Are you in town for business? Have you been surrounded by uptight coworkers who sound like the boss from Office Space when they ask you to do things in the most passive aggressive and condescending way possible? Want to get away and actually have a relaxing fun filled work vacay? This is the place for you. Visiting from some place where you have to wear a 3 piece suit to go out? Or even from a place where Carhartts and cowboy boots are the the only thing you've ever worn? This is the place for you, too. Wear literally whatever you have on. Wearing pajamas? No problem. Wearing a wedding dress or a tuxedo? Come by. They love everyone. Fit in like a local no matter where you're from or what you're in town for. They have MOTORCYCLES hanging from the darn ceiling! Have you ever seem that before? Well now you have. The bouncers are super chill, the bartenders pour them heavy, and the food is amazing. Come by Kelly's to be fully taken care of by the staff and fully entertained by the people walking by on the street. If you don't come to Kelly's Olympian while you're in Portland you're not even doing Portland at all. read more

It doesn't get any more cliche than this period we were staying in a hotel right down the street. I'm from a small desert town in Arizona and wanted to act like a hipster in Portland. I saw there was a local dive bar down the street and they serve PBR's and have old school booths. So we came in and had a bunch of $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon! Had a great time. Staff was excellent. Didn't get shived or mugged on our way back. What a night! read more

Awesome Bar Great time here at the KO feeling the vibe and biker culture. read more

They are very AMAZINGLY Wonderful here, Must see! the great services of the bartenderesses (ladies your so nice) & Mr Steven Dodge... FAR BUT few places of great service is to be found in Portland, here is like I said Is great... thank you for making my day great.... needed it! read more

Solid bar, I wouldnt classify this as a dive, but it's not pretentious so that's nice. A well curated but small pinball selection, thank you. Interesting space for seeing live music. It's a narrow space, so intimate and really cozy. Could be uncomfortable if sold out, but go anyway probably. read more

Giving this place a solid 5 because from the moment you see this place on the outside till the time you use the bathroom and close your tab its exactly what's expected. Cool chill well priced dive bar. But surprises you with pinball machines TV's for the games playing, and gasping motorcycle decor. What even better though aside from a good place to have a cold one with the boys you easily can bring a date here becaise of the lounge red lighting and clean bathrooms. Friendly bar tenders good vibes. At night place is buzzing with locals great Portland folks love em read more

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Went here with a couple of work friends before a dinner and had a good time. It is a good divey bar and a good place to grab a couple beers. You have to order the drinks at the bar and there was plenty of seating through out the bar. For a dive bar this place was pretty clean or at least clean enough that you don't have to shower from sitting at the bar. Maybe you will just need to shower based on the choices you made in the bar. Overall good selection of booze and beer. I was drinking an IPA and my colleagues were drinking well drinks. They made them strong enough where you did not think they were weak. Granted they can always be stronger. read more

Kelly's Olympian - Beers at Kelly's Olympian - Dive Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Great bar, great staff! Always super welcoming and they offer free amateur comedy twice a week. Definitely worth adding to the pub pub list. read more

Been coming here for 15 years now and have seen Kelly's evolve several times. Its current persona is probably my favorite. I love the atmosphere here. It's been called a dive by many but I don't think it is. It's dark, usually has good music playing, neon lights on the walls behind the bar, interesting mixed crowd and cool old motorcycles hanging from the ceiling. I want one of those damn motorcycles. Great beer selection and the bar tenders are usually friendly, attentive and pour good drinks (this, as with most any bar, is not always the case - especially on a busy Friday or Saturday night). Their happy hour prices are not the best (my favorite beers never seem to get discounted) but the food is pretty good. Limited seating, which is it's biggest downside, otherwise it's a great place to go for drinks and company, no matter the time of day or night. read more

Kelly's Olympian - Some of my friends from last Saturday night. - Dive Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Arrived in Portland after an 8-hour drive and this was the first place I went because I was meeting a group of friends. Tried to walk in at 7pm. The bouncer looked at me and turned me away for "being too intoxicated." I was completely sober. I told him I had come a long way and had not been drinking but he just blew me off. I felt pretty insulted. Luckily, my entire group got mad and we all went to Deschutes instead. Maybe one day they'll hire a doorman who actually can tell the difference between drunk and sober people. read more

