A historic theatre in my favorite Portland area. First time ever going and would make a fantastic venue for anyone just getting into concerts. It's small enough to not be overwhelming. Drinks were tailored for the event, pricey but expected and pizza offered by the slice. Service and staffing existed and moved like a well oil machine. Was allowed to take a peek at the loft area, but it was $20 and hardly seemed like an improvement, especially with how close to stage we managed to get. Ambience wise it felt very rustic, you could feel the floor bend as everyone jumped around, had a smell but I think it was mostly the people and not the building so expect it regardless. Overall great, and this rating will reflect the time of the Schoochie Boochie concert and may change as I attend more events and get an experienced picture. read more

Went to our kid's School of Rock concert at Hawthorne Theatre and honestly it was one of those parenting moments you do not forget. Seeing your child walk onto a real stage, under real lights, with a full band and an audience cheering them on hits you right in the heart. This was not just kids playing songs. It was confidence. Growth. Courage. You could see how much work they put in and how supported they felt by their instructors and by each other. Watching them perform, handle the crowd, recover from little mistakes, and finish strong was incredibly moving as a parent. School of Rock is a truly great program. It teaches music, but more than that it teaches teamwork, discipline, and how to show up when it matters. You can tell these kids are learning life skills along with guitar riffs and drum fills. Hawthorne Theatre was the perfect venue for this experience. It feels real and authentic, not polished or sterile. Being close to the stage made everything feel personal and immersive. The sound was solid, the flow of the event was smooth, and the whole space felt welcoming to families while still giving the kids a true concert experience. There is something powerful about watching your child perform in a real venue and realizing how much they have grown. We left feeling proud, emotional, and grateful for programs like this that give kids a place to shine. Highly recommend School of Rock and Hawthorne Theatre. This was more than a concert. It was a memory we will carry for a long time. read more

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i wish i could give this place 0 stars because they deserve it. sound quality was absolutely terrible with bass so loud it was almost nauseating and little to no vocals. security and staff were extremely rude and douchey to everybody. i've never seen so many people thrown out from a show! almost ruined the show experience. read more

Lived here my whole life and finally went to my first show here. Drinks are very expensive. Even just the cider. VIP cost is definitely worth it. It's way too hot to be crowded with all those people and no AC. The staff were all very nice. read more

I saw Mystery Skulls with my partner here tonight. It was my first time at the Hawthorne and my partner's second. We parked about a block away on a residential street and luckily it wasn't too hard to find a spot. We only waited in line for a few minutes because we arrived right when doors opened. They were doing bag searches and pat downs and didn't let people bring in their own reusable bottles even if they were empty. My first stop was the bathroom since we had driven up from Eugene. It was about what you'd expect from a concert venue bathroom - gender neutral, mildly clean, covered in fun graffiti. The venue itself was intimate. The merch booth was in the 21+ area so I'm not sure how younger people were supposed to be able to get merch since the show itself wasn't 21+. The staff working the venue were friendly and worked quickly. We ended up paying extra to go in the loft because I can't stand for too long without getting sick. It was $20 per person to go up to the loft, a bit more than I wanted to pay but I didn't have a choice. We were lucky enough to get the last two spots on the bench up front so we had a pretty good view. The sound in the venue wasn't too bad. It was hard to hear lyrics but that's because it was an EDM show with a lot of bass. We had a great time at the actual show! I would come back to see another show here in the future, but I think next time I'll try to arrive first so I can get a seat at one of the two high top tables downstairs so I don't have to pay just to not pass out during a show. read more

Hawthorne Theatre - Mystery Skulls performing on stage - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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No idea why this place has such bad reviews. The staff was great, sound was good, no issues at all. Easy to find parking a block away.

unfarewell business... most ambitient and nlenorm deklace... triyng community speaker and whatever... dunno

Saw a fantastic show there last night, but the doors were supposed to open at 7p, and approx 30 minutes later they finally did. They seemed completely disorganized getting everyone in the door. I personally dislike these standing room only venues, and for the lucky few who managed a seat in the upper balcony, they had to pay an additional $20/per person. That's ridiculous. And unless you can be the first dozen or so in the front balcony row, don't bother. They could easily put some pub seating around the perimeter of the lower level, but not even that. I will say the acoustics were great, and the staff was really on top of it once inside, but I'd be hard pressed to see a show there again. read more

