B Side Tavern

Found this place by chance, and it’s exactly what I needed. The vibe is chill and unpretentious, just good drinks, good music, and no fuss. They have a great selection of craft beers and solid cocktails, all reasonably priced. The atmosphere feels relaxed, but there’s still an energy that makes you want to stick around. Definitely a great spot to unwind after a long day or to start the night off right.

I was in town killing time while my daughter and her friends were at a concert at moda center. The location was close proximity and convenient to find. When I arrived I was greeted warmly by Nina the server and was quite impressed with her professionalism and customer service. She literally made a guy in a cowboy outfit feel welcomed in a hardcore punk type environment. The place itself wasn’t super special but the outside area was warm and inviting and atmosphere was great. But for me the other patrons and especially the service will definitely be bringing me back next time I’m in town. Definitely would recommend 100%

This bar was a real treat to find. The bartenders have an excellent punk and goth vibe, the prices are great, and the music is superb. My only issue is some of the other patrons. I don't come to a bar like this to muck around with coked out folks picking up coked out one night stands, or to make TX liberals feel better about themselves. Just as much, I do enjoy meeting chill folks, which there are plenty of. I'll keep showing up whenever I'm in the neighborhood.

Its a bar. I like it. No real food but they have pizza next door you can bring over. Also.. just be happy having a place full of nice people rhat all wear black and love rock and punk.

2014 Red Fang’s drummer wore a B Side shirt on Letterman. That should tell you everything. A true Portland dive bar gem. Metal/Punk/?/ on the Jukebox. 1$ Olys for the working class. Heated Patio. Sizzle Pie welcome. Locals, Drifters, Graff, Musicians, Burnside Sk8 Bums, all are welcome (Don’t be an asshole or else) A+ Staff. Can’t wait for the block party to come back. Fred and Carrie are not welcome! Buy some merch :)

Best dive bar in town. Proof in action that simple concepts executed well provide the most enjoyable atmosphere. The bartenders include amazingly talented artists and musicians. The supply of punk and metal deep cuts is never ending. Come for the $1 Oly's and healthily poured whiskey, stay for the people.

This is home away from home. I haven’t been back for awhile cause of a drinking break but I have been coming to this place for about 6 years now. Drinks are cheap, atmosphere is great, if your nose isn’t stuck up in the air. This is a hidden gem and the people who work here are amazing. This is a place for the misfits, and what a great place to have a drink!

I don't get to come here often, but when I do, the prices are fantastic, the service is without peer, and I always meet the nicest people. The homage to Tom Peterson -- and Gloria, too! -- is the best Easter Egg I've ever found in the City of Portland.

Stepped in there briefly for a shot break for the group but you can immediately tell that this place got ENERGY. Totally would like to hang around a bit more on a less busy day. Pretty dimly lit all throughout the place but got plenty of seatings.

rob is amazing! best bartender around.. super genuine and kind. makes me feel like i'm not a burden even when they are super busy! fun portland staple.

Bar hopping one night and stopped into this hole in the wall. The bartender was awesome, recommended places to eat and made great drinks. The vibe was very lax and I liked the music. Sat inside at the bar and was served right away. I would definitely recommend

I didn't used to like this place because one of the bartenders was a dick to me for no reason, but now that Sizzle Pie cut off its own balls and closed their bar, B Side has really grown on me. Been there the last three times we've been in Portland and will be back again.

Marissa made my birthday the best one yet!!! She presented me with the discontinued chocotaco at midnight and the whole bar sang me happy birthday Clarissa provided amazing service throughout the night and I truly had a great time. Cannot recommend this place enough!

I've been coming to B side tavern for YEARS, even before their patio burnt down. This place is one of Portland's "hipster/punk" staples but without the attitude. As you all know, I love patios and B side has a huge covered patio with heat (perfect for winter nights) and perfect for summer days. This place is non-pretentious, super laid back- I've made some pretty amazing people here and is usually my go-to spot to catch a nightcap Say Hi to Olivia when you visit!