One of 2 personal long term mainstay bars, Kelly's offers it all. From great decor, great drinks (and cheap), great food (also cheap, I suggest the burger), great music (newly remodeled music room now known as "the knife shop"), and great service it's got all you want. Granted I'm partial and bias, as I did celebrate my 21st birthday @ Kelly's, and seemingly haven't left since. But I can sincerely say if you're lookin for a fun time any time Kellys is a great choice. read more

Kelly's Olympian - The Knife Shop - Dive Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Single pour drinks that are well overpriced. Go to the next spot. Not worth your time or your money.

Old school dive bar with motorcycle decor everywhere and had live music next door. Slot machines in the back of the bar where the bathrooms are. Awesome and fast service with good selection of beer and liquor. read more

Kelly's Olympian - Dive Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Four stars because it's go cool... the drinks are very reasonable ... if you like motorcycles or even if you don't like motorcycles this is the place for you read more

Kelly's Olympian - Happy hour - Dive Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Not worth the hype. Terrible service and attitude by the staff we encountered. Too many options nearby to give this establishment my business. read more

Apparently you need to tell the bouncer your life story to get into the door. I came here to get food at 1 am. I had not consumed any alcohol at all, I was told by a short man with a beard that I couldn't go in because I was intoxicated. His reasoning was I only gave him one word answers to his questions. His questions were "hows your day" I said good. Also "how are you" which I answered I'm alright. Apparently that equates to being drunk. Next time I'll be sure prepare my speech before I go in. If your looking for a good bar there are multiple with in a 2 block radius of Kelly's Olympian. Don't spend your money here. read more

Interior: Awesome! Definitely worth checking out all the vintage decor Food: Typical bar food. Chicken and fries - chicken was delicious! Fries could have been fried a little longer, but still yummy. Kelly burger - nothing special, decent burger for the price. Price: cheap drinks and food. Customer Service: Absolutely awful and the only reason I will not be back unfortunately. I was polite the whole time and the bartender was extremely rude for no reason. I walked up to two bartenders to pay for my food/drink and was straight up ignored. One looked right in my eyes and they BOTH walked away from me. My goodness. Parking: street parking or garage. Park in the Smart Park lot, it's cheaper and most places will validate. The Avis lot is a little pricey and no one validates (I asked the kiosk attendant to verify). Final takeaway: Check it out as it is a cool bar. Just don't expect good service. There's better places with nicer staff :) read more

Absolutely agree with the other 2-star reviews on here. Don't bother coming here if you dress well. Not even past the doorway someone asked if we had coke on us. Not a good look! We arrived at Happy Hour (which is usually a prime opportunity for bartenders to make tips!) but the lady scoffed when I asked about lagers on draft. You have voluminous taps, I get it. But a simple "this one's most popular" would have done the trick. The lighting is great, the decor is fun, but don't come here looking to become a regular. They have more than enough. Looking for a similar, more friendly atmosphere in Seattle? Open 24 hours with better food and all-day breakfast? Check out the 5 Point in Belltown. This place seemed like a rusty knockoff. read more

