Hale Pele Reviews

Came accross Hale Pale online during some research for my Portland trip. Walked into HP on a Tuesday night around 9:30-10 and there were a decent amount of people. Love the tiki decor, there's an audio visual thunder storm at every hour. The menu is perfectly setup by taste profiles and each drink has a strength rating and history behind the drink. Friendly bar tender, but I've spoken to some friendlier. Unfortunately didn't get to try any of the food. I highly recommend it for a fun few drinks - or food - and will definitely return next time in town.

A relative chose this place for a big family meal. The place is small and it was a busy night for them. We had to wait 45 minutes for a table outside. We ordered drinks whilst we waited and they took forever. Finally seated, food was ok, nothing special. It came out slow and some drinks and items forgotten. The speciality is a Volcano drink. Cocktails expensive, service very slow, not recommended

Went here for a birthday drink Sunday night and was seated right away. The drink options are endless, and so, so good. Ended up getting a flaming volcano bowl—if you have lots of people, definitely recommend. Didn't eat, but the food menu looked appetizing. The interior really tries to make you feel like you're on a desert island. It's kitschy and fun. I did come here the night before, but they were too packed to seat us. I imagine on Friday/Saturday nights it's a little bit harder to get a seat. But if you can, it's such a cool place!

Loved this tiki bar. Service was great as was the food (although the coconut shrimp was a bit over cooked). Great ambience and awesome volcano drink show. One of the best Tiki Bar I’ve been to -and I’ve been to a lot!

We booked the private section in the back for a surprise birthday party. We had a group of 11 in the private “room” which made it cozy but doable. Rene was our server and he did a fabulous job taking care of us and keeping up with our fast pace of food and drink orders. The list of cocktail options can be a bit daunting that we manage to power through and sample many of the drinks. There are plenty of exotic cocktails to choose from. Check out Rene with the Jet Pilot on fire! We had 2 people in our group with severe gluten allergies and their dietary requests were easily accommodated. Street parking - just one more reason to take a Lyft so you can enjoy their cocktails. It can be pretty crowded so be sure to get there early or be prepared to wait a bit for a table. It’s worth the wait!!

Whether traveling for fun or on business; I always do an online search for TIKI Bars in that city. This has brought me to some of my favorite places ever; from the Tonga Room in San Francisco to the La Marina Sailing Club on Oahu. I really didn't expect that Id find a TIKI BAR in Portland; but to my surprise and delight; I did. Easy to miss, in an unassuming strip-center; once you step through the doors however you are instantly transported to 1950s West Coast Tiki Culture. The lighting, Décor, music and ambiance was fantastic and invites lingering. Our waitress clearly loved her job, and was attentive, bubbly and fun throughout. The food was surprisingly good, with a menu leaning heavily towards Gluten Free and healthy Options. What a bonus. Oh and the drinks.... perfect! This was absolutely a fantastic visit and truly belongs on the list of Top 20 Tiki Bars in the US!

Arrived around 7pm and were told the wait would be an hour - but turned out to be 20 minutes. Usually we only drink when we go there but this time we all ate and enjoyed the hawaiian bread, drunken noodles, salad which was awesome and some other things I can't remember - ha. Drinks are strong, presented well and the servers are friendly and attentive. Can't say enough about this place if you want to guarantee a fun time. It looked like they have a back room - which I'd describe as 2 booths facing eachother that could be very fun for a group or small party. I don't want to spoil the fun for you but there are some extra surprises when you are there.

What a fantastic little place. It is swathed in awesome tikis and Polynesian kitsch. The place is small, but you can also sit at the bar. There is a extensive drink menu, mostly of rum drinks. They have classic tropical cocktails as well as some of their own creation. There is a drink rating alongside the descriptions: 1 being mellow and 4 being strongest. Some drinks come as 'flaming'. They have a small fire held in a cored out lime on top, and then the bartender serves it tableside with a cinnamon powder The food is also delicious. We had the Kalua pork served with cold slaw, rice, and kimchi. The taro chips are fantastic. Portions are generous. Excellent place for dinner and drinks.

Dark and surrounded with great Tiki everywhere. A cool thunder storm rumbling through every so often. As with every great Tiki bar the bartender stole the show. Watching him pour three separate drinks, never looking down and explaining the history of each one was amazing and a thrill to watch. Get him started on great rum and you will be rewarded with several tasters. Enjoyed and will return as soon as possible.

