I have only been into the Barlow a couple of times over the years. I reached out to a friend who used to manage the Foggy Notion on N. Lombard, about some of her favorite places to go. She recommended to try the Barlow. I went last night, in between a shift change of staff. The two women helping me at first were both awesome! We talked about past concerts we have gone to, and the vibe was so chill & friendly. When the shift changed I met two more staff members. Morgan was one of them, & he has a wealth of film buff knowledge, was upbeat & easygoing. It was a refreshing and fun evening, very warm decor, great outdoor patio,, food was spot on delicious, but above all else...it was the staff & customers alike that made my visit worthwhile! I will definitely recommend this bar to my airbnb guests & friends! read more

Barlow Tavern - Cool art vibes! - Pubs Near Me - Portland, Oregon

More of your typical neighborhood bar kind of place. Friendly bartenders and they also have a good deal on Prime Rib on Mondays.

My first time at Barlow. Not my last! We ordered the Monday night Prime Rib. It was great! I can't wait to go back again on a Monday night! Food was so good, service excellent as well. The other patrons were good too. Ambiance? Was too busy enjoying a drink and meal to pay attention... so I'll just say it's fine! Highly recommend and will have to also order the fried chicken that everyone is raving about! read more

My partner and I's favorite dive bar in the neighborhood. Always great service and bartenders.

I LOVE THE BARLOW! The bartenders are great. The food is great. They have a pool table, outdoor area with heaters and a solid 'Montana Bar' vibe. There are tons of bars in Portland, but if you want to feel like your treated like family... come to the Barlow! read more

Barlow Tavern - Mono & Soda on the back patio. - Pubs Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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This is one of my favorite spots to just chill, have a beer, and a bite to eat. Their fried chicken sandwich really hits the spot. The bartenders are all awesome, I've had some great conversations there, and there's usually some weird/fun movie playing on the tv. read more

Amazing spot. Everyone who works here is super friendly on and point. It's bigger inside than it looks. Bathrooms are nice. Food is good (THE FRIES ARE PERFECTION). Good amount of smoking tables out front. read more

So good!!!! Cool building/decor/crowd, employees are cool, food is really really good, drinks are strong, lots of outdoor seating. The fried chicken is so so good. Highly recommend! read more

I had a great time here for taco Tuesday. Nothing beats tacos and beers. I can't remember the bartenders name but he was really nice I played pool with a couple of the regulars too I'll definitely come back read more

At first it was extremely hard to pick a dish. Nothing really stood out. Perhaps because it was more one of each situation. Overall the food was great the taco shells were terrible. The beer wall was fun. The gm was nice on coming around and checking on us read more

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I went to this bar yesterday with a friend, the service we got was horrible. After we paid (and left a tip) we had our drinks and as I was heading out I told my friend (privately) that I really didn't like the service here. As I was walking to my car the waitress came out of the bar and yelled at me (pardon my french) to go fuck myself. I have never ever experienced someone so incredibly rude, to be yelled in front of people because I didn't like the service, is completely shocking and for lack of a better word plain rude. Definitely not going back here, I felt very humiliated read more

Had brunch at the Barlow Tavern today for the first time and was very pleased with the results. I can't believe I didn't try this sooner as I am only a couple blocks away. I had the huevos rancheros and took the cooks advice with getting my eggs sunnyside up. The egg yoke mixing in with the salsa, sour , and black beans was delicious. I also tried their bloody mary and enjoyed that as well. If you like your mary on the spicer side you should for sure get the jalapeno infused vodka. They have patio seating out front and also in back. The only thing I could do without are the creepy taxidermy animals that peer down on you from the walls. I will absolutely be back again. Thanks Barlow, you make a great addition to the neighborhood! read more

Barlow Tavern - Huevos Rancheros, Bloody Mary, and a coffee. Yum! - Pubs Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I love the grill cheese and tater tots, it's classic and simple. So good and served with tasty ranch! Veggie burger is also really good(I added cheese) and the bun was cooked perfectly. Really good Avid cider on tap and nice pool table to relax and have fun. 5 stars because I really enjoyed the food, beer, and the new owner is so nice and welcoming. For ambiance, I recommend those small red bar candles. Thank you!! read more

Pleasantly surprised by this very sketch looking bar on Greenly Ave near Adidas Headquarter. Despite not having a full array of alcohol, I still had quite a good time munchin' on their greasy fries and drinking PBR. Oh so classy. read more

Barlow Tavern - Pbr and fries... #classy - Pubs Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I really appreciate Barlow Tavern. The drinks are strong, the place is clean, and service is generally fast. And their food? Delicious! I've had their deviled eggs and fried chicken basket, both of which I'd recommend. Just to note, the flavor of their deviled eggs changes quite frequently. I've had their parmesan deviled eggs (so creamy and decadent) and I've also seen that they had bacon and jalapeno deviled eggs. But undeniably, their fried chicken basket is what really draws me to this place. For starters, it's boneless chicken. I was worried at first that it wouldn't be that flavorful without the bone, but I was wrong. Their chicken is moist and flavorful, and the breading around it is seasoned really well. To be honest, I crave Barlow's fried chicken quite a bit! I also like their shoestring fries that comes with the basket, though you can also get tots or a salad with your fried chicken. Oh, and make sure to drench your fries in their delicious fry sauce! read more