For a while between 2003 and 2007 I lived in a Rent Controlled Apartment in Downtown Portland, Oregon. At that time I was Sober. I walked into Kelly's Olympian one early evening... it's great there... but, it is one of the Worst places to take your friends during the Happy Hours... there's two. Once time, I was walking out and the younger white guy (there's always at least one Town Drunk at most places that offer a Happy Hour) who was stumbling as he was walking out ahead of me. I forget which jacket he was wearing... but he had Jeans on that were too long, and a white Small T shirt on. It looked to me like he was racing to get somewhere... but when he held on to the waist high railing/ dividing wall just inside the entryway... I realized.... he must have been on some Medication that didn't interact well with the drinks he had just consumed. He vomited just down the street on the sidewalk. Although, I think it might have been either St. Patrick's Day or Fat Tuesday. The bartender, who was a female asked to see my License. And she called me by somebody's else's name. I told her that I was walking, but if she needed to see my License I would show her. And then she poured me a Tequila. I told her that I don't drink (I was sober between 1994 and 2015). So she asked the guy who was the other bartender what she should do with my drink. I looked at him... and he replied back to the first female bartender... "That's not what she drinks." I thanked him. And he said that she thought I was one of the "Regulars." I said... I don't usually go to Bars in Downtown Portland for my alcoholic drinks. He replied,... "Yeah,... I can understand that." Since that night I have tasted some Tequila in a mixed drink at a different bar... which is not located in Downtown Portland. And,... whatever it was (the mixed drink) tastes like a fruity version of a Mojito made with a different fruit Juice than lime. Also, there is a restroom down the long skinny hallway near the back of Kelly's Olympian.... I suggest you use it... that's what it's there for. There are some people who think I look like another Black woman in Portland, Oregon. I think there might be Six or Seven Black women who people think I look like these days. After the initial confusion with that female bartender.... I ordered a Half Pineapple Juice and Half Cranberry Juice in one glass. I wonder if the male bartender was winking... at me because... I switched it up... or because of the specific way I ordered my Fruit Juice. It tasted like I was served Half Orange Juice and Half Cranberry Juice by the way... so there's That. And no,... I haven't been back since I went to Kelly's Olympian in 2009 with a friend of mine. We didn't sit at the Bar. I recommend the French Fries. That's a solid meal if you are hungry and Downtown in the neighborhood of Kelly's Olympian. I think somebody else who was sitting at the Bar drank that Tequila that the female bartender was going to serve me. It's called To Kill Ya for a reason. read more

This is the worst tiki bar ever. They did not even have a mai tai on the menu. Although some day I will probably return to say his to Bruce, because he is AMAZING. read more

The most alarming part about my experience was that I saw rats. The menu was okay but I'm just not comfortable coming back after that. proceed with caution. read more

Busy and fun. Food is not why you come. The decor is cluttered and cool. The hanging bikes are sweet - there are some legit British racers hanging from the ceiling and they look used, so props for that. Overall though, the decor has too Much neon and tends towards a TGI Fridays vibe. read more

I love a good friendly bar, where the bartenders are actively monitoring the room, and take care of the customers. The guy wearing a MAGA hat and carrying a knife (obviously looking for trouble) was asked to leave, so the rest of us could enjoy our cocktails and conversations in peace. Great atmosphere, excellent service and all around great vibe. The motorcycle parking out front doesn't hurt either! Thanks Kelly's for keeping some old Portland alive downtown. read more

This is a cool bar with a great atmosphere the first bar tender was great. Very friendly and had amazing customer service. The other bartender was very lack luster and had a poor attitude and should not be in customer service. When my girlfriend asked for another drink the bar tender rolled her eyes and said sure..... and was very rude and acted as if we were an inconvenience to her. Then when we asked for tab... almost right after the attitude we just encountered she acted the same way. If you don't like dealing with people maybe you shouldn't be in the service industry. Now with the Coronavirus and these bar tenders out of work I bet she wishes she was a little nicer and is probably really missing that tip should could of gotten from us. But she got ZERO dollars as her attitude decided that. UPDATED To the Mangers response: Thank you for taking the time to respond to me. Yes the timing is unfortunate, I agree. What you don't know is I just received the email from yelp to review my experience today. And because I myself am in the service industry I have the time to submit this review. Best wishes to you and your crew and to all the people that are unfortunately out of work at this time. read more

This place looks a bit sketchy from the outside, but I loved this bar. My sister and I went after a few drinks at a nearby rooftop bar, and got some food and more drinks here. I loved the decor of neon signs, motorcycles, and signs. It's cute, and the drinks are tasty and unique. The chicken strips are OUTSTANDING - I think we ordered them 3 times because we couldn't get enough. I'm definitely going back when I'm in the area again. read more

