A Roadside Attraction

Visited this place for a birthday gathering that was organized after hearing a lot of positive reviews about the cool location, and I'm honestly not very impressed at all. Overall it is nicely decorated and clean, but I don't think it's a particularly standout location compared to other eye-catching and artsy places you could visit in SE Portland. The drink and snack menus are admittedly good, with the food being fairly priced for what you end up getting, and quite tasty. I don't know if we came on a bad night, or if they were having a bad day, but our bartender/server really wasn't very nice and seemed to have a bit of an attitude, and it made the vibes feel kind of awkward for me. The outside area is nice enough and I can see why people like it, but it's not somewhere I'd recommend or come back to unless I was invited again.

No cocktail menu, just the classics. Bartender said “nothing blue” 😅 ordered a Jameson ginger ale and its was Heavy (not complaining). Super kitschy decor. Lots of younger kids on the patio when made us feel a little outta place lol

Eclectic place , we were outside. The nachos we ordered were spicy and good and only $12.00.Not many food choices that is why I gave it a “3”

One of the most eclectic fun places I've been. Bartender was awesome. Sort of a cross between a barn, a tiki bar and the Texas Chainsaw massacre (and I mean that as a compliment). Loved it. Don't forget it's cash only.

After a five year absence I finally returned to Portland and was keen to find some new (to me) spots. ARA was an awesome experience - good drinks, good service, and a *very* Portland experience with a crowd as eclectic as the furnishings. Awesome covered patio with fire pit and tables. This is exactly the kind of space I wish we had in Vancouver (BC).

Went in for a mezcal margarita, and the bartender didn’t even know the difference between mezcal and tequila. After some confusion, she made the drink with a concentrated sweet and sour mix that tasted absolutely rancid. I couldn’t even finish it. When I politely asked to swap it for a beer, she told me, “This is a dive bar, we don’t do that.” Not sure how being a “dive bar” excuses bad service. I was with a group of four, and we all left after one round. If the bartender had been more knowledgeable or courteous, we would’ve stayed and spent more. Won’t be coming back.

A Roadside Attraction is attractive in many ways-- a low-key neighborhood bar come Tiki Bar come Goodwill come Chinese-restaurant-aesthetic? All of the above. One of the coolest, most eclectic bars in PDX with that old-school lived-in feel. Ample smoking room in the front, toney piano in the back. Cash only, but there's an ATM with an excellently low $1.50 service fee in one of the hidden nooks of the bar.

Total hidden little gem that I just wandered into. One second you're walking through a residential neighborhood mid block, next you wander through the beautiful garden patio with wooden picnic benches for a couple of pints. Super friendly staff, great atmosphere. Definitely feels like a local's gem. Stop by for a drink, bring cash.

So cute, and the bartender was so friendly! The outside area has a fire and heaters that make it enjoyable all year long!

Quality dive with a decent beer selection. Not a lot of food, but a good Portland vibe with cool art, and nice bartenders.

We had heard that this place was cool, and so my friends and I tried to go here this evening and experience it. When we reached the door, a pitbull came from inside dragging a leash and came after us. Some guy but obviously was intoxicated came after the dog as it continued to bark at us. We were extremely scared and felt lucky to leave without being attacked. I don't know what is going on here, but this is absolutely awful customer service and the management should not allow this.

Very Portland-style type of bar that truly does feel like a roadside bar The patio is great if you like to smoke and not so great if you don't. The swing in the patio though is my favorite feature here. It is cash only so beware. Also steer clear of the well tequila. Worst well tequila I've tasted. It's right behind my place so I occasionally come but probably wouldn't go out of the way for it.

My favorite bar in town. The cash only keeps the dummies at bay and the patio is the best ever.

This place was a surprise. I wouldn't say it was amazing but it was perfect for me and my friends. The ambience was chill and homey. Kind of dive-y but in a good way. There is a lot to look at and explore inside and out. They have a nice outside garden seating area. I imagine is very nice in the summer. You order at the bar and they bring to you. Food was pretty basic. Some dogs and sandwiches, salad, and sides. Drinks were good and everything was reasonably priced. I would say it's a good spot to hang before going to a show and grab a quick bite and drink.

