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Vegan
American
Fast food
Beer/Wine
Take-out
Metal and punk themed bar and live music venue from Black Water Records. Serves vegan pub food including sandwiches, subs, nachos, and fries. Open Mon-Sun 12:00pm-12:00am.
101 Reviews
First Review by AbolitionistDrumGirl
Coconutsux
Points +157
Not just great food but great vibes - Edit
We went to Black water when visiting Portland and what a treat. A punk bar with amazing vegan food and that night they were having this super cool drag show. I felt so happy being there. What a great experience. And the food was just spectacular 😍
Read moreGuest
ThomT
Points +18
A Time Capsule in the Best Possible Way - Edit
Black Water takes me back to the 90's when I would perform in punk clubs up and down the West Coast. The laid-back atmosphere and punk-rock memorabilia provides the eyes with much to look at.
Read moreI've eaten at Black Water several times and it's a treat. Every time I've eaten there the wait staff has been super friendly and made sure we were taken care of. The food is wonderful and is full of flavor and substance. The food might be vegan, but you sure aren't going to leave hungry.
Pros: Very good Food, Super chill atmosphere, Perfect Portions for the money
Cons: Have to Order at the Bar, No kids (which could be a "pro" to some), If Punk Rock offends you, don't go here!
Guest
beeshed
Points +76
Favorite Portland Bar - Edit
Good drinks, cool atmosphere, nice employees, mostly cheap.
Read moreI’ve explored most the menu and it is all crazy satisfying bar food fare. Extra crispy tots. Tasty dips. Their seitan is made in house. Love the burgers and the french dip especially, the au jus is so flavorful. They know what they’re doing.
They also have great line-ups of live music, drag shows, DJ individuals doing the DJ thing.
Pros: Food & Drinks & People & Events
Cons: No cons.
Guest
ricnbnz
Points +24
Good atmosphere with house-made veggie burgers - Edit
Title says it. I was visiting Portland last year and wanted a veggie burger, but basically every vegan place serves Beyond or Impossible-- I have been a vegan for a long time and I am not interested in eating anything by Beyond or Impossible. Was thrilled to find a place. The food was good and reasonably priced. The atmosphere is fun and plays metal and punk.
Read moreI made sure to go back when I visited this year.
Pros: House-made veggie burger, Atmosphere
Guest
stephbaggz
Points +283
Cool atmosphere, cool drinks, yummy food! - Edit
I enjoyed the vibe here! The staff was super friendly and the food/drinks were good! The nachos sub soy curls instead of seitan was DELICIOUS! They also have a lot of fun cocktails and mixed drinks that you sometimes can’t find vegan! Definitely recommend!
Read moreGuest
rxthompson
Points +92
pierogis 🤤🤤 - Edit
anywhere that had a good vegan pierogi with a cheese dip is a winner to me. cheap drinks and good food
Read moreGuest
Paigecs
Points +621
We love a house made burger - Edit
Affordable bean based burger beats impossible every time.
Read moreGreat vibes. Anarcho-vegano dining at its okayest.
Fries not great. Chipotle aioli also not doing it for me.
Guest
vp4639
Points +73
Cool Metal Bar! - Edit
I came around here before a flight back home during the middle of the day to catch bite to eat and wow! The music was cool, the staff was nice, and the food was honestly great! I hope to see places like this open up outside of PDX too!
Read morePros: Cool music, Nice staff, Unique experience
Guest
hilaurious1
Points +459
Killer - Edit
The vibe of this place was great - metal/punky, and dim. The menu is all vegan - and has fun dipping sauces and cocktails. The dirty Martin was recommended and I loved it.
Read moreGuest
LuluGrim
Points +150
Hangover Heaven - Edit
I’ve spent plenty of late morning hours hungover and gathered around a table here just to be resurrected. There’s always something tasty offered for breakfast, and the rest of the menu is just as solid. I personally love the French dip sandwich.
Read moreGuest
Gopala108
Points +3073
all vegan metal and punk bar - Edit
I recently went to the all vegan metal and punk bar Black Water. Black Water also has it's own record label. Kudos for having an all vegan menu.
Read moreThe word heavy metal was coined by writer William S. Burroughs in his novel Naked Lunch back in 1959. Perhaps the first heavy metal band was Black Sabbath that formed in 1968 almost a decade after the word heavy metal came into existence. I am a longtime fan of both Burroughs and Black Sabbath.
I also love punk especially the Stooges who were an inspiration to punk rock. I love the Ramones probably the first punk band along with Clash whose music I also love.
My musical tastes are varied. I didn't like the music that was played here though and found it a bit abrasive. Perhaps it was Black Metal or Death Metal. I am not sure. It wasn't played overly loud yet just vibe with it.
I feel the Vegan Black Metal Chef would love it here.
I went with the cheeze burger that came with a house patty, chao cheese, burger sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. Service was friendly and kind.
I think the veggie burgers are made in house and black bean based. It was a great veggie burger and affordable to boot. I am not a fan of beyond meat and impossible meat although know some folks love them. I am glad they exist as much better folks eat these meat analogs than factory farmed meat. Cruelty-free dining is where it is at.
