The Slammer
9 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/askportland, r/PortlandOR11 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Many people recommend The Slammer, and one emphatically backs the pick. One patron says it is small and usually busy on weekends, so people end up standing and socializing, and another says it is rough around the edges and that this is part of its appeal. One lists it among five iconic bars.
Address
The Slammer Tavern, 500 SE 8th Ave, Portland, OR 97214
At a glance
- Opinions divided
- Yes
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/sauce_box_ in r/askportland · Jan 2024ambience
Suggests The Slammer: small and usually busy on weekends, so people end up standing and socializing.
- Recommendsu/mightyatom13 in r/askportland · Jan 2026
Says it's close to the traveler and they'd like it.
- Recommendsu/Pale-Weather-2328 in r/askportland · Jan 2026
Lists it among recommended bars.
- Recommendsu/No_Photograph4762 in r/PortlandOR · Jun 2026
Names this bar in a list of five it calls iconic.
- Mixedu/satansayssurfsup in r/askportland · Jan 2024ambience
Calls it rough, but says that roughness is what makes it appealing.
- Caveatu/howlinforever in r/askportland · Jan 2024service
Reports the worst service they have had there, including rude treatment toward them and a friend.
- Recommendsu/Zers503 in r/askportland · Mar 2026
Lists it as a go-to on other weekends.
- Recommendsu/CriticismBudget in r/askportland · Feb 2026
Emphatically agrees with the Slammer pick.
Show all 11 cited comments
- Recommendsu/pdxbatman in r/askportland · Oct 2026
Gives this bar as a shirt answer.
- Recommendsu/sadboy_exe in r/askportland · May 2026
Suggests Life of Riley and Slammer, with the choice depending on which part of town you're in.
- Recommendsu/data4u in r/askportland · Feb 2026
Names The Slammer as their answer.
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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.