Super fun tiki atmosphere, the bar is decked out with everything tiki and the service is impeccable. These are people who enjoy and know tiki and they can guide you what drinks to drink and make it fun the whole time. Food is delicious and an excellent pairing with the drinks. Highly recommended, warning, this place can be very popular if you are willing and able try and sit at the bar.

The black-out windows don't allow any sidewalk sightseeing. What goes on in Hale Pele stays in Hale Pele. The first round of drinks went down easy. My mai-tai was above average and the second drink made everything fuzzy. While I remember that we shared a lot of small plates and enjoyed them, I can't give you any specifics. We cheered everytime someone order a "volcano" and the lights when off while the drink erupted in multi-color glory. We were seated in a little "hut" in the back but service wasn't neglectful. A fun time was had by everybody and we were happy to call Lyft to take us back.

Awesome atmosphere and service. Great bar food. Drinks are great and fun. Tiki bar in Portland in a nice area. Definitely recommend.

A short bus ride from our downtown hotel took us to this fun Tiki Bar at 2733 NE Broadway Street, Portland. Their Hawaiian tropical drinks were unique and fantastic, as were their pu-pus (appetizers/small plates). Food was super delicious and very reasonable, and service was friendly and fast.

I love everything about it, the decor has great authenticity, the food is delicious and the drinks are well make (not candy sweet or overly boozy). Not really a place for children after dark (more because it is lively - not rowdy) great place to escape the now for a past and a place that never really existed. Wonder fun.

It is tiki, it is kitsch, it is fun. When we arrived we had to wait outside to be seated, so we ordered our drinks and a high top table outside. We later went inside and were able to sit at the bar. The bar tender was really nice and we chatted it up a bit. We each had two drinks and left. The restaurant was still crowded when we left. I would go back and recommend.

The kind of place people kick themselves for not knowing about sooner, nice people, great drinks and very good food. I was raised with many Hawaiian restaurants and Tiki bars near my home, so I know of what I speak. Will appeal to anyone pleased by local, friendly, fun places. Both younger and older adults will enjoy it. Not for people who are interested in "trending" -

I like trying out Tiki Bars when I travel and Hale Pele is among the best. We went for happy hour at arrived right at opening time. There was a line already formed but it was mostly groups of 5 to get the larger back tables. The interior is classic with lots of decorations. Long bar for seating or tables. I wouldn’t call the seating comfortable nor would I call it uncomfortable. The service is pleasant, but with so many table she would be disappear at times. The drink menu is big, so you’ll find something that you will like. We went through five or six different drinks, all were great, so you can order any drink that meets your personal preferences. The Kalbi Ribs had great taste, but would prefer a little more char on them, and at their pricing they aren’t a very good value. The Lumpia were good and would order again. The Coconut Shrimp were over cooked. A fun place to visit and get a great cocktail. The highlight is the quality of the cocktails but I’m taking off a star due to the food quality/value.

My favorite bar in Portland. Great staff. The bartenders are masters of mixology. The rum selection is spectacular. And the venue is pure Tiki.

aloha & mahalo hale pele!! - that was the most fun ever!! loved all the vintage tiki's & blow fish, etc - everything was true island tasty!! the olcano fire drink servers were the best! !! RUN BALLS RULE!!!!!!!

Came here with friends after dinner on a Saturday night. Had to wait outside for a while to get in, but at least there was a torch heater outside. Finally got in & got a table & really enjoyed the tiki decor. Huge drink selection, but not very accurately described. Coconaut was covered in cinnamon but nowhere did it say cinnamon in the description. Drinks didn't take too long to arrive, but did not taste so great. The Coconaut & the Cobra Fang just tasted like straight booze. Floral, fruity & flaming, but not much in the way of good flavor. The appetizer selection could really be much better. Almost nothing in the way of shareables, no wings, fries, tots, we had the Hawaiian bread, pretty tasty, but there were just 3 slices. Glad I went, but no plans to go back.

My two adult kids surprised me with a trip to Portland for my 60th birthday. In their plans for their "tiki" loving mom was a trip to this tiki bar. It exceeded all my expectations. WIth a "wow" tiki factor. Drinks were authentic, tropical music and good pu pus. This is a great tiki bar. Nice ambience. They could use music in the bathrooms too. Get there early as it is nice and cozy and fills up quick.

