Grub Steak Grill Blackwell’s

The epitome of dive bar in all its glory. Walk in and you’re taken back to 1972, or at least it looks to be the last time the place may have been renovated. Paneled wood walls, pleather, Christmas decorations and a bartender who has been around here for around 40 years and she is the gatekeeper. Please remove your hat upon sitting down. She will make sure you remove it before she lets you order anything.
I have wandered Hollywood over the past two years and I’ve even walked past this place not ever giving it a second glance. I was meeting a buddy for lunch and he made the suggestion. Taco Tuesday at Blackwell’s. Standard bar food, I had the Blackwell burger and it was what you’d expect from a dive bar. The fries were pretty good. As for the tacos? Three at a time is the limit, so don’t get greedy. The woman running the bar has been around for quite a while and has the stories as well. Get on her good side fast. Beer is cheap, drinks are high octane and when you’re finished you can hit up the Hollywood movie theater across the street or shoot pool at Max’s.
Interesting spot that I never knew existed. I think I’ll try the clam strips or tacos next time.
Enjoy.

Oh man this place is a dive and a dingy one at that.
It’s fairly big for a bar but it’s dirty as hell. The bathrooms were nasty and the toilet seat in the men’s bathroom was stained yellow. The cups were old and weathered.
I got two sodas that in a lot of places would be free but not in this dump. They were 2.50 a piece. for a glass of damn soda. The bartender looked like she hated life and had been there for too damn long.
Overall i wouldn’t comeback unless i had to. Like i did during this initial experience for a damn birthday party. Who would have a birthday here!!! Okay my rant is done.

this is a solid dive bar. their best feature is the live blues music, mostly on Weds. Serious well known local and maybe regional artists play here. Jan is the longtime owner. She is so sweet —- but doesn’t take any bullshit. If you are a good listener and up for a good story, she has ‘em. Good amount of regular customers:
Lottery, Stiff Drinks, Nice beer tap selection, a new wine selection, too.
I like that its down to earth. loads of old relics decorate the place.
She features a lot of food specials and I had appetizers here on a wine night. Very good apps. Wednesday at 8:30 if you like Blues — no cover.
Also, the reason these folks play here… there’s not a lot of fuss, it’s like a hide-​out for serious fans/​musicians.

Some of the best music Portland has to offer and played by some of the best musicians Portland, or anywhere else, has to offer too. I was surprised by the quality of the music I’ve heard there, you just don’t get that in other parts of the world. The guys I’ve heard are well honed pros, not some garage band trying to pass. I can’t speak to the food, but the drinks and service are great.

Cigarette smoke, food from the low-​standard era, video poker junkies, what’s not to like?
If the neighborhood is ever going to upgrade this eye sore needs to go.

Blackwell’s is far from a dive bar! I think all these reviews are from amateurs. Hey, right now the Wednesday night Soul Cookin’ group and lots of the best R&B musicians in town sitting in… is where it’s happening. Easy to get to on the freeway, easy to park, no cover and $ 5 for a pint of Ninkasi IPA. comfortably crowded… listen to a couple smoking sets and be home to watch the news. TeeVee sucks compared to live music.

The service here was fantastic but everything else leaves much to be desired. There is a lingering stench of cigarette smoke wafting from the ancient carpet, and people multiple times my age were sitting at video lottery machines with glazed expressions. This is definitely not the place to go if you are looking for something trendy and cool. It serves a purpose and that is to serve cheap alcohol in a comfortable environment.
I got a Johnny Walker Black Label on the rocks and the very kind elderly lady who helped me gave a strong pour. I also got a few Rainiers to go along with it and my entire tab came out to be under twenty dollars. Definitely a good deal, and this place is only two blocks from where I work.
I’ll be back since I am always looking for nice places to get a cheap drink and chill out with a few of my friends.

First time here… was as whack as I hoped it would be.

Everything you want in a dive bar, cheap stiff drinks and greasy bar food.
The bf and I come here periodically, don’t expect fast service but do expect to feel cozy and welcome.

