Montavilla Saloon

A great selection of booze. Some great nerdy/cool clientele and bartenders. Not much for food, but there's about a million bomb spots around which you can bring in. Honestly, the best thing about this bar is that there are no gambling machines, and no TouchTunes/AVI jukebox. The bartenders play rad music, and there's no constant 'Rock Lobster" or "Walk Like an Egyptian" playing in the background.

Best neighborhood dive bar in town. My favorite watering hole for years now. It's not a place for food really but they don't mind customers bringing their own food from other places, like East Glisan Pizza just across the street or Secret Pizza Society down the street. Courtney the manager is excellent and everyone behind the bar is competent and friendly. The only people who might feel uncomfortable here would be racists and homophobes. As a bonus, it's very dog-friendly and they keep doggie treats behind the bar for any four legged friends.

We just had beer. Nice bartender. Nice atmosphere

Just absolutely love this place. Wife and I showed up for a little post Christmas dinner drink and was met by an amazing bartender who treated us like royalty. Great fun vibe, well priced, and fantastic service. Can't go wrong here.

Came in tonight for the first time. The bartender sam was super personable. Had great banter. I'll be back just because of the bartender.

I want to like this bar so bad, it's so close to me and has solid pinball but the bartender who is always working when I go acts so bothered by anyone being there. Literally won't even say a word to me. It's so bizarre.

I’m a midwesterner, comfortables with a little grit. Beers and house cocktails are generously poured - and at early ought/late 90’s prices.

Would y'all kindly STOP beating the crap out of the Ghostbusters table? I have to relevel the poor thing literally every time I walk in.

My favorite spot to bring my dog and have a drink. Metal Mondays are my favorite day of the month!

Top level dive bar near my home. I really enjoy wandering in from time to time and getting affordable + strong drinks. The staff are always pleasant and quick. If you are looking for a Portland dive bar where the focus is not on pleasing the ultra hipster / snooty barfood scene crowd, you've found it!

I had time to kill while I waited for someone. She is a local and recommended this place as a good place to grab a beer while I waited for her. I grabbed a seat at the bar even though there were plenty of seats in the booths/tables The good items - local watering hole - good prices - great selection of local beers, whisky and bourbons - the graffiti in the men's restroom - bar and table seating The bad items - super-loud music, the barman kept on turning the volume up so he enjoy the songs, people had to shout at each other to speak - slow service, my glass was empty for 10 minutes before I got up and decided to leave - not really welcoming for a non-local although he did warm up when he saw I was chatting with a local I had a beer and left

I don't know why I don't frequent this dive bar a bit more. It's only been two times and I've lived in the area for over a year and a half. Good tunes, inexpensive beer, decent food, pool tables and pinball. Does one need more? The nachos are huge! And we only split a half order. There's no fryer, so no late night fries. But several other good choices when you have the munchies. It doesn't look like it gets too crowded but we were there on a night that it was pouring cats, dogs and several barn animals. I've passed by many times and there are usually people sitting at the outside tables. We had a great time and the bartenders were very friendly. I should stay local more often. Enjoy.

Great, fast service, perfect atmosphere, and a draft list/ spirits selection to accommodate any/everyone.

This is my idea of a good bar. The friendly owner plays bartender, cigarette machine, pool table, and local drunks. One thing that I can't wait to come back for is the pickled eggs. I stopped in before going to dinner so didn't try one but mmm, I love a pickled egg. We just had two drinks here then went to dinner but we enjoyed it so much, we came back after dinner to finish watching the NBA All Star game. There were quite a few more people here around 7:30PM on a Sunday. Overall, solid space, prices, and friendly faces.

First off: the name is now Montavilla Saloon. So, a dear friend and I both needed someplace tonight that was casual, relaxed, fun, and new. We found it here, and Heather our bartender / server, was the most amazing part of the entire evening. I am leaving Portland to move to Houston in 2 weeks and I can't think of a better place to start my Portland Love Fest with friends than here, tonight. I can't wait to come back in a couple of months on a weekend trip to see all the changes that are taking place. Kudos for an amazing recipe for a perfect neighborhood Hangout.

I don't know the bartender who opened today, but I have to say that I had the most unpleasant experience. She says she has worked for the owners for a long time, but I don't remember seeing her before, and I've been there hundreds of times, though not so often lately and not during first shift because I no longer live in the neighborhood. I admit that I had made a few critical remarks about the bar, but nothing offensive or peculiar to this bar or its owners, meanwhile she spent much of the time I was there disparaging her mother to one of the other patrons, loudly. As I was preparing to leave, she suggested I might not want to return and hinted she would talk to the owners about 86ing me. That's their right if they do, and, in the meantime I promise I will turn right around if she is there. Most of the bartenders there are great, and the one owner I've met is too. I'm not sure she is good for business, but there were only 5 of us there on a Friday afternoon....

I've dropped in this place a few times over the last year, mostly when we'd already eaten pizza across the street. Pretty simple dive-ish bar, but it's been really fun each time. Bartenders have been chatty and friendly, and the other patrons (regulars?) have been an eclectic fun mix, too. Beer taps are usually good, and it's really close to home for me. Win/win.