I much prefer a good house made black bean veggie burger any day and Black Water delivers. I also got a kale salad. Awesome they have kale salad on the menu. The kale salad was marinated kale, toasted sunflower seeds, pickled onion tossed in a tahini dressing.
I didn't really like the kale salad though and found it underwhelming. Didn't seem like the kale was marinated enough and felt like some tahini was thrown on some raw kale. I have had much better kale salads.
Glad there was a kale salad option though on the menu.
They have live music here and although the music wasn't my thing some folks might love it. Support your local vegan punkand metal bar!
Pros: house made black bean veggie burger, affordable , friendly staff
Cons: abrasive music, wasn't a fan of the kale salad
Guest
PaulAtreides
Points +979
Blackwater forever - Edit
I used to work here. Blackwater is more than a place to get food. It's a manifestation of punk, of anti-establishment. The food is excellent and the owners are excellent. My go to is the French dip, it's my standard that I compare all other vegan French dips to.
Read morePros: Punk as [censored], Always excellent food, Fast and friendly service
Guest
raimichick
Points +269
Baller - Edit
Omg. This place has amazing food and great cocktails. I also love punk, so the aesthetic also appealed😄
Read moreGuest
SarahS88
Points +2224
Metal vegan - Edit
We had the chikn sandwich and a burger. We liked the fries and the potato salad a lot. The burger was housemade and ok and the chickn sandwich was a little dry but good. We liked the mystery packs in the vending machine though! I’d give this place 3.5 stars if I could.
Read morePros: Vegan place , Cool vending machines, Excellent potato salad and fries
Cons: Chikn sandwich was a bit dry, It’s a bar - so it’s dark inside
Guest
JanaML
Points +84
Yum yum yum - Edit
Such kind service, very helpful with my food allergies, and the food was DELICIOUS! We had the Cheeze Burger and Buffalo Sandwich and omg the buffalo curls were everything. Best meat alternative I had in a long time. Can only recommend this place!
Read morePros: Buffalo curls , Helpful staff , Queer friendly
Guest
hell0angela
Points +382
Just ok - Edit
I thought it was kind of bland. I was pretty disappointed.
Read moreGuest
ChynaCat
Points +332
Super yum! - Edit
We were in town for the coffee expo and this great spot was walking distance from convention center. Had the nachos, western burger, and pretzels. Everything was great and the cranberry juice came with refills!
Read morePros: Good food, Well priced, Magic box vending machine!
Guest
ldifiore
Points +270
Hell's yea!! - Edit
Love the vibe of this place & bar food was so damn good! Good music & they have some good beers on draft too. We had the nacho tots & Patty melt & they were cooked well. Very tasty & will be back!
Read morePros: All vegan, Good music, Great beer
Guest
TaylorGoVegan
Points +820
Good food, good vibes - Edit
Their nachos & tater tots were amazing.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-04-04
Guest
dannyowen
Points +220
Yes please - Edit
Punk rock, vegan food, and drinks???
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2018-11-01
Guest
KaitlinBaumgarten
Points +760
Ok food, interesting vibes. - Edit
We got a few things. Honestly, the Cesar was a little lackluster, and my sandwich could’ve been better! But I hear they have Mozzerella sticks, and that’s very exciting. In a pinch late at night I would go here again😄
Read morePros: Vegan bar
Cons: Small
Guest
JXDN0V
Points +84
Great - Edit
Food is good, has that old school goth vibe
Read morePros: All vegan , Good decor for us goth/punk/alt people, Allows minors during certain hours
Guest
OperationChowhound
Points +6813
Black Water Fodder - Edit
I ordered the brunch special--Beyond chicken fried steak with country gravy, hash browns, and scrambled JUST Egg with cheddar. It was heavy, but enjoyable--like the music being played.
Read moreTip: Park on a side street to avoid parking fees.
Pros: all vegan, big portions, animal videos on TVs
Guest
GetBehindMeSeitan
Points +67
Great greasy bar food - Edit
If you need a delicious burger, big greasy pike of fries, some wings, fried pierogi, etc., this is the place to go.
Read moreThey have a severely underrated brunch that is never crowded. Do yourself a favor and check it out.
Guest
plantboss
Points +59
Delicious Bar Appetizers - Edit
I'd recommend just getting a bunch of appetizers, as they're all great. I loved the Mac and cheese and the buffalo wings!
Read moreGuest
QueenInannaSnow
Points +239
Vegan Punk Bar - Edit
Had the soft pretzels , the mustard was horrid haha but the cheese was alright
Read moreNice decor
Pros: All vegan 😍
Guest
snatchbeast
Points +367
Always awesome - Edit
I'm pretty sure I've left a review before but HC wants more! I've been here a billion times and have tried the entire menu throughout the years. Everything is awesome. I miss the choose your own adventure brunch but the brunches are still amazing. The new mozzarella sticks aren't as deadly hot as the old ones, though I liked the house made (deadly hot) cheeze better. Regardless, I will continue coming here, eating the new mozzarella sticks, and everything else, as long as I can ❤️
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-11-13
Guest
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