Jimmy Mak's
221 NW 10th Ave Portland, OR 97209Phone: (503) 295.6542
Located in: Pearl District & near Downtown Portland - Visit Website
BarFly's Review of Jimmy Mak's
One of Downbeat Magazine's Top 100 places to hear jazz - we weep for the American art form - Jimmy Mak's recently moved half a block and, with new renovation and expansive windows, has grown even further from the genre's dimly-lit shack roots, but this seems to be what the well-heeled suburbanites supporting jazz demand. It's still passingly intimate, with a Greek menu's far better than one would expect (the calamari alone worth a visit), and, long as they guarantee living legend Mel Brown his weekly sets, the bar deserves all support.
50 Plates, Ace Cleaners at Ace Hotel, Andina, Aura, Bailey's Taproom, Bar Due, Benson Hotel, Blitz Pearl, bluehour, Boxxes, Brig, Camellia Lounge, Candy, Cassidy's, Crystal Ballroom, Deschutes Brew Pub, Eagle PDX, El Gaucho, Embers, Fez Ballroom, Gilt Club, Henry's Tavern, Holden's, Isabel's Cantina, Jake's Famous, Kenny & Zukes, Life of Riley Tavern, Living Room Theater, Lola's Room, Low Brow Lounge, Mary's Club, OBA!, Olea, Palomino, Red Cap Garage, Ringler's Annex, Ringler's Pub, Rocco's Pizza, Rogue Ales Public House, Saucebox, Scandals, Scooter McQuade's, Silver Dollar Pizza II, Sweet Masterpiece, Teardrop Lounge, ten 01, The Paragon, Tiger Bar, TRUST ...a lounge, Tugboat Brewing Company, Vault Martini, Velvet, Vino Paradiso, Whiskey Bar & Lounge
It's THE place in town to hear jazz, but not on a Saturday night. Or a Friday. You can't get service (I waited 45 minutes for scallop dinner that I finally cancelled), the sound is inconsistent (overamplified and tin-can-sounding at the tables under the overhang), and the crowd is chatty. I want to LISTEN to the music. Kudos to Jimmy Mak's for presenting jazz every night and providing a home to Dan Balmer and Mel Brown. But go on a weeknight, and don't take a date.
We just happen to walk in there was a cancellation, we took it and had a wonderfule time listening to Devin Phillips, he was great. Atmosphere was great, food was good. It was worth it all around! You should check it out! Make dinner reservations!
Went for the band, stayed. Mel Brown is fine, traditional jazz.
Sneakin' Out is incredibly inventive and technically brilliant.
Very decent food & drinks, too, with friendly waitstaff. Can't understand why the place isn't packed.
Bring back S'Out as soon as you can, please.