If I could give 6 stars, I would. This is hands-down my favorite bar in PDX. EVERY STAFF MEMBER IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF SERVICE. The long-haired male bartender with painted nails (Gabriel) is always sweet and attentive (screw that other reviewer). Love Olivia, Nina, Violet, and Carissa. If you're lucky enough to meet Tanya, the owner, you should immediately buy her book "Happy 21st Birthday: A Field Guide for Bar Patrons of All Ages" and get it signed. It's a punk rock bar, so definitely adjust your expectations. You'll hear a lot of laughter, a lot of unusual tunes, some antics, and you'll make some friends from many different walks. That's the magic of this place. The patio burned down a couple years ago. It was a city-hall nightmare getting it back up to code. The current staff is almost exactly the same as before, the look is the same (if not better) and the patrons all came back in support of this bar. The whole staff just took side work, waiting for the day they'd reopen. Tanya truly cares for this place, these people, and this scene - just don't tag her patio walls. Don't order the food. Also don't film life-threatening violence for likes & views. Ffs.

Favourite bar in town. No frills, friendly staff, no-nonsense regulars, and fun decor. Love that the staff and regulars scares away the normies.

The world is running out of bars that give no shits. Everybody has a concept, everybody wants as broad an audience as possible, everybody wants to look "urban" but not actually do anything to indicate you're in a city. B Side catches flak because it's next to Sizzle Pie and, by extension, the tourists think that makes it Portland's information booth. It isn't. It's a place where people who actually work in this town come to have drinks, listen to the music and generally be left the fuck alone. The bartenders are... bartenders. They aren't going to smile, tug their suspenders, flip a glass and then ask you what your flavor profile is so they can whip you up something. If you come in with agenda, know what you want, keep to yourself and treat them well, they can be some of the best people on earth. If you come into the place thinking they're you're concierge or your footman, you're going to get treated like some asshole who goes into bars doing that. I miss bars like this because the real ones, the ones I cut my teeth on in the '90s and still know the feel of as soon as I walk into them today, are an endangered species. There are more of them in Portland than in most places West of Chicago and north of L.A., but you have to cling to the ones you have. Go in, order, sit down, enjoy.

I've been in the service industry my whole life and absolutely despise yelp, to be honest, but since it's a way of life now, I thought I should spend some time reviewing the places that I love and cherish. B SIDE IS AMAZING. Best bartenders out there - big shout out to OLIVE! But not just them, the whole crew is great. Dollar oly's and the cheapest wells around. Maintaining their prices when (many of) the other businesses on Burnside have boug-ed out (is that a phrase?) says a lot about their character. Big pours. Great crew. Great music. Great atmosphere and patio. Go here.

Went here for a beer while we waited for our pizza next door. I have a certified service animal through the VA and keep the pdf on my phone. My dog is very friendly and loves all people. When i informed the male bartender he said he didn't believe me and don't want to see the paper work. He was very rude to me and my guests. Will never be coming back to this place.

Carissa is the best, she pours the way you would expect a dive bar to pour! Super hospitable and ready to help you out!! Cody is one of the best patrons I've met.. a wee bit loud, but he loves his Jameson and orange smokes. The smoke pit is pleasantly warm, and I'd rate 10-10 even though it's a bit dark in the interior

The bartender wanted to make me cry. I went there on tuesday the 20th. She started off being extremely nice. I made one friend there and was with my girlfriend. Her attitude degraded throughout the night. She called me child, she actually raised her voice telling me to move dwell/well a certain spot at the bar. It's my first time in a bar and she was yelling at me to move from a thing I didn't know existed. She completely ruined my birthday with her negative attitude and emberassed me infront of everyone. I understand asking me to move but insulting me and raising her voice seemed way too far.

This bar is an isolationist's dream. It's dark, gritty, and even when people are next to you shouting you don't really seem to notice them. The noise just gets drowned out by the eclectic art and black paint. And they even support local community groups: they sponsor a local dragon boat racing team! Alcohol and civic mindedness? I vote yes! The highlight for me was the bathroom. Every inch, mirrors included, is covered in pearls of wisdom and nuggets of truth. It was like being at a conference where Plato was the keynote speaker. But for the 2000s!

