad (even though we loved the weird 70's, 80's mix.  This may be an issue from those with sensitive hearing/white noise issues.

Lighting:

7 - A little dark inside with a bit of a glare from some lights.  The areas farther from the street are darker than street side with the large windows.

Tables:

9 - Most tables are thick sealed wood and seat 4-6.  A warning to ensure the table is clean before putting your items down.  Ours was filthy and the server just barely dragged a cloth over it which just smeared the grease around.

Food:

5/6 (quality/options) - Food is basically fancy sounding bar food. Menu includes burgers, fries, salads, sandwiches, and some wraps. Vegan option is a veggie burger. Fries and tots are the best thing on the menu, and are both vegan without the ranch sauce.  Average dish $10

Drinks:

8 - Full bar and some beers on tap. McMinamins makes their own beer, wine and some liquors and has a few signature cocktails on their menu. 

Meeple score:

6 - Barley Mill is easy to visit and has nice flat tables, but the loud music and uninterested/game-grumpy servers combined with bleh food makes this an ok, but nothing more than ok, location. 

Hours - open 11-11 mon-thurs, fri-sat 11-1am, sun 12-11

Game nights held as of this post - none regular known

Photos borrowed from yelp - 

Green Dragon - SE

Green Dragon

928 SE 9th Ave

Green Dragon is another great gaming staple for our list of places to play.  It has a large outdoor area and the indoor area has an open pub style seating side with picnic tables and 4-top size tables and a smaller area near the bathrooms.  There is also bar seating.  This place has a lot of beer on tap and can get crowded on weekend eves or if there is an event taking place.

General Atmosphere:

8 - Portland Pub, casual, low key. Indoor areas with various tables, the best size being picnic table size but with slightly uneven surface, possible holes & outdoor patio has similar tables.  Because it can get crowded during certian times, can be a little more of a drinking scene Green Dragon gets one less point than Lucky Lab for gaming purposes.   However, for a pub, it's quite friendly and has a really nice atmosphere.

Lighting:

7 - A little dark inside with a bit of a glare from some lights.  The do have a rollup door and lots of outdoor seating, so the lighting does vary inside.

Tables:

7 - Most tables are thick sealed wood with some wear and varying in size.  Most are picnic tables with somewhat uneven surfaces, possible gaps/holes, but in much better shape than most outside picnic tables and with close together slats.

Food:

8/7 (quality/options) - Food is much better than regular bar food. Menu includes burgers, fries, wings, salads, sandwiches, beer cheese soup and some fish dishes. Vegan gluten free burger. Fries and tots are tasty and good for gaming snacks. Root beer and beet floats!  Average dish $10

Drinks:

9 - Full bar and extensive beer on tap, as well as craft root beer on tap. It is a Rogue Brewery location. A handful of sodas and juices and floats as well. 

Meeple score:

9 - Green Dragon is home to a few game get togethers. Table and counter service, and the staff is friendly and attentive.

Hours - open 11am everyday.  Close 11pm Sunday-Wednesday, and 1am Thursday, Fri, Sat.

Game nights held as of this post - none regular known

Lucky Lab - SE

Lucky Labrador Brewing
915 SE Hawthorne

Of course it makes sense to start our Portland gaming and drinking tour with the grand daddy of board game locations: Lucky Lab on Hawthorne.  There is a regular boardgame meetup here every Thursday. And, Lucky Lab was key in starting us on the adventure to find places to play.  They are casual, clean (for a pub), and friendly. The food is good and beer is great.  Here's the overall breakdown:

General Atmosphere:
9 - Portland Pub, casual, low key. Indoor options, large reservable room & outdoor patio that is puppy friendly. Surprisingly comfortably warm in winter for a larger space.

Lighting:
10 - Ideal - bright enough to see well, but still low enough to feel cozy.

Tables:
9 - Inside tables are thick sealed wood varying in size from 2 person to picnic table size.  Outside are picnic tables, and not good for games with small pieces.

Food:
7/7 (quality/options) - Food is better than average pub style grub. Menu includes meat and vegs, salads, sandwiches, soup specials, strange rice dishes and a few snack-type foods. Vegan options are rice dishes, and a couple of appetizers.  Average dish $7 http://luckylab.com/locations/hawthorne-lucky-labrador-brew-pub/

Drinks:
8 - No mixed drinks.  Extensive beer options, as well as root beer on tap. A handful of reasonably priced wines, sodas and tea.

Meeple score:
10 - It is common to see people with games here. Counter service, and the staff is friendly to gamers.

Hours - 11am-midnight (m-sat)  &  noon-10pm (Sunday)

Game nights held as of this post - Thursday eve

Pics borrowed from yelp: