50 Best Dive Bars in Portland

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

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

“Been coming here for 4 years now. I always get the chicken burger w/ fries, always tastes great!! Beer and service have also always been great! Been both in the daytime and at night, always a chill crowd of people, from younger 20's to older folk.“

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

“One of the coolest bars in Portland. How did they get the motorcycles on the ceiling? When’s the last time they were ridden?

I remember coming here years ago with my roommate who was quite the ladies man, we met these two ladies and ended up walking around downtown all night. It was so crazy. Way back in 2016.“

“One of my all time favorite bars“

“hipster central good drinks“

“The fried chicken is legendary, the drinks are cheap, and the vibe is peak dive bar charm. The wait can feel like a lifetime, but good things come to those who drink. Pro tip: bring cash, patience, and an appetite...you’ll need all three.“

“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“

“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!“

“The Montavilla Mic returns on April 8th.“

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

“I come here often. I usually order a shot and a back, but this time I wanted it in a tall glass, mixed, with a bit more of the back. I wasn't aware that cost $2 extra. It sounds small but it matters when you are on a budget. I didn't say anything. But I would've appreciated if she (blonde bartender) would've thrown the whole dang thing away at that point. I've got the same thing, separated, every time I go there. I never get charged for an extra back. I thought combining them would make it easier. Less glasses, etc. but it just cost me $2 extra instead. No tips for that. That $2 was your tip and you just fed it to the bar... Ugh... Blonde bartender has had this vibe before, a lot. I think she is sweet but she doesn't know how to do her job and she's been there for a while. It's the only person besides the bad KJ (not loc brother) that has left a sour taste in my mouth. Everyone else who works there is great. They even seem to understand that she can be the way she is. She doesn't know how to follow directions or compensate properly for drunken people. She seems to just want to get drunk herself instead of being one of the directors. Very odd.“

“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.“

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

“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.“

“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.“

“Bartender and kitchen make for a great combination here at Barlow! I always love coming here to hangout and have some good drinks and food! They even play movies which I think is the coolest thing after some long work days or just to come and hang. Check it out!“

“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.“

“I wanted to write a review because I’m moving away from Portland and the last year Sarah has been my day bartender. She celebrated everyone’s birthday through the year and on my last week living here on my birthday made me a card for regulars to sign and I was even Captain of the ship for a day at one point.
She always has my drink ready, she’s thoughtful and protective in all the ways you would want your local bartender to be. I will always make it a point to come here on her shifts in the future when I find myself in Portland during the day.
She’s introduced me to amazing people; considered me in conversation with others to help me out when I just shared a simple life problem.
She treats everyone here like family and that is what will make me come back and I thank her for the friends I have met here at the ship.
Ps. Food gets one star because I haven’t had the glizzys but they smell good.

Some ships sail the ocean and some ships sails the sea but the best ships are the friendships and may they always be.“

“Time well spent! We had a pleasant Sunday afternoon session, featuring cold beer, a Bloody Mary, cheese sticks, and a corndog. Gorgeous shuffleboard table and the promise of live music and karaoke. The owner is friendly and fun. A classy joint.“

“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.“

“I love this bar so much. Prices are fair, bartenders are fun and knowledgeable. The people who come through are great to interact with.

The food is whatever. Nothing special.

Come for the drinks and people. Not the food.“

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

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

“Best hot toddy in town. Fact.“

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

“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.“

“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“

“More like Old Gilbert RAD Tavern“

“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”.“

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

“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“

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

“PURE AMAZING, PURE ADRENALINE, PURE SHRED, WOULD NOT RECOMMEND A BETTER PORTLAND BAR TO SHRED AT, THEY GOT THE POOL TABLE, THEY GOT THE ARCADES, THEY GOT THE GAMBLING, THEY GOT THE DRINKS, THEY GOT THE BATHROOMS, BETTER BAR, BETTER INGREDIENTS, PAPA BILLY RAY BABYYY!!!!!!!!!!! ITS A MUST WHEN VISITING PORTLAND!!!!!! 10,000 / 10 A MUST GO!!!!“

“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?!“

“I went there for the first time a few days ago! Great drinks and great people“

“Great staff and food! Love it here!“

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

“By giving 4 stars it's really kinda 5 stars because it's just that kinda place. Sorta hard to rank but I like it here. The staff are incredible if you like great people. Friendly and sort of famous in their own right. Food is either just about the best thing that came out of an air fryer or occasionally it's a special made by one of their extremely talented workers who also happens to have amazing poundcake available often. She also does the most unique and genius jello shot flavors you could imagine. If you are curious just how amazing something as ridiculous as a jello shot could be, then go here and get your mind blown. This is a small place that is not fancy but they are always playing great music and full of video poker playing folk. They don't tolerate any bullshit so while it used to be known as a bit rough yrs ago, that feeling is long gone. Very welcoming to all and to me feels like I stumbled into some kind of off the beaten path down in the Virgin Islands bar. Don't be scared, just get on in there and relax. Fantastic outdoor area that wraps around it. Enjoy“

“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.“

“Best dive ever“

“Was in town from Seattle staying at the silver cloud. Needed a pre roll near by and saw this place on the corner. I wasn't going to go in because I normally don't go to strip bars but the place was drawing me in for some reason. It was a chill fun night alone. Had some nice Rainier on tap, practiced some billiards, had a nice dance from a lady. Bartender was super nice. Would totally go again. Has a fun vibe and atmosphere to it.“

“I love Dots so much, from the atmosphere, Pee Wee photo booth, drinks, events, and solid vegan menu. I would give 5 stars if Happy Cow allowed that. My go-to has been the T.L.T. (tomato, lettuce, tofu) and y'all...it is so freaking good! So many places in Portland just aren't doing this classic and Dots crushes it. They house smoke their tofu and it makes me drool just thinking about it. Another item on their all veg menu I appreciate is the soup, salad, and grilled cheeze. They are open late for food and have started lunch on the weekends again from 12pm-4pm. Def add it to your list if you are in the area, at Clinton Street Theatre, or with a group of omnis and want to please everyone with extremely decent bar food. My pic of the T.L.T sucks, but don't let that dissuade you. Great vegan ranch there too and everything is affordable!“

“great space, nice pool tables, awesome selection of fine drinks, great decor, awesome DJ and shows! plus, Giant Jenga!“

“This bar is a hidden gem. The locals don’t advertise it, but they welcome the hell out of people who stop by and visit. I’m not one to give Google reviews, but this place is exactly what you imagine a chill bar should be.“

“It's a proper little dive. Nothing too crazy, cheap enough food, though definitely over salted. Got to to try the East Bay NA beer, which was really good. Morgan (if I remember correctly) was a chill bartender taking good care of her regulars. Outdoor smoking in front was nice, too. Will be back if I have a few hours to kill in the neighborhood again“