Lola’s Room at the Crystal Ballroom

They remodeled… When did this happen? I’ve been here for 80s night a couple times. Then I decided that I much preferred it at the Crystal Ballroom space — more room to dance, the music seemed a bit better to me, and more space to explore — the upstairs (with an extra bathroom!). But darn it if my friends and I had a great time Friday night celebrating my friend’s 41^st birthday. Lots of young, cute girls who even know the lyrics to all the cool New Order and Cure songs, cute boys who unabashadly dance by themselves, for the crowd and happily with you. The music is about 35% awesome! 35% okay and 30% not my style at all But that’s just fine since I need a break once in a while anyhow. Always fine to dance by yourself here! People do get slothy and drunk and will bother you on the dance floor. But so it goes… Drinks are the usual — not cheap, but not too bad. The new entrance around the corner is both better and at times worse than it used to be. Getting around inside the club is a bit of a maze now but there are staff members to help you. I will totally go here agin for 80s night… What else do they do here?

90s night music is awesome but who doesn’t love the 90s?!? Britney, nsync, bsb, all came to party! Let’s just say this place would be 1 star if those didn’t come out. So why 2 stars?
-/+The floor literally feels like it is going to break right under your feet so I’m not sure if it’s supposed to feel that way or if it’s the rationalization people are having.
–no one is cleaning/​collecting cups that are all over tables resulting in hugely sticky floors
–drinks/​cups are spilled everywhere and actually a potential safety hazard if you ask me
–the dj is just playing one song to completion after another, not reading the crowd, and no dj skills and meaning you request takes forever to actually play
–NO ventilation!!! 2 fans and no ac?!? No one can last long in this environment… Especially when you layer on BO…
+happy Gilmore was playing in the background
-$ 7 cover
Overall, super fun night but not necessarily a great environment.

We were here on a Sat night in June. It was 90s night and packed. Assumed the music would be grunge but it was more like 90s pop. Remember Hansen and that um bop song? It was a hit that night! Even if you think you were too cool to sing and dance to that song, it likely happened…
The coolest thing about this place was that the floors bounced. It freaked me out at first. As soon as that song played followed by other similar pop hits, everyone love the mini trampoline effect of the floors. Would definitely return to this spot! Wonder if 80s night there would be just as fun?

It’s good! It’s not great, but it’s never ever been bad. You can count on it being decent and a great place to get your swerve on!

I went here for 80’s night with my coworkers and we had fun for a little while. The club got packed fast, the dance floor was quite small and there were like NO tables so we shared with another group which was very nice. The drinks were absolutely expensive so i really don’t see myself going back anytime soon.

Went for 90’s night and while I love the music, this crowd was a little sparse compared to the 80’s nights they have on Fridays. Still great dancing to be had and they played «American Pie» and «House Party» in the background.
My biggest gripe that I soon remembered from the last time I was here was the sticky floors. Because of the dancing being so close to the bar area, people attempt to drink their drinks on the dance floor and well, it’s just an eventuality that those drinks would then end up on the floor in a splash or a pour. Over the course of the night, the floor goes from «Yay, bouncy!» to «Oh, almost slipped but I’m okay» to then «My shoe is stuck to the floor. No, really.»
Still a fun place to go… just make sure to wear footwear securely attached to your feet.

Hoooooly heck the 80s dance party was amazing!!! Had the best time. Came right when it opened and watched it fill up pretty quickly. LOVE that they have a free water station. Love that the crowd is mixed ages. Everyone seemed to be having a great time. Would go back anytime I’m in PDX.

