The Slingshot Lounge on Foster is not necessarily a dive. However, it does have some dive qualities: darkness, serious rock-laden jukebox, a battered bathroom, generous bartenders, sometimes crusty work-a-day clientele, Rainer tall boys, lots of concrete, and a good selection of pinball.

That being said, it’s certainly cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing than most dives. Also, they have a menu that reaches far beyond dive bar food. In that respect the Slingshot comes close to what’s known as a gastro-pub. But I don’t think it’s a gastro-pub. I’d rather call it a gastro-dive. Why? Because I love dive bars and I love good food and I’d like nothing more than to see a gastro-dive trend catch on. If it can happen anywhere in the world, it can happen in Portland.

There are already a few places doing this. In fact, I briefly worked at one as a line cook and bartender, though at the time I didn’t necessarily realize how special the place was. Yes, I’m certainly biased in my opinion, but for what it’s worth, The Lamp [3023 Southeast Milwaukie] (connected to the Aladdin theater) is putting together some of the better bar food you’ve eaten. They‘re also using veggies from the Sellwood Garden Club’s network of urban farms.

Another place that fits the gastro-dive concept, in my opinion, would be Slow Bar [533 Southeast Grand], with its semi-sleazy atmosphere and a damn fine gourmet burger. If the Night Light [2100 Southeast Clinton] were just a bit rougher, I think it would also fit the bill.

Okay, so the concept is a little unfocused, but I think the key here is cheap stiff drinks, loud music, down to earth clientele, a slightly seedy atmosphere, and an ingredient-forward menu geared toward quality.

With that in mind, Blogtownies, do you have any Gastro-Dive suggestions?