The last time I was here, I think people were still allowed to smoke inside. I don't smoke and don't like smoke, but the smoke might have made this bar. This is a dive bar. Nothing less. Nothing more. We tried to go across the street to Burnside Brewing, but they were closed on a Monday. Ended up here and they had a Burnside beer on tap. The Stock Ale to be exact. I decided to get it. Figured they brewed it across the street so it must be pretty fresh. I noticed a lot of signs and stickers about bacon in this bar. Not sure what that means. I thought maybe we'd see some giant plates of bacon coming out of the kitchen, but there was no sign of any food anywhere in here. Not that I was hungry. I just thought a place that serves alcohol has to serve some kind of food. Meh.

Cheap wells, covered & heated outdoor smoking patio, and good folks. As much as the rest of the neighborhood has changed, B-Side remains. Long live the Portland dive bar.

This is a pretty cool bar, very low key and spacious. I had my ID checked as soon as I walked in, which I liked. I don't like getting asked for it at the bar, if it can be avoided. Sat down a a big booth that could have easily seated 6 people. There is a patio and two bathrooms. No specific gender for bathrooms. Went up to the bar and ordered an IPA, bartender was friendly but didn't really talk to me. She kept talking to the regular, which is fine but if i had questions on drinks, this would bug me. Very relaxed atmosphere played a lot of 80's rock. After finishing up the IPA, i got a vodka cranberry which was okay. Nothing too special.

I like dive bars with personality. Gangsta Rap coloring book? Yes. Charging station for your phone? Yes. Window seats? Yes. Right next door to Sizzle Pie? Yes. B-side panties for sale? Yes. All of the above and the bartenders are the best.

Perfect essence of a Portland dive bar. Looking for a place to grab a beer, B-Side was right across the street from our previous destination. The smell of old cigarettes hits you the moment you walk in the door, but the bar keeps are friendly and get your draft poured before you can change your mind to leave. After ordering our pints we found a place at the bar along the window to enjoy some people watching. With a host of magazines along the wall, one can be comfortable hanging out here by themselves while waiting for their comrades to join them. We were here right as the work day was wrapping up, so it wasn't too crowded. But visions of people standing elbow to elbow were definitely possible.

Almost gave this place 2 stars but im too nice, I guess..... If your a smoker the patios a great place to drink and sit in a massive cloud of smoke and draw on a table or bench. If you want to experience Portland hipsterism at its pseudo- punk-hesher finest this is the spot. I will say this is a true dive and I love dive bars. the drinks are cheap and the bartenders are friendly. Just don't go on a hot day/night cause the customers are ripe and there ain't no AC.

So me and my friends were at Santa con earlier in the day and we had decided to leave Santa con and meet up with our friends at b-side. When we get there we put our masks on and went to the bar to order a drink. First the bartender ignored us completely, then when we tried again they responded "we don't serve your kind here." When we asked for an elaboration as to what she was talking about they said "Santa con bitches are not served" If your bar doesn't want to participate in Santa con that's obviously your choice, but I think it was rude the way she said it and we were no longer even in our full Santa outfits or participating in Santa con. She wouldn't tell us why and then demanded our other friends to make us leave. We were there for probably a total of ten minutes, but it was ten minutes of rude behavior and words from the bartender. As we were leaving I asked if we had done something wrong and she just ignored me again. I was extremely confused as to why they wouldn't even tell us what we did to deserve that reaction. If the Santa outfits were a problem we were willing to go change. This was the worst treatment I've ever experienced and I highly suggest nobody goes here.

Ah, now this is the kind of bar where I feel like I could bust out the roof-raising chorus of "Friends in Low Places." Or I would if that sort of song didn't get my ass kicked by a gaggle of unruly bike messengers (the only kind worth having, to my eyes). If Rontoms is a well-dressed but utterly unapproachable acquaintance whom you run into and with whom you can think of nothing to talk about, then B Side is your disheveled and wonderfully familiar pal. You know, the kind of friend who leaves his messenger bag on your couch and forgets about it for a couple days, whose fridge contains no food except for several gallons of domestic beer. Because who else but a friend would have a pinball machine, a cozy and inviting patio/backyard, and a restroom full of colorful illustrations and provocative reading material? Your friend B Side even hosts something called the Unhappy Hour, named after its lack of non-nukable foods and suds selection. You may find this a less ingratiating quality, but at a place where you're already drinking for a lot cheaper than the other alcohol-bearing establishments up and down the street, it's cool. Plus, I'm often unhappy and am always glad to share my un-cheer. That's what friends are for.