Fun and Quirky roadside dive bar in the heart of one SE Portland! You almost have to know it's here to find it. Great tap options, greasy bar food, fantastic prices! Great hangout factor even when it's cold and gray!

Went here tonight for a gin and tonic and nachos like I have many of times. I realized I had been charged more than I normally have but before I went back to confirm what the nachos were they were at our table. (Speedy service I guess!) I was given a huge boat of meaty loaded nachos, when I had wanted basic nachos- just chips and cheese. When I brought them back I said "Im so sorry, I just wanted chips and cheese." The bartender- red head with crooked bangs and overalls said "well you ordered nachos and I charged you for them, you can't change your mind now" and then proceeded to laugh about the incident with another customer. Let's be clear there was no menu to reference. The normal chalkboard with food options was not out. I was not offered a refund or given a replacement, which is understandable if there's a policy. (But if there is, that was not communicated) I never fault staff for policies out of their control. I do, of course, fault people who can't keep their cool during a simple misunderstanding. Forgive me for having dietary needs and trying to communicate with respect. If you want to get your balls busted because you said "nachos" instead of "chips and cheese" go here. If you want a real Portland experience where people are hostile, unwelcoming and unprofessional for no reason go here. I'll miss this place loads! I refuse to go to a place that is rude, mocks their customers in front of them and is entirely unhelpful. She should try her hand at a restaurant- she'd last a day. Being friendly and serving customers is hard, I know it! Making fun of people is not. Maybe it's time for this employee to find something else that sparks joy. Managers if you care about your establishment, please take a look at all these reviews and figure out your rude staff issue. Or is that the draw? Some people get off on rude people, who am I to judge.

This is such a great spot to come in, sit under the beautiful foliage and trees, all while having a nice cold beer and a stiff shot of liquor at one of the coolest neighborhood bars we could find in PDX. This is such a cool little spot that I could not get enough of and made sure to have enough cash to be able to keep the beers flowing and even partake in some of their tasty snacks and food they have on the menu at the bar. We ended up having a couple of great and filling hotdogs along with some good mac and cheese for some late night eats after exploring Portland during the day. All the nooks and crannies of spots to hang out in this bar is what charmed me to keep wanting to come back! Although parking can be difficult (street and neighborhood parking) it was all worth it when we walked in and we couldn't get our eyes off of the knick knacks and decor around the bar. Bartenders and server was super friendly and attentive. I love the whole idea of having cash only bar in the neighborhood. It allows me to keep a low profile of my late night eats and drinks from my debit/credit card account. HEHE! This spot is worth brining all of your friends, ordering some cool cocktails, and enjoying the Portland weather under some cool and unique and eclectic decor at one of the most unique bars I have ever seen.

Gotta be the bar with the most ambiance in Portland. The outdoor patio is full of plants and mood lighting and a porch swing. Date spot for suuuure. Cash only!

Love this bar! Such a unique spot! Haven't tried the food but I love the bartenders. Gotta give the spot 4 stars because my favorite bartender Zack doesn't work here anymore. Big bummer not seeing him when we come around now.

A secret slice of old Portland right in the middle of "buzzy" central Eastside. Hidden behind a tall fence and concealed by overgrown foliage is arguably Portland's best patio*, replete with a firepit, swing, and cozy nooks and crannies. The vibe is chill and casual, and it's a great spot to kill a few hours in summer. They do allow smoking, which may not be to everyone's liking - I don't love it but there aren't too many smokers around when I've been there. The inside has kind of a hobbit-hole-meets-tiki-bar vibe with odd knickknacks. It's a little dark, a little sticky, a little divey, and totally old-school "keep Portland weird". The drinks are stiff and cheap, the bar is cash-only, and apparently there's food? I've never eaten here (and not totally sure I would trust the kitchen) but who knows. It's a come-as-you-are sort of joint and a welcome balm to new-Portland places and prices. * there's no view, no fancy furniture, no manicured monsteras, so if you're into that then this may not be up your alley; however, if you want to feel kind of like you're camping out on your weird uncle's remote mountain property Roadside Attraction delivers in spades.

Great atmosphere (friendly yet patrons give each other privacy), amiable bartender (Scotty), fun ambiance (see photos), stiff drinks (at least my Manhattan), and free pool (on an uneven table). What's not to like? It would be my neighborhood bar if I lived nearby.

