Urban Studio – Pearl Catering

I’m sitting here at my lap top, almost a week to the day after my wedding and cannot find the words to express how amazing it was. Kelly, John and their team worked their a$$e$ off for me and my fiancé to help make out day amazing. And it truly was!
My fiancé and I were planning the event long distance from NYC. Kelly was really awesome at always returning my emails, not matter how many in a row I sent over. She worked with me on timing, adding and deleting things from my contract and giving me solid advice. It was definitely difficult planning from so far away and not even meeting the team that was making my day so special until that day was basically over but I had complete confidence that they knew their shit. And they totally did.
The day of staff were all so nice and professional. The venue looked really lovely and the turn over of the ballroom from our ceremony to reception happened so quickly I barely noticed it happened at all! The food was awesome, even my 86 year old grandmother thought so and she’s literally the most difficult person to impress after owning her own restaurant in Europe for many years. She will not stop talking about it! The staff also sent my husband and I home with 3 stuffed to go boxes with food, which I was not expecting. They helped me serve my own dessert, helped clear up and set up. I am just so happy with Urban Studio. I would recommend to anyone!

I attended a great event at Urban Studios on 1÷17÷16. It was a really beautiful space and we had an awesome event! I would recommend this space to anyone looking to rent a space in Portland, OR.

I can’t say enough great things about this venue. We had an event there and they were great from start to finish. The day of the staff was impeccable. Even Amy, the rep we worked with, came to our event and made sure things went smoothly.
The space is beautiful, clean and so flexible for any event. We had a youth rally so we had a stage brought in and the students stood or sat on the couches and floors. We barely had to bring anything additional in from the outside beside our sound system for the large band and two stage lights. Urban Studio has a lot of fun light features available too like a disco ball!
Even though we had an unexpected incident outside, I am thankful that Urban Studio and staff took it in stride.
Thanks again, team! You guys are amazing.

Attended a great event here today. What a great space for just about any purpose! Very cool facility! Highly recommend it.

Guess what, empty bar; won’t let people in. Yup, that’s how it goes. I would suggest not going here ever. You are wasting your time and the only way to get in is pay $ 50 to the bouncer in the back door; I only went here becuase of my friends going here.

This review is for Pearl Catering, not Urban Studio. Let me first make it clear the the food was incredible. Lots of compliments and praise on how fantastic the food was. With that being said, I don’t know that I’d hire this company ever again as the service was subpar. And that’s being generous. I had a venue of which there were NO catering contracts and I had full run to pick a catering company on my own. After lots of research I met and choose Pearl. Amy R, the event manager, was our go to. From the beginning, after I signed my contract, the communication back went completely down hill. A simple question would go unanswered, not even acknowledged. By no means am I a demanding bridezilla. Far from it. But after getting fed up, I let Amy know that I was frustrated and questioned my choice in the company. Only then did she jump on a response. But true to her form. that faded really quickly. I seriously considered canceling my contract and losing my deposit… that’s how bad it was. I hope others have a better experience.

Pearl catered our wedding this past June, and the experience was absolutely first-​rate. The food we were served at our initial tasting was delicious — not serviceable… delicious — and as my wife and I had stipulated from the very beginning that food quality was going to be one of our highest priorities for the wedding, we knew to go with them before we had even finished the meal. Quite rationally, though, I think, we still had reservations about the quality being upheld as production of the menu got scaled up from two diners to 125. Well, take my word for it: the food served on the big day tasted exactly the same as it had during the tasting — maybe even better — which is about the most compelling possible proof that these folks know what they’re doing. About ten different people told me over the course of the night (and even during the next few weeks) that it was the best wedding food that they had ever eaten. My mother was among these voices, and she’s been to more than a few.
Spectacular though it was, the food itself wasn’t the whole story. Pearl bent over backwards to accommodate all our guests with food allergies and (in some cases very particular) dietary restrictions, and they never forgot a single detail or made a single mistake, right up until the day itself when they trotted out the beautiful and crystal-​clear signage they had made for every dish (including the cakes and cocktails, which they didn’t even make). What’s more, Katie, our primary contact, was an exceptional communicator, always remembering every last detail about every last thing, never being stingy with her time, never being even one minute late in person or on the phone, and consistently being the picture of kindness. We felt like we had a true partner in her; her actions demonstrated, again and again, that our guests’ pleasure was every bit as important to her as it was to us. Basically, we couldn’t possibly have asked for a better experience. Pearl Catering are as masterful at service as they are at cooking itself, and I can’t recommend them highly enough.

The majority of our guests were from out of town so we wanted to choose a venue that was easy to get to from wherever people chose to stay while in Portland. Urban Studio is a great location that made it convenient for all of our guests.
Aurelia and John were both very friendly, accomodating, and very clear as to what we should expect, which was extremely welcome. It made our lives much easier knowing that the food, drinks, servers, and bartenders were all taken care of. The space lends itself well to being transformed into whatever you want. It was definitely one of the most reasonably priced venues we took a look at. The drinks were good, the bartenders were very friendly and accomodating. The food was a hit, the service was great, and we will definitely be checking out the sister restaurants at some point.

