The Abbey Bar

4 stars only because they need happy hour pricing. Having said that, this place is 1 of the reasons I love Portland. It’s a smaller place (good thing) and nice people, great beer and short pours if you want. For those that would like to eat vegetables but don’t because they taste like rotting animals smell, I present to you. …deep fried Brussel sprouts. This bar has discovered what vegetables need… a radical amount of fat from frying, light breading and dipping sauces. By far and away best sprouts I’ve ever had. It was a good afternoon.

Yummy sour on tap (Almanac Blackberry)! …kind of cold atmosphere though :(pretzel bites were pretty good…

I go to the Abbey a lot. And you should too, assuming the following:
*You like Belgian beer: They’ve got 6 rotating taps and a couple coolers full of some really unique, hard to find stuff. Considering how difficult it is to find any non Oregon beer in this town, this is a huge selling point. Hell, if you don’t like the atmosphere you can get your bottles to go.
*You are a beer geek: Maybe Belgian isn’t really you thing. You love tastings and rare bottles and talking about them with fellow beer geeks? Abbey is great for that. Lots of unusual selections here including a reserve list.
*You don’t want liquor: No liquor license here, so don’t come in and ask for a shot.
*You’re not high maintenance: This is a small, neighborhood bar. They don’t have a large kitchen or a large staff so it if it gets busy, you might have to wait a few minutes. I don’t think this is a big deal because the people who work here are nice, knowledgeable and appreciate the regulars. Just keep this in mind when you walk in the door because the bartender is almost always also the cook. (So be patient, ok?)
*You appreciate a laid back vibe: Some people want to go to bars to meet quietly or watch a game. Cool. I tend to come here because people like to talk, and this includes the bartenders.
Got it? Good. Now get tasting.

I’ve been here multiple times. The first time I went in I had never even tried Belgian beer before. I have to say it’s amazing. A whole world of beer that I never knew existed with new and amazing flavors and food pairings. This place is the place to go if you’re tired of drinking IPA’s all day everyday. Refresh your palate! The staff is super well educated about the beer and even the specific glassware it should be served in. The food is decent but I wouldn’t say it’s the reason you go to a place like this. They have fridges chalk full of amazing imported beers from all over. I walk out with something every time. Go here!

Great (but small) selection of drafts and a quirky collection of bottles under a low ceiling that feels like a cellar. Bar tender knowledgable and friendly. My favorite thing about here is the plethora of different glasses. Various sizes and shapes fill the wall behind the bar making for a unique look and experience, depending on what glass you get!

Oh, Abbey… how I love thee, let me count the ways.
Fantastic beer selection: hundreds of delicious bottled and regularly-​rotated tap beers. I come here once a week and there’s always a new draft to try. Don’t be shy asking for tastes!!! Head to the back to check out the coolers filled with a dizzying array of bottled beers. If you’re not sure what to get, describe to the bartenders what kind of flavor you’re going for (sour, strong, caramel, fresh, spicy, etc.) and they will steer you in the right direction. The bottles are grouped by type, so if you spot something you’ve tried and liked before, stick to that section and try something along the same vein.
What I especially appreciate is the LACK of nasty tap-​taste in the draft beers! So many bars in Portland do not seem to keep their taps clean, as evidenced by what I call «tap-​taste” – you know, that musty, dirty taste that overpowers the flavor of a beer and mucks up your mouth. No tap-​taste at Abbey, ever. Thank you for that.
GOOD food: I love the fries and fried Brussels sprouts, with many different dipping sauce options. The salmon spread is also delicious and a good amount of food for $ 7. As the menu notes, these are «small plates», so don’t expect to get stuffed on one plate.
Excellent service: the three guys who are always here in the evening are amazing… very knowledgeable and friendly, always willing to let you try the draft beers first with no pressure to get a big glass. Food and drinks come out quickly and the guys are very attentive. I love the blonde woman who is frequently in here – I think she is the owner – she is SO friendly and welcoming. Sorry I don’t know anyone’s names! I will make a point to ask next time I’m in.
Lovely location and setting: very conveniently located on bustling 21^st, but once inside it’s like you’re worlds away. The setting is dim, intimate, and cozy. Nice ambient music at a good volume, calming and non-​intrusive. There is a TV but, unlike places where it is ALWAYS going no matter what is on, this one seems to only be on when there is a specific sporting event, usually soccer. The place is small but I like that about it, and they have a good setup so it never feels cramped even if all the tables are full. During nice weather when the sun is out, the outdoor seating area is divine. Bathroom is clean and well-​kept – be sure to check out the photos on the wall of the owners’ Belgian travels. So cute :)
I love recommending this place to coworkers and strangers alike. My favorite bar, hands down.

