Badlands Portland

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. Cant wait to go back. Thank you!!

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 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 forMusic 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!

AWESOME OVERALL - ANY COMPLAINTS WOULD BE NITPICKINGCOVER:Not sure what their schedule is for cover charges yet. It was $10 on a Saturday night. I feel like thats a great price point without being overbearing. Thats 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 $10 per drink. 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 justwant to talk to your friends)DANCE FLOOR:High energy. Go-go boys. Sound and lights are a 10. DJ and music are on point. Its easy to get lost in the ambience and dance the night away.STAFF:Lots of staff and security. Pat-downs and hand wand at the front door, which makesCLEANLINESS: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. Water stations are much needed2. Tables outside would be cool. But, theres also a lot of crazy people on the streets so maybe they factored that in.3. Not sure why they went with a dull dreary paint color on the outside. It certainly doesnt represent the upscale inside. I would have tried for a lighter color, like a cream colored stucco (California high end vibes).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.

BEST dance club we found in Portland during our short stay. Great space and music and crowd! Super fun.

Love Badlands! If you love pop music, this is the place to be. Ive been here twice so far - once on a Thursday night and once on a Friday night. Had fun both times, but the experience is obviously different when you go on a weekday vs. weekend night.When I went on a Thursday night (arrived around 10:30 PM), there was no cover charge and there was plenty of space to move around and dance. I went by myself and had a great time! When I went with my friend on a Friday night (arrived around 12:30 AM), there was a $15 cover charge/person and it was way more crowded. I didnt mind it, but just be aware that if youre not into crowded spaces and getting a little sweaty in the bar, Friday night may not be the day to go. Ill definitely be back though!

I had a great time at the opening weekend. It was extremely crowded, but you wouldnt want anything less for a grand opening. Right? Everyone working that night had great attitudes for how hectic the night was, and thats something I need if I plan on sticking around.The drinks were good. I wouldnt say cheap, but it is anything anymore! The atmosphere and quality were good, so its worth it. In my opinion.Anyway,My night ended great. I thought!I got home and realized my wedding ring was missing!I called the bar the next morning and left a message but never heard anything back.After 3 weeks, I get a text that lets me know that Zoey found my ring cleaning up and turned it in. Huge shout out for being an honest human! Thank you so much, seriously! Ive been looking everywhere trying to find it.When I showed up to get my ring, I was met by Ian, who has a great personality, I must say. First, he was down to business, making sure the ring was mine. Then nothing but smiles, jokes, and welcoming conversations.Instant good vibes by all employees I met on my adventure, getting my ring returned. I wish I hadnt heard my husband before I left . Dont stay for drinks tonight!I sure could have used a couple of hours out.So far, I see great things happening here.Cheers.Richard.

I had a good feeling from the moment I arrived on opening night. The line was literally wrapped around the corner. I honestly thought to myself... please dont be another gay bar that only plays circuit or house music... Badlands DELIVERED that night. My friends and I didnt expect it to be busy the first night, and honestly, had you told me that I was going to be clubbing on a Wednesday night in Portland at the start of this year, I would have laughed in your face. However... I was completely blown away by the experience of this place. If you want a taste of West Hollywood partying in Portland, then Badlands is the place to be. If you want to scream at the top of your lungs to pop music, and pop music remixes, THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE. I have never had this good of a feeling towards a nightclub in Portland since Jones closed down during the pandemic years. I am so grateful for the owners to have worked so hard to bring something magical like this to life. All I ask are the following: keep the cover charges low, keep the drinks cheap, and please... no house or circuit music. If Badlands has taught us ANYTHING, it is that gays and theys LOVE pop music, and dancing the night away with each other. Thank you for such a fun experience. I look forward to bringing more of my friends as the summer goes on.

The place is good. The bar echos old embers vibes with a slightly different floor plan. The service is great, the location is central and people love it, so its mixed and very busy. Youll have fun, and if you get sick of it youre a stones throw from every other good spot in town.

This would be a great modern gay club if their music reflected that vibe. 90% of the songs that they play are close to or over 10 years old. Even the Eagle picked up on this and hired new DJs. Please figure it out or this club will remain empty on Sunday nights like it is now

As others have said its a nice place. Really brought out a community I thought was no longer here. With that said, the high price of cover and extremely weak drinks will run off the crowd once the place starts to look lived in. They play games with the glasses and shot glasses. they are raised on the inside so the alcohol they pour in looks to be more than it is. That might be cute in Cali, but its a sin here.

