The team behind Double Dragon is sliding into the former Richmond Bar space on Southeast Division, with a new, still-unnamed cocktail bar slated to open by the end of March. Owner Daniel Casto bought the lease last November and is steering the transformation of the corner at 32nd and Division, another shakeup on a stretch of Division Street that saw a string of closures last year.
According to WhatNow, Casto purchased Richmond Bar and took over its lease in November 2025, saying he feels "incredibly lucky to be given the opportunity to be the steward of a historic and well‑loved space." The new bar does not have a name yet, and the team is currently focused on finishing the buildout and dialing in the menu ahead of a soft opening. WhatNow reports that the group is targeting the end of March to debut the concept.
What to expect from the drinks
Casto told WhatNow that the cocktail lineup will be "a little tighter and a little more refined" than Double Dragon's, with a focus on interpretations of classic drinks rather than a sprawling list of experiments. The idea is to build a menu where guests can order something that feels familiar and still get nudged into trying something new. Casto also said the program takes its cue from approaches like Los Angeles’s Normandie Club, and readers can see more about that style of menu framing at The Normandie Club.
Richmond Bar closed last fall
Richmond Bar shut its doors in October 2025 after 13 years on the corner, leaving a noticeable hole in the neighborhood's late-night and patio scene. Portland Monthly covered the final service on October 17 and listed Richmond Bar among several high-profile closures across the city. Casto says he hopes to hang on to what regulars loved about the room while shifting the spotlight more squarely onto cocktails.
Casto's Division Street roots
Casto has been part of Division Street's bar scene for years, with local coverage naming him as Double Dragon’s bar manager during the pandemic period and highlighting his cocktail work and recipes. In 2020, Willamette Week ran cocktail pieces credited to Casto, a nod to his time behind the stick. Double Dragon itself is still a Division Street mainstay, and its website lists current hours and menus at Double Dragon.
Timeline and what to watch
Casto is aiming for a soft opening in late March, with a formal launch to follow once the buildout, staffing, and full cocktail program are locked in. Neighbors should keep an eye out for the official name, soft-opening dates, and word on whether the new project will retain Richmond Bar’s well-loved patio setup. If everything stays on schedule, the space should be buzzing again in time for spring.
For Division Street regulars who have been missing Richmond Bar’s late-night energy, the Double Dragon crew’s arrival promises a familiar corner with a sharper cocktail focus. We will update this story when Casto releases the name, opening dates, and full menu details.
