Kay's Bar, Sellwood
28 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/askportland, r/Portland, r/PortlandOR29 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Kay's Bar is recommended overall, and several commenters praise its burgers, including the jalapeno and two-patty versions. One patron calls it an old-school bar with booths and another calls it fun with nice people, and one says the drink and burger specials make a strong happy hour. Several commenters say the Sellwood bar is reputed to have a ghost. One patron says the mac there used to be strong, implying it has slipped.
Address
Kay's Bar, 6903 SE Milwaukie Ave, Portland, OR 97202
At a glance
- Best for
- Food
- Known for
- Burgers, Booths
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/Mapper9 in r/askportland · Feb 2025ambience
Says Kay's has lots of booths, an old-school bar feel and great burgers.
- Recommendsu/El_human in r/Portland · Feb 2024taste
Lists it alongside Tulip Tavern as worth a visit for smash burgers.
- Recommendsu/Powerful_Picture_470 in r/askportland · Feb 2024
Answers the question by naming Kays alone.
- Recommendsu/AhabsPegleg in r/askportland · Feb 2025
Suggests Kay's in Southeast as an answer.
- Recommendsu/Andrewpruka in r/Portland · Feb 2024taste
Says the jalapeño burger there is top-tier.
- Recommendsu/covalentvagabond in r/askportland · Jan 2025
Says the Sellwood bar is reputed to have a ghost.
- Recommendsu/WanderingWino in r/askportland · Jan 2024ambience
Says they always have good conversations at Kay's.
- Recommendsu/raccoondog69 in r/askportland · Nov 2024
Names Kay's in Sellwood when asked for dive bar breakfast.
Show all 29 cited comments
- Recommendsu/Trilaurasops in r/askportland · Feb 2024
Answers the question by naming this Sellwood spot.
- Recommendsu/CombatticusFinch in r/askportland · Feb 2025
Calls Kay's a gem and praises its two-patty burger as simple but well made.
- Recommendsu/toot_it_n_boot_it in r/askportland · Jan 2025
Confirms the ghost story and says staff openly discuss it.
- Recommendsu/ChaosEsper in r/askportland · Aug 2024value
Lists its cheap drink and burger specials as a strong happy hour deal.
- Recommendsu/NixyVixy in r/askportland · Feb 2025
Says Kay's was their first thought and that they want one of its burgers.
- Recommendsu/Natural_Clock4585 in r/PortlandOR · Feb 2024
Suggests going to Kay's for a cocktail while waiting.
- Recommendsu/FaithInTheFaux in r/askportland · Feb 2024
Agrees Kays is the right answer to the question.
- Recommendsu/Whatchab in r/askportland · Nov 2024taste
Says the food overall is good and praises the happy hour nachos.
- Recommendsu/dicke0000 in r/askportland · Feb 2024
Includes Kay's in its list of picks.
- Recommendsu/BlazerBeav in r/askportland · Feb 2024
Says they recently discovered Kays and consider it a good option.
- Recommendsu/RemarkableCulture948 in r/askportland · Mar 2026
Named among their favorite SE bars.
- Recommendsu/Distinct_Long_2615 in r/askportland · Jan 2026ambience
Calls it fun with nice people.
- Recommendsu/vfam51 in r/askportland · Feb 2025
Says Kay's has a remarkable history and is a personal favorite.
- Recommendsu/Bulldog_Mama14 in r/askportland · Feb 2025
Says they wanted to suggest Kay's too.
- Recommendsu/AGGROCrombiE1967 in r/askportland · Jan 2025
Agrees the bar has a ghost, placing it in the kitchen and bathroom walkway after a past visit.
- Recommendsu/ShowMeYourBooks5697 in r/askportland · Jan 2025
Notes the bar has existed since the 1930s and guesses there must be a ghost inside.
- Recommendsu/eeggles in r/askportland · Aug 2024portion
Points out the fry basket is generous for how little it costs.
- Caveatu/kingkalanishane in r/askportland · Jan 2026consistency
Says Kay's in Sellwood was once strong on mac, implying it has declined since.
- Recommendsu/inoryte in r/askportland · Nov 2024
Says Kay's is also worthwhile, though for breakfast in Sellwood they'd choose a different place.
- Recommendsu/ParamedicMajestic491 in r/askportland · Nov 2024
Also recommends Kay's.
- Recommendsu/aestival in r/askportland · Jun 2024ambience
Suggests older bars that opened before 2000 for a classic feel, starting with Kay's Bar.
Also on
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Freshness
Details last checked 14 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.