Recently visited with a group of friends and had a nice time.We got there at 7pm so there was no cover. It wasnt crazy busy yet and the sun was setting, so it was nice that the windows were open in the front seating area.The music selections were fun and the back dance area was a blast!! A VERY drunk patron who was causing a scene was quickly escorted out without any issue, which made me feel like the bouncers had things in check.The drinks were good, but I admit fairly weak and very small. I watched them get poured and I dont think the vodka I got in my Vodka cran was even a full shot. We stayed a while and all of us had drinks and the only person who felt the alcohol was the one drinking IPAs. Service was polite though.

I’ve been to a few Badlands in CA and always had/have a great time. This is no exception. What a beautiful space with amazing energy! It’s a welcome addition to Portland’s great LGBTQ+ nightlife. I especially enjoyed seeing the nod to Embers in the back lounge. Very classy!Way to go TJ and staff! Another success!Cheer

Basically, if I could name everything that gay bars get wrong, BADLANDS got right!Huge nice clean bathrooms, videos with music for EVERYONE- amazing layout- with lots of cool areas- super busy but with a lot of staff and bartenders to keep it moving - quite impressive. I really just have not got one negative thing to say about it. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Not worth the hype. First they charged 20 dollars to get in. No dj, no performances, just bad 2000’s pop music. Kelly Clarkson, black eyed peas- just terrible music. There’s one dance floor and everything else is basically narrow hallway. Then I order a tequila and soda. $11. I ask for it in a tall glass- which at Badlands, and only badlands means a double. I asked the bartender why he charged me $14 for a well tequila. He said I ordered a double, because at Badlands asking for something in a tall glass means make a double. I would have asked for a double in a tall glass if that’s what I wanted. Anyway, he took an attitude and got rude when I made this point- telling me to go somewhere else if I didn’t like it. Badlands is just looking to make as much money off of you as possible. Terrible, terrible experience. Stay away. 0/10

Ill preface this by saying Ive been to Badlands several times since it first opened. Ive been to clubs all over the country. I debated writing a review. This is what weve been waiting for? With years to prepare and countless delays, maybe expectations were set too high, but I cant help but feel what a massive disappointment Badlands has been. A sad, millennial grey box filled with too many TVs that play music videos from someones nostalgic Spotify playlist. $20 cover for a detached DJ, lack of any water stations, inconsistent drinks, overzealous security that makes you feel like youre walking through TSA, and an overall lackluster atmosphere makes Badlands feel like babys first bar. It has no life, no personality; its just new. Given enough time, I truly believe this venue may have the potential to become a Portland staple. But from the outside looking in, where it currently stands? Embers would be ashamed.

Hello everyoneIm here today to say Badlands is a big Success. It reminds me if The Depot/Badlands in Sacramento Ca.Just way Bigger. And I think better :)I came in with a friend and we really loved out time there.. I will be stopping by again soon. :) SaluteMichael.

Long lines, mediocre experience. $5 cover didnt seem necessary, no live music. Just seems to be popular because its currently popluar. Had a good time because I was out with my good friends.

New take on a PDC classic. It was great to get the Queer vibe on again, complete with gogos. Drinks are pricey. Food is...bar food.

Nice decoration! Decent drink special! Good crowd!

Space is awesome. Orders a vodka tonic. It is just tonic and lime. Do better Badlands. Want to love this place, weak drinks big no.

Brand new bar & night club with 2 pool tables and is a hands-down top-notch spot to kick-it at. Welcome to Portland Badlands.

The video bar concept is severely dated and limiting. The musical genre here is Jock Jams. Go here if you crave the mainstream and banal.

What a fun place to dance or just hang out and socialize. These are the places that make PDX night life come to life!!

A pretty chill place. Bartender helped me out with a non alcoholic drink. Pretty open place. New and modern.

I was there for opening weekend! It was so much fun, and a great space!

The dj didnt skip the Drake verse, so 1 star

Love the place! New to the neighborhood but I see it being great for everyone

So much fun good vibes awesome queens 👸 ✨️

Great place. Popular, clean, welcoming and safe.

Im gonna keep on dancin at the pink pony club

Support a thriving downtown 💃

Horrible first time here the bouncer was so rude. Waste of money

A very refreshing addition to Portland. Feels like a real gay bar.