Portland has a new luxury sports lounge that offers more than just enjoying a sports game. Honorable Mention sits below Portland’s historic downtown Benson Hotel on Broadway, where the London Grill once stood, with a powerful statement. The Black-owned lounge honors Black athletes who were excluded, overlooked, or banned in sports during the era the speakeasy takes inspiration from.
The lounge is a partnership between Urban Restaurant Group, a group of Black business leaders, and community figures, including NBA star and Portland legend Damian Lillard, entrepreneur JR Duperrier, Dr. William Johnson, David Lucas, and Mark Byrum. Together, they’ve created something Portland has never had: a high-end gathering space that centers Black excellence in sports history and hospitality.