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Alberta Street Public House
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 5 pm - 12 am
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 1 am
Sat-Sun 10 am - 3 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Live
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Dogs Allowed:
- Yes
44 reviews for Alberta Street Public House
Review Highlights
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"Every Monday they host an open mic in this huge room off..." In 3 reviews -
"...is an excellent place for an intimate live music experience." In 5 reviews -
"...got row after row of church pew-like benches facing the..." In 3 reviews
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44 reviews in English
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Review from Don K.
Portland, OR
3/17/2012
I really like this place. It's friendly setting gives it a smaller town feel to it, or maybe just a feel of how I pictured Portland as it must have been say, 20 years ago... comfortable and non-pretentious. The music is always good and usually folksy. Rows of church pews set out that actually encourages you to snug up close and get to know your neighbor over a pint and vibrating strings ... .I like that :) There's a great picture taken in, I presume, the late 80's or so hanging near the stage, and it paints a perfect picture of this place... locals and new talents mingling together... guess you'll have to go there to see for yourself.
I would say the big drawback, if I have one big complaint, is that the place never puts more than one bartender on deck during a performance. This draws complaints from everyone standing in the mega-line and it's surely got to be hurting business. I know that more than me and my cohorts have given up ordering beers a few times because of this.
Other than that, I go out of my way to come here. -
Review from M R.
Portland, OR
5/22/2012
This is a food based review. For the actual drinks and bartenders, I give a generous 4. For the bar itself a 5. I like old, dark bars with character. The drink selection is great and the staff is exactly what they need to be, to the point, friendly, and prompt.
Back to food: I've been here twice for food and several times for drinks, and both times (for the food) I've woken up with horrible diarrhea. With only one or two drinks consumed with my food, I can cancel out that it's the drinks. It's soooooo the food. The sick I've been the next day is enough to convince me to not eat out anymore and to make everything at home.
Pre-diarrhea, the food is sub-par. I WANT it to be better because I WANT this place to survive and thrive. The menu SOUNDS delicious. Shepard's Pie, Lasagna, Burgers, Fish and Chips, vegetarian options, Bangers and Mash...
I want these things, for their 8 and 9 dollar price, to be tasty and hot.
In short: greasy, sloppy, ill-prepared food.
Please do better, because I really want to give you more stars and use less toilet paper. Maybe be a bar with nachos and nuts, and stick to what you do really well, good drinks and great ambiance. -
Review from Justin V.
4/13/2012
Was here for an event a couple weeks back. I like how the space is divided into two rooms, with the performance space making for an intimate venue for a crowd of probably a few dozen. The bar is dark and gloomy, though with a nice range of beers on tap to distinguish it from its otherwise dive dimensions.
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Review from Samantha S.
Portland, OR
11/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I came to Alberta Street Pub to see a band. It was the first time I'd gone into the pub after passing by a few times. It is certainly a cozy little place. The bar is to the left and the space for bands is to the right.
I don't know how the bartender did it- he was the only one duty that night and the bar was filling up quickly. But he kept drink orders, food orders, and tabs straight. I got a Fat Tire 1554 and the Shepards Pie and it was an extremely satisfying meal, just right for a rainy Portland evening.
I hope they keep bringing in fun new acts because that is just the icing on the cake for me- good beer, good music, and good bands. Check it out. -
Review from Holy-foo' X.
Portland, OR
12/13/2011
Quick! How many / few salient words can you spell w/ the letters found in the term,
"Alberta Street Public House"
in only 30 seconds? Ready to play......and, go!
-- Poseur
--phat buts
-- bier haus
--shallot
--schadenfraude ( jk. close, but doesn*t quite make it, sadly... xp )
--H-i-p-s-t-er
...and, time! 5 words/phrases. How did You do, tough guy??? Xp -
Review from Frank L.
