McMenamins Barley Mill Pub
1629 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR, 97214
McMenamins Barley Mill Pub Menu
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Address :
1629 S.E. Hawthorne Blvd.
Portland, OR, 97214 - Phone (503) 231-1492
- Website https://www.mcmenamins.com/BarleyMill
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 11
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Mon, Tue, Sun
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Dogs Allowed : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Jess F.
My husband and I come here every once in a while. The service is always ok and the food is decent. During our most recent visit I asked if they had a soup of the day and the server responded, "we have some beef stew but it doesn't look very good, and an African chicken (or maybe chickpea?)". It was very strange. I ordered a veggie sandwich and a side salad instead.
(3)Mindy C.
Came here for lunch and a passport stamp. Had no idea that this was the OG McMenamins. The decor was wild and eclectic and I dug tooling around and noticing little weird quirks. Intriguing to see how they've taken the decor and ambience and spread it around to all their other locations. The service here was surprisingly good. This chain offers notoriously bad service, but this location featured a great waiter who was charming and chill with our brood of kiddos ranging from 13 years old to 11 months. Our food was quick and pretty tasty. I forgot how much their fries suck and ordered them with my pulled pork sandwich. Regret that. Their side salads are pretty damn good. Ordered a specialty beer off the menu - Fuzzy Bubble. It was a rich wheaty peach beer and had a nice taste, with just a touch too much hops. Would probably not order again, but it was a good summer beer choice and I don't regret trying something new.
(4)Bradford D.
McMenamins Barley Mill...I feel like I should give you 5 stars for being the original McMenamins, but our experience today was pretty lackluster. It was the last stop on their scavenger hunt today, so we wanted to relax and enjoy a pint and some tots to end our afternoon. We found the right picture for our passport stamp and ordered our drinks and tots. The bartender was not energetic at all and seemed overwhelmed by the extra visitors from the scavenger hunt. We thought about sitting at the bar, but it was kind of dirty at cluttered. The whole restaurant had that feel too. It is an older McMenamins, but it felt like we were at a McMenamins garage sale with crap from the last 30 years lying around. We sat outside instead and it was nice. After about 15-20 minutes, I checked back in with the bartender about our tots since they hadn't arrived yet. She said there was just 1 cook in the back and was trying to get everything out as soon as possible. Ok, I get it. But I don't get why McMenamins wouldn't add some extra staff on a day they do a special event like a scavenger hunt. The cook eventually brought out the tots and and looked irritated like I had asked her 10 times already where our food was. I know she wasn't irritated at us, but clearly the lack of staff that day took it's toll on what I saw as only 3 people running the whole place.
(2)James A.
Always love taking the kids here. Very easy family dinner or lunch. Cool atmosphere, they only play jerry or grateful dead music 24/7. Great beer.... decent grub.... we go here instead of hopworks all the time!
(5)Kimberly G.
Love the Ruby beer and purple haze. Can't go wrong with spinach artichoke dip or Cajun tots. Black rabbit red wine is pretty good. Bacon burgers are good and so is the hummus plate. Service is average and don't expect to be greeted in a jovial fashion but more of a "Hello. You can sit wherever you like". I do like the ambience of the candles but I really wish McMenamins was a friendlier place. It's not like it's a group of rude workers but more of a "I have to say hi and get through the shift". I guess there's always Disneyland if you want friendly.
(3)John K.
This is where it all began; the first McMenamins, 1983. A tribute to Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. Great brews and a lot entertainment. Take time to look at all the stuff on the walls. And as always; great brews!
(4)Jennifer W.
I was visiting portland last week and it wasn't busy at all I sat down while my mom used the restroom and the waitress came over and asked me if I wanted anything to eat I wasn't sure so I told he two iced teas for now. She walked past us a few times to help the table next to us. We waited over 10 mins and watched her as she chatted with her coworkers filled up people's drinks at the bar and waited on the table next to us. We tried to get her attention multiple times but she never brought us our iced teas. over 10 mins for we waited!! The worst service I had on my trip! We ended up leaving!
(1)Chris C.
Prior to moving here in 2007, I made a visit to Portland with some friends, and the first place we stopped was the Barley Mill. I've been here a number of times over the years living in SE, and it's always been a good experience. The lighting is very low-key and colorful, which is perfect given the theme of the bar (Grateful Dead). Their staff has always been very friendly and helpful, despite the times when they appear to be under-staffed. Just a warning: if you sit upstairs and it's busy? The staff can't see you, and you'll probably wait. Just a fact. In my experience, it's been useful to tell one of the staff members that you'll be sitting up there.... just a pro-tip. They used to play an eclectic mix of classic rock, indie pop, Grateful Dead (of course), and a variety of other fun and interesting kinds of music. Now they only play Grateful Dead... what gives? I like the Dead. Just not that much. Ease up on it. The food is typical McMenamin's fare, which is pretty decent. The sliders they recently introduced are really good! Then there's always the classic tots, or cajun style. Nice for a snack with a pint. Which brings us to beer: I will admit outright that McMenamin's beer is not my favorite. However, this place always has 2 rotating guest taps, as well as stand alone taps for PBR, Coors Light, and kombucha... which is a lot for a McMenamins. I feel like a lot of the McMenamins I've been to don't have guest beers. Their beer was really good back in the day, but something changed. I'm probably more discriminating than I used to be, having had 7 years in a place people have called "Beervana". Trust me, I drank a sh*t ton of their beer back in the day, but not much anymore. Which is why I applaud them for having guest taps! A while back, they added some pinball machines and got rid of their pool table... why?? I miss the pool table! That was rad! Free pool is always a bonus feature when you come to a bar, but I don't understand why you'd replace that with pinball. The Barley Mill is a really low-key, hippie-esque, fun lil' spot to chill in southeast and have a pint at. If you need a quick bite, their food is good, and the service is some of the better you'll get at a McMenamin's.
(5)Ryan P.
Loved the decor of the pub and the staff was great. Wish I could comment on the beer the selection, but it was what I've come to expect from a McMenamins location - really good beers on tap!
(4)Maureen L.
If you're a Deadhead, this is your place. Came here for dinner and a passport stamp and though it was great. Not only is the amount of Grateful Dead memorabilia and decor pretty impressive but the lighting is pretty awesome! I walked around the place just because I thought looking at all of the unique chandeliers was interesting in itself. Full bar here, good (not exceptional) food, and friendly waitstaff. Per usual McMenamins fashion, beverages here are a little steep if you're not visiting during happy hour. Fun place...will come back in the future and recommend you stop by if you haven't been or would like to be serenaded by Jerry and his gang during your entire visit :)
(4)Brittanie M.
Not going to lie, I've only been here for passport stamp collecting. I wouldn't ordinarily choose to come here on my own, especially with all the other bars around here. But I must say, it wasn't a bad time! Very, very quirky. That's saying a lot for McMenamins, which are already usually on the quirky side. It sure fits in with the hipster scene in the area. I was very surprised (in a good way) with the service also. We were well attended to and the server was really friendly. Bonus points for having a juke box, I LOVE them! Except the tunes themselves were kind of slim picking. But hey, anytime I can pick the music in a bar I am thrilled.
(4)Nathan M.
I frequent the Barley Mill, usually around three nights a week. I go there for a few drinks and a bite to eat. The service is always great, the food is consistently good, and the prices are reasonable. I notice there are some negative reviews on the service, which I attribute to one-time patrons without a background in service. On occasion the bar gets really busy, but it is not staffed for busy (because McMenamins wants to turn a profit). If you are thinking about being one of these posters or patrons, I'd invite you to think... is there anything at your place of work that you catch flack for that in reality is completely out of your control? Everyone there has made an effort above and beyond what I expect in general from a chain bar. The regular staff all knew my name within a few visits, and remember my drink order. If there were one thing I would complain about its the music; although, truthfully it's difficult to classify the dead as music. The grateful dead are perhaps the worst sounds to have ever been inflicted upon my ear holes. That being said it's still my bar, I put up with the dead because the staff is so awesome.
(5)Lynn K.
Probably more like a 3.5. Since it's in my neighborhood, I come here quite a bit and always have the same completely adequate experience. The food and beer are exactly what you would expect and are predictably OK. The service here is actually pretty good and certainly much better than the Bagdad. I do wish they had the Bagdad's bowls on the menu, though...
(3)Jessica S.
what can I say, I like McMenamins and unlike the other reviews on here I have had some of the best service. This may be due to the off times that I have been, but once was during happy hour and we still got great and timely service. Yea for cajun tater tots and the chicken and bean soup was tasty. I think the wait staff at Mcmenamins does a great job and will give their honest opinions when recommending menu items.
(4)Alex B.
McMenamins now runs 80-some bars, theaters, and hotels in Oregon and Washington. My experience with them has been that the more historic a venue is, the better the overall experience. It isn't even fair to compare places like the Bagdad Theater or Crystal Ballroom to the McMenamins pubs you find speckled throughout the suburbs. Their bars that are just bars aren't really that interesting. But Barley Mill Pub is a glaring exception. This is a McMenamins bar without any particular historical value that nonetheless has a lot of character and will show you a good time. It's located on a fun, convenient part of SE Hawthorne. There is plenty of space (both indoor and outdoor, bar and otherwise) plus a small game room with some pinball machines. Every inch of wall and ceiling is covered with character-giving decor. The staff is great, the food is fine, and the drinks are good (also cheap if you come during their 3-6 happy hour). Bring some friends and order some tots. You'll have fun. If you don't already have a McMenamins Passport, you should probably get one. It's like a treasure hunt for grown-ups, but instead of treasure you get beer and food and swag.
(4)Brian S.
YEAH YEAH YEAH It's got Grateful Dead stuff. The bric a brac store must have been out of alligators wearing sunglasses. Putting a bunch of hippie band junk on the walls does not make one clever-- it's just a Chili's decorated by stoners. BUT...In honor of the Grateful Dead homage that permeates this place, I have structured this review around some of their Greatest Hits. And by Greatest Hits, I mean songs you may have heard once on the radio. It's very clear that "Casey Jones" was not drivin' this train, let alone whilst in his signature state of being high on cocaine. Cocaine, as we all know from Miami Vice (and some of our uncles) is a stimulant. Our waitress was as stimulated as a sloth who drank 3 margaritas with rims of crushed barbiturates in lieu of salt. I would have called her "Sugar Magnolia," but she moved like Sugar Molasses. The food? Think of carnival fare, only slightly lower quality. As I attempted to plow through my greasy/generic/ "look at the walls, not your food" burger, I found solace in chanting the mantra-like words of "Touch of Grey": I will get by; I will get by; I will get by; I will survive. Tangentially speaking of surviving , I think Gloria Gaynor had it right when she sang in her anthem of Womanhood (and possibly food tolerance): It took all the strength I had not to fall apart Kept trying' hard to mend the pieces of my broken heart. In my situation, it was my stomach's pieces I kept tryin' to mend. With Pepto. My stomach felt like I had eaten Jerry Garcia's post-mortem beard dipped in Olestra. After a long wait for our check, the ordeal came to its end (the meal, not this review). Leaving, one could not help but hum the immortal words from "Truckin'": Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me, Other times I can barely see. Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it's been. And at the risk of pointing out the obvious, did you notice the first letters of this chorus spell SOL? That's how I left leavin Jerryland (AKA Barley Pub Mill).
(3)Nick H.
My friends and I used to jokingly refer to this place as the Grateful Dead Memorial Pub and Eatery. Musicians are weird, y'know. Then, Jerry Garcia died and we all decided the healthy choice would be to STFU about that for awhile. A lot of folks find it stylish to disparage McM's in general. While some are better than others* ( and I think this is one of the better ones), I think the McM brothers have done a lot as trailblazers to put both their brand and PDX on the map. Not that long ago, if you wanted a craft beer you had 2 choices; a) mcM's b) nope In my mind, the food in general could be a skosh better but I think their beer is just fine. I also think that all the local craft brew houses around here owe these folks some love. Say what you will, think what you will. I think these guys are the Lewis and Clark of the PDX brewpub scene. I salute you. You can take my Communication Breakdown burger from me when you pry it from my cold, dead hand. * Fess-up time. This place used to be called The Rooster, or maybe The Little Rooster. Got one of our first 'city' gigs here in 1978. Or was it 1878? Anyway, I guess I am pre-disposed to like this place.
(4)Dennis P.
Another great pub by the McMinn.... Brothers ... And the original first location. Theme: Greatful Dead ! Food and drink selection is excellent. I especially like Africian chicken curry soup only on Thursday ! A neighborhood favorite, and destination place too !
(4)Maxene M.
I love coming to this location for the scooby snacks. Food is always great, staff is mostly very kind, but service can be very slow as with all McMenamins. I'll definitely keep coming back though!
(4)Ann H.
We had lunch here (during a non-busy time). After a long wait for our 3 meals we weren't impressed. The hamburger and fries were beyond the normal greasy. My Queen Anne grilled sandwich seemed like it was also cooked in too much oil. My husband liked the hot and crisp tater tots. My side salad was decent. I wouldn't come back with so many other good options nearby. Be careful walking to the bathroom down a narrow and very dark passageway.
(2)Ana R.
Really cute and small location on Hawthorne. We went there last saturday after doing some mid-century credenza research. Another McMenamins' success.
(4)Melyssa H.
