Tiga
1465 NE Prescott St Portland, OR 97211Phone: (503) 288.5534
Located in: Northeast Portland - Visit Website
BarFly's Review of Tiga
Oh, Tiga, you are so well-named. You’re like an off-rhyme to the Tiger Bar of Olde: socially insular, DJ-centric though nobody knows the DJs save the locals, upscale storebought hip, fading hip, hip’s pristine shell casings (don’t you know the actual bullets aren’t so tidy looking?).
And yet, and yet, we feel the need to visit. Why do we?
Well, for one thing the place is arranged, cozily, like a giant burnished horseshoe around the kitchen and bar, which means that everyone who visits must touch everyone else who visits: it’s like heaven for pickpockets and pick-up artists. And look, we’re a little older, too, and we’ve decided we like infused liquors and obscure beers. We eat the occasional panini, even. We can get with this post-Podnah’s-Pit patio hangout vibe and pretend that 97211 is 90210’s mixed-up drunken kid.
I love Tiga's infused liquors, happy hour, and their food.. oh man their food is so good! But you definitely have to give up on the idea of being "served" if you head there. They offer typical lax portland service that I don't mind at all.
If a bar has no table service the bartender needs to be at least semi-attentive. On my visit she couldn't be torn away from her conversations with what seemed to be friends or regulars sitting at the bar. On the first round I lived with it. When I went to order my second round she couldn't be pried away from her ramblings to the assembled court on the subject of classical music. By the time she sauntered over to me I'd changed my mind about a second drink and I paid her and left for friendlier shores. There are too many good bars in the vicinity for me to consider trying this place again.
I didn't really want to go to Tiga after reading the reviews on this site, but was to meet a friend there. WOW. You guys are really wrong. Maybe the first reviews were written when it first opened? Drinks were great. Decor and lighting were solid and people there were nice as could be. I really enjoyed myself and will be back again soon.
I soooo badly wanted to like you Tiga. I gave you plenty of chances. I love your decor. Sadly you are just too full of assholes. Fuck your bartenders and fuck your clientele.
But I will visit the Mexican place next door cuz that place is AWESOME.
I live very close to Tiga and occasionally stop in to ask my self, "What the hell was I thinking?" I have never been to a bar with a staff that made me feel more uncomfortable and more unwanted. If there is a certain look and attitude you have to have to not feel like a jerk for ordering a beer, then maybe they should post their dress and attitude code on the door.
Well, for a neighborhood bar, there should be more warmth behind the bar. As a bartender, I know that it's not always easy to smile and act as though people aren't troubling you by ordering a drink (because in reality, they are), but it is important. That said, I really like the place and I'm sure the 'tenders would warm to a good tipping regular.
I'm still looking for that Eastside Portland, neighborhoody, non-smoking, zero-attitude bar. This place comes pretty damned close.
This place is kinda douchey. When I went there last night there was a really lame crowd that seemed to be made up of Urban Outfitter schooled "hipsters" mixed in with a 30+ artsy fartsy folks, berret's and all. There was a DJ spinning pretty lame music for the most part but when he threw on an easy crowd pleaser, Prince, people wanted to dance but there wasn't a real dance floor so they sort of bobbed their head while still in their chair. I had one $4 Greyhound and then left even though I originally intended to have a few more drinks. This place was just that boring.
However, a friend of mine told me this place isn't so much a night life spot but that it's actually better if you want to grab a drink in the middle of the day, which makes sense because there's a really large outdoor patio. Drinks there are reasonably priced and the bartender was nice but I'm never going back there again at night when I'm looking to get into some shenanigans.
Tiga works well as a bar for different situations - it's a cozy place to take a date or have a romantic snack and drink, or have a beer after work.
The drinks are reasonably priced, and the food is fairly good for what you're getting - slightly upscale tapas and panini sandwiches.
Atmosphere is good - good music selection, and it isn't too loud to talk. Bartenders are friendly and attentive, and don't drip with attitude. The only minus is that it can be hard to get in and out of parking spaces in the lot.