Star Theater

I love the light + sound at the Star. Not to mention the type of shows that get put on here are top notch, but also the history of this venue?! Star Theater is near & dear to my heart. Shoutout to the security boys and my door girl!

I purchased tix via ticketweb, showed up to will call, was flipped off, I told the door guy about it, was treated like trash (because he’s a quazi cop), and pushed to the ground (I have video of it the encounter as it escalated). DON’T patronize this place if you value your physical well being. Further, contacted Go Go Rocket Productions, the production company staging Muppet Burlesque, and they won’t provide me any info about Star Theater, and even worse, they (Go Go) put themselves out as a Portland company yet don’t have a Portland business license. I’ve reported them to the City of Portland Business licensing department. Buyer beware

Saw a rock concert there and the acoustics weren’t great. Maybe mellow sets are the way to go at this venue.

This place is a perfect first date spot. The main music hall has great acoustics and nice intimate booths and tables in the back and a dance area in front. There is a fire pit and seating outside. The food area looks a bit sketchy.

My favorite place to see a show and dance. Good sound, second bar in balcony, huge sitting area outside with fire pits and tasty grub, bartenders are quick and keep the lines moving, and it’s beautiful inside. So glad they re-​invented this historic theater!

Now this is a venue for a proper goth night! Hive on Sundays is one of my favorite places to go dance when I’m willing to take the risk of being exhausted at work the next morning. I’ve discovered more new and excellent music at this party than any other night I’ve been to in the US. There’s no cover charge, snark is at a minimum, and it’s almost always a good time.
The layout is an interesting space. The actual area to dance is a bit small given the size of the venue, but there is plenty of space to sit and hang out with friends in the large area of tables available by the bar. I almost wish they’d clear the area and have that for dancing so there’s more space, but it’s still a good time. A large courtyard outside is available for smokers with a fire pit for conversation, but it usually gets crowded. The kitchen is usually closed, but let a bartender or party host know and they’ll send word to the food truck. Drinks are surprisingly strong for a free party, so be sure to tip your bartender and be good to your host.
As with any other locale along Burnside, the outside residents make it a bit of a gamble when walking around at night. I’ve had a limited number of incidents, but I advise driving or taking a cab to go dance.

Star Theater hosts some great musicians and events. The venue is quite spacious, and even when they have a big headliner, you can probably find space to view the stage if you go upstairs (over the bar). On Sundays, it’s a good place to dance to gothic rock, post-​punk and industrial. Lots of space to get swirly on the dance floor.
The only thing that bothers me is that half of the patio area is totally vacant and neglected. It feels awkward, and kind of like a junk yard on that side, and is super dark, especially in comparison to the other half which has a fire pit and is a vibrant hang out spot. I really wish they’d put another fire pit in over there or do something to spruce up that area.

I like this venue in general, it needs more acoustic treatment so it sounds better in there, the sounds system is good but the room has too much reverb time.
The space is good, the patio is nice, there is an indoor and outdoor bars, a fire pit. That would normally warrant at least four stars, however, the last time I was there, the whole inside bar smelled like bleach or sanitizer or something. The glasses, the beer they poured for me, it was horrible. Serving a beer like that to a customer is kind of crazy. I don’t know if there beer lines are clean, I would doubt it after this experience.
They also serve the $ 5 beers they sell in 12 oz plastic cups when you are outside, but you do get a proper pint glass at the inside bar.
I may update this review if I visit again and have a better experience, the beer situation really sullied an otherwise good experience, hopefully just a one time thing.

One of my favorite venues yet!
Great vibes.
Acoustics were great. Drinks weren’t strong or at a good value, but they never are at shows.
There’s a nice outdoor area upstairs for the smoking crowd, with a firepit at the patio.

What a wonderful venue! Such a great open space. You are able to go outside and still tell what is happening inside. They have a great space upstairs and some great spaces downstairs — both are perfect viewing for shows and the acoustics are great no matter where in the venue you are. There are plenty of standing places and I have never had issues getting a table or seating. The bar is also great and they have a food cart which I have not tried but smelled pretty great.

We went and saw Muppet’s burlesque there last week, this was my first time going to the star, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. They have done a great job maintaining the charm of an old school theater inside while still having a modern feel to there outside seating area.
The staff was really nice, and handled the huge crowd really well. The bartenders did a great job of getting people through the line quickly, and the price for drinks wasn’t as insane as most venues like this.
The only thing that was odd about the night, was that we (the whole crowd) were informed that we needed to vacate the theater by 11pm in order for the Roseland (across the street) to have their after party at the star. I don’t know if that is the normal way the star does things, but if that hadn’t been the case, I think a lot of us would have been interested in staying and having a few more drinks and just enjoying an awesome night.
I can’t wait for the next Muppet’s burlesque show, I just hope next time we aren’t kicked out right after the show.

Had a very good time at this venue last night. Sound system was better than most venues here in Portland. The stage is pretty small and the stage floor can be slippery. The outdoor area is well thought out and comfortable… If it’s not raining… it is Portland tho. bar tender upstairs in the balcony was really cool and moved drinks at a high speed. The sound is better on the main level than the balcony area. Here is where is goes south… the restroom. I felt like a zombie hooker was going to jump out and murder me. Other than that, its a cool place to see a show or play a show.