Decent menu and good food but quality is less than it has been in the past and service is losing me as repeat offender. Staff needs to show some happiness from time to time if they are going to get orders wrong and leave requests out. Poor service and lackluster service makes for a hum drum experience. Recommendations? Cook meat as ordered (if still pink, burger is not well done). Have a standard means of drink making. Some are soooo good and then next time, so not. The little things like the right dressing, more napkins, another drink without having to ask a second or third time... these things are evident each time we seem to set foot at an McM. Come on and get this team up to par!
(3)Mel E.
Great place for Dead Heads...not exactly my style, but I couldn't knock it until I tried it. I don't remember if other McM places have such a small happy hour menu. This place had french bread pizzas, chili cheese dip and one more thing...and that was it. I like more of a variety. Service was pretty poor even though there weren't many people there on this particular weekday night. I had to go up to get our server's attention. I've been to other McM places and had a better time.
(2)Marianne S.
I've been to this McMenamins a number of times since it is just a block up from where I live. But I have never been there during the day, for lunch. My boyfriend and I wanted to go somewhere where we could sit outside since it was such a nice day and we wanted to bring our puppy. This was the perfect place- close to our house and outside seating with heat lamps (even though the sun was shining, it was still Feburary and a little chilly.) The waitress brought out a bowl of water for our dog, who was loving lying in the sun. We were both very satisfied with our food and the service was very quick. It was just what we wanted on that Saturday afternoon.
(4)Augustina M.
I was out with a girlfriend and CRAVING a communication breakdown burger so we went to the Barley Mill Pub to get one. It took our server a good ten min to come over to ask us what we wanted to drink and another to bring us our drinks. We ordered at that point and sipped our beverages enjoying each other's company...after about 20 mins (our time in the restaurant is close to an hour at this point) we asked the server how much longer our food would be...when she went to the kitchen to ask, the cooks threw a very audible and colorful fit that could be heard throughout the restaurant. The bar was covered in dirty dishes stacked ten high making me question the sanitation of our food. To add to the crappy service, when we finally got our food (almost an hour after we arrived and it wasn't exactly a busy night) it was lukewarm and it took the waitress another 20 min to bring us our check. When I was in college I ate at the Mill st pub almost daily. The food and the service there was great. This was not the same experience and although I live in the neighborhood I will not be going back anytime soon.
(2)Rachel M.
I have never had worse food that I went out and paid for at a restaurant in my entire life. Literally. I couldn't believe they even sold it. A salad with iceberg lettuce and some weird excuse for asian dressing with rawish chicken? There were two tables and we kept having to track our waitress down or get her attention. I don't understand why, after having constantly bad experiences with McM's that I ever go back, except for the campy Grateful Dead paraphernalia strewn about. I also think its a sin how much they charge to play pool. You suck, barley mill pub.
(1)J D.
A Casa DeMarco B&B recommended place! This is the first of their many pubs in the Portland and surrounding area. Their Hammerhead is still as perfect a brew as ever. This place has a good variety of sandwiches, burgers and fries as well as seasonal soups and salads etc.. A full bar as well. I recommend a basket of their fries while waiting for your meal to arrive. And a beer. I love the house sandwich and my wife has to have a Dungeon burger with mushrooms. Yum. Sometimes service is slow due to staffing but the staff is friendly and very accommodating.
(4)Deana G.
I ordered a cheeseburger with a salad. The salad was on the small size. after waiting almost an hour for our food we had to wait another 10 (after I asked for it) to get the dipping sauce for the kids chicken strips; they had ate them before it arrived. Cool atmosphere just like I expect from a McMinnamins. The wait however was long, very long. The staff was over worked, the food was ok. The beer was amazing like always! Basically the true spirit of McMinnamins was there, but poor management ultimately tainted what should have been a 30-45 minute lunch break into a grueling hour and a half.
(3)Anna B.
Well, it's a McMennies. You already know what that means: terrible food, crummy service, mediocre beer, and the bathrooms smell weird. Those four things are what unite all McMennies, it's no secret or surprise. But McM's are just one of those places that you always end up, inevitably, from time to time because they're easy. You know what to expect, what your food is going to taste like, and what you're going to spend, down to the dime (literally). And when you're with a group, frequently you've got someone with you who actually thinks they make good food, and rather than scream, "Friendship OVER" in his/her face, you just roll with it and tell yourself your friend has other redeeming qualities that should trump awful taste in restaurants. You take one for the team, so to speak. So, after you've sat there waiting for service for 15 minutes, decided on some burger/sandwich/wrap/tots and a beer, gotten your food and picked around the wilted, brown lettuce and shriveled cucumber slice on your side salad, you might regret the whole thing. But you'll be back, because that's just how these McMennies get ya. Of all the McM's in P-town, this one is actually not *that* bad in comparison to some others. It doesn't get as packed. Once you do actually place an order, it usually comes out fairly quickly. I've never understood why the McM's people don't attempt to make good food. I'm mean- they've got all of these sweet-ass, prime location spots all over town; I imagine how cool they'd be with better food. When the best thing on the menu is tatertots, that's kind of sad. Yet, we eat them, so I have no excuse. Burgers, sandwiches, wraps... tots, fries, salad... beer, cocktails. Oh, yeah this location plays Grateful Dead. Big whoop, right? GD often plays in my brain on autopilot anyway.
(2)Alethea D.
I love this place cuz it's a shrine to the Greatfull Dead band and other great 60's pop culture stuff, and the food is yummy too. Great selection of beers, as they brew their own and also have a great selection of hard cider. My favorite burger is the "Communication Breakdown" which has everything I like, cheese, onions, mushrooms etc. I get the salad and my honey gets the tater tots and we share. Always a fun atmosphere and prompt service.
(4)Timmy L.
I have been going to this place for some time now. The drinks are great, especially if you come for hard cider. The service can be a bit slower if you come in and sit in the corner area as you are less likely to be seen in the first place. So far every time that I been here, the service has been quick, friendly and overall good. The food is good also. I have not had any problems with this place at all. It is really nice to sit outside during the warmer times and the whole place has an interesting decoration about.
(5)Chris S.
Strong drink. OK food. Kinda weird service. I am gluten free because gluten makes me really sick. I asked the girl serving my friend and I at happy hour if the artichoke dip was gluten free and her response was "uhhhh....... probably?" with no offer to double check. Now, I have been a server for 10 years. I'm not just a rude customer. If someone asks me about an allergy... I don't risk the liability of an ER visit or complaint... I just check with the kitchen. My friend ordered them and I only ate one or two- but didn't order anything myself as I was worried. Come on, girl.
(3)Amanda W.
Get the cajun tots!!! Barley Mill is a solid pub with good food and no surprises. Good sandwiches, tasty salads, yummy beer. My only warning would be to stay away from the fries. Great place for a group, occasionally slow servers, this is the place to come hang out, not the place to hit up if you're in a hurry.
(4)M R.
I wanted to like this place, but it was a struggle. I'm a huge McMenamins fan, but this was one of the worst in terms of service! Waiter was super nice but messed up our order. Then, his boss let him go home before closing out our bill and no one ever came over to check on us - had to go inside to the bar to pay! It has a nice patio for summer, but don't go here if you are high maintenance and need attention from the waiter constantly.
(2)Robert H.
This is a classic McMenamins. Nothing fancy, thin style micros, rustic furniture. They have established a jam band-friendly atmosphere. My interest is their Thursday ground nut soup. Ground nuts are peanuts. Ground nut soup or stew is a West African specialty. Unfortunately everywhere I traveled where it was on the menu, they were out! The recipe varies, but includes peanuts, tomatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, peppers, carrots and spices. Cayenne, of course, plus some mix of garlic, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, ginger, and spices we don't have here! So I'm always on the lookout for ground nut stew. The Barley Mill one is primarily peanut butter, no whole peanuts, mildly spicy, a few pieces of fresh tomato and chicken. People come on Thursdays just for this dish. I think they could improve the recipe, but you can decide for yourself.
(2)Richard A.
We were there with 8 people, got seated right away and just enjoyed the dinner. Nothing fancy, just pub grub. I'll repeat the warning on the fries, they weren't up to snuff, but everything else was as expected, and after a couple of beers it's all good.
(3)Flo A.
Used to love this place, but each time the service got worse and worse with each visit. The last 2 times we came, we placed orders and 30-45 minutes later we still did not have food and the place was empty, maybe 1-2 other customers. We ended up leaving both times without our meals. Very disappointed and will not be back...ever. We will make sure to discourage anyone who wants to go to McMenamins- as this seems to be the trend at most locations.
(1)James D.
I had a salad with hazelnuts, fresh greens, blue cheese crumbles, and sauteed onions. Very good! With CREAMY raspberry vinaigrette, which was 'awesome' because it wasn't the run of the mill watery vinaigrette, which I don't like. I also thought the decor rocked.
(4)Laura K.
This is apparently the first McMenamins that opened...it definitely has an even more local, home grown feel than others. Greatful Dead stuff everywhere. The food was good, but always a few dollars over prices (I guess that's how they getcha!). The service was actually decent compared to some other McMenamins joints. We sat up in the loft nook under the skylight--charming.
(3)Nancy K.
I've come here a handful of times over the years and I think this place is ok...well, in fact, a-ok. I like that it never gets too crowded and it's not too loud. It's good to go there with a group of friends you'd like to catch up with. You can actually have a conversation without having to yell at each other. The food is the usual McMin standard stuff - not great but not so bad either. And of course the one thing that brings me back over and over again is the Ruby.
(3)Valerie A.
We've done happy hour here a few times the food has always been good and the bartenders are pretty dang nice. Tasty burgers, good fries, the tots are a bit on the salty side, but are really tasty with beer.
(5)Erin K.
I don't know how I managed to miss this, but they have a pretty decent happy hour from 3-6pm. Good to know!
(4)Chris L.
While I wouldn't call her a full on "Dead Head", the TLB is a big fan of the Grateful Dead, so the Barley Mill is one of her favorite places to grab a beer while on Hawthorne. We also tend to hit up the Gerry Bar at Edgefield whenever out there. After stopping by Trader Joe's and then grabbing some produce from Uncle Paul, we decided to stop by the Barley Mill for a quick beer. I'm not a big fan of grocery shopping, so just like a child, I am often rewarded for my good shopping behavior, but instead of candy or toys, I normally elect a pint as my payoff. We decided to sit outside in order to watch the sun set, and in typical McMen's fashion, we found ourselves waiting for quite some time before we determined that going in side would lead to a quicker connection with our desired hops and barley fix. Once inside, we beer bellied up to the bar, and received quick and friendly service. Within five minutes, not only did we have our beer, but also our order of tater tots. Hmmm, tater tots. While not the most historic, flashy or original McMen's, the Barley Mill is still a good spot to stop for a quick pint.
(3)Ryan S.
Sampled three beers by going the "glass" route while the rest of our party went with full pints. I like when places offer this feature in addition to full pints. Encourages more adventurous drinking. In my case, it wasn't about adventure, but more about trying as many Portland beers as possible! This stop was 1 of 2 we made at McMenamins pubs. I had the Hammerhead, Stout, and IPA at this location. All were drinkable beers, had decent flavor, but nothing remarkable or really incredibly memorable. I remember being satisfied with the taste. But if I had the beer again today I don't know that I'd remember it being the same. It was a Saturday afternoon and the pub was pretty quiet. We had the bar to ourselves and received good service throughout our brief stay. I liked the Grateful Dead decor, the old-style barley mill on display, and the general relaxed feel of the place. My way of thinking about some of these breweries/brew pubs as a Portland visitor has been this: 1. Would I go again if I visited? Only if I was right outside and thirsty. 2. Would I go again if I lived there? I would swing in if it was convenient, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)Tiffany S.
It is what it is, and it is within walking distance from our new Portland pad. Service was ok, beer was good (but I rarely drink beer), my soup (mushroom) and chopped salad were pretty good, and the mini-corndogs still sound tempting. Chris had the burger which he said was also very good. I figure if servers are gonna stand around and chatter then I have every to chatter back in order to get their attention, get the bill, etc. For that reason, it feels comfy to me. Like I said, it is what it is.
(3)Kemi A.
Stopped here while on the way out of Portland, and it was ok. The setting is Greatful Dead fanatics on acid and pot(not that I'm hating). We went during lunch and I had the Canjun chicken burger w blue cheese, yum! Also had a berry tasting beer, and I hate beer but it was good! Our food took awhile cause the surver forgot to put our food in, but he waived our beers which was nice. Overall a really nice place!
(3)Martha R.
Pros: not too smoky, nice ambiance. Cons: Everything is McMenanmins crappy... the food, the service, and the beer. It's so f'n crazy that these places have done so well. They're the ones that make "location, location, location" something that people keep shouting when it comes to where you eat and live. I mean, really... all of them that I have been to are the same... and I keep hoping that they will change up the menu, or bring in some good beer... but I am continually disappointed. Will I ever learn? Most likely not, but at least I accept that about myself. I WILL say that I enjoyed hanging out with a rather large group of friends on a Saturday night and was able to breath and talk to the person across, and next to me. That gives it the 3 rather than 1 or 2 star McMinimums (misspelling intentional) usual rating. Oh, and parking can be a bit of a bitch... so just beware.
(3)Katie H.