I was not expecting such a fun time here. OMG.
I think it was a $ 5 or $ 7 cover. This venue is kinda old, but whatever… when I heard the 80’s music from the entryway I didn’t care so much. I think we had to take 2 flights of stairs to get to the ballroom. It’s a pretty big ass ballroom. There is a small bar, water station area (which was weirdly awesome because you don’t see that everywhere) and the super big dance floor. which had multiple big screens showing 80’s music videos. So many people were dancing. If you have read the other reviews, some have mentioned that he floor bounces. I didn’t really believe it until I simply stood on the dance floor and I was going up and down involuntarily. It was amazing! Especially after a few shots. I think the dance floor used is the floor gymnasts use for jumping and all that. The bouncy floor really was fun to dance to.
Being a 90’s baby, I felt kind of out of place as most of the clientele were older… maybe many were teenagers during the 80s? Either way, I was very impressed of how energetic this dance club could be and also had a feeling my mom would totally enjoy this. I had fun dancing to my favorite 80s songs and I was very tired at the end, lol.
If you love 80s music, you definitely need to check this place out. It’s huge, energetic, and full of great 80s music. Enjoy!

Give me 80’s or give me death!!!
Came here after leaving Jones’s and it was totally tubular. 80’s music videos across huge screens, people dancing like it’s 1999, cheap drinks, bouncy floor, yes yes yes!!!
I liked the fact they played a span of different genres in the 80’s, my pal especially loved when they played The Cure and Depeche Mode. I am so coming back!

New Website!
Great huge dance floor with large TV’s showing the 80’s music video when you rock out to it! Awesome!

My first visit to Lola’s Room was just this year and after going to 80’s night, I kept wondering why I waited so long to attend! Both 80’s and 90’s night are super fun, the atmosphere is great, the DJ plays all the hits and the bouncy floor makes it even more enjoyable. My only complaint about this place is how small it is. My suggestion is to get there right as it opens so you can get a table, because there aren’t many of them and they go fast. Lola’s Room has definitely become my go to dancing place.

A Review for the Saturday Night Nineties Night!!!
Visiting the Crystal Ballroom and Lola’s Room was an historic treat. The 80’s night in the Crystal Ballroom was incredible, like going to a dance party at the SF Fillmore, but I can’t say the same for the 90’s night in Lola’s Room. The 90’s night is like chaperoning your little sister’s 1999 middle school dance party, while missing your own. Imagine a bunch of mediocre dressed 28 year girls enthusiastically dancing to: The Backstreet Boys, Brittany Spears, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, and «I’m a Barbie Girl in a Barbie World.» While you’re thinking, «Why the fuck is he playing the worst shit of the 90’s!» My boyfriend and I stayed for two hours, and the best shit the dude played was some Biggie Smalls; I was surprised.
I’m 34, and am old enough to recognize the good music that bloomed out of that awesome decade. So, if I attend a 90’s night, I want to feel like I’m on the scene of Reality Bites, not the Bye Bye video!!! The 30+ year olds will most likely be expecting to hear some good 90’s artists, like Nirvana, Portishead, Madonna’s Vogue, The Cranberries, Sleater Kinney, Daft Punk, PJ Harvey, Deee Lite, Oasis, Blur!!! I mean, how can you not play Blur’s «Boys and Girls» song!!! Who ever that dj was, needs to call his dance night, «Your shitty 1999 Junior High School Dance Party That You Missed, Because it SUCKED ASS!» All you folks who were old enough to know what was good, do your self a favor and wait for 80’s night.

It’s weird at 80’s night. I thought I saw an apparition of my lovely grandmother. I thought I was in her room with her friends.
They all smell like old cabinet and cat pee.
The music is blaring bad. The drinks are dixie cup size.
I can tell now that this is not my scene and I consider myself an old fart.

Going to the 80s Video Dance Attack a couple of weeks ago at Lola’s Room was one of the most fun thing I’ve ever done in a long time. The people there were absolutely not judgy, the playlist was PERFECT, and the floor was indeed bouncy (quite scarily though.) Even my super self conscious boyfriend, who never EVER dances in public, had an amazing time. He was even busting more moves that I did! Of course, the alcohol didn’t hurt though. However, since it’s a McMenamins establishment, the drinks are on the pricey side (which was why we downed a couple of happy hour drinks prior to going there…) We had to leave early though because we literally danced our asses off, although I didn’t want to because we were having so much fun (stupid body not being able to handle a night of dancing.)
Seriously can’t wait to go back for more awesome danceytimes!