2/10/2011
A good friend of the family was playing at Alberta Street Public House a few nights ago. Interesting little venue. The seating is primarily church pews and it gave me some post-Catholic school PTSD flashbacks. Other than the fact that I had to keep looking over my shoulder to make sure Sister Bonita wasn't sneaking up from behind to give me a good ear boxing, I had a great time. GF said she felt the pews provided a more reverent feel to the musical experience--yeah, well, she was never a rosy-checked altarboy.
Seriously, though, cool little spot. I wouldn't mind going back.Listed in: Walkin' Distance
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Review from Robert S.
Portland, OR
6/3/2011
Used to be cool.
The last two times I've been there have been pretty bad. Back in Mar 2011 they had advertised (in both Willamette Week and the Merc) a show by Rogue Wave. When I called to make sure it wasn't a misprint, they checked and said no, it wasn't. Well, I went there, and Rogue Wave wasn't playing that night. Hah-hah. Not funny.
The last time (May 2011) I went to the open mic, usually a great place to hear some talented musicians and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere. But this time, we were treated to a harangue from the stage from whoever was running the open mic--and then some fat guy with a ukelele yelled "shut the fuck up!" That cleared the room out. Don't want people to talk at your shows? Get used to playing to empty rooms.
RstJ -
Review from Daniel C.
Portland, OR
11/4/2011
A pub with a live weekly Irish session? Count me in!
Wait, this pub has vegetarian food??? I'm a regular.
Hell, they even have vegan food. What kind of Irish pub (and yes, the proprietor is from the Emerald Isle and often plays Irish music in the weekly sessions) served veggie and vegan food? A great one. Great happy-hour deals. Friendly service, diverse clientele (ie, good people watching, even if that people is you), good music (if set in a unique church-pew seating arrangement), good food, good drink, the place is straight good. Go to there. -
Review from Laura N.
3/30/2008 1 photo
I'm not sure if it is the stiff drinks or the incredible band that is luring the 5-stars outta me tonight, but for $21 I just had the best Sunday evening I've had in a long time.
First off - shameless plug for Coyote Grace. They have Portland charm with the souls of Johnny and June Cash.
Now for details:
The pub is split into two sections - an accoustic venue and a traditional bar. $21 got me two tickets, two hard ciders, two club sandwiches (one with fries, one with a salad...) a vodka cran and a coffee nudge.
I left 3 hours later buzzed, inspired, and smoke-free.
If that's not 5-stars, I don't know what is!Listed in: Alberta Arts District
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Review from Doug R.
3/16/2009
The burger is called the Sad Cow.
The hippie burger is called the Glad Cow.
Good start.
The bartender was inattentive. Once he got to me he was fine, but one of my big pissers is being ignored by servers. Acknowledge me and I'll wait for a long time. As it was he had one more trip past me before I went else where.
You have to order at the bar, it's on the menu. WTF moment. My burger (sad cow, awwwww) was delivered but lacked a few things that i had to go to the bar again for. Why do places not immediately put mayo on burgers? Is mayo that widely hated? I went up to get ketchup but I shudder to think how long it may have taken for the guy to go back to the ktichen and get me a side of mayo. Then something to spread it with.
The burger was good, although squeezing them so the patty isn't much thicker than a slice of cheese is bad form. Some inspector should check for that, along with cheater pints (I don't know if ASPB uses them, I didn't look). The fries were of the shoestring variety, cooked well, not really greasy.
The liquor prices are clearly marked on the shelf under each bottle. This is an excellent idea. -
Review from dan h.
8/27/2010
A pretty killer happy hour here. All food is $3 and I guess the pints of beer are $1 off Monday to Friday until 7 freaking 45. That's 7:45 for those of you playing at home.
I had the Curry Chicken Sandwich and a portion of large fries. If I was served these fries in Ireland, there might be another potato famine. In other words, for $3 this is a shit ton of food. Can I say that on here? Guess I'll find out. -
Review from Lindsey J.
