Live Music Venues
The Roseland
8 Northwest 6th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209-3607
(503) 224-2038
This massive venue can play Host to a crowd of 1400 on both it's main floor and it's balcony. Founded by Oregon's oldest concert company it has drawn in the likes of such super talents as Bob Dylan, Prince, Tina Turner and Jerry Garcia. This sizable venue is centered around it's one large stage and hosts about 150-180 events every year. This not only includes many of today's most popular musical talents but symphonies, dance performances and wrestling rumbles. Whether an under ground band or a main stream artist care and procession is put into the lighting and set up of each individual show giving you a one of a kind experience no matter how many times you go.
A popular all ages hangout, the venue also includes a first class restaurant and bar in Peter's Room.
The Aladdin
3017 SE Milwaukie Ave
Portland OR 97202
(503) 234-9694
This venue boasts not only a vast popularity in Portland but a rich and colorful past. Located on SE Milwaukie The Aladdin was originally built in the late 1920's as Geller's Vaudeville House. The building went through several owners and renovations, including a stint as an adult movie theater in the 70's and 80's, before being purchased and re renovated in 1993.
Presently The Aladdin is one of the most well known venues in Portland.. Hosting a large variety of musicians, the Aladdin can pride herself in a very impressive cast to have graced the stage. Underneath her Moroccan marquee have been the names of some of music's most talented and well known performers.
The Crystal Ballroom
1332 West Burnside St
Portland OR 97209-2612
(503) 225-0047
Around Portland this venue has a hundred names and the kind of familiarity that only comes from the wide spread love of locals. The Crystal Ballroom has gone beyond local great to well known legend. The history of the building, like many in Portland is rich and long. Built in 1914 Cotillion Hall was a widely popular ballroom. Due to failing profits the venue expanded it's self in the 1960's to include live music.
The 3 levels include work by local and well known artists, tons of space for socializing and a Mcmenamins restaurant and grill. While all of this may add to the evening one of the greats of the building is its 'Floating dance floor', prided by the city. Many of today's most well known artists have come to the Ballroom to play along side our locals in a building cherished by this city.
Jimmy Mak's
221 NW 10th Ave
Portland OR 97209
(503) 295-6542
Moving away from the larger venues to the ones you'll usually find a local at we come to Jimmy Mak's. This restaurant not only plays host to bands nightly but a praised Greek and Middle Eastern inspired menu. The stage is set in the middle of the room surrounded by deep reds, golden yellows and the little flickers of tabletop candles. The area is set so intimately one forgets about the barrier often set between audience and musician. Jimmy Mak's is often renown for it's jazz, small stage setting and quite personally it's hummus.
With the comfortable surroundings, magnificent bar and closeness a night at Jimmy Mak's feels more like a night in with music than a night out.
Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub
112 SW Second Ave
Portland OR 97204
(503)227-4057
The last of our breif look in venues in Portland is Kells Irish Restaurant and Pub. Wood floors, brick walls, high ceilings and cozy dinning booths present to those who enter an intoxicating old world feel. Over some of the finest cuisine in the city one can enjoy live Irish music every night, of which there is no shortage here in Portland.
An evening out among cheery faces, televised soccer, or should I say football matches and the upbeat joyousness of Irish bands is an excellent way to experience another side of Portland's multifaceted musical talents.
