Badlands Portland

The Badlands truly gave me my life. 🌟 After not stepping foot in a club in over 15 years—and having once worked in clubs myself—I can honestly say this was an experience that reminded me of everything a great nightlife space should be. The staff treated me with the utmost respect, and even the patrons carried that same warmth. The energy was fabulous, the atmosphere vibrant, and the sense of community was undeniable. Having been away from the scene for so long, I couldn’t have asked for a better return. Thank you, Badlands, for showing me that joy, respect, and celebration still live strong on the dance floor.

The bar itself is great. Large enough with a dance floor and a few pool tables. The staff are INCREDIBLY rude. The bartender was wonderful but the front of the house staff, have no sense of customer service. I get it gets busy and sometimes you can’t always have the best customer service, but maybe learn to treat people with kindness before you work the front of the house! My suggestion go to a different gay bar!

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!!

Well on the weekend gay bar experience is dead. While one can still look out and see a few a gay guys and even less lesbians it has become a sea of straight women and a few straight men. I don’t have a problem sharing a space but straight girls throwing elbows isn’t okay. Like girl this isn’t your space, you’re a guest be respectful! The drinks are way over priced and rather weak so it’s only worth getting one maybe two and just pregaming before you show up. The music might be decent at times, but it’s very limited and honestly the DJs need to work on their transition between songs. Food is standard bar food, it all taste good after a few drinks. The staff is typically friendly; some are just rude or have a bad attitude but only a few. Would I recommend going here? Yes, only on Thursdays for trivia! Not for the weekend unless they can make it a space for gays and lesbians again.

Great place. The staff guy in the lifeguard tank top was probably the most good looking man I have ever seen. Not that he needs my validation but bro is hot!!! And the staff is so nice!! I felt safe. I usually don’t in gay bars. But I did.

Pros- I’m grateful that Portland finally has an actual night club with a bumping atmosphere. I’m glad that this club celebrates the LGBT+ community. I didn’t order a drink either time I went so I can’t speak on the food or beverages. Cons- went back in February of this year and the cover fee was $10. Came again this September and it was $15. I’m tired of POPULAR and ultra busy establishments getting greedy and jacking up prices when business is already plentiful. I don’t see myself pulling up to this club again for that reason- I can’t risk the cover fee being $20 on my next potential attempt.

Yall did this. This is one of the best bar experiences I've had, ever. The bartenders were really nice, the music was good. Those fries were actually the bomb.com. But what was most impressive is how CLEAN everything was. Do you know how hard it is to keep a bar clean?! I was here visiting a friend but when I visit again, best believe I'm coming back!!!

Been going here since it opened. A group of us often gathers on Sundays, used to be at 1pm, but they no longer open at noon on Sundays, they open at 2pm. Just so You know as their hours haven't been updated yet. It all new and it's very nice. Especially in the warmer weather when they slide those big windows open that are on 2 sides. The nicest bathrooms I've seen for some time, very clean, and can accommodate plenty of People, so no lines. Prices are very reasonable and a Big Girl drink (double is only a $2 up charge. The food is just basic deep fryer fare, chicken tenders, cheese sticks, fries, tots, etc. But it'll take care of Your munchies. They have a big dance floor in the back and another 2 station bar. Rails with boxes to set Your drink in all over, so no spilled drinks. Pool tables in the front, a long bar and booth seating as well. All the staff are kind and professional. I always get great service. I highly recommend them!

We have wanted to come here since they opened but have not found the time. We finally made it out and were impressed! Loved the lay out of the new place. The rails for the drinks were amazing so we don't have any spills! The bar had enough bartenders so we didn't have a long line for drinks. Drag show was killer and the music after was amazing. Bathrooms are super clean and there are plenty so no long waits thank goodness!!! I have to say good job by security! One guy was being weird to the female dancer and they promptly kicked him out. I was happy to see them stand their ground.

It was great to see a diversity of ages, genders, and races here--not always the case with a gay club. I appreciated that there were different vibes--you could get down on the dance floor or play pool/hang out/hear each other in the bar area. Most notably, though, was watching the staff care for someone who was drunk. They didn't just kick the person out. They stood beside the person outside, gave them a water bottle, and stayed with them while the person sobered up. I've never seen a bar do that before and I think it speaks volumes about the level of care.