In a beer-​centric town like Portland you gotta have chutzpah to open a joint like this. But I have to say that I am damn glad someone did! If you’ve ever drank beer in Belgium then this place will bring back memories. It’s small, dark, and for serious aficionados of fine beer. The taps are few but well curated and the bottle selection is awesome!
My experience was that of a solo drinker, but immediately the bottle buyer and I started talking beers and boom! A bottle was split, then as more people came bottles were shared by complete strangers! Each person loving on the beer and openly sharing like real human beings! I’ll be back for sure, and if you haven’t gone you really should! Great place to cool out and not get too hoppy, but to luxuriate in some fantastic beers from our overseas brethren.
There’s also a small kitchen that churns out some tasty treats as well, also European in flavor. (Foods that are meant to be with these beers. Sausages, cheese, etc)
Great date spot as well.
Go!
Doooooo eeeeeeettt!

Surprisingly delicious food, friendly staff, incredible beer selection. We came here to celebrate a friend’s birthday and the staff couldn’t have been more accommodating to a large group of people.
Will definitely be back!

This place could have it all!
If they focused on their menu as much as they focused on their beer selection they would be non stop busy all the time.
The atmosphere is really cozy and well decorated.
After being greeted from a guy behind the counter we were told we could sit anywhere we like.
He gave us menus and explained a bunch of different beers they had available and even gave us 3 – 4 different samples to try which was really nice.
They have an extensive selection of brews from Belgium.
After we got our beers know one ever came back the whole time we were there to get our food order or another beer order.
After flagging down one of the 3 guys behind the bar, we asked for our check.
They seem unorganized behind the counter. We saw 3 different people, and not one of them came to check on us or ask us if we wanted to order any food the whole time we were there.

I fell in love with this place within the first 10 min of being here. The bartender/​server Andrew was amazing. He was very knowledgable about all the beers and a great cook. The beer selection is insane!!! This is a great place to come after work or if your just looking for a spot to drink a beer look no further! I wish I had known about this place sooner. Many more trips in the future.

Don’t understand why the ratings aren’t better. If you like good quality Belgian and Trappist beers then go here. If you are satisfied with overly hoppy and bitter IPAs, then this isn’t the place for you. It takes more skill to recommend and brew these Belgian ales than it is to brew a crappy IPA. The bartenders are fantastic and the beer list is truly impressive.

I’ve never really been able to get into the Portland beer scene because of the PNW’s obsession with hoppy beers. My wife and I went here last night and we loved it, probably because the good people of Belgium do not share the PNW’s obsession with hops. I’m a huge fan of tripels, and the La Fin Du Monde I had was amazing and only $ 4.25. My wife got the Fleur de Blanc, which she described as the best beer she’s had in the past two years.
In addition to the large and delicious beer selection, the atmosphere is great. It’s quiet and unpretentious, which is highly unusual for the neighborhood. This may be our favorite beer spot in all of Portland.

This is my favourite NW beer bar. And that’s what you go here for. Beer. The food is «take it or leave it» but the beer is fantastic!
They have a wide range of imported beers so if your looking for something new to Oregon but brewed by master Brewers it’s here.
For less expensive and still great, stick to their rotating taps or if your a European looking for something you missed from back home check out the beer bible (a giant beer menu) you’ll also notice some top priced imports there too.
But nothing beats the $ 3 pints of Blanche de chambly on a sunny day with a couple pals while it was on tap.

This is a very promising bar that is regrettably a failure due to overpriced food and extremely douchy and pretentious servers.
Allow me to elaborate.
–The Food–
The Abbey Bar features a menu full of small, unimpressive bar dishes for ridiculous prices. I’ve had their fries and burgers. Both tasted ok, but were not worth the money considering the tiny portion size.
–The Service–
I’ve been to this place four times now, and have only gotten non-​absolutely-​douchy service once, and that was from the female bartender on an off day. Usually, I’m served by some brony that may have a great knowledge of Belgian… and Asperger’s. These waiters are pretentious and douchy to a level that only Portland snob waiters can reach. The first time I was presented with the beer list, my pimple-​faced fedora wearing waiter smirked and condescendingly said «Good luck…» (in reference to their large beer selection). Ever since, I have gotten nothing but impersonal, condescending, and unwelcoming service from the social rejects that work here… even when dining with a group.
–The Beer–
The beer selection is very impressive. I tried some of the beer on tap the first couple of times I visited, but found it to be rather watered down, so I have stuck with the bottled beers since. The bottled beer selection is amazing. Nothing anywhere in town comes close to matching the selection of mind blowing Belgian beers. The beers are predictably overpriced, some to a stupid degree (the same beer cost 9 $ here and less than 5 $ at Food Front)… but the prices are worth it if you’re feeling fancy.
–My Advice–
Stay far far far away from the overpriced restaurant with the douchy servers, unless the lady barlady is working… and even then, stay away from the food. Instead, simply walk in without making any eye contact, head straight for the fridge, pick out a yummy beer, pay, and get the hell out.

