Poking Around Pubs in Portland
Hilton Portland | Kells Irish Bar | Thirsty Lion | Ash St Saloon | Shanghai Tunnel | Roll of Honour
The city of Portland had never been blessed with an Australian Cultural Evening until "Black Tuesday". 17th of March, 2008. The 11th ACE was launched with the now customary crashing of the MadCap reception and the pillaging of its drink vouchers. The event continued downhill from there, figuratively and literally. The organisation of the event was poorer than its even low normal standard, and the group of Aussie revellers had split by the time we reached the first pub.
The numbers of Australians celebrating the evening was down on the extraordinary high numbers of the previous year, but was nonetheless strong, with at least 51 revellers in the mob this year. The number of GAs (Genuine Australians) was relatively high at a headcount of three, but we did have an unusually large number of Davids and Scotts.
As already mentioned, the evening started at the MadCap Reception at the Hilton Portland. From there, it was a long walk down to the seedier part of town to avail of the hospitality first at the .
 Sharon and Sue get partying early by slipping into their hula skirt |
 We're only at the first stop and Matthew is in high spirits. |
 Just taking a few mug shots once drinks are in hand |
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 The herding of the cats commences, as revellers are encouraged into the cold of the night to find our next destination: Kells. |
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The staff at Kells Irish Bar were shocked to see our large group of Australians arrive, and hurriedly bustled us into the dungeon usually reserved for destitutes and smokers. Without natural light and air, we immediately made ourselves at home in the Cigar Room. It took a while, but in due course drinks arrived, and later food of edible size and quality. The Aussies soon found their singing voices, and thrilled the patrons upstairs (in the civilised area) with their tear-jerking rendition of "Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!".
 Earnest discussion amongst this group of camera-wielding Aussies |
 Aussie sheilas Maggie and Amanda bring a touch of glamour to the pub |
 A lovely short of the variety of ears that could be found in theA lovely short of the variety of ears that could be found in the bar |
 A new feature at the 2008 ACE was a door prize of a Dunkum Aussie Dictionary, won by Rob |
 Two of the three Davids (and Anita) discuss the popularity of the name |
When the meals were eaten, and the drinks were drained, it was time to move across the road to the next stop. But not before a Guinness Book of Records attempt at the quickest time to divvie up the bill, with the money rounded up and counted in less than three minutes and 45 seconds.
The Thirsty Lion was the next port of call, and we caught up with the remainder of a splinter group of Aussies who couldn't face the ambience of the Cigar Room. Some more joviality ensued, and some fine beverages were sampled.
 Mike is happy now that he has his beer, and Scott tries on a new scarf |
 Mara becomes the flag-wearer |
 Jennifer is all wrapped up in her flag... or is she pole dancing? |
 Those glasses are looking awfully empty. Must be time to move on... |
It was time to hit a bar with music, and the Ash St Saloon had some loud sounds which were a close enough match. Some of our number were delighted to be asked for proof of age, which seems to prove the rule that drinking makes you younger and better looking. The band playing first up was a punk hill-billy band with loads of class.
 Don't mess with the band, or their cousins |
 The barmaid was lovely, and enjoyed her clip-on koala |
 Some Aussie blokes spin a few yarns |
 The Boggan was looking at his best all night |
The next band featured a crazed madman wearing a broken tamborine as a collar, so we thought it must be time to head further downhill. So we bade farewell to the lovely barmaid, and it was off to the aptly named Shanghai Tunnel.
At first, we thought that the Shanghai Tunnel was closed. But it turned out that all tAt first, we thought that the Shanghai Tunnel was closed. But it turned out that all the action was in the basement. And what a pleasant surprise it was. The vibe was excellent, the music great, and the barmaid at this establishment was as friendly as the last. (Sorry if I'm dwelling on the barmaids a little too much. As usual.)
 The Shanghai Tunnel beckons... |
 The decor at the Shangai Tunnel was marvellous...  ...and the hygiene in the toilets was exemplary |
 Tony couldn't be happier, and the barmaid feels the same about her clip-on kangaroo |
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 More spinning of yarns in the Shanghai Tunnel |
All good things must come to an end, and eventually the land of slumber beckoned. The revellers trudged back up the hill to the Hilton. On the way, there was an unfortunate human pyramid incident involving a New Zealander amongst us (the troublemaker is always the Kiwi). No limbs were broken, no thanks to Allison,and all made it back intact to the hotel. Sharon's hula skirt even made it back in one piece.
If you enjoyed these photos, you're in for a treat: the official photographer (Bill) has taken much better shots than these here! Take the opportunity now to enjoy Bill's complete photographic record.
Special big thank you to Anne Bradbeer for her photos!
And Bill Klemens,
the ACE Official Photographer, has uploaded his
entire
collection of
official ACE photos! Check them out!
If you find any errors in identification of revellers, or missing names, or missing persons for that matter, or bars that we stopped at that I've since forgotten about, or any other thing that needs correcting, please e-mail Tony! Sorry for any accidental omissions or inclusions!
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