Barlow Tavern - Fried chicken basket - so delicious! - Pubs Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I used to really enjoy eaten at this place but as of late the last two visits that I've had here the chicken was over salty everything is just salt ,salt , salt for person trying to watch his blood pressure is not a good place to go but the drinks are still good and the service is great but that dredge or batter that they have for the chicken is just way to salty. I was thinking of giving it only two stars and I am but they still have a great pool table and you have a good time there just can't eat there read more

The ups: Amazing fried chicken, decent selection of whiskies, cheap drinks, clean tables, and my favorite painting. The downs: it's a bit hipsterish, with a high percentage of the patrons sporting skinny jeans and complicated facial hair, and Trivia Tuesday can get a bit crazy. Oh, and there's no table service, but I guess you can't have everything. All in all, I love this place. read more

Barlow Tavern - If this fit in my purse I might consider trying to sneak it out of the bar. - Pubs Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Popular neighborhood dive bar. Very eclectic mix of people (straight, LGBT, various races). We really liked the diversity here! PROS: Strong drinks, friendly staff, 50¢ billiards, video poker, jammin' music (ol' school R&B), good bar food outdoor seating. CONS: Overpriced food, only 1 pool table, bathroom locations, no parking lot just street parking that's very limited (we parked 2+ blocks away). read more

So far so good. My couple times here I had a great time. Shaun (owns Vendetta, too) I came here for first time and drank a couple beers, the bartender was engaging and having so much fun with the small crowd. Made place seem exciting. Cozy, log cabiny, neighborhood feel. They installed a obligatory TV, understandable, but it's not taking over the whole vibe. Heard burger is great. have not had yet. Good hospitality- read more

Barlow Tavern - Deschutes Chainbreaker - Pubs Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Mmmm #friedchickenandwaffles NoPo neighborhood bar. I like it. Thanks to my pal Seanny Cuff for bringing me in. read more

Barlow Tavern - a plate of food with a knife stuck in it - Pubs Near Me - Portland, Oregon

I love their chicken! I had their chicken sandwich and my husband had their chicken breast stand alone. I would dare to say this is some of the best chicken in Portland and it helps that they give you lots of fries! It's a teeny bit on the pricey side for the stand alone chicken (breast and fries) but it is so worth it! From the outside, someone wouldn't think of going in this tavern for delicious food--and they would be making a mistake. This is a very low key atmosphere with a pool table and some pinball machines. read more

We just moved in nearby, and wanted to get a bite to eat and a beer so figured we'd give this a try. The bartender let us sample a couple of local draft beers (One was a strawberry lager I believe, but was far too sweet so we opted for something else. We did appreciate the sample though!) We split a BLT and tots. BLT was ok, but could have used more bacon (I suppose that's always true though, it's bacon after all) The tots were good, but pretty much the same as every other tater tot I've had here. I did like the comfortable atmosphere, and they do have a couple pinball machines and a pool table. We'll definitely be back! read more

Barlow Tavern - Really cool artwork - Pubs Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Classic local dive bar. With $5 pints, a pool table and lots of gambling machines, I'd say they're doing something right

In my opinion, this is the best local bar and usually the best late night food option. Service is always very friendly and welcoming. The decor has grown on me. The crowd is surprisingly super cool, and it makes me happy to see so many people sitting outside here enjoying each other and the sun. read more

I suppose this stands for most dive bars, but there's never a dull moment at this place. My last visit in particular, I was shamelessly entertained by various couples' interactions. Let's just say that it was pretty apparent Barlow is a lot of older folks idea of a fine romantic time. I think this place has more character in the summer when they have picnic tables out and the doors open. It always seems to be steady busy with crowds during this time. Otherwise, for being so close in the neighborhood, it's an alright place to grab a drink. I have to say I was impressed with the Cajun tots also, definitely on the more spicy side served with some really good ranch dressing. I actually had to request more ranch and convince myself it wasn't a good idea to lick the dish. read more

Big fan already. Just spent my first evening there. Excellent food and I heard the cocktails were just right. All of their pickled things are yummy, beet salad was extra yummy and burgers are perfect. Great atmosphere. Dark and warm. Taxidermy on the walls. Huge space, but well used. read more

My go-to weekday bar. It's gotten a bit too busy for a Friday or Saturday evening night cap for me; probably due to all of the new housing in the area. Good for them. The food is great, drinks are strong, bartenders are friendly and there's good outdoor seating with designated smoking tables. Not much else you need but if you like pool and pinball they've got that, too. read more

