Badlands Portland

AWESOME OVERALL - ANY COMPLAINTS WOULD BE NITPICKING COVER: Most bigger venues will charge 5-10 starting at 9pm. I feel like that's a great price point without being overbearing. That's also less that Blow Pony, which will attract their business (smart). AT THE BAR: Many bartenders so getting a drink on a crowded night was easier than expected. Expect about 8-12 per drink, depending on what you get. They have a simple bar food menu as well (see photo of menu). **Ask Guido for a "Guido Special" (Tamarind vodka, pineapple juice, dash of Tajin, with a Tajin rim)** AROUND THE BAR: 5 areas: main bar, two regular side lounges, a dual pool table lounge, and back bar/dance floor. Ample seating. Sound system, lights, and overall interior design is 5 stars. Televisions everywhere. They spared no expense. Reminds me of a big city club. (SIDE NOTE: Love the quiet side bar. Sometimes you just want to talk to your friends) DANCE FLOOR: High energy. Go-go boys. Sound and lights are a 10. DJ and music are on point. It's easy to get lost in the ambience and dance the night away. STAFF: Lots of staff and security. ID/face pictures taken at door . Expect a pat-down occasionally. No weapons, including pocket knives. I do feel safer knowing everyone there was screened. CLEANLINESS: 3 Bathrooms that are big, bright, modern, and STERILE. The staff seem very attentive to check the bathrooms regularly (please keep that up). Trash cans all over which was nice to see. SUGGESTIONS: 1. Not sure why they went with a dull dreary paint color on the outside. It certainly doesn't represent the upscale inside. I would have tried for a lighter color, like a cream colored stucco (California high end vibes). 2. Food recommendations? -pizza slices -tator tots OVERALL THOUGHTS: Badlands took a long long time to open, but in that long period of time it seems like the owners kept thinking and thinking about how to make the perfect bar/club. You can tell that every tiny detail was thought about before being built. It truly is remarkable. Portland desperately needed a dance bar/club. Slaughters kind of turned into a drag/trans bar so the guys only really had things like Blow Pony and Bearracuda to go to. I knew that whomever made the next big dance club would score BIG and now Badlands will do just that.

Had a fantastic night of dancing and cocktails while we checked out the soft opening of Badlands, Portlands new queer video lounge in the old Embers Avenue space. The space is incredible. Everything is brand new and the flow of the space works really well. Embers Ave was one of favorite spots back in the day and they truly did a great job with this new vision. We didn’t eat anything so I can’t say anything about their food but for right now it’s a pretty small bar menu. Well done. Well done! Come check out this new space.

Amazing venue, great music, friendly staff. The drinks are a bit weak and they are also quite pricey. 8 for a well drink, 10 for mid shelf well drinks, more for drinks with more than 2 ingredients. Seems more expensive than the California Badlands. The dance floor is great with colorful lighting and lots of screens playing music videos. The interior is well thought out, with lots of seating, lounging areas, pool tables, and dance floors. Bathrooms are plentiful so no lines there. Stronger drinks and happy hour 2 for 1 drink specials like the California locations would make this venue a solid 5 stars. Can't wait to go back. Thank you!!

Amazing opening night, 6/12/24! For a new club this size to reopen they did an amazing job. LOTS of lounge space and can fit a ton of people and you can still move around. Over 20 screens for Music videos (loved it), two new pool tables in side room, multiple side “quieter” lounge spaces, not including pool table area. Plenty of seating, great back dance floor. They had drag MCs on the mics that were great. Three bathrooms that didn’t even get lines when near full. Drinks were nightclub fare - medium strength and about 8 wells. No CBD drinks yet but maybe soon for non-alcoholic crowd. Oh and two DJ booths, front and back. Going to be an amazing space for big or double events. Staff was wonderful, fast, didn’t seem rushed and even when full were great and were top notch. Location is ideal in old town, for walking to/from other clubs less than a block away, and plenty of parking along street, park blocks or in paid parking across street. They are also decently wheelchair accessible with low shelf bars, ramps and accessible bathrooms with several wheelchair patrons there that evening. Overall loved it, amazing opening night. Also they added their lineup for the week! Monday Musicals, Karaoke Tuesdays, Latin Wednesdays, Thirsty (Dance), Thursdays and Drag Fridays! Special events and dance on weekends including beer bust Sundays. Welcome to the community!

Badlands is a phenomenal and inclusive bar. We went on a Tuesday night and got to have fun with their karaoke night. The drinks were good, the service was great, and I liked the gender neutral bathrooms

Badlands offers a vibrant atmosphere with great music and an energetic dance floor. The space is inclusive and welcoming, perfect for a fun night out. Affordable drinks and friendly staff.

I personally love this bar, especially the POC staff and Latino nights. It's why I come ; pero. BUT the DJ's be missing, like they'll play 2-4 BOPS and then it's like 8 misses back to back which is great for conversations but if u want people to move their bodies stop missing. Study music theory or sum shi idk. The vibes be hitting and then evaporate

A Fantastic Night Out Regrettably, I don’t go out much—especially to the queer bars in town—but recently, I ventured out with a friend visiting from out of town, and we had an absolute blast at Badlands Bar! The energy was amazing, the crowd was fun, and the whole experience made me wonder why I don’t go out more often. I’m already looking forward to my next visit! If you’re looking for a great LGBTQ bar with a lively atmosphere, Badlands Bar is definitely worth checking out!