Bagdad Theater
3702 SE Hawthorne Blvd. Portland, OR 97214Phone: (503) 236.9234
Located in: Southeast Portland
BarFly's Review of Bagdad Theater
Vintage '20s Arabian Nights-style movie palace, McMenamin-ized, but minus their signature heavy-handed hippie makeover, and well-restored in its original motif. The sound and picture quality remain notoriously poor, but at $2-3 a movie, there's not much to complain about (other than the pizza, that is - school lunch quality, at best).
Adjoining pub opens most of its front wall to the sidewalk, given the weather, and offers al fresco seating on a prime people watching crossroads. $.75 off wells, $3.40 pints 4-6pm all 7.
| Bagdad Theater's Happy Hours | |
|---|---|
| Monday | $.75 off wells, $3.40 pints 4-6pm |
| Tuesday | $.75 off wells, $3.40 pints 4-6pm |
| Wednesday | $.75 off wells, $3.15 pints 4-6pm |
| Thursday | $.75 off wells, $3.40 pints 4-6pm |
| Friday | $.75 off wells, $3.40 pints 4-6pm |
| Saturday | $.75 off wells, $3.40 pints 4-6pm |
| Sunday | $.75 off wells, $3.40 pints 4-6pm |
Backstage Bar, Balcony Bar at Hawthorne Theatre, Bread and Ink, Bridgeport Alehouse, Chez Machin, Greater Trumps, Hawthorne Theater, Mulligan's, Nick's Famous Coney Island, No Fish Go Fish
I came here with 2 people, got 3 drinks and gave the waitress a twenty. She put it in her apron and walked off. I sat there with my wallet out for 15 minutes waiting for my change. (Literally 15, not 5 and I'm saying 15.) It was busy but not too bad, the employees weren't rushing or anything. I finally got her attention and asked for my change. She said: "Ok, I'm not trying to steal your twenty!" Umm...didn't say you were, I just want my change. The register was 3 steps away from our table so I found this odd. She gave me a five and my reciept and seemed to be on the defensive. I looked at the time on the receipt and saw the drinks had just been rung up. Hmmm...are you thinking what I'm thinking?
While I don't have anything against this pub chain, I've had a couple bad experiences in the past (watery beer? Aren't you guys supposed to be known for good brew?). Thankfully, Bagdad isn't one of them. The wait staff was awesome and attentive, even though she was working on New Year's, and she humored complicated drink requests and got our food to us in record time. Don't disregard this place until you've given it a second chance.
The stoned out wait staff were friendly. Food was better than expected and actually delicious. But the mixed drink I ordered was like blaaaghhhh.
The 3rd friday? comedy shows are under-advertised and only $3 - well-worth catching.
Don't get there early cuz they won't let you in, and smuggle in your own food cuz the popcorn is pre-bagged and cold.
But grab a pitcher or two and enjoy the laughs!
People always hate on McMenamin pubs...seriously, they are not that bad. Food is good, drinks are good, beer is awesome...ok, service is ok or sucks...never any better (always understaffed) but avoid wknd nights and you are fine. HEY ASSHOLE, GUESS WHAT? WKNDS ARE USUALLY BUSY EVERYWHERE! Plus, during that treasured time of year...SUMMER, this is an awesome joint to enjoy the breeze via their patio seating. I recommend trying their own brand of spirits...pretty good quality and cheap to boot!
Run by lacky stoners who care barely run a cash register. Don't hit the pipe while you're working so much folks, save it for a reward after work. In defense of McMenamins in general, if you find a good bartender, find out their schedule and become a regular.
Yeah fuck coming from the bay area...ive been in Portland for almost a year...you guys bashing mcmenamin bars should go to San Francisco and watch yuppies tear down classic bars and build condos...shit at least the theatre is up and running..imagine if a developer thought how great it would be to buy the bagdad and knock it down and turn it into a fuckin condo...be happy..shit yeah there are way cooler bars around...i gotta admit the terminator beer is pretty good..and the service has always been fine for me...maybe im not a dick/>?
Have you ever worked in the service industry even once in your life? Do you know how hard it is to serve you whining, complaining, self centered, GOTTA HAVE IT NOW! People? You guys suck, and while your at it you can suck your dad's balls too. By the way, have you ever cooked something at home? Do you know how fucking long it takes to make a calzone and cook it, then do it over and over again for 30 morons? We aren't super heros, we are human beings, and if we weren't here you wouldn't have your precious little beer to suck down and make your "ugly as a dog's ass" girlfriend look better. If you can't be patient, go to the store, pick up a six pack, and wack it to your home movies. The only reason I am defending them is because I've walked a mile in theie shoes, and you all suck really bad!
I went there a few times for drinks without complaint, then took an out of town friend there for dinner one night. Mistake! Doughy pizza, gross calzone and slow slow service. But, we got to sit outside on a really hot night and watch people walk by. I'd go there again for drinks...skip the food.
the staff here can all suck my balls. slow service. morons. stoned. or just stupid.
Typically McMinimized bar. Home of the tightwad measured pour cocktail amidst a bunch a trippy-hippie paintings. You know the firedrill. McMinimize your expectations at the door. Strictly a place to get a drink before your movie begins.