My partner and I stopped in for happy hour over the weekend, and loved the vibe of this place! We were confused at first because the door was locked, but it turns out they keep it that way when it isn't super busy, and we just had to enter through the restaurant next door instead. We were seated immediately, and our server (a young woman with glasses) was exceptional. She was super friendly, joked with us, and checked on us frequently, even though she was also working tables in the restaurant. When we asked to change the music, she was happy to oblige. The bar itself is cozy (one of the smallest in the United States!) but comfortable. It was pretty cold when we went and I don't think they had heating on, but otherwise I had no complaints. I ordered a glass of their seasonal sangria and a glass of the pinot gris. Bpth were nicely chilled and refreshing. We also ordered their samosas, which are absolutely excellent. I was pleased to see that almost everything on the menu is vegetarian-- I'll have to come back and sample some more! read more

On our last day of our trip in Portland ... we took for a hike and stumbled upon this little gem with a living wall and a little enclave seating with a view of the outdoor sidewalk seating. Good wine selection and is perfect for a date or some catch time with your friends. It amplifies the vibe of people who truly click and have a great time together. It's casual and laid back but can also be a very cozy and romantic scene too. It's small. It's trendy yet not too hipster or try too hard trendy. It's perfect! read more

M Bar - Mandalay Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Delicious food and drinks this place truly never misses ! We came in for food but were delighted to find out that they were participating in dumpling week last night. We had the delicious specialty dumplings per recommendation from the bartender. The team there was great and worked so hard to give us great service and delusion food and drinks. The drinks were phenomenal as always. I got the lychee martini and subbed the lemon for lime per recommendation from the bartender bc I was looking for something a bit more lime forward. I'm glad i listened because the drink was great and limey. Thank you again and we will definitely be back again. read more

We "reserved" at the Burmese Thai next door but they didn't see the reservation and gave the table away. Then they asked us to eat next door at their sister bar which the hostess assured us they had more table space and the exact same menu. So we walk over only to discover there are nothing but tiny little cocktail tables and not enough space for three of us. Luckily the two gentlemen sitting there offered to leave so that they could pull two of the small tables together and try to accommodate us. Drinks we're spot on and food was okay. But really Burmese Thai? We had a reservation and the hostess messed up. This was not an acceptable option to replace our dinner for three adults. read more

I think we must have caught this establishment on an off day. There were issues all around us with people getting the wrong food, some of that food containing meat which was delivered to vegetarians, and the service was definitely lacking. Our food, while correct, was cold. Definitely not someplace we will return. read more

M Bar - Mandalay Bar - a variety of food items - Wine Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Great atmosphere, bartender was very friendly, great service and very helpful with tourist recommendations! Drinks were wonderful and she was so personable and knowledgeable about drinks! Would recommend this place to anyone and will definitely be coming back with my wife one day! read more

M Bar - Mandalay Bar - Mai tai - Wine Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Awesome food; takes a while to get in. Small, intimate atmosphere. Happy hour ok. Try early in summertime, as parking tough... read more

I went to the M bar today & I sat outside. Their outdoor seating is soooo cozy. I love all the live plants and their curtains-it adds to the privacy. They have outdoor heaters also. I forgot the name of my beer it was like a stout. It was tasty. I'm glad I stopped here to have a beer. read more

M Bar - Mandalay Bar - a glass of beer on a table - Wine Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I've been coming to The M Bar for over 20 years. it was easily one of, if not the best bars in Portland. It has changed ownership a couple of times over the years but always kept its truly magical appeal. I just stopped in after a couple of months under new ownership and management of Top Burmese, the local restaurant chain that took possession. They've completely killed it. A dagger to the heart. Another depressing loss to this city read more

This isn't M Bar anymore. The restaurant next door took over and now it's a spot where patrons are an inconvenient afterthought if they're there for wine or beer. This is an extension of the restaurant next door, so it's their food and servers. The place now feels like you're cramped behind a bar instead of seated in a cozy, welcoming neighborhood spot. Decent food. Not M Bar. read more

This cozy and intimate little space is easy to miss late at night if you don't know to look for it. I walk by it all the time as I go to and from Trader Joe's and I have been longing, no, make that obsessed with going. Around 11 PM last night my friend suggested we go. He didn't have to ask me twice. I was ready and out the door before he could even find his car keys. It is smaller inside than I imagined and that is just fine. I think that the indoor seating capacity is around 12 persons give or take 2 or 3 or so depending on how well people know and like each other. If the weather is nice there is also some limited outdoor seating as well. I really enjoyed the dimly lit interior and just found the overall atmosphere charming. Onward to the beverage choices: There were many wines, beer, sake and they also had port. I immediately spied a Malbec and my friend had an expertly poured pint of Guinness. We lingered over our drinks and enjoyed the hospitality of Bar M while toying with the idea of a midnight pizza run to Sizzle Pie. But then my good sense kicked in I told myself that my pants are tight enough already and I quashed my pizza craving. If you haven't checked out Bar M, midnight is a sexy time to go. read more

