32 Best Dive Bars near Lake Oswego

“Driving from California,needed fuel, missed the turn,went over freeway, turned around, stopped at a gas station, ready to get going again, saw dive bar, it said open on the sign, went in, everybody watching sports, didnt realize it was sunday cause driving 3 days, nice girl", approaches us as we just sat ourselves cause we were just tired, asks if we'd like something, mentioned a special, brought my beer quickly as i traded driving with my friend, "A very large Stella Draft?, had wings,tipped her well,AND THEN ...ON THE ROAD AGAIN...Home.Perfect place, clean, better than good food,atmosphere was easy, all types were in there. That's the mark of a good place.. check it out..“

“Without a doubt one of the best sandwich joints in Portland. Absolutely everything made here is created with a passion for delicious food, and you can certainly tell when you taste it. From the smoked chicken wings, to the burgers, to the properly layered and piled high nachos, you will not be disappointed with anything you get on the menu. Pair anything with their extensive liquor selection and great tap list, along with amazing cocktails they make in house. I feel like when I’m inside, it’s like I’m back in my grandparents basement. It’s cozy and has a great feeling. Patio is great for the summertime. I can’t recommend this place enough.“

“Classic dive bar atmosphere. Big! One gaming area, then bar area then a large video lottery/pool table area. Piper the bartender was very nice and attentive, great service! I went in at 2 on a Monday and there was quite a few people. Seemed like people here were really into pool and had a system playing each other. Extensive menu and good food! Basically checks all my boxes and I find it to be perfect“

“Great neighborhood dive - with great atmosphere and staff. My wife and I don't get to come here too often with young kids, but when we do we have a great time! Decent tap selection, haven't eaten here in years but it was solid from “

“Another stop along my tour, multiple locals have specifically mentioned this bar. It was an early Friday afternoon when we stopped in, and it already had a decent lively crowd. Vibes were friendly all around and the kitchen was humming. Only had a beer, jello shot ($5 card limit!) and a convo before we moved to the next. I might come back for that chicken. Men's restroom doesn't latch so you may see/show some things.“

“The Firkin Tavern is hands-down one of the coolest spots in town, especially on nights when my band, Izy Kactus, hits the stage. It’s like this hidden gem that just explodes with energy and good vibes every time we play. The place packs out, creating this electric atmosphere that’s hard to find anywhere else.What sets The Firkin Tavern apart isn’t just the crowds, though. The bartenders are legends—quick with a drink, always smiling, and somehow make you feel like you’re the only person they’re serving, even when the place is bursting at the seams. It's the kind of service that makes a night unforgettable.But it's more than just a bar; it's a community hub. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from; the moment you step through those doors, you're part of the Firkin family. It’s got this great neighborhood vibe that’s welcoming to everyone, making it the perfect spot for a casual night out or to catch some live music.Whether you're there for the tunes, the drinks, or the company, The Firkin Tavern delivers. It’s become our go-to spot not just for gigs but for any night we want to guarantee a good time. If you haven’t been yet, you’re missing out on one of the best experiences the city has to offer.“

“The staff are friendly as far as bartenders go! But if you cause trouble, they won't hesitate to kick you out. The regulars are great company. The food is your baseline OLCC required sustenance, lol. Nothing at all to write home about. Drinks are good, nothing fancy. This is a "meat and potatoes" bar with 0 pretense. Mind your manners and you'll be welcome for a lifetime!“

“The vibes are immaculate. The music is perfect and not too loud, so you are able to have a conversation. The clientele are polite. A good and affordable late night food menu. And the owner is the nicest dude around. The only downside is they don’t have jalepeno poppers. 11/10 (would be 12/10 if they had poppers ?‍♀️)“

“Okay... I don't just give 5 stars away. But, this place and these people are charming, and if you made it in for the Crab Benedict special, you'd know what it's like to have your tongue tickled in all the best ways. This historic holdout has a place in my heart.“

“I live in walking distance of this place and have to say it is quite the gem. The vibes are always relaxed and comfortable, bar tenders are friendly and laid back, the cheeseburgers are delicious and very reasonably priced, and the drinks are good! On top of that, their new pinball selection (7 machines!) makes this place too good to be true, with two of my all time favorite machines. Happy its in the neighborhood. Don't be fooled by its unassuming facade, Old Gilbert is a perfect neighborhood bar and a Mt. Scott institution.“

“If you are into the 'dive bar', this gem this is the place for you. The bartender knows the 'regulars' drinks without asking and will strike up a great conversation with any newcomers, highly recommend for a down to earth place. We always look for these local places, the owner was there and super friendly, amazing place and a piece of recent history, 18 years young.“

“Very chill! Came in around 4PM on a Friday.Been here a few times with my sweethearts always good music, fav atmosphere. Super big thank you for having tea (which they got TODAY!) right at the beginning of the year for us with that sober start goal for the year but still want to enjoy the bar! Love playing pinball here and last time I stuck $20 in the video lottery I won’t $180 which was a fun time. The Standard is awesome.“

