10/23/09

poor sound and forget bringing a bag

by sww8

1. Despite the sizable ticket price, the sound was atrocious. couldn't clearly pick out a tune even in familiar songs. to be fair, the music was loud and raucous (the jesus lizard), but it still should be tuneful.

2. No bags allowed and they do not provide a bag check option. myself and others had to return to the car (and we were lucky, at least we had a car to go to) to drop our bags and missed the first band in the process.

3.We got frisked before entering (that's always a great way to start the night) and there were lots of signs listing out what not to do. again, fun.

4.Like a number of pdx venues, the drinkers and non-drinkers are separated by an aisle for security. Here however, the security folks were constanly run up and down throughout the show, looking for ne'er-do-wells. Very distracting.

• Pros: admittedly, lovely architecture
• Cons: no bags/bagcheck, crappy sound, not fun

01/05/09

Overpriced and understaffed. NYN on NYE was the biggest ripoff!

by klarenaugen

NYN....not worth it. We spent $150 each...YES EACH for a ticket. Thinking sure....free food and drinks all night. NO. All we did was wait in line. 2 bartenders for everyone. The drinks were the weakest drinks i have ever tasted. The champagne toast was the biggest rip off ever. They didn't even have enough to go around! Instead, they served redbull! It wasn't even champagne! You'd wait in line for 40 min to get a painfully weak drink, then you'd turn around and go directly to the back of the line. Despite the fact we spent $150 to get into the venue, once we were there, we couldn't leave. IF we left, we couldn't get back in. Couldn't have a cig, couldn't go to the car, couldn't get fresh air. We were locked in like cattle.

This was not the only event that i have been to that sucked at the crystal ballroom. Halloween, same thing. cost $40 to get in. Drinks were overpriced, waited 30 min to get a drink. Wtf? If you left, you couldn't get back in.

Come on management... It's mcminnemans, you guys aren't going under... the economy is terrible and there are SO many people that are willing to have a job...HIRE MORE STAFF!

I TOTALLY VETO the Crystal Ballroom.

• Pros: the venue is beautiful.
• Cons: overpriced, understaffed, poor management

01/02/09

New years nation event TERRIBLE!

by sjmcoregon

This review is for the New Years Nation event hosted at the Crystal ballroom on 12/31/2008. I don't advise this event if you expect to get a drink. We got mid level tickets for $150 expecting open bar and food all night . The food was good but when there is two bartenders for 300 people getting a drink took about and hour and then they would only give you one. People in general addmission had it even worse! No one was even dancing they were standing in line! Also, once you got in and handed your tickets over they informed you that you could not leave the building or you wouldn't get back in. We stood in line from 11:10 to 12:05 for our last drink and left to go somewhere else! WHAT A RIPOFF! When something seems to good to be true, it is!

09/21/08

Best Night of My Trip

by MVchick

We went for 80's night on Friday and it was the best! The floor was fun to dance on, bounced you a bit as you danced. Everyone was having a great time and of course the 80's music brought everyone back to good times and every song made us want to stay longer. And only $5 to get in! Highly recommend 80's night.

08/28/08

Great Venue!

by adam251

This place is great....I'm sure it all varies depending on who you are seeing there, but for me I have always had a good time. The architecture is stunning, and the dance floor is off the chain! It is slightly soft and bouncy. The balcony is also VERY cool, giving you a view of the whole crowd and stage. The bar is a nice addition, but you will pay the price.

In conclusion...it's a venue...in the end your entertainment level rests on the show you are seeing, but I do think the crystal is superior to most venues...and they get a lot of good bands coming through.

10/26/06

one of the best places to see music

by binman69

this place has amazing lighting and atmosphere with the moving floor that bounces...they get great acts here and great musicians...i come down from seattle because this place is so cool

Feel like you're dancing on air at this historic live-music venue.

by Contributor

In Short
Located three stories up, the ballroom boasts an impressive history--from jazz and dancing in the early 20th century to more recent concerts by some of today's biggest contempary acts. The venue holds 1,500 people and offers 7,500 square feet of floating dance floor--it bounces due to rubber under the hardwood. Patrons can also relax at tables on the intimate mezzanine. Three bars serve liquor, McMenamins' beers, the pub's own wines and snacks.

03/19/06

Great place

by dkansas

One of portland's places for a good time. Had fun in a great spot

01/10/06

heard so much yet to just be disapointed

by solocg

The drinks are weak and service is arogant if they don't feel like making your drink like a flaming dr pepper they wont and if they do they might not light it yet still try to charge you for it. Nice atmosphere it's a shame it goes to waste with the staffs arogance........................... :(

• Pros: close in
• Cons: over rated, weak drinks, stuck up staff

01/18/03

McMenamins does it again!

by contactcurry

I love everything the McMenamin brothers do. But the Crystal Ballroom is a shining star. You can feel the history. A Steve Kimock concert at the Crystal, nothing like it.