If you like cool stuff, get yourself to the Roadside Attraction. The outdoor area is really cool with a fire going at night. The inside is also cool. The food was good. The drinks are priced well. It's the kind of place you want to bring friends so that they will say "This place is cool, good choice" *high-five* and then you bask in the glow of someone else's hard work. read more

I was at Roadside last week for a friend's birthday. I used to be a regular here, but it's been years... honestly, since I quit smoking. I probably should have reviewed back then, but frankly I was having to much fun actually *being there* to write about it, and anyway after the other night I don't think the place changes so much that my review now will be in any way dated. Roadside was (and maybe still is) the best bar in Portland to hang out and drink, smoke and enjoy the outdoors at. Fantastic patio, with a lovely firepit (yes, you will smell like a campfire when you leave, you've been warned.) Nice, diverse group of folks, young, not-so-young, hip, not-so-hip, and all points in between. Inside is funky, drinks tend to be stiff (and contrary to other reviewers, I've been really lucky and haven't found any of the bartenders to be snarky or rude. quite pleasant actually!) Yep, they still only take cash. Meh. read more

Really enjoyed this funky place! Heads up, it's cash only - however they do have an ATM on site. Went on a Monday and it was busy! (Wish they'd had more than one bartender.) Drinks and food were good, and decently priced. I had two favorite things about this place: 1) the large, relatively covered outdoor seating area (although why are there so many smokers in Portland? That forced us inside.) 2) Free songs on the jukebox! read more

Absolutely awesome! Great atmosphere and great drink prices! I love the outdoor seating, the indoor seating is over the top! Love the fire pit and the free jukebox. I'm going out of my way to go back. read more

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Over-rated... However with that said, it probably depends on the evening and or situation. Roadside Attraction does have an interesting set up... Sort of Asian, sort of iron craftsman, mostly Portland, whatever... However, as their prices seem probably average, I will say that on most nights you'll be waiting a good while to get your drinks and or food, and the smoke from the fire pits don't seem to have a good flow and I tend to choke half the time I'm there. Though I'd imagine on slow nights it's probably better... Yeah, not impressed though as I tell people I personally know, check it out for yourself. read more

Positive: outdoor space is like a campsite with a fire pit. It'd be a fun eclectic space to bring friends to hang. Negative: Both myself and friend got sick (vomiting) after drinking 1 beer each here. Have not returned. read more

Love love loveeee the food and the atmosphere in this place. The steak is so delicious and well priced, and it's just so darn cozy in there. Will be back soon. I promise!! read more

Roadside Attraction - Pool room - New American Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Roadside Attraction is unlike any bar I've ever been to. The most eclectic and friendliest place in southeast Portland. My favorite neighborhood bar within walking distance from where I live. A hidden jewel with a great diverse following. The entrance leads you into an amazing patio with a large well managed fire pit. The outside patio is full of awesome random decor! This place has so much going on: free jukebox, free pool, piano, art, cheap drinks, good food, friendly service.. This is a cash only bar that closes at 1am. The strongest and least expensive drinks in the area with a really cool atmosphere. Roadside Attraction is the perfect Portland bar to take friends to for the first time. I love everything about this place! read more

Cool bar. Like the outside a lot. But it is so fucking hipstery in there. If you are a single lady who wants to leave that night with a bearded, short, skinny, cigarette smoker than this is the place for you. But if you expect to find anyone who doesnt fit the pdx stereotype of what a hipster is then you will be disappointed. I was. Cool bar tho, just do not like the crowd it attracts. read more

If you're asking me, no other place in Portland captures the essence of the east side more than this bar. The scenes are eclectic, the crowds are inclusive, everyone is just themselves, and no one needs to be impressed. Thank you for existing, Roadside! read more

I was immediately charmed coming through the gate on a lazy summer Saturday. The drinks were great and had fairly decent bar nachos. Even though we came for the fire pit, my group ended up playing several games of free pool in the cool air conditioned interior. The ambiance was great inside and out. All that being said, I had one of the worst interactions here. The bar tender very rudely and inappropriately reminded my party that she accepts tips. I typically tip 20%+ and we were in the mood to eat and drink here all evening, however her suggestion threw the mood for the evening. I will be going back in hopes that this experience will not repeat itself. read more

Definitely adding this place to my favorite bar's of Portland list! It's nice because the outdoor area is still usable even when it's raining and or cold thanks to the heat lamps and fire! Also, I had the best chicken Caesar here- I can't pass up in house made dressing. I would definitely come back! Plus, the staff is friendly! read more