I like that I can go to a concert and not have everyone smoking around me. Lots of people have given the venue low reviews for their no vaping policy but I'm grateful for it. It absolutely get super hot and the sound isn't perfectly clean BUT that makes it feel authentic and not overly polished. It's scrappy and I like it. read more

The acoustics do such a disservice to the bands that play here. Portland music fans and the bands that play here deserve a better venue. Saw Scowl here and the acoustics were abysmal. I could barely hear the vocals. Scowl put on a great show, but we deserve better and so do the bands.. read more

No cannabis but allows alcohol. Sassy security, cramped Got attitude from security because I didnt know their cannabis rules read more

One star removed because the "fees" of ticket purchasing. I saw on Google reviews concerns about crowd crush and hotness, I could definitely see it. The under 21 section was PACKED as they were allowed a small square of space. I'm not sure how the venue could've configured itself better, it's a bit sad it doesn't have seating in that area either, I don't know if any of them could access seating despite there being cane users. Would be helpful to increase that space for popular shows, I was there for Apes of the State Dress less, ideal seating if you're not trying to stand or get hot is that bar area up top, you get a bit of the fan air and a nice vantage point. There's a water station, they are very peculiar where you bring the cups for safety reasons I guess? Bathrooms are stalls and not gendered which is nice, no pointless lines. I would go here again if there was a good show playing. read more

Hawthorne Theatre - Front right is 18+, merch area and back is 21+, only available after the show for under 21 to buy merch - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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One of my best experiences at a concert venue! I really like how small the venue is and how close you are to stage (even when standing in the back). There's a self serve water station in the room as well. read more

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Prog metal show | nice venue I've seen metal shows here and so far this is one of my favorite smaller venues to catch a band. We saw Vola and had a great experience here. It feels more personal to be able to stand a few feet away from your favorite artist. The sound quality was great! It was mixed well and we stood a little off to the right side opposite of the merch area. We didn't have any problems with the security and scanning of our ticket. It was quick and easy. The staff was actually nice and friendly to us. My husband brought pepper spray with him and they just held it at the front and gave it back to us before we left. I really like that they have water in the hallway right before you enter the general standing area. There are fans too to keep you cool. This is something I could not find at the Roseland Theater. We didn't order at the bar, so no comment on that service. Overall, we continue to enjoy our concerts here and will come back to see more of our favorite artists when they stop by here. read more

Folks at the door for the show on 4/1 were absolute lifesavers! Thank you for being so kind and helping me out. 10/10 humans! I didn't get their names but I'm sure y'all know who you are and I hope you know how extremely grateful I am for you guys jumping in to help me without even being asked. read more

This venue desperately needs better sound equipment. Nothing compares to line array, and they are using outdated technology. The bands and fans deserve better. The high frequencies were ear splitting, and vocals and guitar were washed out. A new modern stereo setup would bring this venue to the next level. Staff and drinks were good though! read more

This was my first time seeing a show here and I was bracing myself for a "meh" time based on the reviews. I was so surprised. Every single staff member we interacted with was super friendly and nice! Getting in was fast, from ID check to bag check and quick pat down. Drinks were reasonably priced (around $7 for a draft beer or can of cider). My only gripe is how hot it is -- there was one, big oscillating fan that looked like it hadn't been dusted since 1963. I wished I wore a tank top or something because I was moist from head to toe afterward from all the sweat of just standing there. read more

Hawthorne Theatre - Lords of Acid 5/31/24 - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Staff were friendly and provided good service and they were even handing out water bottles to the crowd when it got hot. The venue is small and intimate which is perfect for seeing artists up close. Good food (pizza) and drinks. read more

Even with all of it's problems, this is still a better venue than Crystal or Roseland. It's basically one room, appx 500 capacity and they force the 21+/alcohol buyers who support the venue in the very back, even during a 21+ show. Make that make sense. I've seen some good hardcore shows here without a barricade with full front flips off the stage going on, so this is the kind of venue that supports a fun scene. It can get wayyy too hot though. Also, I've never been to a venue anywhere in the country that makes people check their vape pens if they're found during the metal detector search to go in...... read more

