Jimmy Mak's

They bring your food and a first drink and you will never see the server again. Once the music starts forget it. You will sit there with empty glasses. They must be losing thousands on alcohol sales. Our table would have consumed many more $9 cocktails and $9 glasses of wine, but no dice. We sat there empty, without even a look from a server. They are ridiculously understaffed. The owner is penny wise and pound foolish. more

Holy cow, this is the best place to listen to Jazz in Portland, possibly the NW. People are generally attentive and listen to the music with appreciation. The food is okay, typical bar food, many nice restaurants in the area. Be sure to see Tony Pacini and Mel Brown on Wednesday nights, the best regular weekly show. Pros: Jazz is top notch, people listen! Cons: Food could be better, service slow. more

We recently went to see ""The Diva & Him""... The Diva was incredible! (He was ok...) The band was terrific as well. We ordered a spanish white wine that was fruity but dry and everything we ordered to eat was great. The only down side is that my chair was constantly ""bumped"" by passerby's including wait staff and that the service was a little slow. All in all the music made up for these two small cons. We would definetely go back to Jimmy Mak's! Pros: reservations taken, good wine list, amazing music! Cons: seating is a little cramped, service a little slow more

PROS: Pros: Mel Brown Quartet, Dan Balmer Trio Cons: Not much. Food was alright. more

I go here a few times a year to hear Linda Hornbuckle and Patrick Lamb, two of my favorite local musicians.... more

I go here a few times a year to hear Linda Hornbuckle and Patrick Lamb, two of my favorite local musicians. The venue is large and can accomodate g... more

A group of friends and I recently attended a show at Jimmy Mak's, as we were there to support one of our friends who was the performing artist for the evening. We arrived well before set times, and were barked by the door attendant that we'd have to stand up, as it was sitting room only and glared at us as we headed toward a table that had been previously reserved by a member of our party. When we went into the side room to order drinks, one of which was a Moscow Mule, the bartender replied, ""What's in it?"" The person making the group's collective orders (as to not create a huge line for other patrons) didn't know off of the top of his head. The bartender proceeded to give him an elitist speech about she didn't know what was in it, that maybe he ""could order it at a local dive bar, but that we're a high class bar, and we don't serve drinks like that."" She'd been ""bartending for 13 years, and had never heard of it,"" but was willing to make it despite it being ""not that kind of place."" Had he ordered ""duck fart"" shots or the kaluha based ""blow job"" shots, I could understand her reaction. The problem is that a Moscow Mule is a 70 year old drink made with vodka, ginger beer and lime, invented in the 1940s, marketed in mass media by vodka companies, and served and easily made at Portland area establishments such as the Gilt Club, the Montage, the Secret Society, the Heathman, and the Portland City Grill. So what was up with the inexcusable snobbery and rudeness of the bartender? It was completely uncalled for and really soured our experience there. We refused to go back to the bar to order drinks if the bartender was going to insist that we didn't belong there because she couldn't understand her liquor history. Shocked that she would say this to a paying customer, a couple of other customers standing by starting discussing the woman's incredibly sour attitude to guests all night, but that comment was the ""cherry on top."" There was no basis for this comment or her attitude -- we had all dressed up for the evening, didn't look like bums, didn't order a ""dive bar drink,"" and because of the absolutely uncalled for snobbery, didn't tip very well. We wanted to speak with a manager but felt that our commitment to support our friends' music was more pressing. However, in the future, I'd suggest not treating your patrons as though they are uneducated low class hicks who randomly stroll into your fine jazz club for a ""high falootin' time"" when they order drinks that are readily and easily served at many other four star Portland area bars and restaurants. Pros: good music Cons: treat you like a second-class citizen more

This was our first time going to Jimmy Mak's and could possibly be our last visit. The music was wonderful, that was the only thing that was great. We went early to have dinner and what a disappointment. It took forever to get our food and then once we finally were served our sides were cold and the meats were over cooked. When we sent it back to the waitress she didn't care, she was not apologetic and there was no rush to have the plate redone. You would think if someone is sending back their dish it would be top priority to make it right and make it fast. Not at Jimmy Mak's. We had to wait another 20 plus minutes, the upside is during all the waiting and disappoint with the food we changed our mind on dessert. If the meal was that horrible how could dessert be much better? Oddly they were sold out of half of their desserts which seemed a bit strange since we didn't see a lot of desserts being served on tables which makes me think they do not make things every day. The atmosphere and music was wonderful and I would go back for a glass of wine and music but the food you can get better stuff at the Mall Food Court for a less money. Pros: Music Cons: Food and Customer Service more

The ""Details"" page here is so out of date that it doesn't reflect the fact that JM's has been in a new building, extraordinarily well designed for music, for several years and of course does NOT have smoking. That said, you will find great music on Monday nights for no cover at all, three different Mel Brown bands on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for only $5 or $6 cover charges, a schedule of national and international calibre musicians coming in for special shows, and an outstanding facility for listening and really hearing the music. The food is excellent, the bartending superb. If you are a jazz fiend, it's where you will find yourself hanging out pretty constantly! Pros: Fantastic music venue, low cover charges Cons: Haven't found any more