Shelton, WA
8/10/2007
The Alberta Street Public House is awesome for open mics. Every Monday they host an open mic in this huge room off the main bar. Be prepared because you will be performing on stage, with bright lights on you. I would guess this is as close as you can get to performing a live show....while doing an open mic. People are very friendly.....supportive. The sound is amazing.........You can order food and drinks at the bar and eat there, or bring it with you on the open mic side.
Great musicians as well. A lot of people who actually do have gigs come play here for the hek of it.Listed in: Open Mics
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Review from Julie M.
Multnomah, OR
2/26/2008
Always Non-Smoking!
Happy Hour pricing till 7:30 PM!
Good food, full bar, savvy staff,
outdoor seating,
cozy bar seating,
PARTY SPACE with
2 sets of music many nites! and MOST are free!
A kick-ass, welcoming Irish Session - FRIDAYS!
Expert sound board assistance for band quality control.
Poetry readings, movies, what more can you ask for?
What's not to like?
Only one thing.
Mikey is usually too damn busy to sit down for a drink and a laff.
Am happy to Yelp yet another true story.
Some of oyu who still want to work witrh Obama/Clinton/Merkley to change the world, might appreciate a little hstory here.
I bought a house 1/2 block away from the former LOVE TRAIN in 1991, soon after became Democratic District Leader, and joined the newly forming Friends of Alberta Street, along with Roslyn Hill, a couple of Broker-Investors including Magnus Johansen, who were shaping a vision for transforming Alberta Street's rotten and misunderstood image.
We decided to recruit others and each transform at least 1 building ourselves, including some visble changes passersby would see. Ros did several buildings herself...and so did Magnus.
As a homeless advocate - and person with a disability,
I didn't have much money, so I did 1 house,
and added behind the scenes strategy. (update I just sold my 2nd 20 block north- the biggest uglies tfixer i could find in NE - I got the work started, and soon it may become a showcase!)
Bascially, when I lived on the OLD Alberta Street,
I got a little pushy (or begged) the right people -
to get curb cuts,
garbage cans, bus shelters,
and Friends of Trees commitment for Alberta.
And Mikey - for the Love Train..
The new Albina Community Develoment Corporation saw what was happening, and got involved. Friends of Alberta dissolved - to encourage the community organization to grow and carry the banner by coordinating volunteers on projects. We were thrilled!
Maybe having the sheer guff to tell Mikey what to do
was my best contribution? Being a gung-ho gal,
and having heard that some money-grubbing DOLTS
did not renew his long-term lease at Mikey Beglan's former East Ave Tav...(on SE Burnside)
I simply DEMANDED to Mikey that he Step Up and help us transform Alberta Street. Come buy the old Love Train, I insisted. It's right around the corner from my house! This is not an Option. You MUST! Do it for me!!
I remember how it was. I helped close several Drug Houses on my street. I used to deliver Rainbow Coalition newspapers to the Love Train, where there were very nice folks inside,
but a HUGE, ugly sign on the front door:
NO Guns, NO Drugs,
NO Beepers or Cell Phones!
It was a crappy building. Everything needed work.
But Mikey was up to the challenge.
Years later, thousands love the place.
I am happy to add my positive review to my friends' successful Biz, and am thrilled to know just how much he improved the place.
Thjis article came out even before the beer Garden was ready for Guests, and helps tell the story:
http://www.portlandtri...
The LOVE TRAIN sign is inside the Pub. Smile and feel a warm glow when you see it. ALL original Love Train customers and neighbors
can feel welcome here, meet and share memories - with newbies.
Thank you Mikey - for believing that we *could* turn the street around -
and for being a fellow working-class Pioneer.
You've shown - by Investing - and doing the early, really hard work.
that
You've got the Stuff.
Your part to revive Alberta Street anchored the West End...
when we had NO other ideas how to do that part.
It WAS a real risk back then -
and YOU PROVED WORTHY !
Now, about sharing that beer?
