BarFly's Review of Ambassador
All about the timing. Regulars do frequent the bar 'round daytime (stiff drinks, pressured-water 'n granite design, more than edible food) while the masses crowd to vainly attempt songs on weekend nights. It is a fine karaoke bar, with cordless mike and shiny dance floor, but the KJ's songbook's not the only thing overstuffed. The Ambassador's best appreciated late and mid-week, when all the myriad charms are at play and Franz Ferdinand and Belle & Sebastian needn't make the club private to host afterparties.
Happy Hours
- Monday - Free appetizers and drink specials 4-7pm, $3 well, $5.25 dom pitchers all day till 8pm
- Tuesday - Free appetizers and drink specials 4-7pm, $3 well, $5.25 dom pitchers all day till 8pm, Ladies night $3 well 8-11pm
- Wednesday - Free appetizers and drink specials 4-7pm, $3 well, $5.25 dom pitchers all day till 8pm
- Thursday - Free appetizers and drink specials 4-7pm, $3 well, $5.25 dom pitchers all day till 8pm
- Friday - Free appetizers and drink specials 4-7pm, $3 well, $5.25 dom pitchers all day till 8pm
- Saturday - Free appetizers and drink specials 4-7pm, $3 well, $5.25 dom pitchers all day till 8pm
- Sunday - Free appetizers and drink specials 4-7pm, $3 well, $5.25 dom pitchers all day till 8pm
Reader Reviews of Ambassador
LOVE IT!
I've been going to the Ambassador for a few years and I love it! Amy and Erin always take good care of us! The drinks are strong as hell and the food is pretty damn good. The Po-Po Platter is a sure bet with a bit of everything! The KJs are super sweet and fair. No amount of sugar will get your song bummped up! Sit at the bar and you'll have new friends in no time!
I've been going to the Ambassador for a few years and I love it! Amy and Erin always take good care of us! The drinks are strong as hell and the food is pretty damn good. The Po-Po Platter is a sure bet with a bit of everything! The KJs are super sweet and fair. No amount of sugar will get your song bummped up! Sit at the bar and you'll have new friends in no time!
galaxy whore
been an irregular at the galaxy for, well EVER... Once you understand the rotation rules it is the only place where you wont see the DJ playing favorites. Too bad for the DJ's tip jar, once people realize that their tip wont get them up any sooner.
I really do miss Kevin who was the DJ there on weekends for awhile- he was my fave. Anybody know what happened to the guy?
been an irregular at the galaxy for, well EVER... Once you understand the rotation rules it is the only place where you wont see the DJ playing favorites. Too bad for the DJ's tip jar, once people realize that their tip wont get them up any sooner.
I really do miss Kevin who was the DJ there on weekends for awhile- he was my fave. Anybody know what happened to the guy?
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by sining man on November 29, 2007, 10:23 pm
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Best Karaoke in PDX
Song selection is HUGE. Dance floor in front of stage, pro lighting, smoke machines make you feel like a real rock star. The staff are extremely cool and always on the ball. The KJ's can be a little annoying at times, but they deal with a lot of crap, so it's to be expected. Usually a mix of hard-core singers and more casual parties, but the crowd is always encouraging and involved. Don't go on a Friday or Saturday (the wait to sing can be excruciating) - Mondays and Tuesdays are the least crowded. The food is hit-or-miss. The drinks are strong and reasonably priced.
Song selection is HUGE. Dance floor in front of stage, pro lighting, smoke machines make you feel like a real rock star. The staff are extremely cool and always on the ball. The KJ's can be a little annoying at times, but they deal with a lot of crap, so it's to be expected. Usually a mix of hard-core singers and more casual parties, but the crowd is always encouraging and involved. Don't go on a Friday or Saturday (the wait to sing can be excruciating) - Mondays and Tuesdays are the least crowded. The food is hit-or-miss. The drinks are strong and reasonably priced.
What a Change
What a change to that place. They completely changed the outside, even adding a space heater on the front steps. Inside, the bar looks nice now with all the granite, the water feature, the aquarium, and the plasma tv's. I've gone there on and off for about four years and Amelia has always been there as a bartender. She's always on top of things, nice, and the drinks are good. The karaoke is mixed. There's the regulars who sound like semi-pros, and there's the tone-deaf singers from bachelorette parties and birthday parties you tolerate because they look good and are having a good time. The drinks aren't cheap, but the pours are pretty good.