FIRST AND LAST TIME HERE. My wife and I and friend decided to try this out. The scenery was very nice and very comforting. Me and my friend went inside to place and order for a drink and some food. The first thing I noticed that this wasn't gunna be a good time was the attitudes of the woman with facial tattoos.(should've asked for her name) she kept pushing my friend if he wanted anything and he clearly didnt. After we placed the order and paid we went back outside. 5 mins go back. The woman with the facial tattoos came out and began asking why I didnt tip? And made a HUGE deal about it and made a big scene infront of a few people causing huge embarrassment infront of me and my wife. (I typically Leave a tip based on the service and quality of food. ) she went back inside after her rant. And the whole patio was silent for about 5 mins. I went back inside by myself to confront her about it and asked what was all that about, she explained how they work based of tips and the cooks do too. (I already knew this, I used to work at a bar for 2 years) I explained to her that her rant to a customer was completely inappropriate and Unprofessional. I served in the military for 6 years and counting, and been in 3 combat deployments. And this type of behavior was insane, I kept my cool on my end and was respectful and understanding cause I understood she was tired and worn out from the day. But I ended up tipping them, but not the amount I typically tip due to the fact that she ruined the whole experience and Embarrassed my family infront of people. And I feel like we were being ostracized due to the fact that we were mexican's and the crowd was all white. We sat there waiting for our food in silence and embarrassment. Once we received our food, we ended up giving it away to people in need, cause Thats the last place Id eat at. We ended up eatting elsewhere. All in all. Never returning or even recommending this place. If I wanted to be racially oppressed, Id go to a country bar In Alabama again. Thank you Kellys:) read more

Bad Ass Dive Bar! 5:00pm local workers watering hole. Food coming out looks great, plan on coming in for brunch next!

After being in the establishment an hour, and ordering food and drinks we got 86'd. I was enjoying a cocktail with my Marriott bartender friend and the waitress came to pick up our empty glasses and plate,my friend assisted her and gave her and affirming look. Shortly after the bouncer came to our table an kicked us out without no reason even after i demanded one.He woulnd allow her to close or obtain her card from the bar and they did not allow her. Keep in mind, left cards are charged 20% tip. SCAM if u ask me!!!! The waitress had poor judgement and lost valuable customers because she interpreted the situation as personal.These employees need to retake their cultural difference training.A helpful stare vs harrastment is a stretch! As a couple with excess dispossible income, i WILL NEVER recomment this establishment to any of my tourist friends. I was highly dissaponted after such treatment! Especially when we did nothing wrong read more

Having spent my brief collegiate days at a Malibu university devoid of football, the annual Civil War is merely another football game for me. Granted throughout the year I normally will pull for both of Oregon's teams, but there is no ongoing allegiance to either. So as the fear inducing rodent and fowl mascots lead their respected teams to the field for this year's Civil War, I had no strong desire to watch, although it would have been nice to see an Oregon team make it to the Rose Bowl. As the TLB and I were enjoying an adult beverage at the Muddy Rudder, some good friends were converging at Kelly's Olympian to watch this year's game. This wasn't their first choice, but attempts to watch at other locations were foiled by the number of dedicated and intoxicated fans who had already arrived at the various downtown drinking establishments. It was late afternoon, and as we needed an in between stop before we made our way to dinner, we decided to join. First and foremost, Kelly's is a dive bar. They don't pretend to be anything else, and that is a good thing. Some bars have a habit of acting like the girl at the club who thinks she's a 9 but is really a 7. Kelly's knows it's a 7, and embraces it. Cheap beer, smoky interior, and a ragtag group of patrons. A long bar takes up the majority of the space, with a row of tables aligning the opposite wall. Bright neon signs adorned the wall behind the bar, with motorcycle and gas station memorabilia spread throughout. A handful of televisions allowed several groups of fans to watch the Ducks smash the Beavers that evening, but in no way should Kelly's be considered a top end sports watching destination. As we were joined by Lizzie B. and friend, the girls quickly flocked together and a decision was made by my Sister from Another Mister to head over to the Hello Kitty store at Pioneer Place. The girls begrudgingly agreed to go and offered to have me tag along. Go with the ladies to the mall, or stay with the guys, drink beer and watch football? Hmmmm...definitely one of the easiest decisions I've had to make in quite some time. As our dinner plans were quickly evaporating with each additional pint, some substenance (substance + sustenance + sustain + substantial) was needed to keep the party going, or at least prevent me from falling off the bar stool. Being the classy guy I am, I decided to help myself to the remainder of our friend's Mac 'N Cheese. It was ok, but did keep me upright. The staff at Kelly's is really top notch; although there was debate over the "hotness" level of our particular bartender. I knew the TLB would find her attractive as she likes the tall blondes too, yet I felt she probably gave a few more local tours around the block then I would want. I don't believe the debate was ever settled, but the level of service alone made her an extremely desirable 8 in a bar full of 7's. Kelly's is a good choice for a quick drink with friends, or with strangers, as it provides a relaxed un-Portencious (Portland + Pretentious) atmosphere. Long live the dive bar! read more

