Gypsy Restaurant and Velvet Lounge

Located at 625 Northwest 21st Avenue in the Nob Hill area of Portland's Northwest District neighborhood,{{Cite web|url=http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/oregon/portland/review-108892.html|title=Gypsy Restaurant and Velvet Lounge Review|access-date=February 27, 2014|publisher=Fodor's|date=May 28, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227220713/http://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/oregon/portland/review-108892.html|archive-date=February 27, 2014}} Gypsy was a "boisterous", "disco-balled" dive bar, recognizable by its bouncers, karaoke, and "wobbling smokers".{{Cite news|url=http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-31291-permalink.html|title=The Gypsy Restaurant and Lounge Has Closed|date=February 25, 2014|publisher=City of Roses Newspapers|access-date=February 25, 2014|first1=Matthew|last1=Korfhage|first2=Aaron|last2=Mesh|work=Willamette Week|location=Portland, Oregon|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302225232/http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-31291-permalink.html|archive-date=March 2, 2014}} The Portland Mercury said the restaurant was a "kinda retro-y bar... popular with a young college-y, drinkin', party crowd".{{cite news|title=Gypsy Restaurant and Velvet Lounge|url=http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/gypsy-restaurant-and-velvet-lounge/Location?oid=38370|access-date=February 27, 2014|publisher=Index Publishing|work=The Portland Mercury|location=Portland, Oregon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227215258/http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/gypsy-restaurant-and-velvet-lounge/Location?oid=38370|archive-date=February 27, 2014|url-status=live}} One Portland resident described the club as "the kind of place where you can go with your sophisticated friends and look at the Daddy-O decor. Or you can go on a date and snuggle in a corner where the lighting is low. And if you want to meet new people you can stroll through there and see people whose faces you've never seen before, which is a rare thing in Portland."

The interior featured 1950s furnishings and "pinball-panel" wall decorations. In 1963, The Oregonian described the artwork on the interior walls, which included a large and colorful painting depicting a gypsy camp, and an "attractive" nude called Dian by Grace Harlow, a painter and former student of Louis Bunce.{{cite news|last=Murphy|first=Francis|title=Behind the Mike|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=June 17, 1963|location=Portland, Oregon|page=29}} The venue also featured "mottled" iridescent red windows that were translucent,{{cite news|last=March|first=Fredric|title=Behind the Mike|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=February 20, 1963|page=23}} could seat 150 guests, and included a banquet area.

Gypsy was also known for serving fishbowl alcoholic beverages, and in its final years, for hosting goldfish racing tournaments. The restaurant served soup, sandwiches, and full entrees. Karaoke was available beginning at 9 pm on Tuesday through Saturday evenings.

Gypsy Restaurant and Lounge was established in 1947 and was originally located at 612 Northwest 21st Avenue.{{cite news|title=Restaurant Safe Yields Loot|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=January 14, 1955|page=51}} In 1948, The Oregonian published an advertisement for business, promoting an eight-course dinner for $1.25 between the hours of 4 pm and 3 am. The restaurant's location was described as "next to 21st Avenue Theater", between Northwest Hoyt and Irving Streets.{{Cite news|title=Good News!|page=25|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=January 16, 1948}} In 1955, the paper reported that $1,000 was stolen from an unlocked safe stored at the Gypsy Restaurant. In 1963, the restaurant and lounge moved to its final location, at the intersection of Northwest 21st Avenue and Hoyt Street, across from Cinema 21.{{cite news|last=Murphy|first=Francis|title=Behind the Mike|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=June 25, 1963|page=19}} On opening night, the "New Gypsy" restaurant reportedly played songs by Frank Fontaine.

File:Gypsy Restaurant and Velvet Lounge-4.jpg

According to a 1973 Oregonian obituary, Gypsy Restaurant was then owned and operated by Stacy Gurganus.{{cite news|title=Obituaries: Stacy Gurganus|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=December 27, 1973|page=18}} An obituary published by The Oregonian in 1987 said that Gertrude "Tiny" Hursick of Lake Oswego co-owned Gypsy and Gordon's 7-Up Bar, also located in Northwest Portland.{{cite news|title=Obituary: Gertrude D. Hursick|newspaper=The Sunday Oregonian|date=August 2, 1987|page=49}} John Hursick continued to own and operate the restaurant until the early 1990s; he died in 1999.{{cite news|title=Obituaries|edition=Sunrise|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=February 2, 1999|page=B08|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}}

