McMenamins Backstage Bar
3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR, 97214
McMenamins Backstage Bar Menu
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Address :
3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR, 97214 - Phone (503) 236-9234
- Website https://www.mcmenamins.com/BackStage
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :5:00 pm - 12:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Late Night
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Music : Juke Box
Good For Dancing : No
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Mon, Tue, Fri
Coat Check : No
Smoking : No
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
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Kimberly J.
First of all, this place is absolutely breathtaking. I believe they actually converted the backstage area of a theater, so the first thing I was blown away by were the high ceilings. The pictures show this better than I can describe, but I still feel that it doesn't quite do it justice. I love how they have an industrial ambiance, but still throw in some decor so you don't feel as if you're in a warehouse. A group of friends rented a private room here on the third (!!!) floor over the holidays. We were provided with several tables, a pool table, and a server. They serve all the McMenamins beers here, but my favorite overall was the Terminator Stout. Fellow stout lovers, it is a must-try. The Ruby Ale is perfect for fruity beer lovers; it tastes like graperfruit. Or combine the two to create a Rubinator - delicious and unusual! Sadly these local brews are not available anywhere outside of Oregon... I took one star off because the service felt really mediocre to me. Our server hardly ever came up, and half the time we went down to the first floor bar to place our drink orders. We also came back down to the bar for a round of shots. Not being big on liquor, I cheerfully told the bartender to surprise me. Normally, a bartender would be a good sport about this, but he would not humor me at all, and just stared at me until I could think of a specific shot to order. Meh.
(4)Brenna S.
The Back Stage Bar was once the actual backstage area to the Bagdad Theater as far back as 1927 when actual Vaudeville acts graced its stage. With some of the highest vaulted ceilings you could imagine, pool tables, little party rooms, and an exceptionally competent staff (especially for McMenamin's) the Back Stage is a unique spot to grab a drink with some friends. Just don't order any food... the food comes from the kitchen of the notoriously slow and yucky Bagdad Pub next door. McMenamin's... when will you ever get a clue??? Your food sucks!!!
(4)Chris S.
Oh, I FEEL for you, Backstage employees. Sometimes it can be downright PAINFUL to have to talk to people. All you wanted was a job where you could sling a few drinks, keep a low profile, and hide behind a movie theater. But your boss, Joe McMenamin, forgot to mention one important little fact. The customers. It must have been so surprising on your first night! You, just relaxing by yourself, sitting in a beautiful bar with 200 foot ceilings, studying the mural, maybe knocking around some billiards, when all of a sudden a person came in and ordered a drink! Who are these people? Why do they always want you to make them drinks and bring them food? Can't they see you were just starting to enjoy your privacy? So, I understand, I really do, when you forget to put the Terminator in the Terminator milkshake. IT HAPPENS. And instead of reblending the milkshake, you just offer a small glass of beer and suggest to pour it in and mix it by spoon. Why should you be bothered? It's not like waiting on people was part of your job description or anything! Also, thank you for giving up on our table of 6 after a while. We had no intentions of ever ordering another drink - how did you know? So PSYCHIC! Man, you've got it made, you really do. You've got a job at a McMenamins! The beer/restaurant/hotel conglomerate of the Northwest! And not just any McMenamins - the one with the tall ceilings and full size pool tables! Keep up the good work! Hopefully, for your sake, your lack of care and service for those people ordering drinks will eventually deter them from coming. And then maybe you can finally get some peace and quiet.
(3)Bryan I.
This place is definitely worth checking out! Yeah, the average food and happy hour is the same as at the Bagdad, but this is one of the nicer late-night places on Hawthorne to get some pub grub, and more importantly play billiards on some really NICE tables! Pay by the hour for the quality felt (as opposed to free play at Hawhorne Hideaway), but it's well worth it if you haven't had so many PBRs that you're valuing a good game of cutthroat :-) The 3-story "backstage" area is beautifully renovated and allows for playing in number of more semi-private rooms if you don't want to hang out in the main hall.
(4)Jen D.
I have a love/hate relationship with Back Stage. If you're looking for an amazing space with tall cathedral like ceilings, huge murals on the wall, full size pool tables (except one) and overall, the feeling like you've stepped into a secret annex of awesome ambiance, Back Stage is the place for you. Buuuuuuuuuut, if you're looking for somewhere that will serve you quickly, with a smile, check on your table, bring you the stuff you order, treat you like an equal human being and show general kindness to you.... this place may not be the place for you. In recap: Amazing space - maybe one of the best in PDX. Horrible service - maybe one of the worst in PDX. Will I go back? Yes (but I'll be mad at myself later for it).
(3)Nathaniel M.
The most important thing to me with any bar or restaurant is atmosphere, and this place has one of the coolest atmospheres of any bar I have ever been. The impossibly high ceiling along with the assortment of vintage neon bar signs adorning the walls will undoubtedly impress most first-time visitors. This is a great place to take a date or to gather with some friends and play pool. Sadly, it does suffer from the stereotypical bad, or at best average, service McMennamins establishments have become known for. I suggest stopping here for a quick drink before dinner or a night out.
(4)Ethan D.
This is one of Portland's greatest secrets. A cavernous (and I mean cavernous... you'll see) bar "back stage" from the Bagdad Theater and tucked off the beaten path with a very historic and unique atmosphere. A big screen and bass-y acoustics play anything from sports events to the Presidential debates to free movies. And there are pool tables, some of which are tucked away upstairs in their own rooms (what, I imagine, used to be dressing rooms back in the Bagdad's Vaudeville days). Top it all off with pitchers of McMenamins craftbrews, liquors (their whiskeys made out at Edgefield are some of my all time favorites!), and wines, and you have yourself an extremely sweet spot. Plus, since it's off the beaten path, you rarely encounter annoying crowds here. Usually it is pretty chill and the crowds are thin enough not to intrude upon your personal space. Besides, if you get claustrophobic in this place you have major issues. There is more than enough breathing room given the what seems like 100-foot ceiling height. One of my favorite pubs in town.
(5)Amber L.
Such a perfect hidey-hole for day drinking.
(5)Ame P.
When the Bagdad is busy, but you're craving that McMennamins food and beer, the Back Stage is an AMAZING alternative that's tucked away right behind the madness. Its got the super high ceilings and dark kind of ambiance and pool tables. Great for dates or groups. The service is a little lacking here, but overall, this place is the perfect answer for good food and beer and a chill night.
(4)Lisa T.
Wow! This place sure was pretty! But then you probably already now that McMenamin's know how to decorate a place up right. The Backstage Bar is housed in the former backstage area of the theater and behind the bar and the TV screens are huge former theater backdrops. They are beautiful! We were searching for a place to watch our Beavers not win the Civil War and while there were people in the theater, we peeked into the Backstage Bar and discovered only a handful of people and an immense movie screen playing the game. I can't think of a more comfortable place to watch the game. The bartender was gracious and helpful, even though she was on her own and had several tables and the whole bar. Beers, Burgers and consilitory whiskeys were all pretty good. I am not a lover of McMenamins food usually, and they only had one guest tap, but all in all, it satisfied my needs for pretty surroundings, football watching and some billiards in the second half to distract us from the impending defeat.
(4)David H.
Aside from the measured pours, which is apparently a universal McMenamins' policy, this place is fantastic. The staff is friendly and lots of fun. I've shot pool with a few of them once they were off the clock - the place is cool enough to stick around in even after you are done with a shift. The overall booze selection is good-to-great depending on what you are into (whiskey is my drink of choice here, and the selection is stellar). The atmosphere makes this a nice place to just relax and have a cocktail or three. Highlights include: high ceilings (7 stories from floor to ceiling), massive tapestries and murals, chandeliers, cool art, pool tables, and a couple of private rooms that you can reserve for hanging with friends. I've spent way too much time at the Back Stage, and I don't see that trend ending anytime soon.
(4)Aaronson L.
One of the coolest unknown bars in Portland. They have the BIGGEST SCREEN in town to watch sports on, great atmosphere, bartenders are usually friendly, cool stairway up to other little rooms to hang out in and play pool. The happy hour has gotten more expensive with less variety over the years but that's a McMenamins across the board thing so I won't dock them a star for that.
(5)Graham G.
This is one of those bars with so much potential, but just falls short. We got great service and the prices were reasonable. My complaint is that the place was lit up like a Christmas tree. A bar should be kinda dark, no one wants to see the other groups of mutants at bars. Getting wasted is not pretty. Take the wattage down two notches and this place would be a ton better. Secondly, the two story tall TV projector, unless I'm going to sports bar I'm very much anti TV's in bars. You get distracted and conversation suffers. The Back Stage has the most oversized TV ever, it killed what is an amazing decor at this bar. I'm sure some people love it, but I just can't get down with it.
(3)Traci S.
Nice laid-back atmosphere with all of the fun quirks you expect from a McMenamins. Will definitely go back.
(4)Robert L.
I have been three times. All three times have been great experience. Next time I am in town, I am for sure going to grab a drink here
(4)Tim H.
It's fine. Measured pours, never a good thing. Typical McMins deal, food is OK beer is OK. Atmosphere is cool enough but seems like they really make you pay for that atmosphere. It's just not really worth it.
(3)Greg E.
All of the regular McMenamin's swagger with a hint of pool hall. Yes you can have a few good pints of beer here, and some standard McMenamin's food all while playing pool....meh. It's fun for a bit I guess. A nice place to go on a week night when it isn't crowded. I'd rather go here than many of the other places on this street. Mostly because this place is far too expensive for the trashy neck bearded folks who populate this part of town. So I don't have to listen to those twits discuss what new band came out that they heard of first and OMG they are coming to town! Then when they do hit it big I can say I was there. Then in another 6 months when they are on the radio I can reject them for their popularity and accuse them of selling out. Fucking hipsters....At least there are places like this where, for the most part, I can escape you.
