Nestled in Hillsboro, Oregon, Mcmenamins Rock Creek Tavern offers a unique and inviting experience that stands out even within the distinctive McMenamins family. If you’re seeking a venue brimming with character, delicious food, and a relaxed atmosphere, this tavern should be high on your list. While the Grand Lodge might be vast and warrant its own series of explorations, let’s delve into the delightful details of Rock Creek Tavern, a location that captures the McMenamins magic in a more intimate setting.
Finding Your Way to Rock Creek Tavern
Even for repeat visitors, Rock Creek Tavern can feel like a charmingly hidden treasure. Conveniently located near another McMenamins favorite, the Cornelius Pass Roadhouse, it’s easier to find than you might think. Positioned just up the road from its sibling location, Rock Creek Tavern awaits discovery and promises a rewarding experience for those who venture in.
The Allure of the Exterior
Arriving at Rock Creek Tavern is like stepping into a scene from a storybook. The ambiance evokes the welcoming feel of the Prancing Pony from “The Lord of the Rings,” creating an instantly comfortable and intriguing setting. The tavern’s entrance is particularly striking, with a prominent sign that’s easily visible from the road and an inviting pathway leading to the front door.
The Rock Creek tavern main sign is easy to spot from the street – while most of the structure except the fireplace is wooden – adding to the vintage feel and esthetic
The exterior of McMenamins Rock Creek Tavern is deliberately rustic, boasting an appealingly unkempt wooden facade adorned with lush greenery. Ample parking close to the entrance adds to the convenience, making your visit seamless from the moment you arrive.
The exterior stairs is a way to access the upstairs seating area and the upstairs dining room
An exterior staircase hints at the tavern’s multi-level layout, providing access to the upstairs dining area, where you’ll find additional seating and entertainment options like a pool table and shuffleboard.
Tables in front of the main entrance all wrought iron and comfortable looking
Wrought iron tables grace the front entrance area, partially concealed by foliage, offering a potentially delightful outdoor seating option, particularly inviting during spring and late evenings.
The tables on the side of the Rock Creek Tavern – made from split logs
Unique split log tables situated on the side of Rock Creek Tavern provide further outdoor seating. While perhaps less utilized during colder months, these tables become highly sought-after spots during warmer seasons.
Below the exterior stairs is a hidden two-person dining table – perfect for an intense chess or checkers game!
A charmingly secluded two-person table tucked beneath the exterior staircase offers an intimate and unique dining nook, perfect for quiet conversation or a board game duel.
Stepping Inside the Rock Creek Tavern
Upon entering through the main doors, you’re immediately greeted by a striking iron stag bust. This impressive piece dominates the entryway, setting a tone of rustic grandeur. Just beyond, the traditional bar area unfolds, with the kitchen situated behind it, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere.
The unofficial mascot of the Rock Creek Tavern, at least as far as I'm concerned
This stag bust effectively serves as an unofficial mascot for Rock Creek Tavern, its presence both captivating and emblematic of the tavern’s unique character, crafted from metal with impressive detail.
The bar area and the cooking area located just below the second floor dining area
The bar and cooking areas are strategically positioned beneath the second-floor dining space and the prominent stag bust, creating a central hub of activity within the tavern.
Adding to the tavern’s quirky charm, a set of handcuffs is unexpectedly attached to the water line near the ceiling above the bar. This peculiar detail is just one of the many intriguing elements that contribute to the McMenamins’ signature eclectic decor.
The handcuffs near the ceiling above the bar left more questions in my mind than they answered
The presence of handcuffs above the bar at Rock Creek Tavern adds an element of mystery and intrigue, sparking curiosity and embodying the tavern’s unconventional spirit.
A comforting fireplace, a hallmark of many McMenamins locations, radiates warmth and cheer within Rock Creek Tavern. Fueled by wood, it enhances the cozy ambiance, inviting patrons to relax and unwind.
The fireplace is wood fueled and very relaxing to sit by and have at meal at
The wood-burning fireplace is a focal point for relaxation and dining at Rock Creek Tavern, with bartenders regularly tending to the fire to maintain its comforting presence.
The enclosed stove is also wood-fueled and enhances the vintage look to the Rock Creek Tavern
Complementing the fireplace, an enclosed wood-burning stove further amplifies the vintage aesthetic of Rock Creek Tavern, evoking a sense of stepping back in time.
As you settle in, you’ll notice the walls adorned with an array of vintage advertisements and quirky decorations. These carefully curated items contribute to the tavern’s distinctive and visually stimulating environment.