I left a rating of poor for one reason. I got thrown into the mosh pit and the front has slippery concrete floors. I fell almost immediately on my side and wrists. Both are sore and bruised up. I feel like I’m partially responsible for not foreseeing this, but anytime there is spilled drinks on slick concrete it’s a safety hazard. Throw in people dancing and moshing and someone could get hurt badly. I’m more than happy to change my review to 4-​stars once this is fixed.
My other frustration is that after paying $ 25 to get into the show, there is a $ 4 convenience fee for purchasing online. They also end up charging a hefty amount for drinks. Other than that I’d give 5-​stars. The atmosphere was vintage and nostalgic, though the middle of the theater lacked a creative theme. The staff were moderately friendly and the patio was pleasant overall. I didn’t see a spot that was expressly inviting to new conversation. If I went here alone I’d have limited options on introducing myself, though I did chat with someone at a table that we asked to sit at.
I think they could definitely improve if they invested some more money back into the place. It would make it really stand out. I don’t know what options I have yet since I recently moved to the area. Overall I was still happy with the experience.

Nice try. Unfortunately the acts are amateurish except for the out-​of-​towners.
Also they like their regulars and were very aprehensive towards new faces.
All tables were reserved for friends, colleagues, roommates, pers, etc. all others relegated to sit anywhere.
Has a very lomg way to go to catch up with any other real city.

Really cool layout. We went to Portland for the weekend, there was an event at The Star Theater last Saturday!
Glow Job 2014!
There’s an upstairs and downstairs. I had a great time here. They security was really laid back and nice. Bartenders were great and there was 500+ ppl there drinking all night.
After all it was a sold out show!

Smaller venue but certainly has that comfy vibe. Bar area is slightly elevated and has a few old leather circular couches for seating along with some tables.
Bar has some decent beers on tap and prices are reasonable.
Outdoor area is a treat if it’s nicer weather. Bar out there as well.
Acoustics are decent since it is a smaller area and the lighting system when I saw Savoy there was pretty awesome
Had never been before but it’s not a bad venue for some music!
NOTES:
There were seperate bathrooms for 18+ and 21+ (21+ located in bar area). Didn’t realize this at first and waited quite some time
Coat check filled up before I even got there :(
Bring cash

Now that I have moved to Portland, I have been starting to learn about the local music scene. I am surprised I’m learning quickly because 13 years living in Dallas and I still don’t know a lot about that one. I have been to several theaters and have been pretty impressed by the places. The Star is now another to add to my list.
It is one of the smaller places I’ve been to (Wonder, Alhambra and Tonic being the others) but it just means you can be closer to the band, which I got that chance. I have no issues going to shows by myself, because I’m there for the music. On this occasion, I was there to see a «bucket list» band. The Mad Caddies. This is a band that until recently, only toured the west coast and Europe. I moved here and they now will be touring the rest of the US, including Dallas, TX. Go fig.
The Star is a pretty cool place. Small balcony area with a second bar (wasn’t open) and a nice outside area with a small kitchen out there. Gourmet mac and cheese, which I’ve been told is really good. Good views of the stage area and even seating, but everyone was on their feet for the music.
The bands were great, the audio was great, the lighting? A bit heavy on the red lights, but whatever. I had a great time seeing some great bands and even discovered a new local band to enjoy. Steady Riot (good laid back reggae)
I look forward to seeing some more bands here.
Enjoy.

This venue has more lives than a cat. It’s current incarnation is competent and functional, though the programming needs work. But if you like the owner’s programming, this is one of the relatively A-​OK venues in Portland. I had a recent opportunity to sample it for a farewell to Portland performance by a friend moving to another country. Musicians flew in to accompany.
Star Theater originally was a burlesque theater in an over 100 year old structure. In a decayed state it was bought by a film director who planned a penthouse above the adjacent corner store. The individual’s fortunes improved and they bought a condo in a more respectable neighborhood. The property became a nightclub project of a trust funder notorious for unforgivable transgressions. Now it is part of the Dante’s group.
Downtown club, three bars when busy, standard drinks. Spacious outdoor area with firepit. Good sound given the hard surfaces. Classic old club where darkness hides chips and chanks of an ancient building. Bathrooms middle for a club. Lines form. Not Satyricon and not Blue Hour. Notches below, say, Mississippi.
The main performance area is the old stage. There are two main floor levels made from the original inclined seating areas. The lower about 25 feet square is dancing. The middle area has some tables as does the small balcony. 90’s style steel railings. I wonder what the setup was in the burlesque days. It’s not Studio 54. Could be but won’t be.
Portland is still waiting for a great new clean music venue which draws the best of local mixed with international acts. In the meantime, Star Theater is an A-​OK venue if your interests match the music.

Five stars for the amazing mac & cheese they have there. WOW. Did not expect that.
Otherwise an okay theater, good drinks & good shows!

Great place to see a show: a small-​ish venue with tiered floors means there’s full view of the stage from anywhere in the house, plus the beer is cheap! It’s located just off Burnside in downtown PDX, across the street from the Roseland Theater.
I recently attended my first concert at the Star Theater, and I was impressed. First of all, they weren’t doing pat-​downs at the door which was a pleasant change from most of the shows I’ve been to in Seattle. The prices at the bar also beat the shit out of any of the Seattle concert venues– $ 3 tall boys! And since this place is in Oregon, there’s no added sales tax.
Inside the theater there’s a central floor with a bar, a smaller balcony area (with another bar) above, and a ‘pit’ area below. Plus, there’s a big semi-​covered outdoor beer garden with another bar!
The sound and lights for the concert were excellent, and I loved that the design of the theater allows for unobstructed views of the stage (well, unless you’re vertically challenged and get stuck behind someone who isn’t). My biggest gripe, though, is that there’s a bottleneck getting down into the pit– if you’re not already there when the lights go down, it can be tough to do so once the music starts, or vice versa.
I enjoyed the heck out of my first experience here; looking forward to more shows in the future!