This review will likely come across as a bit bi-polar, because I have a strong love/hate relationship with the Hawthorne. It's dingy, cramped, the drinks are watered down and overpriced (although nowhere near as bad as the Roseland), the staff are rarely punctual with opening times, the coat check's presence is hit or miss (usually miss), and the sound is often too loud, a poor mix, or both. I could keep going with a myriad of nitpicks and complaints, but that might drive you away from the Hawthorne, and that would be doing you a disservice. All of the above being said, if I had to one choose a venue to see my favorite bands, it will always be the Hawthorne. Why? Because there is often no barrier between the audience and the stage. I have literally stood front row, dead center, close enough to polish the shoes of my favorite artists. The claustrophobic crush of the crowd, the tiny stage and the nearness of the walls, sometimes feeling as if they are close enough to touch, creates an experience that has never been replicated in any other club. 90% of my best concert experiences have been at the Hawthorne: a double-edged sword, considering that my favorite bands, who headline festivals in Europe and Latin America, are reduced to playing the dreary warrens of America's backwater clubs. While I wish them greater popularity in my country (which has terrible taste in music, as a general rule), I wouldn't want my mosh pits any other way: cramped, sweaty and practically overflowing onto the stage. read more

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If I could give this place zero stars I would, as I've been going there for 20 years and the staff has never been pleasant, but I've never been assaulted by people that work there. I went there to see a show with my 13-year-old son and my wife only to get kicked out of the show because I argued with the bouncer about one of the other patrons that assaulted my 13-year-old son. After I walked outside escorted by two of the staff members, they proceeded to shoulder check me into traffic off the sidewalk and one of them flipped a cigarette at me. The fact that they hire such degenerate people to work there is it good representation of what the owners or the managers look for in employees. Just because they have the occasional band that I want to see doesn't mean I'm going to deal with my family or myself getting assaulted. They might just have criminal charges coming their direction... read more

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As someone who goes to 50+ shows per year I must say the Hawthorne is by far my favorite in Portland. Although small and set up kinda awkward shows always sound great and it feels more intimate than other venues. 3 different bars giving plenty of options for short lines and they do themed drinks for the artists playing that night. The upstairs area has a great view and a few seats for those that don't want to stand. Staff is always super nice and makes you feel safe. I for one appreciate them kicking out people that are vaping inside. It's illegal and rude. Keep up the great work Hawthorne! read more

The Hawthorne Theatre is another of Portland's landmarks and what a great concert venue it is! It is larger than Dantes and has a bar upstairs and down. It is however a perfect intimate venue and everyone that works here is nice and helpful. They actually get many great bands here including local bands which we should all support to keep venues like this alive. :-) The ticket pricing is super affordable. I have seen many bands here over the years but they also have other events besides concerts. Just check out the super cool old school reader board outside. One of my favorite things about this place is the architecture. Check it out! Before the concert you can browse the really cool shops on Hawthorne Avenue or have a bite and/or some drinks at one of her great restaurants in the neighborhood. Make a night of it! read more

I decided to come visit and see Latrice Royale and Frenchie Davis New Year's Eve! Let me just tell you it was amazing! I live my life in a wheelchair so any place I go which is out of the norm. I tend to get a little worried! I always call and double check and make sure it's accessible, but my version of accessible and someone else's version of accessible is different. The staff went above and beyond. Everyone was so nice. They had a ramp for me to get in I have a big wheelchair and it didn't quite fit in the stall and the lady at the door came and blocked my potty door twice! Then in turning around my shoe came off and she helped me put my shoe back on! She didn't have to that's not her job! Everyone was so sweet and so accommodating and there was a specific ADA section within which I had no issues seeing the stage and the performers! I will definitely back thank you thank you thank you! read more

This is a small theater that holds less than 600. However, the theater is HOT - no a/c, no air flow, no nothing. I feel sorry for the X Ambassadors for having to play such a small location; his booking agent should not have booked them in such a small space. Sam, the lead, is famous for his dance routines but was severely limited to a very small area of the stage. The sound system and lighting really need to be upgraded, but I won't hold my breath. The main speakers are mounted about eight feet above the crowd and none of them point to the area in front of the stage, thus a dead area in front-center stage. As far as the theater, I will never go there again. The theater itself aside, the evening was made interesting with meeting the X Ambassadors and a whole bunch of interesting, fun people. Despite the heat, they put on a great show, that I had to leave before the end - which I hate to do, but I couldn't stand the heat with no break. The first time in several years of concert, that I left just because of the venue and I apologize for ducking out to Sam and the crew, but you looked like you'd like to follow us out. 1 star for the theater and 6 stars (they deserve that) for the X Ambassadors. read more

