I'm hearing (by message) some good things about the Mark. It sounds like it may be a good balance of what I'm looking for.
Does anyone know anything about the Detention Bar at the McMenamins Kennedy School (about 20 minutes from downtown Portland)? I talked to them and they did verify that the Detention bar is a cigar bar. It looks small from the pics I'm seeing, but it also looks very cool. That's what my wife has picked from the bunch. Does anyone know any reason we shouldn't go there?
The three spots you are looking at are all very different and depend on what you like. Detention Bar is at the McMennimins Kennedy School and is very Portland funky. The bar is small and smoky but has the most "character." The clients at the Kennedy school are definitely your young hipsters. The Mark is the largest of the three and is a sports bar meets old style cigar lounge. It has six big screen tvs, leather chairs and then chess and backgammon games available. Here you are going to rub elbows with all sorts. Lastly El Gaucho is the swanky of the three. There is a cigar steward the will cut and light your cigar for you if you wish and the clientele will be local businessmen to Portland Trailblazers.
The Mark is my local smoke spot and I love it (I'll be there this weekend to watch the masters), but I recommended El Gaucho for these reasons;
Location Location Location
El Gaucho is right downtown and if you are looking for something to do before or after you have everything downtown and the Pearl district within blocks.
The Mark is about 15 minutes from downtown but it is in suburban Beaverton and there is nothing around it except strip malls and strip clubs
The Kennedy School is on the east side and it can be very confusing to get to. There are other places close by but again it is a 15 minute drive from downtown.
The Food
If you are looking for some eats with your cigar the food at El Gaucho is top notch. You really cant go wrong with anything on the menu. I suggest the Steak Diablo bites, Ahi Tuna or any of the flaming swords to share.
The Mark has pretty good food as well but a couple notches below the Gaucho.
Hope this helps.
Costa