Horse Brass Pub

4534 SE Belmont St Portland, OR 97215
Phone: (503) 232.2202

Located in: Southeast Portland - Visit Website
horns upair conditionedvideo pokerlate nightlate foodpreppyliquorTrivia
Click to share on: Share on Facebook Post to Twitter

BarFly's Review of Horse Brass Pub

Always larger than you remember, this British pub seems nonetheless crowded most every hour with ex-pats downing imperials, self-satisfied old duffers dearly wishing they'd an accent, and a powerful contingent of new transplants visibly straining to care about Premier League footie. It's an American English bar, still - meaning the servers, though surly, will inevitably deign to take an order, and the traditional cuisine's rendered palatable - but, arriving at the dawn of local beer snob hegemony (52 taps on premises with an array of bottles on sale next door), they've earned their sepia-tinged/smoke-damaged end-of-empire swagger.

Reader Reviews of Horse Brass Pub
Never again

Cool atmosphere but horrible service! If you don't mind getting an eye roll every time you ask or order something this is the place for you. Majority of the people who work here seem like they hate there job and they are going to punish you for it. Our waitress was rude to us all night and we observed her doing the same to other customers. The employee's were very snotty too. When we left we told them we would not be returning and one of the staff members told us to F*ck off! How's that for service? So we just went down the street to the Triple Nickel where they were happy to give us great and friendly service. Don't waste your time at the Horse Brass. There are plenty of other bars in Portland that know something about service.

Reviewed Anonymously by Oregonian on August 25, 2009, 12:01 am
Yes. Go now.

If you want your night loud, with darts in the background, dark wood in the foreground, and servers who know ass-on-the-floor IPAs from those that are shite, this is the place for you.

Bring a friend, and be prepared to yell.

Reviewed By BarFly User AaronHed on August 18, 2009, 1:12 am
Nah

Pretty good food and decent drinks, but horrible customer service. It takes forever to get a drink in this place whether it be at a table or at the bar. My pet turtle moves faster than these guys.

Reviewed Anonymously by Jeff on July 31, 2009, 6:52 pm
A PUB

horse brass rules . Loved my visit with rob. Like to visit again. bill

Reviewed Anonymously by WILLIAM KISER on July 29, 2009, 10:58 pm
Horse Brass Pub

Love the Horse Brass eternally and your description's fitting. I wonder if people new to Portland will understand, but who cares? All roads lead to the Brass eventually... Correction: the bottle shop is no longer next door, it is down the street now.

Reviewed Anonymously by Joy Campbell on July 3, 2009, 9:46 am
corrected

Thanks, Jinx. I think I've finally got it figured out. The forum, that is, not the CSD case.

Reviewed By BarFly User davidthegnome on June 2, 2009, 10:59 pm
RE: Davidthegnome

Mrs.B is the CSD Case not Leighanna. Well since I'm already writing, I live within spitting distance of this place and I never go. I don't see why everyone loves this place so much. The food's good, but I go to bars to get my drink on. Whenever I order a cocktail there they look at me weird, and the drink isn't very good. I don't like microbrews, so Horse Brass just ain't for me. Not like they're hurtin' for business anyway.

Reviewed By BarFly User Jinx on June 1, 2009, 10:29 am
Not for children!

Leighanna, I'm sorry to hear that you had a bad experience taking your child to a pub. Who knew?

Reviewed By BarFly User davidthegnome on May 30, 2009, 2:32 pm
What the hell!

Okay yes it's smokey..IT'S THE HORSE BRASS!! The scotch egg is so worth it! I am a non-smoker but love this place. Tons of beers on tap which is always good. Don't breath too deep though you may get cancer :)

Reviewed By BarFly User leighanna on January 2, 2009, 1:36 pm
Not for nonsmokers!

Went into the establishment last night with my 12-yr old daughter as a treat, obviously forgetting that the place smells like centuries old cigars long burned out. The place stunk to high heavens. Can you guys turn on a fan or something? Ewwww..Further, no one under 21 is allowed in the establishment, which I thought was rather odd, being in a neighborhood of homes. The fish & chips is decent (been here before with a GF) and if you can stand the smell of cigars & cigarettes while you eat, well..this is your kinda place. I'll pass.

Reviewed Anonymously by Mrs. B on September 16, 2008, 1:54 pm
LOL

"And lest we forget, free smoke for everyone. Breathe deep for that nicotine fix. Lick the wall for even MORE tar flavor! Mmmmm... smooth. Come to where the flavor is. Darts and deep fried food anyone? Lets get some bagpipers and a scooter gang over here, stat!"

