Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub
Portland, OR 97204-3507
Phone: (503) 227-4057
- Cross Street:
- Ash Street
- Best of Citysearch:
- Irish Pub 2006, Singles Scene 2006, Irish Pub 2006
- Hours:
- Daily 11am-2:30am
Editorial Review for Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub – by Paige Tashner
In Short
Located in the historic Glisan Building, Kells is a landmark in its own right. Spacious and grand, it has high ceilings, brick walls, wood floors, cozy dining booths and an enormous bar. Business suits and Birkenstocks alike come to discuss weather and politics over a frothy pint. Other draws include live Irish music, dart boards, televised soccer matches, cigar bar, fine Irish-style cuisine, and an array of scotches and beers.
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Insider Tips
Look GoodA bartender will toss your greenback (plus two quarters) up to the ceiling--where it sticks--for Irish luck. Once a year, the money is swept down and donated to Providence Child Center.
Save MoneyGrab a cheap bite weekdays, 4pm-7pm, when 10 menu items are $3.
Know Before You GoBands play beginning at 8pm, Sunday-Thursday (free) and at 9pm, Friday-Saturday ($3-$8 cover).
The ExtrasRooms are available for receptions, rehearsal dinners, etc., ranging in size to accommodate up to 200 people.
When to GoWeekends are packed with the loud and raucous. In March, thousands pack three city blocks to enjoy Kells' Portland Irish Festival.
User Reviews for Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub
04/30/2008 Posted by PDX08
My girlfriends and I always joke that Kells never fails- and it hasn't yet! This is THE hookup place in portland, and the men are usually pretty dang hot! The food is great, the bartenders and friendly and funny, the music is fantastic (albeit quite loud- it doesn't hurt to bring some ear plugs), and a fantastic selection of booze is available! It's non-smoking upstairs, and I have never noticed any smoke odor from the cigar room downstairs. Kells is just a guaranteed good time, no matter when you go!
Pros: Everything
Cons: Can get loud, but it's an Irish pub- this comes with the territory after a certain hour!
03/20/2008 Posted by plushie1
I went to Kells for my 21st birthday, and haven't stopped coming back since then (I'll be celebrating my 29th this year). I LOVE this place. Happy hour is good (the daily sandwich and quesadillas change every day), the sweet potatoe fries are to die for, and the beer is refreshing, especially after a day at work. They know how to pour a good Guinness :-) The staff there has always been nice, conversational, and layed (it won't let me spell it the correct way...I think it's an "inappropriate" word. hahaha) back, even on the really busy nights. The crowd can show up in a T-shirt and jeans, or come by in formal wear. Either way, everyone tends to have a good time. One of my favorite things that I like about Kells (aside from the staff I've come to know over the years) is that they give back to the community. As mentioned in the editorial comments, the money that gets tossed up on the ceiling is donated to a children's charity every year before St Patrick's Day. So even if you don't got for a pint, at least put down $1.50 and have your server show you how Irish Magic works :-) If you don't like crowded places, then stay away on the weekends. Happy hours are typically low key early and mid-week. It picks up on Thurs/Friday. If you don't like beer, then stay away. If you don't like good bartenders, don't drop in.
Pros: tasty food, good selection of beers and mixed drinks, live music every night
Cons: parking, hard to find seats when crowded
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
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