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    Bar Maven

    4.1 (220 reviews)
    InexpensiveBars
    Closed 4:00 pm - 2:30 am (Next day)
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Business Info

    BAR MAVEN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Classy
    Juke Box

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    Recommended Reviews - Bar Maven

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    Reviews With Photos - Bar Maven

    One of my favorite dive bars post pandemi. I've never felt as much queerness, social camrader or gay pride in a "straight" presenting establishment as I have at this bar. Aside from the fact that people are waiting literal HOURS I get food here, I have never seen a PDX bar with such a strong fanbase. Considering that this establishment has been flourishing since 2013, I know that any "bad"experience here has been purely circumstantial. Idk how many times I've witnessed a customer being upset that their 110lb bartender didn't kick a man out for being extra when it was 10mins to close. 10/10 giving Bar Maven a visit.

    Happy hour fried chicken with jalapeño sando
    C... D.

    We go for Happy Hour - well priced drinks and enjoy the food ( except for the smash burgers - it's been 10 years sorry , no)... love the Brussels sprouts, the beef skewers , and tonight's fried chicken sando was delicious!!!! Also low key vibe and a juke box ... the outdoor pool table is a definite plus!!!

    Mary N.

    This place is awesome! Bar food was good. Great happy hour and drinks were delicious. It's a super chill and mellow bar. Good vibes and good atmosphere. I would return and try some of the other drinks and food. My party order the original gyro wrap, the cheeseburger, the maven burger, the brussels, and wings. Everything was delicious. We had fries with the burger and that was very good too! Can't wait to come back!

    Cauliflower
    Hannah W.

    Love coming here. Friendly staff and consistently solid food - my go-to neighbor bar. Some complain about the volume of the music, but I enjoy it! Decent selection of games and plenty of seating in the heated outdoor area.

    Smash Burger + fries & Beef Skewers from happy hour (Sun/Mon ALL day/Tues-Sat 4-7 & 10-1:30)
    Mika L.

    Top 3 for my bf & I. Great happy hour. Good beer & great food. Service is efficient and our bartender is always so friendly. Will always come back. 10/10 recommend!

    Sandwich week sandwich and onion rings
    Sarah C.

    Bar Maven is a neighborhood bar in Foster Powell. They're a little dive-y, with a lot of beer options, cocktails, and in-house made food. They participate in a lot of the "weeks" that Portland does, like sandwich week, nacho week, etc. It's a cool spot. I visited for the first time recently during sandwich week. I appreciate that they offered a vegetarian option. Bartenders were friendly but not over-the-top, food was pretty good, the cocktail was good if a little sweet. The table we sat at inside was a little grungy, but this place offers two outdoor patios which is a huge bonus. While we were there it was a lovely day so the garage doors and windows were wide open for a nice breeze. Just a low-key, chill spot with decent food.

    Chopped Chicken Salad
    Sarah R.

    My FAVORITE spot! Hands down the best place for a drink and SMASH BURGER! Personally Bernard is my favorite bartender! He's the most approachable easy going bartender that works there always makes me feel welcomed and GREAT VIBES. It's Always busy in there when he's working!! You HAVE to try the smash burgers!!

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    Nope. Every time I've been here the employees are rude. Food is sub par and the bathrooms are gross.

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    3 years ago

    I made the mistake of trying to get a to-go order during happy hour. It's a great place to go hang out if you are not in a hurry. My bad.

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    Loved this Dive bar, food and drinks were great. Our lady bartender did a great job making our margaritas. We will be back

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Bar Maven

    Review Highlights - Bar Maven

    My go to food items are gyro nachos or chicken wings, but I've never been disappointed by anything I order.

    Mentioned in 15 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Abbor Hall came highly recommended by my boyfriend's brother and his partner. The best I can…read moredescribe the feeling is the theme song to Cheers. My boyfriend's brother and his partner were treated like regulars here and the feeling was extended to me and my boyfriend. Becca was so kind and friendly. She took the time to talk to us and it felt like gabbing with a friend. It's such a welcoming environment and I can really tell she really cares about this bar. She really made this feel like a cozy experience. The drinks were incredible. I'm not much of a drinker, and the drinks didn't feel intimidating at all. I tried the bees knees off of the happy hour menu and that was light with a lemon-y taste to it. I also had the panda punch and that is probably one of my new favorites. It's so light and fruity tasting with a hint of warmth to it. I realized now that I did not get any pictures of the drinks and I'm really sad. They were both very beautifully presented. All of the drinks in the group looked fantastic. I already cannot wait to go back.

    This deserves an update. My previous review all stands, but I'd give this place 6 stars if I…read morecould. I don't get to go out for cocktails all that often, but this is now my absolute first choice. Whether it's been weeks or months since our last visit, we're treated like regulars. Becca makes every visit special. She knows my favorite drinks, suggests others I haven't tried but should, and ALWAYS takes the time to explain ingredients or the story behind any given drink on the menu. A great place makes you feel like a regular, even when you're not. And everyone here does a great job of that. Finally tried the food. Pretzel was great - cheese plate also great.

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    The Observatory

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    Had an awesome time at The Observatory the other weekend. Unlike a lot of places, they run their…read moreHappy Hour on the weekend, which is what drew my partner and I in. You can absolutely smell the fish and vinegar as soon as you walk through the door, which I think gives the place a very homey pub feel. I ordered a spiked peach Arnold Palmer, which I enjoyed (and it was pleasantly strong) and a glass of the house white, which was good for the price. Our server was very fast and attentive. To eat I got the tomato soup with a grilled cheese, which was absolutely fantastic. The soup was so creamy and flavorful, and I cannot imagine a better meal after spending all day walking outside in the rain. The fries were super crispy and I liked the batter. My partner and I shared some of their breadsticks, which were deliciously baked (fresh!) and came with a super refreshing basil crema and a nice tomato-y dip. Wonderful all. My partner ordered fish and chips, and was surprised to find that it is one large fillet of fish, not multiple pieces like you would typically expect. He said the fish was fine, but a little tough. Overall, a wonderful experience. I definitely hope to return. I highly recommend this place as a refuge during the cold winter months!

    Why do they make you write a book just to recommend this place…read moreIts good, a must try Drunk was a little weak

    Photos
    Love the decor and ambiance
    Love the decor and ambiance
    Sesame Sweet Chili Glazed Chicken Wings ($12)
    Sesame Sweet Chili Glazed Chicken Wings ($12)
    Buffalo chicken salad (instead of a wrap)

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    Buffalo chicken salad (instead of a wrap)

    Bar Maven - bars - Updated July 2026

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