Probably my favorite sports bar in Portland. It's a neighborhood spot with a great tap selection (normally about 10 things on tap I'd love to have and a couple of macros too) and any game you want to see, including the Winterhawks, college sports and anything else. Don't expect the food to be something you'd get at Tasty N Sons and you won't be disappointed. It's just classic bar food, served with great beer.
Review Source:If it wasn't for the numerous TV screens, this place would definitely warrant no more than a two. Â The service was poor, mostly because it seemed they were understaffed. Â A lot of people eat the food here, so it must be okay, but I can't comment. Â The bathroom is pretty gross simply for the fact that they have one of those reusable towel hand drying systems that looks like it has been around since the early 1990's at leaset.
Review Source:Not a whole lot to say here. This is that local sports bar that everyone goes to for the big game. When their isn't a game going on, this turns into that bar that people go to who want to be left alone or just get a drink in peace. Service is mediocre/basic, prices are cheap. Food is cheap, both in cost and quality.
Review Source:Solid, old school sports bar. Couple dozen large flat screens, and they subscribe to all the sports broadcast packages. Great rotating tap selection, quirky decor. I really enjoy the place. Owner and manager are both very personable. Its a nice alternative to the slick chain sports bars.
Review Source:Went here on a Sunday because Bertie Lou's was packed and we were in a hurry to get food. Seemed like a decent sports bar with lots of TVs (about 6). All of them were airing different football games. However, there were a ton of packers fans (now 13-1) and the audio was set for the Seahawks game. Let's be real here--nobody there cares about the Seahawks, so why not give the Chiefs some credit and play the audio for the game?
As far as food goes, the woman recommended getting the reuben, stating it is one of the best in Portland. She also said the turkey sandwich was highly recommended too. So we ordered both. The reuben was good, but definitely had too much meat packed on it. The turkey sandwich was ridiculously hot and burned the roof of my mouth. Nonetheless, it was decent, but nothing to write home about.The fries weren't my favorite--frozen to deep fryer.
The place feels like a sports diner, if that's even a real thing.
The two stars in generous...
I feel like I'm something of an authority on Sports Bars. I went here on Sunday to a 1/3rd filled bar. Was told not to sit in the big table because it was reserved (but no one showed up) had my friend show up and get a ration of crap from the cranky waitress for taking too long to decide (then told he would need to order a "drink, or leave") then got angry with me when I went to the counter to order my drink because she hadn't been to our table in 45 minutes. Terrible service, terribly mediocre food options and a  terrible atmosphere these days. Used to be a destination. Now it's a desecration. Avoid.
I have been going to the Skybox since 2003 and simply can't imagine life without it. The food, beverages and TV's are all first rate. What sets the Skybox apart, however, are the people that work there. The staff is friendly and is always ready to engage their customers in conversations. After coming to the Skybox just a couple of times, the owner and wait staff always made a habit of welcoming me and calling me by name. They know what sports teams I follow and constantly make an effort to find a television that I can watch my teams on. This feeling of good will extends to the Skybox's customers as well. I've made many friends there and always look forward to going.
Review Source:I love this place. I'm a pretty big college football fan, and I come here to watch most of my games. They're always willing to set aside a TV for me for whatever game I want to watch (even Northwestern), even if the local teams are playing. Their menu is good and affordable, and they always seem to have about a dozen specials on the board. For the beer drinkers, they have 22 taps, and for the rest of us they have a good liquor selection. And to top it off the staff is great (especially Janice and Dennis), and it only takes a few games at their place to be treated like family, which is what really makes it better than all of the other sports bars in town.
Review Source:Loved this place! I'm not proud when it comes to my sports bars. I want to watch my game, I want decent bar food and I want nice people running the joint. The Skybox kicked in on all fronts and I appreciated it. I got there early -- which was a good thing because it filled up fast -- and they even let me save a seat for my friend, (which I do NOT expect them or anyone else to do necessarily). The point is simply that they were very nice people, the food was good and I really enjoyed myself. Even though my team lost.
Review Source:Went to the Skybox this morning for football and breakfast.
This is a traditional sports bar in every sense. Lots of screens, good bar food (greasy and large portions) and decent service. The place was packed by 10am. We sat at a large table that ended up being a community table and had a great time. Our server was on top of it and provided that balance of pleasant and attentive service that leaves you with your needs met and without complaint.
The crowd was mixed and there were a few youngsters. I am one who likes to go to a bar and doesn't want to imbibe and get a little rowdy in the presence of children. However, I must admit that the 10 year old boy who sat across from me was a kick. I was pleasantly surprised by the friendly atmosphere and will definitely return.
Realizing that this was my one and only visit, I am still going to rate this establishment 4 stars. I am attempting to provide more constructive criticism in my reviews. Skybox is just what it claims to be: a neighborhood sports bar.
Been a patron less than a month and all the staff already know my name.
One more star!
Whether that is because I am a cash cow, a funny guy, or just memorably good looking, I do not know, but it sure makes me feel good.
As for their chow and stuff, check out my previous review. It's good!