We visited Portland Oct. 2017 and my niece took us to Hale Pele. It was the day before Halloween so we all dressed up. It was a blast. My brother reserved this little room at the back of the restaurant so we had a bit more privacy. The place is very small but the atmosphere is amazing. The drinks and food were delicious! I'd go back for sure.

If your a tiki aficcionado, this is the place to get your drinks. Original recipes, original decor, original everything! Really.They take cocktail History pretty seriously. Oh, and there's a volcano! Hahaha and you can get the coolest tiki mug there, too, if that's your thing. It's definitely my thing!

The food and drinks here were absolutely amazing! For the cocktails, you can see on the menu how strong they will be and whether or not they will come to you on fire! I tried three different cocktails and all three were delicious and unique. We also ordered food, and again it was fabulous. We had the Hawaiian Bread and Edamame as appetizers- I highly recommend both. I had the fried rice with kimchi and chicken as well and it was also to die for! I cannot say enough about how great this place was & I will definitely return if I am in Portland again!

Hale Pele is a feast for the senses. While it is somewhat nondescript from the outside, as soon as you enter you are immersed in the world that they have created. Time and space will collapse around your table as you enjoy their playful cocktails. Tiki some time out of your busy schedule to check this place out.

We thoroughly enjoyed great beverages, good Pupus and an occasional blast from Madame Pele with sounds of the islands. Friends gathered and were served by Autumn, affectionately called Pony. Service delivery was exceeding our expectations! Do again? Yes, and wear that aloha shirt, rain or shine to get in the spirit of this great Tiki bar.

We bought a coupon on Merc Perks, but will definitely be back. My wife is gluten and dairy free, and the staff was knowledgeable about this and suggested things already suited or easy to modify. If you go for brunch, do not miss the 1/2 grapefruit creme brulee with a shot of rum. Delicious!! Dark on the interior, with funky Tiki decorations. The blowfish changed colors, wacky! Small dining area and there wasn't a line to get in. Waiting hours for a table in Portland gets really old.

The idea of eating in Hale Pele sounded like a unique change of pace. It was closing in on 6 PM and their happy hour is from 4 PM to 6 PM. I managed to take a seat at the far end of the bar with just minutes to go. The place was packed, I assumed because it was Happy Hour. Or maybe it is just that popular This was my first trip to Hale Pele. I looked over the list of drinks and took a fancy to one called Mata Hari. The mixologist informed me that it wasn't a drink on the happy hour list... so I quickly glanced over the list and ordered a Blue Hawaii and a Pork Sandwich. Both of which are on the happy hour items. And both during happy hour cost $6 each. GREAT! The room was dark with various lamps up in the ceiling. Lamps with an ocean look to them. There were Puffer Fish turned into lamps in different colors as if they were nebulas captured in a psychedelic fisherman's net.The room with filled with the chatter of customers and the shaking of cocktail shakers. The music playing low in the background was very mellow and easy going. When my drink arrived it was not blue. and the woman serv ing it explained that she accidently made me a HATA HARI and of course wouldn't charge me the normal cost, Instead it would be at a Happy Hour price. EVEN GREATER! A chance to try the cocktail I was interested in at a far lower price. The Pork Sandwich came in a bun like a hamburger. It was juicy and very very tasty. I wolfed it down. And realized that this place could be a nice place to frequent. Would allow me to find out what some of these others cocktails are like. They have a list with pictures of the drinks on their drink menu. Outside they had the drink menu on display on a table by the window. Hale Pele is located close to NE 28th on Sandy Boulevard. there is a Pet Store across the street with panting of animals on the building if you need a landmark. It is also close to the Fred Meyer store if you are not sure you are in the right place. I didn't spot the location till I parked and walked up the sidewalk looking for it. there is a Happy Hour drink list with happy hour drinks on one side. Other side is not Happy Hour drinks but has some nice drinks listed. This is where I spotted the HATA HARI Cocktail. The Food Menu list the normal price in black. If there is a special Happy Hour price for the item the price is also listed in RED. I didn't happen to see any flaming drinks while I was there. But I did watch a drink being prepared that came inside of a Pineapple. Interesting, eh?

Best tiki bar, no hold it, best bar, in Portland. Great choice of rums (I personally have tasted 87 different rums there and haven't even started on the options).