the owner, Jimmy, is a total a__hole more

My friends and I had the most frustrating experience at this place the other night. It was so bad that I feel compelled to create an account here to let the world know. It is incredibly sad more so because this was starting to become our favorite place to hang out. In fact we had celebrated a friend's birthday here last month. My friends and I were at Jimmy Mac's to enjoy the Cuban Jazz concert on a Friday night. We were really tired from the week so it seemed like a good place to listen to some music and wind down. We all ordered drinks. Everyone else in the group ordered wine while I ordered mojito. Just my luck, but the mojito came with everything sans the sugar/ cane sugar . Consider me anything, but I do know a good mojito from a bad one. When I complained the server about it, she said she couldn't do anything about it. I told her to taste it herself if she did not trust me or maybe just ask the bartender to do the taste test. She said she could not help because she does not make the drinks. I asked her if she could take it back and maybe just give me a refund - to which she said that that was not possible either. All this said with an exceptionally bad attitude - something that is just not befitting of people in this profession! Later, our food bill came and one of the entrees was not billed correctly. I pointed that out to her(the server) to which she replied that the menus did not have the correct price. I asked her if she could verify and she said that she did not print the menus and is not responsible for this also. She did not take any effort to go ask the management about it. We paid our check and left the place without saying much. I am not sure if I will go back and I know you don't care Jimmy Mak. What I don't understand is, how can bad attitudes survive in this economy. If the customers are disrespected, how is a place supposed to thrive. I plead to everyone that you support me and get the bad servers out of this customer focused business. We have lot of things going wrong as it is - what with the bad economy and all..we don't need to face humiliation at restaurants too! If I go back to this place again, I will make sure that I do not order food or drinks. If I do order food/drinks, I will request for a different server. For now, I am NOT a happy camper. Pros: music Cons: server attitudes - go only if you can deal with the attitude more

I have a tight budget and hardly ever go out, but the 3 times I've been to Jimmy Mak's, I've enjoyed the hell out of myself and didn't feel guilty for spending the $$. I have even learned that Jimmy is a giver, after meeting a former employee who was putting together gift baskets for needy families at Easter. When Jimmy heard that no one donated fresh hams for her baskets, he pitched in fresh meat AND fresh veggies! Pros: Can't single out any one-thing...Nice menu variety and always excellent music! Cons: Parking, but right on the trolley line... more

Having never been to Jimmy Maks. I had read some reviews. Expected from the reviews to have poor service. We wanted to see Intervision so bad, we thought it would be worth the poor service. So we made the reservations and went to Jimmy Maks for the first time. I dont know why these other reviewers gave them such a poor review. But it was a Friday night and I found the service, the music, and all around atmosphere absolutly wonderful! One thing I look at, as service is my water glass never being empty. It never was. I believe a big part of our experience was the fact that we made reservations. The reason I only gave them 4 stars, was simply that the food was good, but it was not as good as I had hoped it would be. So to the other reviewers quit your whinning. And to those wanting to go, make reservations, and have a wonderful time. Pros: music , service, atmosphere Cons: a little crowded more

I've been going to Jimmy Mak's for about 7 years now, and am always impressed. The weekday acts are great local talents including Dan Balmer on Mondays and various Mel Brown groups on Tuesday through Thursday. Pros: Great music, Atmosphere Cons: Can be busy more

I love jazz, and Jimmy Mak's has been THE spot for jazz in Portland for years. But it is no longer a place I take a friend for a night on the town or even go by myself unless I want to stand at the back and drink water. The musicians are top-notch, but the sound can be overamplified to the oint of shrill distortion. Avoid the tables under the overhanging balcony. more

I am impressed and satisfied with all the hard-working waitress at Jimmy Mak's. I don't even know how they manage hundreds of customers everyday while I can find only 4 waitresses or sometimes less! I enjoyed the excellent customer service, wine list, and an authentic jazz. Pros: Service, Waitress more

My boyfriend made reservations for us here on my 21st birthday. He told them it was my birthday and everything. I was so excited to go because I love jazz and have heard great thing about the regular house band. The music was great, however the service was not. Our waitress was un friendly, my salmon was overcooked and they didn't even mention anything about it being my birthday. Then I saw them bring out somekind of birthday desert. I got all excited thinking it was for me but then the took it to someone two tables down.They sat us in the corner, by the window which was not that great. My boyfreind didn't leave a tip becuase he specifically told them it was my birthday and our waitress was less than satisfactory. Then they over charged his card for our entry fee and they also added their own tip, which is illegal. I wont be going back. Pros: Great house band. Cons: Service, food, and ambience. more

Looking at past reviews, the wait staff has definitely improved, they are really sweet and try hard. But there still seems to be a problem with the kitchen. We waited an hour and a half for our food recently, and I was given fries instead of onion rings saying they were out of onion rings. The next time I was there they were also out of onion rings. Every time I order a burger it tastes burnt. They gyro sandwiches have that processed meat in them, and miniscule amounts of lettuce and tomatoes. The Greek salad is mostly lettuce, not a lot of the other items you look forward to. And I think the wine is too expensive. I miss the old Jimmy Maks where they gave you the yummy pita and olive oil with stuff in it when you sat down. Food was a lot better then. But I still give it 4 stars because the music and atmostphere are so good, and the servers do try. The kitchen needs a lot of improvement. But I still go there. more

I've been to the club several times with friends, work and family and each time has been mostly enjoyable, save for one. Recently my family and I went to the club and our reservations were lost. We were eventually seated separately with no explaination or apology. Pros: Music, atmosphere Cons: Poor service more

Jimmy Mak?s offers a smoke free atmosphere, great jazz, and little else. The food was overpriced, over salted, over peppered, and minimalist (to say the least), the waitress was disaffected and apparently irritated by my assumption that she would bring me my food (and my drink!), and even though they charged me the full cover price and assured me they were open until 2:00, last call was made at 11:15. more