PS: Jeff Merkely & his darling wife Mary rehabbed a good old house (on 15th) back in the day, way before folks believed Alberta could be cool. Jeff also led Habitat for Humanity to commit to King Neighborhood, to increase home ownership among disadvantaged people in the area. Habitat grew and also transformed an ugly bulding into a HQ at 15th & Killingsworth under his leadership. He did even more in his next role - at Human Solutions - when the MAX line was being built.
Jeff is now a Candidate for US Senate. He is Damn Good - and Worthy on a HUGE range of issues. Hey, he's GOOD and from our 'hood! Vote, dammit! Do it for other depressed communities across America - who need his *proven* comittment, too. His daughter asks you to Vote for Jeff because he wants to end the War - and we cannot count on the Incumbent on that most important kind of vote. (and many others!) -
Review from jay d.
Portland, OR
3/4/2008
Comfortable setting as long as its not too busy. Great place to go in the early evening or late afternoon. Sit at the bar and chat with the bartenders. They're sassy and fun. The food is pretty good.
Always non-smoking!! -
Review from Sylvia S.
11/17/2010
My five stars are almost entirely for Mikey's Irish Jam here Friday nights. Aaaalmost entirely because I'm a whole-package kind of person, so I like the actual pub itself on its own merit, excepting the few obligatory kinks in the armor. My man and I have been going here for about a year to grab a drink, nestle in to one of the cushioned pews or little bar tables on the venue side of the pub, and witness an ever-revolving door of truly great musicians bounce off each other for a couple of hours.
The bar itself is quirky, cozy, and kind of divey in a mostly endearing kind of way. The bar staff can be equal parts super sweet, completely clueless, and jarringly rude, but you kind of take what you get at the bar at Alberta, and it's not really a problem. I like to grab a whiskey, migrate to the pews, and settle in. There's also flying pig kitsch absolutely EVERYwhere you look here. Little piggy banks, paintings, figurines, mugs, even what I think may be a tapestry...make of it what you will, I frigging love that part of this place.
Only had the fries here as far as bar food goes, and they were pretty yummy. Shoestring-like and perfectly crisp.
The only other show I've seen here was my cousin's band when he was rambling through the Northwest on a little tour, and the acoustics were solid enough for a partially plugged in show, and he seemed to have a good time playing there :)
One last thing: Mikey, the accordion-playing freight train of an Irishman who sometimes graces the session aptly named after him, is a reason to become a regular here in his own right. He's an institution all his own.Listed in: The Places I Go Out
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Review from Willow W.
1/25/2009
This is the place I first discovered my new winter beverage: Makers Mark. I've never liked whiskey, but suddenly that's exactly what I wanted. Straight up, no less. It was a clear and present craving. I got it, and it made me feel somehow more adult and more self-possessed.
The staff are friendly, the atmosphere pub-like, the music (next store) usually good, the fries fried, and the company pleasant. The only thing I question is the wisdom of painting the steps around the tables black, but I only question that after hearing a hilarious story of my friend on a first date not seeing the step. Maybe there's a little comedic sadism at play here.Listed in: Where teacher goes to unwind
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Review from Jennifer C.
Seattle, WA
11/7/2010
Alberta St. Pub is an excellent place for an intimate live music experience. Perhaps not such an excellent place for dinner in addition to the live music, but ye who enter with patience shall not be (sorely) disappointed.
I visited the Alberta St. Pub for the first time this past Friday, and found it to be a lovely, cozy spot for a show. I sat on the stage side, which is filled with rows of small church pews surrounded by a thin layer of tables and bar-style seating. Protocol is to order food and drink at the bar...drinks you convey yourself, food comes via a "pass-through" window and you need to watch for your number to be displayed via plastic table tent. Or via napkin, as the case may be.
My friend was a very good sport to brave the deep lines at the bar to grab our drinks and place our order...which took a VERY long time to be prepared. We're talking a good 45 minutes from order placement to order arrival. Fortunately we were pretty engrossed in the music, so that helped curb our hunger.