Good little sports type pub! the food is fine, very average but with lots of choices on the menu! You really can't go wrong with the basic bar type food s here. The place is clean and the staff seem to take care of you, not super fast, but worth the stop if you want a quick little pub and grub.
Review Source:Sky Box has plenty of hd tv's and local appeal. The grub is solid and if you're looking for a serious carbo load go for the fries (I ask well done) and you'll get a load of ranch dressing as well. Sky Box burger is a load and tasty. Dennis is a great owner and the beers are served in a nice chilled glass. Cool peeps.
Review Source:Last Saturday after my alcohol-induced buzz had reached levels that, while not epic, certainly diminished my orienteering skills, my friendly neighborhood DD shepherded our party of 4 to a bar I'd never in my life been in before, and for the life of me I had no idea where we were. It turns out we'd arrived at the Skybox Pub - a place I'd previously never heard of, and after setting foot inside, found to be somewhat out of place in the Sellwood/'moreland area.
The place is clearly a sports bar - the walls are festooned with jersey's, posters, and other garish bits of memorabilia and sports bric-a-brac. They even have a life-size mannequin in Jordan's #23 Bulls jersey, though we reached the conclusion that they must have used the lower half of a Charles Barkley dummy because I don't remember MJ's sticks being as thick as old growth redwoods.
They also have a good number of TVs, most (if not all) of the flat-panel variety, though many were only of middling size. I'd imagine the Skybox is a good place to just show up and watch whatever sporting event is on the tube, but the place is a bit small, and they don't have the best "stadium, big-screen" set-up, so I'm not sure if it's the best place to watch a really big game.
We didn't have any food, but I thought they had a pretty impressive beer selection for a somewhat random sports bar - not as good as the A&L or some other larger places, but way more than the standard Bridgeport IPA, Widmer Hefe, Black Butte Porter on tap - I enjoyed a pint or two of the DBA (Double Barrel Ale) from Firestone Walker, which was quite a nice West Coast take on a British Bitter.
The thing about this place though is that it's very bright - I mean, almost blindingly bright - inside! I don't always NEED dark/dank in my watering holes, but this was almost like walking into an operating theater the lights were so bright. Coupled with the visual commotion from the TVs and all the junk on the walls, and the Skybox is not what I'd describe as a "relaxing" atmosphere.
Ultimately if you're looking for a friendly little sports bar and live in the neighborhood then you should definitely give the Skybox a shot...but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit, and it certainly is a subpar destination for non-sports related drinking.
I dunno who initially characterized this place as not good for kids ... when I wanna see a Redskins game this is where I go and I have frequently brought my daughter along. Of course, she is now 17+ but, she was much younger when we started going to the Skybox.
I have seen families, including another 'skins fan who brought his infant to the Skybox! Not too many Sports Bars where you can do that!
My #1 one reason for liking the Skybox is NO SMOKING, YEA!
My #2 reason for liking the Skybox is there are plenty of big, new screens.
My #3 reason for liking the Skybox is it is NOT a chain, but a locally owned, neighborhood-style hang-out.
My #4 reason for liking the place is it has 'decent' food for a 'Sports Bar'.
My #5 (5th star) is that the staff seems pretty friendly and hard working.
Bottom-line, if I can't get to the Skybox for a game not televised on broadcast TV, I stream the radio broadcast, or skip it altogether! All things considered, best Sports Bar in Portland.
I have never been a fan of the big corporate sports bars; they tend to attract way too many "backward baseball cap wearing" idiots who are more concerned with their beer drinking prowess, and hitting on all the waitresses then they are with the actual sporting events. Â For me, a sports bar should be about two things...the sports and the bar. Â I don't need one or two gigantic televisions... I would rather have a wide range of options to watch on multiple TV's, that are broadcasting more then just the most popular sports.
The Skybox delivers for the true sports fan. Â By combing multiple plasma televisions, with a good selection of beers and above average pub food they set the table for a great destination when looking to watch the big game. Â Portions are big, all the tables offer multiple viewing options, and the wait staff is friendly and attentive (if not a little overworked).
The Skybox is not big, so get there early during playoffs!
My boss and I have a tradition of meeting at the Skybox once a month for beers and work-related discussions.
There are two great things about this:
1. Â The Skybox is a nice, smoke-free joint that serves a bunch of beer. Â The staff is pretty friendly, but not terribly professional (which is a good thing.) The food is good as far as sports bar fare goes, and the menu has plenty of options. Â Finally, there are enough TVs here to handle sports competitions occurring simultaneously in four solar systems. Â I can actually see my Purdue Boilermakers take on the University of Miami (Ohio) on a Saturday morning with bruffus. Â Wow.
2. Â My boss and I communicate monthly over pints of Mirror Pond. Â Damn, I love my job.
Good, smoke-free sports pub
I recently saw a basketball game here with a friend who lives in this Milwaukee neighborhood. It's pretty much just a good, regular sports pub to catch a game but with a great added twist -- no smoke! That's indeed a rarity amongst pubs, especially a sports one. The menu is basic pub grub, but the burger and fries are a good, tasty choice. And because it's not an overly populated place, it makes it easy to find a good seat for the game without too much background noise.
Tip: Outdoor seating is available for warmer weather.