Bailey's Taproom

Forrest222

California

2.69/5  rDev -38.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 2.5 | service: 1 | selection: 4 | $$$

Good selection of beers on tap, and even something on cask. In the downtown area it's easy to get to and it's got a pleasant relaxed atmosphere, but Deschutes and Bridgeport aren't far away and are better. Baileys is good, don't get me wrong, but it's a bit pretentious and the server (when we were there) doesn't seem to know his beer. Served us a cloudy Stillwater saison that we know to be clear normally but claimed it was "just the yeast". Spoilt an otherwise nice visit, and I don't think we'll be back.

12-27-2012 00:22:10 | More by Forrest222

AxesandAnchors

Oregon

4.88/5  rDev +10.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

Café style taproom, you won't see any large screens playing sporting events. The only screen you'll see in the joint is their flat screen behind the bar that lists their rotating beer selection. Easily the best setup I've ever seen for a tap list. It's all integrated with software, so you can see in real-time how much is left in each of the kegs (good if you plan on trying something that looks like it will blow soon). This is one of the many things that sets this taproom apart from most, it's all about drinking great beer and having conversation...and nothing else. Consequently because of this you aren't forced to listen to some obnoxious group getting drunk and shouting at a tv. The space is pretty basic, nothing really special about it, but for a beer geek you'll feel like you've finally found your people.

Their tap list is constantly rotating, with 20 different taps (all great beers no fillers) one being on Nitro. Plus a cask and a firkin that are only available on some days. I live just 10-blocks away, which means I'm there pretty often and every time I stop in the list is different.

You rarely see people order a bottle there, but I think their bottle selection is one of their most underrated quality's. It's not a huge list by any means, but they've done an excellent job of curating a great selection. The tap list seems to be mostly Pacific Northwest beers, whereas their bottle selection allows you to try some great beers from other regions. If you want to geek out and have a conversation about beer just look for someone drinking a bottle, odds are they're the nerdiest beer geek in the taproom.

The staff are super friendly (friendlier if they're not swamped) and know their shit. Easy to talk to and more than whiling to chat about beer.

They throw some pretty kick ass events on a pretty regular basis stocking the list with even more amazing beers than on a normal day. Last time I went to an event they had quite a few aged kegs that were amazing.

If your a beer geek and live in Portland and haven't been to Baileys (one, stop calling yourself a beer geek) quit reading this review and go have some beer. If your visiting, stay at the Ace Hotel so you can walk there...just spend your trip in the taproom.

11-21-2012 06:44:49 | More by AxesandAnchors

KDawg

Illinois

4.06/5  rDev -7.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $

I stopped in here last year and stopped by twice this time around. It's the atmosphere that keeps me coming back. It never feels packed even though it can draw a good crowd.

The vibe is generally very laid back and it doesn't take too much to get a beer when you need one. The bartenders can sometimes take a little bit of time, but on they whole they are easy to get a hold of.

The selection is usually pretty good. They'll have up to 20 taps going at any time. What's better is that now there is a screen that lets you know how much of a beer is left in the keg. It's also a pretty NW focused selection on the beers with some wider selections as well.

This being in downtown makes it easy for me to go back to on return trips. It's a laid back place where you can get some quality beer.

07-02-2012 22:07:58 | More by KDawg

dirtylou

Washington

4.5/5  rDev +2.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

took a few portland visits to get here - the hours are a bit quirky (4-midnight; closed sunday), considering their prime downtown real estate.

cool place - interior of brick and wood, throwing out a nice PNW vibe. Staff all seemed knowledgeable about the product.

the draft list is displayed on an electronic screen, providing for up-to-date information. pours are often available in a few different sizes. the bottle list is pretty extensive with a lot of large format bottles from primarily PNW and Belgian breweries.

I thought the bottle prices were extremely fair - just a touch over store-retail

on our visit, the draft list was a little tame. Although, it feels odd saying that given i enjoyed a Pannepot on tap to start it off.

Enjoyed this place a lot - will return.

05-02-2012 22:27:46 | More by dirtylou

cbarrett4

Oregon

4.58/5  rDev +4.1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | $$

What can I say except that I love this place. My only beef is the location, between some really... interesting... establishments and pretty close to a halfway house and a homeless shelter (so you occasionally get accosted for hand outs as you walk there).

Once inside though it is a treat. The bar is rather too short I think, only a handful of stools. There is ample table seating, and a nice table tucked waaay in the back which I often sit at with friends.

The bartenders are all very knowledgeable with the selections. Every time I come in (whether a bartender I haven't met yet or not) the bartender will ask what I thought of the beer and which of the beers I really liked.

They have around 20 taps (19 plus a firkin I think... check the cover of the latest BA for the exact number). But what I love is the selection of rare and limited brews. There are also quite a few bottle selections as well. Most of the bottle selections are more rarities. Things like Allagash, Russian River brewing, and others.

