Jade Lounge

I feel like people are always stoked to play music here, but it’s always a little awkward. People have to crane their heads awkwardly to watch. Also, if you happen to walk in while someone is playing, it feels like you’re sort of intruding. It is not an inviting time to walk in for a drink. Really, the space isn’t that ideal for music. However, the bartenders are always very nice!

As soon as I saw pictures online of this place, I knew I wanted to book it for our small wedding reception. The size was perfect, and it’s very reasonably priced. The owner met with us, and was super helpful with planning the whole thing. All forms of communication with him were very clear and timely. If you’re looking for a unique, vintage feel, this place is great. The lighting is dark and moody and the décor is eclectic. There were just a couple issues: guests complained that it was very hot in the room, and the air conditioning was only on for part of the time. It’s a pretty small space, and when you fill it with people on a hot day, air conditioning is important. The other issue I had was that the staff did not communicate very well about the food. The bartender for the evening brought over a cheese plate and asked if I wanted it on the table or the bar, and I thought that was the only food that had come out so far. We put it at the bar, and I waited for a while to see if more appetizers would be coming. At some point, I realized that all of the food was in a tiny space between the Jade Lounge and the Slide Inn. It;s basically a tiny hallway, and the door leading to the Slide Inn was closed, making it more like a closet. I was not informed that the food would be in that area, which seemed like a space that was restricted to staff. None of the guests even saw the food because of this, and I had to go around telling everyone to go in that tiny room to get it. If that had been communicated right off the bat, or even if we were given the option to have the food elsewhere, it would have helped things run more smoothly. Overall, if you’re looking for an affordable venue to rent for less than 40 people, this is a good place.

This was a sweet little venue to grab a drink and chat. I liked the atmosphere but I do have to say it gets C O L D by the door! They need some Velcro, a space heater, thicker curtains, a different door (revolving?)… SOMETHING to keep the heat in.
If I went back I would actually bring a heated blanket and plug it in.
Micro brews on tap, connectedness w the neighboring food (?), nice staff. Oh also street parking only so leave time to hunt.

Pretty much empty at 620pm… The bartender was friendly enough. The best sangria in Portland. A little to fake sweet for me but it was still good. Cool inside, temp wise. Small venue but they seem to have live music regularly. Happy hour from 530−11pm which is great. Not bad but not amazing.

We had our son’s graduation party here on a Sunday afternoon. We rented the space for a private party with about 35 people in attendance. The owner/​chef, Eugene, was easy to work with setting the menu and arranging all the details.
We couldn’t have been more pleased! The food was wonderful (sliders, sweet potato fries, kale chips, brownies, fruit tarts plus more…). All delicious, and there were many compliments. The service was outstanding, very attentive, and courteous. The space allowed for different seating areas as well as tables and plenty of «standing around» space. The background music was good, and the atmosphere has the perfect Portland vibe. We were delighted with our party!
Jade Lounge is a great place to have a party! (And if you are interested in just brunch, try the other side at the Slide Inn… we did, and it was great as well.)

The Jade Lounge is more quirky than I thought it would be. When we arrived, I was immediately worried about finding a place to sit. There were two large parties already there, and with live music setting up in the front, almost all the seats were taken. We sat ourselves at the bar, and I commented to my dining partner that it was a good thing that we are thin, and the bartender is thin, because there wasn’t much room to maneuver around us.
We had tasty cocktails, and the house red for $ 5 a glass was a good choice. My dining partner raved about his thick juicy burger, and my veggie burger was pretty good although it tasted mostly like brown rice. We both agreed the rosemary flavored buns were great– the texture of a croissant.
Sweet potato fries came with ketchup mixed with horseradish, which I don’t think I’ve seen on other menus because it doesn’t go very well together. Too reminiscent of cocktail sauce. And what was up with that pickle? I LOVE pickles, but the ones we were served were the most shriveled, soft sweet pickles I’ve ever had the displeasure to taste. I also love a good coleslaw, but this one was just insipid and heavy on the mayonnaise. No crispness, no liveliness at all. We wanted Asian food, but for some reason the only menu we saw had spring rolls, and nothing else Asian. ???
We enjoyed the live music once we realized that the performers felt comfortable that there were lots of stops and starts, and it felt more like we were in someone’s living room with a friend performing. A friend who messes up a lot, but is fine with it, so we are too.
I don’t think we’ll be back, but the atmosphere was friendly and upbeat, which put us in a good mood. The Jade Lounge just has too many quirks for us to be able to fully relax, and the food wasn’t good enough to lure us back in with all the amazing competition Portland has to offer.

The food was yummy! We got there at 5:45 for happy hour (which is served pretty much all night). We had onion rings and salad rolls. Both were fresh and delicious. Their cocktails rock as well.
It was obvious that one of the bartenders were being trained, which was fine, but I wanted my drinks to come first. I guess I am a little snobby about my service, but if I am one of only 8 people in there, I think customers should be coming first.
The live music is an awesome addition.
Overall, a pretty good experience.

