“'To hell with the handkerchief,' said Walter Mitty scornfully. He took one last drag on his cigarette and snapped it away. Then, with that faint, fleeting smile playing about his lips, he faced the firing squad; erect and motionless, proud and disdainful, Walter Mitty the Undefeated, inscrutable to the last."

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

By James Thurber

1939

Born and raised in the tucked-away Mountain Park Plaza where Lake Oswego meets deep SW Portland (11830 Kerr Pkwy, 97035), Walter Mitty's Restaurant & Bar has provided a languid home for drinking day dreamers since 1982.

And much like the ineffectual protagonist of the classic short story (that very loosely inspired the original bar founders) -- a man who would rather be the hero of his own fantasy world than deal with an increasingly unsatisfying reality -- your three podcast heroes, Alfredo, Nathan, and Producer Bill, mounted their bar stools for another world-saving episode of History by the Glass.

Nominated three straight years for our Audience Choice Episode tourney by determined fan of the bar and pod (Robyn V), Walter Mitty's is what it is without trying too hard to be anything it's not. It's uncool. It's unironic. Despite the name, it's not an homage to much of anything. Which of course, makes it absolutely perfect in all its '80s oak and glass and green carpeted glory.

Bar visit and episode recording: Friday, January 24, 2026

HBTG theme song: "Frozen Egg" by Lame Drivers

Interlude music: "Right Track" by Lame Drivers

[NOTE: Enjoy the resurrection of this classic (kinda long, rambling, and minimally structured) HBTG episode from Season 1 , now with 100% less unlicensed Brenda Lee music!]

Do you like your old Portland bars OLD? Well, they don’t get older than this. Join us for a Very Special Episode of History By the Glass. We don our gay apparel to slurp cocktails at Jake’s Famous Crawfish (14:51), established 1892. Then we get even "history-ier" as we carve out time to talk turkey bars over at Huber’s (48:58), established 1879. Very old, indeed!

Bar visits and episode recording: Friday, December 27, 2019

HBTG theme song: "Frozen Egg" by Lame Drivers

Interlude music: "Right Track" by Lame Drivers

Thirteen bars entered. One bar left.

In the end, Milwaukie's Golden Nugget (11056 SE Main St.) -- nominated by The Oregonian's unofficial old bar beat writer Samantha Swindler -- held off 12 other nominees from across the metro area in the traditionally idiotic HBTG coin flip tournament bracket to claim the third annual Listeners' Choice Episode honors.

For Nathan, it was a chance for the prodigal son to return home to experience his hometown through the cocktail glasses of a rather incredible, completely hidden gem, Goodfellas, '70s chic, diner lounge, type place that was a vibe unto its own.

For Alfredo, it was a chance to eat liver & onions... Also, a vibe unto its own.

Hearty thanks and gratitude to all our listeners, Instagram followers, friends, and family near and far who have made this project so doggedly enjoyable year after year. You've made us rich in every way, except...you know...with money.

Producer Bill would like to dedicate this episode to the rollicking life of Bob Daley -- sportsman, bar man, family man, and friend.

Bar visit and episode recording: Friday, November 28, 2025

HBTG theme song: "Frozen Egg" by Lame Drivers

Interlude music: "Right Track" by Lame Drivers