Roadside Attraction is a really interesting, funky place. I can't even really think of how to describe it since there is just so much going on! It's hidden away behind a foliage-covered fence. When you enter through the gate, you walk into the front patio area which I can only describe as a grotto. There is varied seating; benches, picnic tables, a swing, and some little nooks. There are signs and some interesting decor around. Inside is a mix of a dive bar and what seems to be an old Chinese restaurant-turned pool hall? I honestly don't know. Again, lots of interesting decor and art to be seen inside. They only take cash but there is an ATM. The vibe is a bit dingy and seedy inside. We sat outside but the smokers really killed the vibe for me. I wish they didn't allow smoking directly on the patio. Service was quick and effective. We only had drinks but I was a little surprised when I just found out they do serve food- definitely doesn't seem like the type of place that would have a kitchen.

Really a unique place! Looks like a cross between a rural honky tonk and an opium den We love to go early to play a game of pool and have a drink. We used to like the food here, but during covid they scaled back to a very limited menu and, although they have added items, the old menu is no longer. People complain about the owner, and though he isn't very friendly, we've had no problems. We've found most of the staff to be very pleasant and accommodating. We only live in Portland part time so we don't go frequently, when we do go we have fun--but we're old, and fun is a relative term.

You can easily drive past this place without even noticing it's there. Hidden behind a fence and concealed by overgrown foliage. Once inside you'll find this place is one of Portland's best outdoor patio areas. Like you've stepped into another world filled with swings, fire pits, and cozy private seating nooks. Nothing overly fancy. Just a relaxing atmosphere. The only downside is that they allow smoking on the patio and while it's usually not too bad it can be a little overwhelming if they're crowded and you're sensitive to smoke. There's also inside seating decorated with funky, odd, and fun knickknacks. Food is basic but good. Service has always been friendly and pretty quick. Important note: Bring cash because that's all they take.

My first experience at Roadside was six years ago while on vacation and I loved it. I've never eaten here, but there's something about the ambiance that makes it attractive. I love the outdoor area and the vibe inside. Fast forward six years, on vacation again, and the place is exactly the same!

It's really sad to see how this bar has devolved. It used to be my favorite bar in Portland, and now I'm sitting here trying to quickly finish my drink so I can leave. It's a margarita and it's not made well.. she also didn't ask if I wanted short or tall. Something I always do as a bartender. It smells HORRIBLE in here (like a urinal) and it appears they no longer serve gourmet food. They have a tiny chalkboard menu of the food served such as hot dogs, nachos, chips n salsa etc. I used to get grilled shrimp with mashed potatoes off a chic looking handheld menu. It used to be quite busy regularly also, and there's almost no one here on a Thursday night. The people who are here seem to a totally different crowd as well- not necessarily folks I prefer to be around. Really too bad. The second star is only because the bartender was nice enough and the decor is still awesome.

Cool place! Got super busy while we were there and the bartender got swamped but handled it alright. The server walking around, José, was awesome! Great listener and so quick to get around to everyone. I ordered the chili mac and it was absolutely delicious. I also highly recommend the chips & queso as an appetizer. One thing of note is this place is smoker-friendly and you have to walk through the outdoor section to get into the restaurant, so if you're asthmatic or smoke-averse you may consider somewhere else. Hope this helps!

Very good, great place to take people on their first trip to Portland. Nice atmosphere and good food.

3.5 stars for good people watching, free jukebox, and decor. Great outdoor patio with fire. I was visiting from Milwaukee (the Wisconsin one) and met someone from Milwaukee, wearing a MKE Brewery shirt. Enjoyed a pFriem Blonde IPA on the patio. Interesting Portland clientele. Loved the free jukebox! Wish it was piped outside, as well. I'm sure I'll be back on my next trip to Portland.

Such a weirdly wonderful place! The only bummer was that we really wanted to hang out in the courtyard but there were too many smokers out there. But sitting inside is such an adventure, I can't really complain! The special when we went was pulled pork sandwiches and omg they were incredible. And it was just so fun being there and looking around at everything. Really looking forward to going back!

Over three years I've visited this bar for a cold adult drink every other week when in town on business. And every time some newly minted millennial has a bitch to me, the bar is typical fruit flys dusty cobwebs and underlectual know nothings. 5 star highly recommended.