Wow, tough crowd, other reviewers! I didn’t have any negative experiences to speak of. The first time I came here, had some decent appetizers (creative sliders and whatnot and what have you). Second time I came alone and just drank, and even though I felt insufficiently hip despite wearing a lot of black, the live music and Asian-​BnB-​lobby setting was enough to make me forget about not fitting in. Or maybe it was the vodka.

Love, love, love this joint. Cocktails are amazing, food is wonderful and inexpensive, and amazingly they often have great live music.
It’s my neighborhood go-​to, and I live on NE 28^th.
I always take out of towners to experience a true Portland vibe.

8÷17÷12 — Day 3, «Ride the Sun» West Coast Tour
Really cool hole-​in-​the-​wall. Very, very green indoors. We ended up playing an mainly unplugged acoustic set, no mics, and we pulled it off just fine. There was a nice crowd, including an amazing couple who gave us way too much money for 2 CD’s. Thanks guys! The bartender/​mixologist knew his stuff & hooked us up with some tasty drinks. Didn’t try the food, Asian Fusion, or next door’s German New American cuisine at The Slide Inn (they’re by the same owner & share the kitchen). Looked tasty though, especially the small eats for happy hour. Wouldn’t recommend coming here to play if you have drums, don’t even need a PA, it’s that small. Thanks again to our awesome local crowd & great mixologist!

To address business comments:
I may be incorrect in assuming those girls were minors, I am correct that you have a lax ID policy, or at least did that evening. You did not check my ID. Or my boyfriend’s ID. Didn’t notice any checking going on while waiting in the line that time forgot or while seated at the bar, though I wasn’t exactly monitoring. Everyone obtaining liquor. I’m not 26 and I don’t look 26, certainly not older. Doesn’t matter, your battle to fight, but I think the crowd is absolutely relevant to a review.
As for pricing, while I have not been to every spot in the area, you have the highest beer costs of any comparable bar in Laurelhurst. You’ll likely pay more at, say, Navarre, but one can’t really draw a fair comparison there. Standard is $ 3.50−4.50 for easy-​to-​find micros such as what you serve. As for cocktails, I agree that $ 8 – 9 is a fair price for a *well made, delicious* cocktail. I’m not complaining about that price, I’m talking about relative quality here. I had a champagne cocktail at Laurelhurst Market for roughly the same price and that shit was the nectar of the gods. Produce that quality product, I’ll happily pay that price for it.
I’m sure you do have capacity for 55 people. Have you considered the impact of live music on that capacity limit? Have you considered if your space is really conducive to live music or if there’s a slow night where it may be more appropriate? I noticed you renovated the spot next door recently. Have you considered making one you creative/​performance space and one your food and cocktail focused spot?
Sorry I rustled your jimmies. I know my tone was negative, but maybe there are suggestions in there that are helpful to smoothing out some of your rough spots? Most of my complaints seem to pop up in a few reviews — the inconsistent service, the wait, trying to fit too much in the space. Maybe, just maybe, you have some potential for improvement?

This place has a moody, dark atmosphere with a wonderful glow from the selection of hanging retro 70s fixtures lit with green bulbs. Gives the place an overall Repo Man glow. And somebody went to a lot of trouble to install diagonal wood strips on all of the surfaces painted what seemed like a dark teal, but it was hard to tell in the atmospheric low light. And then there are the two rows of square front windows which evoke a Paris bristro.
So it was 1^st Monday of the month when they feature a parade of musicians who play three songs each. The talent seems to run the gamut, but enjoyable nonetheless. Most of the musicians played some sort of acoustic instrument with an occasional accordian thrown in. Jade lounge seems like a great place to meet friends and kick back in their lounge chairs for a night of consumption. Can’t vouch for the food though, didn’t have any.

Sorry to post a bad review but I didn’t really like this place.
I ordered Chicken Pad Thai. It was drowned in lime juice and maybe coconut milk? The lime was not suttle at all it was overpowering the entire dish. Pad Thai is supposed to be sticky, not like soup.
The service wasn’t all that great. I think they could use more than one server on a busy night. I finished my first beer and was never offered another one. I would have ordered a couple more if the server had asked.
Not sure what kind of atmosphere they are going for. When we came in there was rap music, R&B playing, but then there was live country music later? Kind of a strange mix.
I don’t think I will be back.

If you like to have dessert disguised as savory bar food, this is your place. I actually had to suck on a lime wedge after eating their food, just to remove the saccharine film enveloping my mouth. They literally have found a way to inject treacle into corners of your mouth you didn’t realize possible.
That said, service was great, as was the ambiance and music.
Long and short of it, the cooks need to disregard the recipes given, and send out food that’s edible. Seems the owner has a sweet tooth. Surprising that other Unilocalers haven’t picked up on this. I guess if you fry anything for $ 3 people will leap to their keyboard to rave.