I like McMenamins, I do, and I have been to quite a few of them (NW Portland, Edgefield, out Cornelius Pass, in the suburbs, the ones down in Eugene). I like this one since it is close to my work. They are a good place for food and drink and to hang out. And throughout their locations their food is consistent and if you are craving cajun tater tots, you know where you can find some. However, EVERY McMenamins I have been to, and I mean every single one, always needs one more server on the floor. It is a constant thing with all McMenamins and it is become part of the McMenamins experience the the service will be ungodly slow. This is always the case no matter what time you go or which location you go to do. It is the one thing I really don't like about McMenamins and it actually makes me eat here less than I might.
(3)Charlotte S.
One of the best McMenamin's to go to for good service with a small, friendly staff. Some McMenamin's I've been to have terrible service. But good ol' Barley Mill loves their customers! And the Grateful Dead! Yeah, McMenamin's isn't gourmet food or super classy, but if you want a burger, some tator tots, and a beer...then they deliver! Sometimes you just don't feel like being classy ya know?! I love stuffing my face with the Wilbur burger: bacon, fried egg, and cheddar! They also have free pool till 5pm which is cool...but my favorite is getting to know the servers! They are way awesome. Sometimes I feel bad though when it's super busy because they don't have enough servers on the floor and they have to run around and stuff :[ But otherwise, it's friendly, it's colorful, it's comfortable. Plus you get too see all these older hippies come in and reminisce on all the times they've seen the Grateful Dead...its cute.
(4)Frank T.
This is my favorite of the McMens to go to (to eat). I never used to like their food much until I started coming here. I like the burgers, i like the staff, i like the Dead Head environment and of course i LOVE the beer. I used to live right around the corner, so I would come here a lot, but since i recently moved i dont come out here as much. EAT THE TOTS
(4)Natalie B.
Ugh. My friend and went here last night for a simple beer after work. We sat at a table for 10 (TEN!) minutes without so much as a "hello" or "I'll be right with you" When we realized no one was EVER going to come over to take our order, we went up to the bar and stood there, IDs and cash in hand for another 10 (TEN!) minutes. At least the bartender finally said "I'll be with you in a few minutes" after about 5 minutes of avoiding eye contact. There were no other customers waiting at the bar. Just us. Two people. After 20 minutes we left and went somewhere else where we were greeted and given beers in about 30 seconds. Yeah, that's right McMenamins, it can be done! Yes, they were busy. But no, they were not stacked 10 people deep at the bar. Just horribly understaffed and horribly un-customer service oriented, like every other McMenamins establishment. I'm a server, not some unruly, ungrateful, clueless patron. I know how things should work McMenamins!!! I'd give 'em one lousy star, but last time I went here for lunch their service was okay. (that's McMenamins "ok" not real world ok.)
(2)Julia L.
I want you to know that I have much conflict with rating BM but feel I must decide. The word that comes to mind when I think of the Barley Mill would have to be mediocre. Now hold on, mediocre isn't bad, but it isn't good; and that's BM in a nutshell. The bar itself has so much potential with the Dead themed décor, lighting, layout/setup, history, good music and tasty food and beer. The energy is what makes it big "eh" for me. The staff does their job and does it well but that's about it. They are not there with the plan to wow you or to make you feel welcomed. They are there to get your food and drinks and be closed and out of there as early as possible. Can you blame them though? I live pretty close and have spent much time and money there and not once have I been recognized/remembered by the staff. Maybe they have noticed and just don't care, which is disappointing too. I want to love the Barley Mill. I want to eat cajunized tots and drink Ruby and Terminator until I am silly. I want to be relaxed and entertained by the ambience, music and fun board games you can play at your table. But what I would really like is to have my patronage appreciated, even just a little with a smile or a nod. I will continue to go there and take visitors and such - but because it is a great bar that is really close with cool history.
(3)David M.
I take back my previous statements. Work people force me to come here after "Foster Care Night" on Thursdays and I honestly could not be more BORED if I tried. People who only eat vanilla ice cream come here. Frat boys who walk into Applebees and order Coors Light come here. Librarians come here, and not the smart librarians. The missionary position comes here. Michael Bay movies come here. Every cast member of The Hills, the Real World, and the OC come here. You have been warned.
(2)Ashlee H.
Unspectacular. The food and beer are acceptable. I admit to enjoying the tater tots and ranch dressing. All in all, I think it's a decent place to go if you live down the street (and I fall into that category). Grateful Dead themed. Why can't I find a bar that's Golden Girls themed? And has lots of cheesecake? Now that would rock.
(3)Tim B.
I truly love the Barley Mill. Though, I must admit, I am totally biased. It is probably the closest pub to my home, it has outside (sidewalk) seating, and 9 times out of 10, the Dead is playing through the speakers. The staff is always really nice here, and they are prompt (most of the time). On Saturday, they serve a spicy peanut soup which if OUT OF SIGHT! And the falafel is pretty damn tasty too; other than these, it is for the most part just McMinnamins grub (go for the tots!). There is pool, board games, good beer/wine, and decent food. I will be back; again and again. (I must add though,this is not my favorite place in the neighborhood, though, it is the one I go to the most. Here and Tiny's)
(5)Mark H.
Update: they've jacked their prices way up, so it's middling food and middling service for a lot of money. Sigh. Like they're not making enough money on the bar????
(3)Mary H.
Right across the street from my apartment, the original McMinnamin's is a nice spot to hang with a friend on a rainy day, catch up on a long book, grab a beer after work, or get dinner. The decor is psychedelic, a tribute to the Grateful Dead, and you can't miss the original barley mill! The food is always fresh and delicious, and the cooks/servers are great about customizing orders. The staff is very friendly, attentive and chatty usually, taking the time to get to know the people around them. A true experience.
(4)Ellie D.
Don't be in a hurry here unless you want to get up & go find your server (this is good advice for ANY McMenamin's). Beer is good but the food is hit or miss. Usually I like it but they seem to be a bit stingy on the bacon on my Captain Neon. This is the bacon & blue cheese burger & only came with one slice of bacon. ONE!!
(2)Liz M.
Every apartment I've lived in while living in Oregon has been walking distance from a McMenamins. Barley Mill is my current neighborhood spot. I love that I can go in for a chicken sandwich and delicious beer any time and I will run into friends from the neighborhood, or just sit and read, or play pool. The food is reliably good, the service is reliably a bit slow but friendly, and the atmosphere is relibly hippy-ish. I reliably love a small neighborhood McMenamins, and Barley Mill is no exception. Double plus bonus: Outdoor seating on a warm day, watching the world, and cute puppies, go by!
(4)Coral C.
Had a hankering for a chicken sandwich, and I couldn't think of anywhere else to go that was close to home (and open). Why does Portland seem to close down so early on Sunday nights? Geez. Anyhow, there was only one other table in the place, and while we were greeted and got our food pretty quickly, we were left waiting and waiting and waiting for the check. I had to go up to the counter and take care of it. Would it kill ya to come and check on your only table? Oh, and by the way, the sandwich wasn't bad. It definitely fit my craving. The fries though? Greasy and soggy. Next time I'll either try the tater tots or be good and have some salad.
(3)Ellettra A.
Three stars for excellent sweet potato fries, and a very creative chipotle ketchup that totally rocked. But man, the smell inside the bar was DISGUSTING, and the women's restroom was seriously rank, just reeking of mildew. We sat outside luckily, and I can't say that I'll go back if I have to sit inside. I don't think I could deal with the smell.
(3)Dave H.
Slow service, weak drinks, but it's on Hawthorne and a McMenamins so people go there. It reminded me again why I go to McMenamins when someone else suggests it, but never if I choose on my own. There's really nothing special about it other than there are no other bars on the block.
(2)A. W.
We used to be regulars, but the past couple of years we have been disappointed every time we give them another shot. Service is slow and forgetful. On a recent dinner, our server had all but disappeard. We were tired of waiting to pay our bill, so we went to the bar & paid. Then on our way to the car, we saw our server out on the curb smoking a cigarette. Kind of lame. I realize servers need to get their breaks, but maybe step away from the restaurant a little bit to get your smoke break and make sure somebody is covering your tables while you're away.
(2)Felicia L.
Okay, the only reason this one made it to four stars is because it has this super nifty loft area with a few tables that is AWESOME when you have large groups. Otherwise, like the other reviewer said, besides the over the top dead head stuff, it's not too exciting.
(4)Brandy S.
This was the first McMennamins restaurant. Great place for Grateful Dead fans and there are pool tables. Other than that, uninspiring.
(3)Leslie S.
TERRIBLE PLACE!!! BAD Service, poor management, and from what I hear they treat their employees VERY POORLY ALSO!! Save yourself the trip and go to DesChutes Brewery instead!!! You'll be thankful!!
(1)Adam C.
you know, there are better McMenamins out there. but this one has my vote because it is less Starbucks McMenamins and more of your local watering hole (with a lot of Grateful Dead decor). i like the food. i like the beer and even though i don't like the grateful dead i do enjoy hanging out there with friends. i guess i'm biased because it's only about 2 blocks from my apartment but still, it's a good bar.
(4)Kimberly G.
Love the Ruby beer and purple haze. Can't go wrong with spinach artichoke dip or Cajun tots. Black rabbit red wine is pretty good. Bacon burgers are good and so is the hummus plate. Service is average and don't expect to be greeted in a jovial fashion but more of a "Hello. You can sit wherever you like". I do like the ambience of the candles but I really wish McMenamins was a friendlier place. It's not like it's a group of rude workers but more of a "I have to say hi and get through the shift". I guess there's always Disneyland if you want friendly.
(3)Bradford D.
McMenamins Barley Mill...I feel like I should give you 5 stars for being the original McMenamins, but our experience today was pretty lackluster. It was the last stop on their scavenger hunt today, so we wanted to relax and enjoy a pint and some tots to end our afternoon. We found the right picture for our passport stamp and ordered our drinks and tots. The bartender was not energetic at all and seemed overwhelmed by the extra visitors from the scavenger hunt. We thought about sitting at the bar, but it was kind of dirty at cluttered. The whole restaurant had that feel too. It is an older McMenamins, but it felt like we were at a McMenamins garage sale with crap from the last 30 years lying around. We sat outside instead and it was nice. After about 15-20 minutes, I checked back in with the bartender about our tots since they hadn't arrived yet. She said there was just 1 cook in the back and was trying to get everything out as soon as possible. Ok, I get it. But I don't get why McMenamins wouldn't add some extra staff on a day they do a special event like a scavenger hunt. The cook eventually brought out the tots and and looked irritated like I had asked her 10 times already where our food was. I know she wasn't irritated at us, but clearly the lack of staff that day took it's toll on what I saw as only 3 people running the whole place.
(2)James A.
Always love taking the kids here. Very easy family dinner or lunch. Cool atmosphere, they only play jerry or grateful dead music 24/7. Great beer.... decent grub.... we go here instead of hopworks all the time!
(5)John K.
This is where it all began; the first McMenamins, 1983. A tribute to Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. Great brews and a lot entertainment. Take time to look at all the stuff on the walls. And as always; great brews!
(4)Jess F.
My husband and I come here every once in a while. The service is always ok and the food is decent. During our most recent visit I asked if they had a soup of the day and the server responded, "we have some beef stew but it doesn't look very good, and an African chicken (or maybe chickpea?)". It was very strange. I ordered a veggie sandwich and a side salad instead.
(3)Jennifer W.
I was visiting portland last week and it wasn't busy at all I sat down while my mom used the restroom and the waitress came over and asked me if I wanted anything to eat I wasn't sure so I told he two iced teas for now. She walked past us a few times to help the table next to us. We waited over 10 mins and watched her as she chatted with her coworkers filled up people's drinks at the bar and waited on the table next to us. We tried to get her attention multiple times but she never brought us our iced teas. over 10 mins for we waited!! The worst service I had on my trip! We ended up leaving!
(1)Brittanie M.
Not going to lie, I've only been here for passport stamp collecting. I wouldn't ordinarily choose to come here on my own, especially with all the other bars around here. But I must say, it wasn't a bad time! Very, very quirky. That's saying a lot for McMenamins, which are already usually on the quirky side. It sure fits in with the hipster scene in the area. I was very surprised (in a good way) with the service also. We were well attended to and the server was really friendly. Bonus points for having a juke box, I LOVE them! Except the tunes themselves were kind of slim picking. But hey, anytime I can pick the music in a bar I am thrilled.
(4)Mindy C.
Came here for lunch and a passport stamp. Had no idea that this was the OG McMenamins. The decor was wild and eclectic and I dug tooling around and noticing little weird quirks. Intriguing to see how they've taken the decor and ambience and spread it around to all their other locations. The service here was surprisingly good. This chain offers notoriously bad service, but this location featured a great waiter who was charming and chill with our brood of kiddos ranging from 13 years old to 11 months. Our food was quick and pretty tasty. I forgot how much their fries suck and ordered them with my pulled pork sandwich. Regret that. Their side salads are pretty damn good. Ordered a specialty beer off the menu - Fuzzy Bubble. It was a rich wheaty peach beer and had a nice taste, with just a touch too much hops. Would probably not order again, but it was a good summer beer choice and I don't regret trying something new.
(4)J D.