M Bar - Mandalay Bar - Candelabra... - Wine Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

What a great little gem (emphasis on little!) :) M bar is a coffee spot by day, a beer/wine place by night. Since they don't serve hard alcohol, they can get away without offering food. But you can BYOF (bring your own food!) Happy hour is 6-8pm EVERY day! That's $3 off wines by the glass (making the cheapest glass only $3!) and $4 pours of beer. What a steal - if you can get a table! I'm looking forward to the summertime when the seating capacity will effectively double because of 4-5 tables located outside. Great for people watching! There aren't many places to sit inside... in fact, it is Portland's smallest bar. Be sure to get there right when it opens at 6pm to snag a spot. I don't think I've walked by this bar at any time when it was open when there were any open seats - they are clearly doing something right! Very affordable and a cute ambiance when the sun goes down and the little candles are placed ALL over the bar on different shelves and tables. The bartender also works for the smokehouse next door. So obviously that will be our next stop if we can squeeze in! read more

M Bar - Mandalay Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Quaint and tiny bar in the Alphabet District! I love that the bar is lit by candles, it really creates a relaxing and intimate atmosphere. Wines and beers on the menu with a friendly bartender to help you figure out what to drink. Enjoyable stop to celebrate my birthday !! read more

Perfect bar. Its our cities best kept secret. Please pour your money into this. Its a special spot in a quickly changing town. read more

M Bar - Mandalay Bar - The real town hall - Wine Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Love this quaint, intimate wine bar! They have a great selection of wine for all palates. I myself am a fan of French ' old world' wine that has a lot of character, and many places here in the PNW focus on regional wine. M Bar has a good selection of both. My friend and I also had some good tapas to accompany our drinks. Really love the candlelit lighting in this place! read more

The wine was pretty good. The service was neighborly and genuine. The ambience was romantic and intimate (only lit by candles). I still am wondering how this place is so busy every single time I walk by. Is it just because it can barely fit 15 people? I liked the bar. I might even return. I just still am lost as to what makes it such a hotspot. read more

Cute candle lit spot, perfect for a date. It is very small- it is not a good option for a group. Convos echo around the room too, so also not good for intimate convos. But fun to try new wines/sake/champagne/beer and chat. Friendly service, and a good variety of wines to try- he gave good explanations of the options. Happy hour runs late and has good prices which is a huge plus. I wish they had snack options but for drinks this place is great. read more

This place is so romantic that I could fall in love with a box of cereal if it were sitting across from me! M Bar doesn't try to be something it's not - it doesn't need to! It is classy in its simplicity. The menu is simple and sustainable: a mounted chalkboard that only offers beer and wine. However, what it lacks in selection it more than makes up in ambiance. Stroll by M Bar any night from 9pm-2am and you'll see close friends and lovers adoring and ogling one another, all reveling in that wonderful warm wine-buzz. And you'll see just as many potentials sitting outside trying to gain a part of the intimate atmosphere through osmosis! The setting is very private (think 5 small tables and a 4-6 person bar) and the low lighting is mainly provided by either sunlight in the daytime or candlelight in the evening. But M Bar isn't small, it's intimate - and the menu is not restrictive, it's selective! (Even their PBR is in a bottle - how is that for classy?) read more

M Bar - Mandalay Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Headed over to the M bar after some drinks and lovely fair at Bastas, and enjoyed it quite a bit. The bartender was friendly, and the beers were flowing into glasses that quickly made their way to our tables. Of course, the place is the smallest bar in the world, so you gotta hope that it doesn't take too long to have a table filled with drinks - but hey, it could happen. I would definitely hang at this joint again... but since it's not too close to where I live, I just may never return. Regardless, it was time well spent. Thanks, M bar... you're cute. read more

I really, really don't wanna give this place away, as it's probably one of the best bars in Portland for hanging out with friends...but here it goes. This place is awesome. Fantastic bar staff, quaint, and candle lit with a warm atmosphere, and awesome locals. Beer selection is limited, but always a good rotation of quality microbrews. Cocktails are reasonably priced and poured with a heavy hand. Conversation is also great. I've met quite a few interesting characters from here, one of which had written a book that I later bought on Amazon and loved. If you're looking for a just all around awesome chill bar, this is your place...just don't tell anyone. read more

Dark, cozy and romantic. Nice selection of wines and beers in a wonderful atmosphere. Came here while waiting for a table at Smokehouse 21. read more