What a change to that place. They completely changed the outside, even adding a space heater on the front steps. Inside, the bar looks nice now with all the granite, the water feature, the aquarium, and the plasma tv's. I've gone there on and off for about four years and Amelia has always been there as a bartender. She's always on top of things, nice, and the drinks are good. The karaoke is mixed. There's the regulars who sound like semi-pros, and there's the tone-deaf singers from bachelorette parties and birthday parties you tolerate because they look good and are having a good time. The drinks aren't cheap, but the pours are pretty good.
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Me on January 22, 2007, 6:08 pm
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Friendly
I've been to Ambassador about five times now. Different times and days. The bartenders have been really nice and remember my name and little details. Plus the crowd is good. Just about anyone at the bar will strike it up with you. Most of all the karaoke is taken serious. For poeple watching Saturday was good but busy. For karaoke I liked Thursday and Friday and in the door around 9:00. It was more laid back. Good drinks, plus the food portions were huge.
I've been to Ambassador about five times now. Different times and days. The bartenders have been really nice and remember my name and little details. Plus the crowd is good. Just about anyone at the bar will strike it up with you. Most of all the karaoke is taken serious. For poeple watching Saturday was good but busy. For karaoke I liked Thursday and Friday and in the door around 9:00. It was more laid back. Good drinks, plus the food portions were huge.
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Roller on June 12, 2006, 3:49 pm
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Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by MIKE on May 31, 2006, 9:48 pm
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Saturday April, 29th 2006
I went on a Sat. Night around 11:00pm, hoping to get maybe two songs in for the night..........NEVER HAPPENED!!
Let me first say, the Service was great.
But when I finally got to sing my first song it was after 2:00am. Most everyone had left by that time, I even had to sit thru a song that the girl stopped singing, and the song just ran to the end anyway. WHAT A WASTE OF TIME!!!!!!
Some people sang twice, before I even went up once.
Let me also say that everyone seemed to be having a good time, but I felt a litle out of place, like if I wasn't a regular I wouldn't be able to sing.
Everyone was very nice and when I did sing... everyone was very supportive and friendly. The advice I would say is if you REALLY want to sing......Maybe go on a different night, when it's not so busy. I might try it again on a different night and see what happens???
I went on a Sat. Night around 11:00pm, hoping to get maybe two songs in for the night..........NEVER HAPPENED!!
Let me first say, the Service was great.
But when I finally got to sing my first song it was after 2:00am. Most everyone had left by that time, I even had to sit thru a song that the girl stopped singing, and the song just ran to the end anyway. WHAT A WASTE OF TIME!!!!!!
Some people sang twice, before I even went up once.
Let me also say that everyone seemed to be having a good time, but I felt a litle out of place, like if I wasn't a regular I wouldn't be able to sing.
Everyone was very nice and when I did sing... everyone was very supportive and friendly. The advice I would say is if you REALLY want to sing......Maybe go on a different night, when it's not so busy. I might try it again on a different night and see what happens???
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Cynthia Lynne on April 30, 2006, 3:13 pm
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you see katey...
what you may not know is that because of portlands lovely hipster population pbr sales here in our beautiful city are sweeping the nation. that's right. sweeping the mutha fuckin nation. you probably know this, but less than 1 yr ago you could buy a pbr at all these places for the most 2bux. it's a sad time in p-town my friend. a sad time. anyway, portland, oregon is driving pbr sales through the roof. i believe we are numero uno in the u.s. for pbr sales. therefore, our wondrous establishments can charge 3+bux because they know all the cool and trying to be cool kids will buy. may i suggest you go somewhere else? maybe try yourself some xv action. 1buck pbr from 4-8. good jukebox. good food. plus, do you REALLY wanna hang out at the ambassador? oh my god, or chopsticks?
what you may not know is that because of portlands lovely hipster population pbr sales here in our beautiful city are sweeping the nation. that's right. sweeping the mutha fuckin nation. you probably know this, but less than 1 yr ago you could buy a pbr at all these places for the most 2bux. it's a sad time in p-town my friend. a sad time. anyway, portland, oregon is driving pbr sales through the roof. i believe we are numero uno in the u.s. for pbr sales. therefore, our wondrous establishments can charge 3+bux because they know all the cool and trying to be cool kids will buy. may i suggest you go somewhere else? maybe try yourself some xv action. 1buck pbr from 4-8. good jukebox. good food. plus, do you REALLY wanna hang out at the ambassador? oh my god, or chopsticks?
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by j to the izzo on December 19, 2005, 10:56 am
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wtf??!!
