As visitors, we couldn't have been any happier with the warm welcome we felt at Blackstone's. The bartender was so kind and the crowd was awesome. Immediately we bonded with others over the music playing and chatting. What a great place. read more

At 60 with receding gray hair I was refused entry for no ID. As I've not needed ID for 30+ years, I leave my wallet in the glove box ( so I don't loose it) and just bring CC and cash. The doormans breath reeked of alcohol. It all worked out the group of 5 of us went bar hopping to see what happened.....I WAS NEVER CARDED ONCE, WE SPENT LOTS OF $$$$ ELSEWHERE, laughed and joked about my NOT having ID FYI Helen Keller would have recognized that I was ancient and probably knew Jesus when he was in JR high! Lesson learned, I won't be going back. Sad, this was once a bar where this kind of foolishness would NEVER have happened! read more

Speakers are too loud and half of them are horribly distorted. The bar is often messy with spilled drinks and it hardly ever gets cleaned. They don't even have napkins so you can clean your space. The pool table is sketchy to play on and looks like it's doing the Walk of Shame every night. Cash only. No dance floor. The staff are nice and pour generous so they get some stars. read more

The nicest energy you will ever experience. It's a dive bar but it's so much more. It's a safe safe safe space that honestly I have never felt before. This needs to be protected at all costs. If you're here, please go and tip well. read more

A wonderful lil spot for our community to meet up with friends. Especially for a birthday cocktail and a game of pool. Staff is very friendly and welcoming. Appreciate your presence. p.s. Cash only. Sadly, I've made this mistake a cpl times. Conversely, it was good as my friends had to buy my cocktails! read more

I've never been welcomed with such belligerence at a bar in all my life. I was with my family and partner, mostly all female identifying. I'm queer and was just looking for a nice night with my loved ones. The bartender mocked my sister repeatedly. Misogyny? Felt like it! Honestly if I'm questioning something like that at all - it's not a place I would ever consider going near again. Women and younger queers beware :( we deserve better. Edit: We were not upset in the slightest we all had to show ID. We were upset with how the bartender made fun of us aggressively. I never leave reviews, I work in the industry so I know how impactful they can be, especially bad ones not based on truth. But this experience was truly so horrendous I don't feel a lick of guilt warning people about this place. I want people to feel safe and have fun and this is simply not the setting. read more

Welcoming. Fun. Great music and energy. Safe space. What a gem of a gay bar. Drinks were strong, there was a diversity of the crowd, and the atmosphere was joyful. read more

Frankly, I had an obscenely terrible experience here. I am from New York and came in with my sisters to have a fun night in an inclusive space as some of us identify as queer. From the second we walked in it felt as if we were being profiled. As he was checking our IDs, the bartender (I believe he is named JR), was berating my sister incessantly. Then, he went to the other end of the bar to loudly talk trash about her to someone who was sitting there. All before we ordered drinks, which I assume he would've spat in. We go to gay bars to feel welcomed as historically they are safe spaces, but our experience here was so misogynistic that I think if you're not an older gay man this is NOT A SAFE SPACE FOR ANYONE. We have family in Portland and will be spreading the word on how awful it was here. I hope to find a better alternative soon. read more

I can't stand Blackstones. I want it to be great, since it is the only gay bar in Portland, but it sucks. It's super small, standing up will make it so you are in someone's way. There are about 10 seats for the bar. And what is there to look at if you sit at the bar? The bar tenders. That's about it. Are they hot? Note the two stars. There is a small "pool" room with one table and there is some seating in there. So now you can watch two people play pool and some people standing in the way. At all times. In the way. Sometimes there is a drag show. Where? They convert the pool table to a stage by adding plywood to the top. Does the music always work? Hah. Again, look at the two stars. Bathrooms are small. You can watch a dude piss if you want and can see in the dark. Outside you have to walk through people smoking. Always. Next to the door. Service at the bar? Cash only. There is a "lane" to order at. People will be in the way as you try to order. The bartender won't be able to hear you. And the dress? In the winter everyone is in a flannel. Otherwise it seems your best Farm-hand outfit will work. Jeans. Sneakers. Tshirts. Hoodies. If you wear a button-down shirt you will feel over-dressed. read more

