Ella St. Social Club
714 SW 20th pl Portland, OR 97204Phone: (503) 241.8696
Located in: Southwest Portland & near Northwest Portland - Visit Website
BarFly's Review of Ella St. Social Club
It seems like an obvious thing to point out that Ella Street used to be Towne Lounge, which used to be a mortuary. But still, let’s sweep all of those metaphors under the metaphorical rug, and simply note that the Ella Street is currently one of the plushest and most comfortable bar/venues in the Southwest, tucked as ever discreetly away in its behind-the-radar station location near PGE Park.
Owner Richard Morgan, formerly of the Shanghai Tunnel, has re-opened the former Blackbird Presents venue as a smooth-feeling, low-talking, dimly-lit speakeasy of a place, with an estimable service staff and a ridiculously low-priced happy hour. The stiffness of the drink pour is wildly variable, depending seemingly—and perhaps appropriately—on how much they like you. If you leave sober, know that you’re probably unloved.
Geek out with Shanrock's Trivia here every Monday at 7:00pm.
Caveat emptor: cash only.
Hours: M-F 5pm-2:30am Sat-Sun 7-2:30am
| Ella St. Social Club's Happy Hours | |
|---|---|
| Monday | $1PBR, $2.75+ micros, $2.50 wells, $3+ menu 5-7pm |
| Tuesday | $1PBR, $2.75+ micros, $2.50 wells, $3+ menu 5-7pm |
| Wednesday | $1PBR, $2.75+ micros, $2.50 wells, $3+ menu 5-7pm |
| Thursday | $1PBR, $2.75+ micros, $2.50 wells, $3+ menu 5-7pm |
| Friday | $1PBR, $2.75+ micros, $2.50 wells, $3+ menu 5-7pm |
| Saturday | Alas, no happy hour today. |
| Sunday | Alas, no happy hour today. |
Basta's, Bitter End, Cheerful Bullpen, Kingston, M Bar, Matador, Mazatlan Bar & Grill, Tanuki, Tony's Old Time Tavern
Ella St. Social Club Calendar | |
|---|---|
| Sat 09/04 @ 9:00 pm | Goodfellas Productions Presents Door: FREE! |
| Mon 09/06 @ 7:00 pm | CLOSED for Labor Day Door: FREE! |
| Tue 09/07 @ 9:00 pm | 3rd Residency Series w/ areyougone, TBA Door: FREE! |
| Tue 09/07 @ 9:30 pm | Baby Gods, Problems? Door: FREE! |
| Wed 09/08 @ 9:00 pm | Brynna Dean & the Sympathetic Strings, HolliePollock, Charming Birds Door: $5.00 |
| Fri 09/10 @ 9:00 pm | DJ Mr. Mumu Door: FREE! |
| Sat 09/11 @ 9:00 pm | Plastic Mode DJ Tigerstripes Door: FREE! |
I was having an awesome time at this place. It really reminded me of my favorite bar back home, great atmosphere, really good music, and cool people...until...the bartender threw change at my face
Things started to go wrong when I tried to use the ATM machine. The machine spat out a receipt and no money-not because I didn't have money, but because the machine was out of cash. In the dark bar, I read the receipt as saying "amount dispensed $20". As a former busy bartender, I know how awful it it is when people throw blame on you and get pissed about things not of your doing or responsibility- so I was very nice and polite when I told him about it. The second I mentioned the problem, he started off on some shpiel about how the machine isn't his problem and if I've got a problem with that then I need to take it up with the ATM company. I explained I understood, ok no worries, etc. Anything to get this guy to stop treating me like an asshole...
I chocked that up to busy bartender with better things to do syndrome. If the problem stopped there, I wouldn't be writing this...
Unfortunately, the issues continued.
I went up for another beer-now since the ATM was not working and the bar only accepts cash, I only had enough money for a beer and a 75cent tip. The beer cost $2 each and I had tipped him a dollar for each beer ordered previously, all in all, including the 76cents, the total tip amount would have been $4.76 for $10 worth of drinks (only one of those was for me-I wasn't even buzzed at this point). I'm no math whiz but that's a 47.6% tip. If what happened next didn't happen, I also would have walked across the street and gotten more money out of a bank machine for more beers (and more tips)...
I put my money down on the counter and began digging for tip money-the guy slams down my beer and says "thanks a lot. have a great night" in a really sarcastic way. I think to myself-maybe I perceived that wrong and proceeded to put the change on the counter-three quarters, one penny. The jerk walks over and THREW MY TIP AT ME HITTING ME IN THE FACE WITH IT!!!! What a jerk!
When I tended bar, I was the only one working the whole place in a standing room only dive bar. I cooked the food, acted as the bouncer, served drinks, and was expected to provide table service for my patrons. Even when I was slammed and people were jerks, I worked with a smile on my face. I accepted the tips I was given. I understood people are there to buy drinks, not my wardrobe. When people gave me a quarter for a beer, I was fine with it-especially since those same people would give me more when they had it. I walked away from that place each night with $400 in my pocket-even when certain people didn't tip me at all.
This place would be great without that asshole behind the bar.
Cool new bar in an old location. Decor could use some work but the cute bartender/owner and good drinks make up for the lack of interior decorating. Great place for a drink after a Timbers game and be sure to check out the fun trivia (Shanrock's triviology) on Monday nights. This bar has GREAT potential!!