This is a newer tiki bar to the tiki-lovers of Portland. It has an amazing but teeny tiny interior space. We grabbed a drink and stood at a table outside and enjoyed the music and potent beverages. These drinks pack a major wallop. As all good Tiki drinks should. I recommend being prepared to wait exorbitantly long time before you ever get seated inside. We were told 90 mins...at the 120 min mark we finally paid our drink tab (standing outside the bar) and left. It was disappointing to not get to sit in the lavish interior but the drinks were still solid. Next time, I'll come better prepared to wait and not with a crew of hungry peeps in uncomfortable shoes.

Take a trip to the South Pacific without even leaving the mainland. Their cleverly designed wee setting that has you crossing the bridge as soon as you walk in, and the entire ambiance and atmosphere was most was most authentic. The tikis were quite intriguing. The flowing ‘lava drinks’ and ‘fire’ all added to the impromptu display and show of the evening. All the settings from the drink menu to the foods were unique and well versed in the South Pacific culture - well more than expected for Portland. We enjoyed the daily special of soba noodles and the spring rolls along with the Kimchi dog - veggies and cucumber with banana ketchup and fried shallot slivers. A very unique and refreshing setting of flavours that were just so unexpected in the mix of Broadway. We will certainly return again. If you want a refreshing an unique presentation of campari, be sure to order the Rambo Jack??? Any tiki bar that has a limit of two on SOME of the drinks, has to be serving it up with gusto!! Wishing we were in town for a longer stay as we would have certainly returned . Not to worry though, we will be back again in the future and will make this stop on the lists places to slip into and be transported away to Tiki land. Now if they could just be allowed to put sand on the floor....

This is one of the better tiki bars that I have been to in a while! Parking is kind of a bummer since there isn't a lot but it seems that street parking isn't too bad. The outside don't look like much but you are transported into a tiki wonderland when you walk inside. I absolutely love the décor and set up of the bar and seating area. We were able to find a spot at the bar and found the service to be pretty good. There are a ton of yummy sounding drinks and the ones we had were really well made. I wish we could have stayed here all day. If I was local to Portland this would 100% be my spot! They have really well made collector mugs here too.

We were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and came here to recapture, in a very modest way, our honeymoon trip to hawaii. Great drinks and decent food. Would not hesitate to come here again when we visit.

Date night! This place is super cool. A tropical drink extravaganza. First timers should get the volcano drink for two. As a side note, you know your flaming drink is on its way, when the thunder and lightning starts happening. Try the gimlet that has a foamy bitters. The small plates on HH menu were fun, not culinary astonishments, but fine for the atmosphere and to soak up the rum. My favorite was the Bimimbap and Cuban sandwich. Bring a few friends and let the good time roll. Seating is first come first serve and it’s a bit tight quarters inside. Good times!

Little gem right in the heart of NE Broadway. Went with friends who were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary. Tropical and quaint....a delightful island tiki bar. The appetizers are very good. The ambience makes one feel like you are stepping into an ole Hawaiian hut. Great place for a date night or a celebration or bringing people from out of town.

We were seated at a small table and decided to move to the bar when 2 seats opened up. Usually a good way to engage with other patrons and the bartender. In this case, the bartender had so much attitude and disrespect for her customers, that we initially thought her detachment was a joke. Not so, unfortunately. My good buddy spent close to 45 minutes trying to crack this woman's horrendous attitude and finally succeeded. She went from being 100% rude and indifferent to 75%. My good buddy got an A+ for tenacity. I wasn't prepared to work that hard. The experience was so disappointing, as the place could have such a good vibe.

This place is small, so if you have a large group, you all have to be there to be seated. The decor is fun and vibrant. If you order a certain drink, there is a thunder and lightning storm played. The food and drink a pretty average, I think it's more about the looks of the place that draws a crowd. The hostess seemed a bit overwhelmed and her attitude was a bit short. But overall it was okay.

Great drinks, fun quirky atmosphere. Fun with a date or a group. Flaming drinks, occasional thunder storms, glowing blowfish and off the hook fish tacos. When I am missing the island feel, its Hale Pale take me away not calgone.

Always a fun time at Hale Pele. Love the Tiki theme, they decorated it so well, it's really all out. And their drinks are actually really good! They go above and beyond for sure.

