The Roseland Theater

Last time I was at the Roseland it was actually the scary night club (starry nightclub), I remember it being a shit hole then, hard to believe someone could run it into the ground any further but they have. Poorly maintained venue run by a total amateur staff.

All right, so there are a limited number of venues that can hold a large number of people without losing it’s intimacy, and Roseland Theater is probably one of my favorites. They typically have the best artists at this venue, there’s TONS of standing room, and while the room gets hot, what intimate venue doesn’t?
I’ve been to a ton of shows here, and have loved it. The line to get upstairs is usually crazy long, but I never have fun upstairs anyways. That’s usually where people sit, rather than dance.
I like that they have a water station. I LOVE that their curfew is at midnight. And I think they do a good job of posting the set times, so you can plan around them.
The bathrooms aren’t always the cleanest. I don’t love that they don’t have a box office so there’s no way to avoid the service fees from buying tickets online, and the fees are STEEP. Also, the metal detectors are a little sketch, but better safe than sorry?

This will always have a special place in my heart! Ew that is way too cheesy!
I think all theaters should have two stories and only 21 and up are allowed upstairs! My first time in this theater and first time watching my favorite band. Yes it is crazy there’s a lot of 12 to 15 years old with their parents as well as 30s to 40s downtown chris was one of em shhhhhh! But I love the band so I cant give a crap less. It is a small theater so it is pretty crowded. Their security are very hands on for those deranged people but I am surprised that somebody was smoking weed and security didn’t give a damn.

Venue is great and usually has top headliner bands playing. What I am rating low is on the service and confusion of the ticket purchasing.
I purchased disturbed tickets back in August during pre sale before the public and purchased balcony seats. The concert is sold out now. Months later now into December, I receive an email stating they moved our balcony tickets into general admin and there was a glitch in the system even though I paid for balcony seats. Now I cannot have balcony seats even though that’s what I paid for and its sold out. So pissed off about the whole situation. Will not be buying from cascade or etix anymore for sure.

The Roseland Theater has been hosting national touring acts for as long as I can remember. Before being called the Roseland Theater, this same building was known as the Starry Night Club.
I have seen 100+ concerts in this venue over the past 30+ years and without question, this is the place to see shows in Portland, Oregon. Yea, its a little run down. Yea, they have a metal detector at the door which slows things down as you enter (but keeps fans and bands safer). Yea, the bathrooms can get pretty nasty… so what! You’re there to rock, right?
Some of my favorite concerts ever were held in this building. Seeing legendary rock and metal bands like Dio, Megadeth, Anthrax, Slayer, Rob Halford’s Fight, MSG… AWESOME! Great sight lines. The stage is off the ground far enough you can actually see the band (take note Crystal Ballroom). If the sound guy knows what he’s doing, the music can actually sound amazing at the Roseland. The view from the balcony is sweet. Get there early and find yourself a seat in the front row on the side, next to the stage… bliss!
If you get the chance to see one of your favorite bands in this venue, don’t hesitate!

I’ve been to the Roseland a few different times and each one was a subpar experience. Let’s just break it down:
The Pros:
— good music
— cheap tix
— fairly intimate setting
The Cons:
— aggressive security guy with long hair (chill out dude!)
— they make you leave the area where music is happening and trek through the entire venue to get water in a shady, hidden corner
— not the most ideal location to be walking home from late when you’re a younger female, but what can they really do about that…
Make the water more accessible and give long-​haired security guy an extra few PTO days. Maybe then I’ll reconsider my opinion.

Venue is kinda small, have seen audien and jauz here, cash cash, and Dada life, drugsss yesss. But hey you know what your getting into going to these things, PLUR. so no judge on the outfits, it gets really packed the 21+ people always end up throwing water on people eh sometimes not appreciated, bathrooms are always disgusting, but we just come to have a good time so whatever. They could definitely re model/​use upgrade

The staff are some of the rudest I have ever come across. I would have bought food and drinks, but they were so rude I didn’t want to contribute to any money they might receive. I will never go back here again. The acoustics suck, the staff seem to think a crappy minimum wage job that allows them little proximity to bands makes them too cool to treat people respectfully.
Rose land your staff can bite it. I have better places to spend my money and better venues to see bands!

