Dots
2521 SE Clinton St. Portland, OR 97202Phone: (503) 235.0203
Located in: Southeast Portland
BarFly's Review of Dots
Eons ago, when ironic deor meant wacky signage and folks wore their grampa's eyeglasses because they were blind and poor, Dots' Cafe was the sole local arbiter of faux-vintage lounge chic, and, even as the city's transformed itself, the spiritual home of indie southeast remains as fun and shruggingly-vibrant and ineffably-cool as the day it opened - proving hipster landmarks age rather better than their clientele. The many, many variants of fries are beloved by both bacon-addicts and vegetarians seeking a deeply-unhealthy comfort food, and there's few better ways to spend a Sunday morning coming down than staring at the wallpaper of this underlit, kitsch-strewn (big-eye paintings, doll-part-chandelier) wonderland.
| Dots's Happy Hours | |
|---|---|
| Monday | $1.50 PBR, $3 micros, $5 food 4-7pm |
| Tuesday | $1.50 PBR, $3 micros, $5 food 4-7pm |
| Wednesday | $1.50 PBR, $3 micros, $5 food 4-7pm |
| Thursday | $1.50 PBR, $3 micros, $5 food 4-7pm |
| Friday | $1.50 PBR, $3 micros, $5 food 4-7pm |
| Saturday | Alas, no happy hour today. |
| Sunday | Alas, no happy hour today. |
Bar Avignon, Clinton Street Brewing, Clinton Street Pub, Press Club, Reel 'm Inn, Savoy, The Workshop Brewpub
my favorite drink from the east coast and the first bar i have been to in PDX in which the bartender pulled it off without batting an eye.
only two places on the west coast have pulled it off
one is in seattle
the other is Dots
Dot's is THE BEST damn bar in Portland...period. Awesome food, strong ass fuckin' drinks and SUPER CHEAP!
I don't know how they stay open; its so cheap!
I will always love you Dot's :)
Beware, this place has an addictive quality to it. Been going here for years and never had bad service or food. The vegan burrito is delish! Drinks are strong-ish too. :)
The first time I went to Dots was years ago. Gosh I can't even remember and I fell in love with the place as I was a crazy teenager thinking I was at a pretty hip place. I then moved super close and would walk to eat there at least once a week. Um dirty things in the bathroom while drunk...hehehe. The BT and Wait staff changed though and got really rude. So please if any of those that work there are reading this please note that yes I am not a hipster, but I love dots. So....treat people w/ some damn respect and maybe you will get a damn tip!
I have been going to Dot's frequently for about a year and it is one of my favorite places. The food is cheap and delicious. I'm now addicted to the vegan vavoom, and I'm not even a fuckin vegan! I love meat! The atmosphere is awesome, the crowd has always been cool, and the staff are not super friendly but very attentive. It's also a great place to stumble in sunday mornin hung as fuck, because it's really mellow and usually only a few people there. But be prepared if you come i late on a weekend the place gets packed and there usually isn't enough places to sit. Try the fries with the spicy tofu sauce...you'll thank me.
This is where I like to stop on my way home after a long night of getting wasted. The food here is really good and it is dark so no one can tell how fucked up you really are. I have always been served good drinks here regardless of my condition. Good service and friendly people. They also have 1 pool table. Every time I have taken a girl here on the way home they loved it and bugged me to take them back. I actually like the fact that it is off the beaten path and kinda hard to find.
Dot's is honetly one of my favorite places in Portland. The eclectic style, strong/cheap drinks, great diversity in food from heavy meat to vegan selection, pool... ahhh.... The staff are awesome also. As the other review said, the two owners are great and remember you as they wait tables themself, other staff also has my drink ready for me when I sit down. :)
The Gentle Ben is my personal fav, and of course who could resist the spicy fries with Tofu sauce. Great veggie menu, and very attentive staff. Once your eyes adjust to the darkness, and after you drain your first Gin & Tonic, you'll say "Fuck you Disneyland, this is the happiest place on Earth!"
I have fallen in love with the Border Melt... Border Melt, you filthy bitch, why have you taken my heart. All I can do is look to the booze for comfort, then I only want you more. Damn. If there was ever a place to fall in love with a patty melt, this is it. Good luck finding a table on the weekends.
I used to live in SE when I first moved here and went to Dot's almost every night. The food is great, the drinks are strong, and the owner, Monica, always remembers me and asks after my family. She rocks! I can't wait to move back to SE so I can start going to Dot's again. Mmmm....bacon cheese fries. And a Plain Old Plus? With beer, it's a perfect end to an evening.
Dot's is a great place to go for just about anyone. Yes, it is popular with the hipster crowd, but there is always a good mix of all types there.
I love Dot's, its one of my favorite places to go in Portland. The food is great and you can get the greasiest cheese fries to vegetarian fare. It's open late and crowd is a nice mix of locals and yuppie goth's. Depending on the bartender the drinks are great and the prices are very reasonable.
Just beware of the co-ed bathroom doors that don't always lock.