Ownership of Gypsy transferred to Concept Entertainment in 1992. The company has owned other Portland establishments such as Bar 71,{{cite news|title=Single Out Your Scene|date=July 2, 2001|first=Grace|last=Aduroja|edition=Sunrise|page=C01|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.|work=The Oregonian}} Barracuda Nightclub,{{cite news|title=Grand Central Ready for Area 'to Explode'|date=August 9, 2007|first=Tom|last=Hallman, Jr.|edition=Sunrise|page=5|work=The Oregonian|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}} Dixie Tavern, Grand Central Bowl, the Lotus Cardroom and Cafe, Quest, and the Thirsty Lion.{{cite news|last=Gunderson|first=Laura|title=Starbucks Goes Venti with the Vino|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=June 13, 2011|at=Business|edition=Sunrise|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}} According to Willamette Week, the restaurant had an "odd" influence on local alcohol policies. In 1994, city commissioner Charlie Hales and mayor Vera Katz sought to close the Gypsy due to repeated reports of assaults, public intoxication, and noise complaints. However, the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC) refused.{{Cite news|url=http://wweek.com/portland/article-20440-take_it_inside.html|title=Take It Inside: The City's Latest Bar Brawl with the OLCC: How Late Can Patios Stay Open?|access-date=February 27, 2014|first=Aaron|last=Mesh|work=Willamette Week|date=March 27, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303000632/http://wweek.com/portland/article-20440-take_it_inside.html|archive-date=March 3, 2014|url-status=live}} In 2013, when Hales was the mayor of Portland, he unsuccessfully requested that the OLCC enforce a 10 pm curfew for bar patios within the Portland city limits.

In 2007, Gypsy was one of several Portland sites depicted in "Virtual Portland", a three-dimensional computer-generated simulation of the city, designed for Second Life.{{cite news|title=Kirah Marikh in Real Life Is a 36-Year-Old Woman|date=April 1, 2007|first=Steve|last=Woodward|edition=Sunrise|at=Sunday Features (O!)|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.|work=The Oregonian}}{{cite news|title=Virtual: One Mission Is to Introduce City to World|date=November 9, 2007|first=Steve|last=Woodward|edition=Sunrise|at=Living|work=The Oregonian|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}} In May 2013, a tree limb fell and damaged the restaurant.{{cite web|title=Big tree limb smashes Gypsy Restaurant in NW Portland|url=http://www.wtoc.com/story/22417915/big-tree-limb-smashes-gypsy-restaurant-in-nw-portland|access-date=December 14, 2014|date=May 24, 2013|publisher=WTOC-TV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210081955/http://www.wtoc.com/story/22417915/big-tree-limb-smashes-gypsy-restaurant-in-nw-portland|archive-date=December 10, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=May 24, 2013|title=Tree crashes down on cars, restaurant in NW Portland|url=http://koin.com/2013/05/24/tree-downs-power-lines-in-nw-portland/|publisher=KOIN-TV|access-date=December 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214233041/http://koin.com/2013/05/24/tree-downs-power-lines-in-nw-portland/|archive-date=December 14, 2014|url-status=live}}

After operating for more than twenty years, and despite having advertised future events at the club, the business closed abruptly on February 20, 2014.{{Cite news|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2014/02/se_portlands_lily_day_cafe_reo.html|title=S.E. Portland's Lily Day Cafe Reopening as Midpoint Restaurant; N.W.'s Gypsy Bar Closes: Restaurant Roundup|first=Michael|last=Russell|date=February 25, 2014|work=The Oregonian|publisher=Advance Publications|issn=8750-1317|access-date=February 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303082412/http://www.oregonlive.com/dining/index.ssf/2014/02/se_portlands_lily_day_cafe_reo.html|archive-date=March 3, 2014|url-status=live}} Its website and social media pages were shut down immediately, and a sign was posted at the club noting that Concept Entertainment had decided to sell. The space that Gypsy had occupied was immediately available for long-term lease, with furniture included.

File:Gypsy Restaurant and Velvet Lounge-6.jpg

Gypsy hosted a variety of musical acts and events throughout its history, including trivia competitions and rock band karaoke, featuring a live backing band.{{cite news|last=Butler|first=Grant|title=Walkabout|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=March 3, 2011|at=Mix Magazine|edition=Sunrise|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}} In 1985, the Chris Conrad Quartet performed in the "Rhythm Room".{{cite news|title=Veteran Guitarist Ronnie Montrose to Play at Pine Street|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=June 21, 1985|page=146|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}} In 2000, Gypsy hosted opening and closing night parties for Sensory Perceptions' annual film festival, which spanned two weekends at neighboring Cinema 21.{{cite news|title=Festival Reflects on Issues of Sexuality|date=October 13, 2000|first=Shawn|last=Levy|edition=Sunrise|page=24|work=The Oregonian|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}} Nearly twenty years after the death of Andy Warhol, the Gypsy held a birthday party in his honor in 2006. One Oregonian contributor called Gypsy a "fitting setting" for the celebration, given its lava lamps and blue and orange fishbowl drinks, which he said were "like Pop art through a straw".{{cite news|title=Happy birthday, Andy Warhol|date=August 11, 2006|first=Lee|last=Williams|edition=Sunrise|page=10|work=The Oregonian|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}} Gypsy partnered with Cinema 21 in 2009 when the theater hosted "Can't Stop the Serenity", a benefit for Equality Now that included two screenings of the film Serenity (2005). Festivities included a costume contest, pub quiz, and Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog karaoke.{{cite news|last=Turnquist|first=Kristi|title=Movies: Serenity Now|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=June 26, 2009|edition=Sunrise|at=Arts & Entertainment|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}} Pub Quiz USA hosted an "All 'Lost' Trivia Night" at the Gypsy in 2010 for fans of the television program Lost.{{cite news|last=Turnquist|first=Kristi|title=Return with Us Now...|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=January 22, 2010|edition=Sunrise|at=Arts & Entertainment|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}} Gypsy often screened episodes of Mad Men, the American television series set in the 1960s,Mad Men screenings:

