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    Wonder Ballroom

    3.2 (265 reviews)
    ModerateMusic Venues
    Open Open 24 hours

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    Loren D.

    As far as small concert venues go, this place was much better than other local spots. I liked how safe and clean the venue felt. They had water stations on the floor and ample bathrooms. I love how it wasn't 1000 degrees even with it being packed out. They must have decent air conditioning. The balcony bar is a fantastic spot to hang out and enjoy the show if you're over 21 and don't want to be squished down on the floor. I'll definitely see concerts here again!

    Steel Pulse at the Wonder Ballroom with Spade Bridgewater

    we saw Steel Pulse it was so fun!!! Had a blast made some new friends!!!! Drinks expensive, but that's to be expected at a venue. Everybody was super nice. Had a wonderful time.Time

    Racially profiled and a recipient of a sad ego trip.
    Missy B.

    Harassed by a CJ "security" who were making an assumption. They scolded me for holding a can of CBD soda. Assuming only black people drink booze? I was of course highly offended and told CJ they had no right to approach me aggressively as he did. I could smell his breath. Mind you I was minding my own business and standing in the sidewalk. This was NOT on Wonderball property and NOT in front of it. You don't own the sidewalk. How should I react to a man, at night who I do not know, acting as if he owns the sidewalk invading my personal space, demanding to read a can label? I am talking to my mother. Me knowing my rights must have hurt his fragile ego. When I arrived in line to see the show 15 minutes or so later. I was told by Faye his coworker. How CJ said I am banned. I asked why? He basically reiterated that I should have complied earlier. With what?! Minding my business? Power trip much?! All you had to do was show us the can they said. After several minutes of Faye tripping over his story and had to audacity to suggest I dig through the garbage and return to prove it. Prove what? Gtfoh. Mind you everyone in line is watching this shit show and they've ruined my night.

    Samantha F.

    First time here for a show. I was surprised how big it was and never saw a sectioned off spot for 21+. Didn't get any food and the drinks were basic rail drinks. Service was quick if the line wasn't long.

    Michael F.

    What a great show! I saw Peter Hook & The light here with my friend Eric, and we had a blast. Too bad the band didn't sell any signed vinyl records. I would have bought some! The acoustics were great, but getting to the front of the stage was kind of a mess. It was an all-age show, so they had divided the adults that can drink alcohol, and the underage in the back. The restrooms were in the back, so getting back to your spot was kind of a challenge since you have to go around the dividers. Other than that, we had a great time.

    Kim P.

    I had a great experience with someone going the extra mile. Saw a show back in December and had to leave my mace with the security detail with the promise it would be available for pickup after the set. Of course went home straight afterwards and for almost two months kept missing the opportunity to pick it up (if it was even still there). Finally last week I called the box office expecting some disinterested person not caring that it was important I retrieve it. Not only was she super pleasant to speak with, she offered to leave it down at the bar, Cliffs, to pick up at my convenience. It probably cost me the price of the mace in gas mileage but knowing she took the time to package it and write a nice note to the bartender that "Kim will pick up" was worth it! Thanks, Wonder Ballroom!

    Madison Cunningham

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    My favorite indoor venue in Portland, I've seen three shows here and every one of them was so memorable.

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    3 years ago

    There was a fire and they didn't bother to put relocated event details. Luckily the bartender at Cliffs knew how to direct us

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    Page 1 of 7

    Ask the Community - Wonder Ballroom

    Is there a place to sit at a general admission show?

    Yes! There are seats in the upper level. As far as I know, all shows are General Admission so you can sit up there with a GA ticket. That being said, the upstairs is sometimes closed if it's a weekday show or low ticket sales. You might want to call… Read more

    Is there an elevator? How accessible is this venue?

    I could be wrong but to my knowledge there is not an elevator. There is a short flight of ~10 stairs from the front door up to the concert hall itself.

    Are there video poker machines here? My girlfriend wants to go to the upcoming Disney DJ event but I’m probably only going to get through it if I can gamble.

    No, there are not.

    Is it safe?? I've heard that this is a very bad part of town.?

    It's as safe as any concert experience.

    Easy to see from the back?