(3)Eliot J.
This is honestly one of the most aesthetically pleasing bars I have been in Portland. I mean, I know it's owned by McMenamins. They sure do know how to decorate their many establishments. The backstage bar is located where the theater used to be. The old theater screen is now used as the backdrop for the tvs! The drinks are strong, and not as expensive as some of the bars on Hawthorne. They also have pool tables! It's always a good time at Backstage.
(4)Miel H.
This place is full of pool tables and cute boyz racking up the ballz. I went on a Monday night for the first time and had a bite to eat in an amazing setting. This not so secret spot is tucked behind the screen of the Bagdad Theatre and Pub in a seven stories tall space full of huge murals and the perfect lighting. Food is definitely bar but hey, I was able to wash down a Tanqueray and Tonic with a mixed green salad topped with yummy blue cheese and hazelnuts. That ain't TOO bar food'ish. Pool tables are $5/hour with an ID or credit card left behind for the balls. Friendly bar tenders make it all seem right when you scratch. Perfect place for a girl to take a guy on a date. You know, and pretend you've never played pool? Can you stand behind me and show me how to hold the, um, stick?
(5)Alice F.
I was here on a Tuesday night and it had good business. Loved the high ceilings and the bartenders were very friendly. The price was decent and the vibe was very friendly. PS. Good music selection. David Bowie was playing as I walked in.
(4)Lucas C.
Nice enough place. Has the classic McMenamin's decor, drinks, and pool. I have to admire the minimalism and no frills to the place. We hit up Backstage after Ignite 9 and it was pretty crowded with the after party. Sweet ludicriously high ceilings and cool multi-level ("backstage") scaffolding stars. They weren't too skimpy with the alcohol in our drinks either. Usual less than stellar McMenamin's service and $4.50 rum and cokes. eh. Also, $5 an hour pool.
(3)Andrew K.
Usually to get back stage passes to a super sweet venue one must win them from local super self important and relatively obsolete radio DJ (thank you apple + slacker radio). OR You must do naughty things that afterwards you hope never have to admit to your children, should you have any. (children). Backstage Bar at the Bagdad or as the kids call it, "the BBATB" gets you back stage with out any sweat at all. In fact on tuesday's you're buying drinks you get to play pool for free on some really nice pool tables that are essentially free of obstruction. I think one thing I should point out that really makes Backstage awesome are the super high ceilings and the way they light the bar. It's almost unexplainable but you just feel cooler hanging out there especially if you're having some bourbon neat. Speaking of bourbon, I met the owner who was chillin' at the bar non-chalant having a drink and reading. We started talking drinks and it was clear that not only did she know her bourbon but she had some top notch selections available. She made a couple great recommendations to me and I really appreciate that as a customer. Ambiance was a big win at this place! So why not 5 stars? First a classic style jukebox is really but the nostalgia wears off when you can't find anything you want to listen to. Second, well it has to do with the "wow" factor. Places that I give 5 stars to are places that literally cause me to reconsider the universe. That sounds like a tough standard but I'm an adult and you can't tell me what to do! How do you like me now? Yeah! Now I'm gonna go do laundry at my dad's house.
(4)Uyen T.
$5/hour for pool $5 fresh squeezed greyhounds over 5 story high ceilings High 5 for Historical location Happy Hour under $5
(4)Rosy D.
Really good pool tables, really cool spot
(4)Jason S.
Let's get the usual stuff out of the way. This is one of the McMenamin's locations, with all of the usual pluses and minuses that go with that: ok beer, ok food set in a very unique and colorful venue. Love this place for meeting friends and shooting pool. The tables are just plain gorgeous. Rates are reasonable. You feel like maybe Paul Newman or Jackie Gleason are going to sidle up at any moment. Those ceilings are what--50 feet? Tough to find a more dramatic setting. One of the best all around places to shoot pool in the country I'd say.
(4)Vince S.
This bar was okay, we came during afternoon so the place was pretty deserted. We were sitting at the bar where a few other people were sitting. I had two pints of their stouts and one pitcher of the IPA. They tasted good, but not spectacular. They were showing college basketball on the big screen. The service was polite but not intrusive, which was nice by my standard. They also served food which I did not partake. Atmosphere-wise, it's nice, dim, and yeah the ceiling was very high. But they could enhance the atmosphere a lot more, maybe I should come here during a crowded night to experience the drunken rampage pandemonium.
(3)Tony C.
I should mention I studied theatre in both high school and college, so when I walked into what used to be a live playhouse backstage, I was breathless. Not a fan of pool and even less of the loud clash of the balls when someone is trying to break with the thunderclap of Zeus, but the friendly bar staff, the history lesson of the place, and the good beers on tap made it well worth it. They even had a late night happy hour that started at 10 pm. Goodness that's a great way to get people drunk, as it did me. I remember seeing a basket of tater tots, not sure if that was wishful intoxicated thinking or reality, but if it was, how could you resist?
(4)Matt E.
Next to Voodoo Donuts, PDX locals seem to enjoy nothing more than bashing McMenamins. To that, I say nay! I will stand up and declare right here and right now, that I really, REALLY like McMenamins Backstage Bar. First things first, the space is fantastic! It's a long, skinny bar with absurdly high ceilings, thanks to the fact that they really are behind the stage/screen of the theater. Because of the unique shape of the space, it's cozy but not claustrophobic. It has wonderful lighting. This would be a great second date spot. Not a stuffy first date, but the "fun" date before you've done The Adult together. AND FUN IT IS! There are a couple of pool tables, but more importantly they have what is probably the most glorious shuffleboard table on which I've ever played. I'm not sure what the regulation length shuffleboard might be, but this table is HUGE! It's 100% manual, in great condition and just about my favorite thing on the planet. I love this shuffleboard table more than some family members. So, they serve beer. And food. McMenamin's stuff. You know what you're getting. I haven't been completely blown away by my selections, but they've all been fine. Really, the star of this show is the atmosphere, of which it has heaps. 4 stars. -1 for the terrible music that was playing the entire time I was there. +1 for teaching me to love, even if it was only a bar game on which I could share that feeling.
(4)Cody W.
First off: I suck at pool. Usually I'm great at sports that require little to no actual movement. I'm a killer bowler, and a great dart player, but something about billiards just doesn't work. In saying that, I still love playing pool, and Back Stage is a great place to play at. The atmosphere is really laid back, with about 5 or 6 pool tables and a couple booths. I love that there are three stories, but have yet to use the second or third floor because people are always up there. They mainly only have McMenamin's beer, but for those looking for something classier they do have PBR. I haven't had the food, but assuming that it's from McMenamins, you know what you're getting. Overall, it's a really cool hangout spot. It's a nice balance between the strictly gaming atmosphere of Triple Nickel, and the laid back atmosphere of McMenamins.
(4)Kody L.
One of the best places to play pool in town. Plenty of tables to get a game in and if they're all taken, it's pretty easy to find someone who will play doubles with you. People here seem to be so laid back. I really appreciated the bartender for keeping an eye out for the next available table for us. The ceiling is so tall! I can't believe how much space is above you. This allows the big staircase near the entrance to lead to more tables and makes the environment feel different than other pool halls. Very open, I love it. It's a McMenamins, so expect the same food. I really don't think it's worth docking a star because of the lackluster taste -- I'm here to play pool and drink beer. The reason I did dock a star is because though the ceiling is spacious, the actual floor space isn't and the dimensions made it seem oddly quiet for a pool hall. I kept feeling like I was being too loud, which I really shouldn't worry about.
(4)Katherine C.
As for as McMenamins' bars, Backstage is one of my favorites. Tucked behind Baghdad Theater, this beautifully adorned bar has a great vibe with lots of pool tables (including two private pool table rooms tucked away upstairs) and a long shuffleboard table. The reason I rate it 4/5 stars is because I'm not super impressed by McMenamins' food and drinks but this bar is top notch.
(4)Amy A.
I came here recently for a private party. A friend had the upstairs rooms rented out and we had a bar-tab pre paid. This was my 2nd time coming to Backstage Bar, and I was excited to check it out again. The venue itself is awesome! Dark, with high ceilings and a Portlandy vibe to it. Anyway, what was frustrating about this time at Backstage was that it was clear that the bartender was skimping on the drinks for the party. Vodka Tonics without Limes, Drinks with maybe NO alcohol etc. It was our impression that because the tab was a "sure thing" they were trying to cut costs on their end. The venue is great, but I would never rent it for an event.
(2)Won M.
Chill vibes. Great service. Cool environment. We'll be back!
(5)Maureen L.
On a whim, my boyfriend and I headed out on our quest to obtain some more stamps for our McMenamins passports and came here since it was basically 5 minutes away. This place is fantastic! You enter and can already feel the vibe that you're in a great bar. There are three pretty rad pinball machines right upon entrance, and then you make your way into this cavernous bar with a gigantic theater screen and several pool tables. On the first landing heading upstairs is a bar on the railing that seats probably about 6 people, and then continuing further up the stairs is a private room with more booths and another pool table. The lighting and ambiance in this place is great - some pretty unique chandeliers - and the bartenders are super friendly. Can't wait to get back to this place for a Ducks game on the big screen!
(4)Alex B.
The McMenamins kingdom is 80-some bars, theaters, and hotels strong and ever growing. Some of them rock, and some of them suck. Their beer and spirits are universally pretty good, and I'm a fan of their happy hour (3-6 here). This review attempts to highlight what makes this McMenamins property unique from the others. While this gem behind the Bagdad Theater doesn't have as many beers on tap or as extensive a menu as the Bagdad Pub out front, the ambiance more than makes up for it. The Backstage Bar is one massive, high ceilinged room (must be 6 or 7 stories tall). It's a great play to play pool, shuffleboard, or watch a game on their massive theater screen. They show Seahawks and Trailblazers games here with sound, as well as the occasional TV show (Walking Dead, etc.). It's worth coming at least once just to see it. This building is unique and historic.