We chose to have our wedding here. We liked that the venue is sophisticated but also very versatile and we love the location. Working with Aurelia was an absolute pleasure. She was easy to contact and she answered all of our questions. Everyone at the wedding loved the food. Many said it was the best food they have had at a wedding. The staff that day was awesome… they were helpful, friendly and efficient. I didn’t see anyone being rude or unfriendly. Everyone was all smiles. I loved being able to escape to the loft above the bar. I loved the couches. I loved the people walking by and looking in at our fun party. Everything was perfect and I am really glad we chose to have our wedding here. Our guests were all staying within walking distance so parking wasn’t an issue for us. Thank you so much Urban Studio! It was perfect!

OMG I can’t possibly say enough nice things about Pearl Catering. They catered our wedding and no one was disappointed. Every single person we’ve talked to said the food was amazing, and it was. Katie was super friendly and responsive and professional. We felt very safe in her hands. She practically acted as a wedding coordinator for us, and everything got done when and how it was supposed to happen.
They arranged a great tasting for us so we could our choices wisely, and were very flexible to our changing needs. In fact, we had to fire our bartenders and let Pearl handle that as well… which of course they did perfectly.

This review is specifically for Pearl Catering.
We hired them for our wedding this last August, and our expectations were more than exceeded! When we had our tasting, we couldn’t stop talking about the food, so we booked Pearl right away! One thing both my husband and I have noticed with other weddings is that the food is good at the tasting (according to the couples) and not great at the actual wedding. Pearl was incredible at our wedding! We had multiple guests, including a very picky grandmother, tell us how wonderful the food was.
The servers were also incredibly attentive, and friendly!
It was just a bonus that it was super affordable :)

First Thursdays here ARE A MUST. The only reason it doesn’t get a 5-​star rating from me is because the drinks are priced WAY HIGH. Ordered 2 Long Islands for my friend and I, cost $ 20 not including the tips I left. I’m sorry, but $ 10 a drink is WAY MUCH, especially given the fact it comes in a regular plastic cup with nothing fancy. Also, the bartenders were quite rude, so I’m surprised I was even inclined to be generous with tips. We had been at the lounge right below Fez Ballroom where we had 2 watermelon drinks and 2 vodka tonics, and paid $ 6.00. YES, $ 6.00 on a Thursday night for 4 drinks.
. Anyways, took my best friend of 14 years here after her horrible break-​up, and we had the time of our lives. Awesome music, DJ, lights, wow just everything was FANTASTIC. Spectacular spot. Great white couches, glass garage door so you can see out to the street (makes it look more open) overall classy place. People dressed great, and seemed to have a fabulous time, because I know we did. Music is THE VERY BEST here. Everything they play is modern and hip! Lights and colors on the floor were vibrant, and the DJ was animated all night. Keep doing whatever you’re doing, guys, because this place was awesome. Think about repricing drinks, and maybe keep your bartenders in check, but otherwise, keep up the good work!

If you are planning an event, you must have it at Urban Studio!!!
We had our wedding reception here and it was by far the best venue I have ever come across. Not only did they do a fantastic job organizing every single detail, but they walked through each item of the event so we knew exactly what we were paying for and how the event would be set up. The staff was amazing and the coordinator Annette was by far the most amazing person to work with. She made my day feel as special as if it was her day! Jason helped the day of and even in the middle of a snowstorm made it the most memorable day ever. The event is so classy and beautiful inside. The lighting, furniture, and set up made for enough space for talking, dancing, and eating, in addition to beautiful photos!
The catering by Pearl Catering was off the charts good. We had a lot of crazy foodies at the reception that would not stop talking about how incredible the food was. It came out hot, on time, and delicious. The presentation alone was to die for. The bartenders and servers went over and beyond to make sure everyone was taken care of, even if it wasn’t there exact job. I had no stress or worries on my wedding day thanks to Urban Studio and Pearl Catering. I will use them again in the future and highly recommend you do the same.
What professionals! Thank you!

Great venue space right smack in the middle of the Pearl District.
I’ve used this space for my High School Reunion, Work Parties, and have attended a few other events here as well. Ex. First Thursday.
Urban Studio is outfitted with modern and simple décor and a bar area right in the middle. Plenty of space to house tables, high boys, dance floor, food/​buffets, or anything your heart desires. They do provide or have available quite a bit when you rent the space. It’s very open and industrial which makes it a good venue for just about anything.
Notes:
Bathroom area is a tad crowded — be warned
It can easily hold a few hundred people
Sound system is decent
Good for: Wedding receptions, parties, work functions, dinner parties, business meetings
Coat Check designated area

I work with Commonwealth Vintage Rentals and we had the opportunity to meet Via at a recent bridal expo. She met with us to show us this beautiful space. We absolutely fell in love with it! The brightness of the space was stunning, the large windows were perfect for the space. We loved that the space was set in middle of the Pearl District and had such a fitting tailored industrial feel.
We loved our time with Via and would definitely recommend this space to someone wanting a unique urban setting for their wedding or event!