“I was enjoying my Valentines Day by myself, the situation become slightly weird & I became uncomfortable & went outside to vape & talk with my sister. A group of women thought I was maybe being loud or didn't like the conversation? They made fun of me and said I was annoying. I tried to not bother anyone or instigate any drama & felt extremely bad and embarrassed about the situation. I ignored that group & tried my best to move on. The bartender got the "vibe" so to speak and was understanding enough and vigilant enough to know my private situation. He treated my very respectfully and well throughout the night. I don't want drama or confrontation & he made sure that I felt safe and comfortable. I won't go into details, but he MADE SURE I was taken care of & safe given what happened. One of the most understanding and respectful bartenders I've experienced in a while. (Bryce?) is very cool as well. After I went home and thought about all the interactions that I experienced, I cannot give enough respect and admiration for this bartender. I will be coming back in the future because of the "vibe" so to speak & the human kindness I was shown given my private situation. 10/10 Will come again.“

“I found this place randomly before class… started every great novel, never. But if you’re looking for a great spot to have a quick drink, grab some potato chips and feel safe - this is it.Great service and reasonable prices means this should be your go to spot whenever you’re in the area.“

“It is one of the last few good dive bars on Alberta Street. Donnie Vegas has a great atmosphere, down to earth feel. Have a seat on the patio on the back or street side and watch the world go by. Good music most of the time also.Parking: Alberta steps can be busyWheelchair accessibility: First floor, plenty of room“

“Classic dive. Friendly folks. Great patio (though no heat). Wifi and they don't care if you work. Phone chargers on the bar are a nice touch. Food cart connected and they're happy with anyone bringing food in from any nearby establishment. Free pool 6-midnight everyday. Pinball. Several TVs. Always people at the bar if you wanna chat, but also plenty of tables around if you wanna chill.“

“This neighborhood bar is a gem. The bar is spacious and inviting, with a wonderful bartender ready to pour to your liking. The drink menu has great suggestions if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, so choose the drink for a cause and you can't go wrong. Our group joined the Whiskey Club, where you enter a different whiskey that you have consumed while visiting. They keep the list on file and there is no expiration date, so drink at your leisure. What do you get other than a scarred liver? A t-shirt proclaiming your Whiskey Club Crowning at Brooklyn Park Pub, $1.00 off all whiskey drinks for life, and bragging rights. The patio out back has plenty of room to gather with friends. Enjoy this bar, I wish I had this in my neighborhood. Great service and a fun time was had by all.“

“Fun atmosphere with lots of TV’s for all of the football. Portable, lottery and pinball. Simple eats but good. Bar was quick and solid. Bartender was friendly and service was him and also good. We had cocktails and nachos and watched some football. Nice stop in after walking around Multnomah Village. Food carts down the street. Parking is a bit dicey with no parking lot but we lucked out with parking right in front. Tons of pedestrians so keep an eye out.“

“This was my first ever drag experience, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I went for Treetop Trivia. The service was amazing, everyone was so friendly, and it was obvious that the team had such love and support for one another. The drag performances were amazing. Everyone there was so beautiful and even more importantly, so respectful. Thanks to the whole staff for such a wonderful experience, I will definitely be back for the next trivia night. <3“

“Great spot for karaoke and get togethers! I really liked the layout of the building as well! There is a lower dining area and bar with a spot towards the front for karaoke, including a designated DJ alcove. Further in is a raised level area with two pool tables (.50 per game) that acts as a lounge area, featuring long couches and side tables, along with a few smaller tables for snacks and shareable dishes. Through the back is a long outdoor patio; this area has picnic tables with ashtrays, ideal for smokers or folks who need to step away from the crowd for a moment or two. It is fenced and looks out onto sandy Blvd, so there is some traffic noise, but not a ton (especially later in the evening).“

“One of the best west side dives. Spacious with all the fixings, friendly neighborhood crowd and great service. Solid food options for pub style. As a night shift person, I love the early open. I kinda wish they had a rack to lock up a bike out front, as it's on my commute home but I'm rarely in that neighborhood otherwise.“

“A true gem of Portland. I used to come here 25 years ago when it was “tavern” called the Watertrough. It’s cool that someone who loves pool (Dan) saw the magic in this place, grabbed it and kept the amazing parts about it the same but took it to the next level. If you appreciate pool you should check it out!“

“I haven't tried the food yet, but the people and the atmosphere are great! Pool, pinball, karaoke, a fantastic patio, and a wide selection of CBD drinks in addition to the usual bar stock make this a fun and unique experience to enjoy often!“