(4)Danielle R.
Very cool environment and nice surprise when you walking in not knowing what to expect.
(4)Ziyan C.
Fun place to play pool, get a couple drinks, and enjoy the big screen TV and incredibly tall ceilings. ~~AMBIANCE~~ Kind of like an industrial loft - a lot of the walls/ceilings are exposed so you see the piping, the main area has dark wood floors and brick walls, and the stairs winding up to the separate rooms remain in the main room so at the top of the stairs you get this great view of the whole bar from high above. We got to watch the Walking Dead while playing pool. It was about 8pm on a Sunday so it was chill, not too many people there, just a few minutes to get a pool table, and you could easily hear the dialogue on the TV. I liked seeing on the board.. they have Portlandia and (I believe) Project Runway showing nights! ~~DRINKS~~ No specialty cocktails but the general house ones - I got my standard Amaretto Sour and it was pretty strong. My friends enjoyed their beers.
(4)Dean S.
The ambiance and location alone are worth the trip. Besides that, its a great place to rent big pool tables and drink. The beer selection is really good, and as I recall, they had a full bar too. Prices are a tad high, but that's to be expected. The food is pretty typical P-Town bar food. As I said though, its the building and artwork that make this place a really hangout. Oh, staff and patrons are also very friendly.
(4)Alex G.
A good venue with pool and shuffle board but incredibly overpriced. The happy hour prices are ok but never buy food or you will feel robbed. More specifically we ordered an $11 pizza which was the size of a plate and had whole slices of tomatoes and cheese with some sauce. Period. I would be embarrassed to sell the pizza.
(3)Charlie B.
This really is an awesome bar. While I think one reviewer's estimate of 200' ceilings may be a bit of an exageration, it's not by much. We got great service including instructions on how to play shuffleboard since it had been years since my wife and I had played. With their 19' screen it would be the perfect place to catch a blazers game. They also play new episodes of The Walking Dead and Portlandia which I imagine would be pretty cool too.
(4)Ethan N.
Out of all the McMenamins, this is by far my favorite location. It is what I would refer to as my MacClarens (How I Met Your Mother reference). This is my "home" bar and I go here very frequently. The best part: my relationship with the bartender. He knows exactly what I like to drink, and how to make my drinks (I like it super sweet). The food here is super cheap during happy hour, so I recommend either going between the hours of 3-6 or 10-Close. These are the hours where you will receive the best deal on food and drink. The drinks are pretty standard, but I am a creature of habit and always order the same thing, so it works out for me. If you want a chill atmosphere, THIS IS YOUR SPOT. There are pool tables and also shuffleboards to keep you occupied. It might get just a bit busy on Saturday nights, but other than that, Sunday and Tuesdays are the best because of free pool and shuffleboard. I would highly recommend this spot. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Tarty T.
Went to Backstage last night to watch the Blazer game. Awesome atmosphere. Poor Blazers. Service was pretty slow but considering we were up 3 flight of stairs I guess it could have been worse. The small bbq pizza was perfect for two and delicious. I would order it again. Great place to hang out, play pool and watch games. Loved the decor as with all McMenamins. Only 3 stars because of the slow service. I will be back!
(3)Ryan S.
Don't bury the lead: 200 foot ceilings give me wood! The headspace in this bar is totally refreshing and interesting. I joined a friend here and was delighted to find my Greyhound made with a few grapefruits pressed before my very eyes. My friend enjoyed his carefully-selected beer, something red, I believe. We grabbed a shuffleboard table and learned the rules from some friendly neighbors playing pool and gratuitusly hugging us for no reason at all. We had a good time exploring the visual mysteries of the space: the door to nowhere, the giant mural and the aforementioned cubic emptiness overhead.
(4)John L.
This place is pretty much as good as it gets as far as McMenamin's bars go (outside of their hotels). They have a bunch of pool tables, although I'm pretty sure they recently got rid of a couple to make room for a full size shuffleboard. They also have a couple of rooms upstairs that have pool tables. They also have a huge projector. Their menu is the Bagdad's.
(4)Anna B.
Of all the McMenamin's around town, this one is surprsingly not horrible! I think that's mostly because it doesn't seem like a McMennie's, and I'll bet they get that a lot. It's a pretty sweet space, the roof looming about 1000 feet above your head, bar area, tables, booths, and pool tables. Service is the usual McMen's-style (not good), but otherwise this is an ok place for a drink and some chatting, WAY better pre- or post-movie than the other McMen's on the front side of the Bagdad.
(3)Elizabeth E.
Great vibe in this kickin bar which is tucked away slightly off the beaten-path that is Hawthorne. McMenamin's are always a good time, especially when you have pool tables and the tallest ceilings ever - which also means tall walls with cool murals painted on them. Taking a walk up the stairs near the entrance lands you in some smaller, more private rooms which are good if you have a big group that wants to sit together (or a private party). Overall expect friendly staff, not too much smoky-ness, and a bar full of that laid-back feel you crave after a long week.
(4)Burt S.
This was the first time I've ever been here. We had reserved a room for our group and the place was pretty cool. We had our own pool table, television and a good size dining table. I thought it was gonna be an awesome night. There weren't many people around when we got there but I was surprised to see only 2 servers there on a Friday night. You'd think with so few customers, you'd at least get decent service. But the service through and through all night was terrible and hella slow. We first approached the bar to get a drink and not once did the bartender make eye contact with us. We thought ok, well she's just busy with another customer. After waiting and waiting, more people arrived at the bar and not once did she make eye contact with any of them. How the hell is she gonna know who to serve next? Luckily the second server finally arrived to help and took our orders. We also asked for a remote to change the channel in our room so we can watch the ball game. Not once did anyone come after having been forced to watch the Fifth Element from start to finish (with commercials mind you) for over 2 hours. And on top of that, our food was finally brought up to us after we waited a good half hour or so. And this was all when it was slow. As the night went on, the place got a lot busier, but at least now they have a whole whopping 3 servers, 2 of which are working behind the bar. When happy hour rolled around, some of us decided to order more food. I was tempted to, but seeing as how slow the service was all night when it was slow, I knew we'd be waiting forever for our food if we ordered when it was busy. And guess what? I was right. We waited almost 45 minutes just for one frickin burger and fries. At least the guy was cool and apologized for the wait and gave us 1 free beer. I don't get how this place can run with so few staff. The place itself is pretty cool and has the potential to be a really good hangout spot, but if their staff is always lacking like this, especially on the weekend, don't count on us ever coming back. They're lucky we even tipped them at all for the kinda service we received all night long.
(1)Lauren P.
To be fair, if I had walked into McMenamins with no expectations, I'd probably give the Back Stage Bar 4 stars. However, with McMenamins practically owning half of Portland, I had some pretty high expectations. I am always a fan of bar/theatres, and as far as they go this one was fine. It all seemed very standard. We ordered some food, my curry was great until the bottom of the bowl where some grease had gathered (yuck!).. but my boyfriend was really disappointed with his American dip. We were also really let down by the draft beers. When something shows up in a town again and again and again, I just assume its because they are the best the area has to offer. Apparently the McMenamins just had a lot of money to spare.. or an amazing marketing representative. With all the great mico-brews floating around town, McMenamins was sub-par at best. Our waitress was great, and the beer milkshake was tasty.. but I don't think we'll be going back to any of the McMenamin's establishments if there is another option for the evening.
(3)Doug Y.
Damn it, McMenamins hit the spot on this one. I don't normally LOVE a McMenamins joint, in fact I think they're all generally the exact same bar, like a Starbucks or whatever. But this place? Damn they won me over. It's like three bar-atmospheres in one, and POOL, LOTS OF IT. Totally drives circles around the Rialto. In fact I don't think I'm ever going back to The Rialto-- they won't let me ever since I fell over the balcony :( ERR UHH, I mean I don't think I'm ever going back to the Rialto because uhh... because this place... is way better, yes. It's still got the same ol' McMenamin's menu, so you know the drill: tater tots and a Hammerhead if you just wanna get slammed fast. Go downstairs if you want to be in the out-and-open bar, or upstairs if you're feeling like someplace more private. The toppest floor (yes that's a word, look it up) feels the most concealed and is usually the most dead of them all, so that's the place to go if you and whatever friends just feel like being with themselves... or if you don't want to be seen crying because you didn't bring any friends, their napkins are quite absorbent... so I'm told.
(4)Matt W.
This place has a lot of class. The ENORMOUS tapestries really sell the age of the place. The bar plus the pool hall, and the high ceilings really sell the ambiance of the Back Stage. Not being a local, and having come to this place, it makes me wish I were a local. The Back Stage would be my one of my usual haunts fo sho.
(4)Eric M.
Another McMennamin's so you don't have a great beer offering, but damn this place is cool. Located behind a movie theater it's a small bar with a GIANT ceiling and cool atmosphere. I would happily come back here to hang out.
(4)rc c.
So apparently this place is haunted...had a really interesting chat with the bartender about what goes on in the basement and she told us a lot of weird things happen here. Odd sounds, things turning on and off, and other creepy happens. Now that we have that out of the way, didn't have any of the food, which i'm glad reading the reviews. Such a different place to go and a good change of pace-I really liked the vibe. I still don't have a clue what snooker is though... but good drinks, high ceilings, friendly staff and ghosts...can't wait for halloween.
(4)Felicia L.