Lots of beer selections. Belgium is their claim to fame. I don’t drink beer so I enjoyed alligator of white wines and landed on a great Chenin Blanc.
Very friendly service (owners) and they were very knowledgeable.
Come check this place out!

We went out on a warm day. After like 15 min of walking, we hilariously got hungry, sweaty and lazy. It was time for beer! «Mustered up» our strength to check this place out. The restaurant was dark, empty with seating on the curb for sunny day people watching. There was plenty of shade for us to enjoy the sun without getting scorched.
They have hundreds of bottles and 5 beers/​1 cider on tap. The beers on tap were SO GOOD. The bartender was very keen on his beer and can describe them to a T. He recommended fried brussel sprouts and we added a second dipping sauce to go with it. It was such a laid back atmosphere, we offered to pay up front or leave our card with him and he didn’t think it was necessary.
They’ve found the secret to brussel sprouts. If you don’t like eating your veggies, deep fry them in a light batter, sprinkle flaky sea salt over it and serve it with delicious dipping sauce. The sauces were too tasty to let go so we ordered pretzel bites, those were good too. Not much to expect from pretzel bites but I nearly ate every crumb off the brussel sprouts plate.
The place isn’t huge but it’s a sizable and can accommodate multiple groups of 4+. There’s plenty of outdoor seating for groups of 2 – 3 (4 is probably doable but not as comfortable) under the tree lined sidewalk. Great place to hang out if you’re looking for good Belgain beer, tasty food but one that’s quiet and low key.

I don’t know what’s up with this place. It’s been one of our favorite places but the last time we were there, last week, there was no cook and only one server (seems like they have a hard time keeping staff) and there wasn’t much of an on-​tap selection. Whoever is managing this place needs to step up their game.

Between the smell of sage (from the fries!) and the smell of urine from one of the bottle beers — I don’t know which one was worse!
The tap beer selection was mediocre at best!
One tasted like AIM toothpaste, one second tasted like strawberries and the last??? not sure.
The service was Ho-​Hum — the beer was Ho-​Hum and…
I totally wanted to shank the gal with the HORRIBLE cackle-​laugh with the empty bottle!!!
The food isn’t anything I would order again or rave about!!!
I (seriously) doubt I will be back…

If there was a morgue next door that had a bar I would go there over the abbey bar as it would be significantly less depressing.
For all the reviewers who miss The Melt, fear not, the owner hired one of their inexperienced stoner cooks to run the kitchen here.
I gave it one star for its proximity to better bars.

I like the concept of this bar. I doubt the execution and survival of an exclusive Belgian Beer Bar on NW 21^st. I walked in with a friend on a early Sunday evening. The reception was nice, but the place was empty. Three menus were placed in front of us. 1 for the many, many bottled beer options, 1 for food, 1 for cocktails. A chalkboard —not that easy to read —-had listed about 6 draught options. You kind of had to crank your neck or sit and study it a bit to read… maybe they didn’t have much space to work with, but I think the draught selections should be out front and easy to read (with descriptors). A typical customer will look at a draft list and order off that… the seating is not arranged very comfortable for this type of menu reading. The chalkboard is off to the side.
I asked about a draught item and the server gave some information.
The beer was brilliant — I had a Goudenband Oud Bruin. They offered a couple rare sours, very nice. $ 5 for an 8 oz.
The bottle selection is enormous! Their menu is thorough and categorized by style. No prices are listed in the menu !?
We were welcomed to walk in the back and look at the bottles. A little weird, but that is how it’s set up I guess. Prices and names are on handwritten tags.
The décor is a little old fashioned and elegant at the same time. It did lack a little warmth.
Beer geeks will really appreciate this place. The average bar-​goer on NW 21^st might not make this a frequent stop. It’s expensive and can be a bit intimidating. I would maybe throw a local craft beer into the line up, just to offer something to the consumer who wants a beer, but doesn’t wan to study a menu and worry about ordering the right one. This is a very specific niche.
Quality good. Reception and service were strong. Restroom was clean and tidy, but could have used designer soap or some more décor to complete the image.