The Slammer

500 SE 8th Ave Portland, OR 97214
Phone: (503) 232.6504

Located in: Southeast Portland
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BarFly's Review of The Slammer

One of Portland's oldest bars, the former speakeasy and cop hangout - move along, fratboys, the name's nothing to do with tequila - had settled gently into an old man's crumbling dive until a recent revitalization. Nothing too dramatic, taco nights are still most popular, but they have brought in liquor and expanded hours.

Best avoided by the claustrophobic - the tiny space barely has room for the wraparound bar and low ceilings cluttered with hanging kitsch suggest our great-grandfathers must have been midgets.

7x tvs with both MLB and softball(!) packages, 1x pinball, 1x Big Buck Hunter Open Season, and summer time misters!

Tuesday: 3 veggie tacos/$3

Wednesday: 3 beef tacos/$1.50

Saturday $5 Bloody Mary Bar from 12pm - 4pm

Sat/Sun: Drink specials

Holiday Season! The Slammer is the Peacock Lane of  the bar industry - the xmas light display is not to be missed. Boozing and altruism go hand in hand - bring an new unwrapped toy for the toy drive, some cash for adopt a family, and a myriad of other charitable events.

Hours: 
Mon-Fri 3pm-2:30am
Saturday Noon-2:30am 
Sunday: Noon-2:30am (Open at 10 during football season. NFL Sunday Ticket!)

Open Xmas eve with free apps.

The Slammer's Happy Hours
Monday$2.50 wells 4pm-7pm
Tuesday$2.50 wells 4pm-7pm
WednesdayAlas, no happy hour today.
Thursday$2.50 wells 4pm-7pm
FridayAlas, no happy hour today.
SaturdayDrink specials
SundayDrink specials
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Reader Reviews of The Slammer
The Slammer has 4 out of 5 based on 2 ratings and 14 user reviews.
Perfect end of biking destination

I happily found this place while biking and consider it my 3rd favorite bar (after Sandy Hut and Plan B). I'm sad that the Molson is no longer on tap but easily consoled by the ever present PBR and welcoming staff. Owner, Lizzie, was a joy to meet and the patrons are friendly and entertaining.

Reviewed By BarFly User PabstWhore007 on May 27, 2011, 1:31 pm
Love it but seriously over-priced drinks!

I have been to the Slammer quite a few times and like the staff and, for the most part, the vibe. I stopped in for a quick one the other night and paid $8 for a shot of Hornito's (in a standard shot glass)and a beer back. Really? Needless to say, I won't be back anytime soon because, quite frankly, I can't afford it!

Reviewed Anonymously by Your Mom on September 2, 2010, 11:09 pm
They play the Country music without a hint of Irony

I found that strange. I went in on a mid-afternoon on a weekday. There was radio-style Country music playing. Like Tim McGraw and that one American Ass-Kickin guy. The owner was hanging out and she was friendly. She thought I was lost, but I just needed an outlet. They have WiFi, but I don't think many people take advantage of it. They have a pretty poor selection of beer, but this is not the kind of place to go if you want to be picky, anyway.

Overall- nice blue-collar type folk working and drinking there. Strange that the place isn't swamped with hipsters, but maybe that was entirely due to the time of day I went in.

Reviewed By BarFly User mistergraves on April 8, 2010, 8:30 pm
Lizzie's Slammer Tav

you must get a beer at the Slammer after the shamrock run and party with the "Shamrockers"! They run all morning at shamrock run with ghetto blasters then drink all day at Lizzie's Slammer Tavern creating havoc in the name of David Lee Roth, Metallica, Ozzy and any butt rock band you can think of! Shamrockers love Lizzie!!

Reviewed Anonymously by SeaBass on March 9, 2009, 2:36 pm
Good times...good times

I used to be a Slammer regular, due mainly to trivia night, but also it's proximity to my bike route home. I don't miss the smoke so much, but the Slammer is the only place in town where I have made a conscious decision to run from the boys' to the girls' bathroom in naught but my skivvies. My favorite story, though, might be the night I met a girl, bought her a few drinks, watched her fall off her barstool and shout "Take me home!" at the top of her lungs, and complied.

Reviewed By BarFly User midemcrk on June 9, 2008, 5:43 pm
cool

had a few drinks here with friends. nice place. BT and locals were friendly even though i was slightly obnoxious

Reviewed By BarFly User Yamada on May 19, 2008, 12:57 pm
no other place like it

Glad to see you doing so well!! Miss all the good times we had!

Did Dale ever find his coffee cup? Check the freezer!!!!! (thaw before removing popcorn and utensils)

Reviewed Anonymously by the nephew on March 25, 2007, 9:32 pm
I've spent my time in the slammer!

Lizzie's the best! Anna and Michelle kick ass! The price is right! What's not to love about the Slammer? If you're lucky they'll even let YOU switch out a blown keg. Awesome...

Reviewed Anonymously by Cru Jones on March 13, 2007, 4:27 pm
The sign is right

Sign said "possibly the friendliest bar in the world". We figured that would be a good sign. The four of us drank like fiends, and in a true measure of the Slammer's charm, my normally prudish wife downed twice as much wine as she ever does and ended up passed out at home. Good, good, good times.

Reviewed Anonymously by MVK on December 28, 2006, 3:44 pm
This bar rocks!!

Are you kidding me, Why is this such a subject? This bar rocks!! Everyone is welcome, and every server there will treat you like you are the one and only!!! I love you Lizzie- Amanda

Reviewed Anonymously by Amanda on December 25, 2006, 5:16 pm
MUSIC!!!

The Slammer's doing music regularly now... up on the roof!!! Check it out, last Saturday of every month. The Sept. 29th show rocked.

Reviewed Anonymously by Josh on October 19, 2006, 4:04 pm
OPEN ON SAT!

The Slammer is now open on SAT! 10:30 am to at least 1AM. Come in for cheap awesome bloody mary bar! It looks like we may strt havin' music on the last SAT of the month.

Reviewed Anonymously by MELL on September 13, 2006, 9:39 am
yes, trivia rulez

So, evidently I won the deed to the Slammer in a trivia contest, but I was so shitfaced I must have left it there since I'm not seeing a dime of profit. That's ok, Lizzy would have tracked me down and put the kibosh on me if I had kept it. I think taking her Ginsu knives was reward enough.

Reviewed Anonymously by Team Bob on July 11, 2006, 2:23 pm
why thank you, kind ma'am

Thanks for the kind words 'bout my pub quiz, Red, whomever you may be . . .

I get a kick out of the owner, too. Lizzy's cranky charm is definitely a selling point for The Slammer.

Reviewed Anonymously by ShanRock on May 9, 2006, 12:32 am
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Overall Rating of The Slammer

Absolute boozer heaven
Pretty freakin' nice
Could be worse
Exemplifies mediocrity
Ugh, shoot me.

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