I recently went to Jade Lounge with some friends on a Tuesday night (mainly to hear Disc Jockey Full of Bourbon who was spinning there – she was terrific!). We initially sat at the bar, and were warned by the bartender, «Watch out for the hole.» Yes, there is a gaping hole in the top of the bar. I kept putting my purse over the hole so as not to drop my phone or beverage into the abyss. Honestly it kind of stressed me out… maybe I needed another drink? Eventually we moved to a table when a spot opened up, whew. The seating area is smallish, so if maneuvering around a hole in the bar stresses you out, you might want to go early to get a table.
Appetizer prices were very low (Tues/​Thurs night $ 3 food specials and $ 3 well drinks) and included a lot of interesting menu items. The honey cinnamon banana fritters were oozy-​warm, very good but ultimately left a cornmeal aftertaste in my mouth. I also tried the pork egg rolls which sounded delicious based on their description but were overcooked and arrived hard and dry; kind of disappointing. My friend had the chicken satay and was pleased with it. Cocktails were decent however many of the ‘Specialty Drinks’ on the menu were $ 11, which seemed kind of pricey. Service was attentive but not overly enthusiastic.
I like the Jade Lounge’s glowy-​green vibe and funky Asian décor a lot and would probably stop in again for a drink if I happened by. Add Disc Jockey Full of Bourbon to the mix, and I am definitely there!

This place is so unassuming that I briefly just forgot the name of it. I remember now.
First off the Yam Fries here are farking amazing. Yes, you heard me correctly. Farking amazing. I’m trying to cut down on my use of the F word. I type like a truck driver.
Let’s rewind a bit. Tuesday’s and Thursday’s are $ 3 appetizer night here from 5 to closing. The appetizer menu has around 8 or 9 items on it. This is Asian fusion as the kids call it. Everything from Edamame to Spicy, Ginger Grilled Curry Chicken Wings. We had both of those along with the Vegetarian Salad Rolls and Banana Fritters. Heck for $ 3 anything would taste good, but this food was very good. The chicken wings were so good we had 2 orders.
Another good happy hour in a town with many good happy hours. I need more money.

i adore the atmosphere at the jade lounge. it creates this wonderful ambiance that just makes you feel fancy. and there are so many beautiful things to look at. i love the way they play with texture in the walls, light fixtures and furniture.
the reason i went in the first place was to see duckman du play the accordion in his duo shamalamacon. it was AWESOME. i’m told that this venue has many creative music acts. so, i’ll be back for the atmosphere and the entertainment. (i found the other patrons entertaining as well.) however i’ll be sure to eat before hand.
i had the rice pudding. the rice was horribly undercooked and way over sweetened. it wasn’t spicy enough either. their tea selection was very pedestrian. this place is pretty exotic and fancy looking so i was hoping i was going to be able to get some amazing, home made chai or at least some kind of interesting tea. they had a real nice looking happy hour menu that my friend ordered from. she had some deep fried vegetables and deep fried vegetable rolls. they looked good and smelled good but she said they weren’t too good. she said «you’re not going to give this place a good food review are you.»
the service wasn’t that great. it was ok. oh, but you know what one thing i liked was? they keep the heat up pretty high. it was nice and toasty. i even got to take off my sweater. that was nice.
i’ll be back to see some more good music. i’m sure i’ll find something on the menu worth while. but it doesn’t matter that much b/​c i had a really good time there.

Woah. I went here with some pals last night and our ‘server/​bartender’ served us our drinks and then asked, «uh, can I get you guys some drinks?’ *sniff* We say, «uh you just served them to us». He says, «oh right» *sniff* This was the blueprint for the night we had here. After asking for the check twice I went up to the bar and asked for it again. He said, «i’m making some really intricate cocktails right now» *sniff* When he finally came over to the table he had to ask every person what they had to eat and drink so he could write us up a tab.
Ridiculously horrible service to the point of almost being comical… almost. *sniff*

Let me start by saying that I really love the spot right next door, Il Piato. And we expected the same great food, awesome prices and friendly staff. Such was not the case.
I was actually really embarrassed because we took another couple here for happy hour and our bill ended up being ENORMOUS. The well drinks that were discounted weren’t that great. My husband had vodka and grapefruit juice (supposedly a well drink) and then got charge for the fresh juice (no where does it mention that «fresh» juice will be charged at the regular price).
The happy hour menu wasn’t all that great either and the place was incredibly loud with an obnoxious DJ. Here we are trying to enjoy a double date and in the cramped space of the lounge, having a DJ yell in our ear was extremely annoying.
I don’t recommend it. Sadly.

I love this place so much that I had to do my birthday here! It was a Tuesday night in November and I kept forgetting to call them and let them know that I invited most everyone I know in Portland to join me anytime between 5:30 and 8:30 p. m for great $ 3 appetizers and super yummy fresh drinks.
One of my friends arrived around 5:15 and gave them a heads up, they were wonderful, calling the D.J. to come in a bit early and lend a hand. Throughout the evening at least 45 friends showed up, ate, drank, and enjoyed the jade atmosphere. The bartender (I really should find out what here name is) is really super nice and makes the best drinks I’ve had in Portland. The music is perfect for the place too.
Please don’t tell too many folks about my favorite place, I want to be able to get a table whenever I go.