Claudia’s…End of an Era….Beginning of a Legacy….
Claudia’s has been a cherished institution in the Southeast Portland community since Gene and Claudia Spathas opened its doors in 1958. The tavern was named after Gene's wife Claudia, who he had promised in 1957 while she was a flight attendant for TWA, "I want to marry you and put your name in lights." See Oregonian Article 9.12.72
True to his word, Gene opened Claudia's Tavern in 1958 and kept it proudly bearing her name even after Claudia passed away from cancer in 1971 at age 36. Gene went on to run Claudia's for decades, also opening popular restaurants Kitchen Kettle and Steak & Skewer that were Portland staples, before passing away in 2009.
In the 1970s and 80s, Claudia's was one of the first taverns to have Henry Weinhard on tap and satellite TV while also featuring live music, and hosting open mic nights. Packed houses filled Claudia’s for major sporting events. Claudia’s became Portland’s most notable sports bar. In 2016, it was named Portland’s Best Sports Bar by the Oregonian.
In 1988, Gene's youngest of 3 sons, Martin Spathas began working alongside his father at Claudia's. When Gene retired in 1995, Martin took over the business, keeping the family legacy alive through the present day with the support of his family.
Gene and Claudia loved Portland and supported community sports, sponsoring hundreds of teams over several decades including basketball, softball, mushball, flag football, hockey and billiards. Claudia's sprung onto the AAU basketball scene in the early 1960s, well before the Trail Blazers.
Coach Walt Spitznagel (passed away at age 93 in 2023) built juggernaut Claudia's teams stacked with college stars and NBA players which kept Claudia's atop the AAU league for 20+ years. See Claudia’s Sports Photo Album.
24 former Beavers played for Claudia’s including Frank Peters (Final 4 1964), Jimmy Anderson (OSU Head Coach), Jack Riley (OSU Head Coach), Jim Jarvis, Steve Pauly, Ray Blume, Mark Radford, Jeff Stout and Heisman Trophy winner Terry Baker. Spitznagel recruited talent from his alma mater University of Portland like Cincy Powell, Rick Raivio, Milt Adams, Stan Talley and Leonard Williams. 14 ex-Ducks who wore Claudia’s unis too, including Jim Barnett, Chuck Rask, Rob Closs, Doug Little and Nick and Steve “Snapper” Jones. Other Claudia’s players included Portland State’s Willie Stoudamire, Gonzaga’s Pudgy Hunt, University of Puget Sound Steve Philpot, Seattle University’s Hall of Famer Tom Workman, University of Idaho’s Jim Johnston, All Americans Eddie Grosenbacher (Willamette) and Jim Boutin (Lewis & Clark). See Claudia’s All Time Roster.
15 Claudia’s players saw time in the NBA including Greg Smith (1971 NBA Champ Milwaukee Bucks), LaRue Martin (NBA #1 pick), Leroy Ellis (14 years in NBA), Jim Barnett (10 years in NBA), Steve Jones, Tom Workman and Phil Lumpkin. Cincy Powell enjoyed an 8 year ABA career.
Claudia's achieved national recognition in 1978 after being mentioned in Sports Illustrated and the Los Angeles Times when the Portland Trail Blazers picked up Dale Schlueter from the Claudia's roster. Claudia's winning tradition met its end when the league folded in 1985, unable to compete with exploding pro basketball. But Claudia's remained a beloved local landmark, its walls and trophy cases overflowing with memorabilia from the glory days. See Claudia’s Sports Article Archives.
In 2017, the documentary "Claudia's AAU" premiered at the pub, capturing this extraordinary era in Portland sports.
After 65 incredible years, Claudia's permanently closed on October 9, 2023. While the doors close, Claudia's will live on in Portland lore for generations to come.
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