Great place to come dance to 80’s music while seeing it in the big screen.
People are dressing up in their 80’s clothes, this adds to the atmosphere.
Two bartenders are usually there and there are long lines for drinks, at time you dont know which line will get served first. The place gets crowded both on dance floor and drink lines.

80s Video Attack is one of of the most fun times to be had in Portland. Where else do you get a springboard floor to keep you bouncing through the night? The music is pure nostalgia, and very Michael Jackson-​centric, which is alright by me. If you’re lucky, you may even see the whole joint simultaneously break out into the Thriller dance. It’s also one of the friendliest places to go in the city.
There are, however, a few drawbacks to Lola’s Room. First, there is not a lot of ventilation, let alone air conditioning, in the spot and it can get a bit muggy at times. Also, with a small bar with few staff, it can be challenging at times to grab a drink. Despite the above, Lola’s Room is a great time and I always look forward to a Friday 80s night.

I love their Friday 80’s night. I love the 80’s night in the Crystal Ballroom. I hate having the 80’s night in the cramped Lola’s room.
The rad, retro-​raucous party is just too big for Lola’s room.
1 bar
2 bartenders
5 person deep line.
No one to clean up anything. It was so small, everyone’s trash and empty cups ended up on one table that was never cleaned up. So people would knock the table and drinks would spill and spill. The entire dance floor was so sticky and yucky. I couldn’t even do the Running Man.
Note to self, make sure the Friday 80’s Video Dance attack isn’t held in Lola’s Room.

:) 80’s night = Great crowd, great vibes, great music + videos
:) Bouncy floor (you’re practically dancing even if you just stand there)
:) Great drinks and tons of water
:(No place to sit because we didn’t get there early to snag a spot
wait. Who sits down during an 80’s night?!
:) No place to sit because we didn’t get there early to snag a spot

Ack, I struggled with this review. On one hand, I love 80’s nights. On the other hand, it seems like McMenamin’s can even muck that up in a crazy way.
My group & I showed up around 9:30, and it was confusion from minute one. There was a line? What? Oh wait, that line was for the show going on… no it wasn’t…yes it was… dude, bouncers, MAKE UP YOUR MIND. 10 minutes later we’re finally let in — because the dang place was at capacity at 9:30??? Not a great sign.
We get in and ²⁄₃ of the floor is the line for drinks. We sat in line for no less than 30 minutes and had to make do with dancing in place. Once I got up to order, I asked for 2 cranberry vodkas. I got 1 full one and one that was 2/​3rds full as they RAN OUT OF CRANBERRY JUICE. WHA?! Plus the drinks are extremely pricey. I assume this is because people tire of waiting in line and only do it once or twice.
There’s no way to dance in here without bouncing off of people and some people use this as an excuse to rub their sweaty bodies all over you (ick).
The music is pretty dang good though. The crowd is young & old alike which is different for sure. Watching the videos is fun too.
I’ve heard they do 80’s night in the Crystal when there aren’t shows. I think that’s going to be the only time I come back because the wait for drinks & ratio of room-​to-​dance vs capacity is crap.
Shut Up & Dance at Fez WAS a great place for 80’s type music, more space and more fun crowd but it’s no longer there. Sad times.

When you feel like you gotta dance… then you gotta dance.
When you are in the mood for 80’s music and fun… then you can haz that too.
When Crystal Ballroom can’t do that for you… don’t worry you can do it at the Lola’s Room.
One big screen, loud 80’s music, people are dressing up in their 80’s clothes. Two bartenders, long lines for drinks, crowded dance floor, a realization that world can stop right here and you will be just fine because you have the best friends in the world. That happened to me at the Lola’s.