Horse Brass Pub
4534 SE Belmont StPortland, OR 97215
503/ 232.2202
Located in: Southeast Portland - Visit Website
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.
Bitch, please. Its a BAR. People SMOKE there.
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.
Write Your Own Review »
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.
Write Your Own Review »
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!
Write Your Own Review »
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.
Write Your Own Review »
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!
Write Your Own Review »
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!
Write Your Own Review »
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...
Write Your Own Review »
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.
Write Your Own Review »
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.
Write Your Own Review »
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.
Write Your Own Review »
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!
Write Your Own Review »
the scotch egg . a great treat for any drunken visitor to the horse brass ... and yes , this bar is smokey !
Write Your Own Review »
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.
Write Your Own Review »