K_lly's _lymp__n _ff _rs th_ _l_x_rs _f th_ G_ds _t m_rt_l pr_c_s... ... but why do I always feel like I'm trapped in the wings of some twisted game show whenever I'm here? Maybe it's the lights, the copious amount of prize-worthy stuff hanging from the walls and ceiling, or the booths that are upholstered in vinyl slicker than the greasiest game show host's toupée? Or perhaps it's that I tend to wonder what bizarre twisted fortune has made karma see to it that I end up here. Yet unlike Wheel of Fortune when you've hit bankrupt and are strapped for cash to buy some vowels, Kelly's Olympian offers cheap solutions to your nightlife brain-benders. The long list of draft beers are served up from one of the many bartenders running behind the long bar. Drink and food order wait time tends to vary depending on how busy they are, but usually fall on the longer side. It's a decent spot to hit early on, either for a post-work happy hour or the first stop on a downtown night out. A slight smoky residue remains since the smoking ban was put in place earlier this year, but is quickly forgotten. While folks are seen in ripped jeans or stylish skirts, it's probably not a spot you want to wear your sequence gown or snappy suit. The term "Dive Bar" comes to mind, but I can't quite bring myself to use it. Maybe "Seasoned" is more appropriate. Whatever the case may be, Kelly's is an experience to be had regardless of whether you're a winner or a looser. Can I get an A...men? read more

Probably shouldn't be writing this review b/c: 1. It was mucho late. 2. I remember motorcycles and mirrors and a tiny fishbowl-shaped glass full of vodka and tonic and not much else. They were cordial enough to let me order and then take my money. That's nice. read more

You had me at neon pegasus. Truly - all the smokey-motorcycle diveyness aside, Kelly's is everything it's cracked up to be and more. And you know what makes it great? No...not the Harley's hanging from the ceiling...or the Mac n' Cheese Bites...but THE STAFF. Specifically Annie, Tina, Wallace and Kurt...these fine folks truly spoiled a group of young yelpers this afternoon and evening. Everything was completely a "your wish is my command" status, from the heat in the private room they "happened to have available" to finding the most kitschy show possible to show on their enormous screen (La bamba, anyone?) The food came quickly and was a pub-grub-ish as your corroded artery could desire. I mean really - fried mac 'n cheese? How could one go wrong?!? The salsa was also delicious...I was on a strict "would you like some chip with your salsa" status for the evening. But for a place that was clearly our "second choice" - Kelly's really came through. Have I mentioned the amazing fried Mac n' cheese? read more

A dive bar that I can get behind! I had been drinking somewhat heavily by the time we got to Kelly's, and splotchy memories make for a splotchy review, so bare with me: Neon! And mirror! And frickin' motorcycles hanging from the ceiling! This place has one hell of an aesthetic. On our weeknight visit the looooooong bar was sparsely populated by who I can only assume were regulars, but we beelined for the back corner, with curved red pleather banquette booths that felt like the "champagne room" in some sort of cheesy strip club. But instead, it was just a really comfy and casual spot for our group to mingle. Drinks are cheap, as they should be. The selection of beers is smallish, but they have a number of local offerings. The music was decent, and the DJ was definitely a character. He had some sort of nerd-chic thing going on, but his selections were alright, so whatever. The bartender yelled at me for something that wasn't my fault. She later apologized. We're all good now. I've never been a huge dive bar fan b/c I feel like too often they teeter the line between casual and dirty, but this place didn't have that issue at all. It's well maintained, clean and professionally ran. I'll be back, hopefully with more of my mental capacities intact. read more