Pshaw
825 N. Killingsworth St Portland, OR 97217Phone: (503) 595.4370
Located in: North Portland
BarFly's Review of Pshaw
Bizarre spot on Kills next to the Paragon makes for an evening of low-brow bar hopping. Music every night, which can be oppressive, good eats and affordable drinks. Dark, but not so dark that you can't see the cute, surprisingly young crowd, plus the young and old local folk. A great place to grab a drink and a sandwich between classes at PCC Cascade.
This place is now as sassy as the name suggests.
If you're in the neighborhood you'll probably have a better time going next door to The Paragon Club. Pshaw might be a little more fun to go to in a few months though. They just revamped their food menu and put in a video projector that shows basketball games but maybe in the future an occasional movie. Who knows? Maybe they'll do something interesting with the place soon but they probably first have to get rid of the slimey bartenders and a couple of their gambling machines. I think it's all the gambling machines that bring in the creeps, other than them it's a OK crowd.
If you decide to go by sometime you should definitely try to slip in on a Sunday night. They have some reggae musicians come in and organize a big drum circle and even though it's not something I would normally be into by any means, I had fun because it brought the community together for a moment. Slackers from PCC were beating on drums next to old, single ladies who were shaking tamborines who were next to 40+ sporty black dudes on cowbells. It's really fun to see and participate in and if you live in the neighborhood it's a really good way to meet some of your neighbors.
And as much as the bartenders suck, they knew how to make a Slow Gin Fizz without consulting a Bartenders Bible, which impressed me. Oh, and their food menu is very veggie friendly if I remember correctly.
I've been there several times. It's ok. Sure, it does attract some seedy elements, but that just goes with the nature of the neighborhood. There are some really nice people there as well. I'll admit that the bartenders do give you a bit of the "what the fuck do you want????" attitude (it certainly won't be know for the service), but it gets better if they get to know you.
I had a chicken sandwich there once and won't be eating there again unless I'm *really* hungry. The music can be good sometimes, but they play far too much "smooth" jazz (on the radio, anyway).
As for the Beaverton remark, ironically it's actually *more* diverse than Portland. Remember, Asians and Hispanics count as diversity too.
I loved this place. It had a great band and the bartenders were friendly and attentive while serving wonderfully potent drinks. They all remembered my name and drink everytime I stepped up to the bar. I never saw anyone remotely "thug-ish" or at any time felt threatened...buck up people or go to Disneyland.
I have been going to this place for the past couple of months. I can see how the simple minded may be intimidated by the locals, But common wake up man we, if you cant handle diversity go back to Beaverton. This is north Portland, and Rember Alberta was full of seedy dive bars, and so was North West if you have been in PDX a while. These guys are givin it a shot in a area that will obviously be a great stretch of road in a very short period of time. Hey McMinnimens are opening up about a block away in a couple of months, isnt that a good sign for Killingsworth??
I've been to Pshaw a few times now - won't be going back. Don't bother going in after happy hour unless you are looking for trouble. The crowd has gotten rougher - almost scary. Won't be long before someone is shot in this place. Food is so-so, drinks are okay, service is good - but it is a real gangster dive after dark. The video poker doesn't help things either.
Pshaw is awesome. Anyone who thinks otherwise just doesn't get it. Come and see Reggie Houston and the BOC on Wednesdays, and the Andy Stokes band on Thursday. It’s really a great place to see music.
I'd been meaning to check out the place for awhile, and I finally went by. Surprisingly small, yet intimate, and the best scrambled eggs I've had at 10pm (and sober), ever. Not to mention a tight trio tingling my ears with some fresh jazz. What more could you ask for?
If you like scummy atmosphere, rude bartenders, and being robbed, then this is the place for you! The service comes with a double helping of "what the fuck do you want???" On my first/last visit there, as I found out by reviewing my bank statement the following week, my tab was apparently rounded up seven dollars. Not to pitch a fit over seven lousy dollars, but come on! That's just classless. Oh, BTW: the food sucks too.