Bitch, please. Its a BAR. People SMOKE there.

Reviewed By BarFly User Ragemanchoo on June 17, 2008, 8:47 pm
Portland institution

All these wankers go into the Horse Brass expecting it to be something it's not. Who the fuck would drag their family in here, it's not a family resturaunt...obviously. It's a rowdy, smokey drunken establishment of the highest order, and we like it that way ya tossers.

Reviewed Anonymously by ian on June 5, 2008, 10:47 am
Disgusting food....

OMG I can not think of a pub that makes me want to puke more than this place. The smoke was so bad I had to burn my clothes after visiting in the early afternoon, I can only imagine what it would have been like had there been customers. The food was beyond disgusting and contrary to what they believe is not British, hell it’s not even American (Caesar salad with iceberg lettuce and bacon bits???). I ordered a steak and kidney pie, which came with “rubber” pastry (can someone say microwave), the burnt shriveled up, over cooked potato like things on my plate were supposed to be chips, oh and yes, there was the typical American garnish – a pickle??? Never, not ever have I been served a pickle with a steak and kidney pie. If you don’t believe me, go waste your money at this joint, but don’t say you weren’t warned. Portland doesn’t need another “fake” British pub. Oh and by the way, just because you have a wide variety of beers on tap does not constitute “British” our pubs are usually a happy gathering place (not necessary dimly lit, unless you are a stupid ignorant American who believes so) and it is a public house which means for everyone, including children up until meals are no longer served. So from this Scot, I will go out of my way to tell everyone just how bad this place is and would recommend driving to the Rose and Thistle, where my family and I had a wonderful experience… Also, what I wrote here is no different from what I wrote on their website, except then I left my full contact information. Do you think the owner contacted me about the quality of their product? Actually if I had a customer who had endured the same crap as I did, I probably wouldn’t call them back either!! I’d be too ashamed.

Reviewed Anonymously by The real MaCoy on April 27, 2008, 1:38 pm
Treasured pub

When my hubby lived across the street for years, the Horse Brass was his home away from home and Don and Edgar were his "family." After we married, (14 yrs) we always went to the Horse Brass, even tho we lived across town by then. My beloved Bob passed away last Thanksgiving and so I don't know if I can keep up the tradition for Turkey Day, tho I think I am always welcome there. I treasure the Horse Brass, and it's smoke since I contribute to it. Reedies can stay away if they don't like it it!

Reviewed Anonymously by laura on November 10, 2007, 9:48 am
Horse brass

Hey you british shithouse of a pub, your staff is fucking MEAN and you can tell they've become TIRED of catering to RUDE DRUNKS for too long. Sucks that their animosity toward their own paying customers is reflected RIGHT BACK ON THEM. Kind of a fucked up cycle huh?

Your beer is fucking FLAT and EXPENSIVE, but I guess I should forget all that when its served to me in a cute ole brit pint glass, huh. I think I saw boogers on your menus too.

Your pub interior is fucking GROSS. Don't beleive me? Take a look at any air vent. Especially the ones in the back by the dart boards. They're covered with finely ground up newspaper bits, that look kind of like a blanket. Oh wait, thats not the style section, its ASH AND SHIT that floats around the air 24/7. You know, im not one to bitch about cigarrette smoke in a bar, but jesus h. the last time you cleaned up, people were riding DINOSAURS to your bar. If you're going to cater to 150 people every time there is a football match, hire some people to fucking CLEAN UP AFTER THEM.

Your tables are fucking SICK. All that warped old wood is cool lookin, kinda like the PRANCING PONY pub from Lord of the rings, but Frodo musta had some sort of magic to counter the SPLINTERS and MILDEW that accumulates on them. SHITS STICKY, WASH IT. And not some once over with a rag thats probably covered in PUKE.

Your pub was probably pretty posh at one time. Every time i've gone there, alone or with friends, Im disgusted. Im staying home to watch soccer. Unless I want to go to a place where i can get hepatitis and nasty looks, then its off to the Horse Brass.

Reviewed Anonymously by Anonymous on August 27, 2007, 1:11 pm
Mmmm... Yummy! Lots of SMOKE!

This isn't the UK. This bar won't take you to the UK, as much as you love the music and desperately wish you had the accent. Yes, there ARE places that have great scotch. The food is novelty. Come on, when was the last gaddamn time you answered "any place I can get Shepherd's Pie" when someone asked you what you were in the mood for.

And lest we forget, free smoke for everyone. Breathe deep for that nicotine fix. Lick the wall for even MORE tar flavor! Mmmmm... smooth. Come to where the flavor is. Darts and deep fried food anyone? Lets get some bagpipers and a scooter gang over here, stat!