I'm from Cali & I never experienced such a racist moment in my life. Security literally was degrading my man because he was looking at something else. First off, you don't need to be talking a certain way & targeting someone. I never felt so uncomfortable & especially when the security was telling me to check my man. I held my breath but deep down I wanted to say something. There is no excuse to show that much hate unless you threatened. That is all. Other than that venue is on the corner. Parking is all street and a bit tough to find. The venue itself is pretty small but you can see the artist clearly from the back. I just wouldn't go back to a place where I felt unsafe. read more

Pretty small venue. Went here last week to see ZHU. Sound quality could be better. If you enjoy more bass, get balcony seating. The low ends hit harder upstairs. read more

I'm not sure why so many people hate on this venue. Over the years I have been able to see some FANTASTIC bands play here for a completely reasonable price. This place keeps the punk rock spirit alive and I super appreciate that. It is also nice that this place is on the small side so it's pretty easy to get up close to the act you are seeing. This is important for someone like me who is only 5'2. For those who wish to view a show from a higher vantage point, there is a balcony. If you are seeing a popular act and wish to watch from the balcony, I'd advise arriving early as it tends to reach capacity. For shows that are all ages they have a 21 and up area with a bar. They also allow for people who have finished their drinks to easily get to the all-ages area near the stage. The energy here always seems to be great. This is even the case when a show is far from sold out. It is also awesome that this venue is set up in a way that allows for easy stage diving and crowd surfing. Not that there are activities that I partake in, they just add to the crazy energy of seeing a punk show. Nothing like this would ever happen at the Crystal Ballroom. The band lineup is almost always posted here. This is fantastic if you wish to go to the little bar in the front of the building to enjoy some adult beverages while some of the opening bands are playing. They also usually have a coat check if you are seeing a show in the winter and wish to rid yourself of cumbersome outerwear while you enjoy the show. There are not many things better than getting to so see some live music. Hawthorne Theater will continue to be a place I frequent to support some of my favorite bands. read more

Hawthorne Theatre - Some croud surfing at the Millencolin show! #PunkIsNotDead - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Where do I start...Staff are Rude and Disrespectful...Plus some of the tickets are overpriced...I don't advise going here.

The worst venue I've ever been to. It was 100+ degrees with crazy humidity. Even the bands said it was the hottest show they ever played... i got sick as well from the heat and disgusting conditions. I'll be skipping shows here from now on. You're better off at the Bossanova lol! read more

A little cramped and unless you are there early and get upstairs, a long concert for standing at. Acoustics, lights and overall feel was great, however, and it gives the whole place a more intimate feel to it. Security does a great job and it feels pretty safe there. Overall, the vibe was very good and everyone around us seemed like they were having fun and enjoying a great concert. Would go back again. read more

Hawthorne Theatre - Music Venues Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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I came her for a concert and this was a good venue for it. The lay opened the doors right on time and let people in pretty quick, even with a line around the building. They have two areas to get drinks, one separate from the main floor and one in the back of the main floor. This a nice because you can have either a lot of privacy or still be in the middle of everything. read more

I will not come back here strictly because of the rude workers. My boyfriend and I were talked at several times for absolutely no reason. Completely ruined our experience and we left early because we could not enjoy ourselves anywhere in the venue. Get some new security. read more

Venue is a mixed bag, due largely to their inflated online ticket pricing (sometimes +30%), and the fact that they don't offer a real life purchase option (even though the website says you can buy at lounge, not true). Sound and size of main venue are good, but the lounge pretty much sells out immediately and doesn't match the actual size needed for touring bands. read more

Been here twice so far (with many more to come) and it's chill. It's always nice when the people doing security, or working there in general, aren't douches. Now that I've read several reviews, it seems the security is what most people take issue with. I thought they were chill. Guess we'll see how future shows go! The drinks are reasonably priced and well-made and they get all sorts of tours that come through. Thanks for existing! read more

