This authentic Irish/British themed pub in NE Portland is always a warm, cozy and inviting place…read morefor a Guinness Hydrogen pint or a hearty dinner meal. Last night I had the fabulous Cottage Pie with flavorful side of red cabbage. Our server was so charming and efficient. She was always handy for ordering another pint. Which my second was the Block 16 Hazy IPA or for a question. If your a dart thrower, bring your darts and give it a go! Happy Saint Patrick's day and Sláinte (Cheers) wishes to All!

This one hurts... we've been coming here once a week for the last 6 ish years before movies at…read moreHollywood. The new young kid bartender is the worst. My wife and I ordered two drinks sitting at the bar (one for her and one for me). He then proceeded to take orders for people who showed up at the well and at the bar after us. Both of these people got their drinks BEFORE us. I thought this was odd but didn't make a big deal of it as we come her very often and I love the regular bartenders (not this kid). We wait for 10 minutes or so as he makes the people that showed up after us drinks and the waiters/tables orders drinks. Odd but not the worst. I order a espolon tequila and soda tall. It comes and I drink it within 10-15 minutes as we're in a rush to see a movie in an hour and I like to have a few drinks before pizza and a movie at Hollywood. After waiting so long for the first drink and him taking care of two people that ordered after us BEFORE US, I asked if I could get two drinks for my next round (I've done this literally 60 times at least at this bar with no issues as it's often packed and we're in a rush to catch a movie every-time we go and the bartenders are always super understanding of time constraints catching movies next door). He says "who's the other drink for???" I'm in my 40s and was dead sober/only had the previous drink all day. I say, "myself... I just figured I'd order two because I can see you're pretty slammed and we need to catch a movie soon". He says "I can't do two drinks but I can do a DOUBLE"!! So let me get this straight.... I can't get TWO watered down drinks but I CAN get ONE very stiff DOUBLE drink!!! I get this kid is likely 25, but saying I can't get two drinks but can get a double makes literal zero sense. He probably is very new to the service industry but doubles are far more intense than giving someone two tall drinks (I have dozens of friends around the world that own bars and doubles are always 10x more of a red flag). Just being confrontational for zero reason when every other time we've been here they are always super understanding to all the movie goers short schedule. I say, "I'll just do an another regular/single tequila soda..." I finish my second drink after being there for 30 minutes (I know because I literally checked my watch when we walked in as the movie was starting shortly and I'm very punctual). I try to order my third and final drink and he tells my wife I'm cut off. I've been going to bars all over the world at least 4/5 days a week for the last 20 years and NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE BEEN CUT OFF. I was dead ass sober. This man-child told me that he wasn't comfortable giving me a 3rd drink after 30 minutes of us being there and after I told him we're in a rush to catch a movie. I don't understand this awful customer service at an IRISH BAR. I'm first gen IRISH and drinking two x alcohol and soda (tall so very watered down) drinks in 30 minutes is not uncommon anywhere. I wasn't being confrontational and still tipped this idiot when anyone in my shoes wouldn't have (ps I usually tip 40% at bars and tipped him 10% due to his asshole demeanor). F him and until he leaves I'm not coming back. All the female bartenders here treat the regulars like family which is why my wife and I have been coming here for almost a decade. Hope ownership sees this. This gen z puritanical power tripping dork needs to go.

An amazing place to watch a concert. It's a small venue, so there's a Good view from almost every…read moreseat and the sound is great. I will note that the seats are hard and narrow so it is not the most comfortable place for every type of body. The staff are excellent, bartenders are fast, and there are plenty of bathrooms. Try the margarita on tap - it's delicious! Whoever does the booking chooses great bands. I've seen the Indigo Girls and Team Dresch thus far.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! The vibes, the drinks, the old school feeling, the concerts, the roof!!!!!…read more(extra hard on the roof). Such a perfect place to choose the vibe you want. In the summer the roof is great, in the winter going inside for a show is ideal. The workers are so kind and I can't wait for my next visit.

Came out for live music that did not disappoint! I really enjoy a good divey aesthetic and…read moreLaurelthirst had plenty of it. The older gentleman at the door was welcoming and kind, and very apologetic that the door fee was cash only (tip - bring cash or you'll have to walk a couple blocks to the plaid pantry for atm access). The food we ordered was good (burgers and fries), the bartender seemed a little annoyed or bothered in general, maybe he was having an off night, so he wasn't the friendliest person but he poured cold beer and put our orders in correctly so there's that. Come for the live music and divey aesthetic, and you'll leave feeling quite satisfied! Oh, and parking was a little meh considering the area.

