50 Best Dive Bars in Portland

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

“Solid four star experience. Went in the middle of the day for a burger and wasn't disappointed. Burger was presented nicely, had a nice taste, bun was good, fresh fixings, and melted cheese.

Also got their fried pickle spears. Those were damn good.

Bartender was attentive, friendly, and did her job just fine.

I did enjoy the ambiance and will return to play some pinball and shuffleboard.“

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

“On 3/14/26 My fiancé took me here for the first time! After a terrible experience at Kells and wondering around downtown trying to find someplace to go that wasn't JUST ABOUT ALCOHOL... I noticed this place and we decided to go in! OMG! I am soooo happy we did! I don't drink alcohol, so I walked in and sheepishly asked if they had a mocktail/CBD menu... AND HOLY CRAP! They handed me not just a couple options but a WHOLE PAGE of options. I was so appreciative that they had this option for people. I usually feel left out at bars because most of the time much of the choices is limited to soda. Not here! I also was so impressed with the 3 bartenders. They were so inclusive and didn't make me feel odd for wanting a mocktail/CBD drink. They seemed to care about that fact that I am abstaining from alcohol. In so many words they said the owners really support having options for people who don't want to drink alcohol!

It couldn't get much better, could it? WHY YES, YES IT DID! I ordered a nacho and it was FANTASTIC. The cheese sauce!.... CHEF'S KISS!

Lastly, the vibe is just so warm and welcoming and the interactions we had confirmed that! To the 3 bartenders working that night (I would love to shout them out by name but of course I'm terrible with names!) you had such a positive impact on my experience. Then wonderful things they said, not just the about the owners being awesome but the bartenders said the owners really support those of us that don't want to consume alcohol.

My fiancé and I talked on the way home that this might be the first time we have been to place that had so many options. Because of this we will be back! If you have read this far (LOL)... anyone know of any other bars that have majorly awesome mocktail menus?! I WILL DRIVE MANY MILES!

I just want to say, once more, to the bartenders and owners (if you read this), THANK YOU, keep up the great work! Also- shout out to Boneyard Brewing's Elixir CBD drink in the flavor Tropical! I'm a HUGE fan!“

“EVERYTHING! Everything you hear about this place is true. The fried chicken, the fried pickles, the atmosphere, the vibe, and the pool table… it’s all true and absolutely amazing.
Yes the wait for food is long but the outstanding all-hat wearing bartender-cook-server-super host, made it all the experience it is. Here’s to you, Kay!!!
When, not if you visit, but when you visit Portland, Reel M In is definitely on your list of local bars to visit and definitely on your list of fried chicken to enjoy.
My next road trip through Portland will stop at Reel M In and visit with Kay, the absolute best.
And if you’re a local, you already know.“

“One of my all time favorite bars“

“The Montavilla Mic returns on April 8th.“

“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“

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

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

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

“Super nice staff. Good food Plenty of beers Dig!“

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

“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.“

“We had their sweet and sour chicken and it was actually really good. The rice was fresh and fluffy and the chicken was crispy and covered in a delicious, sweet and sour sauce. Karaoke was very fun. Operation of the karaoke unit was very professional and the audio was a spot on. No distortion and you could actually hear people sing. The song selection was, of course great and the ambiance and drinks were on par with what you'd expect on a popular bar in Portland. This is a great place to meet with some friends sing some songs. Have some good food and drink some too.“

“We have lived within 2 blocks of Barlow for the last 14 years and had never been.

We went for dinner (were not big drinkers so have no reviews of those) and were impressed with the food!

Had the chicken sandwich, fries, tots, egg salad sandwich and Ceasar salad.

Ate outside very pleasant on a warm evening.“

“Easy place ti sit down with the friends after w long day and get some cheap brews, play some pool and just you wind.

Reminds me of a little place I had back home. Nothing to make you fond of a place quick like some nostalgia.

Food is alright for bar food, longer you’ve been there the better it gets, ig you know what I’m saying.

Overall good little bar and I’d recommend it to anyone passing through the neighborhood with a hankering for a cold one.

Cheers.“

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

“Great spot. Its a dive bar! Excellent prices, tasty food and good service. The owner is top notch. Know where you're going and you'll love it. Keep expectations on a mellow setting and enjoy. I attended their anniversary celebration recently and it was clear they are a pillar of the community with a great following and history.“

“The bartender was rude & the server was all over the place. Happy hour and specialty cocktails were definitely lacking. But the food was amazing!“

“Bartender and charismatic host, Nicholas, delivered us some of the most scrumptious holiday cocktails to wet our whistles last night. He even went as far to make my compatriots and I some homemade and self-engineered jello shots and let me just say: They were mighty yummy. 😋 10/10“

