Over the weekend I received an email with the news about the upcoming closure of Backyard Social, a bar and restaurant in North Portland. They will close their doors at the end of August 2025.
Backyard Social: The Lease Is Up
The reason for closing is pretty straightforward: The owner, Danielle Lawrence, decided not to renew the lease. She and her team will be “closing [Backyard Social’s] doors permanently at the end of August. Date TBD.” They have been in the space for nine years.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision, and one we did not make lightly,” said Danielle. “Owning and running a restaurant is incredibly fulfilling, fun, challenging, exciting … all the things!”
What She’ll Miss and What’s Next
While she acknowledges the challenges in running the business, she will certainly miss it, too. “I’ll miss so many things,” said Danielle. “Watching my customers’ kids grow up, crazy fun events in my event space, recognizing regulars by their physical profile (because everyone was backlit when they entered the front door), making up weird names for really good cocktails, so many things. This is a hard goodbye but change is inevitable and I’m embracing it.”
Going forward she will be prioritizing her family and is really looking forward to that. And she is planning to get into a different line of work. “I have no idea what is next,” Danielle remarked. “But I know I’m going to switch it up and learn to love a new industry as much as I have loved the restaurant industry.”
Before Backyard Social: Hop & Vine
Previously, this location was home to Hop & Vine, known in part for its beautiful bamboo walled backyard and patio. Its successor as Backyard Social was owned by three former Hop & Vine employees: Danielle Healey (now Lawrence), Latima Chambers, and Emory Brun. Emory and Latima are no longer involved with Backyard Social. They knew a good thing when they had it, and retained the beloved patio…