Live music most nights (and free a lot of the time) from some of Portland's best bands. A pretty…read moregood happy hour. A warm, funky, old school-not-faking it atmosphere with vintage wooden booths and tables. Cheap drinks. Check, check and check. As for grub, the BLT and burgers are solid pub fare, though the nachos are a hard pass. I don't come here for the food though, but for the thoroughly competent bartenders who work the always-crowded, narrow main room with grace and wit; the reliably excellent entertainment (which often includes a loyal band of dancing hippies, resplendent in their tie dyes, grooving to the tunes); and the strong drinks from the full bar. Add in a friendly neighborhood vibe that makes it seem like everyone's welcome, and you've got a true Portland institution. Support local music! Pro tip: if the main room gets too loud for you - as it often does - there's a smaller back area with a couple of tables, a pool table, pinball machines and a tv screen live-streaming whatever band is on stage at the moment. It's a good spot to eat your food or have an actual conversation when the volume is too much in the other room. Also; the bathroom sucks.

This is a true gem of Portland. Low key and welcoming with a great atmosphere. Knowledgeable bar…read morestaff and kind customers. You can order food from the surrounding neighborhood businesses and bring it into the bar. Music on Saturdays and lots of other fun events during the week. Music bingo, bluegrass jam, etc. are always well attended. This my favorite neighborhood bar -

This tap house is pretty incredible. If you're a Phish fan you may recognize the name from a song…read morelyric. When Phish is on tour they simulcast the show and give you high quality headsets to listen as loud as you'd like. The show plays in the bar overall. But it's at a normal volume. So the headsets are VERY nice to filter out all other noise. Now the taps! Another knockout. They offer a rotating list of offerings from the best beers in a major beer city. You can't go wrong with any of them. The staff is fun, friendly and knowledgeable. My wife and I had such a good time we left with a t-shirt and beer can koozies to give friends so they don't forget to visit when they are in town. Overall loved this place and went twice while we were in town.

At first glance the queso fries looked only moderately appealing: "nacho style" processed cheese…read moreand CUBED pulled pork. But the taste was loaded goodness. Yum. Their take on a Negroni cocktail was excellent. Great vibe and awesome bar. Decent prices, friendly service, doable parking.

Love this place. It's definitely a neighborhood spot. Good Food, Great Atmosphere, Amazing Bar…read moreTenders, couldn't ask for more. Definitely stop in if you are in the Alberta Neighborhood.

For locals and visitors alike, you Must visit McMenamins…read moreKennedy School. Whether you visit the boiler bar for some billiards and shuffleboard or get sent to detention to try some great whisky the atmosphere is always eclectic and serene at the same time. Sound juxtaposed? Just go and visit, you'll see what I mean. Feeling adventurous on a warm evening, visit the courtyard restaurant and order a Moscow mule but substitute the vodka for their signature Aval Potta whisky, while sitting next to the fire place. Trust me, this is the night out you've been looking for!

Didn't realize this place is in a neighborhood so it's understandable that they close early. We got…read morein there before 10pm (when most of the rooms close) and ordered. We did not get our appetizer but had to ask about it. Our waiter did not address until we did... So that was a bust. We did not see our waiter again as another lady took over. Not sure why. Anyway, the food was alright, nothing crazy, nothing too impressive. We ordered drinks at one of the rooms that was also closing at 10pm. The lady was taking our order when her friends showed up and she decided to greet and talk to them in the middle of me ordering. That's right, she literally stopped listening to me and started talking to them. She did a little, "oh I'm sorry" but definitely felt the ick. Weird vibes from that place and the restaurant. The Boiler Room was the best place cause it stayed open late and the vibes were chill. Ordered a few drinks that were delivered to us since the bar is downstairs & our table was at the top. Cool room and decor.

This is one of my favorite local venues. First of all they're great at picking the right music. I…read morewill go in never hearing any of the bands and leave following all their stuff. The vibes are great. Very queer-friendly. Food is solid drinks aren't outrageously priced. I just always have a great time here.

I had a great time last night at the show here. Four really great bands played and the crowd was…read moreentertaining as well. The only thing I wild recommend is getting a Coors Light for the bar.

Affordable venue with great shows, friendly staff, amazing popcorn, and always a good time.read more

I traveled the world with a bar band, and I have performed in venues, big and small. So when I say…read morethat this is one of my favorite venues of all time, I'm comparing it to a lot of places! The showdown is a beautiful piece of Portland history. What was obviously once a country western venue, has turned eclectic, and Portland quality weird. It's old, it's worn, it's beautiful. The sound is excellent, distinct sounds from each instrument even above 90 dB so super props to the sound guy! I thought the menu was great and an exceptional value for a music venue with salty nibbles, and locally made red hot sausages, Also really delicious. Everybody there was super nice, the bartender was quick, efficient and knowledgeable. The seating is not the most comfortable in the world, but I sat there for four hours and barely moved because it was just that much fun. Can't wait to go back and see the next band I can't stop listening to.