Candlelight Room
2032 SW 5th Ave Portland, OR 97201Phone: (503) 222.3378
Located in: Downtown Portland - Visit Website
BarFly's Review of Candlelight Room
Amusing as it may seem that the Candlelight Room yet exists downtown, it’s not really a stop for tourists. In an age where blues bars largely endure as chic signifiers, The Candlelight indulges a dirty, grimy r’n’b groove so shamelessly drunken and aggressively lewd that ironic detachment shan’t stand. It’s perilously close to PSU, and we’ll buy a drink if you can spot a student - or anyone under forty beyond the occasional bassist likely press-ganged by uncles for bar-band service. The interiors seemed carved from grease, sweat and menthol smoke, flirtations resemble a circuit party staffed by downmarket Jenny Craig émigrés and one doesn’t ask for a martini list. It’s a fever-dream of 1974 Cleveland decadence that’s somehow managed to remain thoroughly untouched these many years. Long may it stagger. Music at 9:30 nightly.
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Started out as my new best place to go. Last few times there though, spent the whole time running interference for my lady. Losers lewd comments, gawking and trying to weasel in on her the whole night. Had trouble with a couple of fat chicks that tried to take our seats and kept talking shit every time they walked by. It bothered my girlfriend and she told the bartender...he said welcome to the candlelight. Did meet some decent people there too, unfortunately they get farther and fewer between as the night goes on. The judge is still out. Looking for that perfect place to call home. May try it again, just leave earlier? Maybe when they tear it down and move they will get rid of some of the rift raft. Great dance venue, stay away from the pool table, that seems to be where most of the vultures hang.
No matter what, the music is going to be great. Totally reliable that way. Always dance-able.
Cougar bar? Nah! I've never thought of it as a "cougar bar". I'm no "cougar" anyway, that sounds like a desperate man chaser. But I AM a sweet, shy, small-town woman "of a certain age". I go out sometimes by myself to the Candlelight and have never felt unsafe there. Everyone's fun, and the only danger is that the dance floor is so small you might get your toe stepped on (it happened to me). The music is live, awesome, and free, and folks are cool. If you show up after midnight on a Saturday night, the crowd from Clyde's shows up after Clyde's shuts down. Go Candlelight! Try their fish and chips! Great community. I hope Trimet doesn't tear it down.
The Candlelight Room has become my second home for lonely Tuesday evenings. With the Gretchen Mitchell Band laying down some great danceable beats, the atmosphere is infused with the rhythm of the night. A good mix of regulars and new patrons provides many opportunities to meet new people. The bartenders are amazing individuals that are fully competent at serving up your drink with a smile. Leave your drama at the door, slap a smile on your face, and get in the Candlelight to experience the moment for yourself.
Every review I read was true. Even the ones about the homaphobe. I'm sure he was an out of towner. We have been serving Portlands finest music at the lowest price (free)for as long as I have owned the Bar. Since 1984. Amazes me. Tri-Met is going to be running the new Milwaukee line right down Lincoln street. This means the candlelight building, one day will be a passenger stop. As much as we promised Tri Met to serve their pasengers inside the bar and not let them "miss the bus", they declined our offer. So, It looks like at the end of 2012 the CandleLight building will be benches and trees for the train goers. That leaves just 2 YEARS!! So, until the "bus stops here" we will continue to play LIVE MUSIC, 7 Nites A WEEK, for your enjoyment!!! So, Put on your dancing shoes. Thanks Joe
With lines like, "Do you work for UPS? I could have sworn I saw you checking out my package". You are sure to find and tame a Cougar and this proud old school Portland landmark.
Wrong wrong wrong about the review. The Candlelight Room is a great mix of people from all ages and all races. I had a great time here dancing with college guys all night, along with my best friend who too had college guys to dance with all night who thanked us at the end of the night for the great time we all had. The Candlelight Room is what you make it, and we made it fun. The live music was live to say the least, and the lead singer sang individually to many of us, myself included. It was a birthday that I will never forget.
My girlfriend and I came from the Oregon Coast to kick up our hills in Ptown. On a lark, our hotel clerk mentioned the CANDLELIGHT and said her Dad liked it!LOL Being that HIP age, we moseyed on down and to our surprise...there was the coolest mix of people. BUT, Ladies, if ever you make it down there, have a look at the hunky bartender who's name starts with a "T"...he was a 1 from 1-10...the only ONE, the most exquist one...ahhhhhh.
The candlelight is the haps on Monday night, and rages till 2:30 AM. Every other night, decent blues and funk, but you can always find a good time there.