Be aware, the entrance to this bar is actually a little down 37th from the entrance to the theater. If you want to play pool and have a few drinks, this is an amazing place to do it. The Bagdad used to be a formal theater, so this is the huge, tall area where the stage techies would be doin their thang, but now it is a cleared out gimungus place to kick it. There are also a bunch of neat rooms tucked away as you climb the stairs to different levels. Overall it is the space that makes this place so cool, but any McMenamins will also offer great food and drink!
(5)Michael K.
70' ceilings. ginormous tapestries, great room. rock it!
(4)Tinkerman B.
"A pool hall," you ask? "Who the hell are you, Charles Bukowski?" Indeed, no. Backstage is actually a wonderful space for writers, if you want a lively venue to inspire you. The jukebox is stocked with quality music, and the ceilings are four stories tall! Whee! But best of all are the tall, wooden booths, that enclose you in vintage arms and tell you to write like the dickens. Even better, you can occupy one of the upper rooms and sneak over to the volume control of the room speakers. It's like your own retro office. Point against: can be a touch smoky on busy nights. 2009 will change that!
(4)Gracie C.
Great place with a great bartendar. We went on a Monday night and I had about 15 people with us. Fortunately it was a slow night so we had the place almost to ourselves. Beer prices were good and only $5 for an hour of pool. They have food, too! AND it's good! Will definitely go again.
(5)Wendy C.
Why is this place cooler than all the other McMenamins? Gotta be a combo of the neighborhood and the 70-FOOT-TALL ceilings, yeah? McMenamins food and beer just taste better and your friends seem more attractive and amusing here for some reason. There are lots of pool tables, a decent amount of smoke, and an alternatingly cool and amusingly uncool jukebox (Man Man followed by Guns & Roses? Yes!) The upper floors are chilly and you will get ignored by wait staff up there, so one star off for not being perfect.
(4)Clover Dan ..
jeesis how tall is that ceiling? we estimated around ten peoples tall. very rad space, but i'm not all that interested in pool halls. people got a bit confused about strangers joking with them, but i guess that's just a culture clash.
(4)Ryan N.
Yeah, yeah, yeah the food sucks. That aside, this is a very fun spot to grab a pint and rack 'em up. Backstage is best during off days as it can get crowded on weekends greatly increasing the risk of your personal space being invaded by frat boys in DMB t-shirts (true story).
(4)Marc P.
Like all McMenamin's, the beer is so-so and the food is blah (with the possible exception of the cajun tater tots), but the space is amazing enough to warrant a 4-star review. The pool tables are very well maintained, the the upstairs rooms are very cool.
(3)Joshua D.
After a long night of doing nothing at work I decided to watch a movie at the Bagdad. I was a little early so my work mate a I went a grabbed a beer at the Back Stage. I had 1 drink a pilsner which was very good even at 4.75$ The ceilings must be 70 ft with 2 massive chandeliers lighting up 5 pool tables. Please down fall! Sitting at the bar I started asking ?'s about the tapestry behind the bar as well the one on the back wall. The one behind the bar was the old curtain from the old theatre and the back wall was a mural depicting the old theatre once again plus the history of it since McMenamins took it over. Very vivid and colorful! Booths line the back wall while to TVs playing the Blazer game. There is a small alcohol display. A sign high in the rafters with 2 capitol AA's and 2 stars prompt me to ask the waitress again the meaning behind it. I thought it stood for Alcoholics Abundant or Alcoholics Abode or something like that! But her replied theory is it was a symbol for a rental car company in Great Britian. There was only one waitress so if it got pack it could be awhile before you would waited on. Good jukebox selection. Food is well McMenamins food not all that bad not all that great. I love the atmosphere of this bar. Its a place I'll take my brother when he moves here at the end of the month to play some pool! I had just one beer and moved to the actual theatre next door for the show.
(4)Stella S.
High ceilings, yummy drinks, beautiful decor, amazing sound system, pool tables... One of my favorite bars in Portland for sure.
(5)Ben H.
McMenamins is a great one-stop shop for the family, and the Bagdad Theater and Pub is no deviation from the classic formula. A great selection of beers, food, entertainment, and venues makes Bagdad an ideal location for a complete Friday evening out. We usually catch happy hour from 4-5 then catch whichever movie is showing at the time. If we don't feel like a movie, we can just jump to one of the adjoining bars/parlors. Our baby is welcome in all but the cigar bar (we wouldn't bring her in there anyways), so there no need to hire a babysitter. The food is nothing to write home about and it generally feels overpriced, but their selection is wide so the choice is worth the premium. Definitely not a 5-star location but a good choice if you're looking to kill time in Southeast.
(4)William D.
Awesome awesome. It's places like this make me love portland. Sky high ceilings flooded with neon fluorescent lights, every inch hand painted with something awesome. Quite a few pool tables and a new addition of a shuffle board. They also have viewings for popular shows such as walking dead and American horror story. I had a Bloody Mary. Extra spicy. And boy did she make it extra spicy. So good!
(4)Josh T.
Actually kinda magical space. There aren't many places that make me stuck on stupid but this is one. I have lived in the neighborhood for over a decade and I am just finding it now? WHY?! WHY?! The space has the most ridiculously high ceilings and as can be expected from mcminnimens classic/vintage type decorations but also cute little tucked away tables including a few on what looks like a 2 story staircase to nowhere but leads to a little birds nest view of the whole bar. The shuffleboard tables are glorious. Honestly the best I have seen in town. The drinks were weak so boo on that but the space inspired. I'll be back for sure.
(4)Bliss O.
This is a great venue! I love the location and ambiance. They offer your typical McMenamins fare which, along with service wait time, really contributes to my 3-star rating. The food can be good when they're not too busy, and can be rather ghastly (e.g., cold, limp, oily) when they're busy. The open seating and being able to remain indoors, protecting my delicate porcelain skin from unwelcome (if rare) sunshine, while also people-watching with friends is much appreciated. More often than not, I have a nice time here, and I encourage people to try it out later in the evenings when they're less busy.
(3)Rudy B.
This little bar is just plain fun! The usual good food and great beer, but in a very unique spot being behind the Bagdad theater. Definitely worth checking out if you've never been!
(5)Jess P.
As far as McMenamins Bars go, this one is pretty cool. Located behind the Baghdad theater, the bar shares a wall with the silver screen on the other side. Consequently, Backstage is the perfect place to watch sports as its wall can be turned into it's own theater-sized screen. Come here early for major sporting events as it can get packed. You know the drill when it comes to McMenamins food and drink. Nothing spectacular, nothing disgusting. Sometimes a bit slow, but not Comcast customer support line slow. Backstage is dependable, you know what you're going to get. With the right expectations, it's the perfect place to catch a game or just catch up. As for atmosphere, it's a pretty cool place. With high ceilings, an up-stairs area (that can be booked for private events FOR FREE), shuffle board and pool tables, Backstage is a great no-fuss place to relax.
(3)Arun S.
It's my favorite place to chill and grab a beer/ relax, the atmosphere is so chill with amazing people around...
(5)Laura C.
What a fantastic secret to stumble upon! Not that the Backstage bar is some sort of speak-easy; I just didn't know it existed, and I'd walked right past it a hundred times. Looks can be very deceiving, because from the outside, one would think this was some hole in the wall that seated maybe 30 people. However; upon stepping inside, there is a door which leads to the actual bar - and entering it is like walking the rough the armour door in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. It was literally an explosion of a gigantic, 30 foot ceilinged room with chandeliers, pool tables and a large dining area. We came here after an event at the Echo theater, which does not sell alcohol - and being a McMenamins - I knew exactly what to order: a Ruby Red Ale. I'd already eaten but my friend ordered a rice bowl that was covered in avocado, which looked scrumptious. This place would also be a great hiding spot if a zombiepocalypse were to ever occur. lol
(4)Jeremy B.
Food. Drinks. Great service. Great atmosphere. It's a bar. But it's a really good bar.
(4)Jro B.
awesome place
(5)Ryan P.
Great venue, especially if you are into unique interior spaces. It was a real treat once the hockey game ended and the projection screen was retracted to see the Aladdin themed painting that was hidden earlier. The food is good, the beers are fairly priced, but the staff was not friendly and at times very rude. Didn't interact with one staff member that made me feel welcome and for that reason I will not be back.
(1)Andrew T.
High, vaulted ceilings that echoes your voice if you occasionally let out a cheer or disappointing "aw" while watching the game or playing pool or shuffleboard. They have 4 official-size pool tables, which are completely free to use on Sundays, and 1 full-length table shuffleboard. They apparently have a projector set up that can display a big game on the wall, but it wasn't on while I was there. This place is a nice place to kick-back at after catching a movie at the neighboring MecMenamins Bagdad Theatre. Happy hours are twice a day and gives you great deals on their food (ie. cajun tots), but require that you buy a drink. Well, you're at a bar, so grabbing a drink shouldn't be too hard! I highly recommend ordering a Rubinator, a mix of their Terminator Stout and Ruby Ale. It creates a delicious brew that has the dark undertones with the smoothness of their ale. Delicious!
(4)Mark B.
I am, once again, on a quest, a quest to see every McMenamins. Thats right every one from Bothell to Roseburg. Why? I am doing another passport. Another? Yes I have already been to all of them and there are a lot and most have lots of character and some they have tried to give character with varying success. This one is in the first category. Tucked behind the Bagdad theater this place is cool and has lots of McMenamins art and well done, What appear to be antiques. And really, really high ceilings (as a rule I don't talk about ceilings but these are I am guessing about 3 stories high and look higher.) Whenever I have been here the staff has been great and they have a good selection of games. Pinball and video is exiled to the entrance but the main bar has pool and shuffle board. The food is McMenamins standard with burgers, tater tots and such, that is to say it is good though nothing really special. Happy Hour is 3-6 and 10 to close has some good selections I had the happy hour burger which was good enough I wanted more (they weren't kidding about the mini...) So food 3 stars, space 5 stars, atmosphere 5 stars and staff 5 stars overall I rounded to 4 stars,
(4)Andrew T.
