Chopsticks Express

2651 E Burnside St. Portland, OR 97214
Phone: (503) 234.6171

Located in: Northeast Portland & near Southeast Portland - Visit Website
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BarFly's Review of Chopsticks Express

Ignore the name. Chopsticks shouldn't suggest food any more than, say, The Galaxy references a planetarium. Wannabe frontmen and their patient friends crush Chopsticks for stiff drinks and the best karaoke jockeys and sound system 'round Portland. If the crowds tend less toward the rocker contingent of yesteryear, there's still a welcome tendency to avoid the American Idolatry in favor of intriguing choices performed with heart and style.

There is a covered smoking patio, you can bring your drinks with you, but there is no heat yet. Still, drinking+smoking is a qualifier.

Grow out your 'stache for the 11th Annual 'Stache Bash Friday, September 25th. Sport your nicest moustache and be immortalized on the wall of photos.

Warning - Do not leave your car parked in the parking lot if you are planning on leaving the Chopsticks to go elsewhere because you will get towed. It's for customers, dumbasses


Chopsticks Express's Happy Hours
Monday$1 PBR, $2 wells, $4.95+ menu 4-7pm
Tuesday$1 PBR, $2 wells, $4.95+ menu 4-7pm
Wednesday$1 PBR, $2 wells, $4.95+ menu 4-7pm
Thursday$1 PBR, $2 wells, $4.95+ menu 4-7pm
Friday$1 PBR, $2 wells, $4.95+ menu 4-7pm
SaturdayAlas, no happy hour today.
SundayAlas, no happy hour today.
Reader Reviews of Chopsticks Express
One time...

Bar Fly, ladies and gentleman of the audience, I don't think it's fair to call Chopsticks Express frauds. Sure, the karaoke wait is a big problem for everybody. I was waiting to sing for two hours and I had to make the whole time. But I don't blame them. Because one time, I turned into a dog and they helped me. Thank you.

Reviewed Anonymously by LouisTully on July 14, 2009, 11:41 am
Best Birthday EVER.

Yesterday was my 21st birthday, and I went out with my mom and my best friend. We stopped at a couple bars first, unsatisfied, before hearing about - and heading over to - Chopsticks. From the moment we got there, everyone was very nice, and very welcoming. I didn't wait hours to sing, and neither did my mom or my best friend. The KJ was incredibly cool, dancing and singing along to every song, and preforming one of his own at 12am. I DIDN'T have to tip to be put on the stage, and I got a look at the order, and the KJ laid them out fairly, and as they came in. This was a Sunday night, and despite huge nerves, and the feeling that I was totally bombing, everyone cheered. The atmosphere was excellent and I'm VERY glad I went. EVERY staff member that I met was awesome, and I'm totally going back!

Reviewed Anonymously by 21 yesterday on July 13, 2009, 7:24 pm
Here's a piece of advice.

If you park your car in the Chopsticks parking lot and need to go across the street or anywhere else, GO INTO THE ESTABLISHMENT AND ASK THEM IF YOU CAN DO IT FIRST! If you let the management know what's going on then at least they won't be inclined to have the thing towed as quickly.

That may or may not work with these folks, I don't know. I've only been there a couple of times (and loved it both times!) and I don't drive. I'm just mentioning this in general.

Reviewed Anonymously by Definitely Not Jason on September 8, 2008, 12:29 pm
Towing scam? Come on!

Okay, yes, this place has a long wait for Karaoke when many people are waiting to do Karaoke. Go figure. It's like how you wait in bad traffic when there's a lot of cars on the road.

I've had great times here. I've had okay times here. Earlier in the evening is better if you want to sing, I've enjoyed all the food I've eaten there.

As for the towing scam? I dunno, maybe car drivers should read signs about how parking lots work. Like it or not, a parking lot is private property, and if you leave the property, you might get towed. It's like getting mad at the cop for catching you break the law. Maybe it sucks, but you risk when you break rules. Me personally, my bike has never been towed from the lot. Ha!

Reviewed Anonymously by Rich on July 7, 2008, 5:08 pm
Give me a break you lazy asshole

You Said:

this place sucks Went There last Mon., Bartender was a total dick, wouldn't come around the backside of the bar , where I was sitting, put a song in for karaoke, waited an hour and a half, no song, I left. Too cool for me I guess, I'm used to bars where people care about new business,,,,,,

-- Okay, um, bartenders are not wait staff. Bartenders are not cocktail waiters either. You were not being ignored or treated any differently than anyone else - new customer or regular.

The bartender is stationed on the BAR side, not the restaurant side. If you want a drink, you get up off of your fat ass and you go walk over to the bartender. They can get busy and have many other things to do rather than wait on you because you are simply lazy. Jesus.

