The Foggy Notion

I’m not really sure what this place is all about. This place is close to my home but yet it never comes to mind when I think about going out. I have been there a half dozen times and seen a half dozen lousy bands. I really want to like this place, hut it really feels like it has no soul.

It’s all about the pirogies, all about the pirogies. They make them fresh one night a week and sell out fast. Make them another night and get that fifth star.

Went to bar to watch The Wherewithals perform and really enjoyed my experience. Mel made a really good gin cocktail called Pain & pleasure that had fresh juice and jalapeño and it was perfect balanced. I loved the old arcade games and the friendly bartender and the bands that performed were amazing!

I LOVE this place! Fantastic crew, the owner Mel is a huge sweetheart and will make sure you are being taken care of. BTW– a little secret — her Long Island Iced Teas are the best in town, you should definetly stop by to get one. As well as their fantastic beverages, their food is amazing as well. The Perogi’s were in the Oregonian for how amazing they are! The diverse crowd, great music, food and drink is for sure going to give you a great time.

Really cute place to see local music and occasionally touring acts. I only wish it were closer to my house.

I like the Foggy Notion. They regularly host excellent bands and the bartenders are cool. Drinks are affordable and there are games for those inclined. All in all just a great spot.
Makes the list.

I went here for a Queer’s vs. Breeders trivia night. The trivia itself was fun, but the venue was way too small to hold the amount of people that wanted to participate, so they started pulling out plastic/​folding chairs. It was small, dark, and dive-​y.
There were also only 2 people working there, so it was very understaffed which meant food took forever to get out. If they knew they were having an event like this, why didn’t they put more people on the schedule?
We had the fish n’ chips. The fish was pretty good, nothing amazing, but I did not like the fries. They were a little undercooked – maybe because they were trying to go fast?
The drinks were very reasonably priced though, and they had an awesome cider on tap! Seattle semi-​sweet. So that was appreciated. But I don’t think I would go back exclusively for the cider.
Maybe I just chose a bad night to go, because they were unprepared for a busy Wednesday.

There’s a punk feel. No hipsters, not everything is about you. It’s dimly lit, which is better than fluorescent. When I first came in, I stood in the middle of the room for like 2 min trying to connect to wifi, because I’m a penny pincher like that. So yes, there’s wifi.
Speaking of penny pinching, tall boy rainier, pabst and hamm’s will only cost you 2.50. The crowd is friendly enough. Fk places like Dixie. You don’t have to dance on the bar here to get a friendly smile. Surveillance on their gaming room. So… You won’t get held up. They do not have an atm as of today. But they are going to get one in about three weeks. Lastly, tonight there’s a live band. Cute guys, cute chicks, all of which look like they can brawl or sing with you depending on their mood lol. Cheers Unilocalers!

i can’t speak to the place on a normal night but they get props for hosting a queer metal all gender stripping night. bravo notion, bravo! genius.
the venue is a bit of an interesting setup but i’m guessing it’s a pretty awesome dive bar strip joint on any normal night. support them for supporting the queer community!

Incredibly friendly service. Very comfortable, clean, good food, good beers, great patio. Tuesday nights 2 dollars for craft beer if you have a tattoo. Really love this place, will go out of my way to give them my business. Kinda punk rock /​laid back feel, but not too divey. The owner Melanie is awesome!

The owner of this bar is a very nice woman. She goes out of her way to make you feel welcomed. She is a rabid conversationalist so if you’re the type who just wants to drink and eat, don’t sit at the bar. Although the menu is short, it’s very good. Not the best place for a dance party and pretty cramped for a show unless you’re partying with 50 or so of your closest friends (which does happen on occasion). The outdoor patio is large and where those who cannot fit inside can comfortably sit. Staff is always nice and never rude. Ever. Attitude makes all the difference even if the size and layout of a space aren’t ideal.

Can be fun.

Hh from 5 – 8. $ 1 off drafts. We did trivia and it was fun. We also had the buttered lime sriracha fries which were soggy and kinda gross for $ 4. I wouldn’t recommend those. But overall the whole experience was good and I’d go back.

