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Vault Martini Bar

226 NW 12th Ave
Portland, OR 97209
Phone: (503) 224-4909

Ratings & Reviews Summary for Vault Martini Bar

What Users are Saying:

  • Crowded
  • Trendy
  • Good for after work
  • Good social scene
  • Good happy hour
5 Star Rating
 
(34 reviews)
4 Star Rating
 
(8 reviews)
3 Star Rating
 
(10 reviews)
2 Star Rating
 
(2 reviews)
1 Star Rating
 
(8 reviews)

User Reviews for Vault Martini Bar

Citysearch (61), Frommer's (1), All (62)

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/01/2008 Posted by reggin

The staff are great. I have been going there for years and the staff always remembers my drink and are quick to serve. A great place to hang out with a group of friends.

Pros: Staff and pricing.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/03/2008 Posted by urbanwildflower

Ok, so I've been going to Vault for ages but it never gets old for me because of the great staff good drinks and reasonable prices. They often have live DJs that play fun and funky stuff. Weekends are a bit rough though because it can get RIDICULOUSLY crowded so I do prefer weeknights. Vault is a great place for a date as well. I recommend it highly!

Pros: Fun vibe, good service!

Cons: Can be crowded and noisy.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/05/2008 Posted by juicy82

I love going to Vault for great drinks, service, and outdoor seating if it's nice. In addition to having a large cocktail menu, the food they offer is great! I love the steak skewers, bacon wrapped dates, and cheese and bread plate. I've never once had a bad time at Vault, and look forward to my next visit!

Pros: everything

Cons: hangovers!

3 Star Rating: Average

03/03/2008 Posted by karebearykare

If you want to order a drink...go UP to the bar. Thats my only advice. My friend and I were sitting at one of the tables and when we each gave our cards to the waitress she only brought one card back - and it wasn't mine. I asked the waitress where my card was, she said she had no idea. I gave them my name and number and they said they'd text me if they found it. I went to check my bank statement immediately after and a charge greater than my own tab had been charged to my card! I had to cancel my debit card and wait for the bank to send me a new one. Such a hassle. Other than that, they had great drinks and a long menu filled with every martini on the planet!

Pros: Trendy, great drinks

Cons: Not enough staff, irresponsible

4 Star Rating: Recommended

02/04/2008 Posted by niftynoodle

Went here on a Thursday night for happy hour. Was busy but still was able to get a seat for 2 people. Loved all the choices of drinks (their website is really well done, too, and I even picked my drinks ahead of time). We were starving too, so ordered some spreads and cheese. The drinks were good, and the food was absolutely wonderful. The Vault is high on my list for ambiance & eats, and somewhere in the middle for the drinks (that I tried that night). I will be sure to come back and try more of them!!!

Pros: Ambience, food to nibble on

Cons: nothing major

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

02/01/2008 Posted by shanda5303

Vault is a very classy cocktail bar, I was there last night during happy hour, there was a good amount of people but it wasn't super crowded. I sat up at the bar with a friend and the bartender got our drinks for us right away. I had a raspberry martini and a blueberry martini, both were excellent. I'd recommend Vault for a fun place to start off any night.

Pros: good drinks, fast service

Cons: kind of small

3 Star Rating: Average

01/25/2008 Posted by josp8

The place is beautiful, but not very welcoming. We had a difficult time securing a spot for our party of 8, so I wouldn't recommend it for groups. We crowded into a smaller table and ordered our first round of drinks. Our waitress was not very friendly or attentive (re: portion sizes, descriptions, menu questions) and seemed really put out when we moved to a larger table. I wouldn't say she was all out rude, but on a scale of 1-10, definately a 7. It took several requests to get menus and she only brought 3 place settings for 8 people. The only time she didn't look displeased was when we were leaving, and it's likely the only reason is because she added an undeserved 20% gratuity to our bill. The restrooms were not well maintained. I've heard restrooms are a good indication of the cleanliness of a restaurant, and I'd hate to peek into the kitchen. The condition of the restroom was surprising considering how nice the lounge looks (maybe because it's dark). However, the food was FANTASTIC! The grilled gouda and tomato sandwich is To-Die-For! I really enjoyed all the drinks I tried and felt the prices were fair. I might be inclined to give them another shot, but I probably won't return. I much prefer to spend my money at places that appreciate it.

Pros: Ambience, Food

Cons: Poor Service

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

12/27/2007 Posted by billyj72

This Happend On The 22nd And I Have Not Been Credited Back Over $260.00 That They Charged My Visa. The Original BIll Was $67.00 With A $14.00 Tip. The Charged Me $99.00 & $88.80 & $80.40 And Then Today They Charged My Card $81.00. The GM Kenny Could Only Apologize And Tell Me That By The 24th Or The Latest The 25th It Would Be Resolved. It Is Now The 27th And No Resolve. With All Of This Happening Over Christmas Makes It Even Worse.

Pros: Ok Atmosphere.

Cons: Only Bring Cash.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/23/2007 Posted by baskinthesun

Place is always packed. Love the inside decor. What makes it is the first impression always. The bouncer is the best in Portland. Extremely friendly (unusual in Portland). Actually because of him is why I'm even here writing a review. Every time i've gone in, in the past few months the bouncer is the coolest guy, doesn't act all "hard, tuff, or cocky" like most always seem to. Very nice guy. Once inside the place is always fun. A little small, but always a good time! I'd advise anyone and everyone to check it out if you want a nice atmosphere to go to!

Pros: Awesome bouncers, good music, clean & trendy atmosphere

Cons: Hard to find parking (but so is everywhere downtown)

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/09/2007 Posted by duncflame

Want amazing hot bartenders and servers, a mind-blowing drink list and a stylish bar packed with pearlites? Vault is the place to be. Our bartender hooked us up! I think her name was Liz, super hot, super awesome, knew every drink known to man, and helped our tipsy crowd pick their drinks with saint-like patience and supreme knowledge of delicious flavors and their tasty, creative drink menu. It is pages and pages of different drinks, I think pretty much all original. She'll make you anything though. The people watching was comedic, like a reality show about ageing pearlites trying to score. It supplied all our entertainment. Fantastic drinks, superior crowd-watching (yuppie meat market style), comfortable atmosphere (always crowded - a good sign) and a godsend bartender named Liz who made our night!

Pros: Liz, Drinks, Crowd

Cons: bathrooms are cool, but need more upkeep... hard to manuver in there, its packed!

Editor's Review

This refined lounge shakes and remakes the perennially cool martini in Portland's hippest 'hood.  See the full editorial review.

Insider Tips

Happy Hour

Drink specials run from 4pm to 7pm weeknights. Sip martinis and cocktails for $4 or margaritas and bubbly drinks for $5.

More Insider Tips

Bar/Club Information

Smoking

  • No

Atmospheres

  • Specialty Cocktails
  • Food Served
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Happy Hour

Parking

  • Street

Hours

  • Mon-Wed 4pm-1am
  • Thu-Sat 4pm-2am
  • Sun 1pm-10pm

Payment Types

  • MasterCard
  • Discover
  • Visa
  • American Express

Recognition for Vault Martini Bar

2007 Editorial Winner - Martini
2007 Editorial Winner - Singles Scene
2006 Editorial Winner - Exotic Drinks
2004 Audience Winner - Lounge
2004 Audience Winner - Martini

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