Hale Pele is a great tiki bar in NE Portland. They have an extensive drink menu and a pretty good food menu. You can get a card to log your drinks over time and if you complete card, you get a strand of beads, and a discount on future drinks. It is a fun way to try different drinks. The atmosphere is really fun too, with occasional thunderstorms, fog and drums beating! There is a semi-private area to sit in the back, so if you have a part of 6-8, you can have a separate seating area. Go with some friends and get a drink from a punchbowl - complete with flames!

It was my last hour in Portland so after finishing dinner my companions and I took a walk down Broadway to find a place to have one last drink together. We came upon Hale Pele, and since the door was already open to the sidewalk, we decided to give it a try. The room was fairly dimly lit, but not dark, and there was lots of fun decor around the room and the music invited a great mood. There were a few people at some of the small tables but we opted for the bar. The bartender happily handed us a drink menu and explained some of the more exotic libations to us. There is a full bar but the drink menu seems to feature rums from many countries. Throughout our short stay the bartender entertained us with stories and musings, so her customer service is really what I remember most along with the three tikis behind the bar that represent...no, you'll have to go in and find out for yourself. I'd like to go back to Hale Pale on a return visit to Portland and be able to stay a little longer and try the food; I understand their brunch is great. The ambiance was very good and so were the drinks! You can see what it looks like and peruse the menus at http://halepele.com/

I absolutely love this place! It’s small and cute, has great drinks, and decent food! The biggest downside is how small it is. If your group is over three, get there early or expect a wait time. The volcano is fun, but isn’t my favorite drink for taste.

I had a great time . I would defiantly recommend that you take Uber/Lyft to this place . The drinks are fantastic and super fun atmosphere. The food is NOT the main attraction here , it’s just something to munch on while you drink . The staff is a bit “stiff”for this happy themed place . I still recommend that you go and experience the small Cozy ambience.

This bar is fun and different because it’s designed like a tiki hut. There are many drink choices, several are served flaming. The service is wonderful and the staff is super friendly. I like the laid back atmosphere and all the entertainment as people are served their drinks.

We only went to Hale Pele for drinks, but loved our time there. Great atmosphere and amusing when the dry ice and rumbling music goes off. We only saw one flaming dish, however that was fun too. Great to be transported to a different destination. Not quite the tropics, but definitely an escape to somewhere. Excellent and tasty range of cocktails.

I got the Hale dog with taro chips and a Rum Pot. Both were really good. Fun decorations and atmosphere. Would like to try this for dinner or when it's less crowded.

The staff here was wonderful and very pleasant with how busy they were. The wings are a must. We did also try the wings at pok pok and I did prefer the wings here. The drink menu was extensive and there’s something for all palettes. This was one of my favorite spots in Portland.

I loves me a Mai Tai. No two ways about it, but mind the palm trees. (or whatever Alcohol Potency meter they have on the menu these days) I have friends who have disregarded the number of volcanos/palm trees/burning virgins... whatever. They make GREAT drinks there! They take pride in them, and THAT is awesome! They also have new, better puu-puus that put traditional pub-grub to shame. Delicious food and drink, served well, in a Tiki bar on par with anything dreamed up on McHale's Navy? That's a great escape!

It was so good , went twice during my Oregon trip. The tuna poke was excellent but go for the drinks. Oh my, the signal fire , even comes with its own show if u sit at the bar. The mixologists are spot on. Easy to get there by mass transit too, first visit, car second visit. Nice tiki mug n tumbler for my collection. Chatted w my neighbor at the bar, he was going on assignment for 6 months so had to stop in before he left. Obviously a regular . Highly recommended

Hale Pele is a perfect place to grab a quick meal and a cocktail. The service is friendly and fast. I'm a fan of the Volcano Noodles (with chicken), although I've eaten my way through a good portion of the menu, and I've never had a bad meal. Hale Pele is also blessed with some of the best bartenders in town, and it's fun to sit at the bar and watch them do their thing. It's not a family place, as minors are not allowed, but it's a great place to go whether you're flying solo or with a date. If there's a downside, it would have to be parking, but that's not their fault. It's not like they built the building, and there parking within reasonable walking distance. So go to Hale Pele, and don't be surprised when the thunder, lighting and rain starts...

It's an amazing place, I love it. The cocktails list is as long as amazing, we wanted to try everything. It's mainly oriented rum. The decor is awesome. The food is Ok.