The B-Side is another in a long line of typical Portland hipster dive bars. The atmosphere is a mix of dirty, arty, ironic, and cool. The front door opens to a dark, dirty space that smells like stale beer and cigarette. The space can be both cool and disheveled. The lights hanging over the bar have x-ray negatives in them, which gives off an eerie, low-light feel. There's a rad array of art on the walls, including one piece that's a rainbow-puking My Little Pony with, you guessed it, crushed PBR cans littered around her. If there's a dictionary entry for "hipster art", that image should be next to it. The service was friendly and the beer tap selection was ok for a dive bar. They had the HUB Pale on tap, which was a welcome offering for me. But at $4, I didn't quite feel like it was dive bar priced. The crowd was very homogeneous, wearing either the fixie-rider uniform (thick-rimmed glasses, Italian velo hat, chrome messenger bag, peg-leg high-water pants) or the general hipster uniform (pegleg high-water pants, black bandana tied as neckerchief, B-Side logo hoodie or blank black/dark American Apparel zip hoodie, random off-center facial piercing). They all looked exactly the same. The tables were cool, lots of them mosaic tile. Quite a hodge podge of things thrown together to make a bar. All in all, if the place hadn't reeked of cigs and beer, I might have stayed longer than it took me to quaff my beer and run. But I am not sure what I would have stayed for. Not much to do in this bar but hang out and get drunk. The beer selection wasn't good enough to really keep me hanging out longer than one o 2 beers. Again, the bartender was a really nice guy. That says a lot to me. Very unpretentious. Will I be back? Not any time soon, but if I were standing nearby and wanted a simple drink, I would make no hesitation to walk on in and grab a brew.

The B Side Tavern really should have a sign that says anyone welcome here...at any one time the patrons are a microcosm of Burnside and the neighborhood. From hipster to mullets from baby boomers to Millenials... The B Side offers a full bar...ample beer...a nice patio and my favorite part...the use of old x rays to shade their over the bar logging...brilliant and a nice example of smart recycling. I've been here a number of times and frankly don't recall if they even offer food. For me..this is a place to drink... Its dark ...a little dusty...nondescript it's artsy in a way and perhaps a tad abused. The word trendy is not part of the B Sides vocabulary...and why should it be? There is no pretense...no need for concern of appearance...it's your old college buddy's slightly trashed apartment ...with a big patio.

Oh Joy! Oh sweet baby Jesus giving me a foot massage with whipped cream! You mean I can get booze somewhere without a giant dose of 'tude? No 'tude here? Oh Ecstasy. So, can you tell I'm a fan of B-Side? The story is this: My lovely girl friend wanted to go out for beers somewheres. I would be coming straight from work, meaning I work most likely have milk in my hair and coffee grounds in my cleavage (sexy!). So I wasn't going to roll up into Slow Bar with my dirt-ass Danskos. For whatever reason we settled on B-Side. I got the impression that most of the patrons worked in the service industry. Which made me feel way more comfortable. The bartender was friendly and attentive. The music was there if you chose to listen to it. But it didn't have that auditory rape thing going on like so many places *cough* Shanghai Tunnels *cough* And I know that this is going to sound crazy but, I believe that the PBR keg is somehow colder than everywhere else in town. + Pinball

The B-Side Tavern is the quintessential Portland dive bar, and it works. Not much to see, not much to eat, but plenty to drink. Stiff and cheap, just how I (and most of Portland) like 'em. Don't you dare try and order a froofy-drink though... an x-ray of a beer bottle shoved up your god-knows-what may end up as a bar decoration (along with the rest).