This is a your standard bar. Definitely has potential, but felt older and dated. The bar tender wasn't that friendly and it seemed to cater to locals.... however the bartender did their job. I wish they had a shuffle board to use ..... they do have a pool table. The food is legit bar food. I wasn't feeling great the day after. Standard frozen food that is deep fried. The booths were comfortable and it's a nice hideaway.

So.. I have been here multiple times, previously no complaint. This last time, I took a friend out as she was laid off. Wanted to buy her a couple drinks. So I did. The second round I ordered, they asked for my name multiple times. Ok, whatever, they must have figured it out since they didn't come back to the table after that. No. I went to cash out, no credit card. My friend and I both witnessed me giving it when I started the tab. Turns out, there was another guest with the same first name. They charged my card, gave it to her, didn't notice. Ok, annoying, embarrassing for them, but whatever, people mess up. But, I have also spent a long time working in food service, and when you mess up, you apologize and usually comp. So they tell me that "other Carly" is a regular, will likely be back tomorrow, they facebooked her, and luckily for me (?) she only bought two drinks. And then.. they tried to charge us 15 bucks on top of whatever they charged my card, which was an amount they did not disclose to me, nor did they tell me however much she deemed to tip or whether they would cancel the charges. And, no, we didn't pay on top of whatever they charged me for someone else's drinks. I live across town was leaving on vacation the next morning, and was strongly encouraged by Danny in fraud protection (who I called upon arriving home to at least place a hold on my redistributed card) to just cancel the card because I didn't know "what the other Carly was capable of." Touche, Danny, touche. And so I canceled it. I had given my number to the bartender, who then proceeded to text me the next day to tell me he got the card back (yay? I'm on vacation in another state by now with no ability to access my line of credit due to this dude), and told me that just FYI the card got declined so now he has to pay the bill. Now I have been a bartender, all through nursing school. For one, booze is the easiest/cheapest thing to comp because it has the highest margin in my experience. And secondly, I would comp drinks for a long wait for mac and cheese, much less GIVING AWAY SOMEONE'S CREDIT CARD. So I say, sorry but I turned it off because you gave it to some random person, and they tell me they guess I never make mistakes and ban me from the bar. THEY BAN ME FROM THE BAR FOR CANCELLING MY CREDIT CARD AFTER THEY GAVE IT TO A STRANGER. And, according to my credit card company, this is all over $12 some random Carly ordered, and also who presumably left her card at the bar in lieu of mine, which they could have rightly charged. Unless, of course, they were suggesting that I should pay for my drinks (which they had previously said were free after you know, giving away my credit card and means of payment) and were angry I cancelled my card before they charged it, which is a question I posed to the texting bartender and has yet to be answered.

Cool Little spot with pool tables and good drinks. There are a lot of regulars there so if you're lucky and if they like you, you're going to have a great time.

Most of the time the place is great . But win this one bartender Christian is working. He can't get a decent drink. He lets his protestant beliefs ethics keep him from pouring you a decent vodka and Cran. Not much vodka. This guys a total douche. He wouldn't even serve my buddy Steve. Steves my work partner and happens be a dog. A blue healer . I recommend going to this place. But if you see a guy bartender then turn around and go. You don't want to deal with Christian he's a total douche and serves weak drinks. It's not worth it

I want to like this place more. Great decor and cool concept. The food is seriously lacking and the general atmosphere is dead. The Friday night bartender was too busy hanging with his friends to check on us or wipe the bar or give us napkins. We left after one drink. I have hope for this place but I would like to see them step it up.

Dude wasn't even open and let us have some beers while our clothes washed next door. Played some pinball and chilled

This place is ran by the same people as MOMO downtown. It could use a little more people, but has the foundation of a great neighborhood bar. Happy Hour til eight, 50 cent pool and laid back vibe. The place is safe and clean - I mention this because apparently many of the bars in the area are sketchy. A few suggestions: Larger tap list- has about 6-8 beers on tap, and all the beers are good micros. That being said a little larger selection. One more thing for entertainment. pool tables are great. Pinball is cool, but a shuffle baord table would make the place. Is there room for a patio back there?

Cool concept, decent dive bar. Food is completely average, maybe below average. Asked the bartender if I should try the Quesadilla or the pizza and he replied "well the Quesadilla is never frozen". So I went with the Quesadilla and it was nothing special but at least it was not just thawed out and put on my plate. Drinks are alright but just over on Stark I can get much more intoxicated at Thatchers for my money. Still it's a new bar and the name is cool, I hope they can start to compete with some of the other bars here in Portland.

Love this place! The bartenders are down to earth and friendly. If you want frills and fancy cocktails this isn't your place (although I'm sure they'd do a damn good job making one if you asked!). Perfect place for a few drinks after work with friends or even by yourself if that's your choice!

Totally mellow local joint. Decent drinks, good prices and friendly Bartenders. Small food menu, mostly snacks like Nachos etc. Pool table is a tad off balance. Outdoor seating as well..