• {{cite news|title=A Tubular Feast|date=August 14, 2009|last=Turnquist|first=Kristi|at=Arts & Entertainment|work=The Oregonian|edition=Sunrise|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}}
• {{cite news|title=Channeling 'Mad Men's' Peggy Olson Gets Her All a-Twitter|date=August 30, 2009|last=Turnquist|first=Kristi|at=Sunday Features (O!)|work=The Oregonian|edition=Sunrise|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}}
• {{cite news|last=Turnquist|first=Kristi|title=Arts & Entertainment|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=March 23, 2012|edition=Sunrise|at=Arts & Entertainment|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}}
• {{cite news|last=Turnquist|first=Kristi|title=Nathan Brannon, winner of the 2012 "Portland's Funniest Person" competition|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=April 5, 2013|edition=Sunrise|at=Arts & Entertainment|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}} and pay-per-view Ultimate Fighting Championship matches.Ultimate Fighting Championship screenings:
• {{cite news|last=Howard|first=Jeff|title=Where to Watch UFC 116 Lesnar vs. Carwin Locally|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=July 2, 2010 |at=Portland MMA Examiner|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}}
• {{cite news|last=Howard|first=Jeff|title=Watch UFC 118 Edgar vs. Penn 2 Live|newspaper=The Oregonian|date=August 26, 2010|at=Portland MMA Examiner|publisher=Oregonian Publishing Co.}}

In an attempt to offer "something different and exciting to do",{{cite news|title=Go, Fish! Go! Could Goldfish Racing Be the Next Karaoke?|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf/2010/12/go_fish_go_could_goldfish_raci.html|access-date=February 27, 2014|work=The Oregonian|first=Lee|last=Williams|publisher=Advance Publications|issn=8750-1317|date=December 13, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304061424/http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf/2010/12/go_fish_go_could_goldfish_raci.html|archive-date=March 4, 2014|url-status=live}} Gypsy began hosting goldfish racing tournaments in 2010.{{cite news|title=Goldfish Racing|url=http://www.wweek.com/portland/event-44509-goldfish_racing.html|access-date=February 27, 2014|work=Willamette Week|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303004839/http://www.wweek.com/portland/event-44509-goldfish_racing.html|archive-date=March 3, 2014}} A chef who worked at Gypsy proposed hosting the tournaments after seeing videos of fish racing online. Two other establishments owned by Concept Entertainment also hosted goldfish races. Gypsy's cross-shaped track was {{convert|9|ft|m}} long and "tricked out with fancy runway lights". The tournaments prompted criticism by a local veterinarian and a spokesperson for the Oregon Humane Society, who suggested they "may skirt the line of the humane society's guiding principle, which is to not inflict pain and suffering on animals for enjoyment". The spokesperson also said, "I do wish people could find different ways to entertain themselves."

In 2009, The NW Examiner included Gypsy in an article about happy hours in Northwest Portland. In her review, Desiree Andrews wrote that the fried artichoke hearts and pub chips were forgettable and recommended the black bean quesadilla. She said, "Overall, the atmosphere was a little too much like a Big Lebowski hallucination for me, and the food triggered clogged-artery images, but the friendliness of the staff made up for a lot."{{cite journal|last=Andrews|first=Desiree|title=Happy Hour Hits|journal=The NW Examiner|date=August 2009|volume=23|issue=12|page=19|url=http://nwexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/8August2009.pdf|access-date=December 12, 2014|format=PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218182255/http://nwexaminer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/8August2009.pdf|archive-date=December 18, 2014|url-status=live}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Commons category-inline|Gypsy Restaurant and Velvet Lounge}}

{{Defunct restaurants in Portland, Oregon}}

{{Northwest District, Portland, Oregon}}

{{Portal bar|Companies|Food|Oregon}}

Category:1947 establishments in Oregon

Category:2014 disestablishments in Oregon

Category:Defunct nightclubs in Portland, Oregon

Category:Defunct restaurants in Northwest District, Portland, Oregon

Category:Restaurants established in 1947