Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor

Farrell's The Original Portland Ice Cream Parlour
1613 NE Weidler St, Portland, OR 97232
(503) 281-1271

Farrell's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor Restaurant was created in 1963 by Bob Farrell and Ken McCarthy. They opened their first parlor in Portland, Ore., with the intention of recreating one of the most colorful and memorable periods in American history -- the 1890s. Customers could walk through the doors and step back in time, sit on bentwood chairs under Tiffany-style lamps, feast on yummy food and fantastic ice-cream creations while listening to old tunes on the player piano. And like the 1890s, there were singing waiters and waitresses dressed in the style of the period. Later, they even had a theme song -- "Farrell's is Fabulous Fun!"

Sometime in the 1970s, Farrell's was acquired by the Marriott Corporation, and the years brought many changes, mostly closings.

The original "Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor" in Portland, Oregon is now called "The Original Portland Ice Cream Parlor and Restaurant."

The place is very much the same as it was many years ago. The coin
operated player piano is still there and in operating condition. The
coin slot accepts quarters. An engraved brass plate on the fall board
reads "Player Piano House - Portland, Oregon." The brand stamped on
the harp reads "Frederick Piano Company - New York".

This piano has a large spoolbox and plays multiple selections on large
rolls. A xylophone is mounted inside also. Some folks would call this
an orchestrion. An ornate leaded glass panel allows viewing of the
inside and mechanism. The manager told me that it was made by an
elderly gentlemen and he hasn't been seen for quite a few years.