13 of us were having a couple of drinks. All sitting down. We had been there for an hour and a half when one of us went out to have a smoke. Upon returning they demanded he pay $3 cover. His drink and coat was at the table but they didn't care. We discussed the point with them but he was asked to leave as we all were. 13 patrons having drinks now 13 no-longer-patrons. They need to change the TUDE or they are going to drive off more. We will never go back. I hope the owner reads these remarks. Your employees suck!!!

I broke my long hibernation by attending the Bombs Into You CD release (review on MySpace/notoriouskelly). I really enjoyed it; Bombs, Westfold & Bryan Free sounded great, doorman & bartender were cool, music show was left to do its own thing. My only gripe is all seats are barstools (old folk like me could use some regular chairs over there). But that's a pretty small complaint. P.S. I'll be there tonight for We're From Japan, Aristea, Krist Kreuger - come on out!

I went on a Thursday night to see the band Coco Cobra and The Killers. Loved every part of this place. Met friends for drinks on the main side, its not too loud like a lot of bars I’ve been to downtown. We were able to converse without yelling. I’ve read the reviews about poor service, but didn’t see any of that. Sure I made the orders from the bar but so what; it’s a 3 step walk due to the layout. I loved the open square layout of the music room. Very inviting and the stage is high enough where you don’t have to stand tippy toe to see. Even though it’s not a huge place and it was a full house, I didn’t feel cramped nor did it stink like rotten ass like other places. Overall a positive experience and I would recommend this place to all. This is my first time I’ve ever felt compelled to review a bar. Cheers

If I have to get a PBR with my Jack, and both are only 5$, I'll gladly drink both.

I've always loved this bar. Been in a lot more often lately for some reason. They make a pretty stiff dirty Martini too.

3 years ago I worked down the block and used to go to Kelly's all the time. Went there last week and both my friend and I were shocked at the poor service. Specifically, the female bar tender could care less about her customers, she was paying attention some guy whom she frequently kissed. In addition to the attitude, my $7 Long Island was watered down. I asked for the manager. The manager argued with me. After a 5 minute arguement. The manager refunded my $7. Out of 10 bars my friend and I visited, this was the only one we experienced negative energy, bad service, and bad attitudes by the staff.

Went to Kelly's Olympian tonight for a quick stop before a movie and was terribly let down. As someone in the service industry, I am pretty low key and require little to no maintenance, but I would like to be acknowledged. Came on a very slow night, sat down at the bar and waited for about 7 minutes for one of the three bartenders to approach after looking right at me, but no, they continued to chat amongst themselves. Finally, I had to approach them, in which I felt like was interrupting them, and had to ask for a menu as well as spit out the drink order because I knew they weren't going to ask me. Then after looking at the menu, waited some more for them to check on me, but nope, once again had to approach them to order 2 appetizers which she forgot 2 seconds later. Then the food comes, didnt notice right away that it was the wrong thing. So a couple fries were eaten before I alerted them it was incorrect. Turns out it was someone else's order and mine wasn't ready yet. I understand, simple mistake, but the line was crossed after they gave it to the right person after it had been eaten off of! So, after eating the food(which was delicious), I get the bill for $14.50, put $15.00 down, while the bartender just stands there, I guess waiting for a tip. I usually tip afterwards but whatever, he finally goes to get my .50 while I am now putting the tip down. He comes right back, puts my .50 down on the tip and swoops up the money, whithout even offering me my change! Not that I even wanted it, but it's just the principle, I mean come on, service 101. I will never go back there again.

I've given Kelly's quite a few chances, and I think I'm done. The first time I went there, I had just moved to Portland, and I thought it was great. The food is great, the decor is ultra-cool, and the bartenders were freindly. The service was a bit slow, but it was a bit busy, so I let that slide.