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

“Watch our the wild goose! Trivia on Sundays!“

“hipster central good drinks“

“More like Old Gilbert RAD Tavern“

“Bar food gets a bad rap. Personally, some of my favorite dine-in meals have been at bars. Twilight Room is one of the best. My husband and I recently visited for lunch. I ordered the fish & chips and my husband ordered a burger. The homemade fries were delicious! We came in for lunch on a weekday, so it wasn't crowded. We ate and played pool for a couple of hours. Our bartender was also great. She gave me some drink recommendations and was extremely attentive. In hindsight, I wish that I would have taken some photos to share.“

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

“This had to be one of the best dive bars in Portland. Drinks were cheap! The had an amazing patio and a great area upstairs with pinball machines and a pool table. This was the highlight of the night. There is food up and down the street from Billy Rays so you’ve got plenty of food options for when you get hungry. It is a classic dive bar so don’t expect bright lights and fancy drinks. This is definitely a local spot!“

“Great staff and food! Love it here!“

“Best spot, best vibes. But man. The chicken Parmesan sando. Two chicken strips on a hoagie with marinara. For real? Bring back the chicken sando. The normal one. With a whole breast and pickles. For the love of god please. I beg you. I love holmans. This chicken parm will bring shame upon your families if you continue to serve it. Please“

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

“the best place to shoot pool and now they got karaoke too 😃“

“Went bar hopping for my son's 21st birthday a few weeks ago, and we had a great time at The Slammer. Our bartender who's name I've forgotten (younger man wearing a looney tunes shirt) took excellent care of our party, and made my son a drink he actually finished. Great music and atmosphere. We will definitely be back.“

“Not many things were open on Christmas during the afternoon but this place was and I spent a few hours here reading a book with fresh drinks aplenty and I was happy about all of it. ⚓️

Vegetarian options: Beer and liquor are available.“

“These muh hecka’s put on.

They treat. They meet, they seat, they have nobody that can compete.
It’s an establishment that does complete everything you hoped to see
It’s a good place to displace all the disgrace from 82nd’s open face
Stop in and buy, try, and guide your mouth to exquisitely seasoned simple fair“

“Drove down to Portland from Tacoma with the GF to explore some of what the Eastside has to offer and came across this super cool neighborhood dive bar. I didn't take any photos as I was to busy having conversations with the locals, but what a cool spot! The drink pours were heavy, and extremely well priced. Bartender was cool and so were the locals that were there. My GF and I between the 2 of us consumed 4 gin & tonics, and 3 vodka redbulls and our total bill was $41 before tip. If we come back down again for a short weekend, we'll definitely be coming back here for the cheap drinks and the good vibes, and I would highly recommend it to any locals looking for a great dive!“

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

“Sharon is such a fun & friendly bartender! Husband won on video poker, my drinks were great I went a sweet drink & husband went with rum & coke.
weekly events are fun too like karaoke and line dancing night! And bonus if you play pokemon go; there’s a pokestop“

“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.“

“I am not saying impossible but I will say no matter how well you tip (on a $25 tab I tipped $20) this is an area that bartenders have to put more of an emphasis into their regulars as is needed in this industry i respect earning your bartender love and loyalty“

“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”.“

“Fir 6 months the owner would blatantly ask to give me felatio or if I would masturbate in my window while he stands across burnside and watches since my apt was directly above the bar. Lastly out of spite and hate he blatantly would ask bro z” suck my nigger dick” When I asked the bartender to tell his boss that I was wto call the police next time, the bartender James ran around the counter and pushed me and my two dogs into traffic and called me a nigger. I was surrounded by 7-9 patrons who all wanted to defend the bar. The bartender then threw a stack of coasters at my face and shoved me again. The owner Duane did nothing. I’ve taken this to the police as well“

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

“The blond bartender who works the night shift is absolutely wonderful. She is my favorite bartender. If i ever make plans to go grab a couple drinks or play video poker I will literally drive completely out of my way if i know she is working. She is wonderful to talk to. She remembered my name the second time i went there. She just makes the vibe of the bar so much more than any other bars I've been too. I went in a couple times when another bartender was working the night shift, she was a brunette and she was very snappy and i didn't want to be negative but she seemed really ditzy or sorry to say but maybe a little intoxicated in my opinion. But other than her. GREAT BAR!!!“

“Came down from Edmonton, Alberta for my friends wedding and had such a blast frequenting this place during my stay. People of Portland, I salute you. Great vibes all around the city, and especially this place! Ps. Sorry if I hit anyone with a pool ball or was too loud! Cheers ya'll..“

“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.“

“Close to home, inexpensive drinks, all the tvs have football, there's keno, 2 pool tables (free on sundays), and slot machines. The other day they let me watch spongebob at 3pm. Who could wish for anything more?!“

“Best dive ever“

“Had an amazing time. Friendly bartenders and staff here. Gem treated us with pride and enthusiasm for the job instead of trying just to get money out of people granted women got to make money but You don't have to make it look like that's all you want to do. Will definitely be returning“

“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.“