Pause Kitchen and Bar Closes to Make Way for Patton Maryland

Known for its tucked-away patio, family-friendly vibe, and insanely well-priced food, Pause Kitchen and Bar closed Sunday, July 17, but the venue will live again. WWeek reports two experienced restaurateurs, James Hall and Josh Johnston (Circe 33, Paddy's, The Station, Produce Row), have purchased the venue with plans to open the new bar, Patton Maryland.

But first, the sad news: Pause Kitchen and Bar operated at 5101 N Interstate Ave. for ten years, and on July 11, it announced its closing on Facebook:

Yes the rumors are true. And now it is official. Pause has been sold and our last day of business will be Sunday, July 17th.

Now Hall and Johnston are working their magic. And they have reputations for both renovating Portland institutions and developing new bar concepts. They revitalized Paddy's Bar and Grill downtown and the Cadillac Café on NE Broadway, and after one year as the new owners of Produce Row, they seem to be on the way to doing the same there. Additionally, they've developed the bars North 45 Pub on NW 21st, Circa 33 on SE Belmont, and The Station on NE Alberta.

Hall and Johnston told WWeek they intend to open Patton Maryland mid-August and they will maintain Pause's family-friendly vibe. And if you're a Portland history buff, you probably already know where the bar go its name from: Patton and Maryland were two former street names for what Portlanders today know and love as Interstate Avenue.