This place was hoppin' on Pride. That was the first time I visited. Me and Oscar tried to go on their grand opening but there was a line around the block and we don't do lines like that. But on Pride, we got right in. I did feel a bit of reverse homophobia at the door. The door man didn't seem to want to let me in. He said I appeared visibly drunk. I knew he was full of shit because the only thing I'd been drinking all day was ginger ale. He did relent and let me in. I continued to drink ginger ale but didn't interact with any of the bar staff myself so I don't know how I would have been treated. I did dance with my friends the dance floor is pretty good sized and the music was fantastic. There's a cozy room off to the side of the dance floor with tables and seating where we also hung out. This space is a redesign of the old Embers and they did a really beautiful job with the space. The door guy needs to work on his attitude towards women. 2024 - Review #18

Chicken sandwich had a nice little smoke flavor were too late and service is very quick to it. Amazing music always feels like you're playing just to me, but I'm sure it feels really good to everyone and very energetic love the whole vibe field the disco ball just an amazing field. You feel very magical Much love.

I have been waiting and wishing and hoping for Badlands to open this location since Ember's closed - and - it was worth the wait. Badlands did it right - excellent vibe, really good bartenders, reasonable drinks, great drag show and music sound system. I am never disappointed here and several friends always like to enjoy a night here as well. We all need a good dance floor in our lives - and Badlands delivers. So glad it finally opened!

Should we start with the cons? Here we go - food is very basic! Just some frozen deep fried options to make sure you follow the law. Let's hope this California based team leans about our bars having great food and adjust. Maybe cooperate with a nearby food truck. That said this new lgbtq+ and allies bar has is doors open on this very day June 14th 2024. We have been invited to the soft opening and it was fun. The badlands have a bar in San Francisco's famous Castro and another one in Sacramento . The vibes are really good the bar is gorgeous and spacey. Such a lot of all gender restrooms make sure there should be no problem to get rid of t What the full bar serves to you. A great team of bar tender in all skin colors, ages and gender are helpful when it comes to helping you find the right drink. - when you are into alcoholic. These days I do not understand why there are not way more mocktails or alcohol free drinks available (hint). Money is on the street - just saying. And we hate when there is no ice tea and only fountain drinks. Beverage manager do something about that! That said the badlands is worth a visit come alone or with friends you will connect to others soon - or dance, play pool or just have some chat! The bar is open all week and I wish - besides the bin alcohol drinks - they would consider serving some espresso cause I could easily find me sitting there at 4 pm in the big windows towards broadway!

Great vibes great people , honestly the music is great drinks are strong. The only negative thing is Friday and Saturdays there is a drag queen with big plastic fake boobs she is so damn rude to everyone with a " I hate you and my job look" and just creates a sour atmosphere to begin the night. Other than the mean/sour drag queen upfront this place is pretty cool. Ps. The hotdogs upfront are overpriced but delicious lol

Everything was actually wonderful only reason for the one star is the rude door person they have. No smile no hi how are you. It was a man with giant earring on and glasses. Just gave attitude asking for our id's. And when we stepped outside for a moment to smoke when we came back in they again gave us negative energy. And just kept looking at there phone and ignored us. I would definitely recommend getting someone else to work the door.

so fun! music was great and everyone looked like they were having a great time Always love a place that can embrace everyone and just have a good time

This is a cool bar. Clean and the bartenders seem decent. The food is just okay. But it's fried bar food. Not expecting much there. The problem I had tonight is the music was so loud you could barely order. Both sides of the bar. So loud it was uncomfortable. Usually like to have conversations with my friends when we go out. Makes it impossible. So we left.

Really nice bartenders in the back dance area. They did a gorgeous job renovating the old Embers bar, and the new digs are sleek and modern without being cold or off-putting.

always a good time! never look forward to dealing with the big titty drag queen at the door that looks like she hates her life each time, but once i'm past her sour face everything is great!

Be prepared to be given the 4th degree upon entry. I was groped while getting a metal detector wand on me something that hovers. I was told to empty my pockets and undo my pants knowing that my pants clearly had multiple zippers and were skin tight meaning there's no way I could smuggle anything in. I then entered where I was met with the ultimatum to either take a photo for their records or let them snap a photo of my id. I did the later and if my information gets compromised I am blaming them directly. This was for a Thursday night mind you. For a free cover and less than 30 people in the venue. I feel I was targeted because I am transgender and of color. As their patrons were mostly all white and gay cis males. I cannot recommend this bar as security didn't give me safety. It would have been something if in the face of crisis I could have trusted them but they all were afraid to even check me in as I disrupted their conversation.

we wanted to finally check out badlands, and did so before the pride parade 7-21-24.....i used to go to the embers back near the virginia cafe in 1977, and when it moved to nw broadway i followed....we spent many hrs seeing the shows up front and dancing in the back for decades...when it closed, portland lost a piece of history.....thx for badlands, you reinvigorated the space and paid homage to the embers lounge......the windows up front are gorgeous and funtional.....we then went to the parade, and returned for a corona and a bloody mary.... .....the place was packed, and the music was pulsating......the space is fabulous, and the staff is very friendly and quick....we sat in the embers lounge talking to folks, and taking it all in..............thx for saving the building and being a great addition to portland....