A Casa DeMarco B&B recommended place! This is the first of their many pubs in the Portland and surrounding area. Their Hammerhead is still as perfect a brew as ever. This place has a good variety of sandwiches, burgers and fries as well as seasonal soups and salads etc.. A full bar as well. I recommend a basket of their fries while waiting for your meal to arrive. And a beer. I love the house sandwich and my wife has to have a Dungeon burger with mushrooms. Yum. Sometimes service is slow due to staffing but the staff is friendly and very accommodating.
(4)Deana G.
I ordered a cheeseburger with a salad. The salad was on the small size. after waiting almost an hour for our food we had to wait another 10 (after I asked for it) to get the dipping sauce for the kids chicken strips; they had ate them before it arrived. Cool atmosphere just like I expect from a McMinnamins. The wait however was long, very long. The staff was over worked, the food was ok. The beer was amazing like always! Basically the true spirit of McMinnamins was there, but poor management ultimately tainted what should have been a 30-45 minute lunch break into a grueling hour and a half.
(3)M R.
I wanted to like this place, but it was a struggle. I'm a huge McMenamins fan, but this was one of the worst in terms of service! Waiter was super nice but messed up our order. Then, his boss let him go home before closing out our bill and no one ever came over to check on us - had to go inside to the bar to pay! It has a nice patio for summer, but don't go here if you are high maintenance and need attention from the waiter constantly.
(2)Chris C.
Prior to moving here in 2007, I made a visit to Portland with some friends, and the first place we stopped was the Barley Mill. I've been here a number of times over the years living in SE, and it's always been a good experience. The lighting is very low-key and colorful, which is perfect given the theme of the bar (Grateful Dead). Their staff has always been very friendly and helpful, despite the times when they appear to be under-staffed. Just a warning: if you sit upstairs and it's busy? The staff can't see you, and you'll probably wait. Just a fact. In my experience, it's been useful to tell one of the staff members that you'll be sitting up there.... just a pro-tip. They used to play an eclectic mix of classic rock, indie pop, Grateful Dead (of course), and a variety of other fun and interesting kinds of music. Now they only play Grateful Dead... what gives? I like the Dead. Just not that much. Ease up on it. The food is typical McMenamin's fare, which is pretty decent. The sliders they recently introduced are really good! Then there's always the classic tots, or cajun style. Nice for a snack with a pint. Which brings us to beer: I will admit outright that McMenamin's beer is not my favorite. However, this place always has 2 rotating guest taps, as well as stand alone taps for PBR, Coors Light, and kombucha... which is a lot for a McMenamins. I feel like a lot of the McMenamins I've been to don't have guest beers. Their beer was really good back in the day, but something changed. I'm probably more discriminating than I used to be, having had 7 years in a place people have called "Beervana". Trust me, I drank a sh*t ton of their beer back in the day, but not much anymore. Which is why I applaud them for having guest taps! A while back, they added some pinball machines and got rid of their pool table... why?? I miss the pool table! That was rad! Free pool is always a bonus feature when you come to a bar, but I don't understand why you'd replace that with pinball. The Barley Mill is a really low-key, hippie-esque, fun lil' spot to chill in southeast and have a pint at. If you need a quick bite, their food is good, and the service is some of the better you'll get at a McMenamin's.
(5)Ryan P.
Loved the decor of the pub and the staff was great. Wish I could comment on the beer the selection, but it was what I've come to expect from a McMenamins location - really good beers on tap!
(4)Maureen L.
If you're a Deadhead, this is your place. Came here for dinner and a passport stamp and though it was great. Not only is the amount of Grateful Dead memorabilia and decor pretty impressive but the lighting is pretty awesome! I walked around the place just because I thought looking at all of the unique chandeliers was interesting in itself. Full bar here, good (not exceptional) food, and friendly waitstaff. Per usual McMenamins fashion, beverages here are a little steep if you're not visiting during happy hour. Fun place...will come back in the future and recommend you stop by if you haven't been or would like to be serenaded by Jerry and his gang during your entire visit :)
(4)Nathan M.
I frequent the Barley Mill, usually around three nights a week. I go there for a few drinks and a bite to eat. The service is always great, the food is consistently good, and the prices are reasonable. I notice there are some negative reviews on the service, which I attribute to one-time patrons without a background in service. On occasion the bar gets really busy, but it is not staffed for busy (because McMenamins wants to turn a profit). If you are thinking about being one of these posters or patrons, I'd invite you to think... is there anything at your place of work that you catch flack for that in reality is completely out of your control? Everyone there has made an effort above and beyond what I expect in general from a chain bar. The regular staff all knew my name within a few visits, and remember my drink order. If there were one thing I would complain about its the music; although, truthfully it's difficult to classify the dead as music. The grateful dead are perhaps the worst sounds to have ever been inflicted upon my ear holes. That being said it's still my bar, I put up with the dead because the staff is so awesome.
(5)Lynn K.
Probably more like a 3.5. Since it's in my neighborhood, I come here quite a bit and always have the same completely adequate experience. The food and beer are exactly what you would expect and are predictably OK. The service here is actually pretty good and certainly much better than the Bagdad. I do wish they had the Bagdad's bowls on the menu, though...
(3)Jessica S.
what can I say, I like McMenamins and unlike the other reviews on here I have had some of the best service. This may be due to the off times that I have been, but once was during happy hour and we still got great and timely service. Yea for cajun tater tots and the chicken and bean soup was tasty. I think the wait staff at Mcmenamins does a great job and will give their honest opinions when recommending menu items.
(4)Alex B.
McMenamins now runs 80-some bars, theaters, and hotels in Oregon and Washington. My experience with them has been that the more historic a venue is, the better the overall experience. It isn't even fair to compare places like the Bagdad Theater or Crystal Ballroom to the McMenamins pubs you find speckled throughout the suburbs. Their bars that are just bars aren't really that interesting. But Barley Mill Pub is a glaring exception. This is a McMenamins bar without any particular historical value that nonetheless has a lot of character and will show you a good time. It's located on a fun, convenient part of SE Hawthorne. There is plenty of space (both indoor and outdoor, bar and otherwise) plus a small game room with some pinball machines. Every inch of wall and ceiling is covered with character-giving decor. The staff is great, the food is fine, and the drinks are good (also cheap if you come during their 3-6 happy hour). Bring some friends and order some tots. You'll have fun. If you don't already have a McMenamins Passport, you should probably get one. It's like a treasure hunt for grown-ups, but instead of treasure you get beer and food and swag.
(4)Brian S.
YEAH YEAH YEAH It's got Grateful Dead stuff. The bric a brac store must have been out of alligators wearing sunglasses. Putting a bunch of hippie band junk on the walls does not make one clever-- it's just a Chili's decorated by stoners. BUT...In honor of the Grateful Dead homage that permeates this place, I have structured this review around some of their Greatest Hits. And by Greatest Hits, I mean songs you may have heard once on the radio. It's very clear that "Casey Jones" was not drivin' this train, let alone whilst in his signature state of being high on cocaine. Cocaine, as we all know from Miami Vice (and some of our uncles) is a stimulant. Our waitress was as stimulated as a sloth who drank 3 margaritas with rims of crushed barbiturates in lieu of salt. I would have called her "Sugar Magnolia," but she moved like Sugar Molasses. The food? Think of carnival fare, only slightly lower quality. As I attempted to plow through my greasy/generic/ "look at the walls, not your food" burger, I found solace in chanting the mantra-like words of "Touch of Grey": I will get by; I will get by; I will get by; I will survive. Tangentially speaking of surviving , I think Gloria Gaynor had it right when she sang in her anthem of Womanhood (and possibly food tolerance): It took all the strength I had not to fall apart Kept trying' hard to mend the pieces of my broken heart. In my situation, it was my stomach's pieces I kept tryin' to mend. With Pepto. My stomach felt like I had eaten Jerry Garcia's post-mortem beard dipped in Olestra. After a long wait for our check, the ordeal came to its end (the meal, not this review). Leaving, one could not help but hum the immortal words from "Truckin'": Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me, Other times I can barely see. Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it's been. And at the risk of pointing out the obvious, did you notice the first letters of this chorus spell SOL? That's how I left leavin Jerryland (AKA Barley Pub Mill).
(3)Nick H.
My friends and I used to jokingly refer to this place as the Grateful Dead Memorial Pub and Eatery. Musicians are weird, y'know. Then, Jerry Garcia died and we all decided the healthy choice would be to STFU about that for awhile. A lot of folks find it stylish to disparage McM's in general. While some are better than others* ( and I think this is one of the better ones), I think the McM brothers have done a lot as trailblazers to put both their brand and PDX on the map. Not that long ago, if you wanted a craft beer you had 2 choices; a) mcM's b) nope In my mind, the food in general could be a skosh better but I think their beer is just fine. I also think that all the local craft brew houses around here owe these folks some love. Say what you will, think what you will. I think these guys are the Lewis and Clark of the PDX brewpub scene. I salute you. You can take my Communication Breakdown burger from me when you pry it from my cold, dead hand. * Fess-up time. This place used to be called The Rooster, or maybe The Little Rooster. Got one of our first 'city' gigs here in 1978. Or was it 1878? Anyway, I guess I am pre-disposed to like this place.
(4)Dennis P.
Another great pub by the McMinn.... Brothers ... And the original first location. Theme: Greatful Dead ! Food and drink selection is excellent. I especially like Africian chicken curry soup only on Thursday ! A neighborhood favorite, and destination place too !
(4)Maxene M.
I love coming to this location for the scooby snacks. Food is always great, staff is mostly very kind, but service can be very slow as with all McMenamins. I'll definitely keep coming back though!
(4)Ann H.
We had lunch here (during a non-busy time). After a long wait for our 3 meals we weren't impressed. The hamburger and fries were beyond the normal greasy. My Queen Anne grilled sandwich seemed like it was also cooked in too much oil. My husband liked the hot and crisp tater tots. My side salad was decent. I wouldn't come back with so many other good options nearby. Be careful walking to the bathroom down a narrow and very dark passageway.
(2)Ana R.
Really cute and small location on Hawthorne. We went there last saturday after doing some mid-century credenza research. Another McMenamins' success.
(4)Tim B.
I truly love the Barley Mill. Though, I must admit, I am totally biased. It is probably the closest pub to my home, it has outside (sidewalk) seating, and 9 times out of 10, the Dead is playing through the speakers. The staff is always really nice here, and they are prompt (most of the time). On Saturday, they serve a spicy peanut soup which if OUT OF SIGHT! And the falafel is pretty damn tasty too; other than these, it is for the most part just McMinnamins grub (go for the tots!). There is pool, board games, good beer/wine, and decent food. I will be back; again and again. (I must add though,this is not my favorite place in the neighborhood, though, it is the one I go to the most. Here and Tiny's)
(5)Mark H.
Update: they've jacked their prices way up, so it's middling food and middling service for a lot of money. Sigh. Like they're not making enough money on the bar????
(3)Mel E.
Great place for Dead Heads...not exactly my style, but I couldn't knock it until I tried it. I don't remember if other McM places have such a small happy hour menu. This place had french bread pizzas, chili cheese dip and one more thing...and that was it. I like more of a variety. Service was pretty poor even though there weren't many people there on this particular weekday night. I had to go up to get our server's attention. I've been to other McM places and had a better time.
(2)Laura K.
This is apparently the first McMenamins that opened...it definitely has an even more local, home grown feel than others. Greatful Dead stuff everywhere. The food was good, but always a few dollars over prices (I guess that's how they getcha!). The service was actually decent compared to some other McMenamins joints. We sat up in the loft nook under the skylight--charming.
(3)Coral C.
Had a hankering for a chicken sandwich, and I couldn't think of anywhere else to go that was close to home (and open). Why does Portland seem to close down so early on Sunday nights? Geez. Anyhow, there was only one other table in the place, and while we were greeted and got our food pretty quickly, we were left waiting and waiting and waiting for the check. I had to go up to the counter and take care of it. Would it kill ya to come and check on your only table? Oh, and by the way, the sandwich wasn't bad. It definitely fit my craving. The fries though? Greasy and soggy. Next time I'll either try the tater tots or be good and have some salad.
(3)Nancy K.
I've come here a handful of times over the years and I think this place is ok...well, in fact, a-ok. I like that it never gets too crowded and it's not too loud. It's good to go there with a group of friends you'd like to catch up with. You can actually have a conversation without having to yell at each other. The food is the usual McMin standard stuff - not great but not so bad either. And of course the one thing that brings me back over and over again is the Ruby.
(3)Valerie A.
We've done happy hour here a few times the food has always been good and the bartenders are pretty dang nice. Tasty burgers, good fries, the tots are a bit on the salty side, but are really tasty with beer.
(5)Erin K.
I don't know how I managed to miss this, but they have a pretty decent happy hour from 3-6pm. Good to know!
(4)Ellettra A.
Three stars for excellent sweet potato fries, and a very creative chipotle ketchup that totally rocked. But man, the smell inside the bar was DISGUSTING, and the women's restroom was seriously rank, just reeking of mildew. We sat outside luckily, and I can't say that I'll go back if I have to sit inside. I don't think I could deal with the smell.
(3)Dave H.
Slow service, weak drinks, but it's on Hawthorne and a McMenamins so people go there. It reminded me again why I go to McMenamins when someone else suggests it, but never if I choose on my own. There's really nothing special about it other than there are no other bars on the block.
