
BarFly's Review of Jolly Roger
Shame they kept the name. The Pirate's Cove lounge of the Jolly Roger once bled character - law library and inexplicable Chiefs memorabilia and hidden bench holes that swallowed small women, we salute thee - while the over-lit, underwhelming new-millennium model manufactures an Ikea frattiness. After new Cheerful Tortoise overlords replaced the disused restaurant area with pool tables and covered every available surface with shiny new consoles, it doesn't even look the same, which actually helps. Stopping by to pour out some Bloody Mary (no longer transparent) for the dead, you note the gorgeous servers, the surely-imported sport-mad bartenders, the great food virtually free on special, and you could imagine killing an evening with friends like old times ... just until the jam band starts up.
I used to live right near the JR and was a regular every single day. We always got treated very well and never got kicked out when super wasted. (we shuold have been booted a few times!) Rob the bartender has always been a hoot and pours stiff drinks (the bartender...not the owner). They used to have really awesome servers, but not so much anymore. They have great prices on drinks and their $2 menu is amazing.
But as always word got out about cheap beer on Wed and that JR was the place to be and the vibe has changed. Too many drunken college kids on Fri and the place looks a bit different. I still like it, but its SOOOO not as cool as it used to be.
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Prvt Pile? Prvt Pile? What did you do? forget your f***ing name ? 0 300 infintry. You made it.
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My Boyfriend and I love hanging out here anytime, but especially on Sunday nights! A little sports, some simpsons/american dad/family guy, a movie, and of course the awsome bartending skills of Rob "Money". But all the Bartenders are great though I have to have my favorites!
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I stopped in after hearing about the place on the radio. The owner was tending bar and I had my hamburger and beer and was back on the road in about 15 minutes. The service was excellent and I will go back again.
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OK. So it IS a sports bar. There are way too many TV's, but it's in the right location. Service is spotty at best. Unless they know you, expect to be ignored. The worst offender here is the owner. Dare not go in on a day shift when HE'S working. He'll completely ignore you and then thank you as you walk out the door with nuthin'! If you feel like cultivating a relationship with your bartenders, this is the place to do it. If you just want quick, reliable service go elsewhere. The upside, the staff that the owners hired are good folks and do their best. The food is good most times and they do have stiff drinks. It's all in what you're looking for I guess...
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The perfect place to hear live reggae music on Fri & Sat Nights.....the food is great and the staff is wonderful. Make sure you check out this Portland institution for lots of fun....Nobody....I mean Nobody has more fun than we do!!!!!!
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I had never been to the JR, passed it a million times driving up 12th. I say to myself last week when it started snowing "I want me an 8 dollar steak." Lo and behold, they have quite good steaks for less than 8 bucks.
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If sports is what you seek, this is the Mecca of all Sports Bars. Every package available from Football to Basketball to Hockey to Baseball. Great late night happy hour food availble for late night cravings. Movie nights every Sunday at 10. Excellent service and a no-nonsense owner. Guess that is why no one has more fun than they do.
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Albeit being strangely designed, Jolly Roger is a fun little place. The drinks were cheap and STRONG. My friend ordered a rum and coke and it had less than a shot of coke in it. Cheap, good food too. It wasn't too crowded but it was pretty busy for a Friday night. Very good, attentive service. Fast too. I'll definitely go here again.
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