I came up to Portland from Sacramento, CA, and decided to stop in at Mousetrap because it was close to where I was staying. The bar was manned by a guy named Steven, and I have to say that I have honestly never been more impressed by anybody's work in my life. This guy ran the bar, cooked the food, administered the music playlist (where every song was an excellent choice), and was friendly and personable with every customer, without making a single mistake, and with a smile on his face the entire time. I don't know what the owner pays Steven, but whatever it is, it's not enough. Steven made the entire experience. He is unquestionably the number one asset of this establishment, and if you go on a night when Steven is running the place, you will be taken care of. To the owner: You should seriously be paying Steven what you would pay at least five workers combined. I have never seen somebody with his work ethic, and I promise you that, based on what I saw just tonight, your establishment would not be shit if Steven didn't work there. read more

The Bartender was asked to make a hurricane, she didn't know how to make it. So, I looked up the recipe and gave it to her. She takes forever to make it. Serving other customers while making my wife's hurricane. Finally, got it done. Had her make 2. Well we drink them and I got up to ask for another hurricane for my wife. The bartender says it will be a couple minutes. Other customers had walked up and she served all 5 of them before making my drink. Then she starts cleaning instead of starting my drink. I finally told her to forget it. Clearly she doesn't want to make the drink again. I am so pissed since it took forever to get a chance to order the drink. I'll never come here again. I'll be letting all my people know that this place is problematic if you order anything that has more than 3 ingredients! What a joke this place is! read more

Nice little dive with affordable drinks. I usually go here late at night with friends. Good jello-o shots and decent food. Everything you expect and want in a true dive bar Mousetrap will have. read more

First things first, the bartender that works all the time, the guy at night, he's a total dick! I've been in that bar strictly to only play video lottery and I have never been greeted or asked what I wanted to drink, matter of fact the bartender actually has never even spoken to me. But I have seen and heard him interact with other customers and he is not pleasant at all. He is straight up rude and disrespectful!!! Made me actually just want to leave the bar when I heard him speak to these customers the way he did. This guy is losing customers I am sure of! He has now made me switch up where I go to play video lottery! I will never go there again! Not to mention he likes to close the bar whenever he wants. Which is horrible for business if your business has a certain hour that it is supposed to close. He is such an inconsiderate asshole! He must hate his job! read more

Decent priced drinks, great bartenders, food, pool, lots of places to sit or stand! Came in to get a drink after watching a show at Twilight Theater Company and had a great time! read more

Nicer than Yamhill Pub but not as nice as My Father's Place, this joint is a classic Portland dive that has the typical PDX barflies: young punk rockers in back hoodies, local day drinkers of all ages, lottery addicts, and neighborhood folks. The food isn't particularly good (as expected) here but you could do worse. The bartenders aren't nearly as surly as some other dives. read more

Mousetrap Tavern - a pint and a glass of beer - Dive Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Mousetrap is my fav neighborhood dive bar. Friendly bartenders, great prices on strong drinks and tasty food, nice indoor (with pool tables) and outdoor patio. What more can you ask for? read more

Despite my better judgment, I figured I'd come back in and try after calming down from the tragic loss of their only good bartender, Casey. Whoever was working, tonight is a mess. There was barely any customers in there compared to how it used to be and she still couldn't handle anything. Was completely forgetting everybody's drinks, I never even got mine, which was just a tap beer. I didn't say anything. I just walked out. You guys have lost my business for real this time lol read more

Flipping great dive bar! Huge patio, VLTs, easy crowd, no bullshit. I totally Love this place!