Lots of interesting vintage advertisements
The walls showcase a diverse collection of vintage advertisements, including signs for “The Cock Inn,” “Grocery and Provision Store,” and “Government Tea,” offering glimpses into bygone eras.
Advertisement for Mitchells and Butler's Good Honest Beer
Among the vintage signs is an advertisement for Mitchells and Butlers “Good Honest Beer,” a testament to the tavern’s appreciation for classic and perhaps straightforward offerings.
Advertisements for starch and Milkmaid brand milk
The eclectic mix of advertisements extends to signs for starch and Milkmaid brand milk, highlighting the variety of products and eras represented in the tavern’s decor.
Adding to the visual tapestry, a variety of decorative lights illuminate Rock Creek Tavern. Many of the more elaborate fixtures are found on the second floor, enhancing the ambiance of the upper level.
One of the decorative lights at McMenamins Rock Creek Tavern
This decorative light fixture, with its enclosed design and frosted glass in a flame or flower shape, exemplifies the beautiful and unique lighting found throughout McMenamins Rock Creek Tavern.
Menus and Satisfying Bites
McMenamins menus are becoming increasingly consistent across locations, offering familiar favorites alongside unique daily specials. Rock Creek Tavern is no exception, providing a reliable selection of McMenamins classics and locally-inspired dishes.
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The standard McMenamins menu presents a range of appealing options, ensuring there’s something for every palate, from burgers to sandwiches and more.
The specials menu has some unique offerings depending on where you go
The specials menu at Rock Creek Tavern showcases unique, location-specific dishes, often highlighting local ingredients and culinary creativity, offering a chance to try something new and distinct.
For a satisfying meal, the Cajun tater tots and Captain Neon blue cheese burger are highly recommended. The burger boasts an exceptional flavor profile, and the fresh-cut fries are a delightful accompaniment.
The blue cheese burger at McMenamins is super tasty as is the cajun tater tots and fresh fries
The blue cheese burger, paired with Cajun tater tots and fresh fries, is a standout meal choice at McMenamins, offering a flavorful and satisfying dining experience.
Exploring the Second Floor
Venturing upstairs reveals another dimension to Rock Creek Tavern. The second floor offers ample seating, a covered outdoor patio, and recreational amenities like a pool table and shuffleboard, creating a versatile space for different moods and gatherings.
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The staircase leading to the second floor also provides access to restrooms and additional seating on the ground floor, ensuring comfort and convenience for all patrons.
The outside seating area is covered and nicely lit
The covered outdoor seating area on the second floor is well-lit and furnished with durable metal chairs, providing a comfortable and weather-protected space to enjoy the outdoors.
Inside, high-backed booths on the second floor offer cozy and private seating arrangements, ideal for intimate conversations or relaxed dining. The upper level comfortably accommodates a significant number of guests.
Booth seating on the second floor
The booth seating on the second floor of Rock Creek Tavern provides comfortable and private spaces, perfect for intimate dinners or quiet conversations away from the main bar area.
The pool table no the second floor is very nice and would be pretty dun to play on
The well-maintained pool table on the second floor adds an element of recreation and entertainment to the tavern, inviting guests to engage in a friendly game.
The shuffleboard and large mushroom
A shuffleboard table and a whimsical giant wooden mushroom with lights create a unique and slightly surreal corner on the second floor, adding to the tavern’s distinctive character.
Accessible from the second floor is another outdoor seating area, mirroring the style of the front porch below. This space provides further options for enjoying the fresh air when weather permits.
Tables on the second floor front porch
The tables on the second-floor front porch offer an outdoor dining option similar to those below, although perhaps less appealing during colder seasons.
Final Verdict: A Must-Visit McMenamins Location
Rock Creek Tavern embodies the quintessential McMenamins experience. Its unique decor, comfortable atmosphere, and blend of vintage charm and modern amenities make it a standout destination. Sharing the McMenamins hallmarks of menu consistency and a disregard for conventional design, Rock Creek Tavern carves its own niche as a haven of comfort and vintage appeal. It’s a place where you can easily lose yourself in a story or simply unwind while enjoying the Oregon weather. McMenamins’ knack for revitalizing older locations shines brightly at Rock Creek Tavern, transforming it into a timeless establishment. A visit to Rock Creek Tavern is highly recommended – it’s an experience deserving of high praise for its atmosphere, food, and overall charm.