High, vaulted ceilings that echoes your voice if you occasionally let out a cheer or disappointing "aw" while watching the game or playing pool or shuffleboard. They have 4 official-size pool tables, which are completely free to use on Sundays, and 1 full-length table shuffleboard. They apparently have a projector set up that can display a big game on the wall, but it wasn't on while I was there. This place is a nice place to kick-back at after catching a movie at the neighboring MecMenamins Bagdad Theatre. Happy hours are twice a day and gives you great deals on their food (ie. cajun tots), but require that you buy a drink. Well, you're at a bar, so grabbing a drink shouldn't be too hard! I highly recommend ordering a Rubinator, a mix of their Terminator Stout and Ruby Ale. It creates a delicious brew that has the dark undertones with the smoothness of their ale. Delicious!
(4)Mark B.
I am, once again, on a quest, a quest to see every McMenamins. Thats right every one from Bothell to Roseburg. Why? I am doing another passport. Another? Yes I have already been to all of them and there are a lot and most have lots of character and some they have tried to give character with varying success. This one is in the first category. Tucked behind the Bagdad theater this place is cool and has lots of McMenamins art and well done, What appear to be antiques. And really, really high ceilings (as a rule I don't talk about ceilings but these are I am guessing about 3 stories high and look higher.) Whenever I have been here the staff has been great and they have a good selection of games. Pinball and video is exiled to the entrance but the main bar has pool and shuffle board. The food is McMenamins standard with burgers, tater tots and such, that is to say it is good though nothing really special. Happy Hour is 3-6 and 10 to close has some good selections I had the happy hour burger which was good enough I wanted more (they weren't kidding about the mini...) So food 3 stars, space 5 stars, atmosphere 5 stars and staff 5 stars overall I rounded to 4 stars,
(4)Stella S.
High ceilings, yummy drinks, beautiful decor, amazing sound system, pool tables... One of my favorite bars in Portland for sure.
(5)Ben H.
McMenamins is a great one-stop shop for the family, and the Bagdad Theater and Pub is no deviation from the classic formula. A great selection of beers, food, entertainment, and venues makes Bagdad an ideal location for a complete Friday evening out. We usually catch happy hour from 4-5 then catch whichever movie is showing at the time. If we don't feel like a movie, we can just jump to one of the adjoining bars/parlors. Our baby is welcome in all but the cigar bar (we wouldn't bring her in there anyways), so there no need to hire a babysitter. The food is nothing to write home about and it generally feels overpriced, but their selection is wide so the choice is worth the premium. Definitely not a 5-star location but a good choice if you're looking to kill time in Southeast.
(4)William D.
Awesome awesome. It's places like this make me love portland. Sky high ceilings flooded with neon fluorescent lights, every inch hand painted with something awesome. Quite a few pool tables and a new addition of a shuffle board. They also have viewings for popular shows such as walking dead and American horror story. I had a Bloody Mary. Extra spicy. And boy did she make it extra spicy. So good!
(4)Josh T.
Actually kinda magical space. There aren't many places that make me stuck on stupid but this is one. I have lived in the neighborhood for over a decade and I am just finding it now? WHY?! WHY?! The space has the most ridiculously high ceilings and as can be expected from mcminnimens classic/vintage type decorations but also cute little tucked away tables including a few on what looks like a 2 story staircase to nowhere but leads to a little birds nest view of the whole bar. The shuffleboard tables are glorious. Honestly the best I have seen in town. The drinks were weak so boo on that but the space inspired. I'll be back for sure.
(4)Ryan P.
Great venue, especially if you are into unique interior spaces. It was a real treat once the hockey game ended and the projection screen was retracted to see the Aladdin themed painting that was hidden earlier. The food is good, the beers are fairly priced, but the staff was not friendly and at times very rude. Didn't interact with one staff member that made me feel welcome and for that reason I will not be back.
(1)Matt E.
Next to Voodoo Donuts, PDX locals seem to enjoy nothing more than bashing McMenamins. To that, I say nay! I will stand up and declare right here and right now, that I really, REALLY like McMenamins Backstage Bar. First things first, the space is fantastic! It's a long, skinny bar with absurdly high ceilings, thanks to the fact that they really are behind the stage/screen of the theater. Because of the unique shape of the space, it's cozy but not claustrophobic. It has wonderful lighting. This would be a great second date spot. Not a stuffy first date, but the "fun" date before you've done The Adult together. AND FUN IT IS! There are a couple of pool tables, but more importantly they have what is probably the most glorious shuffleboard table on which I've ever played. I'm not sure what the regulation length shuffleboard might be, but this table is HUGE! It's 100% manual, in great condition and just about my favorite thing on the planet. I love this shuffleboard table more than some family members. So, they serve beer. And food. McMenamin's stuff. You know what you're getting. I haven't been completely blown away by my selections, but they've all been fine. Really, the star of this show is the atmosphere, of which it has heaps. 4 stars. -1 for the terrible music that was playing the entire time I was there. +1 for teaching me to love, even if it was only a bar game on which I could share that feeling.
(4)Katherine C.
As for as McMenamins' bars, Backstage is one of my favorites. Tucked behind Baghdad Theater, this beautifully adorned bar has a great vibe with lots of pool tables (including two private pool table rooms tucked away upstairs) and a long shuffleboard table. The reason I rate it 4/5 stars is because I'm not super impressed by McMenamins' food and drinks but this bar is top notch.
(4)Laura C.
What a fantastic secret to stumble upon! Not that the Backstage bar is some sort of speak-easy; I just didn't know it existed, and I'd walked right past it a hundred times. Looks can be very deceiving, because from the outside, one would think this was some hole in the wall that seated maybe 30 people. However; upon stepping inside, there is a door which leads to the actual bar - and entering it is like walking the rough the armour door in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. It was literally an explosion of a gigantic, 30 foot ceilinged room with chandeliers, pool tables and a large dining area. We came here after an event at the Echo theater, which does not sell alcohol - and being a McMenamins - I knew exactly what to order: a Ruby Red Ale. I'd already eaten but my friend ordered a rice bowl that was covered in avocado, which looked scrumptious. This place would also be a great hiding spot if a zombiepocalypse were to ever occur. lol
(4)Jeremy B.
Food. Drinks. Great service. Great atmosphere. It's a bar. But it's a really good bar.
(4)Jro B.
awesome place
(5)Amy A.
I came here recently for a private party. A friend had the upstairs rooms rented out and we had a bar-tab pre paid. This was my 2nd time coming to Backstage Bar, and I was excited to check it out again. The venue itself is awesome! Dark, with high ceilings and a Portlandy vibe to it. Anyway, what was frustrating about this time at Backstage was that it was clear that the bartender was skimping on the drinks for the party. Vodka Tonics without Limes, Drinks with maybe NO alcohol etc. It was our impression that because the tab was a "sure thing" they were trying to cut costs on their end. The venue is great, but I would never rent it for an event.
(2)Won M.
Chill vibes. Great service. Cool environment. We'll be back!
(5)Danielle R.
Very cool environment and nice surprise when you walking in not knowing what to expect.
(4)Maureen L.
On a whim, my boyfriend and I headed out on our quest to obtain some more stamps for our McMenamins passports and came here since it was basically 5 minutes away. This place is fantastic! You enter and can already feel the vibe that you're in a great bar. There are three pretty rad pinball machines right upon entrance, and then you make your way into this cavernous bar with a gigantic theater screen and several pool tables. On the first landing heading upstairs is a bar on the railing that seats probably about 6 people, and then continuing further up the stairs is a private room with more booths and another pool table. The lighting and ambiance in this place is great - some pretty unique chandeliers - and the bartenders are super friendly. Can't wait to get back to this place for a Ducks game on the big screen!
(4)Bliss O.
This is a great venue! I love the location and ambiance. They offer your typical McMenamins fare which, along with service wait time, really contributes to my 3-star rating. The food can be good when they're not too busy, and can be rather ghastly (e.g., cold, limp, oily) when they're busy. The open seating and being able to remain indoors, protecting my delicate porcelain skin from unwelcome (if rare) sunshine, while also people-watching with friends is much appreciated. More often than not, I have a nice time here, and I encourage people to try it out later in the evenings when they're less busy.
(3)Rudy B.
This little bar is just plain fun! The usual good food and great beer, but in a very unique spot being behind the Bagdad theater. Definitely worth checking out if you've never been!
(5)Bryan I.
This place is definitely worth checking out! Yeah, the average food and happy hour is the same as at the Bagdad, but this is one of the nicer late-night places on Hawthorne to get some pub grub, and more importantly play billiards on some really NICE tables! Pay by the hour for the quality felt (as opposed to free play at Hawhorne Hideaway), but it's well worth it if you haven't had so many PBRs that you're valuing a good game of cutthroat :-) The 3-story "backstage" area is beautifully renovated and allows for playing in number of more semi-private rooms if you don't want to hang out in the main hall.
(4)Alex B.
The McMenamins kingdom is 80-some bars, theaters, and hotels strong and ever growing. Some of them rock, and some of them suck. Their beer and spirits are universally pretty good, and I'm a fan of their happy hour (3-6 here). This review attempts to highlight what makes this McMenamins property unique from the others. While this gem behind the Bagdad Theater doesn't have as many beers on tap or as extensive a menu as the Bagdad Pub out front, the ambiance more than makes up for it. The Backstage Bar is one massive, high ceilinged room (must be 6 or 7 stories tall). It's a great play to play pool, shuffleboard, or watch a game on their massive theater screen. They show Seahawks and Trailblazers games here with sound, as well as the occasional TV show (Walking Dead, etc.). It's worth coming at least once just to see it. This building is unique and historic.
