Doug Fir830 E. Burnside503-221-9663This place has somehow made the atomic log cabin style work, and the size is perfect for a night where you want to dance and have fun, but still feel in touch with the performers. -M.B.
Mississippi Studios3939 N. Mississippi503-288-3895
For singer-songwriter type performances, Mississippi Studios is perfect. If you like anything folk-y or blues-y, you’ll love the sumptuous and heavy Mississippi delta décor and the intimate performance space.-M.B.
Red Room2530 N.E. 82nd Ave.503-256-3399
Several years ago, a band I was in played the The Red Room to a crowd of exactly three people. I remember thinking at the time that the turnout was probably due more to the quality of our music than the quality of the venue, whose friendly staff provided us with generous well drinks and friendly encouragement despite the low turnout. It’s a great place to pick up some cheap drinks and enthusiastic rock ‘n’ roll.-S.D.
Tube18 N.W. 3rd Ave.503-241-8823
Located on the cusp of Old Town, Tube is just that: a tube. Its tiny, often sweat-drenched interior plays home to all manner of fashionable young sorts as hormones, cheap drinks, and a rotating cavalcade of DJs mix into one potent cocktail of nightly ass shaking.-S.D.
Satyricon125 N.W. 6th Ave.503-224-4400All ages
A small but historic space, Satyricon’s recent re-invention as all-ages venue has wrought mixed blessings. Booking can be inconsistent, with really great shows few and far between, but when a shit-hot punk band takes the stage-lookout! This is the place to be.-E.J.
Downtown
Ash St. Saloon225 S.W. Ash St.503-226-0430
Backspace115 N.W. 5th Ave.503-248-2900All ages
Berbati’s Pan10 S.W. 3rd Ave.503-226-2122Sometimes all ages
Crystal Ballroom1332 W. Burnside503-225-0047
Dante’s1 S.W. 3rd Ave503-226-6630
Fez Ballroom316 S.W. 11th Ave.503-221-7262
Ground Kontrol511 N.W. Couch St.503-796-9364
Kelly’s Olympian426 S.W. Washington St.503-228-3669
The Modern Age1825 S.W. BroadwayAll ages
Roseland Theater8 N.W. 6th Ave.503-224-2038
Someday Lounge125 N.W. 5th Ave.503-241-3393
Towne Lounge714 S.W. 20th Pl.503-241-8696
Northeast
The Know2026 N.E. Alberta Ave.503-473-8729
Tonic Lounge3100 N.E. Sandy Blvd.503-238-0543
Wonder Ballroom128 N.E. Russell St.503-284-8686
Northwest
Mission Theater1624 N.W. Glisan Ave.503-223-4527
Slabtown1033 N.W. 16th Ave.503-223-0099
Southeast
Aladdin Theater3017 S.E. Milwaukie Ave.503-233-1994
Branx320 S.E. 2nd Ave.503-234-5683
East End203 S.E. Grand Ave.503-232-0056
Goodfoot Lounge2845 S.E. Stark Ave.503-239-9292
Hawthorne Theatre1507 S.E. 39th Ave.503-233-7100All-ages
Holocene1001 S.E. Morrison Ave.503-239-7639
Mt. Tabor Legacy4811 S.E. Hawthorne503-232-0450
Rock n Roll Pizza11140 S.E. Powell503-760-7646All-ages
Rotture315 S.E. 3rd Ave.503-234-5683
The Artistery4315 S.E. DivisionAll-ages
Twilight Cafe1420 S.E. Powell Blvd.503-236-7668