When our food finally arrived, we were more than ready to dig right in. My friend was very satisfied with her hamburger...arguably the bread for my BLT could have been a little thicker or a little more toasted, but overall it was a decent sandwich for $6. An extra $1 upgraded me to French fries from kettle chips, and that buck was totally worth it. Whereas my sandwich isn't going to be that memorable, those fries were EXCELLENT. Thin and crispy with a delicate, almost "bubbled" texture. I didn't even bother getting condiments...they didn't need any.
Acoustics and sound were great, and as the venue isn't very big, you will more than likely brush elbows with the performers if they venture off the stage. It did get pretty darn warm once the outside door was closed...a little more ventilation certainly wouldn't hurt the venue. All in all, though, a nice place to catch a show...provided you plan accordingly for when you want to eat! -
Review from Geanna M.
8/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
I have to admit, once my favorite bartender left, Alberta St Pub has never quite been the same for me, but when I want a Strongbow or am feeling the need for french fries, I go here.
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Review from Nader A.
Portland, OR
Updated - 3/11/2009
Still one of the best menus of happy hour bar food on Alberta - yeah, most (though not all) of it is fried, but the Popcorn shrimp with fries and sweet-chili sauce and Chicken strips are crisp, tasty, and fried to perfection. And they do have salad[s], nachos, and a daily soup offering for HH. They also have well and beer specials during their extended happy hour (as always it lasts 'til 7:45), and daily drink specials that run all night.
Biggest reason for this update is the reshuffling of the "music side" of the pub. Rather than just a bunch of long beer-hall style banquet tables, they now have the place set up more like a proper theater. The stage is still small and intimate, and they DO still have some smaller tables (4-person) along the wall, but the center of the room's got row after row of church pew-like benches facing the stage.
They have also opened up a counter to the kitchen from the music side; it's possible this may have always been there, but if so it was never obvious. Now you can order some grub in the bar before the band starts, tell the bartender you're moving into the music side and they'll serve everything up on the counter. If you need table service you have to stick to the pub side, but really who wants a server wandering around trying to find you while a band is playing?
So the place still has the great, well thought out beer selection, reasonably priced and solidly poured well and top shelf cocktails, a terrific extended happy hour, charming [New] English pub atmosphere and ambiance, and cool local, regional, and (occasionally) national bands and musicians - though now the set up is even better for watching and listening to the music
So, the Alberta Street Public House has not only maintained, but actually improved over the years and is still one of my favorite all-around haunts not just on lower NE Alberta, but anywhere in pdx.
Interesting observation: last time we were there the had the worlds most bad@ss laptop attached to/integrated with the soundboard. This thing looked like it had been thrown away (literally) twice, with a completely cracked body, and non-existent shell to the back of the lcd screen. From behind you were looking at this glowing panel that was actually the back of the screen. Seriously awesome!Listed in: NE Portland
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/22/2008
Time and time again I find myself suggesting the Alberta Street Public House when we're looking for… Read more »
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Review from Kade M.
Portland, OR
1/13/2009
Only been there twice-both times with either only one or two other people. Thanks to Bulleit bourbon got successfully sloshed both times. Added plus, did not have to go across the street for the Bye and Bye's weak drinks and NASTY food as bourbon seems to fill me right up.
My guy friends seem to like this place so they can talk smart about bourbon -all I know is they tried to get me to drink one that tasted like Band-Aids and cost $15/glass. Ew. Bring on the Bulleit! -
Review from Kristi R.
Portland, OR
6/27/2010
I went here last Saturday night for the music and so happy I did. Nothing really stands out much about this place but for me it's all about my experience which is why I'm giving Alberta Street Pub 4 stars. It has a definite dive atmosphere in the main bar when you walk in. I started out at the bar inside with a beer and then moved over to the music set-up around 7:30 to watch all three bands playing that night. Set-up in the band area was pretty good - church pew style in the center wasn't so great if you're eating or drinking so I sat at a bar on the side with my beer. Downside was having to go to the bar in a separate room to order drinks while listening to the music but also a great excuse to remove yourself from any variety of situations that may pop up for a few minutes (took advantage of this a couple times).