Allie is one of the best bartenders at the mousetrap! She makes sure everyone's needs are met, even when there are a lot of people. She is very clean! I love her smile!!!! Koral is another wonderful bartender she is friendly. Able to work in a high paced environment! read more

Mousetrap can be alright sometimes. But there is this woman with short curly blonde hair in her 50s that is a bartender with some old guy as a back up. One of the reasons I don't come here often is because of this duo. They are the SLOWEST bartenders in Portland. She rolls her eyes at customers and has the worst attitude. How this lady still has a job here is beyond me. Everybody in the bar was complaining about them. Everything they are working I have to wait an insanely long time for a drink and they aren't even busy. When I like Mousetrap, Steven is tending the bar. Give that guy a raise. Get rid of that lady. read more

Mousetrap Tavern - The slowest bartender in portland works at The Mousetrap. - Dive Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

You can't even call this place a dive bar. It's basically a shithole. The few times I've been there the "regulars" are completely wasted and not too welcoming towards strangers. The entire place looks like no one has given a damn about it for 20 years. Flat draft beer, hot liquor sitting under a bright light.... A while back they had a bartender named Steve that gave me great service and I was willing to overlook certain things, but the last couple of times I went were the last times I'll ever step foot in the place. If you're a 30 year old weirdo that never left the neighborhood in your life, I'm sure this is your favorite place. This place is proof that any dump with video lottery somehow survives in Portland. read more

FANTASTIC dive bar in North Portland! Super close to University of Portland, friendly staff, fast tasty drinks & food.... cool pool tables, fun dart boards, and a generally "cool" crowd just hangin' out to have some good drinks and a good time. The typical "pub food" is a step above.. some places you can taste the mediocre.. but this place actually tries and you can taste it . If you live in Overlook, Arbor Lodge, Kenton, St. John's, Concordia or anywhere close, give this place a shot as your "neighborhood bar" and you won't be disappointed. It's not big and fancy with live band or deejay, but it's everything you'd want in a dive bar without the stuff you don't read more

The Mousetrap is the Dive of Dive bars. I'm pretty sure the bartender had something up his butt that day causes the guy was an ass. The service was pretty lousy, the place had little appeal to it other than the shiny lights coming from the filthy looking lotto machines and plush pool tables. Beer on tap was average, and how can we forget a dive bar that only accepts cash. I have nothing against dive bars but we all need standards right! read more

I am pretty happy with this spot. 1. They have karaoke on Saturday nights, and if you've got a semi-decent voice, you will be a star there! 2. A couple pool tables available for your enjoyment between songs. 3. The 'regulars' don't tip AT ALL, so if you order a gin & tonic and throw down a buck, your next drink will be super, duper strong. read more

Awesome little dive bar. Went there Sunday for my pool playoff draw. Was a little hungry so I opted for a burger. The grill wasn't ready yet so the bartender suggested breakfast. I tried the "Hash". A large plate full of bacon, ham, sausage and chicken scrambled with potatoes and eggs and smothered in gravy and cheese. 2 pieces of toast was included for $5. Nom Nom. Ohhh and the $2.75 bloody marys with pickled green beans and green olives was tasty too. read more

I was first introduced to the Mouse Trap by my homie J Awesome. We came here to drink martinis at noon. Or like, 10am. I can't remember. I do remember being impressed with what I would consider a high dive rating, but this place has it's regulars and there's a collective charm if you're comfy with that sort of charm... read more

Mousetrap Tavern - A view from the inside - Dive Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

We didn't stay long. Not because it was horrible, but it was pretty empty on a Saturday night. We had just come from another bar up the road and had a great time. After a couple drinks here, it just seemed to dim our lively moods. I do like the fact that they have pool tables. I'd go back again and see if the atmosphere picks up. Maybe. read more

I occasionally come to the mouse trap because I live in the area. I am always disappointed if I go there and Teresa or Sharon are working. They both are extremely rude and unprofessional. They have a new bartender there that's blonde named Mercy that is a glimmer of hope for this place. She always greets me with a smile and is very pleasant and professional. I hope the trap can get it together... read more

One of the best dive bars in town. Don't go here if you don't like dive bars. Go pay $10 for a drink somewhere else, and leave the cheap drinks and hearty food for someone who will appreciate it. If you like classic dive bars, this is it. Homey and the crowd is usually all regulars. Good place to have some beers and be at a BAR not a gastro pub or some crap. read more

This my new favorite dive bar. Friendly staff Guiness in a can to save us from the over hoppy local beer. Dart boards ,pool tables and a big bar. read more