How am i just finding out about this place? I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars because the prices are just too darn high and there is no happy hour to speak of. But they do have a few smaller/cheaper plates , and damn, this place is cool! You enter on the side street and it seems it's just an outside bar, with a firepit, picnic tables, and some lovely little sitting areas created in every nook and cranny. There actually isnt a bar outside. This was the nicest fay we've seen this year in Portland and a perfect day to sit here. But some spots were still a bit chilly - since you were relying on the sun to sneak in through the holes in the roof (or whatever structure covered it - cant recall now). In the summer, this place would kick ass even more! I had mac and cheese, which was good but needed more seasoning. It filled my belly for $4 but just about everything worth having was more in the $7 and up range. My drink was pretty good. The inside is super dark, a little seedy but in a good, old fashioned way. I would imagine you either go to sit inside or out... one or the other since the feel is so vastly different. Prices, menu, food and service deserve a 3, it's true. But the outside space is a 5 star hangout, no question! Summer's coming and I'll be back then! read more

Roadside Attraction is a fun bar that you can easily miss on the street if you aren't looking for it. You walk right off the street through a gate, that kind of makes you feel you are walking into someone's backyard. This brings you into a great outdoor area that is entirely fenced in. There are several under cover tables and a firepit. It is a cozy space. You walk in the inside area and it is an eclectic, funky kind of Portland bar. They have food here too, it looks pretty good, though I've never tried it. But the drinks are good and strong. And that's why I go here. Go check it out! read more

Super fun and eccentric. Made our night, it was so random and "Portland". Half secrete garden, half antique roadshow. Average age ranged from 21 to 81. Worth a visit, with an open mind. read more

Met here with a group of friends looking for outside drinks on a friday afternoon. Relaxed, unique outdoor atmosphere. If going the outdoor route- you'll be sitting on tree trunks, steel chairs you can hardly pick up, a swing, or maybe like, a broken wagon somewhere or an old shoe or something. It was like drinking in a barn, which was a welcome change of pace. The cash only deal didn't bother me one bit, and i really liked the walk-up bar window outside. Really nice touch. It loses two stars based on the completely rude, bearded, stout bartender. (Looks like other reviewers may have had the same experience with this dude). When i got there, all i asked was "Hey, do you have an Amber on tap?" He looks at me, blank stare, and says "No." Silence. Then Sam asked another simple question. Same response/stare. Actually, i guess i could add the two stars back now, because it gave me the easy and affordable option of not having to tip that mess for the rest of the night, so i guess it was fine. Turning 180 degrees to pull on a lever isn't difficult, so i don't accept that kind of attitude, and i certainly will never compensate for it either. read more

Reminds me of some sort of redneck backwoods house from the outside, and a Chinese fodo restaurant on the inside. Sprinkled throughout is plenty of dark furniture, knick knacks, and creepy masks that will make you wonder who built this gem. Drinks are well portioned, a decent price, and you cant beat the ambience. Outside is the real beauty of this place. Plenty of seats, its covered, and has a nice big firepit where people seem to come out of their shell and talk to the stranger next to them keeping warm and smoking a butt. read more

Great funky bar in SE with a free pool table, free jukebox and plenty of outdoor seating. This would be my local haunt if I lived here.

If your tipsy or drunk, this place might pass you by if your trying to find it. If I was not with the Rose City Girls crews, I would have never found this place during the Patio crawl. It certainly looks like a jungle when stepping through the gate. I found it kind of odd to have a guy check ID in the middle of the place. I didn't really order anything from the bar; my friend got me a beer and he would not tell me what it was. I had a feeling it was Pabst but I drank it down out of courtesy. Naturally it was Pabst which I wasn't too happy about, but kept me a little buzzed. This place makes me feel like anything can happen at the patio since it's so obscure from society. I will have to come here again when I'm sober for a 2nd opinion. read more

BEST outdoor space for drinkin' that I've found in Portland. Picnic benches, fire pit, covered spaces and plenty of plants growing around the edges. If I were to create a backyard drinkin' patio at my home, it would be exactly like this. Unfortunately, they have the crappiest beer selection I've seen in the city. 4 beers on tap: PBR, 2 IPAs and a hefeweizen. Only 2 beers in cans/bottles...Guiness in a can, and some mexican beer in a bottle. Are you kidding me? This is PORTLAND, OR folks...the best beer city in the country. If they would improve their beer selection, I know for a fact that my friends alone would spend hundreds of dollars here every week, sitting on the patio after work, year 'round. But for your average Portland beer snob, the selection just doesn't cut it. Too bad :( read more

Great great neat place that I never knew existed. Thank you Yelp for nearby places. Great outdoor area (smoky) free pool and super food & beer. I got the meatloaf sandwich & it rocked my stomach! Yummmmy with extra m's. I'll be back soon I hope! FYI - open 3pm - 1am & bring cash cuz they don't take plastic. And, don't miss it - it doesn't stand out. Great Place!!!!! read more