Didn't eat food so no comments there. Beer was cheap and no problem getting served at the bar. All the other patrons were friendly and I was easily able to strike up a few conversations with the people hanging around. I will be back again to see live music. -
Review from Gallie G.
Portland, OR
6/18/2009
The burger is called the Sad Cow... the customer leaves a Sad Customer because it is possibly the worst burger in the world. And I've eaten burgers from many a cafeteria.
The place also smells like a middle school dance. Why do people opt not to keep up with their hygiene here?
This is a good place to go if you want a bad burger and love smelly people. -
Review from Eric G.
Vancouver, WA
9/10/2010 1 Check-in Here
This place is very cozy. One third is church pews, one third bar and booths, the last third a covered patio with ample seating.
There's a LINE to get a drink.....personally I feel that takes half the fun out of getting a drink! -
Review from Ashley C.
8/22/2009
Wow, really convenient for me to go here. It's near by neighborhood. Alberta Street has changed over the year, but this place remains true to it's origin.
I don't come here for the HH or their food. I come here for the music. There are days it's really, really, good music, and there are days that completely missed the boat. It's all a matter of prefence.
The music room is a small and the bar is smaller. It does get realy crowded on a good night, so come early and stake your spot. Or you will be standing my the door most of the night.
If you're looking for five star gourmet and entertainment, consistently, this isn't it. But, if you don't mind occassional hit and misses, this may be that pretty decent bar you need to escape to now and then. -
Review from Terry W.
1/21/2010
I have found the servers to be polite and low-key. Drinks are cheap, happy hour is good.
HOWEVER, I am really, really, really, really tired of spending $15-$20 dollars to see a show in the concert area and having to endure the noise from the kitchen, staff, customers and background music wafting from the bar area through the thin walls while folks are trying to enjoy a concert. It is bad EVERY time. Something as simple and cheap as a thick drape to cover the windows to baffle the sound would help, but nothing ever gets done. It drives the audience AND the artists crazy. It was so crazy that my wife went over last night to ask them if they could turn down the Rockabilly stereo a little, so we could actually hear the live performer, but when she walked in to the bar, it wasn't even terribly loud. It is the thin walls that need just a little treatment to alleviate the ridiculous bleed from the bar. It's maddening. -
Review from Alyssa A.
2/8/2010
Typical dive bar ambiance. Food is decent but nothing to get too excited about. Not the most impressive beer selection either. Still, if you live in the neighborhood it makes for a good hang-out spot.
The music scene here, however, is varied and great. I was there last Sunday and really enjoyed it. -
Review from Tristan W.
Portland, OR
7/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Good food, cheap drinks, the live music is great, but no WiFi.
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Review from REBECCA A.
Portland, OR
7/27/2009
I've listened to the Yelps- of various persuasions- and feel compelled to add my piece. First of all I love a bar that does not apologize for itself. Alberta Street Public House was most likely here before you and it put up with a lot more shit by being there (then) than you had to. They play the music that they/ we like and pour the drinks they /we enjoy.
Personally I love the staff and on occasion I have needed a beer more quickly than someone behind the bar was prepared to get for me. But my 4th grade teacher also unfairly graded me on my piercing essay on TALES OF A FOURTH GRADE NOTHING. ....
Just between you and me, the essay score was the larger crime.
Get a beer, affordably. Have filling happy hour food, not nibbles, and listen to a good or even great band for cheap. -
Review from Tommy T.
3/22/2011
Great place to sit down and drink a beer or two with friends. I used to go every Tuesday for dollar PBR night. It is now $1.50 but still a great deal and a cozy place to drink it. The back patio is dark in a chill way and smoking is allowed though not overwhelming. The vegan food is french fries and a veggie burger with out cheese or mayo. The fries are greasy but worth it. On Tuesday night there is usually live music being preformed in the bar area which adds to the Irish pub feel that thgis place emits.