I tend to forget about the Barlow Tavern, and every time I pop in, remember how much I like it. For being classified as a "dive" - it is clean, lots of open space, and has a fairly interesting menu. I suppose the main thing about it that is dive-y is the love of cheap beer. The wood paneled walls are kind of gorgeous with no two matching, but amazingly well built. I would love to know the history of this place - might have to go do some research. The bartenders are always friendly. I don't think I have been here during Prime Drinking Hours - so I do not know what it would be like at capacity on a Saturday night. But it is a perfect stop on the way home read more

I like this little place. Any bar that serves Guinness on Draft is good in my book. The usual bartender lady pours it nicely. They have a great selection of beers, so everyone is usually pleased when we meet up here. The food selection isn't as awesome as the booze selection. I wish they would update the menu/get better chicken*, but the fried cauliflower is good! *I should note that the fried chicken is battered nicely and cooked well, but the actual chicken itself is meh. I'd pay a buck or two more to get better quality. read more

The. Neighborhood. Bar. I'm not sure what I love most about this place: the friendly staff, stout drinks, or delicious food. For the food menu, try the fried chicken, french fries, or fried broccoli. The place is a dive bar, but the cleanest dive bar I have ever been to... which makes it not a dive? Fun atmosphere, excellent ambiance and decor, pool, and games. read more

The one, the only, and the original Barlow Tavern. Others have used the a same name, but only go to the one on N Greeley Ave!! Best chicken & waffles in town!! Best staff!! Best place to spend your money at! By far!! read more

It baffles me that finding good fried chicken is so hard in a city that prides itself on food culture. While Screen Door and Country Cat are always great, I've longed for a neighborhood place that satisfied my appetite. A place that I can get a cheap beer, play some video poker and maybe catch some pub trivia. I'd tried George's and Fryer Tuck's, and while they are ok, I didn't realize until about six months ago that the place I was looking for was a mere few blocks from my house. Barlow has the best fried chicken I've had in a bar in Portland. Get it with waffles, get it on a sandwich with fries, it doesn't matter - It's great and you should give it a try. I do wish they had AC, BUT not enough to knock it a star. The chicken is that good. I've seen the sign for Meat Mondays and have always been intrigued but can't take my eyes off that chicken. read more

It's called fried chicken. It's amazing. Seriously, as in I crave it regularly. This is a super fun NoPo dive bar. Cool wood paneled walls, animal heads, billiards and brunch. The staff is friendly, and the clientele is a nice mix of neighborhood locals, Portland hipsters, and a smattering of everyone else. As I mentioned, my favorite is their fried chicken, which comes in a few versions with tots or side veggies and coleslaw. Cheap beers is the way to go here, but they have a full bar. Try it out, we love it and stop by regularly. read more

I can walk to you, cabin decor, patio. Sweet. Burger not so great, kind of...soggy. Friendly bartender and cook. If you're nearby, it'll do. read more

The bartender and cook really make this place special. Kyle -- the nighttime bartender -- is the star of this place. His drinks consistently quench my thirst and he is by far one of the nicest guys I've ever met. It's a cozy place to spend before or after a basketball game. read more

I'm still somewhat of a new patron, but over the last few months this place has really grown on me. They make a great Old Fashioned! The bar itself is kind of NW Hunter Gatherer décor. Lotsa wood paneling and old animal head trophies. Pretty big space with a pool table and sit down area in the back or front depended on which door you come in and fairly big bar at the other end. There is also out back seating and some seating out front on the street. It's nice and dark with just the right amount of sunlight coming through the window by the bar area. The bartenders know their drinks and have quite an eclectic taste in music too. Hank Williams to Stiff Little Fingers on any given day. Pretty cool people all the way around. I have only eaten there once, so I can't say too much about the food. I enjoyed the burger even though they got the order wrong on the first try. It was quickly fixed with no hassle. They have a brunch offering on the weekends which sounds and looks good. Looking forward to hanging my hat at Barlow many moons to come. Update: It's been at least a couple of years since I posted this review. Times have changed here. I ordered a couple of drinks and sat at the bar. Felt like I was putting the bartender out. Very rude. If you want to go here I would suggest getting your drink and moving to a table away from the bar. Maybe the other employees are more friendly. read more

The food is awesome and they serve it all night long!! Drinks are just as good! The bartender is really nice and always in a good mood. This is where I want to be after a long day at work. I'm always glad I came. read more

Good local dive bar. Cheap drinks and a decent patio... seems a little cleaner than most dive bars.

The food is excellent! The bar service however is lacking. Bartenders are never overly friendly and on both of my most recent visits there, bar service was super slow. Don't become a bartender if you can't handle waiting on more than one person at a time! read more

The bartender was so rude and cold that I literally had to search my memory to figure out if I had wronged her somehow in the past. Spoiler: I did not. I've been to Barlow several times now because it's so close to where I live, and the drinks and food are relatively good and affordable, but every time I've been in, the attitude of the bartender has been very negative. This place is great if you don't care about being treated with a bare minimum amount of respect. read more