Had my wedding at Urban Studio (both the ceremony and reception), and it was AMAZING. The space is obviously gorgeous, and working with Via was great. It was a pretty low-​key wedding – no fancy bridezilla nonsense – just simple, elegant decoration that looked great in the relatively blank space. Honestly, simple lighting contrasted against the darkness outside was just beautiful.
We had 130 people including the wedding party, and I think that was the exact right amount for the space – any bigger and it would have seemed a little crowded. As it was, there was plenty of space on the dance floor and in the front room for mingling.
The food, ordered through Pearl Catering, was amazing. We didn’t do a full sit-​down dinner, just heavy hors d’oeuvres, and it was very good. The mashed potato bar was a huge hit with our guests! Worth the extra cost.
The location is perfect, right in the Pearl District, but close enough to downtown that our out-​of-​town guests had non problem walking to and from it.
[UPDATE: I had listed two small gripes on this review previously – the cocktail served during cocktail hour was really bad, and the venue seemed a little short staffed. Via, the site manager from Urban Studio, contacted me after seeing my review, and she was very apologetic, offering to refund us for the cocktails and investigating the staffing issue. So in addition to all the other great things, I can add great customer service and commitment to making sure people are happy – even after the event is over!]
My small gripes pale in comparison to all the good stuff. Beautiful venue, happy guests, and happy bride and groom!

Could be a really great venue. But this place has a serious safety problem.
The lighting is insufficient on floor near the stairs areas. Girls are teetering around on 5 and 6 inch heels, I damn near fell on the First Thursday party last month even though I was clinging to a hand rail and NO, I was NOT drunk yet.
Halloween Party, same deal, crap-​ass lighting, however, I was familiar with the floor plan this time so I was just super careful and no issues for me. But seriously, the lighting sucks. Do something!
Fix that lighting issue and everything is damn near perfect. The bar is cool, it is a horseshoe and is accessible from most areas. The dance floor is huge. It would be nice if there was just a little more seating available.
Great party venue except for the lighting safety hazard. Just be careful around the stairs in the dark… don’t get too drunk or you will fall down.

After coming to Urban Studio many many times I’m always baffled as how to review this place. Urban Studio is an event space. As an event space I’d have to say it’s great. Great location in the heart of the Pearl District right off the streetcar line. The layout is wonderful and it allows for dancing, dining and showcases to be done here (was at an event that they had cars in the venue). I’ve seen people in the space for weddings, but mostly it seems to be used for large dance/​DJ parties.
Anyone walking by can look into the space… so keep that in mind. But… if I ever decide to throw a kicking party for 400 of my BFF’s this will be the place I do it.

I like the open, airy feel of this place. I’ve been to probably half a dozen events at US in the last year or so, every one of them seamless. It’s a very nice spot for all types of events, from loud, dance-​y, and boozy, to more subdued, mellow, and classy.
The large, sunken banquet area can fit about 200 people, and about 100 more can fit in the entire place. The bar’s in the middle, restrooms (single occupancy), off to one side. I’ve found myself here for Unilocal Events, film screenings, private parties, and First Thursday shenanigans. I’ve also spied in on wedding-​related sit-​downs there that looked as lovely as lovely could be..
When I win my $ 20K Crossword scratch-​it, I vow to throw a party here for you lovely Yeeps. I envision the following: endless bubbly, all of my favorite music videos being shown on the projectors, a variety of exotic cats (I will have to check on the animal policy for that), and an oddly-​specific dress code that may or may not involve the color pink.

Urban Studio is a new event space in the Pearl that’s dying to have some amazing parties thrown in it. Managed by the Urban Restaurants group, this 400-​person capacity raw space boasts a somewhat sprawling multi-​level area perfect for hosting anything from a gallery event to rockin’ soirée.
I checked out this space at a First Thursday promo event the other night and was impressed by the layout. The lower concrete-​floored area is basically a blank canvas — a rectangular room deep enough for a band/​DJ/​dance floor. There are modular rolling walls that can be positioned in any configuration to break up or control the flow in the room, and this is supported by numerous modern couches that can also be positioned to allow for seating/​lounging areas.
The space is bisected by a bar island with mezzanine up top. The bar is ready to rock with multiple wells and taps, and the shape allows for a generous amount of counter access. The upper portion (about 3 steps raised) on the corner of the building is about ½ the size of the larger, lower area, and again sports modular walls for self-​styled arrangement.
Overall, it’s a great-​looking space that could be used for anything from gallery showings to seated dinners to… well… whatever. I witnessed both a higher-​brow gallerista soirée and a raucous rock concert all in the same night, so the versatility of the space was obvious. Also, as a bonus, the management is linked to a catering company as well as some local restaurants, so that makes it easier to package up the space for a full-​service event.
It’s not the most beautiful, ornate, classic, vintage space in Portland, by any means. It’s raw, stark, and utilitarian, but the definite upside is that you can make the space into what you want to.
4.5 solid stars for the versatility and potential of this place. I look forward to throwing an event here someday soon!