I have been a dedicated regular at M Bar for over a decade. For many of us it was the heart of the neighborhood, a place where all you had to do was show up to feel at home. I'm not the only one that has literally met their entire circle of friends there over the years. It had such a unique spirit that could never be replicated anywhere else. Unfortunately, the new owners at Top Burmese have failed to recognize (or have just ignored) that legacy and have managed to ruin it completely. It's apparent that all they wanted was the outdoor space and couldn't have cared less about the bar itself. It is no longer a warm, candlelit space where you can relax and have fun with your friends. It doesn't even feel like a bar anymore; instead, it's just a prep station where they can make their cocktails. It's telling that none of the former regulars (of which there were many) want to set foot in there. My only hope is that someone else will be able to buy it in the future and return it to its former self. In the meantime, the new owners should change the name and stop pretending it's even remotely what it was. "Tropical wine bar" is not a thing. read more

What an absolute gem. I have walked past here so many times and finally decided to step in. The dim candle lit bar is tiny, with just a few seats and one bartender. The menu is written on a chalkboard behind the bar, and the whole space is very cozy and warm. Happy hour is 6-8pm (which means you can go after dinner), and it is $3 off wines and $5 beers. That means a glass of really good wine will be around $7, which is a steal. A lot of their wine is French, Italian, or Spanish, so it is refreshing to get wine outside Oregon. They also have a selection of sake, beer, cider, and warm drinks. The menu is small, and you don't get a lot of choices, but hey, for the price I pay and the ambiance, I will never complain. I will surely and happily return to this wonderful little spot. read more

I hesitate saying anything nice about this place because I don't want it to be discovered, but I honestly love this place so much. The small space lends itself to conversation with everyone around you, I have never gone in and not meet someone new. The small size means their stock rotates quite a bit, which keeps things interesting in my book. Apparently the wine is good... but I get beer when I go, and their selection is just as curated as the beer. Please don't go... but know it's a great spot. read more

I love 'em big. I love 'em full. I love 'em dark Am I talking about my men, hmmmm, maybe, but for the sake of this review, I'm talkin' 'bout my VINO! Too often I go to wine bars and am terribly disappointed in the sad excuse for the wine list. True, there are usually good ones somewhere on there, but when you find yourself looking at bottles in the upwards of $60+ range, it's discouraging and makes me cry little whiny tears. But M Bar has solved this problem with their Rioja by the glass. For just a couple bucks you will be treated to a deliciously bold, full-bodied and meaty red that screams smack me on the palate and put me in a choke hold. As for the place and the atmosphere, well, the place is teeensy tiny. It looks like it could be a small singe apartment in NY. It is also super dark, which is fine with me and makes me think this would be a great place for a date since people usually look better in the dark anyway. Definitely recommend this one! :) read more

Big city in a small space.... Everything about M Bar reminds me of lovely haunts in NYC, the kinds tucked away off an alley or down in a basement or up a flight of stairs to what feels like a large but lovely candled closet. No faux-speakeasy here; just a chalkboard's worth of drinks, a smattering of bench seats with tiny tables, a few stools at the bar, and outdoor patio furniture scattered along the sidewalk. It's dimly-lit, reservedly sexy, and no one will bother you since you've got to order your drinks from the bartender: this isn't an event, and no one's here to cater to your night out. And why would they, since happy hour offers $4 beer (two taps, but whatever) and $3 off your glass of wine? This cheap yet elitist date won't turn down an $8 tab for two drinks. Think of M Bar as the sultry-yet-tasteful lounge in the basement of the lovely NW Victorian you'll never be able to afford, or as the space that transports you to a city so massive that small spaces become homes away from home. Either way, venture in.... read more

I live very close to this bar and I really want to like it, but there's one thing that ruins it for me: the smoking. It's such a small, cozy place that the whole bar fills with thick smoke even if only 1 or 2 smokers are present. Both times I've been here, the comfortable, close atmosphere has been completely ruined. Whenever I walk by this bar, I see all the beautiful people having a nice time, but all I can think of is the nausea I felt after 30 minutes and the stink of smoke that was left on my coat, scarf, and hat for a week. Inevitably, once the smoking ban kicks in, this will be one of my favorite Portland bars. Unfortunately, I won't be living here by then. Too bad. read more

My adventure started with a couple beers, then a conversation with the bartender, some more wine, then a conversation with a couple and the bartender which led into more drinks. Good times. If I lived in Portland this would be my regular hangout. They offer a good mix of beer and wine with just right number of choices, not too many, not too little. You'll want to get there quasi-early because it's a cozy, little place with 3 seats at the bar and a handful of tables around the wall and window. Which also makes for a comfortable environment to strike up a conversation with strangers. read more

