"What can I say about this venerable Portland institution that will express how much I love it??? Dots has been a hangout for me since my teen years in the late 90s for cheese fries and nachos, even more expanded to pints and cocktails to this day. My brother and I frequent the classic, baroque-wallpapered and swag lamp-illuminated interior before movie nights at the Clinton St Theater next door and both of us love their drink special tie-ins ($6 white russians with the Big Lebowski??? SOLD, MAAAAAN!). Food is great and reasonably priced - $13 for a solid 1/3 lb burger and tots is all good with me, let alone massive nachos and cheese fries for about $10. Incidentally, I credit this bar with inspiring my love of hanging swag lamps and black velvet paintings from a young age - phenomenal atmosphere, food, drinks and vibes. Dots FTW."

"Food is a grease lovers’ dream. We all got stabbing pains after having our dinner here. Even the water tastes off. The vibe is cool and the peewee photobooth is a must see . It's small but very well done."

"Had written the place off the past few years due to woeful food and the quality of everything dropped pretty badly. Hotcake House was starting to give them a run for their money in the late night food category. Always had a cheap beer but that’s about it. I heard there were new owners so I went and gave Dots another chance. Huge improvement. Food was great all around. They did some tweaks with the new settings to update the room but still the same old Dots just with good food now. Hope it stays this way"

"A bar who's interior has apparently remained the same for many, many years, even when ownership was changed. A large, relatively dark space adourned with velvet pictures & plenty of booth style seating. A decent happy hour menu & really good food & drink specials. We ordered the rum tango punch slushie, an Earl Grey cocktail (forgot name but on specials menu), fish & chips, grilled cheese (that comes with tomato & basil soup), & hush puppies; all on the happy hour menu & super tasty."

"I was trying to meet a friend at Reel M Inn on division, but it was closed. My friend Jackie suggested that we head over to Dots in the Clinton neighborhood, so that’s what we did. Due to Covid, they had a window to order food and drinks, and plenty of heated, outside seating. They have a good section of beers, and cocktails etc. menu sounded good as well, but we didn’t eat. I’d definitely suggest this place for anyone looking for a mellow neighborhood bar in the Clinton area."