(4)Ziyan C.
Fun place to play pool, get a couple drinks, and enjoy the big screen TV and incredibly tall ceilings. ~~AMBIANCE~~ Kind of like an industrial loft - a lot of the walls/ceilings are exposed so you see the piping, the main area has dark wood floors and brick walls, and the stairs winding up to the separate rooms remain in the main room so at the top of the stairs you get this great view of the whole bar from high above. We got to watch the Walking Dead while playing pool. It was about 8pm on a Sunday so it was chill, not too many people there, just a few minutes to get a pool table, and you could easily hear the dialogue on the TV. I liked seeing on the board.. they have Portlandia and (I believe) Project Runway showing nights! ~~DRINKS~~ No specialty cocktails but the general house ones - I got my standard Amaretto Sour and it was pretty strong. My friends enjoyed their beers.
(4)Dean S.
The ambiance and location alone are worth the trip. Besides that, its a great place to rent big pool tables and drink. The beer selection is really good, and as I recall, they had a full bar too. Prices are a tad high, but that's to be expected. The food is pretty typical P-Town bar food. As I said though, its the building and artwork that make this place a really hangout. Oh, staff and patrons are also very friendly.
(4)Alex G.
A good venue with pool and shuffle board but incredibly overpriced. The happy hour prices are ok but never buy food or you will feel robbed. More specifically we ordered an $11 pizza which was the size of a plate and had whole slices of tomatoes and cheese with some sauce. Period. I would be embarrassed to sell the pizza.
(3)Charlie B.
This really is an awesome bar. While I think one reviewer's estimate of 200' ceilings may be a bit of an exageration, it's not by much. We got great service including instructions on how to play shuffleboard since it had been years since my wife and I had played. With their 19' screen it would be the perfect place to catch a blazers game. They also play new episodes of The Walking Dead and Portlandia which I imagine would be pretty cool too.
(4)Ethan N.
Out of all the McMenamins, this is by far my favorite location. It is what I would refer to as my MacClarens (How I Met Your Mother reference). This is my "home" bar and I go here very frequently. The best part: my relationship with the bartender. He knows exactly what I like to drink, and how to make my drinks (I like it super sweet). The food here is super cheap during happy hour, so I recommend either going between the hours of 3-6 or 10-Close. These are the hours where you will receive the best deal on food and drink. The drinks are pretty standard, but I am a creature of habit and always order the same thing, so it works out for me. If you want a chill atmosphere, THIS IS YOUR SPOT. There are pool tables and also shuffleboards to keep you occupied. It might get just a bit busy on Saturday nights, but other than that, Sunday and Tuesdays are the best because of free pool and shuffleboard. I would highly recommend this spot. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Tarty T.
Went to Backstage last night to watch the Blazer game. Awesome atmosphere. Poor Blazers. Service was pretty slow but considering we were up 3 flight of stairs I guess it could have been worse. The small bbq pizza was perfect for two and delicious. I would order it again. Great place to hang out, play pool and watch games. Loved the decor as with all McMenamins. Only 3 stars because of the slow service. I will be back!
(3)Ryan S.
Don't bury the lead: 200 foot ceilings give me wood! The headspace in this bar is totally refreshing and interesting. I joined a friend here and was delighted to find my Greyhound made with a few grapefruits pressed before my very eyes. My friend enjoyed his carefully-selected beer, something red, I believe. We grabbed a shuffleboard table and learned the rules from some friendly neighbors playing pool and gratuitusly hugging us for no reason at all. We had a good time exploring the visual mysteries of the space: the door to nowhere, the giant mural and the aforementioned cubic emptiness overhead.
(4)John L.
This place is pretty much as good as it gets as far as McMenamin's bars go (outside of their hotels). They have a bunch of pool tables, although I'm pretty sure they recently got rid of a couple to make room for a full size shuffleboard. They also have a couple of rooms upstairs that have pool tables. They also have a huge projector. Their menu is the Bagdad's.
(4)Anna B.
Of all the McMenamin's around town, this one is surprsingly not horrible! I think that's mostly because it doesn't seem like a McMennie's, and I'll bet they get that a lot. It's a pretty sweet space, the roof looming about 1000 feet above your head, bar area, tables, booths, and pool tables. Service is the usual McMen's-style (not good), but otherwise this is an ok place for a drink and some chatting, WAY better pre- or post-movie than the other McMen's on the front side of the Bagdad.
(3)Kimberly J.
First of all, this place is absolutely breathtaking. I believe they actually converted the backstage area of a theater, so the first thing I was blown away by were the high ceilings. The pictures show this better than I can describe, but I still feel that it doesn't quite do it justice. I love how they have an industrial ambiance, but still throw in some decor so you don't feel as if you're in a warehouse. A group of friends rented a private room here on the third (!!!) floor over the holidays. We were provided with several tables, a pool table, and a server. They serve all the McMenamins beers here, but my favorite overall was the Terminator Stout. Fellow stout lovers, it is a must-try. The Ruby Ale is perfect for fruity beer lovers; it tastes like graperfruit. Or combine the two to create a Rubinator - delicious and unusual! Sadly these local brews are not available anywhere outside of Oregon... I took one star off because the service felt really mediocre to me. Our server hardly ever came up, and half the time we went down to the first floor bar to place our drink orders. We also came back down to the bar for a round of shots. Not being big on liquor, I cheerfully told the bartender to surprise me. Normally, a bartender would be a good sport about this, but he would not humor me at all, and just stared at me until I could think of a specific shot to order. Meh.
(4)Chris S.
Oh, I FEEL for you, Backstage employees. Sometimes it can be downright PAINFUL to have to talk to people. All you wanted was a job where you could sling a few drinks, keep a low profile, and hide behind a movie theater. But your boss, Joe McMenamin, forgot to mention one important little fact. The customers. It must have been so surprising on your first night! You, just relaxing by yourself, sitting in a beautiful bar with 200 foot ceilings, studying the mural, maybe knocking around some billiards, when all of a sudden a person came in and ordered a drink! Who are these people? Why do they always want you to make them drinks and bring them food? Can't they see you were just starting to enjoy your privacy? So, I understand, I really do, when you forget to put the Terminator in the Terminator milkshake. IT HAPPENS. And instead of reblending the milkshake, you just offer a small glass of beer and suggest to pour it in and mix it by spoon. Why should you be bothered? It's not like waiting on people was part of your job description or anything! Also, thank you for giving up on our table of 6 after a while. We had no intentions of ever ordering another drink - how did you know? So PSYCHIC! Man, you've got it made, you really do. You've got a job at a McMenamins! The beer/restaurant/hotel conglomerate of the Northwest! And not just any McMenamins - the one with the tall ceilings and full size pool tables! Keep up the good work! Hopefully, for your sake, your lack of care and service for those people ordering drinks will eventually deter them from coming. And then maybe you can finally get some peace and quiet.
(3)Jen D.
I have a love/hate relationship with Back Stage. If you're looking for an amazing space with tall cathedral like ceilings, huge murals on the wall, full size pool tables (except one) and overall, the feeling like you've stepped into a secret annex of awesome ambiance, Back Stage is the place for you. Buuuuuuuuuut, if you're looking for somewhere that will serve you quickly, with a smile, check on your table, bring you the stuff you order, treat you like an equal human being and show general kindness to you.... this place may not be the place for you. In recap: Amazing space - maybe one of the best in PDX. Horrible service - maybe one of the worst in PDX. Will I go back? Yes (but I'll be mad at myself later for it).
(3)Nathaniel M.
The most important thing to me with any bar or restaurant is atmosphere, and this place has one of the coolest atmospheres of any bar I have ever been. The impossibly high ceiling along with the assortment of vintage neon bar signs adorning the walls will undoubtedly impress most first-time visitors. This is a great place to take a date or to gather with some friends and play pool. Sadly, it does suffer from the stereotypical bad, or at best average, service McMennamins establishments have become known for. I suggest stopping here for a quick drink before dinner or a night out.
(4)Jess P.
As far as McMenamins Bars go, this one is pretty cool. Located behind the Baghdad theater, the bar shares a wall with the silver screen on the other side. Consequently, Backstage is the perfect place to watch sports as its wall can be turned into it's own theater-sized screen. Come here early for major sporting events as it can get packed. You know the drill when it comes to McMenamins food and drink. Nothing spectacular, nothing disgusting. Sometimes a bit slow, but not Comcast customer support line slow. Backstage is dependable, you know what you're going to get. With the right expectations, it's the perfect place to catch a game or just catch up. As for atmosphere, it's a pretty cool place. With high ceilings, an up-stairs area (that can be booked for private events FOR FREE), shuffle board and pool tables, Backstage is a great no-fuss place to relax.
(3)Arun S.
It's my favorite place to chill and grab a beer/ relax, the atmosphere is so chill with amazing people around...
(5)Ethan D.
This is one of Portland's greatest secrets. A cavernous (and I mean cavernous... you'll see) bar "back stage" from the Bagdad Theater and tucked off the beaten path with a very historic and unique atmosphere. A big screen and bass-y acoustics play anything from sports events to the Presidential debates to free movies. And there are pool tables, some of which are tucked away upstairs in their own rooms (what, I imagine, used to be dressing rooms back in the Bagdad's Vaudeville days). Top it all off with pitchers of McMenamins craftbrews, liquors (their whiskeys made out at Edgefield are some of my all time favorites!), and wines, and you have yourself an extremely sweet spot. Plus, since it's off the beaten path, you rarely encounter annoying crowds here. Usually it is pretty chill and the crowds are thin enough not to intrude upon your personal space. Besides, if you get claustrophobic in this place you have major issues. There is more than enough breathing room given the what seems like 100-foot ceiling height. One of my favorite pubs in town.