Ever wondered where folks over 50 went in Portland? Wonder no more. This place was surprising. I hadn’t known of its existence until I parked right in front for a 6:45 showing of Boyhood (5 stars on that!). And the sign on the door offered «after movie happy hour» — $ 3 well drinks with ticket stub. Well our frugal selves couldn’t resist that.
The place is bigger, nicer and cleaner than I would have guessed. From the outside it looks like a BAR. But they seem to regard themselves as a restaurant based on the name. It’s old school, but perfectly comfy. They have blues on Wed night so we enjoyed that while gabbing at the bar.
It’s a mixed crowd (older) and most look like regulars. Many empty tables right in front of the stage — but that would be super loud and you would have to scream to hear each other. We were a bit peckish after the 2.5 plus movie so ordered a chicken strips & fries basket for $ 6.50 (they ran out of calamari). It was perfectly suitable bar food — crisp, hot, cooked in fresh grease.
I liked this place, I was thinking that if I lived in this hood, I would totally hang out here. So why the 3 stars? Here’s why. When the bill came, our drinks were not $ 3.00. When we asked about it, the bartender (who was perfectly lovely) explained that juice was an extra .25 and tonic an extra .75. WTF? It does mention the extra quarter for juice on the menu. I saw mention of tonic nowhere. And I have never heard of anyone charging extra for tonic. Plus — if you say that your well drinks will be $ 3, they should be $ 3, not $ 3.25 and not $ 3.75. It’s false advertising, misleading, and possibly illegal. And just bad business!

Blackwell’s is a glorious feature of god’s creation.
Do you know how hard it is to make a dive bar where everyone is comfortable? I don’t, but I do know that most dive bars suck, and this one doesn’t.

So, if you aren’t a regular already, don’t come here. Prices change depending on the bartender mistresses mood. Pint of bud… $ 3.75. That’s right. A PINT of BUD. want a pitcher? 6.00. Oh wait… just went up …6.50 for a mini pitcher. Okay, got it. You don’t want people. No wonder its always dead here.

Came in for some excellent blues music tonight. 5 star all the way. Asked bartender if they sold pitchers. They had half pitchers. Show ends 20 min later. Bartender asks me if I want another. I asked her how much the 32oz half pitcher was. Bud light. $ 6. I ask how much is a pint? «3 uh 3.75…». I’ll close my tab. «OK, $ 6.50′. Fuck that and fuck her. If the bar owner of this place reads these reviews, your Wednesday bartender is robbing you blind AND driving away unknown but possibly new regulars. I don’t care if she has been working for you 20 years. Fire her.

Oh, it’s divey all right. So divey you can almost sense the ghosts of cigarettes past smoked before the indoor ban (thankfully) took place. It’s got all the perks of a dive bar — lottery machines, old lookin’ juke, older TVs, interesting décor and gruff lookin’ regulars.
But…I like it! The drinks are boozey and cheap, the service is always nice and friendly. There’s live musics a lot of the time which can be nice — unless it’s jazz then see ya later.
It’s right by the Hollywood theatre so a good place to grab some booze or grub before or after a movie, or a quick drink of the way to the MAX as well. It’s not much to look at, but I’m coming here anyway!

Let’s get down to it.
I’ve never eaten here. It’s bar food, but with all the food spots in Pdx, I go to have a few drinks and listen to Lloyd Jones on Wednesdays. Basically its a good size dive, but clean and not filled with hooligans… at least not on Wednesday anyway. Go see Lloyd once. You’ll be a convert!

Dive bar to the MAX! This place has a similar vibe to the Spare Room on NE 42^nd and Alberta. Super dark, dive-​vibe, booth seating as well as rounded bar with stools. Video lottery is in the back, along with an old school cigarette machine. They have a full bar with liquor and beer. I noticed some hypnotic behind the counter. Haven’t seen that in a while!
The location is great. It is right down the street from the Hollywood Theatre so you can come here for a quick, cheap drink and some food. They have daily specials. The best deal seems to be the 3 tacos for $ 2 on tuesdays. They have a really good menu full of burgers, sammies, salads, and full on dinner menus options. I like the turkey melt. Turkey pilled high on grilled sourdough with tomato, swiss cheese, and their special sauce. If I had to guess what was in the sauce I would say mayonaise, ketchup, and some pickle relish. Seems close but there are probably a few other ingredients. Its secret, what can I say?
The staff is friendly. The place is ooober cool. I love this dive bar and will be back again. Maybe on a Wednesday night as I heard they have good music :)