(2)A. W.
We used to be regulars, but the past couple of years we have been disappointed every time we give them another shot. Service is slow and forgetful. On a recent dinner, our server had all but disappeard. We were tired of waiting to pay our bill, so we went to the bar & paid. Then on our way to the car, we saw our server out on the curb smoking a cigarette. Kind of lame. I realize servers need to get their breaks, but maybe step away from the restaurant a little bit to get your smoke break and make sure somebody is covering your tables while you're away.
(2)Felicia L.
Okay, the only reason this one made it to four stars is because it has this super nifty loft area with a few tables that is AWESOME when you have large groups. Otherwise, like the other reviewer said, besides the over the top dead head stuff, it's not too exciting.
(4)Brandy S.
This was the first McMennamins restaurant. Great place for Grateful Dead fans and there are pool tables. Other than that, uninspiring.
(3)Leslie S.
TERRIBLE PLACE!!! BAD Service, poor management, and from what I hear they treat their employees VERY POORLY ALSO!! Save yourself the trip and go to DesChutes Brewery instead!!! You'll be thankful!!
(1)Adam C.
you know, there are better McMenamins out there. but this one has my vote because it is less Starbucks McMenamins and more of your local watering hole (with a lot of Grateful Dead decor). i like the food. i like the beer and even though i don't like the grateful dead i do enjoy hanging out there with friends. i guess i'm biased because it's only about 2 blocks from my apartment but still, it's a good bar.
(4)Melyssa H.
Decent menu and good food but quality is less than it has been in the past and service is losing me as repeat offender. Staff needs to show some happiness from time to time if they are going to get orders wrong and leave requests out. Poor service and lackluster service makes for a hum drum experience. Recommendations? Cook meat as ordered (if still pink, burger is not well done). Have a standard means of drink making. Some are soooo good and then next time, so not. The little things like the right dressing, more napkins, another drink without having to ask a second or third time... these things are evident each time we seem to set foot at an McM. Come on and get this team up to par!
(3)Timmy L.
I have been going to this place for some time now. The drinks are great, especially if you come for hard cider. The service can be a bit slower if you come in and sit in the corner area as you are less likely to be seen in the first place. So far every time that I been here, the service has been quick, friendly and overall good. The food is good also. I have not had any problems with this place at all. It is really nice to sit outside during the warmer times and the whole place has an interesting decoration about.
(5)Chris S.
Strong drink. OK food. Kinda weird service. I am gluten free because gluten makes me really sick. I asked the girl serving my friend and I at happy hour if the artichoke dip was gluten free and her response was "uhhhh....... probably?" with no offer to double check. Now, I have been a server for 10 years. I'm not just a rude customer. If someone asks me about an allergy... I don't risk the liability of an ER visit or complaint... I just check with the kitchen. My friend ordered them and I only ate one or two- but didn't order anything myself as I was worried. Come on, girl.
(3)Amanda W.
Get the cajun tots!!! Barley Mill is a solid pub with good food and no surprises. Good sandwiches, tasty salads, yummy beer. My only warning would be to stay away from the fries. Great place for a group, occasionally slow servers, this is the place to come hang out, not the place to hit up if you're in a hurry.
(4)Anna B.
Well, it's a McMennies. You already know what that means: terrible food, crummy service, mediocre beer, and the bathrooms smell weird. Those four things are what unite all McMennies, it's no secret or surprise. But McM's are just one of those places that you always end up, inevitably, from time to time because they're easy. You know what to expect, what your food is going to taste like, and what you're going to spend, down to the dime (literally). And when you're with a group, frequently you've got someone with you who actually thinks they make good food, and rather than scream, "Friendship OVER" in his/her face, you just roll with it and tell yourself your friend has other redeeming qualities that should trump awful taste in restaurants. You take one for the team, so to speak. So, after you've sat there waiting for service for 15 minutes, decided on some burger/sandwich/wrap/tots and a beer, gotten your food and picked around the wilted, brown lettuce and shriveled cucumber slice on your side salad, you might regret the whole thing. But you'll be back, because that's just how these McMennies get ya. Of all the McM's in P-town, this one is actually not *that* bad in comparison to some others. It doesn't get as packed. Once you do actually place an order, it usually comes out fairly quickly. I've never understood why the McM's people don't attempt to make good food. I'm mean- they've got all of these sweet-ass, prime location spots all over town; I imagine how cool they'd be with better food. When the best thing on the menu is tatertots, that's kind of sad. Yet, we eat them, so I have no excuse. Burgers, sandwiches, wraps... tots, fries, salad... beer, cocktails. Oh, yeah this location plays Grateful Dead. Big whoop, right? GD often plays in my brain on autopilot anyway.
(2)Alethea D.
I love this place cuz it's a shrine to the Greatfull Dead band and other great 60's pop culture stuff, and the food is yummy too. Great selection of beers, as they brew their own and also have a great selection of hard cider. My favorite burger is the "Communication Breakdown" which has everything I like, cheese, onions, mushrooms etc. I get the salad and my honey gets the tater tots and we share. Always a fun atmosphere and prompt service.
(4)Robert H.
This is a classic McMenamins. Nothing fancy, thin style micros, rustic furniture. They have established a jam band-friendly atmosphere. My interest is their Thursday ground nut soup. Ground nuts are peanuts. Ground nut soup or stew is a West African specialty. Unfortunately everywhere I traveled where it was on the menu, they were out! The recipe varies, but includes peanuts, tomatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, peppers, carrots and spices. Cayenne, of course, plus some mix of garlic, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, ginger, and spices we don't have here! So I'm always on the lookout for ground nut stew. The Barley Mill one is primarily peanut butter, no whole peanuts, mildly spicy, a few pieces of fresh tomato and chicken. People come on Thursdays just for this dish. I think they could improve the recipe, but you can decide for yourself.
(2)Richard A.
We were there with 8 people, got seated right away and just enjoyed the dinner. Nothing fancy, just pub grub. I'll repeat the warning on the fries, they weren't up to snuff, but everything else was as expected, and after a couple of beers it's all good.
(3)Flo A.
Used to love this place, but each time the service got worse and worse with each visit. The last 2 times we came, we placed orders and 30-45 minutes later we still did not have food and the place was empty, maybe 1-2 other customers. We ended up leaving both times without our meals. Very disappointed and will not be back...ever. We will make sure to discourage anyone who wants to go to McMenamins- as this seems to be the trend at most locations.
(1)James D.
I had a salad with hazelnuts, fresh greens, blue cheese crumbles, and sauteed onions. Very good! With CREAMY raspberry vinaigrette, which was 'awesome' because it wasn't the run of the mill watery vinaigrette, which I don't like. I also thought the decor rocked.
(4)Marianne S.
I've been to this McMenamins a number of times since it is just a block up from where I live. But I have never been there during the day, for lunch. My boyfriend and I wanted to go somewhere where we could sit outside since it was such a nice day and we wanted to bring our puppy. This was the perfect place- close to our house and outside seating with heat lamps (even though the sun was shining, it was still Feburary and a little chilly.) The waitress brought out a bowl of water for our dog, who was loving lying in the sun. We were both very satisfied with our food and the service was very quick. It was just what we wanted on that Saturday afternoon.
(4)Augustina M.
I was out with a girlfriend and CRAVING a communication breakdown burger so we went to the Barley Mill Pub to get one. It took our server a good ten min to come over to ask us what we wanted to drink and another to bring us our drinks. We ordered at that point and sipped our beverages enjoying each other's company...after about 20 mins (our time in the restaurant is close to an hour at this point) we asked the server how much longer our food would be...when she went to the kitchen to ask, the cooks threw a very audible and colorful fit that could be heard throughout the restaurant. The bar was covered in dirty dishes stacked ten high making me question the sanitation of our food. To add to the crappy service, when we finally got our food (almost an hour after we arrived and it wasn't exactly a busy night) it was lukewarm and it took the waitress another 20 min to bring us our check. When I was in college I ate at the Mill st pub almost daily. The food and the service there was great. This was not the same experience and although I live in the neighborhood I will not be going back anytime soon.
(2)Rachel M.
I have never had worse food that I went out and paid for at a restaurant in my entire life. Literally. I couldn't believe they even sold it. A salad with iceberg lettuce and some weird excuse for asian dressing with rawish chicken? There were two tables and we kept having to track our waitress down or get her attention. I don't understand why, after having constantly bad experiences with McM's that I ever go back, except for the campy Grateful Dead paraphernalia strewn about. I also think its a sin how much they charge to play pool. You suck, barley mill pub.
(1)Chris L.
While I wouldn't call her a full on "Dead Head", the TLB is a big fan of the Grateful Dead, so the Barley Mill is one of her favorite places to grab a beer while on Hawthorne. We also tend to hit up the Gerry Bar at Edgefield whenever out there. After stopping by Trader Joe's and then grabbing some produce from Uncle Paul, we decided to stop by the Barley Mill for a quick beer. I'm not a big fan of grocery shopping, so just like a child, I am often rewarded for my good shopping behavior, but instead of candy or toys, I normally elect a pint as my payoff. We decided to sit outside in order to watch the sun set, and in typical McMen's fashion, we found ourselves waiting for quite some time before we determined that going in side would lead to a quicker connection with our desired hops and barley fix. Once inside, we beer bellied up to the bar, and received quick and friendly service. Within five minutes, not only did we have our beer, but also our order of tater tots. Hmmm, tater tots. While not the most historic, flashy or original McMen's, the Barley Mill is still a good spot to stop for a quick pint.
(3)Ryan S.
Sampled three beers by going the "glass" route while the rest of our party went with full pints. I like when places offer this feature in addition to full pints. Encourages more adventurous drinking. In my case, it wasn't about adventure, but more about trying as many Portland beers as possible! This stop was 1 of 2 we made at McMenamins pubs. I had the Hammerhead, Stout, and IPA at this location. All were drinkable beers, had decent flavor, but nothing remarkable or really incredibly memorable. I remember being satisfied with the taste. But if I had the beer again today I don't know that I'd remember it being the same. It was a Saturday afternoon and the pub was pretty quiet. We had the bar to ourselves and received good service throughout our brief stay. I liked the Grateful Dead decor, the old-style barley mill on display, and the general relaxed feel of the place. My way of thinking about some of these breweries/brew pubs as a Portland visitor has been this: 1. Would I go again if I visited? Only if I was right outside and thirsty. 2. Would I go again if I lived there? I would swing in if it was convenient, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)Tiffany S.
It is what it is, and it is within walking distance from our new Portland pad. Service was ok, beer was good (but I rarely drink beer), my soup (mushroom) and chopped salad were pretty good, and the mini-corndogs still sound tempting. Chris had the burger which he said was also very good. I figure if servers are gonna stand around and chatter then I have every to chatter back in order to get their attention, get the bill, etc. For that reason, it feels comfy to me. Like I said, it is what it is.
(3)Kemi A.
Stopped here while on the way out of Portland, and it was ok. The setting is Greatful Dead fanatics on acid and pot(not that I'm hating). We went during lunch and I had the Canjun chicken burger w blue cheese, yum! Also had a berry tasting beer, and I hate beer but it was good! Our food took awhile cause the surver forgot to put our food in, but he waived our beers which was nice. Overall a really nice place!
(3)Martha R.
Pros: not too smoky, nice ambiance. Cons: Everything is McMenanmins crappy... the food, the service, and the beer. It's so f'n crazy that these places have done so well. They're the ones that make "location, location, location" something that people keep shouting when it comes to where you eat and live. I mean, really... all of them that I have been to are the same... and I keep hoping that they will change up the menu, or bring in some good beer... but I am continually disappointed. Will I ever learn? Most likely not, but at least I accept that about myself. I WILL say that I enjoyed hanging out with a rather large group of friends on a Saturday night and was able to breath and talk to the person across, and next to me. That gives it the 3 rather than 1 or 2 star McMinimums (misspelling intentional) usual rating. Oh, and parking can be a bit of a bitch... so just beware.
(3)Katie H.
I like McMenamins, I do, and I have been to quite a few of them (NW Portland, Edgefield, out Cornelius Pass, in the suburbs, the ones down in Eugene). I like this one since it is close to my work. They are a good place for food and drink and to hang out. And throughout their locations their food is consistent and if you are craving cajun tater tots, you know where you can find some. However, EVERY McMenamins I have been to, and I mean every single one, always needs one more server on the floor. It is a constant thing with all McMenamins and it is become part of the McMenamins experience the the service will be ungodly slow. This is always the case no matter what time you go or which location you go to do. It is the one thing I really don't like about McMenamins and it actually makes me eat here less than I might.
(3)Charlotte S.
One of the best McMenamin's to go to for good service with a small, friendly staff. Some McMenamin's I've been to have terrible service. But good ol' Barley Mill loves their customers! And the Grateful Dead! Yeah, McMenamin's isn't gourmet food or super classy, but if you want a burger, some tator tots, and a beer...then they deliver! Sometimes you just don't feel like being classy ya know?! I love stuffing my face with the Wilbur burger: bacon, fried egg, and cheddar! They also have free pool till 5pm which is cool...but my favorite is getting to know the servers! They are way awesome. Sometimes I feel bad though when it's super busy because they don't have enough servers on the floor and they have to run around and stuff :[ But otherwise, it's friendly, it's colorful, it's comfortable. Plus you get too see all these older hippies come in and reminisce on all the times they've seen the Grateful Dead...its cute.