    Yes! It's a pretty small venue so sight lines are direct from all areas

    I'm taking my 15 year old daughter and three of her friends to a concert here. My question is: Is there an area outside of the actual concert but still on site to hang out and wait? An on site bar or cafe would be fantastic!

    Bunk Bar and sandwich shop is in the basement of the venue. I'm pretty sure they allow minors in there, but you might want to call ahead and ask. http://www.bunksandwiches.com/bunkbaratthewonder#wonder

    We are travelling from TN - good restaurant/pre-show bar recommendations before the show? Seen some concern about out-of-state IDs too, should we be concerned?

    Bunk Sandwiches is a bar that serves really good food and is in the basement of the ballroom, you can access from a separate entry along the side of the building (http://www.bunksandwiches.com/bunkbaratthewonder#wonder). Friends and I also love to… Read more

    Is this area generally safe for a group of 16 year olds to see a rap concert unescorted? (Lil Mosey)

    Yes

    How is the area itself? Is it safe?

    Is any public gathering area really "safe?" Don't let the naysayers stop you from living your life. 😀

    Is there a coat check?

    For a concert on NYE there was a coat check!

    Does the Wonder Ballroom have a coat check or anything similar?

    Not at this time but backpacks must be checked into office by security and that is free...

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Wonder Ballroom

    We ordered drinks at the bar towards the back of the room, as well as the bar downstairs.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    Teardrop Cocktail Lounge

    Teardrop Cocktail Lounge

    4.4
    (1k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    To speak about Teardrop Lounge, I should probably start with this:…read more Ladies and gentlemen, I present my favorite cocktail bar. Not the best -- I'm not arrogant enough to claim that. I haven't been to every cocktail bar in Portland, and saying something is the best usually says more about your lack of experience than your conviction. But favorite? That I can stand behind. And I want to get that out of the way early, because of the amount of praise I'm about to pour on this place -- fully earned, completely intentional. The biggest crime here is that I only discovered it two weeks ago, after living in Portland for a year. It had been recommended to me countless times, and I ignored it. A mistake. A painful one. But now that I've found it, I don't plan on making that mistake again. I'm not typically an Old Fashioned drinker. In fact, I usually hate them. But somewhere between curiosity and too many episodes of Mad Men, I decided to try one anyway -- fully expecting to confirm my bias. Instead, it completely flipped me. Bright, almost citrus-forward in a way that felt unusual but entirely intentional. Balanced, smooth, just enough burn to remind you what you're drinking without overwhelming it. It was the first time I actually understood the appeal. I'm pretty sure I grew a few chest hairs that night. That alone would've been impressive. But it didn't stop there. The space is beautiful -- clean, intentional, but not cold. The staff are excellent: personable, engaged, and most importantly, authentic. Not scripted, not performative. The kind of people you actually want to talk to, and hopefully, eventually be on a first-name basis with. Now, all of that gets it close to a perfect score. But what pushes it over the edge -- what makes this place stick -- is the White Russian. One of the first drinks I ever had. My dad's drink. Not because of The Big Lebowski -- that came later -- but because it's just always been his thing. And at some point, it became mine too. Typically, when bars try to "elevate" a White Russian, they ruin it. They overthink it. Swap ingredients, tweak ratios, add unnecessary flair. And more often than not, it ends in disappointment. Teardrop does the opposite. They respect it -- but refine it. The coffee liqueur actually tastes like coffee. The heavy cream is properly integrated, not just dumped on top. The vodka -- whatever they're using -- is clean, present, and perfectly measured. There's a subtle complexity to it without losing what makes the drink what it is. It's the best White Russian I've ever had. No hesitation. I've gone back twice just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. It wasn't. If someone asked me what my death row drink would be -- this specific cocktail, from this specific bar, is in the conversation. Easily. Teardrop Lounge doesn't just make great cocktails. It reminds you why cocktails matter in the first place. And that's why it's my favorite.

    We came to Teardrop Cocktail Lounge while visiting Portland and were genuinely impressed…read more The cocktails were excellent -- thoughtful, well-balanced, and clearly made by people who know what they're doing. One of the best parts was how approachable the bartenders were. We asked for custom drinks based on our preferences, and both came out perfectly tailored. Creative without being weird, and strong without being sloppy. What really stood out was the price point. For the quality of cocktails, the prices felt very reasonable compared to similar craft cocktail bars in other cities. The vibe was also great -- relaxed, cozy, and not pretentious. It felt like a place where you could come for a special drink experience without feeling like you had to "perform" or order off a rigid menu. We liked it so much we actually came back a second time during our trip. Highly recommend if you're into well-crafted cocktails, friendly bartenders, and a laid-back but elevated atmosphere.

