Jennifer S.'s Profile

I needed a PA system for a party I am throwing, and I called a couple times to try to get some help.  I left my name and number and no one called me back.  When I called again, the guy in the rental department was rude.  It's true that I didn't really know what I needed, but what I needed was a customer service guy who was willing to be nice and spend some time working with me.  At that point I decided I didn't want to work with them--when I am spending my money somewhere, I like it to go to people with the courtesy to treat their customers kindly.  I asked around and tried to borrow a PA system from the bands I am working with or friends.  When that didn't work out, I knew I had to bite the bullet and go to Leo's.  I called them again, and AGAIN they were rude--and I hadn't even betrayed the fact that I didn't know anything in this phone call.  At this point I remembered I have worked in the past with Eddie and Event Magic--I have worked with him before and I know he's always nice and willing to talk about my needs.  They have a PA and that's where I'm getting it.

I think Leo's Pro Audio is perhaps good for pros, but never for me.

This is my bar!!!

Yo.

I [heart icon] this place, more than any other neighborhood bar I've ever had.

Awwww.

OK, I was a big fan of Connelly's.  The one night when that one friend of mine got in a fight with the little blond bartender with the dreadlocks.  One of my absolute fave nights in all my drinking history.

It's not that I don't like what those dudes have done to the place.  Those are some pretty cool homemade tables.  I didn't really see the need to put in TV's, but whatever.  I've made it clear to them that I think the bathrooms are in need of a remodel, though the wallpaper is blah blah blah cool.

I think that the reason that I dislike this place so much is pretty personal.  I've stayed late and helped them close down, and I'm friendly and I make friends everywhere, but for some reason, they just won't be my friends.  When people don't want to be my friends and make whatever chit chat, it makes me sad.  I'm funny.  Don't be lame.  Be nice, bartenders.  And not just because you want to make out with my friend.  Cause when it's apparent that that's the only reason you're being nice to me, it's ANNOYING.

I'm boycotting, fyi.  It's unfortunate, though, cause it's hella close to my house, and close to a laundromat, and close to Lanesplitters, and the fireplace is pretty nice, and...whatever.  This place sucks.

*****

Ok, I'm changing the number of stars!!  Oooh yeah, Avenue.  You're up to 4, baby.

Why?  Well, they got rid of reggae Fridays, which I thought was a good choice.  There's not a hell of a lot of dancing room, and they seemed to get that people want to chat, and that's good.  Now they have art exhibited by local artists in the back which is awesome!!  The drinks are strong, and the bartenders are, I hate to say it, pretty cool, even if we did get off to a rocky start.

Sorry to offend everyone, the Ave isn't so bad, even if I do still miss Connolly's. You try to be honest, and everyone gets their panties all in a bunch!

oh and btw, I would *never* boycott a place because I'd made a drunken ass of myself there!  If I were to, I'd be out of local bars!

Yeah, so I was just recently getting into yelp.  It's pretty great.  Like this idea of having the general public review shit and having accounts and friends and stuff.  Good one, yelp.

But shit, if you're not going to let me use html.  Boo.

And you *really* should let me save my reviews as drafts!!

It was about three years ago now. The house was full, so we slept in a tent in the backyard.  It might have rained, but I don't remember getting wet. It was a good hostel. Friendly. I have a vague memory of clean towels. I think perhaps we got in late and left early--the ending of months on the road hawking Super Sponges.

I spent the past weekend in Portland, and it looked to be a lively place--I rather wish I'd stayed there.

This hostel is in a prime location--on E. Hawthorne--a nice street with lots of nice places to visit, and a lovely walk on a pretty day.  Bars, good food, book stores, shoe stores, coffee shops, a small independent theatre--oh what a place!  And the public transportation!  A dream, albeit slow.  But ever so reliable!

I didn't have much of a chance this past visit, to check out the PT. I was working* all weekend, so I didn't have a lot of time to walk around.  Besides, it was also cold and rainy for the time I had somewhat open, and rain is just ever so nice to watch from INDOORS**. Next time I visit, it is definitely going to be summer. Maybe I'll find a way to justify it by needing something majorly expensive and spend what the sales tax would be on my vacation.

Besides, suitcases are lighter in summer--or, of course, when traveling to a summery climate during winter.

But, you know what I like best about Portland?  There doesn't seem to be the social stigma attached to smoking like there is in the Bay Area.  I like that.  Live and let live.  Lots of young people openly smoking!  More power to you***, young people!  

Go there now.  Before January 09, when you can no longer smoke in bars.  Summer in Portland, kids!!  It'll be nice out.

Good plan.

*work = internet cafe to internet cafe to internet cafe w/beer to bar with wifi &c
**yelp does not accomodate html???? why am I here? why are any of us???
***and me!!

Defs mediocre.  Gross even.

High quality meat.

Cool atmosphere.

Working heat lamps.

Good food.

All in all, porque no?

(Is that corny???)

I'm from out of town, and I [heart icon] breakfast places.  This place almost makes me want to move to Portland, if it weren't for the freezing ass cold.  I happen to know that it is NOT this cold in California, which is why I will continue to pay the exorbitant cost of living and tax that comes along with my ever so wonderful weather.

Regardless, two words:
YUM YUM.

Good for people watching.

Bad for talking (the band was hella loud).

Good for crazy cocktails that are $8 and up and filled with who knows what cause I don't speak Peruvian.

The food was pretty good.

Overall, a pretty classy joint.  If you're female though, and vain, don't go to the restroom, cause the light makes you look unattractive no matter how good of a makeup/hair day you're having.

This place is okay.

I say it's only okay, because
a) it advertises wifi, but you have to pay for it (please see below, because I guess I'm wrong about this)*
b) I've been here for about 4 hours and they've been playing the Rolling Stones the entire time.  Now I like the Rolling Stones, but puh lease.  Let's have some variety already.

The coffee was pretty good. The visitors and staff are friendly.  They'd probably change the music if I asked them too, but I'm kinda a wuss sometimes.

They serve beer though, so I think I'll go get a beer and then maybe I'll have the balls to ask them to change the music.

Stay tuned.**

*Okay, so since writing this review, a fellow yelper has written to me and informed me that Anna Bannanas does in fact not charge for wifi, and if I couldn't get on the right server, I should have asked the barista for help.  Soo, that might very well be so.  But I did ask the barista for help, cause a) I'm not stupid and b) I really didn't want to shell out the $3.99 for a day's worth of service (though I have paid more for internet). Whoever was working there had no idea how to connect to the internet.  I further asked those of my fellow patrons who were on the internet (though admittedly not all of them) and they didn't know how to connect either, and were stealing their wireless from the vegan place across the street (which makes a mean side salad, btw).  So, that was my experience.  I could be wrong, and I don't live in Portland, so I'm not going to be able to go back and find out for a while.  Obvs, before I go, I'm going to message sarah a. and figure out how to connect.  You should too, I think.

**I drank a devestion ale (HELLA GOOD) and by the time I was finished a new barista had come on duty and had changed the music to Pink Floyd.  Later on, he turned on the Daily Show, and he was in general really pleasant and made the rest of my seven hours in one coffee shop pretty darn awesome, so I'm going to up my stars from two to four. Right then it felt like I was in my living room, except a living room far from home with beer on tap.