06/26/09

I always like a good Bristo

by jo_portland

I hate places that can't read their own writing. Maybe I am out o place and don't know the current terminolgy. Besides that, it has always been hit-or-miss from day one for me. The best thing about the place for me was when awesome people I knew worked there. Other than that it is uncomfortable and I don't care for it.

• Pros: In a handy neighborhood
• Cons: Very uncomfortable chairs

01/22/09

Great Food

by jpickner

Good music, good drinks, good food, and good service!!! Love the lime drop. Very casual atmosphere.

• Pros: Just about everything.
• Cons: Parking.

09/27/08

Dirty and Gross

by gardengirl23

I'd heard quite a few raves about the Aalto -- what a total disappointment! The place was filthy -- stained chairs, dirty tables and floors. Reminded me of Port Authority Terminal. We sat at a table for 20 minutes without so much as a glance from the staff. Wouldn't know whether or not the cocktails make up for the lack of service (since no one asked us if we wanted one), but nothing on the menu looked interesting, special, or unique enough to warrant sticking around. Add to that a bunch of unwashed, PBR swigging hipsters with ironic facial hair, trucker caps, and equally irritating attitudes -- it was like a bad version of the Hipster Olympics -- one where everyone takes themselves seriously. I'm not sure what the appeal for the Aalto is... perhaps it's something only the tragically hip understand -- and that's fine with me.

• Pros: reminds you how much you appreciate hand sanitizer
• Cons: dirty, no service, atmosphere

06/27/08

Aalto is a DUMP! The place really is dirty and I think they need new owners to fix their problems!

by igotitnow

The Aalto Lounge is a Dump. The place is full of cheap old garbage garage sale chairs "real trendy" its music is played too loud on speakers that are very poor quality. I know sound systems and I know theirs is very cheap. The drinks are ok but The service is poor. The attitude seems to be we are better then you. Look you are a bartender, make me a drink and take the toys out of your hole. The art they have on the walls is always like 4-5 hundred dollars? Who would pay that much money for scraps left on the side of the street tacked up on their walls. There is this one bartender who has a real problem with his self image. I think he thinks that he is more important than the monkey drink poorer that he is. Bottom line, Don't go to aalto because you will be disappointed.

• Pros: Location
• Cons: Poor Service, Expensive drinks, Bad Menu, Nothing worth going there for. LAZY workers!

06/25/08

The Bartender is a Bich! Gives crappy Service Expects Tips, for Popping the top to a beer! FUC Aalto Lounge!

by 4realsir

I have been going to the Aalto for awhile, the bartender gives garbage service. He thinks he is really cool with his bandanna and tight tee shirts and tight faded black jeans. Just bought Two PBR's tonight and then when Leaving he said: You have to give me a tip, thats the way it works here. So I said: If you give better service you would get a tip. Thats your tip. Fact is he was bitching over about 50cents, and I WILL NEVER RETURN. NEVER. I will Tell ALL my Friends to NEVER go to the Aalto, so Guess what, YOU WILL LOSE MUCH MORE than you Ever thought. Fact is its a Tuesday night and The place was empty so he didn't get many tips and so he was taking it out on me and my friend, well Wake UP! Our Economy is in a Depression and your bar is A BROKE DIVE! Forget about all the TIPS I gave you in the past you ungrateful little Trick!

• Pros: some chicks
• Cons: bad service, bad attitudes, dumpy, want to be trendy, tight black pants losers!

03/16/08

Don't go a changin'

by saintiggy

Dj's spinning vinyl, a great beer and wine list, cute bartenders, outdoor patio and grub you won't feel guilty eating. This place is a neighborhood gem. I would not change a thing about it.

• Pros: patio, dj's
• Cons: hipster haven

03/07/07

this place rules

by ticomahoney

I love the aalto lounge. The bartenders are, for the most part, effective, attractive, funny, and smart. It's the only place I've been to in portland where a spectrum of people can all hang out comfortably. I can go there on dates, meet for business, or go by myself and run into people I know. Its not too hip or too fancy or too anything. Its my favorite bar in portland.

• Pros: atmosphere, staff, drinks

01/18/07

Not a Library

by travis01

"Come on guys, it?s a restaurant ? not a night club. "

Actually, no. The Aalto Lounge is a neighborhood bar/watering hole that happens to serve good food. Also, DJs start at 10 -- a time when people play and listen to loud music. Canby, who authored one of these reviews and the quote above, is a tool and he's offbase in his review. The bartenders are generally solid, nice and polite. They'll make a mean drink, but they're not babysitters or there to pamper you. Get over yourself. If you want a quiet place, go to the library.

• Pros: Everything
• Cons: Stupid patrons that except people to cater to their every demand

01/08/07

could care less about their customers

by casby

The folks at Aalto Lounge don?t realize that they are in the hospitality business. My two friends and I stopped by last Saturday night with intentions of sipping on some nice wine, nibbling on some food and catching up. Everything was going according to plan, except for the noise factor. We literally had to yell at each other just to hear one another. I went up to the DJ and asked politely if he would turn down the music ? just a tad. He was very gracious (at the time) and honored my request. But as soon as the song ended, it was back up again ? almost louder. A few more songs later, my friend went up and requested for the music to be turned down again; and once again the DJ honored her request. But you guest it?next song it was blaring again. We honestly felt that a 2-year old could behave more grown up. We told our servers of our situation, and well...not much sympathy on their part. Come on guys, it?s a restaurant ? not a night club. I know that profit margins in a restaurant are slim. Making sure your DJ is happy over your customers? Huh? Again ? you are in the hospitality business. Take care of you customers.

I worked for a Master Sommelier (not Certified or Advanced but MASTER) as his executive associate for over two years. I oversaw his high-end restaurant, his top-notched wine shop and his way-cool wine bar. What happened Saturday night was a text book example of how not to treat your paying customers.

[And before anyone starts rolling their eyes and saying, ?if it?s too loud, you?re too old? just remember that 30-somethings make a heck of a lot more money than the 20-something generation.]

01/07/07

Great Food Happy Hour

by belmontlover

Awesome daily 5-7pm happy hour for food. HUGE and yummy caesar salad for only $3 and delicious grilled tomato and cheese sandwich with herbs and a salad for $4. My boyfriend gets the real steak sandwich with salad for $5. You can't beat it! I think the drinks are a little spendy though, even on happy hour, but if you are looking for a hardy cheap meal this is the place to go.

• Pros: awesome food happy hour, non-smoking in the front part of the lounge
• Cons: sometimes slow service