Kells Irish Pub

Kells occupies the Glisan Building on SW Second Avenue in Old Town Chinatown, one of Portland’s historic central districts. Its location puts it near MAX, Union Station, Saturday Market, and the waterfront, within an urban area that combines nightlife, commerce, culture, and through-traffic. The official history says the McAleese family opened the Portland operation in 1996 after launching the first Kells in Seattle; owner Gerard came from Belfast. That background helps explain why the pub pairs Irish references with beer brewed in Oregon.

The menu includes corned beef and cabbage, bangers and mash, shepherd’s pie, sausage rolls, and fish and chips, along with snacks, cocktails, wine, and beer. The website describes a collection of more than 400 spirits and house beers produced at Kells Brewery, its sister venue on NW 21st Avenue. The format can accommodate a full meal, a group gathering, or a shorter pint stop. Keep the two venues distinct: the northwest brewery has a different address, schedule, and review listing.

The building adds features that are uncommon in a tavern: a cigar lounge downstairs, a ballroom upstairs for private celebrations, live music, and reservations. Reviews for the downtown location mention music, pub atmosphere, Irish dishes, and birthday gatherings; as in any performance venue, noise and table availability depend on the schedule. The official website lists only partial hours—Wednesday through Saturday—so do not assume the pub is open on other days. Its own calendar is the best way to check what is happening on a particular night.

The downtown address is 112 SW Second Avenue, inside the Glisan Building in Old Town Chinatown. The official page checked lists opening at 4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday and at noon Friday and Saturday, with late service; it is a partial schedule, so check the pub’s calendar. Its location makes it easy to build a central-city outing around dinner, whiskey, or the cigar lounge, while the ballroom offers a separate option for private events.