This place is a great place to grab a beer with a friend. Cash only which can be annoying in todays credit card days but it is what it is. The staff is always really nice and it's a fun spot to go if you want to be outside or play pool. It's in a great area and kind of just has a vibe like you're in your friends backyard or something. Great for what it is a simple dive bar never tried any food here so can't speak to that.

Love the creepy vibe inside..great for anytime but especially halloween! Thanks for always coming through for me!!!

I would give this place zero stars if I could. We were hanging out, a group of us when this random man came and wouldn't leave us alone. We tried being polite but it escalated when he would not go, this dude literally put hands on my friends. Not one person did anything, we were reprimanded by the bartender even though we did nothing wrong. A woman who claimed to be the owner of the bar didn't care remotely and downplayed the event when we were saying we didn't feel safe. Never returning to this place, women are not safe and this establishment has proven to not care about the wellbeing and safety of their patrons. Also the drinks suck and are super watered down. Go to Sandy Hut instead, at least they care about their customers

There a definitely better places to grab a bite/drink. Weird af vibe here & it's cash only.

This place is such a gem of Portland filled with such good spirit. The staff is incredible and the ambiance is charming like no other. I wish I had a backyard like their patio.

Great cash only bar. If you don't know anybody it'll be hard for you to to start up a convo with the locals as they're very much closed off. Might've been a great night on a different night but the locals don't welcome new people into their midst.

Roadside Attraction may looks rustic, cute and quaint on the outside but that's really as far as it goes. I really wanted to like this place as the ambiance was cozy and intimate with a half dive bar, half secret garden kind of setting. However, appearances can be deceiving and based on the treatment my party and I received, I will never recommend patronizing this establishment. So we came in a large group of about 15 girls and sat down at one of the tables. Unfortunately, there was some misunderstanding and most of us didn't know we were supposed to make our order at the bar. We thought someone was going to come take our order. Some time had passed before an older man came up to us and said, "Excuse me, girls. I'm the owner of this place and it's very hard to run a place like this. You gonna order something or not?" The room fell silent for a moment because well, we were simply appalled by the rudeness. Then, we told him we were ready to order and that we didn't know we were supposed to go to the bar. The owner condescendingly scoffed, shook his head and walked away but not before saying, "You girls are silly. You don't get what I'm saying." Obviously, we were ready to hightail it out of there. To make things worse, when one member in our party expressed out loud that we didn't feel welcome here, the owner simply retorted, "Good." Seriously, dude? I'm not sure what we did to warrant such an initial horrible and unpleasant attitude from him. He could've simply cleared up the misunderstanding at the time he first spoke to us but instead treated us like we were a bunch of dumb squatters. We were only in Portland for the weekend and had not experienced such rude treatment from anywhere else. However, sometimes when tourist attractions become too big for their britches, quality of service goes down which unfortunately seems like the case here. What's ironic is despite the owner's grumblings and complaints about how hard it was to run the place, our large group of 15 could've been good business had he not made assumptions about us right off the bat.

Roadside Attraction was a dreadful pit stop while exploring breweries in the neighborhood. Frankly, a MAJOR BUZZKILL. There were 15 in the group. We were sitting inside by the entrance getting situated. An older man, who we later found out is the owner, stops by and asks in a snarky tone if we're going to order. One member of our group responds "we were waiting for the server to come by to take the order." In which he snaps and tells us "don't you know to order at the bar? You girls are silly." First buzzkill. Okay old man. I don't know who ruffled your feathers. Obviously it wasn't clear, otherwise we wouldn't have said that. We later realized there was a sign directing us to order at the bar. But who cares? The point is, that's not the right way to talk to your customers. One of our friends was in the middle of grabbing some drinks. Owner was sitting at the bar, so I walked over feeling annoyed and basically told him we don't feel welcomed, so we're leaving. In which he responds "Good." Second buzzkill. Aside from that, the place itself is really neat. The garden outside is spacious, there's a cute swing that's super grammable. The interior is embellished with an eclectic assortment of art work and decorations, which is what drew me there in the first place. I feel bad for recommending the place that resulted in such an unpleasant experience for everyone. Upside is that drinks were cheap. Friend got 3 drinks for less than $10 bucks. In which we downed to wash down the frustration. This place has a lot of potential. Eccentric place. Staff seemed nice. It's a pity the owner ruined it. I doubt the owner reads Yelp reviews, but I'm hoping the staff does and can relay this message to him. Treat others how you want to be treated. Maybe your business can reach its potential after improving your behavior.

