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Duffs Garage Bar & Grill
Categories: Arts & Entertainment Jazz & Blues Nightlife Jazz & Blues Nightlife Bars Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Jazz & Blues, Bars, Music Venues [Edit]
1635 SE 7th AvePortland, OR 97214
Neighborhoods: Southeast Portland, Central Eastside, Hosford-Abernathy
(503) 234-2337
- Hours:
Mon 3 pm - 1 am
Tue-Fri 3 pm - 1:30 am
Sat 6:30 pm - 2 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Mon, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
16 reviews for Duffs Garage Bar & Grill
16 reviews in English
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Review from Oscar F.
Monterey, CA
1/25/2012
Can't say enough good thing's about Duff's. Went there to listen to some blues, can't remember who was playing, but they were great. The atmosphere was casual and friendly, the staff was the same. I'm from out of state and my girl and I stopped there from a recommedation by a local. Next time I'm in Portland, Duff's is a must stop on my list.
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Review from Lucas C.
7/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
$4 stiff wells and some classy (and i hate that word) garage ambiance. Duff's Garage has the basics and when my house decided to take "an adventure" this was the late night footromp goal of the night. Live music and some 3/4 whiskey 1/4 orange (yes, its delicious) well drinks make my night complete.
Not as divvy as you'd expect and that might be a bit disappointing in that regard... I guess a bit minimalist rockabilly-pompadour expected but built with the straight-up essentials. -
Review from Greg W.
Portland, OR
2/20/2011
Do you have a craving to dance to some live music, hang out with a local weekend-warrior motorcycle club or spot a Johnny Cash impersonator? Then Duff's might be the place for you.
The walls adorned with automotive memorabilia from years past, Duff's is a small bar and music venue that has a Southern rockabilly vibe. Live music tends to be rockabilly and blues oriented.
The sound of the music events is typically well executed and there is a decent sized dance floor in front of the stage. Dancing is a popular activity with some very talented swing dancers in the mix.
The staff is friendly but don't expect much as far as table service goes. Drinks are average. A covered and heated deck in front caters towards smokers.
The crowd tends to skew towards middle age, although attendance varies dramatically based on the particular musical act of the night. Cover charges that I've paid have varied from $5 to $10. -
Review from Julie M.
Multnomah, OR
2/24/2008 7 photos
To say I'm a regular here would be redundant.
Jon & Jen provide a place of relaxed happiness
so hundreds of us can enjoy live America Roots music at it's best.
Duffs is Host to a constant talent showcase -
origonal artists from the real South, from Austin,
wherever it has been tested and proven true.
Also local all-Stars and WOW acts like Lily Wilde and Tom Royer's Jumpin Jubilee Orchestra, perform here regularly.
I am so there. So often.
Cover Charges are usually only $2-10
so please, be nice and Tip.
I dare you to be first to break the dancing.
if you see me, usually Blues nites, come say Hi!
#4 Bus, and the 14, 10, 70 are very close.
Kindly smoke Outdoors.
See the link above for upcoming acts. -
Review from Martha R.
2/26/2008
I'm in LOVE with this place... it's got that old diner feel, and the Mother Truckers rocked it hard core last night. From now on I need to get some ear plugs to go to concerts - why haven't I thought of that before. It was a little difficult to get to sleep with my ears ringing, but it sure was some good shit.
Cover is a little high - $10, but I guess that I'm getting old and feel like that's how much I used to pay when I went to concerts at the huge venues. Ah well, I know... times are a 'changin. The ceilings are super high, and the feel in there is just fantastic. I felt at home, and comfortable. We had no trouble getting our first beers since we went up to the bar and asked the bartender. But we also didn't have any trouble getting another round while we were sitting down. I drink beer - and the taps had the right amount of pressure in the lines because there was perfect head going on. It was also served in a cold mug. Oooo, I like beer. I did not eat the food, but probably won't. I am trying to put quality calories in, and bar food usually doesn't qualify.
I only gave 4 stars because I don't like the smokiness... what's cool about smoking, people? What? I reek, my clothes need to be washed, and I'm not going to live as long any more. Okay, that's my lecture for now... but it won't be my last. -
Review from Alyssa G.
Portland, OR
3/3/2010
Duff's is a great little music venue with a friendly staff and fantastic live music (western swing/rockabilly/country/americana/etc). But wait, there's more! I went to Duff's after work starving, and didn't have time to stop anywhere else to eat. I resigned myself to whatever bar food might be found there, and ordered a veggie burger, one of like 3 or 4 things on the menu and the only meat-free option. I wasn't expecting much at all, and would've been pleasantly surprised if it had been moderately acceptable. But it was...excellent! The bun was fresh, the tomato and lettuce were fresh, the burger itself was charbroiled and topped with yummy melted cheese. And the side of potato salad was really good, too.* Who knew?
*Who would eat the potato salad at a dive bar, you might ask? Well, I suppose I would. I was really, really hungry and not thinking clearly. And it was GOOD--not the icky more-mayo-than-potatoes kind from the grocery store.
Yay Duff's! -
Review from Katrina W.
Portland, OR
6/29/2009
I couldn't decide if we were in a movie made in 1958, or a movie made in 1985 about the year 1958, but there is no exaggeration in saying that the experience of Duff's Garage is filmic.
There were the moments where one or two members of the crowd crammed alongside the tiny dance floor were very nearly jostled onto the floor and into the spotlight -- the perfect opportunity for that awkward wallflower to become the beautiful dancing queen we all know she is.
There was the swinging and jumping of the dancers, all the time expecting some lady's airborne high heels (with legs attached!) to clock someone square in the jaw.
There was even the well-placed blue light outside, so from the bar you could see all of the happenings on the other side of the glass garage door.