Great divey, cabin stuck in the brambles ambiance- outdoor fire pit, cheap beers, sexy bar maids (hope that's not offensive - just true) and a great pool table. Only thing is, the juke box should be louder... This is a great place to head with 4-8 friends, or you and a loved one, there are lots of nook and cranies in here to have fun with your peeps and not be bothered by other douches... read more

I dig this place. Very casual, good beer selection. I love the patio area, which reminds me of the backyards of friends. I really enjoy the vibe of the staff and patrons, who give off the aura of just wanting to hang out and have a chill afternoon. As much as I like this place, I can only do 4 stars. Cash only? Who does that? I didn't know this the first time I went and I absolutely hate paying ATM fees. I come prepared now, but would add the fifth star if they started taking cards. I'd also be purchasing more libations if they took cards too (hint hint) read more

If I'm embarking on a night on the town, I might start here at Roadside. I've had great times seated indoors with a group of friends (hard to accommodate that at an inside table here later at night), but it's true that the well-known ambience to Roadside Attraction is the outdoor patio. WIth wooden swings and picnic tables pushed into little heated nooks, it can be a good area for close conversation (and warmth on cold nights). Speaking of warmth, they also have a bonafide fire pit in the center. And you can bring your dogs. And you can smoke cigarettes, right there in the warmth of that lodge-y covered patio. But you heard it before: CASH ONLY. Big whoop. They have an ATM (though I don't know what charges may apply), so it's not impossible if you come without paper money. DRINKS ARE STRONG AND CHEAP. That's always a plus, yes? They have small bands play inside sometimes, but mostly you can get free (yes, FREE) reign of the jukebox. read more

Good food, free pool, random musical instruments. Just bring cash or pay ATM fees. read more

Roadside Attraction is my favorite night time, outsi9de drinking spot in Portland. A free jukebox, a FIRE PIT, and changing beer on tap are highlights. Also, awesome and ever changing art happening both inside and out. The women's bathroom has sprays, lotions and is a bar bathroom you don't have "suffer through" because it's clean and inviting. Drawbacks are that it's cash only, you have to order at the bar, and often--even when it's super busy (which seems to be almost always now) they usually only have one person serving so the line can get long. The affordable nachos are worth the wait in line and it's usually a fun and open crowd. read more

I was visiting town and a friend took me here. What a unique, eclectic neighborhood bar! The patio is huge, with lots of seating, interesting lighting elements, and a fire pit. I really enjoy bars with personality, and this bar hit the spot. If I move back to PDX, I could see coming here often. The bar seems to attract anyone looking to enjoy a beer either alone, or with company. Lots of interesting people to meet! Oh, and none of that mini skirt in the snow crap like you see in Old Town. Drinks are average priced, and a pretty good selection of beers to boot. I want to come here when the weather warms up! I could spend hours on the patio! Enjoy this gem, Portlanders! **CASH ONLY*** read more

Food was surprisingly good (sausage on baguette, mac and cheese, and potatoes), and drinks were cheap. The outdoor seating was cute, although a little confusing the first time I went in (you enter through a backdoor that says exit, no host, you walk to the back and find someone inside in the dark who works at the bar to place a food order). Cash only, and many smokers on the patio. I appreciated that my dog could sit with us outside! read more

I got food poisoning probably from eating here. Don't eat here, if you want extreme diarrhea.

This is my favorite bar in all of Portland (and I've been to many). I love the outdoor space and the swing with beer holders. Decent beer selection, friendly staff and nice folks hang out here. I just come to drink and enjoy the atmosphere so no idea how the food is. Cash only so money up before you arrive. read more

This bar rules. Free pool table, amazing outside patio that allows smoking, there's a firepit, a swing, and always a great, easy going crowd. As newbies to Portland me and my roommates are always looking for places where we can meet people and get recommendations and this place makes that super easy. It is cash only, which fits. The only downside is the bartenders have been a little terse, don't let them know you've never heard of some of the beers they might literally laugh in your face.. However there's a lot of places to hang out in here other than the bar and a sick old fashioned juke box, so the upsides make it well worth it. read more

This place gets 5 stars for the ambiance alone. Such a cool place tucked into a street corner. I was there on a Wednesday night so it wasn't too crowded or too noisy, great for conversations. read more

I'd like to give this place negative 1,000 stars... only because it's not near my house. Because I need this to be by my house! I need $2.50 microbrew pints. I need a free pool table stuffed into a tiny back room full of weird Chinese antiques and naked women paintings. I need an awesome patio with a sheltering roof, rambling vines and huge campfire. I need the incredibly diverse set of patrons, from Portland hipster to likely stoned to random trucker-looking-guy. Yup, I need all of it, and I need it to be walking distance from my house. But it's not. I'll give it 4 stars anyway. Because it's awesome. read more