Jug-Shaped Building

Portland, Oregon

This building, built in the shape of a moonshine jug, is a long-standing landmark in Portland. Originally built in 1928 as a tire shop and repair garage, the mouth of the jug was corked with an eight ball, now long painted over. Over the decades the jug has contained assorted businesses, including a popular luncheonette and soda shop, and was called the "Sandy Jug." For a couple of decades it was a nude strip club, the windows paneled shut, outside painted blue, then a bright pink.

When we visited on our Northwest Jitters Tour the jug was hosting an all-nude revue. It was too early in the day for us to verify.

Assuming a new jaunty "ho and a bottle of rum" persona, it became the "Pirate's Cove" when it was sold in 2002 (and a pirate mural was added on an inside wall).

The club closed in August 2023 and the Jug is currently empty, although its mesmerizing shape always seems to attract a new occupant.