The MOST expensive PBR I've ever had- $3.25 for a 12-ounce bottle? I can't believe anyone gets away with those kinda prices in this town. No way I'll ever go back there- I'd rather go to Chopstix, and I hate that place.
The MOST expensive PBR I've ever had- $3.25 for a 12-ounce bottle? I can't believe anyone gets away with those kinda prices in this town. No way I'll ever go back there- I'd rather go to Chopstix, and I hate that place.
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by katey on December 10, 2005, 9:50 pm
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Swanky
Ambassador has been completely remodeling inside and out. I wEnt inside for the first time in a while and it's nice--lots of granite and marble, plasma small screens, and dark ambiance later at night. I keep going back now. Amy, Erin and Yvonne are all great bartenders. The karaoke is hit and miss mostly depending on who comes in on what nights. Nice.
Ambassador has been completely remodeling inside and out. I wEnt inside for the first time in a while and it's nice--lots of granite and marble, plasma small screens, and dark ambiance later at night. I keep going back now. Amy, Erin and Yvonne are all great bartenders. The karaoke is hit and miss mostly depending on who comes in on what nights. Nice.
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by BTrouble on October 20, 2005, 4:55 pm
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'yoke at the 'bass
Naively, I always thought karaoke was a fairly simple matter . . . step 1) turn in your name and selection; step 2) utilize a little patience; step 3) rock the house; step 4) never EVER write "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman" as a selection. Au contraire! There are apparently a plethora of convoluted rules and regulations about being in proximity to acquaintances while singing, mixed doubles on the mike, touching the mike, etc. Perhaps you could offer a tutorial so that everyone is clear on the extensive ordinances. Or hey, maybe you could just post laminated "dos" and "don'ts" of karaoke around the joint, just like the food items on the menu!
Naively, I always thought karaoke was a fairly simple matter . . . step 1) turn in your name and selection; step 2) utilize a little patience; step 3) rock the house; step 4) never EVER write "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman" as a selection. Au contraire! There are apparently a plethora of convoluted rules and regulations about being in proximity to acquaintances while singing, mixed doubles on the mike, touching the mike, etc. Perhaps you could offer a tutorial so that everyone is clear on the extensive ordinances. Or hey, maybe you could just post laminated "dos" and "don'ts" of karaoke around the joint, just like the food items on the menu!
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by ShanRock McGillicuddy on August 5, 2005, 5:50 pm
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drinks, food, karaoke, dancing...
The Ambassador had quite an extensive song list, and quite a few people in ling to sing! The KJ is on the ball but doesn't have much personality- he's definitely not there to socialize. The services and drinks were pretty good but I wasn't too impressed with the food (well, the one appetizer I had). A friendly supportive crowd cheered each other on.
The Ambassador had quite an extensive song list, and quite a few people in ling to sing! The KJ is on the ball but doesn't have much personality- he's definitely not there to socialize. The services and drinks were pretty good but I wasn't too impressed with the food (well, the one appetizer I had). A friendly supportive crowd cheered each other on.
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by Tammers on February 21, 2005, 8:47 pm
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ambassador surprise
"Well hello ambassador!", i say aloud as i teeter in late night after a good bowl session at the hollywood (right down the street). The air is thick with Marlboro and American Spirit blow off - i know 'cause i'm a former Camel guy. Karaoke is in full swing. Large belt buckled women with a NW twang in their voices as they sing along to "Friends in Low Places". I'm thinking to myself, "i've been lower". Nonetheless, the atmosphere is heady, the beers are pabst and food is subpar, but perfect at 1:30 - 2:00am with a pre-hangover setting in. Try it, i dare you. I caught myself saying, "this place fucking ROCKS!!!" as we were leaving. i don't remember thinking that the next morning.
"Well hello ambassador!", i say aloud as i teeter in late night after a good bowl session at the hollywood (right down the street). The air is thick with Marlboro and American Spirit blow off - i know 'cause i'm a former Camel guy. Karaoke is in full swing. Large belt buckled women with a NW twang in their voices as they sing along to "Friends in Low Places". I'm thinking to myself, "i've been lower". Nonetheless, the atmosphere is heady, the beers are pabst and food is subpar, but perfect at 1:30 - 2:00am with a pre-hangover setting in. Try it, i dare you. I caught myself saying, "this place fucking ROCKS!!!" as we were leaving. i don't remember thinking that the next morning.
Reviewed Safely & Anonymously (pussy) by aaron on December 6, 2004, 6:09 pm
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