Of the dives in North Portland, Mousetrap is the one I am most likely to return. It is not absolutely terrible and there are pool tables and usually a crowd that is compatible. read more

Lady bartender with short curly hair was a bitch she was not personable and couldn't possibly crack a smile at paying customers...will probably never go back. Bubble room was way better inside lung fungs. read more

Basically I am leaving this review for one reason and only that reason. I started a tab and paid with that card. Today, nearly 2 months after going to this bar my card was finally charged for my tab. I am sorry if this seems like a petty complaint but I find this complete absurd. Otherwise, the music was good, 90s throwback hip-hop and rap. It was pretty loud between the music and people chatting. So the crowd was great for people watching. The bartender although a bit overwhelmed was nice enough. He did forget to bring my second round of Rainer's but apologized and closed out my tab for the night. Moral of this story folks: If you go to this bar and don't have an expendable income PAY WITH CASH. read more

Interesting mixed crowd, which is nice, and some decent food. Killer patio at back, and they serve homemade biscuits and gravy all day everyday (per their open hours). Several pool tables, strong drinks, and tastay grub; what more do you need? read more

For all the dive bars on Lombard, this one is one of my favorites... probably because it's the diviest. It's small, it's smokey, the beer and food selections are pretty small but hey, cheap pitchers, free pool, and a fairly uncontested jukebox make it a nice local hangout. read more

A no-frills boozerama in North Portland, apparently contented w/its modest lot in life.. Looking for super foof mixed beverages and cutie pie, trendy boy and girl servers and bar-keeps? This probably ain't the spot for you. True, this isn't the Mouse-Trap of yesteryear, when old buzzards from WWII and Korean War, too damn tough to die (at least quite yet), kept the bar leaning upright from their collective bellies. Most of them ornery old salts have finally succumbed to mother nature and father time. Now, as it is with just about every other watering hole in No Po I can remember being open as far back as I go, as I keep gettin' older, the rest of the patrons keep on gettin' younger and younger. Shoot your pool, boys, no, I'm not interested in playing, but thanks just the same.... Nothing too fancy and definitely no hipster pretense detectable in this dive-----just yet! They keep pouring 'em strong, cheap, and extra consideration from the staff to its patrons seems to favor seniority, just as it does in so very many little provincial dumps. North Portland on the whole, from the tip of Kelly Point, all the way till at least 33rd ave, has of course undergone a radical transformation and dust-up in the Juvenation Machine, over the past 10-12 years. For the most part I, as well as many other old-timers from the 'hood marvel at all these changes. Not everything is an improvement, of course, but I don't think it's too controversial to say that the change has been to a large degree to the good, and hopefully will continue to be so. Whether or not the Mouse Trap gets all caught up in having a big, mIddle aged make over, ala Slim's, remains to be seen......I kinda think not, but sooner or later they'll have the inevitable changing of the guard, and who knows what changes lie in store, thereafter... read more

I don't know why but I love this place. It's dive bar greatness with always the best funk music. Bartender lady with short hair is always working and she is pretty rad too. They have pool tables and lotto and always unique people sitting at the bar. Best dive bar in north Portland lol read more

Dive bar, don't expect more. Karaoke has come and go over the years here, and can be a fun way to embarrass yourself.

Dive status= full on. Daytime crowd is old dudes. Steve is the best though. Seriously. Hi Lonnie & Lawayne!

Great bar! Basically it looks like somebody took an old dive and gave it a makeover, turning it into a nicer place but keeping the old school charm. Not an easy thing to pull off, I think. I like it. read more

I happened to stop in here about 7:30pm on Saturday night because I just needed a beer after a long day. Liske(?) and Steve were super friendly and fun and treated me like we were old friends. I was in a much better mood when I left. I will definitely be back to see them!! read more

Great dive bar. Good burgers, reliable fried food. Bartender Steven is probably my favorite in PDX. Sketch crowd at times but I don't care about that, I keep to myself generally. Always a great spot for a ninkasi (me) or a bloody mary (wife). read more

Horrible, dissinterested service - I walked in, stood at the bar for a few minutes while the bartender ignored me, so I walked out - will never go back again! read more