Super cool interior but be prepared for cash-only, no pitchers, and a fairly limited selection. That being said, this place is definitely a great experience and strikes me as very quintessential Portland

I love it here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love the ambiance and the drinks and the pool, this place is right by Holocene also

Very cool atmosphere! We loved the decor and the overall vibe. Great place for summer hangouts and happy hours.

Met a date here last night and how have I never been here before? They take cash, which I knew that from looking at yelp reviews before. But the drinks are really reasonable and the bartenders are really nice, and they both remembered my drink. Eclectic people. And amazing porch with a fire place that I will definitely enjoy in the winter. Cozy and definitely come to look at their crazy decorations. Will be back!

Roadside Attraction allows smoking in its patio garden, every last smoker in portland must come here. It's stanky. The smoke is seriously strong, and overwhelms the space unfortunately. I imagine this is a bonus for smokers. Otherwise, great patio. We left nauseous.

A Roadside Attraction is the epitome of what makes Portland so special. The courtyard entrance is a hodgepodge of chairs and lounge areas reminiscent of some Bohemian enclave in 1965. On entering, the clientele is also a hodgepodge of all ages and persuasions. Fortunate to find two places at the bar, the person next to me was kind of enough to wipe the bar in front of me offering, " Let me clean that for you." "Why, thank you!" The friendly bartenderess poured my local vodka the way I like it, and smiled the whole time. This is a happy place, but it is cash only. A Roadside Attraction represents what I love about Portland. No one judges, and everyone is allowed to just be. Our engaging server gave us suggestions for our dinner at Kachka and she was right on. We wanted to return to A Roadside Attraction after dinner, but we were too full. However, we will return on our next visit to Portland.

Great place to meet up with friends for an evening of conversation. Friendly staff and unique setting make this a must visit place in Portland

Awesome place to hang out on the patio or go inside for a cozy experience. Good drink selection and awesome food. We loved the nachos. The art will definitely catch your attention. There is plenty to discuss hanging on the walls. I really liked Roadside Attraction because everyone and everything was so mellow. Come as you are, no one cares what you look like or if you swear like a sailor. You can smoke, eat and drink on their patio which has a couple very private nooks with tables for a intimate experience. You can also sit in the middle of it all. Fresh flowers on the old tables and a hanging garden. Pretty unique but not pretentious at all. I'm going back for sure.

Wow.. This is a amazing Portland place.. Outdoor patio... Cheap drinks This is the place to brig vistors

My two star rating is for the service I received, not the food. The food was pretty tasty, and the guy that came to deliver our food was really nice. I got the tiger prawn skewer and was pleasantly surprised it came with 6 prawns and not 3. It was delicious. Scalloped potatoes were awesome, too. The bartender, however, had the worst attitude of any I've encountered in Portland. I'm talking to you, cut off tank top and red hat. Regret tipping, and I don't regret much in life.

Never had an owner come out and tell us how unwelcomed we were. Some establishments are better when you have a "silent owner" one who does not tarnish the hardwork of his or her employees. We were a large group, half of us got their first and were waiting for the other half. Owner comes by and gives us a rude spiel about how you can't run a restaurant when people don't order. We were peering over menus, looking at what to order when he came over. AND his assumption was incorrect, we had a few girls who already ordered beers at the bar and were standing outside. I was sitting down looking at the food menu considering ordering some food when he essentially pushed us to leave. I understand how annoying large parties can be. But being disrespectful is inexcusable. Plus, the terrible structure and flow set up is super dumb. You can only order at the bar, which we weren't made aware of. There are dining tables set inside, so if you can only order at the bar, that seems really inefficient. As we were waiting for some type of service, we got none. Minus the owner being rude AND wrong. Think twice before coming.