We went with a group of 6 and had good service, we ordered the Volcano drink which is huge and we all shared it easily. Ordered 6-8 apps and each very good. Good music and the bar is always packed. Looking for something different and fun check it out.

We had high hopes judging from the reviews and a recommendation from our bed and breakfast. It's beautifully decorated inside and it feels like a real tiki bar. Unfortunately my wife and I did not enjoy our cocktails; mine tasted positively medicinal: I'm guessing the Amaro just didn't mix well. I had the Mahi fish tacos and my wife had spring rolls. The spring rolls were okay, but my tacos were not very flavorful and I wondered if someone dropped the salt shaker when they were prepared because they were ultra-salty. In the end we were very disappointed.

I was really excited to try the food and drinks at this locally recommended restaurant. Reviews raved about the wonderful drinks but we were left feeling unimpressed. The Volcano Bowl costs $30 and claims to be enough for four people, unfortunately it is all fire and about one pint worth of actual drink. The food was even more disappointing, with little or no flavor, we didn't finish our food and left unsatisfied. The high points are the decor, fun music and how quickly the food was served. Portland has so much to offer at affordable prices,you don't need to waste your time at Hale Peles.

Love this colorful Tiki bar! Great drinks, of course. Become a Water Bearer by trying all 51 classic Tiki drinks. Seriously. This place is fantastic!

We almost didn't walk in after seeing the unassuming location and the darkened windows. We thought it was closed! But we went for it and were not disappointed. This place was packed but the hostess was thrilled we were there and got us the last two seats at the bar right away. Bartender was friendly and fun to watch! Drinks were artistically prepared - huge variety of rum - food came quick and was yummy. The decor of this place transports you to a tropical land where you can forget the bustle of the city. I really want to keep this bar a secret but just had to give a good review.

Bartender Jesse is just relocated from St Croix, home of Cruzan rum. He knows his tropical drinks and the garnishes alone are worth the price of admission. Check out the real blowfish light fixtures.

The drinks are very good, and some are on fire. Tiki drinks take time to make, which can make things seem slow if one is in a large group. The food was fine, but one is really their for the drinks.

My son took me off our beer tour to visit this one-of-a-kind throwback Tiki bar. It opens at 4:00 PM and when we got there at 4:20, there was a 40 minute wait. We waited and got 2 seats at the bar. I had a Shark's Tooth and my son a Zombie Punch. They were potent and delicious tropical drinks. We feasted upon the coconut shrimp, seasoned edamame and a fried rice creation. It all tasted great as fiery drinks were created table side, volcanoes rumbled and lightning flashed. We left after one drink, because it would have been too easy to have a couple more, but as we left the line ran down the street. This is a very popular place for obvious reasons and be prepared to wait to get a seat, but know that it will be well worth it.

This place was so cool! The ambience was great. All the drinks were really fun, and the food was delicious. Got the Hawaiian hot dog that had banana ketchup and pineapple relish and it was really good. Pork spring rolls were also tasty. Missionary's downfall was kind of...chunky. Had a very heavy mint slurry suspended in it. The a'a'po'e drink in their signature mug was a lot of fun. The lava drink was also really delicious. I like his there was a strength rating on all the drinks, helped when planning what to order. Drinks are pricey though, don't go if you're trying to keep on a budget, unless you are good at selecting only one option.

I almost wanna keep this place a secret. The drinks are sooo delicious and they do a great job on food but the atmosphere is what makes it so special. Cute decorations and a vibe that makes you feel like you are on an island. Will definitely be coming back here. Highly recommend ordering one of the fire drinks.

A true Tiki Bar. The staff really make the experience fun. Make sure you order at least one of the Fire drinks. That experience alone is worth a trip there. Try the Salted Taro Chips as an appetizer and the Kalua Pork for a main dish.

I love everything about this place! Great decor, drinks and food. They even had gluten free options and most importantly no tv screens. They played the perfect music and had an awesome staff.

It's a little out of the way if you are staying downtown but if you are a lover of rum mixed drinks it's definitely worth the trip. The atmosphere is nice if you are in to Tiki decor. The staff was great and very knowledgeable about the 300+ rums the bar severs. I did not try any food, maybe next time.

So people like this because we love a tiki bar. i wanted to like it! I really did. the food was ok and I did really like the "eruption" and steam. That was super cool. The main tai was better than a nasty one from someone who doesn't know how to make them. The service was average and almost clique-y. They chatted mostly with themselves. Service was slow. It's unlikely we will be back.