Love the neighborhood, the peeps and love Blackstones. Service is devine. Ambiance- Five Stars always. No food recommendations but Longfellow Square is usually hot-to-go. West End- woot! read more

Awesome little queer bar! Fair warning, it's cash only but there is an atm on site. We wish it was a little bigger and had more seating but all in all it's a great dive queer bar. read more

I f$&@ing love Blackstones. I've come here with one other friend, just my boyfriend, and a whole group of people, and every time I am given the same amazing service. I have made lifelong friends at this bar. It is so welcoming and wonderful. Cash only, but they have an ATM and the drinks are super strong. Wonderful drag shows and themed parties, excellent waitstaff. Underrated af. read more

I haven't been here in a while due to the current conditions and I'm mostly a homebody but I love this place. The drinks are fairly priced and strong. They have a great selection of alcohol and they usually play great music. They think outside of the box providing activities like bingo, karaoke, drag shows and trivia. The only down side (if you can call it that) is it can get incredibly crowded making it hard to get from one side to the other. The staff is genuinely concerned about the safety of their patrons which is refreshing and they treat everyone with dignity and respect which is very important nowadays. I can't wait to visit again! read more

I've been holding off reviewing this place for some time since I was concerned that I was getting the wrong impression of the bar each of the many times I've visited. Frankly, I think I've decided that it's just an awful, pathetic establishment that needs a serious reboot. To begin, the place is an absolute dump. I mean dive bars look at this place with scorn and disapproval. It's garbage garbage garbage. The only redeeming feature - if this is your thing - is that they pour ridiculously strong drinks. Fine. So if you want a cheap (and I mean cheap liquor) drunk and don't mind risking getting roofied, Blackstones is your spot. As the only self described "gay bar" in Portland it's a disgrace. From the tragic drag shows where queens dance on the top of a pool table (in a micro bar space) to the fact that the owner is a STRAIGHT guy who purports to speak for the gay community, Blackstones is simply a disgraceful representation of the complex, sophisticated and dynamic gay culture that exists in Portland. Do yourself a big favor and avoid this place. It's simply the worst bar experience I've ever had, regardless of orientation. read more

This place was lots of fun. I wish they had a larger dance floor because they were actually playing some good tunes. Lots of men of various ages. Mid 20s to 55+. Great drink specials. Bartenders are so much fun and willing to experiment with drinks :) Super low key and kind of cramped, but still a fun place. read more

Night owls know what they are looking for when they step into a bar, and that is twice as true in the LGBTQ+ community. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that Blackstones has gone the extra mile to take a limiting space and use absolutely every inch of it to their advantage. The gritty, old school feel is juxtaposed by the welcoming feeling that the clientele gives off. There are people with their fresh, new ID that reads "21", all the way through to men who moved here in their later years to settle into a gay scene in which they can be comfortable. Owner Matt and his husband Scott love the space, so the best person they could have managing the establishment is Carl. Not only is he kind, funny, and well-respected, he is an ally to all of the people who are craving a place where they can feel like they fit in. He fights tirelessly to create a safe place, be it organizing fundraisers for LGBTQ+ charities, setting strict but realistic guidelines for appropriate behavior in the establishment, and also just being the kind of straight-identifying individual that we want standing up for us when the going gets tough. One of the main attractions are the drag shows. In more recent years, house mother Danielle Dior has opened the door to performers ranging from their 20's to their 70's. They recently revived the Miss Blackstones pageant, bringing in one of the biggest crowds the establishment has ever seen. While the stage is small, the lighting and sound are on point, and nobody is left unsatisfied (NOTE: Get to the show EARLY to lock down seats in the main performance area!) And the performers range from trained dancers, professional singers, expert comedians, and sultry temptresses, all sharing the stage to bring you a show that keeps people coming back. Also, the safety of the denizens is the top priority of the staff, and they will go to many lengths to keep that integrity in tact. And if the staff misses something, be sure that a regular will catch it and bring it to light quicker than the problem can escalate. The staff and regulars are a family, and it shows. Everybody is welcome, as long as they're safe and respectful. read more