    Photos
    Custom Created cocktails by the mixologist!
    Custom Created cocktails by the mixologist!
    Filthy Vodka Martini from the local Timber Line distillery.
    Filthy Vodka Martini from the local Timber Line distillery.
    Late check out and Saturn cocktail drinks

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    Late check out and Saturn cocktail drinks
    Desoto Rooftop Terrace

    Desoto Rooftop Terrace

    4.0
    (1 review)
    1.3 mi

    I had my wedding reception at The De Soto in August of 2010. Arrangements and catering for this…read morevenue are through The Art of Catering. I have reviewed them (5 stars) separately. This review is strictly on the De Soto venue itself. It was a lovely space. Large enough for our 100 guests plus a 4-person gypsy jazz band and a dancing area. The terrace has a wood deck. There are trellis' and plants in big pots. White chairs and sunbrellas are available for use. The terrace was looking good already and then was transformed into a magical place by my florist, Adria Sparhawk of Lavish. The rooftop is about 4 floors up. It has a nice view of trees in the north park blocks as well as some of downtown Portland. Looking to the west, you have to look over AC equipment on the roof in order to see the trees. Adria came up with a great solution to that eyesore - she made gates out of willow and decorated them with vines and ribbon and placed these along the western railing. Problem solved! We had temps in the 90s. The roof was very hot with the sun beating down until it set over the west hills around 7 pm. After that, the temperature was perfect. If it is going to be a hot day, I recommend renting tents to add shade. We rented one 20x20 foot tent to cover the eldest and youngest. It looked fine and we could have used an additional one. There is no indoor space. Keep that in mind. The bathrooms are on the bottom floor so your guests will be up and down the elevator but that didn't seem to be a problem for anyone. The roof is wheelchair accessible. The entrance to the rooftop is on a pleasant block that has nice character. I'm taking a star off because of the AC eyesore, lack of indoor space and location of the bathrooms. Of all the rooftops and outdoor spaces I explored in Portland proper, the De Soto was the only one that met all my requirements. Still, I give 5 stars only if it's perfect!

    From the owner: The DeSoto Rooftop is uniquely located in the Park Blocks surrounded by downtown Portland's…read moreskyrises and lush trees. It has that perfect New York City vibe with exposed brick, skylights and greenery. The perfect setting for your next event.

    Photos
    Desoto Rooftop Terrace
    Desoto Rooftop Terrace
    Desoto Rooftop Terrace

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    McMenamins Mission Theater

    McMenamins Mission Theater

    4.0
    (178 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    I was recently invited to attend a live music performance at the Mission Theater…read more McMenamins is of course known for converting historic buildings into venues and restaurants, and this location is no different. It used to be the Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant Church. There's some cool millwork, antique light fixtures, and large curved staircases, but overall this is on the tamer side for McMenamins properties. The venue had standing room and high-tops on the same level as the stage. Upstairs is theater style seating that was decently comfortable and had a counter spot to put your drink. There weren't any bad views, and the sound system was better than I expected. I think there are two bars, one on each floor, but the upstairs one was closed for the small event I attended. They serve drinks and small bites, not full meals. Parking is challenging nearby.

    Fantastic experience! Was here 20 years ago when it was still a movie theater. Now it's a concert…read morevenue and so much fun. Lined up outside about 1.25 hours before the concert. The doors opened up and hour before and we were able to get a seat in the balcony on the first row. The venue was small so every seat was great. The later people came had to stand up on the floor but they came to dance. Listened to Petty Theif...a Tom Petty cover band and had a lot of fun. Pizza, hotdogs, popcorn was the food offering and beer, cider and wine you can eat in your seats with the tables. Got the Mission Theatre stamp for our passport.

    Photos
    McMenamins Mission Theater
    McMenamins Mission Theater
    McMenamins Mission Theater

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    Wonder Ballroom - musicvenues - Updated June 2026

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