The prices are reasonable, slightly higher than Belmont Station or Beer Mongers, but still reasonable. You do get stuck with some higher markup (than competitors, not actual % markup) on the bottle selections. but since they are a beer bar they have to make some serious cash flow on beer and it's easier to make your $ on kegs.

The computer tracked keg screen is nice. It tracks the amount of the beer left in each keg (approximately), and I see a lot of people ordering the kegs that are the lowest. If I were them I would be tempted to make a full keg of something I wanted to move through look like it was almost out! But the system is nice and beers are updated instantly online as well (wish I could say the same for Belmont Station!).

It's a gem of a beer bar and worth braving the homeless and the strip club crowds nearby!

10-22-2011 23:01:13 | More by cbarrett4

koopa

New Jersey

4.14/5  rDev -5.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | $$

Spent a few hours at Bailey's Taproom this weekend with my buddy and enjoyed my time. First impression was a bit rough - the place smelled like puke. The decor is definitely modern - a bit flat screen tv displays the tap list, the pour sizes (both 10oz and 20oz pours available), prices for each pour, as well as how much beer is left in each keg which is a pretty awesome piece of information to have. They also had a beautiful custom wooden/mirrored temperature controlled cellar cabinet that housed a really nice bottle collection. Classy for sure. Steve and Jeff did a great job making pleasant beer small talk and taking care of our needs at the bar. They were happy to answer any questions that we had and gave us plenty of honest feedback about beers on the menu.

Food from the Mexican joint "Santeria" across the street can be brought inside, or delivered for a $0.50 fee which is a nice option to have.

The taproom is on a corner property and has plenty of window side tables along both sides plus bar seating for roughly 20 people.

Downtown lot parking is available for a price or you can do street parking for roughly $1.60 per hour by printing parking tickets out of the green metal box pay meter and putting the receipt in your drivers side door window (not your windshield) but be warned you can only pre-purchase 90 minutes of street parking and then you have to go back to your car / the meter and purchase more time.

09-06-2011 05:36:53 | More by koopa

Cyberkedi

Georgia

4.94/5  rDev +12.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | $$

There are so many good beer bars in Portland, one would have to play eeny-meeny-miny-mo to pick one as "the best." Nevertheless, Bailey's Taproom is a must. They open in the late afternoon, so you can hit them after a day of putting around. Their beer selection is not large, but they feature only tip-top craft brews with an emphasis on local beers. You can do a "cafeteria" flight to sample several different beers, which I strongly recommend. They have a lot of great beers in bottles so you can take some home - and maybe get an extra bottle to trade or give as a gift. The server I had was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable without being overly friendly, and he helped me immensely in finding beers I would like. If ever I am in Portland again, I will visit this place at least once!

07-30-2011 00:13:46 | More by Cyberkedi

barleywinefiend

Washington

4.14/5  rDev -5.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | $$

A: Wow. Different. Some ambient music playing in the background downtown. I am looking out the window I see Tugboat Brewing. Crowd varies varies from beer wanna be nerds and off the the street soon to be beer nerds

Q: Good. Alesmith, Jolly Pumpkin and lots of NW handles. All is well.

S: This guy is amaizing. The bearded, red head Jesus is all alone and handling it like a champ!!! Amazed.

S: So good, Alesmith, local NW stuff. Between the good handles and good bottles you can NOT go wrong.

F: No try

05-15-2011 00:20:44 | More by barleywinefiend

cavemanlawyer

Oregon

4.1/5  rDev -6.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | $$

Bailey's is a great choice for a quick pint after work. They always have one or two interesting beers on the rotating taplist. They do a firkin each week and also have a strong but small bottle selection.

No food is available in house but they do allow delivery from a Mexican joint across the street. The problem for me is that spicy foods don't usually go with the beers I want to enjoy, so I usually skip the food here.

Bailey's is a great place with friendly staff and a solid beer lineup. I wish they would do a small menu of more beer-focused foods (meats, cheeses, etc.) but otherwise it is well done.

05-11-2011 16:20:35 | More by cavemanlawyer

Amdy

California

4.28/5  rDev -2.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $

Jesus Christ, I lived in Portland for almost 3 months because of work and this place became my favorite spot to hit up!!!! I was staying in downtown about 2 blocks away, great spot in Portland. Highly recommended to anyone who's going to the pacific northwest.I don't recall how many taps this guy has but there is a big menu and you get the option of a 10oz pour or a 20oz imperial pint.

The atmosphere here is great as well, board games for those who want to play, nice comfy chairs for those who dont want to sit at the bar, and if you get hungry, you can order from the Mexican place across the street and they will deliver it to you.

03-12-2011 06:57:05 | More by Amdy