50 Best Dive Bars in Portland

“No lottery machines!!! It was so nice to be able to go into this bar as it had no lottery machines and kept me from loosing my money for sure. Instead we were able to enjoy playing some games and enjoy the food. The food was hands down the best food I have eaten in a while. The burger was superb, juicy and very tasty. Not your average price bar food coming out of the kitchen. The cook puts love into these meals and you can taste and see that. At 11.00 for a burger I felt as if I had under paid. It was so good. Thank you to the cook and the bar for a late night safe place away from video poker machines. Seriously thank you.“

“Best music bar in the city! Good vibes and character all over.“

“My favorite karaoke bar period. Atmosphere is fun and affirming. Great for parties! Bar staff are amazing particularly Paul who is an absolute rock star! Also shout to Dom, the KJ! He is awesome professional and one of the best in the biz! The food is not great, but if you need something on your stomach go for the pot stickers or the cheesy fried wonton thingies. Another plus- they have a parking lot!“

“We got lucky and caught them when they weren't insanely busy the first time we tried their chicken. Go for the thighs! The juiciest chicken we've ever had.

The next time we tried to stop in, it was absolutely slammed. Didnt even walk inside. 😅“

“I am pissed that the bartender changed the music from the juke box. I wasted $5. Never heard a single because she listened to what she wanted. Third time this has happened. I am not coming back here and keeping my friends from going here after this.“

“Warm, welcoming neighborhood hangout with fantastic bartenders, cheap drinks, and diverse clientele. Karaoke with Scott is always a blast. I’ve made so many friends there.“

“hipster central good drinks“

“I'm 59, female, and the cold pilsner beer hit the spot on a stormy day. Casual, comfy atmosphere. Bring a charging cord as there's ports at the bar to charge electronic devices. This was huge for us. A couple pool table so bring your que.

Parking: Small parking lot in back.“

“Awesome place to grab a brewski. Went here with the wife and had a great time!“

“Stumbled in after a LONG night, great food and great service, priced fairly and would highly recommend!“

“Was the best time Jon and Me had so so so much... What a fun adventure and entertainment!!!“

“"This Ship Don't Sink" is the perfect motto for this bar. A local neighborhood spot that's been kicking up dust since the 40's offering local craft beers and great times. From the welcoming demeanor of the bartenders to the heavy handed drinks, this the place to be in the neighborhood, friendly atmosphere, great locals/regulars that have been coming here for many many years makenit very inviting and wholesome. I've made many a great friend with staff and patron alike. I always felt that the motto was derived from the comradery of the patrons/staff. It's very inclusive and safe with everyone looking out for eachother and also welcoming and accepting of new folks, it's always a good laugh and good times at the ship!

They also have video lottery and a pool table, as well as a big back patio. This is a place where you can come to be by yourself and do work/listen to podcast/etc, or just strike up a random conversation and make a new friend. I highly suggest this bar to anyone new to the neighborhood just looking to scope things out and get more acquainted with their neighbors.“

“Awesome longtime standing neighborhood watering hole. I love and appreciate the attitude. Go there as much as possible to play pinball with friends when I get back into Portland.

Great prices, great selection and great patio.

Parking: Street parking available nearby with a short walk to the business.

Kid-friendliness: Please don’t try to bring your kids here.

Wheelchair accessibility: Main level entrance but not much for seating as the space is cozy. Stairs leading to the back patio and to the game area on the second floor.“

“Great beer selection!! Friendly staff highly recommended!“

“Best drinks, friendly atmosphere, great bartenders! Especially liked sitting outside on a warm day having a drink with old friends, and making new ones. Always someone there to play pool with and “talk story”.“

“Nice dive bar. Friendly staff. Good music. Pool table, pinball, pong (yes 21st century version of the classic pong game), photo booth, Zoltar (Like in the movie Big). Standard video gambling. ATM. Beer and full bar. Outdoor seating. Not much on the food menu, so go down across the street and get your food on. Really great vibe.

