![]() However, when Art McFadden applied to get a liquor license at this location, two business associations and five neighboring businesses wrote to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission asking not to grant the license request. It is a very popular business in the neighborhood and is growing each year.” No loitering, gambling or boisterous people are allowed. Businessmen and women are more and more attracted to the game. “ An early 1990’s business plan stated that, “The Rialto, incidentally, caters to a very high-class customer. Primarily downtown business people who want a good place to eat and some entertainment but don’t want to go to bars. They said the pool hall “caters to an upper class of clientele. ![]() Ownership described this Rialto as “a classy, up-scale pool hall, not at all like the typical pool hall.” The new billiard hall was to harken back to the old Rialto. ![]() The name Rialto was chosen “in homage to Portland’s legendary pool room that opened in 1918.” Art McFadden, who had bought the Hotel Alder building in 1974, was the proprietor behind this parlor. ![]() In 1987, the Rialto came back on the scene, emerging as downtown’s “new billiard room,” at SW 4 th and Alder. The Rialto even played a role in the investigations conducted by the United States Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in Labor and Management (aka “the McClellan Committee”). By the 1950s, Archer and the Rialto itself had become associated with organized crime and “on the take” city and county officials. He was quite a cueist himself and was constantly placing high in the various competitions and tournaments hosted at his establishment. The centrality of the Rialto in the Portland pool scene continued for decades. In November of 1921, Miss Frances Anderson, the world’s women’s billiard champion, displayed her “trick and fancy shots which drew applause from the large audience,” and was considered one of the cleverest seen in Portland. Famous cueists Welker Cochrane, Willie Hoppe and Charles Seaback of Astoria, New York all came to the Rialto to provide demonstrations. December of 1918 featured a bout between Seattle’s Ray Hogue and Portland’s favorite, Milo Condon. The Rialto quickly became a stop on the circuit for Northwest pool players, and hosted many championship matches. There was space for over 600 spectators to observe the matches. Cork floors under the 28 tables provided a quieter environment for the players. The 10,000 square feet Rialto featured 12 standard billiard tables, 12 tables for pocket billiards, and four extra-large pocket billiard tables. Not that liquor was unavailable at the Rialto – several guests were arrested over the years, and gambling was always rife.Īmusements were Billiard, Pocket Billiard and English Billiard tables. The Rialto opened during Prohibition, so Henry Weinhard soft drinks, ices and other legal refreshments were available at the bar. “There is no question but what it will, in time, become a feature spot to be shown with pride to all who visit Portland.”Ĭustomers at the Rialto would discover that “a full complement of the best brands of cigars, cigarettes and tobacco was to always be on hand,” and there was candy “available to those of sweeter inclination.” The lunch buffet was well regarded. ![]() A 1918 advertisement proclaimed that, “The Rialto Billiard Parlors were built for every man in Portland who appreciates clean, high class games, where service to patrons is a business principle and everything possible is done for your convenience and comfort.” It was boasted that, “as an assembly of all that is most beautiful in woodwork, in decoration, in lighting, and in furnishing, it is doubtful if there is a Billiard Room equal to the Rialto anywhere in the United States.” The Oregonian conceded to the fact that the Rialto was the best-equipped billiard parlor in the country. ![]()
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