Thatch Tiki Bar

07/30/2008 Posted by missaxemaker

So I'll start by saying that since the first time I went to this bar I loved it. I am a nerd for tiki / lounge style kitsch and Thatch does it well. Lounge music sets the tone for drinks in coconut cups and pu-pu platters. When sitting with friends at Thatch I begin to forget I am in Portland and drift off to some exotic Tiki Island. I love Thatch so much that I couldn't wait to take my brother there on a recent visit from Alaska. I assumed like most people would that a Tiki BAR would be open standard bar hours. The sign outside the bar says they operate until "late". AND... it states on this very page that they stay open to 12am / 2am. However, upon walking in for some drinks with my brother at 10pm we were casually told that they were "beat" after a "slammed" couple of hours and had already "put everything away" after deciding to close at 10PM! 10pm!! I was pretty outraged and upset. Here I had brought my brother on one of his very rare trips to one of my favorite spots only to be turned away because the bar staff was tired. No way to run a business (especially a BAR) in my opinion. So in conclusion... the atmosphere is very enjoyable and I recommend checking it out... just be sure you catch the bar staff at a time that is convenient for them.

Pros: Awesome Tiki Atmosphere

Cons: Bar Closes Before Posted Hours and Without Good Reason

04/29/2008 Posted by d_sanchez

I was excited to hear about this place as it was being built. However, when I finally visited, I was kind of disappointed. The space itself is TINY. The "pond" you cross over as you enter, don't blink or you will completely miss it. Kudos to the owner for rescuing artifacts from historic tiki bars, but it's too bad they couldn't be presented in a little better environment. Like the space, the appetizers we ordered arrived in tiny portions. They were very good, but the portions are about half the size of any similarly priced appetizer you'd order in a restaurant (so you're paying twice as much). The drinks were good, and strong, but also on the smaller size for the price. I'd go back maybe if I happened to be in the area, but not worth venturing very far once you've already been there to experience the whole tiki thing.

Pros: Great atmosphere, authentic tiki decorations

Cons: Small space and small portions

04/28/2008 Posted by kapuanani01

I really can appreciate some forms of kitsch, but being a Hawaiian - sometimes I just get irritated with the whole TIKI thing. Okay, lesson of the day- the Hawaiian people basically had their land, culture and lifestyle stolen from them twice, once by the American government (did you kow they had their own established monarchy?), and second by Hollywood. And then things like tikis, black velvet and they word "pupu" become representative of an entire race. Irritating! But I suppose, it makes people money and this is a capitalist society. So, all that said, Thatch did a good job with this little bar. They took a theme and didn't make it too insulting. The decor is fun and very well done, and dare I say even a little classy. Service was pretty lame and the aloha spirit stopped short of the service workers shirts. The drinks and food though are not very big though. While I will not ever go back, I'm guessinf Portland hipsters and the tiki pub crawl will keep them in business. Overall, I wish them well and I hope they succeed.

Pros: Pupus

Cons: Poopoos

03/27/2008 Posted by gwyneth1

This is a fun place inside! We ordered the "Pu-Pu" appetizers and they were great! Previous reviews talk about how strong the drinks are and they are right! They only improvement they need is the help! When asked about beers, she let us know they were listed on the menu and walked away. Two groups of four walked in and were told the rooms in the back were reserved at 8:00 pm (it was around 6:00) so they would need to leave before then. Both groups left. The staff obviously has a fun time with each other, but seems to leave out the customers. Great food, but you better bring friends you like so you will have someone to talk with.

Pros: Great food, great drinks

Cons: Not terribly friendly staff

12/30/2007 Posted by wienermama

I love Thatch! I watched as it was being built....anticipating. I've not been disappointed. Great drinks. LOVE the atmosphere!! I want one of the blowfish lights. Great poo-poo. (besides, it's just fun saying that!)

Pros: atmosphere, wait staff, killer Mai Tais

Cons: parking

12/07/2007 Posted by five0tool

I went to Thatch last night for the first time and I am soo glad that I did. I ambiance was great, perfect tiki feel. The service was friendly and attentive. The drinks were strong (and that is always my biggest complain with mixed drinks – too weak) and yummy. Very creative offerings! I loved the appetizers that we ordered; nothing was left on the plate. I am not sure what the reviewer below is referring to, as I smelled nothing foul or unusual. We will definitely be back and soon!

Pros: strong drinks, parking, food, service, vibe

Cons: None

10/25/2007 Posted by jamalla

Ok, so my friends an I went on a Friday night and the place was amazing! We had a terrific time and were most impressed with the staff. One of the waitresses even has a tiki tattoo -- that's dedication. The drinks are very good and well made, I asked about the recipe for the mai tai and learned that the hand squeeze the sweet and sour every night. The only con was that we had to wait a bit for a seat, and it's really a small place, but they've done well with creating the bar to feel like you are on vaction in Hawaii. We had an amazing time. Parking can be tough early on, and it's hard to see the sign from the street. Highly recommended!!

Pros: Drinks, Staff, Fun Atmosphere

Cons: Parking, Hard to find/see from street

10/23/2007 Posted by kdiva

I went to this tiki bar after work one day with a freind to try out the happy hour. People raved about the Mai Tai's, and they were incredibly strong! In a good way of course. The menu is pretty limited, but I guess that's how most tiki bars are. The weird thing is that I could see the kitchen from where I was sitting so it was a little bizarre seeing them making the kabobs in a forman grill?!. Still, they were good for what I wanted. I will definitely go back for the strong drinks, but I did note that the place smelled like Play-doh or something. It was very unpleasant. Good thing I wasn't breathing out of my nose (due to the strong drink), bc I think my food would have tasted like that unpleasant smell. Also, it's very dim and the interior is pretty cheap looking.

Pros: Strong drinks for a good price during Happy Hour!

Cons: weird atmosphere, cheaply put together, smells funky

08/19/2007 Posted by loch__ness

Thatch is one of the nicest bars in town. Innovative drinks (some of which do indeed have fire coming from the center), smooth flavor, great appetizers. Sitting inside, you have a feeling that you are far away on a vacation instead of in the middle of a busy city. I would strongly reccommend leaving the car at home and cabbing it (MAX is pretty close too); these drinks do pack quite a kick. The cost is high, but worth it. We will be back.

Pros: Feels like you are far away on vacation

Cons: cost was a little high

06/24/2007 Posted by rl106

The drinks are fabulous-we tried a Singapore Sling and the Taboo, both were excellent. The service is attentive, friendly and fast. We ordered shrimp appetizer served with spicy sauce and those were really good. All the appetizers looked good in fact: barbequed pork with spicy mustard, chicken skewers, beef tenderloin, crab, etc. The drink list is very reminescent of Trader Vics (a place I miss and used to frequent in Portland). The restaurant is very clean, the bathroom is very clean and the whole place is non-smoking. The only drawback is the size, it's very small. However, the do make the most of their space. The bar itself has seating and reminds me of a Hawaiian resort bar and the tables are against the wall, with a more romantic, secluded booth or two in the back. I was impressed with Thatch and will be returning. About finding the place...if you take I-5 (north or south) and exit off on Broadway, head east to NE 27th and Broadway, it's a small space sandwiched in between other businesses on the left side of the street. I read the other reviews here before going and assumed it would be difficult to find. It's not and it is marked with Tiki Room on the outside. It's worth going with some friends for fun drinks and appetizers.

Pros: Great drinks, great service, clean, great atmosphere

Cons: small, not much parking available