I was visiting Portland for my birthday. My friends took me to Hale Pele to celebrate. Hale Pele gets a high rating for fun and drinks. I shared a Boo Loo, served in a pineapple, with my daughter. They don't skimp on the liquor! My daughter had a pork sandwich (yummy) and I had the Hale Dog, a good hot dog but too many onions and weird Funion type things on the side. The place is very small but that adds to the fun, everyone celebrates together as the flaming volcano comes out.

The decor is amazing! It makes you feel like you really are on a Polynesian getaway. They have a large drink menu, which is nice. We got the Large Volcano Bowl. It comes on fire! The pic doesn't show the huge flames but i got it on video. super fun....overall I really love this place and I would definitely go back.

We went to Hale Pele to recreate an experience from a few years ago. We ordered the jet pilot and it tasted funny like the pineapple juice or something had gone bad. We aren't accustomed to complaining or sending anything back so we ordered another (different) drink and it too tasted funny, only worse. I really wanted the bartender to figure out what was wrong with the drinks but he seemed disinterested and claimed that he tasted almost every drink before serving it. We actually sent the second drink back and the bartender made us a piña colada. That was fine. After we finished the piña colada we left the bar. I'm not one to leave a $12 drink in the table but I just couldn't drink it. The ambience was good so I'm giving 2 stars.

This is the 2nd incarnation of the tiki bar. I first came here when it was Thatch. Liked it then, like it now. The rum selection here is amazing. It's a tiki bar, so don't expect whiskey to be dominant. The menu is extensive. There are flaming drinks, and when someone orders the Volcano for 2, a small "eruption" occurs with sound and steam. Pupu's are tasty, tho the menu is smaller than it used to be. The lumpia were tasty, as were the edamame in sesame oil and hawaiian pink salt. Drinks were very tasty, and had enough kick. Sometimes the rum gets buried under all the syrups and juices. Well balanced. Bar was busy, and our bartender was hopping. Good service, nice staff.

I will undoubtedly be a returning customer, and I will be sure to recommend your restaurant to friends and family. Thank you for consistently delivering an outstanding culinary experience. Keep up the fantastic work, and I look forward to my next visit to the best restaurant ever!

Our flight had just arrived back from New York and we had a couple of hours to kill before a Hall&Oates concert at the Moda later that evening. We wanted to get some drinks in the vicinity. My wife had heard about this place from a friend. We arrived a little before 4 and there was already a line of people waiting for the bar to open. This was a Thursday. Good sign. By the time we entered, most of the tables were full and the remaining tables were reserved, so we sat at the bar. We ordered drinks from the happy hour menu, mahi mahi tacos, and the spring rolls. Delicious. Everything. I love fish tacos and mahi mahi is my favorite. It's the fish of choice in my mom's village in Mexico. So I have plenty of experience with fish tacos, in Mexico and the US. These tacos were very good. The fish cooked just right with some carmelizing, the corn tortillas doubled up and cooked on the open flame/comal as is tradition. Mango and limón. The slaw was a was a surprise twist. I ended up ordering two more! My wife ordered the spring rolls and they were also very good. The atmosphere, music, decor...add for a more authentic feel. Needless to say, we'll be back. Tip: The space is small and intimate, and fills up fast. It was full by 5 pm. Recommend arriving at 4 or making reservations. Worth it. Also recommend eating/drinking at the bar. Service is always better at the bar at any place, but especially for newbs.

Hale Pele is one of the best tiki bars on the west coast, if not the United States (Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco might be the top spot). An extensive drink menu, fantastic atmosphere, and good appetizers make this a must-visit place for those interested in the tiki style. Make no mistake, I’m not talking about over-sweet pina coladas and frozen daiquiris here, but instead Hale Pele offers finely crafted, complex drinks with a multitude of rums, fresh juices, and flavors. Be prepared for a wait to get a table or a seat at the bar - we arrived around 5:15 p.m. and there was already a 30-45 minute wait for seating at a table or the bar. The popularity of this place is well-deserved.

They really went overboard with the tiki theme. Every inch of the place is covered in island-themed relics. For a minute, you forget you are in Portland. It's worth stopping in for a drink just for the atmosphere. We has two drinks and ordered food and it was very good. I like the late-night breakfast menu. Highly recommended!