The next time I went in..totally different. The food is still good, and the drinks are strong (expect for their margaritas..what's up with using tons of ice to muddle? if you're a pro, you don't need ice, or at least, not that much - it waters the drink down once it's mashed) but the service absolutely sucked. it wasn't even that busy, yet I had to wait almosdt 5 minutes before any of the bartenders noticed me. Took another 5 minutes to make my drink (again, with the margaritas) and took forever for my food to come out. And I overheard one of the bartenders talking about how badly they need to get out of this business. Yes..please do, because if you aren't at least going to act like you love your job, you aren't going to make any money. And then maybe I will get my drink before the ice melts.

I went a few more times..and it didn't get any better. Different bartenders..same bad attitude. Seeing how far they can shove those sticks up their asses must be part of their training. and the younger, female bartenders seemed much more interested in gossiping and checking to see if their tits were in the right place, instead of tending to their patrons. And how many friggin times do you have to ask for a side of mayo before you get it?

The last straw was Halloween weekend. Me and a bunch of my freinds showed up, in costume, ready to entertain, only to meet with scowls and snobbery. Uhmm..let me volunteer a little advice here..I was a bartender in jersey and new york for 5 years(and can run rings around you slowpokes, on a Saturday night with 3 deep at the bar)..and besides St Patrick's Day and New Year's Eve, Halloween is one of your biggest money making nights. If you aren't going to at least humor the half-drunken costumed fool who is only trying to make everyone laugh, then you won't make any money, and you have no right being in this business. Being a bartender is like being a stripper..if you can't sell yourself, you won't make money. Kelly's may no longer be an "old man's joint" but it certainly still has the mentality of one. And apparantly, annoying filthy whinos are quite welcome here...but not people dressed as Borat. What a waste of good decor.

I won't be going to Kelly's again anytime soon.

stopped by after the Red Sox game for a beer. haven't been here in awhile and it seems they expanded into the space next door so bands can play there. seeing bands here did always suck a little ...

When you think good food, nice people, a great atmosphere, good music and a place to hang out and be yourself there really is only one place we found - my staff and I - and that's Kelly's Olympian right in downtown Portland.

Filled with memorabilia on the walls of great old motorcycles, posters and reminiscences of Portland in the early days, Kelly's is filled with character and the kind of people that you'd enjoy having in your home for dinner.

Speaking of food -- it is wonderful. The kitchen here produces food your mother would be proud to serve and with character and style and an understanding of quality and presentation rivaled by only some of the finer restaurants around the country. I've had the breakfast(s) with hand-pounded sausage and eggs complete with toast and jam for a measley $5. - had the lunch of a great bacon cheeseburger and just this morning I had the home-made-like corned beef hash and eggs prepared in what seemed like just a minute and brought to our table by the chef (you notice I don't say cook - because he indeed is a Chef) and it was delicious.

And you get wireless internet, to boot - and a cigarette machine - and a full bar to warm your insides on these cold days.

What more could you ask for? How could anyone complain except for maybe a little construction going on outside - but once you walk inside the doors you have a wonderful experience in store for you - right here in PDX.

I give them six stars out of five - and anyone who doesn't like the place needs to see their psychiatrist.

People will tell you "this place is cool!" but all I saw was a bunch of motorcycles gathering dust amid an otherwise sterile backdrop. I suppose you might consider Kelly's a dive if your idea of a good time is "clubbing" at the usual vapid fleshpots. To me, this place feels (and sorta looks) like every other testosterone / nostalgia joint-- perfect for pudgy, balding 50-something Harley riders. Any hipsters spotted here clued in: don't wear this place out now, kid, that's you in twenty years.

Just heard a rumor that they fired the whole kitchen staff and replaced them with some automatic frying machine thing. Place is going down fast.

What a change! I have been disappointed a couple of times by this place. I went this week for drinks with my LA girls who were in town to visit and we had a great time. Quick service scrumptious drinks and a very knowledgeable staff. They must have a RADIO CAB connection, cuz the cab got there fast and was patient enough to wait for us to finish our drinks. I had a great time and no hassles like in the past. In fact an off shift bartender bought us a round. It was an all around good time. This bar has great potential and it is nice to see a place respond to the negative reviews, by changing their customer service for the better. Kudos to Kelly's. By the way your beer glasses don't have that ever familiar bleachy residue most of Portland's bars tend to have which just ruins a good micro.