For hook-ups, if you're into cougars, the Candlelight is the place. If you can't hook up at the candlelight, you got issues, and should probably just hang out at Marys.
I been going there for the last 20+ years!Been all over the States, No place else you will find, Such of a cool place with the best of all 3 things, Music/Food/Friends! When I meet new friends in my traveling, I tell them if you ever in Portland Or, Be sure to stop by the Candlelight Room! You will enjoyed!!
What a great place. Yeah its a bit on the old side but what the hell so am I. I call it nostalgic, with great character!! It was great to be around good people over the age of 30 having a great time. The music was wonderful. Wow.. so much fun. lookin forward to traveling across the river again to have a great time with great people in the near future. Wish we had a place like that in Vancouver! There is nowhere for people to go like that here. It is so comfortable and fun
The Candlelight room has taken over my top most enjoyable bar in town. The bartenders are great, fun friendly and outgoing. The live bands are awesome and addictive. Great atmosphere, safe and fun. Check it out, I'll likely be at the corner seat!
The Candelight is a nasty, smoky dive. The service is terrible. From the asshole at the door to the bartenders that treat customers like shit. I was repeatedly elbowed by a woman at the bar, and she got a gigantic attitude because I asked her to stop. She started calling me names,using racist comments and laughing shrilly, and I was asked to leave by the bartender and the jerk at the door. Don't go there. You might not feel comfortable or safe.
Love it and miss it. I had the wonderful opportunity to live in Portland for 5 years. I lived on the river and met some cool people and the first place they took me was the Candlelight. Everytime I had friends visit from out of town, I took them there. Loved the "Swanky" feel of the place. It is what it is and we all know why why we go there and the foods good too! All cities need a place just like this
The candle light is not only great to hangout at night, but its a great place to have lunch. good service, the bartenders are always friendly, good music, and great food. You can smoke, and buy multi-flavored condoms. What more could you want?
OMGosh, two of my friends took me to the Candlelight room for my birthday. What a wonderful night that was! As crowded as it was, I felt totaly comfortable. Everyone was so very friendly, and they made my drink just perfect. The dance floor could really be bigger, but oh what fun. I will be coming back! I would recomend this place to anyone who likes good music and fun.
One will notice that The Candlelight has been around for Many Many years. Why? Because it is a GREAT spot to go. Yes, a mixed croud of folks, however a wonderful croud. I happen to know the owner, and he is the greatest man in the world. If you are lucky enough to get to know him, you will soon see that he would give you the shirt off his back. The employees there also are great. The serve up great drinks, and have wonderful personalities. Get to know them! Crowded? Yes. Always. Does that tell you anything? Some of the above reviewers are not very nice. A Meat market? Cracks me up. A Bunch of 40+ year olds! Hey, us Baby Boomers know how to party! Seriously great, always free entertainment. Look at the background entertainers that have came out of there. FREE...Hummmmm sounds like a Jew huh? Should't have been mentioned at all. Hmmmmm, I am swedish?french/german! I also own a business. However I am not as nice as OLD JOE! Greasy? NOT. Period!
Best place in town to have a cold one and listen to some good music. Love Ennis in Theory
I agree, watch out for being cornered on the dance floor and made to feel cheap, however the owner and employees are far and beyond cool cats to hang with. I like the more tamed early kicking back crowd, the night music is a soul moving experience and is a must try, just bring your own body guards to keep the hands at bay!
Well, used to be a nice local spot, now most of the locals are scratching thier heads. Theres a juke box but unfortunatly the bartener has a remote to skip to the songs the bartender wants to hear. It is a public bar but its starting to feel private. The best part is that I.d. is expired but they don't even card. it is an expirience all its own .
The candlelight does up their drink prices 50cents per drink when the bands start. but they don't down size their drinks. and to any homophobes. The candlelight Has nine employees. 2 are lesbians. 1 is gay. 2 are black.1 tatooed wacked out door dude. And the owners jewish. Its packed everynite. and sundays. its the Busiest place in Portland.
20 minutes ago, I was at the Candlelight. I was hanging out, drinkin, listening to some live funk music, groovin. Long story short, some closet case dude asked me if I was gay. I said no. He asked why not. I said that I wasn't born that way. I thought he was disappointed. After some short chatter he reveals that he actually 'isn't gay' and he thought that I was because of the way I was sitting and bobbing my head. He told me that's why he thought I was gay and that he originally came over to kick my ass. What? Fuck that place.
This is a great place to hear really good live music. It does have an older crowd, I would say 40+, and seems to be somewhat of a meat market, but ignore all that and listen to some great music. Drinks are very reasonably priced. Watch out for getting cornered on the dance floor.