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Review from teresa m.
Portland, OR
3/3/2012
we walked by a few months ago, and saw the hair of the hog brunch. we basically only eat lunch out, and this looked promising. we when walked in, the ambiance was mellow and candles were offering minimal lighting, which was a bonus. the bar, wooden booths, niches with artifacts, and original artwork provided a relaxing atmosphere. we began with a heiniken, and a buzzy buzzy. both were thirst quenching. then we proceeded with the veggie omelette with multi grain toast, and the 11th st monte christo. both were delicious. each came with some grapes and an orange slice, a nice addition. the server was very friendly, and informative, plus she added an extra personal touch. she served some homemade jalapeno corn muffins with honey butter. excellent with a big kick. we loved the music selection too. very diverse. we will return.
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Review from sarah k.
Austin, TX
10/26/2008
i've been going here for years
and yes i do love it here
but alberta house has some
downright mean bartenders.
the service is always shitty.
but the food is awesome and cheap
including the happy hour menu.
and the beef stew is one of my favs in town.
they have great outdoor seating
good atmosphere and even better music.
so this place will remain as one of my haunts.
note to the tenders: cheer up, bitches!! -
Review from Danielle R.
Vancouver, WA
1/25/2008
What a surprise! From the outside you'd never know what a gem this Irish pub is. Very friendly atmosphere with a small town feel. We sat in the bar next to a couple of guys enjoying a chess game. A great sounding acoustic band was playing on the other side of the pub. We were able to have a conversation while enjoying the music. Veggie burger and fries hit the spot for that late night food craving. Good beer, good food, good music, friendly staff, non-smoking...what's not to like?
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Review from LISA S.
Portland, OR
6/7/2010 7 Check-ins Here
I've been going here on and off for almost 5 years. 5 years ago, my review would have been a lot more critical. The pub was to me- a cramped little crap shack that had meh food, meh prices, and was always way too packed for its own good. Service was slooooow and offensive; There were certain staff members that worked then that would rather have you killed then to get you a beer. That's when Alberta was still a little boarded up street with only 2.5 bars on it. Places could afford snotty staff members because there was no where else to go.
Fast forward to today: Alberta is rapidly gentrifying (something I'm normally against, but I'm not going to say 'no' to more bars. heh.) and there are plenty of other awesome bars in the vicinity, leaving room for the Alberta Street Public House to Breathe and prosper. Changes in staff helped too IMMENSELY. It's not a place that I'm gonna go craving the food--too meaty for me....however, my Omnivores have approved of burgers, stews and soups on many occasion. There are nightly drink specials to keep the price monsters at bay, and I have had some of the yummiest hot drinks I have ever tasted. Right here.
The physical aspects are still the same...a dark, quaint, authentic little Pub area that still gets mega packed, a theater which showcases local bluegrass-y/jam/homegrown/folksy acts, and a large, covered, heated backyard smoking area. Somehow there areas seem more tolerable. Or maybe it is I, who is more tolerANT.Listed in: Alberta Street Lovin'
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Review from Brian S.
Portland, OR
10/5/2008
the alberta st. pub is probably the most underrated music venue in portland. they don't have the huge indie names like the doug fir to drop, but i feel its the great sound and music-friendly environment that makes the really talented musicians who aren't necessarily a part of the "it" scene keep coming back for more.
if you want to see really good bands that you might not know yet got to the alberta st.
what's also cool is that if you just want to eat and drink there's a separate room for that. -
Review from Elizabeth B.
