Sunday 18th of March 2012 04:18:26 PM

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The modern brick exterior of the larger complex that houses this pub makes the altogether different impression on entering quite surprising. This place truly has the feeling and most trappings of a traditional, non-upscale, dimly lit, British pub. The walls and ceiling are rough, yellowish plaster and black (OK, it’s painted, not aged oak, but hey), pseudo-rough hewn beams, and dark-wood wainscoting. The floors are slightly warped planks (due to many layers of paint?).

There’s a large dining section with two large windows and narrow, dark wood free-standing picnic tables with padded wooden stools. The quite large bar area has small wooden-topped, cast iron tables, with Queen Anne style wooden chairs. Tiffany lamps and wall sconces light both sections.

The bar itself is fairly long, made of wood, lined by tall padded chairs, and has a brass foot rail. The bar back is dark wood with liquor bottles, beer (cask and regular) taps, and a Tiffany-style glass hood. Above the bar is a wooden structure that holds wine glasses and is decorated in front by neon signs, beer coasters, and a string of flashing Christmas lights.

At the back in a corner are two dart boards and the walls are decorated with beer paraphernalia (mirrors, small framed prints, metal beer signs) as well as British-themed prints (Queen Elizabeth, officers on parade, ships, etc.).

The beer list is almost completely not British, however. It’s a very impressive list of craft beers from Oregon, Washington, and California and an imported beer or two.

Overall, it’s well worth visiting. (And just for the record, all Oregon pubs are now non-smoking!)

Monday 20th of July 2009 07:43:47 PM

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The Horse Brass is what comes to mind when I think of perfect bars. The on-tap selection is exceptional, the food is quite nice (even though the Scottish Egg is not an experiment I'd repeat), and the service is generally quite attentive. And I thank the heavens for the lack of smoke.

I occasionally wish the tables were more spacious–they're long and narrow. Since I like to play cards in pubs, I'd rather have a squarer table. This is a minor quibble, however.

Thursday 14th of May 2009 03:47:37 PM

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Well I finally made it after 10 years of loving the craft beer scene I made it to the Horse Brass Pub. I will admit a few years back I went in but the smoke was so thick I walked right back out. Now if they left the laws as they where I would have one day ventured in but I was sure glad it was not such a smoke house. Made it nice to really taste and enjoy the brew. Now enough of that off my soap box. Don Younger whom I have met over the years at various events and places has made quite the place. The taps, the bar the place itself was awesome. A beer drinker’s paradise I finally made it. The taps available alone where to die for and I was lucky to have a great beer. Beers in the bottle top notch the food was awesome and the service was also very good. They the servers had great beer knowledge of the product and for this beer geek that was awesome. If ever in Portland and have a few places to see this is one that is on the top of the list for beer bars. Horse Brass I will be back…

Thursday 22nd of January 2009 06:16:00 PM

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The Horse Brass is a national treasure. Now, with 100% less smoke! As overbearing as Oregon's smoking ban is, at least it makes it possible to come home from the Horse Brass without having to wash your hair twice and scrub your nostrils with an electric toothbrush.

The atmosphere doesn't get any better than the Horse Brass -- dark and pubby, but somehow open and spacious. Four or five steel-tip dartboards.

The beer selection is spot on. About a dozen rotating taps are tastefully chosen, and tend to include rarities or special kegs. And they have no qualms about serving you an imperial pint of pretty much anything. The other night we were having pints of Deschutes Double Black Butte and Russian River Salvation. Of course they'll serve you a half if you'd rather.

Food is serviceable, maybe slightly expensive. Table service can be a little slow at busy times. Bar service can be a little bit British depending on who's there.

If you only go to one pub in Portland, it has to be the Horse Brass. (Of course, go to some other ones also.)

Monday 10th of September 2007 12:50:48 PM

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Horse Brass was supposed to be really smoky. But it really wasn't. It was supposed to be very crowded, but on my visit it seemed rather busy, but by no means was it crowded.

The "U" shaped bar was full, most of the tables in the front of the restaurant were full, but there were back sections on the left and the right of the bar that had plenty of extra places to sit.

The service at the bar was great. The bartenders were quick with their orders and they served with a smile. Our experience with a waitress in the restaurant section of the building was not so great. Regardless of the issues that our server brought upon us, we still had a great time at Horse Brass.

The beer selection was great. And the small tastes of food I had was good. I think the trick to avoiding the potentially smoky areas of the place is to sit near or underneath the ceiling fans. I enjoyed Horse Brass and would like to go back. Although, I do hope our server finds a career choice that is more suited to her personality.

Much of the parking in the area seems to be street parking.