In a city full of so-​called dive bars, Blackwell’s is the real thing. It’s my opinion that most «dive» bars in Portland are being ironic. Their antiques were bought at the thrift store, the dust was imported from back east, and the mustaches are just douchey. Not at Blackwell’s though– most of the furniture is probably from before I was born, my asthma acts up as soon as I walk through the doors, and the people with mustaches are not trying to be funny at all.
An old (er) woman (who owns the joint) is behind the bar for the most part, while her slightly retarded slightly criminal looking son runs the grill. I’ve met one other person who works there and she was just as nice and normal (read no flannel, tattoos, or attitude) as the owner lady.
The first time I went in I felt a little uncomfortable, when she almost wouldn’t accept my ID because I had recently shaved my beard. She actually said to me, «this could be anyone». After we negotiated our way through that little mess, this place became a favorite of mine.
The beer selection is tiny, but you can probably find what you’re looking for. The food is average, but priced well. Whatever you do, don’t ask what kind of Bourbon they have!

Dive bar, very old décor — it’s a throwback experience for sure. The food was barely «meh», BUT the drinks were inexpensive (and substantial), and the service was good. It’s always appreciated if the smokers would not hover directly at the front door so I can avoid the «smokescreen» trying to get into the place.
Go for the music on Wednesday nights, and inexpensive drinks.

It’s a typical dive bar: the drinks are boozy and cheap and it’s never terribly busy. It’s across from the Hollywood Theater so if you want to pre funk or post funk for dirt cheap, please stop by. The bartenders are friendly and the vibe is pretty chill. They have a fair amount of poker machines and it’s pretty roomy. I will admit I have not tried the food but they appear to have a lot of specials and the usual grub faire.

No longer a dreary smoky steak house… thank goodness… but still funky as all get-​out. So Get Out and enjoy it! I’d still like smokers who now step outside, to to *please* step at least 10′ from doors and windows. Odors get sucked in ~ especially in Summer when the window Fan is running. nasty.
INSIDER TIPS:
Great place to plan a Birthday party… and to meet before and after a movie at the historic Hollywood Theater.
Lloyd Jones and Friends Carlton Jackson, Dave Kahl and Dover Weinberg ~ are Soul Cookin! playing a great night of delta blues 8:30 PM Wednesdays, for no Cover Charge, but the house appears to add .50 — a dollar to beer prices to pay the band. A fair deal… can keep many musicians hired and keep Portland’s groove on everywhere.
When Lloyd is out of town on Concert Tour, vacation, or generally playing hookey, Chris Carlson or Alan Hagar often sub for him on lead guitar and vocals. They are always great… and when Chris is there, Duffy Bishop often will sing something marvelous in the 2^nd set. Bonus! Many other special Guests sit in, so make it a reguular weekly stop, if you can, even for an hour.
everal great Craft Brews are always on Tap. Not a huge selection, but discriminating Craft Ale people can find something. Best ask the price first however… as prices fluctuate, as do daily specials. Beer Snobs will love the Dubhe — IF it returns, a double IPA (recently rotated off tap) Currently Ninkasi and other reputable Oregon Brews are featured. Take the bus if you have 2+ craft brews, please… do learn and respect ABV — alcohol by volume.
Sorry no more $ 2 glasses of Wine. (They take away the good deals as soon as they get popular, dangit. When you order wine here, you don’t get huge glasses nor the most refined… often youngish and raw-​fruit reds. Ask the price for your beer too, as there have been several fluctuations this year, both up and down. if you are compromising on style preferences anyway. Soda Lime is often my choice to reduce the amount of alcohol I consume during the week. I know this sounds like sacrilege to other PDX Elite Unilocal Scenesters. Not to worry, I always have a GOOD time. NO need to get drunk. Yes, Really!
The 12 and 75 are super close as is the Halsey 77 and MAX Light Rail. A Pharmacy across the street stays open late if you need something before heading home — drop in during the music between sets of music.
Food offerings at Blackwell’s include a decently priced Shrimp basket. Not a big fan of fried foods, however, so during a recent Wednesday night Delta Blues evening, I was happy to try the Best Shrimp Omelette I’ve had yet. Light, buttery, and puffed-​up in the oven before serving. Shrimp inside the egg was an ample portion, clean, juicy, and not at all fishy. A full evening meal for a decent price, so I’ll do that again. See you there on a Wednesday? You can come sit with moi. Avec moi. Whatever. Just come.