When a familiar neighborhood bar closes, neighbors notice—and the question of what replaces it matters. In Southeast Portland, the handsome brick storefront that once housed the Richmond Bar has reopened as the Richmond Club, a French-leaning cocktail spot that aims to preserve the old locale’s everyman charm while offering a quieter, more polished aesthetic.
Local operator Dan Casto, best known for running Double Dragon on Division, took over the space after the Richmond Bar shuttered in November 2025. The new venue opened to the public on Thursday, Sept. 3, and balances a refreshed look with a clear commitment to neighborhood utility: a place for a relaxed drink, a date-night martini, or a solo cheeseburger after work.
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The redesign moves away from the prior Edwardian touches and toward a coastal French bistro mood. Warm cinnamon woods, sweeping curves and an Art Deco-tinged bar replace the old fixtures, while subtle lighting—especially near sunset—gives the room a flattering glow that many patrons will find appealing.
Layout changes are minimal by design. A large, tucked-away patio remains in back, and the front retains an elegant seating area. The arrangement favors a mix of intimate cafe tables and larger corner tables for groups, maintaining the feel of a neighborhood anchor rather than a high-concept cocktail den.
Menu and drinks follow that philosophy. The food leans French through a Pacific Northwest lens—expect items such as chicken frites and scallop crudo—while the cocktail menu keeps things short and familiar. Casto says the goal was not to chase increasingly elaborate, ingredient-heavy trends but to offer modest twists on classic recipes that regulars will recognize and newcomers can appreciate.
How the Richmond Club will land in Division’s eclectic bar ecosystem remains an open question. Southeast Division already hosts a range of atmospheres, from cinematic lounges to fried-food institutions with deep, well-established followings. Early signs suggest the Richmond Club occupies a middle path: polished enough for a date, unpretentious enough for an after-work pint.
- Address: 3203 SE Division Street, Portland
- Hours: 4 p.m.–midnight, seven days a week
- Phone: (503) 208‑3075
- Vibe: French‑inflected bistro meets neighborhood bar
- Menu highlights: chicken frites, scallop crudo, classic cocktails with small, thoughtful tweaks
- Owner/Operator: Dan Casto (Double Dragon)
For longtime patrons of the Richmond Bar, the shift will be measured: familiar bones, updated finishings and a deliberate decision to keep service approachable. For visitors, the Richmond Club presents a carefully staged version of neighborhood hospitality—one that values utility and comfort as much as style.
Time will tell how many regulars return and how the new bar weaves into the rhythm of Division Street. For now, the Richmond Club offers a clear answer to what replaced the old local: a restrained, well‑lit place that aims to be both elegant and useful to the community it serves.
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