Fun gay dive bar! I went on a Saturday night and it was very mellow - just a bunch of people playing pools and chatting. The drinks are super cheap and super strong - definitely worth the $5! There's no cover. The music was great too - i just wish there was a little more dancing and less intense pool games going on.!2 read more

hands down worst music. Small crowd and not welcoming to visitors. Wouldn't recommend to anyone. And they wonder why there was only 6 people in the building on a Thursday night. read more

A wonderful and inclusive little dive bar in Portland! Much like my home bar of Mad Myrna's in Anchorage, the pours are generous and the community is very friendly. The pool tournament was very fun to watch, everyone was so talented! If you want to grab a drink in this town, highly recommend stopping by. read more

Best bar in Portland. It's not for everyone but it's my favorite. If you like an authentic small town community experience that's not putting it on for strangers you've got friends here. With a wide variety of experiences from harbor masters pool tournaments to Danielle Dior's drag shows there's something to love. Dogs allowed before nine and the best potluck from patrons for every event you could imagine. A real community experience where if you go enough you'll be friends with everyone. 10 out of 10. read more

Blackstones is the last gay bar in Portland, and upholds that title well. As a non-binary queer person, the staff has made great strides within the last year or so to make the space one that I feel far more comfortable frequenting. read more

Wow. Talk about a dive. Okay not even a dive... Whatever is below a dive. There is no where to sit or stand and as soon as you enter you are greeted by a giant crowd of people who seem to not want to budge. If your in Portland I would highly recommend avoiding this closet in the wall. It's sad. read more

I am a newbie from the Bay Area and I have felt a bit lost in Portland and alone and I was introduced to this bar by the manager. He is kind and welcoming as is the community. They have opened their arms to me. It's great drinks and thoughtful people with fun music. I have found friends and a safe place to be. read more

Got a captain and coke within 30 seconds of arriving on a very busy night that was a quite strong and reasonably priced. It was late on a Friday night so I didn't stick around but i'd certainly visit again. I kinda liked the no door on the bathroom thing too read more

Comfortable neighborhood bar. Everyone is welcome and the place is clean... Come late night on weekends for some interesting characters... late afternoon for happy hours and conversation... Bartenders are all pleasant... Except Keith... He's not pleasant... He's great... Talks to everyone , knows how to mix a drink and even if he's busy he will acknowledge you to let you know that he'll be right with you... If you want to have a drink with the locals... this is the place read more

Really nice vibe for a Tuesday; low-key music, good bartender, pool table in use, reasonably priced beer on tap. Some reviews said a while ago that's the drinks are strong but can't say. Good spot. Only con is the street parking. I thought it was worth finding a spot. read more

This seems to be the only gay bar in Portland, ME. It's a no frills, no pretense type of bar. You go for a drink or two and then move on to somewhere else. The music was decent and it has an eclectic mix of hipster college kids, middle aged men enjoying a cocktail and the occasional out of towner, like me. It has a pool table for those who want to indulge. I try to support bars like this because I feel if we don't, they disappear. read more

The staff was ok. Drinks ok. The other patrons are awfully rude. Not much of an atmosphere available. Amazed at the attitudes of the older gay men in the city of Portland. I thought they where rude in Boston . You won't believe it. Done going out here. I will bring my money back to Boston. read more

