Portal's Tavern in San Francisco to shutter after 82 years

Pedestrians walk past Portals Tavern on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. Pedestrians walk past Portals Tavern on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 in San Francisco, Calif. Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 54 Caption Close Portal's Tavern in San Francisco to shutter after 82 years 1 / 54 Back to Gallery

Pour one out for another beloved San Francisco institution. After 82 years in business, Portal's Tavern in West Portal is set to close at the end of August.

A window into a bygone era, the bar opened its doors to patrons in 1937, as reported by The Chronicle.

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Even today, the historic joint maintains its original charm, featuring a cash register from the 1930s and a vintage jukebox. Throughout its run, the no-frills dive bar added to the quaint culture of the West Portal community.

From weekly open-mics to Super Bowl viewings, Portal's offered patrons a laid-back place to sit back and share a drink among friendly faces — especially the bartenders. Reviewers on Yelp raved about Portal's welcoming staff. Don Gorwky first worked as a bartender at the pub in 1982. He soon became the owner of the tavern, along with his wife Mary King-Gorwky, in 1989.

"Shout out to the sweet bartender that night. We offered to go grab more cash, but she said not to worry about it. We definitely need to come back and make up for it," wrote one patron.

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Luckily for this reviewer and others who would like to visit the bar one last time, Portal's will stay open with limited hours until its official closing date on August 31.

Nikki Tran is an SFGATE intern. Email: nikki.tran@sfgate.com