“I am not a dive bar person... I have several reasons stacked up as to why - I am highly allergic to Hops and Pot so getting stoned and tossing cheap beers back is not for me, nor is smelling it or people doing that since... yeah thanks no. A lot of dive bar food is made with beer whether the menu says it or not and it is usually just a tragedy. I get it - drunk folks do not care what they are eating but the menu is about the same at most places. A friend wanted to attend a Shakespeare interactive play here. Since it was starting at 7pm and I live in Beaverton I was not going to have time to get over here and eat so I looked up the bar online. I was curious at the Mediterranean food but also very happy since that is not made with beer. My friend arrived before me and grabbed up perfect seats. We realized it was going to be a full house so we had better order food which was super easy to do. Can I also throw in that on their wall behind the bar they have chips you can just grab from the bartender... FRITOS, which are one of my favorite things. But thank you - just that... I was not drinking and just having soda with the show and some food but I could genuinely see having a few drinks and just grabbing one for a small snack. Our food, even with the bussel busy Friday night, came pretty fast and all the folks taking orders and serving were super friendly, wanting to help. I wanted the chicken gyro but they ran out so I gave their falafel a go - the falafel was a touch on the over mark but was still pretty delicious and I opted for a 'side' salad which I thought was strange to upcharge $3 for until it arrived and was INSANE... so huge! I got a side of onion rings too which were ridiculously good...seriously some of the best damned rings I have had and I could not stop eating them so that, my friends, was dinner... I had to take most of the gyro and salad to go. That salad ...later...I had an avocado I needed to use up at home and with their dressing. It was incredible! Amusing thing is that there is a vegan restaurant my friend had wanted to try near here and we did. Had the WORST experience and this was perfect... when we are over here this just earned itself a place as a go to spot for me. I might even drink here sometime HAHAHAHA!“

“I kind of wish we had stayed for another drink. We were both enjoying this bar, talking to the regs. But as we were on a mission to squeeze in as much as (super)humanly possible we only had one. I don't even remember what I drank, yellow beer? She enjoyed her Shirley temple with half a jar worth of cherries. Something about hearing someone's near death experience over drinks just hits different. The copper/brass bar is a super nice touch. This looked and felt old school Portland. We should've came After the PICA, I needed all kinds of beer then.“

“It was 10pm, hanging out with awesome friends, and My Father's Place's breakfast menu is exceptional! Pancakes were the best I've tasted in months!Although my taste buds were outraged by the suppleness of its texture and insulted by its perfect balance of flavors, I kept eating.If that wasn't bad enough, my mouth was straight-up nutted by the rich hot maple syrup and whipped butter in a flanking position so OP, that i had to wash it all down with another Guinness!I had the short stack btw (pictured), and it kicked my a$$, with me doing the splits on it at the end. I regret every decision I've made to avoid this place like a plague, and rightfully so, the person who I thought was the bouncer was just some guy who admired I.D. holograms and liked to play with his pocket flashlight.Overall, the atmosphere is your typical dive bar vibe, with a 5 star chef in the back!I kept the atmosphere rating to 1 because they earned it, and should be proud of such an achievement!Bring friends and tip everyone there!“

“Roscoe’s is a fun dive bar with pool, drinks, and serves sushi from the restaurant next door-Miyamoto’s.When we first arrived, there wasn’t any seating so we played a round of pool. The table takes quarters, so you may need to head to the bar to grab coins. A table quickly opened up next to the pool table so we grabbed it. It was busy for a bit, but the place did empty out after a while. There’s also some pinball to play.If you are wanting to buy Miyamoto’s sushi from Roscoe’s, you do need to purchase something from Roscoe’s as well. I think this can be food, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. We ended up buying the chicken strips appetizer. It was good, but I do wish the chicken was crispier.Bathroom is sketchy and dirty, hold it in if you can!Overall a chill place that I would return to and grab a drink.“

“Causal place that you can talk, sing and eat some decent Vietnamese and Chinese food. We like their wings, fried rice, beef, calamari. The only drink they serve is water and the Vietnamese coffee. No dessert. The other side is a bar with gambling machines.“

“This is a small bar that does everything right. Food is fresh and well made, punching far above bar expectations. Drinks are timely, reasonably priced and prompt. The pool tables are maintained and a quality environment. The service staff is what you look for, present, approachable and very polite.“

“Comfortable, light and easy going atmosphere. Cheerful, attentive bartenders and full bar selections available. Standard bar/tavern food options. Video poker machines. Small crowd of friendly regulars; it's never been overly crowded when I've been there yet there are always plenty of people to socialize with.Kid-friendliness: No minors , sports bar, alcohol is servedWheelchair accessibility: Ramp up entrance .“

“It was my first visit there, I don't know why I waited so long to go, I remember as a youth driving past that odd named bar, laughing at the name wondering what really went on in a place with a name like that. And with my best friend Brooke leading the way she showed me one of Portlands best kept secrets. Visit it today, you surely won't be disappointed, classically PDX weird.“

“I love Shanghai Tunnel Bar, mostly for its bartenders/staff, food, and atmosphere. I've never had a bad experience here yet, and will be coming back for a long time to come. If you're looking for a cozy dive bar in downtown Portland, I couldn't recommend this place enough!“