When I first moved up to Portland it seems like every bar I went to had the exact same vibe as the B-Side. Pretty no frills. Not pretentious in any way. Serious about pouring decent drinks for not much dough. A fair beer selection with at least 5 or so quality micros, never served in cheater pints, and never more than $4, plus a few dirt-cheap piss beer options. A bartender who will chat if you make convo, but leaves you alone if you don't engage. Decorated in that simple, DIY kind of way that proves that anything, even skeletal x-ray films can become functional art (check out the light above the bar). So maybe it's just nostalgia that gets that 4th * from me, but there seem to be fewer and fewer bars like the B-side in Portland. I wouldn't exactly call B-side a "destination", but recently I've really been digging the inner eastside neighborhood, especially around Burnside, and B-side is a reliable, easy going, comfortable joint that I really enjoy just stopping in for a quick beer, or hanging for a while with a larger group. It doesn't hurt that it's so close to Doug Fir which makes it a great place for pre- or post-func libations...especially if you stop by during their "Crappy Hour", where prices get stupid cheap. Inside has recovered remarkably well after the smoking ban - many places as smoky as the B-side used to be are still impregnated with years of pungent, tobacco scorch, but it's not terribly dank here. And they have a back porch smoking patio for those amongst us who still enjoy a ciggy smoke now and again. B-side is a winner in my book; and only gets extra points for selling "I like it in the B-side" panties.

I was in town with my gf and we decided to meet up with some friends I haven't seen in a few years. The outside of this place looks more like a record shop than a bar and the decor on the inside is totally wild and best described as designed by a schizophrenic psychotic sociopath. There's paintings of unicorns puking up rainbows and dismembered dollies on the ceiling, that should give you an idea. The bartenders have a heavy hand, so expect stiff as fuck drinks and drunkenness to ensue after a few rounds. I liked this place because I got wasted for uber cheap, what I didn't like is the hangover the next day that lasted the whole drive to Vancouver BC.

it can be a really fun place, lacking in douche-baggery. but that guy, J something, is really a dick

Like some of the people said, the B-Side is dark, smokey, and has a punk heavy juke box, and that is what I love about it. The owner has always been really nice, and the same goes for the staff. It is a good place to go with a bunch of friends and wind down. And for everybody who is complaining that it is too smokey, you can calm down, the ban starts at the beginning of the year.

Eureka!! Visiting from Philly, I was craving a dive bar. This was right over the bridge from where we were staying. Not only did this bar introduce me to Rogue Brewery (thank you!) but the bartender was a real-effing-bartender, none of that hoity toity bull shit. He also pointed us in the right direction to other great digs and we walked around half-lit looking for them (I remember thinking, 'this is what I do to people who visit Philly') Great experience! I only wish I could visit again!

This is a terrible bar, the bar tender is unfriendly and over pours the drink. He is giving away free booze to patrons and the drinks taste terrible. The owner needs to fire this employee, he is losing money for the bar. No drink menu and the bartender offered little help to decide. He hates his job and its obvious.

The sorta place that after only a few visits the awesome staff makes you feel like a regular. Stiff/cheap drinks, mostly older original "hipster" crowd, bar staff that is always nice and who actually thank you for tipping. In other words a great neighborhood dive bar with good people and booze.

This place was a interesting place to say the least. Friendly bartender and the bathroom was the most bizzare place in this joint. Was nice and roomy but I'm sure that changes on the weeekends. I enjoyed and would go back.

Dive bar? What's that? This place is the real deal. Awesome jukebox, great bartenders, good beer. What more do you from a place like this. Yea it's not the hippest place. The patio is smoky, they don't serve tofu, it's a BAR. Like they used to be and should be. Half the people around are in local bands, and there is a feeling like everyone knows each other. Good place to have a beer, great place to stop after getting some pizza.....

The B Side is dark, smoky, and centrally located on East Burnside. Sandwiched between the yuppie Doug Fir and the new ultra-mod Ron Toms, the B Side refuses to gentrify with the rest of the area. It's good for stiff drinks, cigarettes, and not caring what you look like. The B side is locally owned, and has some Portland type quirks including lights over the bar made from x-rays. When you get bored with your whiskey and conversation you can try to figure out what the heck that thing is in the x-ray above you (a ring? a bullet? what fun).