So, it’s been a few years since I’ve last seen a concert here (2011), but it’s what I remember the venue to be. The line was long outside, we showed up 1 hour before, but what do you expect for a sold out show! Made it in fairly quick (around 30 min) then up to the main stage area, the line to go upstairs took about another 10 min. (the id check was quick & painless) then found a couple of seats… the sound was better than I remember. Tired of seeing the negative reviews, it’s a concert! You just need id, cash (cash only bar) and you. Don’t be stupid, no games, no drama, just a good place to see a show. Definitely going back!

I have been seeing shows at all of the various smaller venues in Portland for many years now and the Roseland is and probably will always be my favorite. The security seems to be on their game as far as other places go, but those who are gifted in the art of concealment will get past them.
The downstairs bar and lounge area is set up nicely with multiple TV’s with a live feed of the stage upstairs. I prefer to be on the stage floor myself but cater to all if you must lol. The balcony area fills up quick so if you plan on sitting up there during the show get there early.

Holy drugs. Tons and tons of drug use, half naked woman and lights!
The line to the upstairs (21 and over) was a complete joke. I was gropped and cut in line more times then I can count, and gave up after being in line for 40 minutes. Biggest waste of time.
There is a bar downstairs with cash only drinks that is less crowded.
My husband and I had a fantastic time dancing, listening to music and enjoying the performance.
Also, be prepared to go through a metal detector and be searched before going in, which is actually something I appreciate for safety reasons, although obviously it isn’t doing much good on screening drugs.
I recommend going here if: 1. You are looking to get high 2. You are single and looking to see lots of skin and also hook up with someone. 3. Want expensive small drinks–
All in all not my cup of tea.

Buy earplugs. Don’t get caught in a fire. Never use the restrooms. Never. But if you have to go at least get upstairs so you can sit down. Standing for a show makes everyone very angry.

I seriously don’t get all the haters on this venue. Yes, there are some things they can do better but the venue itself is a fantastic place to see shows. Is it my top place? No. Is it top five or ten? Yes, locally — PDX to Seattle.
To talk about a few of the misconceptions: Yes, they do have free water. I think it’s a law for venues nowadays because all the shows I go to do but it’s there at the bar. They even have bottled if you want to pay for it. PDX tap is waaaay better than Vancouver tap so I’m fine with that.
The lines (inside to go upstairs to the 21+ area) are not excessively long, especially if you get there AT doors. I try to always go at doors but sometimes if I have assigned seats and am less caring about the opener, I’ll go a little late but never by much.
The lines downstairs to get in can be long. The lines downstairs once you’ve gone through the metal detectors can be long. Even the line to go from street level to first floor can be long. But never enough to ruin a concert experience.
So, the bathrooms have grafitti and the place is a little rough around the edges. It looks like the venue has seen some upgrades since I was last here but again, it just adds to the experience. I do try NOT to use the bathrooms as they are on the gross side. There’s usually one or more broken things and lots of trash. I just prefer to keep my distance. Still not enough to trash the venue.
The staff are always pleasant to me but, guess what?, I’m pleasant to them and at each stop along the way to my seat, I am prepared with my ticket and ID and stamps showing and all the other things one has to do to move around an all ages concert venue.
The cash bar is a deal breaker in that I just don’t buy anything from them. They want to screw themselves out of cash, let them. They lose that part of my business. Same goes for what they call food. To be upfront, I’ve never tasted any of it but it is at the lower limits of acceptable when it is in your sight. Another missed opportunity for my money. That speaks to stupidity on their end but nothing else.
The crowded GA area and crowded bar areas. Come on, the venue cannot overbook shows. The fire marshal would be down on them so hard that their heads would spin. I used to go to a show in Santa Cruz where a certain (formerly) buxom female blues singer would use certain parts of her exposed anatomy to play a certain musical instrument. The fire marshal was there for every show to make sure she didn’t. Sometimes they could stop her and sometimes they couldn’t. The venue has to take these things seriously; their livelihood is on the line.
I’m not a fan of the folks who like to hang around the bar areas or above the seats during a show but it’s nothing more than an inconvenience.
The GA area is just that — one big free for all. If you don’t like it, pony up and get seats. Or find a corner, there are corners where you can escape from the madding crowd.
I go back and forth on whether I am a fan of the assigned seating. For shows that are important to me, I like it because I know just what I am getting — I tend to always get the same exact seats. The ‘Schnitzer tends to do the same thing to me when I buy from them.
Musically I have heard that the acoustics of the venue suck. I have some hearing problems and I am not musically gifted so I couldn’t say but I can say that when a good band is on stage, all I hear is music from the gods. If you want to hear perfection, buy a high end stereo system and listen to the cd. This is a concert. It’s as much about about the people and the show as it is about the music. It’s an experience to be savored and enjoyed with all you have.

