I came here yesterday for a quick drink and bite before attending an event nearby after reading that Gil's was one of the "best dive bars in Portland."
Now, don't get me wrong, I wasn't expecting five star service at a dive bar, or five star food--but I always wasn't expecting the incomparable AWFUL level of both that I received.
My partner and I arrived at opening time, and the bartender was clearly annoyed when I inquired if there was a menu, and he pointed to the board near the bar. Here are some of the gems that followed from our conversation.
1. When I asked him what he would recommend on the menu, he responded, "I'm not telling you that. I hate making food for people." WORD FOR WORD
2. When I asked him what kind of protein choices there were for the quesadilla, since none were listed on the board, he rolled his eyes and replied "All of them."
3. When I said I'd like to order a grilled cheese for my friend who was on her way, he said "We're not allowed to take orders for people without seeing their ID first." Mind you, we're in our 50's and it's a grilled cheese, not a drink. To which I responded, "Well, then I guess that I will have a grilled cheese for myself."
Plus, the food was as bad as the service. It was a real disappointment for a place that I was excited to check out and recommended meeting at. Pro tip: If you hate your job, maybe find a new one?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Jessica A
I’m expensive five bar with friendly bartenders and decent price drinks
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
MC
I would like to express my deep disappointment and concern about an incident that occurred on November 29th, 2023 at approximately 1800 hours, during our stay at Speakeasy Tavern. Throughout our visit, my companion and I felt discriminated against by the bartender/Manager, Jamie, over an “olive” and accusing us of being “intoxicated”. Despite being the only individuals with brown skin among the guests, we experienced a refusal of service and an inappropriate handling of the situation. This made us feel interrogated and singled out, which is completely unacceptable.
Moreover, Jamie asserted, "I'm the manager here, and I have the prerogative to do what I want. And you two need to leave." Such unprofessionalism is disheartening, and it raises serious concerns about the ethical conduct of someone in a managerial role.
The attached photo vividly illustrates the moment when Jamie refused service and handled the situation inappropriately. This incident left us feeling discriminated against and deeply disappointed in the level of professionalism demonstrated by a staff member in a managerial position.
Dani Alton
Only went in to play video poker. Seems like my kinda place. I always love a good dive bar!
Kate White
Stick to the beer and avoid the mixers. Pretty traditional dive bar atmosphere. Bartenders were friendly.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Oven Baked Chips & Salsa, Nachos w Black Olives
Reed Lucas
Classic Portland dive!!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
wesley kibben
Bartenders were extremely rude & unprofessional. and Nachos I wouldn’t touch more like spit easy tavern smh :( won’t ever go back
Food: 1
Service: 1
Bryan Gugelman
There are taverns, and then there is this Tavern that sets the bar for what a tavern should feel like, with customer service feeling like I was the only patron. DEFINITELY will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fix Nelson
This place is just unfriendly and I don't know about returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Wayne Leach
Great local bar... Good food. Waitresses are usually very busy though. It can be a sports bar restaurant or just a regular bar depending on what you are looking for
We went to a concert on Labour Day weekend and weren't ready to end our evening, so we tried this place in the neighbourhood. Good location and there was plenty of street parking at that time of night. The bartender was clearly not having a good night, she was the only person working and was very unhappy about it. I don't blame her - it wasn't very busy, but as the only person I'm sure it kept her running. The cocktails were good, and there were cozy couches, games, and a dive-y, moody atmosphere. It's probably a fun place at a different time.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 3
Benjamin Dior
September 6th 2024 @ 9:48PM. Got there and waited for almost 3 mins before the guy came up to ask me if I have been helped. The girl who’s working there that night, didn’t even bother to ask or even look my side to offer what I would like to drink. That’s totally rude and disrespectful.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Confused Ginger
No drinks or food after 1:55. I came in super hungry at 1:55. No food.
Stefan Vereen
No fuss, $6 cheese burger…hell ya. After work spot…friendly gals behind the bar. Felt at home! Great neighborhood feel…come as you are. Will be back soon
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Morgan Kenyon
Dope lowkey spot, very affordable and welcoming for the area. The big buck hunter kept crashing every 10 minutes
I came here yesterday for a quick drink and bite before attending an event nearby after reading that Gil's was one of the "best dive bars in Portland."