(4)Frank T.
This is my favorite of the McMens to go to (to eat). I never used to like their food much until I started coming here. I like the burgers, i like the staff, i like the Dead Head environment and of course i LOVE the beer. I used to live right around the corner, so I would come here a lot, but since i recently moved i dont come out here as much. EAT THE TOTS
(4)Natalie B.
Ugh. My friend and went here last night for a simple beer after work. We sat at a table for 10 (TEN!) minutes without so much as a "hello" or "I'll be right with you" When we realized no one was EVER going to come over to take our order, we went up to the bar and stood there, IDs and cash in hand for another 10 (TEN!) minutes. At least the bartender finally said "I'll be with you in a few minutes" after about 5 minutes of avoiding eye contact. There were no other customers waiting at the bar. Just us. Two people. After 20 minutes we left and went somewhere else where we were greeted and given beers in about 30 seconds. Yeah, that's right McMenamins, it can be done! Yes, they were busy. But no, they were not stacked 10 people deep at the bar. Just horribly understaffed and horribly un-customer service oriented, like every other McMenamins establishment. I'm a server, not some unruly, ungrateful, clueless patron. I know how things should work McMenamins!!! I'd give 'em one lousy star, but last time I went here for lunch their service was okay. (that's McMenamins "ok" not real world ok.)
(2)Julia L.
I want you to know that I have much conflict with rating BM but feel I must decide. The word that comes to mind when I think of the Barley Mill would have to be mediocre. Now hold on, mediocre isn't bad, but it isn't good; and that's BM in a nutshell. The bar itself has so much potential with the Dead themed décor, lighting, layout/setup, history, good music and tasty food and beer. The energy is what makes it big "eh" for me. The staff does their job and does it well but that's about it. They are not there with the plan to wow you or to make you feel welcomed. They are there to get your food and drinks and be closed and out of there as early as possible. Can you blame them though? I live pretty close and have spent much time and money there and not once have I been recognized/remembered by the staff. Maybe they have noticed and just don't care, which is disappointing too. I want to love the Barley Mill. I want to eat cajunized tots and drink Ruby and Terminator until I am silly. I want to be relaxed and entertained by the ambience, music and fun board games you can play at your table. But what I would really like is to have my patronage appreciated, even just a little with a smile or a nod. I will continue to go there and take visitors and such - but because it is a great bar that is really close with cool history.
(3)David M.
I take back my previous statements. Work people force me to come here after "Foster Care Night" on Thursdays and I honestly could not be more BORED if I tried. People who only eat vanilla ice cream come here. Frat boys who walk into Applebees and order Coors Light come here. Librarians come here, and not the smart librarians. The missionary position comes here. Michael Bay movies come here. Every cast member of The Hills, the Real World, and the OC come here. You have been warned.
(2)Ashlee H.
Unspectacular. The food and beer are acceptable. I admit to enjoying the tater tots and ranch dressing. All in all, I think it's a decent place to go if you live down the street (and I fall into that category). Grateful Dead themed. Why can't I find a bar that's Golden Girls themed? And has lots of cheesecake? Now that would rock.
(3)Mary H.
Right across the street from my apartment, the original McMinnamin's is a nice spot to hang with a friend on a rainy day, catch up on a long book, grab a beer after work, or get dinner. The decor is psychedelic, a tribute to the Grateful Dead, and you can't miss the original barley mill! The food is always fresh and delicious, and the cooks/servers are great about customizing orders. The staff is very friendly, attentive and chatty usually, taking the time to get to know the people around them. A true experience.
(4)Ellie D.
Don't be in a hurry here unless you want to get up & go find your server (this is good advice for ANY McMenamin's). Beer is good but the food is hit or miss. Usually I like it but they seem to be a bit stingy on the bacon on my Captain Neon. This is the bacon & blue cheese burger & only came with one slice of bacon. ONE!!
(2)Liz M.
Every apartment I've lived in while living in Oregon has been walking distance from a McMenamins. Barley Mill is my current neighborhood spot. I love that I can go in for a chicken sandwich and delicious beer any time and I will run into friends from the neighborhood, or just sit and read, or play pool. The food is reliably good, the service is reliably a bit slow but friendly, and the atmosphere is relibly hippy-ish. I reliably love a small neighborhood McMenamins, and Barley Mill is no exception. Double plus bonus: Outdoor seating on a warm day, watching the world, and cute puppies, go by!
(4)Deana G.
I ordered a cheeseburger with a salad. The salad was on the small size. after waiting almost an hour for our food we had to wait another 10 (after I asked for it) to get the dipping sauce for the kids chicken strips; they had ate them before it arrived. Cool atmosphere just like I expect from a McMinnamins. The wait however was long, very long. The staff was over worked, the food was ok. The beer was amazing like always! Basically the true spirit of McMinnamins was there, but poor management ultimately tainted what should have been a 30-45 minute lunch break into a grueling hour and a half.
(3)M R.
I wanted to like this place, but it was a struggle. I'm a huge McMenamins fan, but this was one of the worst in terms of service! Waiter was super nice but messed up our order. Then, his boss let him go home before closing out our bill and no one ever came over to check on us - had to go inside to the bar to pay! It has a nice patio for summer, but don't go here if you are high maintenance and need attention from the waiter constantly.
(2)Kimberly G.
Love the Ruby beer and purple haze. Can't go wrong with spinach artichoke dip or Cajun tots. Black rabbit red wine is pretty good. Bacon burgers are good and so is the hummus plate. Service is average and don't expect to be greeted in a jovial fashion but more of a "Hello. You can sit wherever you like". I do like the ambience of the candles but I really wish McMenamins was a friendlier place. It's not like it's a group of rude workers but more of a "I have to say hi and get through the shift". I guess there's always Disneyland if you want friendly.
(3)John K.
This is where it all began; the first McMenamins, 1983. A tribute to Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. Great brews and a lot entertainment. Take time to look at all the stuff on the walls. And as always; great brews!
(4)Jess F.
My husband and I come here every once in a while. The service is always ok and the food is decent. During our most recent visit I asked if they had a soup of the day and the server responded, "we have some beef stew but it doesn't look very good, and an African chicken (or maybe chickpea?)". It was very strange. I ordered a veggie sandwich and a side salad instead.
(3)Bradford D.
McMenamins Barley Mill...I feel like I should give you 5 stars for being the original McMenamins, but our experience today was pretty lackluster. It was the last stop on their scavenger hunt today, so we wanted to relax and enjoy a pint and some tots to end our afternoon. We found the right picture for our passport stamp and ordered our drinks and tots. The bartender was not energetic at all and seemed overwhelmed by the extra visitors from the scavenger hunt. We thought about sitting at the bar, but it was kind of dirty at cluttered. The whole restaurant had that feel too. It is an older McMenamins, but it felt like we were at a McMenamins garage sale with crap from the last 30 years lying around. We sat outside instead and it was nice. After about 15-20 minutes, I checked back in with the bartender about our tots since they hadn't arrived yet. She said there was just 1 cook in the back and was trying to get everything out as soon as possible. Ok, I get it. But I don't get why McMenamins wouldn't add some extra staff on a day they do a special event like a scavenger hunt. The cook eventually brought out the tots and and looked irritated like I had asked her 10 times already where our food was. I know she wasn't irritated at us, but clearly the lack of staff that day took it's toll on what I saw as only 3 people running the whole place.
(2)James A.
Always love taking the kids here. Very easy family dinner or lunch. Cool atmosphere, they only play jerry or grateful dead music 24/7. Great beer.... decent grub.... we go here instead of hopworks all the time!
(5)Nathan M.
I frequent the Barley Mill, usually around three nights a week. I go there for a few drinks and a bite to eat. The service is always great, the food is consistently good, and the prices are reasonable. I notice there are some negative reviews on the service, which I attribute to one-time patrons without a background in service. On occasion the bar gets really busy, but it is not staffed for busy (because McMenamins wants to turn a profit). If you are thinking about being one of these posters or patrons, I'd invite you to think... is there anything at your place of work that you catch flack for that in reality is completely out of your control? Everyone there has made an effort above and beyond what I expect in general from a chain bar. The regular staff all knew my name within a few visits, and remember my drink order. If there were one thing I would complain about its the music; although, truthfully it's difficult to classify the dead as music. The grateful dead are perhaps the worst sounds to have ever been inflicted upon my ear holes. That being said it's still my bar, I put up with the dead because the staff is so awesome.
(5)Alex B.
McMenamins now runs 80-some bars, theaters, and hotels in Oregon and Washington. My experience with them has been that the more historic a venue is, the better the overall experience. It isn't even fair to compare places like the Bagdad Theater or Crystal Ballroom to the McMenamins pubs you find speckled throughout the suburbs. Their bars that are just bars aren't really that interesting. But Barley Mill Pub is a glaring exception. This is a McMenamins bar without any particular historical value that nonetheless has a lot of character and will show you a good time. It's located on a fun, convenient part of SE Hawthorne. There is plenty of space (both indoor and outdoor, bar and otherwise) plus a small game room with some pinball machines. Every inch of wall and ceiling is covered with character-giving decor. The staff is great, the food is fine, and the drinks are good (also cheap if you come during their 3-6 happy hour). Bring some friends and order some tots. You'll have fun. If you don't already have a McMenamins Passport, you should probably get one. It's like a treasure hunt for grown-ups, but instead of treasure you get beer and food and swag.
(4)Maxene M.
I love coming to this location for the scooby snacks. Food is always great, staff is mostly very kind, but service can be very slow as with all McMenamins. I'll definitely keep coming back though!
(4)Ann H.
We had lunch here (during a non-busy time). After a long wait for our 3 meals we weren't impressed. The hamburger and fries were beyond the normal greasy. My Queen Anne grilled sandwich seemed like it was also cooked in too much oil. My husband liked the hot and crisp tater tots. My side salad was decent. I wouldn't come back with so many other good options nearby. Be careful walking to the bathroom down a narrow and very dark passageway.
(2)Ana R.
Really cute and small location on Hawthorne. We went there last saturday after doing some mid-century credenza research. Another McMenamins' success.
(4)Brian S.
YEAH YEAH YEAH It's got Grateful Dead stuff. The bric a brac store must have been out of alligators wearing sunglasses. Putting a bunch of hippie band junk on the walls does not make one clever-- it's just a Chili's decorated by stoners. BUT...In honor of the Grateful Dead homage that permeates this place, I have structured this review around some of their Greatest Hits. And by Greatest Hits, I mean songs you may have heard once on the radio. It's very clear that "Casey Jones" was not drivin' this train, let alone whilst in his signature state of being high on cocaine. Cocaine, as we all know from Miami Vice (and some of our uncles) is a stimulant. Our waitress was as stimulated as a sloth who drank 3 margaritas with rims of crushed barbiturates in lieu of salt. I would have called her "Sugar Magnolia," but she moved like Sugar Molasses. The food? Think of carnival fare, only slightly lower quality. As I attempted to plow through my greasy/generic/ "look at the walls, not your food" burger, I found solace in chanting the mantra-like words of "Touch of Grey": I will get by; I will get by; I will get by; I will survive. Tangentially speaking of surviving , I think Gloria Gaynor had it right when she sang in her anthem of Womanhood (and possibly food tolerance): It took all the strength I had not to fall apart Kept trying' hard to mend the pieces of my broken heart. In my situation, it was my stomach's pieces I kept tryin' to mend. With Pepto. My stomach felt like I had eaten Jerry Garcia's post-mortem beard dipped in Olestra. After a long wait for our check, the ordeal came to its end (the meal, not this review). Leaving, one could not help but hum the immortal words from "Truckin'": Sometimes the light's all shinin' on me, Other times I can barely see. Lately it occurs to me what a long, strange trip it's been. And at the risk of pointing out the obvious, did you notice the first letters of this chorus spell SOL? That's how I left leavin Jerryland (AKA Barley Pub Mill).
(3)Nick H.
My friends and I used to jokingly refer to this place as the Grateful Dead Memorial Pub and Eatery. Musicians are weird, y'know. Then, Jerry Garcia died and we all decided the healthy choice would be to STFU about that for awhile. A lot of folks find it stylish to disparage McM's in general. While some are better than others* ( and I think this is one of the better ones), I think the McM brothers have done a lot as trailblazers to put both their brand and PDX on the map. Not that long ago, if you wanted a craft beer you had 2 choices; a) mcM's b) nope In my mind, the food in general could be a skosh better but I think their beer is just fine. I also think that all the local craft brew houses around here owe these folks some love. Say what you will, think what you will. I think these guys are the Lewis and Clark of the PDX brewpub scene. I salute you. You can take my Communication Breakdown burger from me when you pry it from my cold, dead hand. * Fess-up time. This place used to be called The Rooster, or maybe The Little Rooster. Got one of our first 'city' gigs here in 1978. Or was it 1878? Anyway, I guess I am pre-disposed to like this place.
(4)Mindy C.