Parking: Street parking

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“are house in the middle of the street ... HOME“

“Friendly staff, delicious pub food with an interesting twist, a good beer selection, and great cocktails!“

“I went there for NFL kickoff opening night and Rocky was my bartender. Turns out that the cook decided to quit that night. However, Rocky seriously rocked it! She was bartender and cook and although it was busy I still got my food and drinks in a timely manner!... and the wings were good!The draft beer is super cheep too!I'll be back and would recommend...“

“I almost didn’t come here due to the negative reviews about bad service. I came here right when they opened and it was already busy. The bartender was super attentive and cool. Service was quick and the vibes are awesome! Portland needs to keep all their quirky dive bars!!!“

“One of my all time favorite bars“

“They were a lifesaver during the snowstorm because I was stuck at work for 2 days. Ordered a great burger to go. That was warm and fresh“

“Excellent food in a dive bar. I love how you order food at the bar, it came out super quick, it was super tasty. What more do you want ? Oh, just about everything on menu wa under $15 and huge! They got two tables and plenty of seating both indoor and out. Dog friendly.“

“Kelly's exudes a local vibe. Often noisy, it offers plenty of entertainment options. Drinks take center stage over food, though service can be slow. The trendy atmosphere features eye-catching decor like ceiling-mounted motorcycles. Many patrons sport leather attire, which isn't unusual for Portland. While the place has its charm, getting a drink might test your patience. Overall, it's a lively spot that captures the city's essence.“

“Nice big place with video poker, pool table, one or two video games. Haven't tried the food looks good and they have daily or weekly specials. They open really early like 7am so that's eairler then most places in the area. Usually always at least a few customers and sometimes it gets pretty crowded during normal peak hours. Lots of tvs ro watch sports. All around nice place.“

“No longer vegetarian/vegan friendly AT ALL. It is unclear where exactly to stand to get in line for a drink and locals will walk in front of you and get served first. But the music side is a throwback to the old portland dive bar days and it’s fun to watch a sloppy show there. Great patio. Door guy is very nice.

Vegetarian options: They no longer have the Mexican menu. It’s now a food cart outside that has southern food with next to nothing for vegans or vegetarians. It’s 2024, I don’t want another side of Mac and cheese and collard greens while everyone else gets a meal.“

“I live in walking distance of this place and have to say it is quite the gem. The vibes are always relaxed and comfortable, bar tenders are friendly and laid back, the cheeseburgers are delicious and very reasonably priced, and the drinks are good! On top of that, their new pinball selection (7 machines!) makes this place too good to be true, with two of my all time favorite machines. Happy its in the neighborhood. Don't be fooled by its unassuming facade, Old Gilbert is a perfect neighborhood bar and a Mt. Scott institution.“

“Been going here since the doors opened. Still a home base for me even though I don't live in the neighborhood anymore.“

“Just what the Doctor ordered. Great little neighborhood bar even if you aren't from the neighborhood.“

“Welcoming back to the past immediately with that cozy familiar rare environment I crave! These shuffle boards are works of art;)
Throw back half moon leather booths and the owner is a magical kind Spirit who is diamond in the rough!!!
Fun talking with these 2 long time shuffle boarders!!“

“Solid dive bar, in the classic sense. Low staff, cheap prices, video gambling, small beer choice, cocktails, no wine list, pool, no gd jukeboxes, unruly older drunks sometimes -- exactly what my heart wants -- and their food game is at least diner quality. Their burgers have gotten really good lately.

Parking: Not a super busy place usually, until after 10pm or so, so street parking is okay.“

“Breakfast this morning was awesome highly recommended 💯 thnx Gen!“

“Bartenders and owners are great! They welcome all and greet people with respect and kindness. Patrons quickly become friends and soon you feel as if you’re at home surrounded by family! The atmosphere is calm and the outside area is soothing. Great place to go chill and relax.“

“Love this place! Jill is the best. The place is fun and friendly, clean, cheap beers too! Love the live music too!“

“Good beer selection, nice people, good feel… great location.“

“Cheapest prices in this country. Shots, beer, & bar food are priced 1980s. Take advantage of this place as long as it last. Wont be around much longer as it attracts borderline hobos & other folks that only come out at night. I absolutely love this sleezy but top spot preflight! 4 drinks limit.“

“The Daily Double is a quaint neighborhood bar. Fairly clean, nice decor, but one of the fun things to me is the place has a very uneven floor. When you walk out the front door from inside, the floor is very uneven. I always say that is the drunk test. If you can navigate that floor to leave without falling down, then you are sober enough to drive home.“

“The bartender had a great story about a person who ordered a disgusting cocktail. 🙂 And then failed to drink it afterward.“

“We were in pretty early, so I can't tell ya if any Creepy Draculas show up later on, but while we were there, there were ZERO Wolf-People and they had plenty of seating in a variety of options, so there's that.

Parking: It's where you park your car? I dunno...“

“Great hangout spot to meet with friends and play pool“

“Best dive spot lol true Slammer joint. Walk in sit almost a fist to cuffs lol bartenders did great since is the size of a 3 bedroom apartment lol. Cheap fun and entertaining. TV good music and friendly except the 1 guy who just seemed to miss Read his company lol
Did see others food... yup Commissary status but awesome“

“love this little hole in the wall, yup one of portland's finest dive bars.On weekends there is a lot of different folks that stop by,Marcee and Stormi always treat them well.“

“Hit up Hidden East to kill some time while traveling. Place was clean enough, customers seemed close knit but open to new people visiting. Bartender was Chastity, and was great. Drinks delivered quickly, friendly and laughed at really bad jokes. Pretty much all I could ask for in some small bar. I come to town often and Chastity turned me into a regular, I always come here now.“

“awesome bartenders here...if you like that kind of thing. 😍“

“This is my home bar!! I love it here! I have some great memories here! #1.#1.#1! A really great place to take someone who like the oldies music, and loves to play the jukebox!! Excellent environment and even better people! I personally call this place "The spot"! Come Play Pool, Pinball, or Pac-Man!! Dim lit, roomy, warm, seasonally decorated, and full of Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Humphrey bogart posters! Kim approved!

Wheelchair accessibility: There is room! Very accessible by wheelchair.“

“The lady that seems to be the main bartender (Miss Cleopatra) is absolutely amazing. And their food is the best food I've had in a bar in years. Got to try their "Smash Burger" today for Halloween, and it was epic. A1 food and service. Highly recommend 100%!“

“Best dive ever“

“To be honest I never would have gone here if it wasn’t for Drag Trivia.
It felt like such a warm, inclusive place and I have made so many new friends.
The bartenders are lovely, and I love that they have CBD soda on tap!“

“Great BARTENDERS! Jen and Lou and Shelly are the best! Tamara makes me laugh and she's a 49ers girl...smart lady.. They are always really kind. If you like to sing you can do it 365 days a year here....but there's also a patio to sit outside and visit and still be able to talk to friends and be able to hear them. People that come here are salt of the earth. I've still never seen a fight like most bars (eventually) and that's awesome. I wish there was still a pool table tho! I noticed pinball now tho?! Sweet! You all need Big Buck Hunter and some more games if your not bringing back darts or pool. You can tell the bartenders at night like what they do and they are literally some of the best bartenders I've ever come across...Jen is the shit and fast...holy moly:).....One of the girls said this building is 90 some years old. Portland relic for sure. I don't sing but people watching is pretty entertaining. KJs are cool and never a cover at the door. I wish I lived closer.“

“I really need to apologize to the person that I criticized for having 80s shoulder pads tonight, I’m just jealous I grew up with linebacker shoulders (but couldn’t ever play football)- I can’t pull off that jacket. This bar is fantastic and the service cannot be compared. If you want to play a game of pool, or maybe sit and write… you can be your best self“