Now, don't get me wrong, I wasn't expecting five star service at a dive bar, or five star food--but I always wasn't expecting the incomparable AWFUL level of both that I received.
My partner and I arrived at opening time, and the bartender was clearly annoyed when I inquired if there was a menu, and he pointed to the board near the bar. Here are some of the gems that followed from our conversation.
1. When I asked him what he would recommend on the menu, he responded, "I'm not telling you that. I hate making food for people." WORD FOR WORD
2. When I asked him what kind of protein choices there were for the quesadilla, since none were listed on the board, he rolled his eyes and replied "All of them."
3. When I said I'd like to order a grilled cheese for my friend who was on her way, he said "We're not allowed to take orders for people without seeing their ID first." Mind you, we're in our 50's and it's a grilled cheese, not a drink. To which I responded, "Well, then I guess that I will have a grilled cheese for myself."
Plus, the food was as bad as the service. It was a real disappointment for a place that I was excited to check out and recommended meeting at. Pro tip: If you hate your job, maybe find a new one?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
I’m expensive five bar with friendly bartenders and decent price drinks
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
I would like to express my deep disappointment and concern about an incident that occurred on November 29th, 2023 at approximately 1800 hours, during our stay at Speakeasy Tavern.
Throughout our visit, my companion and I felt discriminated against by the bartender/Manager, Jamie, over an “olive” and accusing us of being “intoxicated”. Despite being the only individuals with brown skin among the guests, we experienced a refusal of service and an inappropriate handling of the situation. This made us feel interrogated and singled out, which is completely unacceptable.
Moreover, Jamie asserted, "I'm the manager here, and I have the prerogative to do what I want. And you two need to leave." Such unprofessionalism is disheartening, and it raises serious concerns about the ethical conduct of someone in a managerial role.
The attached photo vividly illustrates the moment when Jamie refused service and handled the situation inappropriately. This incident left us feeling discriminated against and deeply disappointed in the level of professionalism demonstrated by a staff member in a managerial position.
Only went in to play video poker. Seems like my kinda place. I always love a good dive bar!
Stick to the beer and avoid the mixers. Pretty traditional dive bar atmosphere. Bartenders were friendly.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Oven Baked Chips & Salsa, Nachos w Black Olives
Classic Portland dive!!
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Bartenders were extremely rude & unprofessional. and Nachos I wouldn’t touch more like spit easy tavern smh :( won’t ever go back
Food: 1
Service: 1
There are taverns, and then there is this Tavern that sets the bar for what a tavern should feel like, with customer service feeling like I was the only patron. DEFINITELY will be back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place is just unfriendly and I don't know about returning.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Great local bar... Good food. Waitresses are usually very busy though. It can be a sports bar restaurant or just a regular bar depending on what you are looking for
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Recommended dishes: Prime Rib French Dip
Restaurantji Recommends
We went to a concert on Labour Day weekend and weren't ready to end our evening, so we tried this place in the neighbourhood. Good location and there was plenty of street parking at that time of night. The bartender was clearly not having a good night, she was the only person working and was very unhappy about it. I don't blame her - it wasn't very busy, but as the only person I'm sure it kept her running. The cocktails were good, and there were cozy couches, games, and a dive-y, moody atmosphere. It's probably a fun place at a different time.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 3
September 6th 2024 @ 9:48PM. Got there and waited for almost 3 mins before the guy came up to ask me if I have been helped. The girl who’s working there that night, didn’t even bother to ask or even look my side to offer what I would like to drink.
That’s totally rude and disrespectful.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
No drinks or food after 1:55. I came in super hungry at 1:55. No food.
No fuss, $6 cheese burger…hell ya. After work spot…friendly gals behind the bar. Felt at home! Great neighborhood feel…come as you are. Will be back soon
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dope lowkey spot, very affordable and welcoming for the area. The big buck hunter kept crashing every 10 minutes
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
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