Holman's Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Portland

Homans has been a favorite since 1990 to me. I've frequented here many times over the years and am also a part of the Whisky Club and have a plague hanging in honor of a friend lost to soon. That said: Yesterday, I brought my sister and niece here for their first time. I was so excited to share some history. We get there, we grab a booth and start checking out the menu. There were two bartenders on and so we patiently waited to be greeted, but we never got greeted. Heck we weren't even acknowledged. No hi, no gesture, nothing. Eventually I went up to the bar. I ordered our beers, I had to "go grab" the others id's for the bartender (what's the point of checking at that point, lol) I over heard one of the other bartenders tell another "guest" , that it is only bar top service. ( i don't even want to use the word service because, that is not service) -I delivered our drinks.. -I took all of our orders.. -I went up and placed our order.. --Food was delivered to us(our number anyway) no communication just placed all three plates in the middle of table, set napkins down and walked away! Not a word,, not a " can i get you anything else" nothing. Our drinks ran out so I grabbed our empties and brought them up to the bar, ordered new drinks, delivered them to our table and enjoyed our scrumptious food!! So Good! I went up to the bar to grab our tabs and ask them to be separated. After a little bit of a struggle on that, i went and grabbed my sisters card and i brought our bills to us, to sign. Here's my issue.. How do you tip on this?¿ I'm in the industry!! 20 years bartending and 18 years, currently at a restaurant. I always leave a minimum of 20% ---But we didn't get service!! So, we signed our bills and left 2 bucks cash and i gave the kitchen a $5. Mind you my bill was only $25 and my "server" did pop my beer open, so I tipped that. Here's where it gets interesting... I tossed the clip board up on the bar, which hit a bit hard and was an accident. No one was right there but it certainly caught attention. I was already walking back to my booth. I immediately said to my sister what just happened and was embarrassed. Then, all of a sudden this "server" wants to come tell me about myself. She brought up the clip board incident right away and without saying anything, i asked my sister to tell her, what i just mentioned. The gal understood i didn't mean for it to slam down and accepted my apology. But!! Then she proceeds to tell me how she thinks my tip is rude. I was clear with "should i tip myself", i wrote it on my receipt (unessesary maybe,, but i wouldn't expect anyone to tip me if i didn't serve them and i work for tips!!) I mentioned i tipped the kitchen and gave a couple bucks for popping my beer open. I was told she tips the cooks. I understand that, it's protocol! If i get stiffed it cost me money because its automatic tip out. So guess what, i do my job to earn the tip that I know i have to tip out from!! Period! She told us she would have bussed our table, that i didnt have to. No i didn't,, however, who wants to sit at a table with empties and dirty plates while visiting. Seriously! Would you?¿ That's the image Holmans wants to send?¿

Tips are not an entitlement, tips are for service!!

Your boss can pay you for " holding the bar down"!

It was the only time we got attention, came to our booth even, and it was only because their "lack of service" wasn't honored with an "expected" tip! Very Disappointing. It's the first time, even under new ownership, i didnt see "Service" here. I personally have always had great and attentive service. Until this visit. It's certainly a bummer if this is how it is going to be, moving forward.

--- Positive Note!!!! If you don't mind going out to serve yourself, than check this place out. The food is bomb delish and the atmosphere is groovy and historical. I even have a Tshirt! I was wearing it! It really has always been a gem. I was happy they survived the pandemic. I hope the owners, consider "the message" in...

I had to come here and write a review. This place is a Portland staple. If you know, you know. I was super excited to step back into a nostalgic place, but unfortunately I didn't have the experience I was hoping. First off not one person greeted us. I get it's Saturday and it's busy, but still.... The bartender was very nice when we approached him about how do we get a drink, or order food since no one acknowledged us. We ordered our drinks : A classic bloody and coffee and Sat down with our number for food. Drinks were great. Then the wait........ I think we timed it taking an hour and 20 min for our food. During which time no one checked in on us, or even told us we would have this long of a wait. We are on limited time (baby at home with Grandma). Luckily we gave it 10 more minutes and our food arrived because we were thinking of bailing. Especially after reading reviews during our wait. Here is the thing. Just communicate. That's all. Obviously understaffed for a well known brunch place on the weekends. The dining area and bar were full with one cook, one bartender and one server? Maybe? I don't even know. Just more staff would make this a way better experience. We have no complaints on the food. Is it the best in town? No. It's just simple, good dive bar food and honestly we both loved the potatoes. Decent for sure and I've always loved the vibe of this place. So hey new owners!! You have something special here and people love this place. Maybe get them to communicate better and give them some help so they can do so. My boyfriend (it was his first time here) owns a bar himself and was very confused by the number of staff on hand for how busy it was. Otherwise this place has so much potential being open again and the bartender was still very composed and nice under such a huge rush. I see good things...

I was in a couple months ago (it's now 1/19, so coulda changed again since then. Who knows?) and was so disappointed to see they'd gotten rid of their gorgonzola fries (I'd been getting here for years). That was a huge draw for myself and others (kinda how I knew about the place in the 1st place). I'm not sure why they'd get rid of such a unique menu item that imo set them apart from the endless brewpub-type restaurant/bars in Portland. Cost? Idk.

Disappointing regardless. A poor move imo.

I don't really have a reason to go back since they've changed their menu, honestly.

Unless I'm craving clams & beer, but don't wanna go to a seafood place.

:shrugs:

If you're just there to drink and play pool, I'm sure nothing has changed.

It's comfy and unpretentious. But without being a total dive-y hole in the wall. Which is a plus. I just have to be in the right mood to go.

But, like I said, without the gorgonzola fries, there's not really any reason for me to choose them, over just going to any other brewpub-type place in town. (Even if they are kind of brewpub meets diner/greasy spoon meets bar.)

But maybe...