Portland, OR
3/15/2009
Sig oth and I recently moved 2 blocks from this place and we've been twice now. Last night we hit our stride seeing a band called Conjugal Visitors from Eugene. These guys played their hearts out to the head-bopping, fingertapping crowd sitting in pews before them. We had good drinks - lots of good beer on tap, including some nice Irish ones - and sat out back talking, er, more like listening to a f'd up dreaded out hippie kid during set breaks. Good times. Energy was great - nothing raucous, simply fun. And people boogeyed during the third set, always a spectacle to behold...we eventually became part of the spectacle and enjoyed it all.
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Review from browse n.
Gresham, OR
1/1/2009
It's incredibly annoying when a bar advertises music at 9:00, and by 10:00 the bands are still getting equipment set up on stage. Weak sauce.
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Review from Vanessa G.
Portland, OR
10/24/2006
Even for an avid dive bar fan, I will admit that I was afraid of this bar for the first month I lived near here. But noting that their Happy Hours are from 5-7:45 daily, making it one of the latest in the city, I had to give it a shot. I am so glad that I did because I discovered I had one of the best bars about 4 blocks from my humble abode.
The Happy Hour for this place is the way to go, there are so many options. While a lot of places here like to do just a Happy Hour food menu or just a Happy Hour drink menu, this place does both AND they have a special shot, beer, and cocktail of the day. The cocktail is often a T&T, one of my favorite drinks. The beer is often Fat Tire or Lagunitas IPA, two of my favorite beers. The shot is often Tuaca,.....you know the rest. The food here is pretty typical bar food, I recommend a basket of fries or their veggie melt, all of it is $3 even.
The atmosphere inside is dingy and cozy. Lots of wood booths and candlelight. There is no smoking inside but there is a large back patio for that, with wood benches and individual heat lamps and lights hanging above every table that you get to monitor yourself with a timer on the wall.
On Monday nights they show movies on a screen for free in the other open part of the bar; they have a different cinema theme every month. Also in this area is where bands play on Wednesdays and the weekends. I have heard some amazing folk/bluegrass/honkytonk type stuff that impressed the hell out of me for a free show and local band.
All in all, I can't get enough of this place. There's something for everyone. -
Review from Jeff M.
Portland, OR
1/3/2010
They have a nice dive bar ambiance but I have a few choice words: me and a few friends went there around midnight and ordered a couple beers. They close at 1:00 am and that is fine, but the bartender decides to say "we're closing", walks over, takes the rest of our beers and says "I gave you ample warning". I am sorry but less than a minute is not ample warning. I live 3 blocks away and have a serious issue with this type of behavior. I am sorry Ms. Waitress, just because you want to to home with your boyfriend does not mean you have the right to be rude to the people that pay your salary. Unless something seriously changes, I will never be going back. I am seriously unimpressed with Alberta Street Public House. Terrible Service!!!
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Review from Aimee F.
Portland, OR
Updated - 11/10/2010
We came tonight because we used to love the dark atmosphere, private booths, and great hot toddies. But the woman behind the bar treated us atrociously. We were one of the first people in the bar yet it took forever to get our drinks, then when we ordered 2 appetizers, it took 15-20 minutes to get a TINY plate of popcorn shrimp, and over 30 minutes to get a simple plate of nachos. When we went up to the bar to ask her, several times, how much longer we'd have to wait, she outright glared at my friend and I and retorted 'well I guess they must be busy' and turned around and then when I went back 10 minutes later, she was sweet as sugar to the people approaching the bar but when I asked her where our order was, she oh-so-fakely said 'just a few more minutes'. Obviously no tip, and for crap nachos and crap popcorn shrimp, no matter how cheap it is, the hipster attitude is something that I've had enough of on Alberta Street and it's got to stop. Needless to say, that was our last trip there.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/4/2009
Five stars for the hot toddy with the honey yummy stuff in it. Three stars for the nachos. Five… Read more »
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Review from Caroline R.
Portland, OR
10/14/2010
I love the Alberta Street Pub. It's low-key, dark and relaxed. It's true the servers are not the most attentive but that's okay with me. The food is yummy and HH prices are great.
