https://downtownbellevue.com/2019/09/29/henrys-tavern-locations-close-pacific-northwest/ Haven't been to the downtown Portland location in years (just not my thing), but even so, was surprised to read this. For now at least, the PDX airport location is still open.
Really disappointed in the way this was handled. From what I've read other places, the downtown Portland location was informed Friday afternoon that they were closing Friday night. That's a lot of employees to suddenly be unemployed. I used to visit Henrys instead of other chain sports bars because of their lengthy PNW-focused beer list. They had a TV setup during March Madness where you could see every game from every seat in the bar. Restaurants Unlimited completely ruined the place. I hope they get a new tenant soon, that's a cool piece of Portland history.
That's what the Oregonian reported as well. Apparently, just the Portland location alone employed more than a 100 people.
I went to the one across from T-Mobile Park a couple times, but most of the time I just went to Hooverville down the street.
Their food was mediocre at best, and I had more than my share of stale oxidized beer there, but it is sort of sad to see them go. They had actually been making changes to try to bring in the lunch crowd (grab & go lunch specials for under $10, day time happy hour with things like $.50 wings every Wednesday, etc), but it was obviously too little, too late. Something tells me that the spot is either going to be empty for a very, very long time (like the former PF Chang/Holsteins' spot across the street), or some massive chain with money to burn is going to take over the spot and turn it into some soulless bullshit that tries and fails to be relevant to Portlanders. Ni ether one of those options sounds appealing...
I went to Henry's downtown a few years ago when I was still ticking off places just to tick. It felt cavernous and impersonal. Not a fun place. My shortlist for PDX usually is HotD, Upright, Baileys.
Yeah, I would see the one next to Mariners stadium, and just get the cold, soulless, corporate vibe, and walk on by.
Airport then had to close I assume? To have an airport location they need an offsite location right? Any news on the airport?
Country Cat is still open in PDX too. I'm guessing it only becomes an issue when they are up to sign a new contract.
Henry's at the airport is still open, and is super busy tonight. I waited for a spot to open at the bar, then bailed to seek beer and food elsewhere.
Unless something has changed in the last couple years, all the businesses in the airport are run by a national concessions company called HMS that basically licenses the names/branding/menu/etc of the actual brewery or restaurant. I'm not sure how it works when the original business goes under, but I suspect @weaverr is correct and that it'll remain open until the contract runs out or they find someone else to take over the space.
That's not entirely true for PDX. HMSHost exclusively operates the food service businesses in most of the airports around the country as a contract with the owner of the airport. At PDX, HMSHost has to contract individually with each of the businesses inside of the airport. A lot of the businesses in PDX do contract with HMSHost, but not all of them and it's not required. Part of the reason that PDX is the best airport in the country. I haven't been to Henry's in awhile, but I think you're right that HMSHost operates that location and that's likely a primary motivating factor for its continued operation.
