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The 100-year-old Star Theater (13 NW 6th Ave., startheaterportland.com)
has been a strip joint, a burlesque bar and a speakeasy. Its latest
incarnation isn't the first time the room—with its impressive vaulted
ceilings, long red curtains, second-story lounge and narrow
staircases—has been a music venue, but it is the first time in
recent history anyone has given the place some dignity. The new Star
Theater is as clean and unpretentiously classy as it is really fucking loud on
show nights. It also has an ingeniously positioned mirror behind the
bar, so you can sit and drink with your back to a band without missing
the show. And while one can't help but wonder if Portland needs more
21-and-over rock clubs, the Star is open nightly with cheap drinks, a
huge patio (heat lamps coming soon?) and some of the tastiest bento
boxes in town—so it doesn't take a concert to take in the rather
majestic club's charms.
WWeek 2015