You know, I love live music, but I'm almost always turned off by the location and venue. And the thought of a bunch of people packed like sardines into a small space, thrusting their elbows in my stomach makes me second guess my want to go in the first place. And I've always been totally skeptical about the Hawthorne. I mean, hey, the building looks really cool, but I ALWAYS see douchebag hipster teenager wannabes in line or sitting on the steps. No matter what time it is. Those mangy children with striped stockings, messenger bags, and safety pins through their lips. The ones with holier-than-thou haircuts and newsboy hats. You know who I'm talking about. But...all that aside...it's not a bad venue. Granted, it's freakishly small (unless there are multiple stages), so I can imagine that it would be horrific for a large showing. But for a smaller show, it was perfect. And I felt really close to the stage and band, even though I was in the 21+ section, which is naturally in the very back of the venue. I also thought the decor was cool...lots of concert posters, and the stage looked like it was inside a jukebox with this huge neon green lining. Cool. But then again, they say that your opinion of a place can be influenced by the memories you have there. Which so far was awesomeness, but I can see how this place could quickly become less-than-par. read more

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This is my favorite venue I've gone to in Portland, I will just get that out of the way first. I have been seeing shows here for years. I have seen all of my favorite bands play here at least once and I've never had a bad time, so it's hard NOT to have good feelings when thinking about this place. Aside from bands I enjoy always playing here, the most appealing thing to me is the back bar. I'm old now and don't like standing in lines like I used to. It's much easier for me to go early, go through the bar, get some drinks and wait there. I also appreciate their nice outside seating area (where you can still smoke). This most recent time I went I couldn't go through the bar like I normally would, and was sent to the front to go through security and have my bag checked. I've never had to do this before but I did arrive later than I usually would, so it could be that instead of a permanent change they have made, though it wasn't really much of a bother anyway. They were quick and seemed to want to get it over with as much as I did, and I still ended up in the bar, just with a couple extra steps and I don't mind. I don't live in Portland and coming here to see shows has to be made into a full trip for me. I have embarrassingly been known to forget tickets or have issues with them, but they've always been the best at helping out. I even showed up to a sold out show once with completely wrong tickets (thanks to my dumbass ex) and they still got me in with no extra cost to me. I don't intentionally take advantage of this and am still embarrassed about how forgetful I can be, but they've helped me out in similar ways more than once. Their friendliness just stands out to me more than other venues I have gone to and I always feel more at ease when I know this is where I am going. I'm not savvy enough to understand the negative reviews over sound quality or anything like that, my review is just based on my personal feelings and experiences because I have nothing else to base a rating on. I just adore the Hawthorne Theatre, maybe because at this point it's so familiar, but every time musicians I love are going on tour, this is where I hope they'll end up playing. read more

Oh Hawthorne theater....your outside is neat....your bar portion actually is kinda dark and cozy with decent prices....your venue...MEH. I have been here several times now and never too impressed. It ALMOST reminds me of the Paris Theater when it was a concert venue....old, run down....in dire need of some remodeling. The sound within the venue is great. It's a fairly large space and plenty of bands have rolled through here. It's awkward that you have to pass through a hall way and open an unmarked door to get to the stage area. I will say however that the drink prices are on par and whoa what a heavy poor. I ordered a Grey Goose and tonic....which turned out to be...well basically just Grey Goose and lime. Good times. Good times. As for this last weekend I had high hopes for their Halloween party. Showed up....hardly anyone in sight. No one really showed until after 9:30pm....ok fine, that's understandable. However the bands didn't start playing until around that time...nearly 2 hours after the doors opened. I had gone to the Erotic Ball the previous year and was sad as there was not a lot of people in attendance. Also sad I only got 2nd place in the costume contest ;) Basically paid $25 to stand around....listen to an average cover band (sorry folks...I'd rather not hear an odd mixture of the killers and U2 for halloween). I really wanted to see Erotic City (Prince cover band) play but after being there for 3 1/2 hours I was pretty much bored. Sorry Hawthorne, I had high hopes but you did not impress this time around. read more

Not a bad venue just to fucking hot in the summer,security can be douchie but drinks are good!!

I appreciate their masking policy 100%, however felt very uncomfortable with the selective enforcement of it. It felt borderline discriminatory. An older more ragged looking man was yelled at multiple times to put on his mask, while several young women, including one at what appeared to be a VIP table, were allowed to go virtually the entire show without a mask on, in full view. The rules should apply to everyone equally. read more