Yukon Tavern — Restaurant in Portland

The Yukon Tavern, or "The Ol' Yuke" as my girlfriend and I affectionately refer to it, exudes dive-ness as James Dean exudes cool - effortlessly and with just enough disheveled insouciance to draw you in and keep you there. The Yuke, in other words, is the perfect expression of a dive bar, which means it's not trying to be a dive bar at all. Deliberateness - that age old enemy of authenticity - gets checked at the door right along with your ID, and from there on out you're in for a 100% genuine good time.

From the sociable barkeeps who know many of the patrons by name to the worn-yet-functional shuffleboard table to the amiable, sometimes scruffy and oftentimes inebriated clientele, this place has just about everything you could ask for from a local watering hole. On top of all that, you also get a great beer selection (10-15 drafts on tap of local/craft and/or inexpensive brews) and the piece de resistance - PUDDING SHOTS! With the keen perception of heroine dealers, Yuke bartenders spot new customers who have not yet experienced this magic and then deliver pudding shots to them for free. FOR FREE. and then you become addicted to delicious pudding shots and make them for your friends at thanksgiving and then you all end up going to the Ol' Yuke on a nightly basis just to get your sweet, creamy fix.

It helps that this place is walking distance to my apartment, but seriously, give this place a try. They even updated their menu recently with some non-fried options that go down easy with what's on tap (the fried stuff is predictably good too, especially the tots). Whether you want to catch The Big Game or just need a place to blow off some steam with your friends, the Yukon Tavern will take care of you. All you have to...

The trusty Yukon Tavern, as late, has been the victim of some review-bombing from folks disgruntled with the vaccine requirement. I'm pretty dubious on if a lot of them have even been in, as opposed to just having sour grapes. So this is an attempt to set the record straight: you really can't ask for a much better neighborhood watering hole than this. The menu is straightforward bar food, but well-made. The bartenders are chill and friendly. The vibe is relaxed. The beer selection is fairly modest, but well-curated. And there's pinball.

Also, small thing, but every time I've gone in there's either been good sports or a good movie playing on the TV. The last time I grabbed a pint and a burger, they were wrapping up Three Days of the Condor, then put on Dirty Work (Norm Macdonald having just passed away a few days before). Is this a destination bar? No. But if you live in the hood or find yourself nearby, the Yukon Tavern is like a...

Went in Around noon on a Thursday, their sign for $5 lunch sliders attracted me. As i walk into the dimly lit bar with antiquated decor A friendly "hello, hows your day?" greets me from behind the bar. I saddle up order the sliders with 'tots and a draft beer. The beer was cold full and bubbly! When the food came out I was pleasantly surprised at the large portion of perfectly seasoned 'tots and 2 nice sized sliders with obviously hand formed beef patties. They were delicious. I finished my lunch while talking to the bartender Christina, Who was absolutely attentive and friendly to everyone in the bar! ordered 2 more beers along the way and a BLT with chips to go for my girlfriend and the entire tab came to only $19. Needless to say I'm very satisfied with this place. If your looking for great ambiance and trendy decor, this is not your place. But if you want a cheap tasty lunch, fast friendly service, and that classic bar feel...