Came here for lunch and a passport stamp. Had no idea that this was the OG McMenamins. The decor was wild and eclectic and I dug tooling around and noticing little weird quirks. Intriguing to see how they've taken the decor and ambience and spread it around to all their other locations. The service here was surprisingly good. This chain offers notoriously bad service, but this location featured a great waiter who was charming and chill with our brood of kiddos ranging from 13 years old to 11 months. Our food was quick and pretty tasty. I forgot how much their fries suck and ordered them with my pulled pork sandwich. Regret that. Their side salads are pretty damn good. Ordered a specialty beer off the menu - Fuzzy Bubble. It was a rich wheaty peach beer and had a nice taste, with just a touch too much hops. Would probably not order again, but it was a good summer beer choice and I don't regret trying something new.
(4)Jennifer W.
I was visiting portland last week and it wasn't busy at all I sat down while my mom used the restroom and the waitress came over and asked me if I wanted anything to eat I wasn't sure so I told he two iced teas for now. She walked past us a few times to help the table next to us. We waited over 10 mins and watched her as she chatted with her coworkers filled up people's drinks at the bar and waited on the table next to us. We tried to get her attention multiple times but she never brought us our iced teas. over 10 mins for we waited!! The worst service I had on my trip! We ended up leaving!
(1)Brittanie M.
Not going to lie, I've only been here for passport stamp collecting. I wouldn't ordinarily choose to come here on my own, especially with all the other bars around here. But I must say, it wasn't a bad time! Very, very quirky. That's saying a lot for McMenamins, which are already usually on the quirky side. It sure fits in with the hipster scene in the area. I was very surprised (in a good way) with the service also. We were well attended to and the server was really friendly. Bonus points for having a juke box, I LOVE them! Except the tunes themselves were kind of slim picking. But hey, anytime I can pick the music in a bar I am thrilled.
(4)Melyssa H.
Decent menu and good food but quality is less than it has been in the past and service is losing me as repeat offender. Staff needs to show some happiness from time to time if they are going to get orders wrong and leave requests out. Poor service and lackluster service makes for a hum drum experience. Recommendations? Cook meat as ordered (if still pink, burger is not well done). Have a standard means of drink making. Some are soooo good and then next time, so not. The little things like the right dressing, more napkins, another drink without having to ask a second or third time... these things are evident each time we seem to set foot at an McM. Come on and get this team up to par!
(3)Lynn K.
Probably more like a 3.5. Since it's in my neighborhood, I come here quite a bit and always have the same completely adequate experience. The food and beer are exactly what you would expect and are predictably OK. The service here is actually pretty good and certainly much better than the Bagdad. I do wish they had the Bagdad's bowls on the menu, though...
(3)Chris C.
Prior to moving here in 2007, I made a visit to Portland with some friends, and the first place we stopped was the Barley Mill. I've been here a number of times over the years living in SE, and it's always been a good experience. The lighting is very low-key and colorful, which is perfect given the theme of the bar (Grateful Dead). Their staff has always been very friendly and helpful, despite the times when they appear to be under-staffed. Just a warning: if you sit upstairs and it's busy? The staff can't see you, and you'll probably wait. Just a fact. In my experience, it's been useful to tell one of the staff members that you'll be sitting up there.... just a pro-tip. They used to play an eclectic mix of classic rock, indie pop, Grateful Dead (of course), and a variety of other fun and interesting kinds of music. Now they only play Grateful Dead... what gives? I like the Dead. Just not that much. Ease up on it. The food is typical McMenamin's fare, which is pretty decent. The sliders they recently introduced are really good! Then there's always the classic tots, or cajun style. Nice for a snack with a pint. Which brings us to beer: I will admit outright that McMenamin's beer is not my favorite. However, this place always has 2 rotating guest taps, as well as stand alone taps for PBR, Coors Light, and kombucha... which is a lot for a McMenamins. I feel like a lot of the McMenamins I've been to don't have guest beers. Their beer was really good back in the day, but something changed. I'm probably more discriminating than I used to be, having had 7 years in a place people have called "Beervana". Trust me, I drank a sh*t ton of their beer back in the day, but not much anymore. Which is why I applaud them for having guest taps! A while back, they added some pinball machines and got rid of their pool table... why?? I miss the pool table! That was rad! Free pool is always a bonus feature when you come to a bar, but I don't understand why you'd replace that with pinball. The Barley Mill is a really low-key, hippie-esque, fun lil' spot to chill in southeast and have a pint at. If you need a quick bite, their food is good, and the service is some of the better you'll get at a McMenamin's.
(5)Ryan P.
Loved the decor of the pub and the staff was great. Wish I could comment on the beer the selection, but it was what I've come to expect from a McMenamins location - really good beers on tap!
(4)Maureen L.
If you're a Deadhead, this is your place. Came here for dinner and a passport stamp and though it was great. Not only is the amount of Grateful Dead memorabilia and decor pretty impressive but the lighting is pretty awesome! I walked around the place just because I thought looking at all of the unique chandeliers was interesting in itself. Full bar here, good (not exceptional) food, and friendly waitstaff. Per usual McMenamins fashion, beverages here are a little steep if you're not visiting during happy hour. Fun place...will come back in the future and recommend you stop by if you haven't been or would like to be serenaded by Jerry and his gang during your entire visit :)
(4)Dennis P.
Another great pub by the McMinn.... Brothers ... And the original first location. Theme: Greatful Dead ! Food and drink selection is excellent. I especially like Africian chicken curry soup only on Thursday ! A neighborhood favorite, and destination place too !
(4)Jessica S.
what can I say, I like McMenamins and unlike the other reviews on here I have had some of the best service. This may be due to the off times that I have been, but once was during happy hour and we still got great and timely service. Yea for cajun tater tots and the chicken and bean soup was tasty. I think the wait staff at Mcmenamins does a great job and will give their honest opinions when recommending menu items.
(4)Timmy L.
I have been going to this place for some time now. The drinks are great, especially if you come for hard cider. The service can be a bit slower if you come in and sit in the corner area as you are less likely to be seen in the first place. So far every time that I been here, the service has been quick, friendly and overall good. The food is good also. I have not had any problems with this place at all. It is really nice to sit outside during the warmer times and the whole place has an interesting decoration about.
(5)Chris S.
Strong drink. OK food. Kinda weird service. I am gluten free because gluten makes me really sick. I asked the girl serving my friend and I at happy hour if the artichoke dip was gluten free and her response was "uhhhh....... probably?" with no offer to double check. Now, I have been a server for 10 years. I'm not just a rude customer. If someone asks me about an allergy... I don't risk the liability of an ER visit or complaint... I just check with the kitchen. My friend ordered them and I only ate one or two- but didn't order anything myself as I was worried. Come on, girl.
(3)Amanda W.
Get the cajun tots!!! Barley Mill is a solid pub with good food and no surprises. Good sandwiches, tasty salads, yummy beer. My only warning would be to stay away from the fries. Great place for a group, occasionally slow servers, this is the place to come hang out, not the place to hit up if you're in a hurry.
(4)J D.
A Casa DeMarco B&B recommended place! This is the first of their many pubs in the Portland and surrounding area. Their Hammerhead is still as perfect a brew as ever. This place has a good variety of sandwiches, burgers and fries as well as seasonal soups and salads etc.. A full bar as well. I recommend a basket of their fries while waiting for your meal to arrive. And a beer. I love the house sandwich and my wife has to have a Dungeon burger with mushrooms. Yum. Sometimes service is slow due to staffing but the staff is friendly and very accommodating.
(4)Anna B.
Well, it's a McMennies. You already know what that means: terrible food, crummy service, mediocre beer, and the bathrooms smell weird. Those four things are what unite all McMennies, it's no secret or surprise. But McM's are just one of those places that you always end up, inevitably, from time to time because they're easy. You know what to expect, what your food is going to taste like, and what you're going to spend, down to the dime (literally). And when you're with a group, frequently you've got someone with you who actually thinks they make good food, and rather than scream, "Friendship OVER" in his/her face, you just roll with it and tell yourself your friend has other redeeming qualities that should trump awful taste in restaurants. You take one for the team, so to speak. So, after you've sat there waiting for service for 15 minutes, decided on some burger/sandwich/wrap/tots and a beer, gotten your food and picked around the wilted, brown lettuce and shriveled cucumber slice on your side salad, you might regret the whole thing. But you'll be back, because that's just how these McMennies get ya. Of all the McM's in P-town, this one is actually not *that* bad in comparison to some others. It doesn't get as packed. Once you do actually place an order, it usually comes out fairly quickly. I've never understood why the McM's people don't attempt to make good food. I'm mean- they've got all of these sweet-ass, prime location spots all over town; I imagine how cool they'd be with better food. When the best thing on the menu is tatertots, that's kind of sad. Yet, we eat them, so I have no excuse. Burgers, sandwiches, wraps... tots, fries, salad... beer, cocktails. Oh, yeah this location plays Grateful Dead. Big whoop, right? GD often plays in my brain on autopilot anyway.
(2)Alethea D.
I love this place cuz it's a shrine to the Greatfull Dead band and other great 60's pop culture stuff, and the food is yummy too. Great selection of beers, as they brew their own and also have a great selection of hard cider. My favorite burger is the "Communication Breakdown" which has everything I like, cheese, onions, mushrooms etc. I get the salad and my honey gets the tater tots and we share. Always a fun atmosphere and prompt service.
(4)Tiffany S.
It is what it is, and it is within walking distance from our new Portland pad. Service was ok, beer was good (but I rarely drink beer), my soup (mushroom) and chopped salad were pretty good, and the mini-corndogs still sound tempting. Chris had the burger which he said was also very good. I figure if servers are gonna stand around and chatter then I have every to chatter back in order to get their attention, get the bill, etc. For that reason, it feels comfy to me. Like I said, it is what it is.
(3)Robert H.
This is a classic McMenamins. Nothing fancy, thin style micros, rustic furniture. They have established a jam band-friendly atmosphere. My interest is their Thursday ground nut soup. Ground nuts are peanuts. Ground nut soup or stew is a West African specialty. Unfortunately everywhere I traveled where it was on the menu, they were out! The recipe varies, but includes peanuts, tomatoes, onions, sweet potatoes, peppers, carrots and spices. Cayenne, of course, plus some mix of garlic, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, ginger, and spices we don't have here! So I'm always on the lookout for ground nut stew. The Barley Mill one is primarily peanut butter, no whole peanuts, mildly spicy, a few pieces of fresh tomato and chicken. People come on Thursdays just for this dish. I think they could improve the recipe, but you can decide for yourself.
(2)Richard A.
We were there with 8 people, got seated right away and just enjoyed the dinner. Nothing fancy, just pub grub. I'll repeat the warning on the fries, they weren't up to snuff, but everything else was as expected, and after a couple of beers it's all good.
(3)Flo A.
Used to love this place, but each time the service got worse and worse with each visit. The last 2 times we came, we placed orders and 30-45 minutes later we still did not have food and the place was empty, maybe 1-2 other customers. We ended up leaving both times without our meals. Very disappointed and will not be back...ever. We will make sure to discourage anyone who wants to go to McMenamins- as this seems to be the trend at most locations.
(1)James D.
I had a salad with hazelnuts, fresh greens, blue cheese crumbles, and sauteed onions. Very good! With CREAMY raspberry vinaigrette, which was 'awesome' because it wasn't the run of the mill watery vinaigrette, which I don't like. I also thought the decor rocked.
(4)Marianne S.
I've been to this McMenamins a number of times since it is just a block up from where I live. But I have never been there during the day, for lunch. My boyfriend and I wanted to go somewhere where we could sit outside since it was such a nice day and we wanted to bring our puppy. This was the perfect place- close to our house and outside seating with heat lamps (even though the sun was shining, it was still Feburary and a little chilly.) The waitress brought out a bowl of water for our dog, who was loving lying in the sun. We were both very satisfied with our food and the service was very quick. It was just what we wanted on that Saturday afternoon.
(4)Augustina M.
I was out with a girlfriend and CRAVING a communication breakdown burger so we went to the Barley Mill Pub to get one. It took our server a good ten min to come over to ask us what we wanted to drink and another to bring us our drinks. We ordered at that point and sipped our beverages enjoying each other's company...after about 20 mins (our time in the restaurant is close to an hour at this point) we asked the server how much longer our food would be...when she went to the kitchen to ask, the cooks threw a very audible and colorful fit that could be heard throughout the restaurant. The bar was covered in dirty dishes stacked ten high making me question the sanitation of our food. To add to the crappy service, when we finally got our food (almost an hour after we arrived and it wasn't exactly a busy night) it was lukewarm and it took the waitress another 20 min to bring us our check. When I was in college I ate at the Mill st pub almost daily. The food and the service there was great. This was not the same experience and although I live in the neighborhood I will not be going back anytime soon.
(2)Chris L.
While I wouldn't call her a full on "Dead Head", the TLB is a big fan of the Grateful Dead, so the Barley Mill is one of her favorite places to grab a beer while on Hawthorne. We also tend to hit up the Gerry Bar at Edgefield whenever out there. After stopping by Trader Joe's and then grabbing some produce from Uncle Paul, we decided to stop by the Barley Mill for a quick beer. I'm not a big fan of grocery shopping, so just like a child, I am often rewarded for my good shopping behavior, but instead of candy or toys, I normally elect a pint as my payoff. We decided to sit outside in order to watch the sun set, and in typical McMen's fashion, we found ourselves waiting for quite some time before we determined that going in side would lead to a quicker connection with our desired hops and barley fix. Once inside, we beer bellied up to the bar, and received quick and friendly service. Within five minutes, not only did we have our beer, but also our order of tater tots. Hmmm, tater tots. While not the most historic, flashy or original McMen's, the Barley Mill is still a good spot to stop for a quick pint.
