Chance Rabbit is an upcoming SE Division bar from the founder of ForeLand Beer

Chance Rabbit is a new Portland bar coming to southeast Division from the founder of ForeLand Brewing.

David Sanguinetti can’t stop opening bars - despite his best intentions.

In 2014 Sanguinetti opened The Bitter Monk in downtown McMinnville, Oregon, establishing a local spot to experience broader craft beer and international beer culture on tap and with a small but well curated selection of bottles and cans. He followed that up with Allegory Brewing, also in Mcminnville, in 2017. Allegory closed quietly without a peep in the pandemic, but Sanguinetti wasn’t done and shortly thereafter reopened as ForeLand Brewing with brewer/partner Sean Burke. ForeLand opened Portland outpost “The Study” in 2021, closed it in December 2014, and reopened it briefly from January 2026 to June 2026 before permanently closing. Tired of his commute and running multiple businesses, Sanguinetti sold The Bitter Monk to longtime manager Becky Tucker in 2025, and recently closed and relocated ForeLand from McMinnville to Portland in the old Upright Brewing location.

“I had a slight meltdown after our landlords at Belmont [ForeLand’s The Study location] pulled the rug from under us and said they were selling the building, so I thought we should find another space that had ample summer activity potential,” says David Sanguinetti.

ForeLand has only recently started brewing beer again with new head brewer Peter McDowell in their new location at 240 N. Broadway. A Grand opening for the new location is scheduled for October 24th. The fermenters aren’t even full yet, but Sanguinetti somehow has found himself with yet another new bar that he is calling “Chance Rabbit.”

“As for why jump into another bar after The Bitter Monk, well, I'm an idiot and can't help myself! I shouldn't...but the space is so cool...and it's a ten minute walk from my house...and it's Division! Again, I'm an idiot who can't help himself!” says Sanguinetti.

Artigiano Italian food truck and their open air patio next to Chance Rabbit’s

Chance Rabbit is Sanguinetti’s latest pet project. The tiny apertivo-style bar will open the tiny corner spot at SE 33rd Ave. and Division in the former Third Eye Books shop, right next to cult favorite Italian kitchen Artigiano.

“After selling The Bitter Monk and having to close Belmont, I wanted something a little more intimate. I missed the small, tactile "Third Place" that I started with” says Sanguinetti. “This will give me the opportunity to spread my wings a little outside of ForeLand. Plus I'm a ten minute walk away so I know Division and am very excited to be a part of the high foot traffic and energy there.”

As alluded to, Chance Rabbit is not directly tied to ForeLand brewing and will have an independent identity. The tiny pubs curious name “Chance Rabbit” comes from the 1949 novel Earth Abides by author George R. Steward.

“It's a throwaway line from the protagonist while out walking with his newly adopted dog that might run across a "chance rabbit." It has stuck with me and I feel it embodies how I view finding the spot. Plus lately we have a lot of neighborhood rabbits and everynight my dog, Woody Harrelson, is hoping to run across a chance rabbit or two,” explains Sanguinetti.

Chance Rabbit’s focus will be on careful curation and a focused approach to an intimate neighborhood hangout and not trying to be something for everyone. The idea is to be a cozy hangout, an aperitivo or digestiv if you will for the busy southeast Division strip packed with popular restaurants and busy bars. The space has no space - for a kitchen or a full large bar, it will be a cozy environment for thoughtful sips of amaro and vermouth, 6 beers on tap, 3-4 wines from a faucet, and roughly 3 ciders, a seltzer, and a local curation of bottles available to crack open or take to-go. The idea will be to add a small cocktail menu eventually.

“The vibe is going to be very neighborhood friendly with a bit of a confident attitude that is all in good fun. We're going to try like hell to offer the best we can while looking completely relaxed. The idea is to put all the hard work in beforehand so everyone just thinks we're a great hang but if someone new comes in they'll be impressed by what we offer and hopefully also completely comfortable,” says Sanguinetti.

Work on the exterior and interior of the upcoming Chance Rabbit bar has been underway for about a month now. Passers by have noticed the walls of the beer garden rising up around the triangular patch of land. Fencing and delicate interior woodwork and build out is being done by ex-The Beermongers bartender Russell Wood with some of the painstaking design features and artwork still under wraps.

“It's also really important to me that we're a good neighbor not only to the people in the neighborhood but also to our fellow businesses. We're so lucky to have so many amazing bars, restaurants, and retail shops within a stone's throw,” says Sanguinetti.

Chance Rabbit’s neighbors Artigiano make amazing food but only on a pop-up basis 2-4 weekends a year. Sanguinetti hopes that the permanently placed food truck can host guest pop-ups in collaboration with Chance Rabbit, giving them a “chance” to work with celebrated chefs and friends on exciting food and drink pairings.

“I learned so much from my time owning The Bitter Monk. Mostly though it is to trust my gut. When I signed the lease for The Monk, everyone told me it was a tough location and space. I saw it completely differently. I look at Chance Rabbit the same way. ‘The space is too small, Division is so competitive, etc, etc.’ I don't deny any of those arguments, but they don't define what I think is special about it and I think people will see that. Regarding business aspects from The Monk, I carry lessons of low overhead even at the expense of extra seating and volume, a meticulously curated approach to offerings, and a full commitment to becoming an integral part of the neighborhood,” adds Sanguinetti.

Chance Rabbit, projected opening in late 2026 at 3302 SE Division St, Portland, OR 97202.

Follow @chancerabbitpdx on instagram.