Pretty horrible bar overall. Very neighborhoody and friendly but the staff are awful. Joe (or John), the young one that has been there for a while is lazy and would rather be outside smoking with his core group of friends than actually serve a drink. And don't come here for a heavy poor. They don't use jiggers but maybe they should so you would actually get a real drink. Stick to beer because the cocktails are weak. Nice location but would improve greatly with better staff. Skip this and go down the street to the Rose and Thistle.

i came here expecting it to be filled with old pervs, but i was pleasently supprised to find it filled with a half dozen or so respectable older gays (30+).

There was pinball and they even had my favorite lesbian metal band (OTEP) on the jukebox, sadly they lacked her best album (smash the control machine). I am sure everyone hated the music, but i like to let everyone know that im not the typcal homo who likes top 40's crap.

Anyway I had a fun conversation and a game of pool with Dave and another guy. I liked the place due to he friendly atmosphere, though tue young bartender could have used a bit more energy and friendliness in his attitude. Maybe it was late and he was tired.

So, as a recent arrival to Portland, especially post-smoking ban, I like to think I have a more objective view than some others about this bar. I really enjoy Joqs! The crowd definitely skews older most of the time but on good nights there's a good mix. Depends on your preference. I personally prefer hanging with a more mature crowd than 20 somethings. A lot of regulars here, a lot of whom are pretty serious pool players. There's also a dart board and a jukebox and hopefully they'll be getting their lotto machines back soon. Lately they've had football games or rodeo events on the tvs....A few good food options although most of the menu is something tossed in the deep frier.

It can be pretty hit or miss crowd wise to be honest. I'll just say as a gay guy its nice to have a place to go and relax and talk to some other friendly down to earth folks and also to have the option to be left alone if I want. I rarely witness any "hook-ups" and I personally wouldn't go here with the hopes of that. That's not necessarily a bad thing for a bar. Results in absolutely 0 attitude.

If you look at the date on these reviews they are from some time ago. I moved back to PDX about 2 years ago. I have enjoyed the bar. ya it ways like that. Now they have some new staff.The new saff are egar to sevre and make suree there is fun in the air.The bar is much and i say much cleaner. They have cooks on staff 4 days a week and may some go to 6 or 7 days.I hope if you read these than make sure to read as meany as you can. O and come see the bar some it is a fun and haoppy place. Thanks Tex.

This is a gay bar. If you are female, go to the Egyptian room or elsewhere. Fag Hags and messy, tighwaf, lesbians are not cute and adorable. They take up space and ruin the atmosphere with their chain smoking.

Aside from the periodic fembot female assault, most the guys who go here are nice but are very cliquish. A few are obviously the standard drug dealer/user and should be avoided as in all bars. They are easy to spot.

Good prices.

This is the dirtiest bar I have ever been in. A hole in the wall. Got sick from eating there. I can see why females have a difficult time patronizing this establishment. They feel the joint is only for gay men. I am a gay man, but am very embarassed to have Joqs as a gay bar in portland. Not a very good representation of Portlands gay community. More like Portland's druken fall down, druggy loser community. If you are visiting our fine city, please go to another establishment. This should not be on your list of places to see.

Play Cher's "Dark Lady" on the jukebox. Seriously. One of the eeriest phenomena I've witnessed, in or out of a gay bar.

I absolutely love JOQ's! The barstaff are terrific, and it's always an interesting mix of clientelle, with age all over the map. I've met some very sweet people there, and even though I'm female it's never been an issue. Of course I don't go in with an attitude, so maybe that makes a difference. Plus they make an effort to do fun events. The Easter eggs were awesome.

First of all, I'm a forty-five year old gay male who has been patronizing JOQ's for many years. I really don't think you should stereo-type the entire bar because of the one encounter with that intoxicated bar patron. I don't at all condon any type of harassment between anyone, gay or straight, in any type of bar, gay or straight. But if you are going to patronize a gay mans' bar, you will be harassed from time to time, and you will need to learn to deal with it, especially with an attitude such as yours. Oh! I'm much cuter than he is! Go patronize an underage club you ignorant bitch!

Love this bar and the people I do miss it since moving back east there is just no place like it,and a big hello to the staff Tom,Steve,Lloyd,Jeff

I went to this establishment with a few of my gay male friends. Being a girl who frequents the local gay bars like CC's,Red Cap and Silverado, I don't recommend this place at all. I got straight bashed by some guy that was extremely intoxicated and in need of a serious makeover! He kept rambling on how I don't belong in a gay bar...blah blah blah! It's possible he may have been jealous that I was much cuter than him. If I can't go to a gay bar, then he can't go anywhere considered straight....like Safeway, etc. See how lame that sounds? Peace out Yo!

I've been going to JOQ's on and off for many years. Never again. It has completely gone downhill. I was recently assaulted by a patron who was sloppy drunk, yet still served. I can't believe they still have a liquor license. This bar is definately not the "gay cheers" of Portland, rather an embarassment to the gay community as a whole. I highly recommend against patronizing this establishment. Starky's would be a much better place to spend your hard earn $$$