This place is horrible! Went to Seven Lions sold out show. It was jammed pack full of people and we barely had any room to stand and dance. The place feels like a sauna with no air ventilation. Everyone was sweaty and I was sweating like there’s no tomorrow. This place really needs remodeling if they’re planning on booking more shows. At least add more air ventilations for people to breathe and dance.
I really enjoyed the show and all the djs gave an awesome performance but Roseland needs to turn up the notch and fix the place before bringing anymore famous artists.

Whatever you do, don’t be STUPID and utilize WILL CALL! You will be sorry! We went to see Devil Makes Three, an all-​ages show.
Wait in line for an hour outside, hear the show start before we get in, wait in line for over 20 minutes to get our WILL CALL tickets after getting though the metal detector, wait in line for the ATM (CASH ONLY, WTF?), wait in line to go to the crowded upstairs (the only place inside you can get a drink during an all-​ages show), OR, go to the next-​door bar (theirs) that DOESN’T PLAY MUSIC FROM THE LIVE SHOW YOU PAID TO SEE (WTF?!), you can’t take your drinks from that bar into see the music.
Bottom line, we paid over $ 100 (for three of us), got to the venue an hour before the show, and by time we got a drink upstairs, LITERALLY THREE SONGS LATER THE SHOW WAS OVER.
IF YOU ARE OVER 21 DO NOT GO TO AN ALL-​AGES SHOW YOU WILL BE RIPPED OFF!
THE ROSELAND SUCKS! Follow your band to the closest venue besides this place. Any place.
My rating system:
1 Ugk!
2 Meh
3 Yes!
4 Hells yeah!
5 Legendary

Cash only venue??? But you can’t leave, only to smoke are you fucking kidding me. This is a joke. The line to the bar was stupid I even cut and it took such a long time cuz these dumb kids thought it would be cool just to get a damn stamp. I’m never coming back here. They’re all so rude

And another small venue is off my checklist around PDX.
I came to see a ska show and what a great show it was. Reel Big Fish and Less Than Jake with some Unilocalers and friends of theirs. Not a bad way to spend a night. The Roseland itself has one heck of a history and the layout is pretty good. A large room downstairs with a balcony and alcohol upstairs. The audio was done well and the crowd was fairly good. Not much in the way of animosity.
Anyway, the show was great, and I’d want to see more shows here soon. Hopefully something good comes around.

The Roseland isn’t so bad after all. Based on some of the reviews, I was expecting a quasi-​Hellish time, but the Tame Impala show was great here.
I didn’t go upstairs at all, and even though the show was sold out, I had a good view of the band on the main floor and I didn’t feel packed in. Temperature-​wise, it wasn’t too hot, either. The place itself reminded me of a roller rink, actually. I wonder if there’s ever been a skating party here.
Security was fast, the staff were nice. I’m mystified by all the complaints and have to conclude that the vibe depends heavily on the performing act.
Moral of the story: If you want to feel good about the world, go see Tame Impala!

Tritonal and seven lions were sooo awesome. The venue though… Definitely could use some better ventilation inside. Only because it gets soooo stuffy in there, and their lines to go upstairs to where the bar is, is soooooo un organized. If you plan on getting drinks, go straight upstairs and stay there!
Come early and find street parking! They have metal detectors at the door as well.

Doesn’t suck as much as I remembered. Or maybe it’s that I don’t go to shows with mosh pits any more. When I saw Slipknot here X years ago the bouncers in front of the stage certainly weren’t handing out cups of water.
The line to get in is better handled, the people separating the 21+ balcony from the kid n’ creeper floor are friendly and more efficient, the bar staff in aforementioned balcony are handy with the not-​too-​overpriced drinks. The pizza counter, maybe the weak spot. Maybe that’s better, I dunno.