Additionally, I've been going to Chopsticks off and on for 10 years. Though I know every single person that works there, including the owner, I receive no special treatment when it comes to getting up to sing a song. I wait, just like everyone else. When it's busy, I put in a song, often to wait and never get up. Get over it folks. It's karaoke. It gets busy. I've waited 4 hours to sing at the Galaxy when there were only 5 visible customers when I arrived. If you want to sing that badly, go there before the place is packed at like 8:00 PM and stop whining.

Reviewed Anonymously by 28th Regular on December 12, 2007, 2:58 pm
Always a blast......

This is the best karaoke spot in PDX. It's not much to look at(or eat at), but the crowd there is awesome! Everyone is very supportive of one another no matter what there singing talent is. The regulars embrace newcomers with open arms and make you feel like an old friend. The bartenders make stiff drinks and the service is super fast. Derek and the hot chick with nice knockers are on point with great customer service. This place is a great spot to hang on the weekend after a long work week.

Reviewed Anonymously by karaoke bum on October 21, 2007, 6:49 pm
Fun sometimes but...

It seems you must pay the KJ to sing here...a lot. I've heard numbers akin to $50, but I can't believe anyone would pay that much to sing a stupid cover in a crappy karaoke bar. The food is awful, the drinks are watered down, and the smoke is smothering. Go to The Ambassador or the Galaxy where you at least get a fair shot at the mic!

Reviewed By BarFly User The Ice Queen on July 18, 2007, 10:36 pm
The measure of a Bar

The measure of a bar is the people in it, I sing like nails on a chalk board. Noone has ever booed hissed or even mad fun. It is a great place to kick back, RELAX (very important) and have a few drinks!!!!

Reviewed Anonymously by Fallen on April 26, 2006, 2:18 pm
earn your tips!!

Fun atmosphere; fun patrons...but bartenders seem to expect all the change from a Lincoln on a $3.50 beverage. Sorry, but the quarters might have to go toward a $2.25 beverage elsewhere. A buck a beverage is doing pretty good folks; earn your stripes and move up to Applebee's and then McCormick and Schmick's like booze-slingers before you.

Reviewed Anonymously by phantom toper on March 28, 2006, 12:28 am
Jonny Cash

Chopsticks rocks my a** because its the only place in town you can find Icebox 7 nights a week making sweat love to johnny cash, merle haggard, and frank sinatra through the microphone. Derek and Kim ar the best servers ever! The Carptain and Winter are fu*king greatest KJ's in the wolrd

Reviewed Anonymously by IceTray on February 27, 2006, 7:49 pm
I like it.... Alot!

I cant believe that everyone is trashing the best Karaoke bar in Portland! Yeah, you will have a hard time singing on a Friday or Saturday night, you have to get there early. And the washed up old hipsters look like complete idiots, but try talking to a few of them, and they really are not that bad of people in general. If you want to get a drink, ask a cocktail server, or go to the FRONT of the bar, not the back. It is easy. They poor em stiff too. Food is cheap and decent. Thumbs up!

Reviewed Anonymously by adeejay on February 21, 2006, 12:24 pm
ew

Not a fan. i hate this place. peg and davey. i'm not sure why you love it so much. food is sick. i mean it's cheap and all but it's also sick and will make you sick. and yes nathan does work there and he's cool and shit but really, do you wanna wait an hour to have a minute and a half of all eyes on glory? i mean, do you care that much? and the vibe is so fuckin like "i'm so cool and rock n roll and shit" gimme a break, all yous people are getting close to 30 and still trying to fuckin hipster dive your look. get over it. be yourself and fuckin accept the fact that either a) you really are cool and you're cool because you're cool or b)you just don't have what it takes. no need to start cokin out and not washing your hair. fuck. this pisses me off. i'm down for cool bars and all but really, i mean really this isn't one of em. my fondest memories are when adam (you all know who i'm talking about) would sing ring of fire in monotone voice, bring a flask of liquor, puke under the pool tables and still not get kicked out. those were the days my friends. now it's just full of imposters. yes. you heard me. Basically, service is SLOW. can't get a song in for the life of ya. (even if you tip) and the people vibe is SO overrated. i mean it's just my opinion. go there and see for yourself. maybe you yourself will have the ultimate chopsticks glory day. Good luck.

Reviewed Anonymously by j to the izzo on December 19, 2005, 9:17 am
Good Girl

*wink* Hey there, can I buy you a drink?

Reviewed Anonymously by Bad Boy on September 3, 2005, 6:22 pm
karaoke heaven

Chopsticks is simply the best karaoke in Porland. Why you may ask? Well, great KJ's who are never selfish and are always smiling. A truly eclectic mix of people - from 21 to 70. No kidding. Very "in" crowd later at night - this means a ridiculous amout of smoke, but overall they are not annoying. the sound system is the best in town as well.

Reviewed Anonymously by Anne on July 1, 2005, 10:21 am
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