Please understand. If you like dive bars, you'd probably give this place a 4 or a 5, but I hate dive bars. I hate my laundry smelling like an ashtray, and I hate watching alcoholics bitch that a corndog costs a dollar more than at the Plaid down the street. For a dive though, I can deal with the B-Side, so it gets a 3. The owner/bartender (who is completely awesome!) has taken some steps to give the place a cool atmosphere, there are lamps made from drums (not tablas, DRUMS), and the lights over the bar have x-rays for shades, but after that the decor falls apart (like most dives) into something you don't really want to look at sober. The B-Side features all the common dive-isms, "food," dirty bathrooms, annoying alkies, etc.. and the smoke factor is intense (rivaling Tube), but hey, it's a dive, and for a dive it's pretty damn good.

Dang, I must hang out in some real hell-holes because I thought this place was pretty nice. The beer was cheap, there was poetry on the bathroom walls and they didn't stamp my arm with a tree branch that wouldn't wash off for 2 days (*shakes fist at doug fir!). I will return.

Sweet bar. Kinda divey, but the beer was cold and priced right. Other adjectives one could use to describe this establishment: grungy, hipster-y, edgy, Portland-ish. Worth stopping in for a beer or eight.

Best dive bar in Portland! I love playing a good game of cards with friends here with a VERY stiff drink in hand for cheap. There is also a heated patio area with tons of room for smoking out back. Any bar that decorates with perverse xrays and crossstitched profanity is ok in my book.

I just gave four stars to a dive bar, excellent! After hearing about this place for years I finally got to go, post smoking ban however. The place still does reek of cigarettes but I hear they used to hold AA meetings there so that might be stuck in the walls forever. It was a Monday night and it was pretty low key. Good vibes, the bartenders were friendly and love the underwear with b side on the butt. Those are great. Love the picture of the green girly above the jukebox too, the frame is amazing. My only complaint was lack of Black Butte porter. I can't remember if they were out or don't carry it, but I was crushed, that stuff is incredible. I'm also sad because they weren't doing women's arm wrestling, I totally was down for that.

The B-Side is absolutely wonderful. I love to go there for a stiff drink after work. The whiskey portions are always generous, and it's the perfect place to settle down with a drink, a book, and a pack of smokes and know that the staff and patrons will be friendly and respectful. There are no televisions which, we all know, are distracting, aesthetically unpleasing, and attract 'douch-bags'. Plus, the owners also come in and support the business where I work (in the coffee shop across the street) and over tip. They are awesome and involved neighbors, and you can tell they really care about their community. Pin ball machines, great beer, plenty of whiskey, and wonderful staff, this place is the best!

Stopped in for a quick cocktail before heading into downtown...small, comfortable and interesting. Divey but the atmosphere is thoughtful and you can smoke inside. We sat at the bay window and sipped. They also have underwear with 'the bside' written on the butt. Cute!

After leaving Grand Central, we wanted to check out Doug Fir but there was a line and I don't do lines. B Side wasn't busy and it was definitely a dive bar complete with people smoking away. The sign above the bar said there was a $5 minimum. There are drinks under $5?! Woah. I got a screwdriver and it was strong. I like. Skylar's gibson was awful though. We sat in the smoking patio which was surprisingly not as smokey as inside the bar. It was an okay place to hang for 20 minutes.

B-Side, I wish I could go to you more... However, I always find myself right in front of you, already having had too much to drink, and in need of a slice of Sizzle Pie rather than a stiff drink. You are exactly the kind of bar that that part of East Burnside needs. There's way too many of these fancier places where I can very clearly see who it is I'm talking to. I like you because you have stiff drinks at my kind of price. I like you because you have match books. I like you because your bartenders are nice and only make me feel slightly underage despite the fact that I'm nearly 27 now. If only you were conveniently located a little less close to SE and over in North Portland, then we could be best pals!

Perfect spot to get a can of beer and bulsh*t. Its a divey place. With a patio in the back. Its a smokers bar. So the back is always full of cigarette smoke. Have a few drinks and it wont matter

Nice dive bar and cheap beer! Good spot to check out if you are in the area and don't really want to do the whole downtown bar hopping thing. It can get pretty packed late at night and the staff is cool.

Great dive bar! Killer juke box and heavy poor! Got a few pinball machines and surprisingly good size patio area.

Dive dive dive! What more could u want with all the yuppie stuff around here. I think it is funny that this place still smells like cigs! Happy hour includes $1 hams and tecate. Yes!