Katie O’Brien’s

Reviews

• Nik H.

  star star star star star 22 July 2026

  Katie O'Brien's is a perfect little haunt. I go there for breakfast and a bloody. It's legit. I used to live within walking distance of this joint and you can't get a tastier breakfast or a better bloody buddy for the price anywhere else in town. Sure it's not pretty but it has character - legit character is what this town is lacking. You go to any "re-invented portland 'dive'" and spend twice as much for some bs aioli (which is usually  mayonnaise with something mixed in) but when you go here you get food. Solid good food always a solid breakfast and a banging  Rueben too.
  
  Excellent beer selection far more taps than you'd expect from a joint like this. Cozy swivel chairs at the sunken bar to boot.

• Lisa H.

  star star star star_border star_border 20 July 2026

  Great place to meet up with friends. It's a chill and low key spot. Drinks are reasonable and there are lot of taps with a variety of craft beer. Lots of screens for sports fans. I go when I want to hang with folks but don't want all that craziness of the city.
  
  Drinks are great!
  
  Service is great!
  
  Parking plentiful on the street.
  
  Food... not so good... but it used to be. :(

• Daniel O.

  star star_border star_border star_border star_border 14 July 2026

  I have lived in NE Portland for the past 8 years and would go to this place on occasion. Lots of space, lots of tvs, and for the most part an efficient staff.
  
  Today, on the other hand, was a completely different story and made me feel the most uncomfortable I have ever felt in good ol' cultural-friendly Portland.
  
  I arrived at Katie O'Briens around 12:35pm for the afternoon games. A buddy had just arrived and had joined some other friends at a filled up table. I proceeded to grab a stool from the video poker area and brought it over to the table just as the waitress, Hanna, was dropping off a beer for my friend that had just arrived. I asked her, "do you mind if i perch up right here?", trying to be cognizant that I may be creating a pinch point and didn't want to be in her way if she was serving food. Hanna did not look at me to answer my question, only proceeded to give me an OK symbol with her fingers as she walked away. Fine, that was confirmation enough. Several minutes go by, and I'm obviously aware that there are tables that she is cashing out, and it may take a moment to order. More time passes, and I notice that my buddy is almost done with his first beer. She finally comes over to take his order for another, and finally asks me, "do you need something?" I asked for a beer and her next response was, "sure, I just need a card to hold for the tab." At this point I was confused. I had never been asked for my card before being ready to cash out at this establishment before. So I asked her, "did you ask any of them for their cards?" to which she replied, "no, but there is a shift change and I need a card from you." I then told her that I would just wait for a table to open and would order a beer with the next server. I obviously wasn't interested in giving any of my money to the young woman. She left the scenario confused and offered a rather sarcastic "ok".
  
  At this point I decided to go with some other friends that had just arrived to order a beer at the bar. The other woman working, Hillary, was kind at that moment and poured me a pint. It was at this point that Hanna walked up as I was walking away, and (making sure I was in ear shot?) said, "that guy was giving me attitude about his card earlier." It was at that point that I reminded her that she asked for my card, and did not ask for anyone else's at that table. I pointed out that I happened to be the only person of color at that table. Hanna decided to blow up, with many patrons around, and said "what the f***?! f*** you, you motherf***er!"
  
  I then removed myself from the situation and went outside on the patio. As I was out there the other woman, Hillary, came outside with my card and said, "we decided to close you out. We're not serving you anymore." I took it, said "that's fine," and then proceeded to sit there embarrassed around my friends trying to explain what had just happened.
  
  I went back in to try and talk to Hillary. I told her "I just want to reiterate what happened earlier with the other lady." She explained that it's their policy after 1:30 to take cards for tabs (which still didn't make sense since I was there well before then). I said, "that's fine, it would've been nice to know that as opposed to being told there was a 'shift change' as the reason." Hanna comes storming over, hearing my words, and says, "you didn't give me a chance to explain motherf***er! So enjoy that one beer and get the f*** out!"
  
  At this point I let it just be what it was, not wanting to add more tension or get to a level of anger to where I stooped to her level. I ended up staying the whole game, and my buddy's badass, problem-solver gf just ordered pitchers for the table!
  
  I normally would not post such a detailed post to Yelp, but after calling Katie O'Briens hoping to get a GM's number or email, Hillary directed me to social media about complaints.

• Derek Z.

  star star star star star 2 July 2026

  Someone named Daniel O. just slammed this place with malicious context and want to be Instafamous. Horse puckey! I was here and EVERYTHING he said is sad and nefarious.  Moron does not understand the bar business. Especially during a shift change AND during football season. Total lies throughout your entire post brah. No one said anything you said and being a so-called keyboard warrior gets you nothing but disrespect. The people here work hard for their money and have to deal with all kinds of shit so show some respect or bounce brah.

• JW R.

  star star star star star_border 27 June 2026

  One of the true old school Portland joints that doesn't seem to have been affected by the New York Times inflicted in-migration from other parts of the country.  We'll see what happens as that sort creeps up Sandy.
  
  Anyway.
  
  The swiveling armchairs at the bar are a wonder and delight and probably a pretty good drunk indicator, too.  I stopped by after midnight on a Saturday, I'd been pretty careful with my boozing and I was on the verge of falling asleep while leaning back.
  
  But I came here for the food.  I was hungry AF and went for the double burger.  Wow.  It really needed a press to fit in my mouth, or I need a double hinge installed.  I set one of the patties aside and dug in.  Great burger.  Cooked through without drying out, crispy toasted bun and good veggies.  Then I asked for a fork and ate the extra patty.  Just as good on its own.  The fries were also great, I ate the lot of them.
  
  And if you can remember before you order a beer, they serve breakfast ALL THE TIME.
  
  The space is roomy with multiple levels and the aforementioned bar equipped with the amazing chairs.  There's lots of TVs and the obligatory old school beer signs all over the place.  It's a good spot, stay true Katie O'Brien's.