(5)Amber L.
Such a perfect hidey-hole for day drinking.
(5)Ame P.
When the Bagdad is busy, but you're craving that McMennamins food and beer, the Back Stage is an AMAZING alternative that's tucked away right behind the madness. Its got the super high ceilings and dark kind of ambiance and pool tables. Great for dates or groups. The service is a little lacking here, but overall, this place is the perfect answer for good food and beer and a chill night.
(4)Lisa T.
Wow! This place sure was pretty! But then you probably already now that McMenamin's know how to decorate a place up right. The Backstage Bar is housed in the former backstage area of the theater and behind the bar and the TV screens are huge former theater backdrops. They are beautiful! We were searching for a place to watch our Beavers not win the Civil War and while there were people in the theater, we peeked into the Backstage Bar and discovered only a handful of people and an immense movie screen playing the game. I can't think of a more comfortable place to watch the game. The bartender was gracious and helpful, even though she was on her own and had several tables and the whole bar. Beers, Burgers and consilitory whiskeys were all pretty good. I am not a lover of McMenamins food usually, and they only had one guest tap, but all in all, it satisfied my needs for pretty surroundings, football watching and some billiards in the second half to distract us from the impending defeat.
(4)Brenna S.
The Back Stage Bar was once the actual backstage area to the Bagdad Theater as far back as 1927 when actual Vaudeville acts graced its stage. With some of the highest vaulted ceilings you could imagine, pool tables, little party rooms, and an exceptionally competent staff (especially for McMenamin's) the Back Stage is a unique spot to grab a drink with some friends. Just don't order any food... the food comes from the kitchen of the notoriously slow and yucky Bagdad Pub next door. McMenamin's... when will you ever get a clue??? Your food sucks!!!
(4)David H.
Aside from the measured pours, which is apparently a universal McMenamins' policy, this place is fantastic. The staff is friendly and lots of fun. I've shot pool with a few of them once they were off the clock - the place is cool enough to stick around in even after you are done with a shift. The overall booze selection is good-to-great depending on what you are into (whiskey is my drink of choice here, and the selection is stellar). The atmosphere makes this a nice place to just relax and have a cocktail or three. Highlights include: high ceilings (7 stories from floor to ceiling), massive tapestries and murals, chandeliers, cool art, pool tables, and a couple of private rooms that you can reserve for hanging with friends. I've spent way too much time at the Back Stage, and I don't see that trend ending anytime soon.
(4)Aaronson L.
One of the coolest unknown bars in Portland. They have the BIGGEST SCREEN in town to watch sports on, great atmosphere, bartenders are usually friendly, cool stairway up to other little rooms to hang out in and play pool. The happy hour has gotten more expensive with less variety over the years but that's a McMenamins across the board thing so I won't dock them a star for that.
(5)Graham G.
This is one of those bars with so much potential, but just falls short. We got great service and the prices were reasonable. My complaint is that the place was lit up like a Christmas tree. A bar should be kinda dark, no one wants to see the other groups of mutants at bars. Getting wasted is not pretty. Take the wattage down two notches and this place would be a ton better. Secondly, the two story tall TV projector, unless I'm going to sports bar I'm very much anti TV's in bars. You get distracted and conversation suffers. The Back Stage has the most oversized TV ever, it killed what is an amazing decor at this bar. I'm sure some people love it, but I just can't get down with it.
(3)Traci S.
Nice laid-back atmosphere with all of the fun quirks you expect from a McMenamins. Will definitely go back.
(4)Robert L.
I have been three times. All three times have been great experience. Next time I am in town, I am for sure going to grab a drink here
(4)Tim H.
It's fine. Measured pours, never a good thing. Typical McMins deal, food is OK beer is OK. Atmosphere is cool enough but seems like they really make you pay for that atmosphere. It's just not really worth it.
(3)Greg E.
All of the regular McMenamin's swagger with a hint of pool hall. Yes you can have a few good pints of beer here, and some standard McMenamin's food all while playing pool....meh. It's fun for a bit I guess. A nice place to go on a week night when it isn't crowded. I'd rather go here than many of the other places on this street. Mostly because this place is far too expensive for the trashy neck bearded folks who populate this part of town. So I don't have to listen to those twits discuss what new band came out that they heard of first and OMG they are coming to town! Then when they do hit it big I can say I was there. Then in another 6 months when they are on the radio I can reject them for their popularity and accuse them of selling out. Fucking hipsters....At least there are places like this where, for the most part, I can escape you.
(3)Eliot J.
This is honestly one of the most aesthetically pleasing bars I have been in Portland. I mean, I know it's owned by McMenamins. They sure do know how to decorate their many establishments. The backstage bar is located where the theater used to be. The old theater screen is now used as the backdrop for the tvs! The drinks are strong, and not as expensive as some of the bars on Hawthorne. They also have pool tables! It's always a good time at Backstage.
(4)Miel H.
This place is full of pool tables and cute boyz racking up the ballz. I went on a Monday night for the first time and had a bite to eat in an amazing setting. This not so secret spot is tucked behind the screen of the Bagdad Theatre and Pub in a seven stories tall space full of huge murals and the perfect lighting. Food is definitely bar but hey, I was able to wash down a Tanqueray and Tonic with a mixed green salad topped with yummy blue cheese and hazelnuts. That ain't TOO bar food'ish. Pool tables are $5/hour with an ID or credit card left behind for the balls. Friendly bar tenders make it all seem right when you scratch. Perfect place for a girl to take a guy on a date. You know, and pretend you've never played pool? Can you stand behind me and show me how to hold the, um, stick?
(5)Alice F.
I was here on a Tuesday night and it had good business. Loved the high ceilings and the bartenders were very friendly. The price was decent and the vibe was very friendly. PS. Good music selection. David Bowie was playing as I walked in.
(4)Lucas C.
Nice enough place. Has the classic McMenamin's decor, drinks, and pool. I have to admire the minimalism and no frills to the place. We hit up Backstage after Ignite 9 and it was pretty crowded with the after party. Sweet ludicriously high ceilings and cool multi-level ("backstage") scaffolding stars. They weren't too skimpy with the alcohol in our drinks either. Usual less than stellar McMenamin's service and $4.50 rum and cokes. eh. Also, $5 an hour pool.
(3)Andrew K.
Usually to get back stage passes to a super sweet venue one must win them from local super self important and relatively obsolete radio DJ (thank you apple + slacker radio). OR You must do naughty things that afterwards you hope never have to admit to your children, should you have any. (children). Backstage Bar at the Bagdad or as the kids call it, "the BBATB" gets you back stage with out any sweat at all. In fact on tuesday's you're buying drinks you get to play pool for free on some really nice pool tables that are essentially free of obstruction. I think one thing I should point out that really makes Backstage awesome are the super high ceilings and the way they light the bar. It's almost unexplainable but you just feel cooler hanging out there especially if you're having some bourbon neat. Speaking of bourbon, I met the owner who was chillin' at the bar non-chalant having a drink and reading. We started talking drinks and it was clear that not only did she know her bourbon but she had some top notch selections available. She made a couple great recommendations to me and I really appreciate that as a customer. Ambiance was a big win at this place! So why not 5 stars? First a classic style jukebox is really but the nostalgia wears off when you can't find anything you want to listen to. Second, well it has to do with the "wow" factor. Places that I give 5 stars to are places that literally cause me to reconsider the universe. That sounds like a tough standard but I'm an adult and you can't tell me what to do! How do you like me now? Yeah! Now I'm gonna go do laundry at my dad's house.
(4)Uyen T.
$5/hour for pool $5 fresh squeezed greyhounds over 5 story high ceilings High 5 for Historical location Happy Hour under $5
(4)Rosy D.
Really good pool tables, really cool spot
(4)Jason S.
Let's get the usual stuff out of the way. This is one of the McMenamin's locations, with all of the usual pluses and minuses that go with that: ok beer, ok food set in a very unique and colorful venue. Love this place for meeting friends and shooting pool. The tables are just plain gorgeous. Rates are reasonable. You feel like maybe Paul Newman or Jackie Gleason are going to sidle up at any moment. Those ceilings are what--50 feet? Tough to find a more dramatic setting. One of the best all around places to shoot pool in the country I'd say.
(4)Vince S.
This bar was okay, we came during afternoon so the place was pretty deserted. We were sitting at the bar where a few other people were sitting. I had two pints of their stouts and one pitcher of the IPA. They tasted good, but not spectacular. They were showing college basketball on the big screen. The service was polite but not intrusive, which was nice by my standard. They also served food which I did not partake. Atmosphere-wise, it's nice, dim, and yeah the ceiling was very high. But they could enhance the atmosphere a lot more, maybe I should come here during a crowded night to experience the drunken rampage pandemonium.
(3)Tony C.
I should mention I studied theatre in both high school and college, so when I walked into what used to be a live playhouse backstage, I was breathless. Not a fan of pool and even less of the loud clash of the balls when someone is trying to break with the thunderclap of Zeus, but the friendly bar staff, the history lesson of the place, and the good beers on tap made it well worth it. They even had a late night happy hour that started at 10 pm. Goodness that's a great way to get people drunk, as it did me. I remember seeing a basket of tater tots, not sure if that was wishful intoxicated thinking or reality, but if it was, how could you resist?
(4)Cody W.
First off: I suck at pool. Usually I'm great at sports that require little to no actual movement. I'm a killer bowler, and a great dart player, but something about billiards just doesn't work. In saying that, I still love playing pool, and Back Stage is a great place to play at. The atmosphere is really laid back, with about 5 or 6 pool tables and a couple booths. I love that there are three stories, but have yet to use the second or third floor because people are always up there. They mainly only have McMenamin's beer, but for those looking for something classier they do have PBR. I haven't had the food, but assuming that it's from McMenamins, you know what you're getting. Overall, it's a really cool hangout spot. It's a nice balance between the strictly gaming atmosphere of Triple Nickel, and the laid back atmosphere of McMenamins.
