Jimmy Mak's

05/24/2008 Posted by jazzgsc

I love jazz, and Jimmy Mak's has been THE spot for jazz in Portland for years. But it is no longer a place I take a friend for a night on the town or even go by myself unless I want to stand at the back and drink water. The musicians are top-notch, but the sound can be overamplified to the oint of shrill distortion. Avoid the tables under the overhanging balcony. Besides the sound problems, there is no service to speak of. After ordering dinner tonight (a Saturiday night; their worst for service, though none are good) and waiting 45 minutes, I canceled the dinner order and asked for the dessert menu. I had taken a friend to introduce her to the place, but the experience left a poor impression. I've been to Jimmy Mak's probably 15 times in the new location, and it isn't getting any better. It's a fine place to go to hang out in the back and hear great caliber musicians. But dont expect ambiance or service, Best to go on a weeknight. when the music is less likely to be drowned out by the endless chatter of those who think jazz should be background noise, like muzak at the dentist office.

05/05/2008 Posted by fukudr

I am impressed and satisfied with all the hard-working waitress at Jimmy Mak's. I don't even know how they manage hundreds of customers everyday while I can find only 4 waitresses or sometimes less! I enjoyed the excellent customer service, wine list, and an authentic jazz.

Pros: Service, Waitress

05/02/2008 Posted by lilladie

My boyfriend made reservations for us here on my 21st birthday. He told them it was my birthday and everything. I was so excited to go because I love jazz and have heard great thing about the regular house band. The music was great, however the service was not. Our waitress was un friendly, my salmon was overcooked and they didn't even mention anything about it being my birthday. Then I saw them bring out somekind of birthday desert. I got all excited thinking it was for me but then the took it to someone two tables down.They sat us in the corner, by the window which was not that great. My boyfreind didn't leave a tip becuase he specifically told them it was my birthday and our waitress was less than satisfactory. Then they over charged his card for our entry fee and they also added their own tip, which is illegal. I wont be going back.

Pros: Great house band.

Cons: Service, food, and ambience.

04/05/2008 Posted by sydneyk

Looking at past reviews, the wait staff has definitely improved, they are really sweet and try hard. But there still seems to be a problem with the kitchen. We waited an hour and a half for our food recently, and I was given fries instead of onion rings saying they were out of onion rings. The next time I was there they were also out of onion rings. Every time I order a burger it tastes burnt. They gyro sandwiches have that processed meat in them, and miniscule amounts of lettuce and tomatoes. The Greek salad is mostly lettuce, not a lot of the other items you look forward to. And I think the wine is too expensive. I miss the old Jimmy Maks where they gave you the yummy pita and olive oil with stuff in it when you sat down. Food was a lot better then. But I still give it 4 stars because the music and atmostphere are so good, and the servers do try. The kitchen needs a lot of improvement. But I still go there.

01/01/2008 Posted by lvpug

I've been to the club several times with friends, work and family and each time has been mostly enjoyable, save for one. Recently my family and I went to the club and our reservations were lost. We were eventually seated separately with no explaination or apology. Our experience that night went from frustrating to absolutely aggravating when it took almost a half hour to get a beer, and when our food arrived, it arrived cold. The bartender talked about how much she hated busy nights like that particular Saturday and made me wonder why I was paying money to an establishment that made me feel like I had to compensate for their negativity, disorganization and rude behavior. I don't think that this kind of thing happens all the time here, but after being really forgiving towards this establishment for awhile, I don't think any of our group will be back.

Pros: Music, atmosphere

Cons: Poor service

12/31/2007 Posted by sonoragp

Jimmy Mak’s offers a smoke free atmosphere, great jazz, and little else. The food was overpriced, over salted, over peppered, and minimalist (to say the least), the waitress was disaffected and apparently irritated by my assumption that she would bring me my food (and my drink!), and even though they charged me the full cover price and assured me they were open until 2:00, last call was made at 11:15. The music was lovely but it didn’t compensate for the wait staff’s inability to hide their loathing for the patrons of Jimmy Mak’s. Nor did it compensate for the feeling that what they served me had been pulled out of the back of the refrigerator and topped with a decent amount of mediocre cheese.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

12/29/2007 Posted by casanova_girl

Eric said that he had been to Jimmy Mak's years ago...I love Jazz The night was going good so far. parking aawww not to far from the club (on the street). Cover charge no problem. The seating ????? We stood and tried to find a seat. We were against the wall ok good a seat opened up (drafty by the front door)... The drinks W A Y expensive. I smoked outside, I actually didn't see anyone else smoking inside or any ashtrays. That was no big deal. The group/ the music was the reason that we were there... the sound, his voice, the music couldn't ask for any better....except for the 6 people standing right in front of us...we couldn't see the group, and they didn't want to move. I did get to see the group when I left each time to get my own drinks the cocktail waitress never seemed to come around??? If you plan for NO extra frills...and want to hear great music Jimmy Mak's is it !!!!

Pros: The atmoshere and the MUSIC

Cons: No where to sit, poor service at tables

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

05/30/2007 Posted by fig_salad

My husband and I went to Jimmy Mak's after dinner to watch some music on 5/19. The interior of the club is tastefully decorated with small tables and red velvet curtains behind the stage. When we arrived, the club was already full of people. We stood to watch the show and tried to find a place to stand where we would not be in the way of traffic (there isn't alot of room to stand and watch). A waitress on her way to the bar huffed and rolled her eyes as she had to maneuver around us and other people. My husband and I got the message and moved to another area of the club. Later, seeing that a table had been vacated and had remained empty for 20 minutes, my husband and I grabbed it. His chair was slightly in the walkway as a different waitress came by. She stopped and snarled at him, "I don't mind that you took this table but you need to MOVE YOUR CHAIR". You "DON'T MIND" that we took this table after it sat empty for a half hour??? We ordered drinks, enjoyed the music and said nothing. Unfortunately we will not be back. So if you want a side of nasty attitude to go with your music and drinks, make sure to go to Jimmy Mak's.

Pros: Great music, good location, variety of patrons

Cons: Antagonistic waitresses, cramped bar

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

05/29/2007 Posted by joje18

Having waited the last five years of my life to get into a real jazz club (on my 21st birthday), my experience at JM was no let down. I didn't expect wonderful service after reading the reviews on here, and so when it wasn't fantastic I wasn't disappointed. The servers forgot who ordered what, were slow and unfriendly, and always trying to rush away before we could order something else. However, I was surrounded by awesome people and GREAT music, so it wasn't a big deal! That brings me to the highlight of the evening, King Louis and Sweet Baby James--they were amazing! Really made the night worth it. Drinks were pricey, service was subpar, but the music was the whole reason I went in the first place, and I wasn't disappointed. All in all, if you are going for the music and you don't mind unattentive service, I would definitely recommend Jimmy Mak's. I will go back as soon as I can!

Pros: THE MUSIC!!, the atmosphere, and the drinks were tastey :)

Cons: the service--slow and unattentive, and drink prices

02/05/2007 Posted by anniet

The new place is very nice, but the staff...interesting. For starters, I reviewed my debit charges from the weekend, and the door man tipped himself off of my card! And the waitress seemed annoyed at best and the food was over-priced and over-rated. I will not be back!!!!

Pros: live music

Cons: the staff

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful