Aura Restaurant and Lounge

07/23/2008 Posted by holidaycelebrate

This is my first time posting a review, but just had to with my recent experience at Aura. I had the best time celebrating a milestone birthday! All of my friends agree that we couldn't have asked for better service, a great atmosphere, music and overall good time! We danced the night away and had great food and drinks to keep us going! From being greeted outside to our personal bartender, everything was perfect. I appreciate all that the staff did for us and we'll be sure to be back for future celebrations! Thanks to everyone and if you're thinking about using Aura for a celebration - book it in a heartbeat!

07/23/2008 Posted by pdxpearl09

We recently had the most amazing 30th birthday party on a Saturday night at aura upstairs in the sky lounge for about 25 people. When we arrived the private curtain was pulled, there were beautiful vases filled with orchids and our champagne was chilled. The setting was gorgeous and we were treated like rock stars. It was like being in Vegas for a night right here in Portland. It was great being upstairs and watching all of the action below.l The DJ was great and we danced all night long. We will definitely be back!

07/15/2008 Posted by lizzylew21

I usually don't write reviews, but I recently attended a birthday party at Aura and I was so impressed by the experience that I had to write something! I was talking for days about the exceptional service and array of delicious food. The staff attended to everyone's needs, almost anticipating what was needed before anything was requested, sometimes hard to do with 50 plus guests. There was food for every palate and no one walked away hungry. The chocolate fondue was incredible - with marshmallows, fruit, cookies - simply decadent and delicious! The space really leant itself to accomodating the group - the ambiance is perfect for creating an atmosphere of urban hip and comfort. I highly recomend Aura for any type of event and will be back for Happy Hour and dinner. Aura = AWESOME!!!

Pros: exceptional service/novelty food

Cons: none

07/11/2008 Posted by CSchen91

This was my worst experience in a club ever! I had reservations at this club for my 25th birthday party for 20 people. You would think that if you had a party of 20+ people who are all ordering food and drinks, we would have been taken care of. Unfortunately, it was the extreme opposite! Our food was served cold, and our service was even colder. The staff was very unaccommodating and it seemed as if they forget that as a SERVER, you are suppose to "serve" your guests. Long story short, I will never return to this place again. My 25th birthday will be memorable, but for the wrong reasons. If you are thinking upon booking a party or just planning to attend this club, I suggest you keep looking...

Pros: None

Cons: Terrible Service, Horrible Food, Uncomfortable Atmosphere

07/08/2008 Posted by serenity81

This past Saturday I arrived at Aura at 11:01pm. I was on the VIP list but unfortunately they stopped letting people in, so I waited in line with a few of my girlfriends and two of their boyfriends. After waiting for over a hour I realize the line wasn't moving, and I notice a lot of people were getting frustrated. I did notice the line consisted mostly of Asian people and I was one of the few that wasn't Asian. Before deciding to leave I went to the front of the line and told the bouncer how I waited for over a hour and he says to me "sorry for the wait, why don't you come on in." So then I ask if my friends can come on in as well, he told me yes, assuming that the rest of my friends was white too. So I called over my friends and the bouncer looked over and quickly denied entry. I then knew they were discriminating Asians. I had to go to the restroom very bad so I decided to go inside of Aura. Inside it was very empty comparing to their other nights. There were a few Asian inside but I ask them how they got in and they told me it was before 10 o'clock. While leaving Aura I saw they were trying to get rid of some of the Asians inside Aura by kicking them out if they looked out the window. I can tell the owner of Aura is a punk, because even though he wasn't letting Asian people in, he just let them wait over a hour for nothing, instead of saying something like "oh you guys look like the people who start a fight the previous week and this is why we can't let you in" or saying the pants they are wearing is too baggy", just an excuse to let them know to leave and not wait for nothing. Aura has become a discriminating club and this is coming from a white person.

Pros: Empty club means no waiting in line for drinks.....

Cons: EVERYTHING!

07/08/2008 Posted by alim

A group of 10+ friends and I were in line to go in for a good 30min when the bouncer comes over and tells us we have to leave because Aura is at its max capacity of 30% of Asian. What the hell is that!!?? HE went down the line of people and said the same thing to all the other Asian people in line. One of the other groups was upset and asked why they have such a stupid rule and next thing we know they called the cops and had all of us Asians escorted out of line. Aura has NO IDEA how much business they have lost by doing this! Absolutely Ridicules! Wow! I do not recommend this place to anyone!

Pros: Nothing

Cons: Everything

07/07/2008 Posted by wildblackman

This is suppose to be the best club in Portland, but in my opinion this unethical managed business is not doing so well. Early closing times, waiting in long lines when there is barely anyone on the floor and signs of discrimination and racism. I would rather stay in and watch a movie then go to this poorly managed club again. If your looking to spend a lot of money with poor music selection and a long wait in line this is the place. If your looking to enjoy a fun time in portland go try a strip club or any other night club.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful

07/06/2008 Posted by pinkwithpurplepokadots

Although I have not personally been discriminated against at Aura, a number of my Asian friends have been told they cannot come in due to meeting maximum capacity of the club. This might be believable to those groups of Asians who have been standing in the VIP line for 45 minutes, but then, random white and black groups of people from the other line are let in for no apparent reason…I thought the doorman said they were at full capacity. This has happened nearly every weekend since the incident at Solo. Officially and unofficially, Aura has been limiting the number Asian's, specifically Asian males, into the club. Historically, practicing this sort of selectiveness to those wishing to visit a public club is very much blatant discrimination. It is known to the regular Asian clubbing community that they are not welcome at Aura since new management has taken over, which I must say is a huge knock to their business. Insiders have said that their new manager refuses to play songs like ‘Miss New Booty’ because he doesn’t want anyone to get “too hyphy”. Boy, that's silly! I would strongly suggest the management get his head of his backside before he drives his club out of business. Last time I checked, money was money - doesn’t matter who it comes from. It all carries the same value. What would happen if the fire marshal was called in the next time they were at “maximum capacity” for the night?? Next time Mr. Doorman, don’t let other people in right after you tell someone they can’t come in because you’re at maximum capacity.

04/30/2008 Posted by PDX08

Okay, I went to Aura with a group of people age 24-30ish, and we all felt way too old in this place! I swear 3/4 of the people in there either looked or acted like they were super 'frisky' teenagers! My goodness, dancing how some of these little gals were dancing could qualify as public indecency! And what was with that crowd? Do they check id's? When our girls and I were out there dancing, I actually felt some guy come up and grind on me, which made me laugh, which crushed the poor guy's ego i'm sure, but it was hillarious! As for the food/drinks/service... Yeah, the service was sometimes lacking once it got busy, but that's to be expected. The food was okay, but they seemed to have a hard time finding the appropriate flatware for serving the dishes they were bringing out! Overall the quality of the food and drinks were consistantly pleasing. I guess my best advice is this: Aura is trying REALLY hard to be chic- but this is portland, and the clientele may be ruining it for them. However, if you go in with a sense of humor and a relaxed attitude (the staff responds well to polite conversation/banter, and the service will reflect their apprecation for your unpretentious attitude), it can be a good time.

Pros: nice booths, cool bathrooms, food was okay, drinks were strong

Cons: 12 year olds (or at least looked/acted like 12 year olds) running a muck

03/01/2008 Posted by twarlik

This place is ridiculous. Much of the staff was rude, you get patted down like a criminal by the door guys (is this the airport?!), and the cover was WAY too much. On top of it all, the crowd was full of fake breasts, greasy hair, and spray-on tans. I will not be going back.

Pros: Nice atmosphere

Cons: Rude staff, high cover, pat down at the door