A Portland staple? This place is a dive bar. Drinks are strong. The patrons are friendly (if not occasionally terrifying). If you're out and looking for a gay bar, this is pretty much the only game in town. read more

Honestly, the gay bars in Portland are quite awful. Blackstone's is only slightly better than STYXX, but it still offers the same bad out-of-date music and no dance floor. read more

Blackstones is worth a strong 3 stars in my book. I love that it's local (who wants to drive after strong drinks?!) and I've had nothing but fun there. There's a pool table which is always a draw for me and the strong drinks at an amazing price are worth it if you're looking for a good time. It is definitely a dive bar, but the fabulousness of many/most of the bar's patrons made me forget that for a bit. A drag queen told me I looked like Michelle Pfeiffer from Batman, aka CATWOMAN!! What's not to love about a place where you get compliments like that!? Definitely a stop whenever I'm out on the town. read more

What can I say about blackstones? You love it or you don't. The bartenders are gems, the clientele colorful, and the heart is the there.

The place is nice enough, but the bartenders are ALWAYS on their phones. We've actually had bartenders look up from their phones, see us waiting, holding money, and then go back to whatever they were looking at on their phones. There's an older bartender, skinny dude who is ALWAYS in a bad mood and barks at people. It's almost impossible to get a drink from him, too. Their staff needs a serious overhaul. The service sucks. read more

Everyone is so friendly. A good place to meet people and have a fun time. The drinks a reasonably priced and the bartenders I handsome

I only give this place 3 stars because of the entertainment factor. The people you see in this place! Full of perverted daddies and regulars. It's a tiny little place, and the drinks aren't all that strong. Too bad this and Styxx is place is all the Portland area has to offer. read more

I always feel welcome here. It's a great spot to mingle and just relax! Great vibe and great service. A definite spot to check out while in Portland. read more

I'm originally from Maine. Now I live in Minneapolis. Whenever I'm in Portland Maine visiting my family, I always enjoy going to Blackstones. It's the oldest gay bar in Portland. It feels like a neighborhood pub. I find it very relaxed and friendly. There's always someone to talk to when I'm at Blackstones. I always feel at home when I'm there. The bartenders are very friendly. Yes, it is crowded on the busy nights of the week. Most bars are are packed on the busy nights. I've always had good times at Blackstones. read more

Bars are like a pair of blue jeans. They either fit well or they don't. You can usually tell within the first few minutes of walking into any establishment whether or not it fits you or not, which is why I'm surprised that there are any negative yelp reviews about this place. The staff is always warm and welcoming and always accommodating even though they throw tons of fundraising events and host a local Portland pool league. A lot of bar spaces in Portland are small and hard to accommodate large parties, but somehow blackstones always makes it happen. read more

I've never had a bad time at stones. Karaoke on sundays is a blast!!!

The last time I went to Blackstone's, and the time before...RUDE is a good description, particularly regarding the elderly, unkempt looking bouncer (owner?) standing right at the entrance who seemed to be under the impression that he was protecting some posh, first class establishment rather than the paltry, low rent dive Blackstone's is. I was visiting Portland in February, staying at the Portland Regency this time, and decided to give Blackstone's another try (I'd been 3-4 times on other visits) and was denied entrance. I was not inebriated or obnoxious, was clean, I had imbibed one glass of wine at the hotel lounge before I headed to Blackstone's. I can only surmise the man disliked me for some reason. I ended up going to The Bearded Lady's Jewel Box on Congress Street where I spent a pleasant evening (eclectic crowd, great cocktails and service), and a night cap at The Armory Lounge at the hotel, another friendly, genial spot. As it turned out, I really should thank Mr.Bouncer; after a bad beginning, the evening turned out much better than expected. I haven't been to Styxx, but I can't imagine being treated worse than I was at Blackstone's, and intend to try it on my spring visit. It is sad that Portland's gay scene is so limited, and in the case of Blackstone's, discriminating. * I just realized Styxx closed; never mind. read more