Olive or Twist Reviews

Nice selection of martinis, with great service. Ambiance was perfect! We visited on a Saturday night around 5:30pm.

A quiet, elegant spot in downtown Portland. This was a perfect spot for conversation over excellent cocktails. Very welcoming with wonderful service.

Dark, perfect place to have a great martini...they are masters and have every kind of vodka and gin imaginable.

If you are in the Pearl and looking for an exceptional cocktail do not miss Olive or Twist. Sam knows his spirits and how to create outstanding cocktails. Sazerac may be better than the one I had at The Sazerac in New Orleans.

Love Olive or Twist in Portland, OR... What a fabulous experience! The owner, Sam, came out with the warmest greetings and lovely conversation... The drinks were superb (had some sort of special yummy martini that I wish I could remember what it was, but it had a delicious, pulpy pomegranate to it) Service and atmosphere was great (we opted to enjoy a perfect summer evening in their outdoor section) Food was yummy (known for their ceviche) Generally, a perfect evening. Thank you, Olive or Twist! May I have some more, please...?

Stopped by here on my visit to Portland. The cocktails were all great, and well made. This was a weeknight and did not have a hard time finding an area for a party of 4 to sit. We were well catered to, and while I can't speak on the food, I can recommend you stop by for some drinks. I will definitely swing by when I'm in town again.

I popped in as I was walking by because I liked the name. I had one of the best vespers I've ever had, then bartender Rick made me a custom drink for my second cocktail--it was also delicious. I enjoyed great conversation with all the bartenders, as well as a local patron, which seemed genuine and not as though they were just pretending for the sake of customer service. I went back a few nights later, and Rick remembered my name as soon as I walked in--truly great service! Drinks the second night were just as delicious, and we ordered food this time--the ceviche was stellar! Oh, and coming from NYC, I think $9 for a "fancy" well-made cocktail is dirt cheap!

Great place to get a great cocktail. Friendly staff, owner always present and a very nice person. Barkeeper rotating but we have not been disappointed. They have a kitchen and really good food is coming out of it. Expect to wait a few minutes longer for the food as they only have one chef but remember this is a cocktail bar. What we like is the number a regulars coming to this place. Also don't be fooled by the light. From the outside it sometimes looks they are closed. The windows are just on the darker side.

We stopped in here before heading out for other destinations, based on our friend Kent's suggestion - and I can see why he is dedicated to this place! I had The Peruvian, a house specialty which consisted of Habaneros Vodka, mangos and lime juice, and was blown away! This is going to be a definite destination every time we come to Portland now!

Cool vibe bar in the Pearl district. Just went for drinks before our dinner. The staff is friendly and attentive, and have good traditional, strong drinks. A little on the expensive side, but it is a nice environment in the walking neighborhoods.

Fun place for well crafted old school drinks. Nice place to chill after the theatre. They used to infuse their gin with juniper berries, so very authentic.

We tried the lot — classic Martinis, and the best Sazerac I have ever had, times 2. The bartender's Corpse Reviver No 2 was simply wonderful — perfectly balanced in a friendly ambience that suited us down to the ground, We came back next night, determined to push the envelope with he classes a cocktail I was;t 100% sure about, and he had never made before. He performed 150% brilliantly — we worked it out, and he produce date most fabulous drink. Al this and a personal touch from Sam the owner, who really works out the perfect combinations to make cocktails here perfect works of art. Tremendous place for cocktail aficionados.

Visited here with a date on a Thursday evening. Jazz music, cozy booths, and a quiet atmosphere ideal for conversation. I just had a glass of wine, as it was late, but I'd likely return for dinner another evening. It was a nice change of pace from the typically boisterous bar scene in Portland on summer nights.

Our visit to Olive or Twist was one of the best stops on our recent trip to Portland. The bartener was a delight and the drinks outstanding. Appetizers were excellent as well. A real gem.

This was precisely the kind of martini bar experience in Portland we were seeking: interesting bartenders, expertly crafted cocktails, and a classy setting without booming music so that you could actually conduct a conversation with your date. Rick behind the bar told us that the place did get loud much later in the evening, but that was from the table talk of the much larger late-night crowds, not from the low-key, light jazz playing in the background. Sam, the owner, was especially friendly and gracious--taking notice immediately that my partner and I were sharing a pair of reading glasses and offering me a loaner pair from behind the bar. Yes, you read that right: the gentlemen behind the bar were named Rick and Sam, respectively. "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world," we walked right into Sam's where Rick was the bartender. We ordered the Vesper and the Rose City Martini, both of which were perfectly balanced. We also ordered the bruschetta (which hit the spot) and the curried potato wedges (of which my partner was more fond than I was) to share. This was our last night in Portland, and I sure wish we'd found it much earlier in our trip. TIP: it's on the streetcar route from most downtown hotels!

We stumbled upon this place one afternoon. Excellent cocktails, especially the cosmopolitan. Old fashioned was terrific as well. Limited food menu, but the caesar salad with chicken was quite good.

Try "The Peruvian"... A yummy mango drink with s nice kick!!!!! Great outdoor patio and nice quiet bar inside. Enjoy Portland's Pearl!

I enjoyed a wonderful cocktail here. The staff were excellent and very attentive. The owner was friendly and welcoming.

A must do in the Pearl District...the blood orange martini is truly delightful. The curry fries are great to nosh whilst drinking. Staff are superior. Outdoor patio is very open and casual. We go every time we are in Portland.

This is a great martini bar which is usually occupied by locals,but they also serve food to go along with the Martini's and other wine and spirits. The selection is small but delightful. The ceviche was the freshest I have ever been served with just the right seasonings. Atmosphere wonderful and the staff friendly and fun. Loved watching several quite elderly couples coming in, some with walkers,to have their daily "special" martini! Fun, fun

Nestled into a sweet corner of the Pearl in Portland, this is the quintessential bar. The atmosphere is comforting, thanks to the personal attention of Sam the owner, and the creativity and expertise of the bartender tastes like fine art everytime.

This is an amazing martini bar with great drinks and service. Sam, the owners, makes it his mission to get to know all of his guests. The bartenders are attentive and friendly. Definitely check this place out.

Fantastic place! The ambiance, cocktails, conversation and of course, Gabe the bartender, made this a wonderful experience. I will definitely go back the next time I'm in Portland.

This was recommended to us while we were waiting for a seat at Piazza Italia around the corner. Great martini menu!!! They have a large outdoor seating area and a very cool indoor area.

Great fun drinks in a low key friendly atmosphere. Sam (the owner) was around taking to everyone making it feel quaint and homey. A wonderful way to end the evening!

An excellent find for delicious martinis. Great for an early cocktail to start your evening out, or a after dinner night cap. The Spicy Peach martini is excellent if you like a drink with a little kick!

Came here on a Saturday night around 10pm. Found a corner booth and received prompt service. Ordered a Marionberry martini, which literally tasted like Marionberry cobbler. Couldn't have more than one but it sure was tasty! Had a few small plates. We all enjoyed our time there and would go back if we were in the neighborhood.

We have been here a few times for drinks and munchies. The cocktails are good..specializing in Martinis, but the manhattan I had was good. The food is also really good. there are a couple of panini options, a flatbread with salad was huge and very good. The servers are a bit pushy with offering more drinks before you're done with the last. I do like it here and will be back for the drinks and food.

We were early at the Hairy Lobster and they told us to leave. We went across the street and met Sam, the owner. He was hospitable and made us feel at home. The Blood Orange was amazing. Saved a bad bad date with my Seeing hait