I love this bar. The staff, the drinks, the music, the patrons, and yes, even Will. I've been a few times a week kind of girl for about two years now. Unfortunately, there's been a major change in staff, and not for the better, at least in my opinion. Why would you put a person who obviously has no prior experience behind the bar on the weekends, let alone at night? A friend and I stopped in before a show last week to say hi to Mo and grab a drink. We ended up sitting at the opposite end of the bar where Mo was tending and waited and waited and waited for this blond chick (not Tina xoxo) to serve us. She never did, but she looked at us enough, and helped the guys next to us. Mo served us after that. What are they doing, and where the hell is Ryan?

It's a toss of the coin, I've gone into Kelly's and had a great time (even when it was a depressing old-man bar way back when) though most of the time the day bartenders are too cute to be an actual bartender and they're nice enough, they just haven't quite got the whole "service" thing down. I was at the bar for about 10 minutes and wasn't even offered a drink even though I was seen by both of them.Strange. Maybe I don't have enough tattoos or mention that I'm in the "industry". Nobody there even rides motorcycles.

Yep, back again for the same, this time solo & for good reason! I sat at the bar next to this Cute & Darling blond I'll refer to as Sarah. We engaged in witty banter, art talk, etc...to that end, exchanges of phone email & to my surprise, we hook up again later that night & visit at another place in hte Alberta district. Yes hands down the best Pattie Melt in town. The Bartender (can't remember his name, but he's a skater dude) poured my some dirty bird (Old Crow) from the well, after all it's not just a breakfast drink, follewd by a PBR chaser. The first were so good,I had afew more for for dessert. I haven't been in the later evening, but seems to me a good lunch hangout. I'll be back again.

Doc Out. / Tilted Kilt in Vista

I read the reviews this week before checking out the joint. I went, sat down to get some grub, a cocktail and waited patiently 15 minutes. I was hungry and the male animal in my stomach said, 'next time-maybe, why the fuck don't you get married again so somebody will bring you dinner'... so I took my $100 USA tokens down the street. You snooze you loose. I just want a bar that claims to be a bar to come take my money and bring me the goodies to make me happy. 35 years in the business taught me that keeps the doors open. It puts money in the waiter(s) pocket too- been there. Thank you and God bless the pretty neon lights in there. It was worth the color trip, even if I didn't get any service. I miss the days I would stop by for a screwdriver and shoeshine before work.

I was in P-town on vacation in July '06. We were back in town for a couple of days, so girfriend & I were wandering around & stumbled onto this little gem. While marveling at all bikes & decor, I ordered a Patti Melt, girlfriend got the burger. Excellent lunch time service, reasonably priced, the wait staff pleasant & prompt. My reasons for returning would be for the same reasons. They have Cold PBR on tap, un heard of where I live, & at the time, my favorite whiskey in the well, I think it was Early times. The following day, girlfriend went shopping downtown, I headed straight to Kelly's & enjoyed a few Early Times smoothies & PBR's. I'll be there again in June on vacation.

All I have to say is $1 PBRs all day Monday. I've never waited for a table or a beer and I have a great time every week.

everyday when I come in for lunch, my drink is waiting for me, and it's alwasy made with love. Thank you MATT!!! The bar is always entertaining and lively. The bartenders and cooks work their asses off, and dont deserve all the crap the people have written about them. The live music is awesome, come check out when THE COOKS are playing, they put on a great show. Roz makes the best drinks in town, just dont light a cigerette around them. Love ya Roz. Mac and Cheese on Mondays is so tasty, I'm tellin ya you gotta check this place out, you will be a regular in no time at all! Michele, I love and miss you so much sweetie! Lock and Load!