Great wine spot. Happy hour till 8! So what this means is that all the wine is between $3-$7 depending on which one you get. Had a couple glasses-one Sauvignon blanc and the other a Syrah - both from France. Very good and only like $4. Plus they have little outdoor tables, on those clear portland days (they do happen sometimes). Inside is very intimate and cozy: small with very dim lighting. A great little spot to come in and enjoy a nice glass of wine and talk. read more

M Bar - Mandalay Bar - Wine Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

M Bar reminded me a lot of "nomiya' in Japan -- little warm cozy places to grab a drink before or after a meal, where you can casually chat with the bar tender. It would fit in just as well in New York or London. However, the best part is that M Bar doesn't have Tokyo/New York/London prices -- happy hour goes until 8PM. read more

Simplistic..that is one word that describes the M bar. If you are looking for a million menu choices, as well as drink choices, keep walking down the block. The place is dimly lit, a chalkboard holds your five choices for beers and wine. Nothing pretentious about this place, rather..it's romantic. You can sit for hours in the candlelight kanoodling with your partner. read more

This is one tiny bar. It probably seats only 20 or less indoors, plus more with the 3 or so tables outside. The decor is minimal. Most of the lighting is provided by candles and outdoor ambient light. It opens at 6pm and happy hour is from 6-8pm. Plus: $3 beers on tap, namely GUINNESS STOUT!!! However, you can hear every conversation from every patron at the M Bar, so avoid if you are seeking privacy. The drink selection is limited if you are not a wine fan. The M has several wines by the glass $5-6 and by the bottle $20-50. I like this place though. read more

Before Portland's smoking ban, M Bar used to be a tiny and unbearable smoky lung. Now the place has transformed into a cozy little spot to grab a pre-dinner or pre-movie drink with an outstanding happy hour. $3 dollars a glass for pretty decent wine. With prices like that, why drink at home? Even though on principle I oppose government mandated smoking bans, the transformation of this place kind of makes me appreciate it anyway. read more

Come on if you are in NW Portland and don't visit the smallest bar in Portland. You have failed in your NW Portland experience. All are welcome and many stay and return. Go here!. read more

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Great little gem of a bar in NW 23rd. No college kids from the suburbs, great prices, and the intimate setting makes for great conversation. Will recommend. Music wasn't too loud and the candle light is nice and cozy. Nathan was a great bartender. He was friendly and helpful with picking out what to drink. It also had a "cheers" feeling where the bartender knew his regulars and people talked to each other with great ease. Loved it. read more

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I like this place. It reminds me of drinking in a cozy, dark closet but with drinks. I feel like this is a good quality. Small= intimate= comfort. The M Bar only serves beer, sake, and wine but they have a great happy hour that last until 8, and the selection of the drinks is of good quality. This is a great place to meet a few people during the week for some low key alcohol time. read more

I like M Bar very much. The selection of wine and beer is small and they don't serve food, but who cares? There are 50 zazillion other places where you can sit in anonymity with strangers eating french fries and ordering off the twenty-seven draft beer menu. I feel comfortable here, even when I don't know anyone, because before I leave I will probably meet someone new and it's not some slimy guy who is falling over in his chair. read more

Oh my....what a tiny, fun neighborhood bar. It was right around the corner from where we were staying in Portland. The concept is amazingly simple--beer and wine, a few tables and bar stools and a cast of neighborhood characters who were fun enough to keep us out until closing time! Pros: - Small but well curated selection of wine and beer - Very reasonable prices - Great service from the sweetheart of a bartender - Fantastic conversation with the regulars who love hanging out and having a good time. Cons: - Its a 1.5 hour plan ride from my apt in San Francisco :( Overall, I would love to have a gem like this (complete with the people) in my neighborhood at home. read more

M Bar gets my recommendation for a great place to go for two, or even a small group of 3 or 4, if you want to have a relaxing conversation over some really good wine and beer. It's not a place I would go by myself, but it is a place my girlfriend and I like to visit early or late in the evening, when we want to enjoy drinks in a comfortable, sexy atmosphere perfect for just the two of us. Because of Bar M's very small size, it can be a difficult place to walk into and find a spot. If you happen to wander in, and there are a couple of seats available, you can stay as long as you wish, to enjoy this quiet, cozy ambiance that is a perfect setting for an intimate date for two. read more

Lit with candles. This tiny place is like a secret room in Castlevania where you find a large heart, 1up, Cross, and whip upgrade... everything except a double and triple shot. Because in real life I had no actual use of those items, I let the candles alone and enjoyed a beer instead. Video games references aside, going to M Bar is like being a stranger at a small party where everyone else seems to know each other, only they make an effort to make you feel welcome and included. read more