Reviewed Anonymously by Dig It on July 13, 2007, 12:18 pm
Brass kicks ass

Do you enjoy a Good pint of Ale & Darts? Then this is your Pub. Fish & Chips is quality. Hand patty cheeseburgers for the Yanks. Figures there only 7 reviews here. Good. Hipsters please go elsewhere....

cheers!

Reviewed Anonymously by local on June 27, 2007, 5:27 pm
don't eat here...

Beer's OK. Atmosphere's OK. But the food downright sucks. No wonder Americans think English food is bad if this is what they think a Scotch Egg is supposed to taste like. It's smokey, but not as bad as the Moon & 6pence; overall, fine to visit so long as you're not wanting to eat anything edible...

Reviewed Anonymously by stu on June 8, 2006, 3:13 pm
My favorite

I lived across the street from the brass for a little over 14 months, and it turned me into the sodden alcoholic I am today. Favorite after work joint too. Started going here after the BOG got bigger and lamer, Angelo's got packed and the Space Room......well, we all know how bitchy that staff can get. Great pints, booze shots are a bit short tho', and a friendly staff. CAN get spendy.

Reviewed Anonymously by Zeed on April 19, 2006, 10:02 pm
perfect

people ask me why I don't venture out of the area I've been living in since I moved here a year and a half ago. I tell them because I live close to movie madness, a library branch, and the horsebrass. what am I gonna do besides go to the best bar in the universe or the cheapest (the vern)? Many imports, many micros, many whiskeys, many different people, many rotating taps, soccer, dynamite english food, darts, hardwood tables...fuckit, I'm going right now.

Reviewed Anonymously by pusharound on April 11, 2006, 5:25 am
the only bar in pdx

This bar has the atmosphere of an English Pub (ie: tons of stuff on the wall, dimmly lit etc). The service is top notch. It's a great place to go to drink some fabulous beers (may i suggest walkman ipa? or even mirror pond on nitro) and play some killer darts. My friends have been raving about this bar for a year now and since I finally went I haven't stopped going, it's great. And lastly I don't think my review did justice to this wonderful bar.

Reviewed Anonymously by gangi on March 29, 2006, 10:54 pm
smoky horse

Food and service are fine, but if they want to allow smoking they've GOT to improve on the air ventilation system... the smoke is terrible! Use some of the profits this place makes!

Reviewed Anonymously by leroy on December 10, 2005, 1:11 pm
you forgot

the scotch egg . a great treat for any drunken visitor to the horse brass ... and yes , this bar is smokey !

Reviewed Anonymously by lance on December 6, 2004, 11:47 pm
oh fuck, the horse

ok, this place is smokey as fuck, but it's a great dive for darts, a great joint for drunken english "chips", and it's got a damn fine beer spread as well. cheers.

Reviewed Anonymously by aaron on December 6, 2004, 6:23 pm
Tell Us What You Think of Horse Brass Pub

Your Name:

You really should sign up for an account if you want credit for this review. If you have an account, please Log In

Subject

What You Think:

Yes, these CAPTCHAs suck, but they are a necessary evil. Typing the words you see below proves you are a human.

Before hitting that submit button, we highly suggest you read the following guidelines:

  1. Owners/Managers/Employees: Do not shill for yourself or bad mouth competitors because we WILL catch you. We have been known to "out" repeat violators. Simply identify yourself as the owner/employee/manager to address our users's complaints. Trust us, it works to do it that way. It is great PR, our users love it, we love it, and your business will love it.

  2. ALL CAPS does not get get your point across, but it does make you look completely stupid. The button on your keyboard is clearly labeled CapsLock. Move your pinky 5/16ths of an inch and turn it off.

  3. Mockery is cool, libel isn't. Learn the difference. Naming names in a negative or totally false review? You forfeit your right to privacy and will be named if any legal issues arise.

  4. Where you 86ed for being a complete douchebag? Are you the perpetually unsatisfied bitch? The bartender's psycho ex? Are you copy & pasting the same review from/to Yelp, Citysearch, etc? Then you undermine the value of user reviews. Don't waste your time posting.

  5. The 1st Amendment covers your right to say what ever you want and our right to delete it off our server.

  6. BarFly staff may choose to break these rules at their own discretion.

  7. Shills WILL be publicly outed. By clicking submit, you authorize us to release details about your review(s), including your IP address, email, name, and any other contact info if we feel you have abused our website.

Now, if you think your review will pass muster, click the submit button.