There isn’t too much to say about Foggy Notion. There isn’t too much to not like, and what’s to like isn’t all that expressable… but I will try! I went here a couple times a couple years ago for trivia… and now have returned for more trivia. How trivial!
This place is a dive. A U of P dive I am led to believe but have yet to witness with my own eyes. Then again — it is summertime. Parking is limited but you can always try your luck in the tiny lot or the vast ave of Lombard.
Bartenders are cool, generally. I remember a couple years back they were kind of uninterested in me, my order, my customer-​ness. During another visit, there were so few seats I had to play from the bar — impossible — don’t bother.
But the two women behind the bar were simply fab (one even remembered me from karaōke at a chinese rest across town). They made me a fancy blackberry drink and it was yummy. Drinks are on the cheap generally. I don’t think I’ve ever been here during happy hour. I understand they have a night with cheap booze for tattooed people. UNFAIR! :)
Anyhow — this place is oddly laid out… The stage area remains empty even though they could fit tables without too much crowding. About 7 or 8 teams competed last week, a fun group all in all. The trivia master is a friend/​acquaintance of mine and she’s awesome!
So — I’ve been to a few trivias in town. I like this one best so far. It’s comfy, the back smoking area is just lovely! And the setup and wait staff have improved!

Raw. Sincere. Fun.
I’ve been here a time or two for a nightcap. Cool vibe by bartenders.
Last visit was delightful, food looked very good, and I heard compliments from nearby diners. They have a tiny little outdoor seating. Good for them, but keep it down for neighbors I am certain. Skeeball, Pinball, Live Music, and Unique shot specials. Get in here.
Taps of beer are a good selection of NW. Plus, the name, c’mon, one of the best bar names.

The Foggy Notion is a favorite local NOPO spot for drinks and food. There’s always a nice rotation of specialty drinks which vary by season. The staff are great, very friendly and personable. They have a small food menu but all the food is always fresh and very tasty. They have the most delicious fresh perogies on the menu… if you’re lucky enough to get ‘em before they’re sold out each week.
The Foggy has recently had an interior and exterior makeover which gives the place a nice fresh feel. They have a nice little back patio for smoking, dining outside, enjoying the partially covered roof for shade or rain.
Depending on the day of the week, there’s often something going on whether it’s live music, trivia, or karaōke, there’s surely good times to be had with good people at The Foggy Notion.

North Portland’s best kept secret! You might pass it up on the street if you aren’t looking for it. They have $ 2 Tattoo Tuesdays, where you «show your ink for a drink». AMAZING FOOD! Fresh Pierogies and beer battered fish and chips.
The live shows can get a little crowded, but the staff keeps up w the drink and food orders. Speaking of the staff, super friendly rad bunch of bartenders! This bar is queer friendly, and NOT just a bunch of hipsters leering at you. Super welcoming. OHHH and there’s BINGO every Sunday! Skee ball, patio for the smokers… blah blah… stop reading this AND JUST GO TO FOGGY NOTION ALREADY! :)

I went here on a whim once just to check it out, fully aware I probably wouldn’t fit in because I’m not hipster enough. To my surprise, the crowd was pretty darn diverse and has a neat vibe! Can’t go wrong with skeei ball and a shelf full of board games. Plus they’ve got an outdoor patio and I hear they do some amazing homemade Pierogies!

Love your neighborhood pub especially when they can make good food and drinks and fun!
Nice folks and try the perogies on Tues-​Wed — trivia night on Wed too.

What a jewel of a neighborhood dive bar. Went here for Pirogi Tuesday. OMG — if you like real, fresh homemade perogies — then you gotta get em while they last and they don’t last all night! Absolutely delish! 4 pirogies with sides of sour cream, mustard or sauerkraut. plus a lovely fresh field green salad for 8 bucks!
Who would have thought this little hole in the well would have good food as well as great drinks and specials and happy hour until 8pm and Skiball and games! A very fun hangout! and friendly assorted clientele as well as friendly service. Hey — show em a tattoo on Tuesday night and get 2 for 1 well drinks. I’ll be back!