A cozy Western speakeasy, Sips & Slice, is set to open in Canby, according to a liquor license application. Husband-and-wife co-owners Travis and Heidi Goins, the duo behind Church of Smoke in the Oregon City Library of Beers, are aiming for a mid-February opening.
The focus of Sips & Slice will be the custom cocktails, which lean on the smoky side. They’ll also carry some canned local craft beers. Travis Goins says he’s wanted to own a bar, but wanted something a little classier. The idea of a speakeasy really spoke to him. “It’s not about over-serving, it’s not about the party. It’s about the date night,” he said.
So that’s the “Sips” part of the title covered. Contrary to what you might think, the “Slice” is not pizza. Instead, the speakeasy gets the second half of its name from the savory pies it’ll serve, like meat pies and pot pies. Sips & Slice will operate as a separate idea from Church of Smoke, but fans will see some overlap. Goins mentions a French onion hand pie that has horseradish, peas, beef gravy and Church of Smoke’s brisket. “We tried it out, and, by golly, it works,” Goins said.
The space they’re operating in, 272 N Grant St., will have a rustic, Western feel with a live-edge bar. Goins says, “I run my life a little more on the country side,” and runs his bar accordingly. TVs around the speakeasy will be set to the professional rodeo circuit, and Sips & Slice will be at the Clackamas County Fair and Rodeo. “You’re getting out of Portland, definitely on this one,” Goins says.