(4)Kody L.
One of the best places to play pool in town. Plenty of tables to get a game in and if they're all taken, it's pretty easy to find someone who will play doubles with you. People here seem to be so laid back. I really appreciated the bartender for keeping an eye out for the next available table for us. The ceiling is so tall! I can't believe how much space is above you. This allows the big staircase near the entrance to lead to more tables and makes the environment feel different than other pool halls. Very open, I love it. It's a McMenamins, so expect the same food. I really don't think it's worth docking a star because of the lackluster taste -- I'm here to play pool and drink beer. The reason I did dock a star is because though the ceiling is spacious, the actual floor space isn't and the dimensions made it seem oddly quiet for a pool hall. I kept feeling like I was being too loud, which I really shouldn't worry about.
(4)Burt S.
This was the first time I've ever been here. We had reserved a room for our group and the place was pretty cool. We had our own pool table, television and a good size dining table. I thought it was gonna be an awesome night. There weren't many people around when we got there but I was surprised to see only 2 servers there on a Friday night. You'd think with so few customers, you'd at least get decent service. But the service through and through all night was terrible and hella slow. We first approached the bar to get a drink and not once did the bartender make eye contact with us. We thought ok, well she's just busy with another customer. After waiting and waiting, more people arrived at the bar and not once did she make eye contact with any of them. How the hell is she gonna know who to serve next? Luckily the second server finally arrived to help and took our orders. We also asked for a remote to change the channel in our room so we can watch the ball game. Not once did anyone come after having been forced to watch the Fifth Element from start to finish (with commercials mind you) for over 2 hours. And on top of that, our food was finally brought up to us after we waited a good half hour or so. And this was all when it was slow. As the night went on, the place got a lot busier, but at least now they have a whole whopping 3 servers, 2 of which are working behind the bar. When happy hour rolled around, some of us decided to order more food. I was tempted to, but seeing as how slow the service was all night when it was slow, I knew we'd be waiting forever for our food if we ordered when it was busy. And guess what? I was right. We waited almost 45 minutes just for one frickin burger and fries. At least the guy was cool and apologized for the wait and gave us 1 free beer. I don't get how this place can run with so few staff. The place itself is pretty cool and has the potential to be a really good hangout spot, but if their staff is always lacking like this, especially on the weekend, don't count on us ever coming back. They're lucky we even tipped them at all for the kinda service we received all night long.
(1)Lauren P.
To be fair, if I had walked into McMenamins with no expectations, I'd probably give the Back Stage Bar 4 stars. However, with McMenamins practically owning half of Portland, I had some pretty high expectations. I am always a fan of bar/theatres, and as far as they go this one was fine. It all seemed very standard. We ordered some food, my curry was great until the bottom of the bowl where some grease had gathered (yuck!).. but my boyfriend was really disappointed with his American dip. We were also really let down by the draft beers. When something shows up in a town again and again and again, I just assume its because they are the best the area has to offer. Apparently the McMenamins just had a lot of money to spare.. or an amazing marketing representative. With all the great mico-brews floating around town, McMenamins was sub-par at best. Our waitress was great, and the beer milkshake was tasty.. but I don't think we'll be going back to any of the McMenamin's establishments if there is another option for the evening.
(3)Elizabeth E.
Great vibe in this kickin bar which is tucked away slightly off the beaten-path that is Hawthorne. McMenamin's are always a good time, especially when you have pool tables and the tallest ceilings ever - which also means tall walls with cool murals painted on them. Taking a walk up the stairs near the entrance lands you in some smaller, more private rooms which are good if you have a big group that wants to sit together (or a private party). Overall expect friendly staff, not too much smoky-ness, and a bar full of that laid-back feel you crave after a long week.
(4)Doug Y.
Damn it, McMenamins hit the spot on this one. I don't normally LOVE a McMenamins joint, in fact I think they're all generally the exact same bar, like a Starbucks or whatever. But this place? Damn they won me over. It's like three bar-atmospheres in one, and POOL, LOTS OF IT. Totally drives circles around the Rialto. In fact I don't think I'm ever going back to The Rialto-- they won't let me ever since I fell over the balcony :( ERR UHH, I mean I don't think I'm ever going back to the Rialto because uhh... because this place... is way better, yes. It's still got the same ol' McMenamin's menu, so you know the drill: tater tots and a Hammerhead if you just wanna get slammed fast. Go downstairs if you want to be in the out-and-open bar, or upstairs if you're feeling like someplace more private. The toppest floor (yes that's a word, look it up) feels the most concealed and is usually the most dead of them all, so that's the place to go if you and whatever friends just feel like being with themselves... or if you don't want to be seen crying because you didn't bring any friends, their napkins are quite absorbent... so I'm told.
(4)Matt W.
This place has a lot of class. The ENORMOUS tapestries really sell the age of the place. The bar plus the pool hall, and the high ceilings really sell the ambiance of the Back Stage. Not being a local, and having come to this place, it makes me wish I were a local. The Back Stage would be my one of my usual haunts fo sho.
(4)Eric M.
Another McMennamin's so you don't have a great beer offering, but damn this place is cool. Located behind a movie theater it's a small bar with a GIANT ceiling and cool atmosphere. I would happily come back here to hang out.
(4)rc c.
So apparently this place is haunted...had a really interesting chat with the bartender about what goes on in the basement and she told us a lot of weird things happen here. Odd sounds, things turning on and off, and other creepy happens. Now that we have that out of the way, didn't have any of the food, which i'm glad reading the reviews. Such a different place to go and a good change of pace-I really liked the vibe. I still don't have a clue what snooker is though... but good drinks, high ceilings, friendly staff and ghosts...can't wait for halloween.
(4)Felicia L.
Be aware, the entrance to this bar is actually a little down 37th from the entrance to the theater. If you want to play pool and have a few drinks, this is an amazing place to do it. The Bagdad used to be a formal theater, so this is the huge, tall area where the stage techies would be doin their thang, but now it is a cleared out gimungus place to kick it. There are also a bunch of neat rooms tucked away as you climb the stairs to different levels. Overall it is the space that makes this place so cool, but any McMenamins will also offer great food and drink!
(5)Michael K.
70' ceilings. ginormous tapestries, great room. rock it!
(4)Tinkerman B.
"A pool hall," you ask? "Who the hell are you, Charles Bukowski?" Indeed, no. Backstage is actually a wonderful space for writers, if you want a lively venue to inspire you. The jukebox is stocked with quality music, and the ceilings are four stories tall! Whee! But best of all are the tall, wooden booths, that enclose you in vintage arms and tell you to write like the dickens. Even better, you can occupy one of the upper rooms and sneak over to the volume control of the room speakers. It's like your own retro office. Point against: can be a touch smoky on busy nights. 2009 will change that!
(4)Gracie C.
Great place with a great bartendar. We went on a Monday night and I had about 15 people with us. Fortunately it was a slow night so we had the place almost to ourselves. Beer prices were good and only $5 for an hour of pool. They have food, too! AND it's good! Will definitely go again.
(5)Wendy C.
Why is this place cooler than all the other McMenamins? Gotta be a combo of the neighborhood and the 70-FOOT-TALL ceilings, yeah? McMenamins food and beer just taste better and your friends seem more attractive and amusing here for some reason. There are lots of pool tables, a decent amount of smoke, and an alternatingly cool and amusingly uncool jukebox (Man Man followed by Guns & Roses? Yes!) The upper floors are chilly and you will get ignored by wait staff up there, so one star off for not being perfect.
(4)Clover Dan ..
jeesis how tall is that ceiling? we estimated around ten peoples tall. very rad space, but i'm not all that interested in pool halls. people got a bit confused about strangers joking with them, but i guess that's just a culture clash.
(4)Ryan N.
Yeah, yeah, yeah the food sucks. That aside, this is a very fun spot to grab a pint and rack 'em up. Backstage is best during off days as it can get crowded on weekends greatly increasing the risk of your personal space being invaded by frat boys in DMB t-shirts (true story).
(4)Marc P.
Like all McMenamin's, the beer is so-so and the food is blah (with the possible exception of the cajun tater tots), but the space is amazing enough to warrant a 4-star review. The pool tables are very well maintained, the the upstairs rooms are very cool.
(3)Joshua D.
After a long night of doing nothing at work I decided to watch a movie at the Bagdad. I was a little early so my work mate a I went a grabbed a beer at the Back Stage. I had 1 drink a pilsner which was very good even at 4.75$ The ceilings must be 70 ft with 2 massive chandeliers lighting up 5 pool tables. Please down fall! Sitting at the bar I started asking ?'s about the tapestry behind the bar as well the one on the back wall. The one behind the bar was the old curtain from the old theatre and the back wall was a mural depicting the old theatre once again plus the history of it since McMenamins took it over. Very vivid and colorful! Booths line the back wall while to TVs playing the Blazer game. There is a small alcohol display. A sign high in the rafters with 2 capitol AA's and 2 stars prompt me to ask the waitress again the meaning behind it. I thought it stood for Alcoholics Abundant or Alcoholics Abode or something like that! But her replied theory is it was a symbol for a rental car company in Great Britian. There was only one waitress so if it got pack it could be awhile before you would waited on. Good jukebox selection. Food is well McMenamins food not all that bad not all that great. I love the atmosphere of this bar. Its a place I'll take my brother when he moves here at the end of the month to play some pool! I had just one beer and moved to the actual theatre next door for the show.
(4)