Moreland Ale House Replaces Skybox Pub & Grill

Sellwood-Moreland lost its go-to sports bar at the end of September, when Skybox Pub & Grill shuttered after 18 years, but a new sports bar with a similar dedication to the neighborhood will soon open in its place: Moreland Ale House is owned by Ben Gilmer (Bleachers) and Steve Burns, and they say they could begin pouring as soon as this Friday, at 7981 SE Milwaukie Ave.

“Dennis was a real cherished member of the community,” says Gilmer, speaking of Skybox Pub-owner Dennis Vigna, “and we were lucky enough to get the lease from him. We’re going to be a neighborhood sports bar, with an emphasis on ‘neighborhood.’ I’ve been in the bar business for 30 years. Everywhere has a bottle of Budweiser. It’s the people that make the difference.”

The venue is undergoing a significant revamp. When Moreland Ale House unlocks the doors, it’ll have around 20 TVs and twice the space for bartenders to work behind the bar. In addition to mixed drinks, there are around 12 taps.

Gilmer says the kitchen will serve “American pub fare with a Southeast Asian twist,” and his wife, who hails from Thailand where she owned a Thai restaurant, is consulting on the menu. Moreland Ale House’s hours will be Monday through Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Friday, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m.; and Sunday, from 9 a.m. to midnight.

• Skybox Pub & Grill [Official]