And all night long, the very polished live band and the very practiced swing dancing audience members took turns as the stars of the show, with the rest of the audience enthusiastically hooting and clapping.
I don't know what Duff's is like on non-swing nights, but I can say that a swinging good time was surely had here Saturday night. -
Review from Sara V.
Portland, OR
11/5/2010
We've been here a lot on Mondays to get free swing dance lessons (Drew and Chel) and to watch fun rockabilly/country western swing bands for $3. The dance floor is tiny but the bands are good and everyone is friendly. The beer and mixed drinks are about mid-range for price and the bartender is always nice. If there is a popular band playing it can get really crowded. We always have a good time here.
Listed in: Favorite Places
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Review from Karen E.
Portland, OR
2/26/2008 1 Check-in Here
Duff's had a cool idea with the Rockabilly theme/ car garage throughout but that is where it ends.... We have been twice now to see the same band play, The Mother Truckers. THEY are amazing and their sound system at this location was spot on.
We were served weak drinks both times and didn't order a second round this time. The band was scheduled to be on at 10. We showed up at 9:40 thinking we had plenty of time to settle in and get our drinks. Imagine our surprise that the band was already on and 3/4th the way through their first set!!! The gal at the door insisted on still charging us 10 each cover too. We paid it since we wanted to support the band, they are friends of ours, but anyone else? We would have just turned around and left.
When we were talking to the band during their break they said the owners insisted they go on early claiming that no one else was going to show up being a Monday night and all. This was at 9pm! The place was packed by the time we were there and at the end of the show everyone was asking for encores because the band was finishing so early 10:35. BIG mistake on the owner's part there. The place then cleared out fast. So much for making people feel comfortable and want to hang around for another round of drinks. We took off right away and I hope The Mother Truckers play a different venue next time they are in PDX... from the sound of it they will. Good for them! -
Review from Chris E.
Fairview, OR
7/17/2007 1 Check-in Here
Duff's is a cool space. It used to be a crappy Irish/sportsbar, but the rockabilly vibe fits in much better. The service sucked though. The drinks were kinda weak and getting the bartender's attention was difficult even in Portland --the capital of ignoring you. The band was good and loud and you could actually hear the vocals, which is a rarity in this town.
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Review from Jim F.
San Francisco, CA
6/16/2008
As an East Coast dive bar fan, I felt right at home at Duff's. The beer is cheap and cold, the staff is super friendly and the whole feel of the place rocks. The live sound is VERY loud here, so do bring some hearing protection (plus, being an old garage, the acoustics are very bright). I don't know what people are meaning by weak drinks - the gin and tonics we got were about 75% gin each time. I'd gladly see shows here again.
Listed in: Got a nasty habit called…
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Review from Ken B.
Hillsboro, OR
10/6/2010
The Wednesday night blues jam is first rate. One of the best in town. Bring your instrument and be prepared to wait in line. Lots of good players to be seen and heard every week. Definitely check it out.
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Review from Lorraine S.
Portland, OR
11/2/2008
I went here to see a friend's band (The Insomniacs) play. I thoroughly enjoyed this place, but that is largely due to the fact that the band I saw there was so awesome. I really liked the atmosphere here-- I just sat down and started chatting with the people at our table-- who were impressed by our awesome dance moves (score!). So, although the dancing area is quite small, it can certainly be done. The bartenders were friendly, too. Although I really enjoyed this place and have no complaints, for some reason I'm not compelled to give it more than 3 stars. I guess there isn't anything that sets them apart or pulls me in. If there wasn't an amazing band playing there I don't think I would go. That being said, I don't think it's really geared toward my "type" and age group, and there's nothing wrong with that.
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Review from Yvonne G.
Portland, OR
11/3/2009
I wish there was a different rating for the service and the atmosphere! Bands and patrons were great, I had fun here watching the band and the swing dancers, but I was super hungry and the bartender recomended the tamales. I ordered and paid (including generous tip) I couldn't wait, I was starving and I love tamales! Over an hour later I went to the bar to check on my food and the same bartender that had recomended them informed me that they didn't have a cook on those nights, and there was no one to make the tamales. Why the heck would you recomend them, and sell them if you can't serve them?! I was close to eating my own hand at that point but I kept my cool and simply asked for my money back. She actually laughed. That was an easy $3.50 tip for zero work.
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Review from Brie B.
Portland, OR
4/8/2010
I've only been here once. It was one a typically rainy Portland night and this place was a little slice of heaven. Great atmosphere, great tunes (blues), and it has a dancefloor that people actually use. It was like travelling back to the 1950's. LOVE IT. Plus, the acoustics are great and the beer was nice and cold. A fantastic respite from the dreary Portland weather. I'll definitely be back.
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Review from Willus W.
Portland, OR
1/26/2008
I love how they serve up the PBR in here!! I don't drink so much of that anymore (or really anything else on a regular basis, for that matter), but in here, it's cheap, and they serve it in a glass soooo cold it burns the fingers on a hot day! I love the music in here, most of the time, and it has a friendly feel. The food is not bad; kind of cantina-like mexican mixed in with regular ol' bar food (did I just say barfood?? No, their food is not barf-like!). If you are a fan of classic country, a great band to see here is the Buckles, who are a Buck Owens tribute band. They do alot of Merle Haggard covers too, and basically exploit the Bakersfield sound with gusto. They do have alot of Beatles covers also, which I don't really care for (don't get me wrong; the Beatles were a great band, but they were shoved down my ears for so many years, that I'm kinda sick of them, and to hear covers of them is even worse); but the Bakersfield sound is great. And, the crowd when they play is an interesting mix of hipster rockabilly types and folks in their sixties. And they all get up and dance together on the reasonably roomy dance floor. That's entertainment!!