This place is great! Every time I've been able to visit Portland I'm sure to bring a new person to check out the amazing ambiance of this eccentric tourist attraction and second home to many Portland natives. The walls are covered with unique pieces of artwork that the owner collected from old railroad co struction areas. The artifacts are extrodinary and all tell their own story. Outside on the patio you'll find a cozy fire pit with engraved logs and old street signs. Makes for a great kickback spot with friends and family. What makes this place even better is the guys in the kitchen really know what they're doing. With a wide range menu, my favorite being the surf and turf to the basics of a Reuben sandwich. The food has been on point Every time. I highly recommend this place to anyone who has not had the opportunity to visit.

Such a great bar, and definitely one of my favorites in Portland (and possibly my favorite in SE). It looks like something that would be in Frontierland at Disneyland, but they serve alcohol which makes it infinitely better. This place is perfect during hot summer nights when you can chill out, drink some ice cold beverages and chat with your friends. Even during winter, they have an awesome fireplace outside to warm you up. This place is cash only, so be prepared beforehand or use their ATM. I typically mark down places for being cash only, but I really like this place and I turn the other cheek. Also, my credit union refunds ATM fees so it's not so bad. The parking situation in the area can be hectic, especially during weekends. But it's just a minor complaint. Food is fairly basic but I do like their nachos, and it's a great plate to share with others. There are a handful of craft beers on tap, but they always pick the best ones and cycle them out frequently. They have a typical bar selection for other drinks, and prices are very reasonable. It's becoming increasingly hard to find places with under five dollar pints in Portland, and they do it for four dollars here.

I visited Roadside Attraction with a group of 15 girls and we didn't feel welcomed. We sat down inside and was ready to order shortly after but nobody came to take our order. The owner comes by our table in a cranky mood and asked us what we'll order. He thought we were taking too long or didn't want to order so he walked away mumbling. Regardless, an owner should treat their customers with respect and patience. RA seems like a nice place to hangout but because of the manner me and the 15 girls were treated, I wouldn't come back again.

We were weirdos...not local. They welcomed us. Food was simple pub food but sustaining and very good. People were all different authentic versions of people. Inside was chill with private books and crannies that made conversation comfortable, outside was even chiller. No control of music but it did not disappoint. Staff were relaxed and nice. We will always come back here

Fun tiki type bar. This is the first time I've been in over 6 years. It's relaxing, comfortable and friendly. The building is hard to find since it's covered with plants. The sign is very small. They have a decent, but short beer list. I will be back soon enough.

I absolutely LOVE this place! Great atmosphere to kick it with friends or even venture in solo as I usually do. The front half of the restaurant is a very cool, mostly covered patio with picnic tables, fire pits, a bench swing and a couple hidden alcoves that look out onto SE 12th. I've been here in the summer, in the winter and in the rain and it is always in use. I have had many things on their menu but I have to say that once I tried the Chopped Salad I have to have it every time. The funny thing about it is that it really isn't a chopped. It's spinach leaves, fresh cooked bacon, a juicy sliced chicken breast, shaved parmesan, a scoop of their Mediterranean pasta salad and balsamic vinaigrette. It really is hard to describe why it tastes so good....but it does and its truly addicting!

What?! I left Portland without reviewing Roadside Attraction?! I moved to the Buckman neighborhood, just as the rents were beginning to skyrocket. My poor financial planning skills also meant that I had a terrible bank (Bank of America, gross) that gleefully subjected me to ATM fees. What I'm saying is, this place is cash only. And that acted as a huge deterrent for me. It's a shame really. I'm now with Charles (Schwab), and I'd go here all the time if I still lived in Portland. Anyway, the main reason you go here is for the ambiance. It's hard to describe, but I'll give it a couple shots: "Coolest garage sale ever" "Where the Swiss Family Robinson goes when they're thirsty". "Post-apocalyptic wild west tikki hut" The ambiance is awesome. The beer selection is alright. Go here on a hot summer night, preferably with someone that has a crush on you.

This place has it all, great atmosphere, great food, great people.....what more could you ask for? My husband and I came here for dinner before meeting some friends and had such a great time. We opted to sit inside because it was decorated so great, we wanted to see it all. We ventured to the bar and got a few beers. My husband ordered the steak and i got the chicken caesar salad. Both were so delicious, and so much food. We will definitely be back, but hopefully to sit outside next time.