When I finally realized how lucky to have a bar as fucking awesome as kelly`s in my little po-dung town I am, I also decided I would get up off my fucking large turd cutter and ask for my own goddamn ranch. And honestly, I have only done this once or twice, but I already feel like I have less hot dogs on the back of my neck. You know, hot dogs on the back of ones neck. Those rolls of fat you get on the back of your neck from being really, really, lazy and stupid. If I wanted table service, I would go to T.G.I. Fridays(and I do!) But when I want to show my friends from out of town a really good time, I take them to Kelly`s, because there sure isn`t anything like it in Seattle, San Fran, or hell, for that matter, even Vegas! So quit trashin` my favorite bar because you`re too lame to realize what you`ve got here. Pussy hurt?

This is the poorest service I have ever encountered and how they stay open is beyond me.

I usually meet a friend there when I come to town. I have waited as long as 30 minutes for table service. An alert bartender and server make good money for the house. Poor ones lose money.

Will the manager ever figure that out? I'm certain she is aware of it.

I sharted when I saw how cool.......................sharted, I say

There`s no Black eyed peas on the juke. You are free to vomit at the Greek(again), but you aint never been to Kelly`s, you wouldn`t understand Kelly`s, so hop back on your dumb ass monkey fucking a football sport bike and go back to Doug Fuer(er). Just kidding, you guys are rad, sadly though, noone obviously cares what you think. Officer. Black and blue 5$ Bitches- bitchen`

This place may have THE location and the neon and motorcycles hanging from the ceiling, BUT as a live music venue Kelly's Olympian is a major disappointment. #1 there's a giant pole in the middle of the stage. I don't know how any acts larger than a 2 piece could do it. #2 the sound and PA sucks. Their PA is a joke, the monitors are bolted to the floor, and the employees/guy running the sound does nothing to help the situation. A definite waste of time if you're looking to play a show in Portland and you want to sound good. This place has been fun in the past at a previous show I've been a part of, but the PA was lacking then too. Don't waste your time setting up a show here. If the door doesn't make any money they'll blame it on your band and not their shotty sound system.

I typically hit Kelly's 1-4 nights a week after work. The music (when not a live band) is always good. The stupid music videos and skateboarding on the plasma tv's is great entertainment when you're alone. Always, you can get a shot of Jack with a 16oz can of Pabst for $5 (Black & Blue). True, I've seen customers waiting for service when the bar is only half full and the bartenders are chatting it up. Most likely they're ignoring you because you're a shitty tipper or just a douche bag. I never wait for a drink and when they show up, they're appropriately stiff. As far as table service goes... I can't remember the last time I recieved good table service in a dive... can you? At least at Kelly's, with the long bar and banquet, you don't half to walk half a mile to get ahold of someone behind the bar. Really my only beef with Kelly's is that the food is typical unexciting bar food; burgers and fries. But I'm there to drink, not eat, so honestly all together.... This is one of my favorite bars.

Yeah, motorcy-cool daddy. Thing is, that used to be a great bar. Place had no stools, a shine seat out front and cases of pie. Frickin' PIE at two-twenty to go with your shots of Jaeg. Now Mr. Moto-money fucked it all up by hanging his BSA BS over the bar. I mean, it's a great concept and all, but why not do that shit in the Pearl and leave the good places alone? What's next, Cassidy's as a 50's diner? Jesus!

Well some of the servers are uppity but go on Sunday mornings cool chick that always has on some Iron Maiden RAWK tee's is great real friendly fast service. Don't know about the nightlife I usually stick to my neighborhood bars. Give it a try comfortable seating, medium to stiff drinks and food isn't bad!

I swear this is the only place downtown that still feels Portland to me. No wankers or typical club going losers here. Great service from the bar, good music, great beer selction, often free live shows even on weekends. They KEEP THE ROCK ALIVE here!!! Thank god someone in town still does. Also, the juke is good, the TVs are a good distraction, and the crowd is always unpretentious.

Hi! I have only been here a few times, but I felt right at home with really nice bartenders with really good converstation. Plus they were playing a plethra of bad 80's videos, which held my attention while I waited on someone. Thanks for the tip on the Wanda Jackson Concert. I got ripped, and had a blast! (this is from the girl who tugged on the back of your shirt during her set) I know this post must be really boring compared to the other ones, but I don't know anything about that other stuff. Ciao!