First time here with coworkers. Owner had just opened, drinks were strong, food was yummy. Everything you want in a bar!

the worst. I got nachos and they were barely warm- cheese hardly melted. super slow service despite being mostly empty.

Not a very good food selection but the prices were ok and I'm satisfied with calling this a plain neighborhood bar.

If you don't like this place you can go die in a fire. Jesse and Joe may be the coolest guys in town. If they asked I would cut off a toe

I am the other half of the equation for a fun night out with my dear friend. First time here and so glad we picked this spot to meet. Heather was amazing as our bartender/server. She was so welcoming and fun to chat with when she had an extra minute. We hear their menu is changing, it is pretty normal saloon type food, very satisfying. And their house wine was good. They have it on a rotating basis, so you will have to ask what they are pouring and you can always sample first. They have a full bar and a number of beers. Head in for happy hour. For your neighborhood joint and a casual night, it is perfect.

This is one of my favorite local spots to sit and read, or draw. It's changed a bit in the last year+, but it's still an ok spot to have a whiskey and people watch.

Finally us Montavilla/ North Tabor folks are getting more amenities in our neighborhood. So thankful!! This bar is a pretty average bar by most standards but it's the fact that it even exists in the 60's-70's blocks of Glisan that makes it great. It sometimes feels like a social/ bar/ restaurant desert out here so I can't thank them enough for setting up shop. The drinks are strong, the bar tenders are friendly and the clientele is varied. All in all, good stuff. If nothing else, come by and support the area that is in dire need of entertainment.

I've been here once so far. I liked it for the following reasons: it's quiet (there were only a couple other people), the music is cool, the bar and the black/red/wood decor are cool, the bartender (Matt) was cool to me and my wife, it's spacious, there are comfortable chairs to lounge in, happy hour includes stiff $3 well drinks, High Life is on tap, there are pinball machines and pool tables, and it's in a chill pocket of East Portland (a few blocks away from all the other Montavilla hang-outs). The only thing I didn't like is the divey food: nachos, mac & cheese, soup, sandwiches. I guess this would be a good place for a social club meeting, but I think "Montavilla Man Cave" would have been a better name.

I stumbled into this bar with some friends after having dinner at East Glisan Pizza(also a great new spot in the neighborhood). We were so stoked on this place. Fairly priced drinks, friendly bartenders, booths galore, nice lighting, pinball, pool, and jukebox made for a perfect night. They weren't very busy for a Friday night, which can be bad for them, but good for us. I imagine the business will pick up after word catches on. This place is just what the neighborhood has been needing. I am hoping more places like this open up.

Montavilla Social Club. Where to begin. First off there's not a single bartender there that I do not like. The quality of characters in this establishment is unparalleled. When I go here I feel like I am home and this is my lovely gritty but kind family. You have heather or heather feather as some know who took a little slob like me under her wing and constantly is going above and beyond for all the clients like making non menu items of food for clients and catering to any need or desire. Then there is chip, one of the biggest sweethearts I've known always there to lend an ear and have genuine conversation/ dialogue and then some, literally after hours helpin a homie out with jobs when in need or any sort of way to help he's there..Then there's Sam another tender who is fuckin on it with service never letting the well run dry unless of course you are far too sloshed and this cool mother fucker has very well developed view on the world and can share some perspective if you're ever willing. And also other Sam similarly so is willing to extend out compassion and genuinely cares about the clients and their well being again going after hours lookin out for near strangers.. Courtney fuckin cool as shit ready to share a laugh lend an ear and most of all serve you to hearts content or your livers discontent.. the new owner is also a catch himself always hustlin and clearly hiring great friggin bartenders that all have the utmost realness about them and if you like to be gritty this is the place for you.. I almost forgot to mention some newer additions like Jeff and Molly whom have had less time behind bar but show the same sort of character of not just tending bar but tending head as well.. I feel so lucky to have stumbled across this place I can't think of a better spot to go in this town to be honest it feels like a house party/ hang out all the time as the clients are all also cool as fuck and never have had any trouble of any sort or any weirdness... can't say it enough I am very thankful for this friggin bar also very well priced to get you where you need to be

Great bar for the area. A real welcomed Portland-vibe bar that is needed here. Thanks, MSC!

We just left from here and LOVED it! Our bartender Joe provided fantastic service and the atmosphere was ideal. Great variety of music too! Their new kitchen opens in a week- we'll definitely be back!

Not much here. Looks like a gaint open 70's basement that you and your friends hungout in in high school. At least there is hardly anyone in here. Which means no lines for drinks. Divey!!

Great to have a decent, cozy bar in the neighborhood. A little underwhelming at the moment, but then I learned that they are about to do a big renovation, so that's promising.

Nicely redone, it has pinball and an awesome bartender. I wish I caught his name, but he was very welcoming myself and all my friends last night for my birthday celebration. I will be going back again and again. Prices were reasonable and they had a good beer selection. My friends seemed to enjoy their mixed drinks as well.

I enjoyed the local neighborhood feel of this bar. With all the bars on se stark street near 80th packed on weekend evenings, this is a great alternative. It has people there, but generally you can find a seat. Decent tap selection and reasonable prices too.