(3)Ryan S.
Sampled three beers by going the "glass" route while the rest of our party went with full pints. I like when places offer this feature in addition to full pints. Encourages more adventurous drinking. In my case, it wasn't about adventure, but more about trying as many Portland beers as possible! This stop was 1 of 2 we made at McMenamins pubs. I had the Hammerhead, Stout, and IPA at this location. All were drinkable beers, had decent flavor, but nothing remarkable or really incredibly memorable. I remember being satisfied with the taste. But if I had the beer again today I don't know that I'd remember it being the same. It was a Saturday afternoon and the pub was pretty quiet. We had the bar to ourselves and received good service throughout our brief stay. I liked the Grateful Dead decor, the old-style barley mill on display, and the general relaxed feel of the place. My way of thinking about some of these breweries/brew pubs as a Portland visitor has been this: 1. Would I go again if I visited? Only if I was right outside and thirsty. 2. Would I go again if I lived there? I would swing in if it was convenient, but I wouldn't go out of my way.
(3)Kemi A.
Stopped here while on the way out of Portland, and it was ok. The setting is Greatful Dead fanatics on acid and pot(not that I'm hating). We went during lunch and I had the Canjun chicken burger w blue cheese, yum! Also had a berry tasting beer, and I hate beer but it was good! Our food took awhile cause the surver forgot to put our food in, but he waived our beers which was nice. Overall a really nice place!
(3)Rachel M.
I have never had worse food that I went out and paid for at a restaurant in my entire life. Literally. I couldn't believe they even sold it. A salad with iceberg lettuce and some weird excuse for asian dressing with rawish chicken? There were two tables and we kept having to track our waitress down or get her attention. I don't understand why, after having constantly bad experiences with McM's that I ever go back, except for the campy Grateful Dead paraphernalia strewn about. I also think its a sin how much they charge to play pool. You suck, barley mill pub.
(1)Martha R.
Pros: not too smoky, nice ambiance. Cons: Everything is McMenanmins crappy... the food, the service, and the beer. It's so f'n crazy that these places have done so well. They're the ones that make "location, location, location" something that people keep shouting when it comes to where you eat and live. I mean, really... all of them that I have been to are the same... and I keep hoping that they will change up the menu, or bring in some good beer... but I am continually disappointed. Will I ever learn? Most likely not, but at least I accept that about myself. I WILL say that I enjoyed hanging out with a rather large group of friends on a Saturday night and was able to breath and talk to the person across, and next to me. That gives it the 3 rather than 1 or 2 star McMinimums (misspelling intentional) usual rating. Oh, and parking can be a bit of a bitch... so just beware.
(3)Katie H.
I like McMenamins, I do, and I have been to quite a few of them (NW Portland, Edgefield, out Cornelius Pass, in the suburbs, the ones down in Eugene). I like this one since it is close to my work. They are a good place for food and drink and to hang out. And throughout their locations their food is consistent and if you are craving cajun tater tots, you know where you can find some. However, EVERY McMenamins I have been to, and I mean every single one, always needs one more server on the floor. It is a constant thing with all McMenamins and it is become part of the McMenamins experience the the service will be ungodly slow. This is always the case no matter what time you go or which location you go to do. It is the one thing I really don't like about McMenamins and it actually makes me eat here less than I might.
(3)Charlotte S.
One of the best McMenamin's to go to for good service with a small, friendly staff. Some McMenamin's I've been to have terrible service. But good ol' Barley Mill loves their customers! And the Grateful Dead! Yeah, McMenamin's isn't gourmet food or super classy, but if you want a burger, some tator tots, and a beer...then they deliver! Sometimes you just don't feel like being classy ya know?! I love stuffing my face with the Wilbur burger: bacon, fried egg, and cheddar! They also have free pool till 5pm which is cool...but my favorite is getting to know the servers! They are way awesome. Sometimes I feel bad though when it's super busy because they don't have enough servers on the floor and they have to run around and stuff :[ But otherwise, it's friendly, it's colorful, it's comfortable. Plus you get too see all these older hippies come in and reminisce on all the times they've seen the Grateful Dead...its cute.
(4)Frank T.
This is my favorite of the McMens to go to (to eat). I never used to like their food much until I started coming here. I like the burgers, i like the staff, i like the Dead Head environment and of course i LOVE the beer. I used to live right around the corner, so I would come here a lot, but since i recently moved i dont come out here as much. EAT THE TOTS
(4)Natalie B.
Ugh. My friend and went here last night for a simple beer after work. We sat at a table for 10 (TEN!) minutes without so much as a "hello" or "I'll be right with you" When we realized no one was EVER going to come over to take our order, we went up to the bar and stood there, IDs and cash in hand for another 10 (TEN!) minutes. At least the bartender finally said "I'll be with you in a few minutes" after about 5 minutes of avoiding eye contact. There were no other customers waiting at the bar. Just us. Two people. After 20 minutes we left and went somewhere else where we were greeted and given beers in about 30 seconds. Yeah, that's right McMenamins, it can be done! Yes, they were busy. But no, they were not stacked 10 people deep at the bar. Just horribly understaffed and horribly un-customer service oriented, like every other McMenamins establishment. I'm a server, not some unruly, ungrateful, clueless patron. I know how things should work McMenamins!!! I'd give 'em one lousy star, but last time I went here for lunch their service was okay. (that's McMenamins "ok" not real world ok.)
(2)Mary H.
Right across the street from my apartment, the original McMinnamin's is a nice spot to hang with a friend on a rainy day, catch up on a long book, grab a beer after work, or get dinner. The decor is psychedelic, a tribute to the Grateful Dead, and you can't miss the original barley mill! The food is always fresh and delicious, and the cooks/servers are great about customizing orders. The staff is very friendly, attentive and chatty usually, taking the time to get to know the people around them. A true experience.
(4)Ellie D.
Don't be in a hurry here unless you want to get up & go find your server (this is good advice for ANY McMenamin's). Beer is good but the food is hit or miss. Usually I like it but they seem to be a bit stingy on the bacon on my Captain Neon. This is the bacon & blue cheese burger & only came with one slice of bacon. ONE!!
(2)Julia L.
I want you to know that I have much conflict with rating BM but feel I must decide. The word that comes to mind when I think of the Barley Mill would have to be mediocre. Now hold on, mediocre isn't bad, but it isn't good; and that's BM in a nutshell. The bar itself has so much potential with the Dead themed décor, lighting, layout/setup, history, good music and tasty food and beer. The energy is what makes it big "eh" for me. The staff does their job and does it well but that's about it. They are not there with the plan to wow you or to make you feel welcomed. They are there to get your food and drinks and be closed and out of there as early as possible. Can you blame them though? I live pretty close and have spent much time and money there and not once have I been recognized/remembered by the staff. Maybe they have noticed and just don't care, which is disappointing too. I want to love the Barley Mill. I want to eat cajunized tots and drink Ruby and Terminator until I am silly. I want to be relaxed and entertained by the ambience, music and fun board games you can play at your table. But what I would really like is to have my patronage appreciated, even just a little with a smile or a nod. I will continue to go there and take visitors and such - but because it is a great bar that is really close with cool history.
(3)David M.
I take back my previous statements. Work people force me to come here after "Foster Care Night" on Thursdays and I honestly could not be more BORED if I tried. People who only eat vanilla ice cream come here. Frat boys who walk into Applebees and order Coors Light come here. Librarians come here, and not the smart librarians. The missionary position comes here. Michael Bay movies come here. Every cast member of The Hills, the Real World, and the OC come here. You have been warned.
(2)Ashlee H.
Unspectacular. The food and beer are acceptable. I admit to enjoying the tater tots and ranch dressing. All in all, I think it's a decent place to go if you live down the street (and I fall into that category). Grateful Dead themed. Why can't I find a bar that's Golden Girls themed? And has lots of cheesecake? Now that would rock.
(3)Tim B.
I truly love the Barley Mill. Though, I must admit, I am totally biased. It is probably the closest pub to my home, it has outside (sidewalk) seating, and 9 times out of 10, the Dead is playing through the speakers. The staff is always really nice here, and they are prompt (most of the time). On Saturday, they serve a spicy peanut soup which if OUT OF SIGHT! And the falafel is pretty damn tasty too; other than these, it is for the most part just McMinnamins grub (go for the tots!). There is pool, board games, good beer/wine, and decent food. I will be back; again and again. (I must add though,this is not my favorite place in the neighborhood, though, it is the one I go to the most. Here and Tiny's)
(5)Mark H.
Update: they've jacked their prices way up, so it's middling food and middling service for a lot of money. Sigh. Like they're not making enough money on the bar????
(3)Liz M.
Every apartment I've lived in while living in Oregon has been walking distance from a McMenamins. Barley Mill is my current neighborhood spot. I love that I can go in for a chicken sandwich and delicious beer any time and I will run into friends from the neighborhood, or just sit and read, or play pool. The food is reliably good, the service is reliably a bit slow but friendly, and the atmosphere is relibly hippy-ish. I reliably love a small neighborhood McMenamins, and Barley Mill is no exception. Double plus bonus: Outdoor seating on a warm day, watching the world, and cute puppies, go by!
(4)Coral C.
Had a hankering for a chicken sandwich, and I couldn't think of anywhere else to go that was close to home (and open). Why does Portland seem to close down so early on Sunday nights? Geez. Anyhow, there was only one other table in the place, and while we were greeted and got our food pretty quickly, we were left waiting and waiting and waiting for the check. I had to go up to the counter and take care of it. Would it kill ya to come and check on your only table? Oh, and by the way, the sandwich wasn't bad. It definitely fit my craving. The fries though? Greasy and soggy. Next time I'll either try the tater tots or be good and have some salad.
(3)Mel E.
Great place for Dead Heads...not exactly my style, but I couldn't knock it until I tried it. I don't remember if other McM places have such a small happy hour menu. This place had french bread pizzas, chili cheese dip and one more thing...and that was it. I like more of a variety. Service was pretty poor even though there weren't many people there on this particular weekday night. I had to go up to get our server's attention. I've been to other McM places and had a better time.
(2)Laura K.
This is apparently the first McMenamins that opened...it definitely has an even more local, home grown feel than others. Greatful Dead stuff everywhere. The food was good, but always a few dollars over prices (I guess that's how they getcha!). The service was actually decent compared to some other McMenamins joints. We sat up in the loft nook under the skylight--charming.
(3)Nancy K.
I've come here a handful of times over the years and I think this place is ok...well, in fact, a-ok. I like that it never gets too crowded and it's not too loud. It's good to go there with a group of friends you'd like to catch up with. You can actually have a conversation without having to yell at each other. The food is the usual McMin standard stuff - not great but not so bad either. And of course the one thing that brings me back over and over again is the Ruby.
(3)Valerie A.
We've done happy hour here a few times the food has always been good and the bartenders are pretty dang nice. Tasty burgers, good fries, the tots are a bit on the salty side, but are really tasty with beer.
(5)Erin K.
I don't know how I managed to miss this, but they have a pretty decent happy hour from 3-6pm. Good to know!
(4)Ellettra A.
Three stars for excellent sweet potato fries, and a very creative chipotle ketchup that totally rocked. But man, the smell inside the bar was DISGUSTING, and the women's restroom was seriously rank, just reeking of mildew. We sat outside luckily, and I can't say that I'll go back if I have to sit inside. I don't think I could deal with the smell.
(3)Dave H.
Slow service, weak drinks, but it's on Hawthorne and a McMenamins so people go there. It reminded me again why I go to McMenamins when someone else suggests it, but never if I choose on my own. There's really nothing special about it other than there are no other bars on the block.
(2)A. W.
We used to be regulars, but the past couple of years we have been disappointed every time we give them another shot. Service is slow and forgetful. On a recent dinner, our server had all but disappeard. We were tired of waiting to pay our bill, so we went to the bar & paid. Then on our way to the car, we saw our server out on the curb smoking a cigarette. Kind of lame. I realize servers need to get their breaks, but maybe step away from the restaurant a little bit to get your smoke break and make sure somebody is covering your tables while you're away.
(2)Felicia L.
Okay, the only reason this one made it to four stars is because it has this super nifty loft area with a few tables that is AWESOME when you have large groups. Otherwise, like the other reviewer said, besides the over the top dead head stuff, it's not too exciting.
(4)Brandy S.
This was the first McMennamins restaurant. Great place for Grateful Dead fans and there are pool tables. Other than that, uninspiring.
(3)Leslie S.
TERRIBLE PLACE!!! BAD Service, poor management, and from what I hear they treat their employees VERY POORLY ALSO!! Save yourself the trip and go to DesChutes Brewery instead!!! You'll be thankful!!
(1)Adam C.
you know, there are better McMenamins out there. but this one has my vote because it is less Starbucks McMenamins and more of your local watering hole (with a lot of Grateful Dead decor). i like the food. i like the beer and even though i don't like the grateful dead i do enjoy hanging out there with friends. i guess i'm biased because it's only about 2 blocks from my apartment but still, it's a good bar.
(4)