This place is AMAZING. That description barfly gave you is completely wrong. The music venues are fantastic and I've never been to a bad show. Who cares if there is a small green room? The bands get free beers, I'm sure they'd choose that over a larger area to do nothing in.

If you expect quick service on a Friday or Saturday night, you might as well stay at home. NO bar in Portland is going to be empty on those nights.

The atmosphere is great, it's calming on most nights (besides the weekends of course) and they have delicious drinks!

Yikes! What happened to Doug Fir's Happy Hour!? It went, in one deft and deadly move, from being one of the best happy hours in town to most likely the worst, at least in its category of hip and fun Portland places. Strange timing, too, since we all know that the economy is rebounding and people are out en masse. Good luck DF. I'll miss you during happy hour (my preferred place) but your current offering not a bit. Blech.

Yeah, I'll agree with the majority of the reviews on here. The Doug fir excells at one thing: indie-snobbery. I've only been for live shows (yes, they consistently book good bands). But the (bar)service is always terrible and the door/ticket people are clueless at best and just plain dicks at worst.

Oh, but it does have the best design and sound of any club in Portland...HIRE SOME NEW STAFF!

I have no complaints. I'm not cool. But, I am nice. Happy hour good. Late night good. Best experience... Was before noon on a Tuesday. I hope I don't get this wrong, we were served by Amy and Chris. They provided all around phenom service. Thanks

I read all these bad reviews, and decided to try the place for myself. I have been there a few times now, and every single time I have had amazing service. My first time I ate in the restaurant and my friend wanted something from off the Friday and Saturday only menu. She told him and all he said was "I don't care, you can have it." Then her order was wrong and he fixed it without even a dirty look. After we ate, we ordered some well drinks. I wanted a vodka and lemonade and was willing to pay the extra for the lemonade. But he said "I don't care" and gave me lemonade, and put all our drinks in tall glasses for the same price.

The second time I went there, I ordered happy hour food and beer. Then I decided to try the blackberry cosmo (which is amazing). My boyfriend got a whiskey sour, and when we closed out, our bartender had given us our liquor drinks for free.

All in all, both times I went there I have gotten free/cheap drinks, and had awesome customer service. I don't know what these people are doing wrong to get such bad service, but I have complete faith in Doug Fir. I hope this will help someone, because the reviews here are dismal and discouraging.

Yep... that was said to me... I get that you're busy, but sheesh I'm a customer you're there to serve. You do have one bartender there that I love, whose super nice and does a good job, he deserves a raise.

The waiters were incredibly rude. I made the mistake of going there for my 21st birthday, Please don't make the same mistake! Bartenders are stuck up and mean! Here is some free advise to the workers at the Doug Fir: Tattoos and piercings don't make you cool and you look like a hypocritical idiot when you are rude to people who don't look the same as you. I will never recommend your "lounge" to anyone and I will even tell whoever will listen to stay away, although you probably prefer us nice people to stay away from your ultra "hip" and miserable selves. For the record: This was the first place I went that night, I was not drunk in the least bit, me and my friends were respectful and we all tried our best to be polite the entire time we were there.

Why would you judge a night club on how good the drinks are, or how strong they are? Who cares? You go to a club to see an act, then you go somewhere else to eat/ drink. Doug Fir is great for what they do. Fuck all the haters.

My party of six spent upwards of 250$ on drinks, apps, dinner and dessert. Shortly after we were finished eating, the nasty hostess told us we needed to leave, because the dining room was for people who were "actually eating." There were empty tables on either side of us, so we sure weren't keeping anyone from being seated. We were shocked, never having been kicked out of a restaurant before. Lucky for them, the 20% gratuity is automatically tacked on to your bill, otherwise they wouldn't have gotten anything from us.

I don't ever go to Doug Fir for anything but breakfast- it's too busy and packed otherwise. The concert space is good, and I love that it's all non-smoking.

The people working there are good at what they do, they give a crap, service is stellar, and the food is great.

Doug Fir is without a doubt one of the best places for a decent meal in the city of Portland.

The decor of this place is nice, but the sleazy staff ruin any ambiance this place may have. I have visited the Doug Fir on several occasions and each time left aggravated that I stepped in the door. The food is only decent considering the price, the music venue is only decent because of the acts, the staff are aholes and will make sure you know that clearly. EVERYTIME I have went there I thought how stupid am I for going. Never again, never, in less one of my favorite bands plays there.

I attended a very typical indie-adult-rock show there (which, not that I've lived in pdx for awhile and taken note of their calendar, seems oh-so-quintessential) and arrived somewhat early, before the first act. We took a seat at the rear of the basement bar and started in on our drinks. Suddenly the bartendress flips out and charges around the area of the bar and says, angrily: "Who's smoking? I smell smoke! I smell cigarettes!" A glance around the room revealed no cigarettes, no smokers. Or anything. My girlfriend offered up that we'd just been smoking outside, upstairs-- could she be smelling the smoke on our clothes? And she squinted her eyes and mashed up her already-pinched little face so hard that I almost felt like we were breaking the rules (we weren't). Oh, you prissy little barmaid. Get over yourself.

I just don't get the allure of this joint...fuckin' bitch of a waitress ignored us for 20 min while she flirted with a dude half her age, food sucked and drinks were nothing to write home about. Live shows I am sure are cool, but other than that, I am not impressed. Trick ass bitch of a Hostess asked us why we left w/o ordering anything and when I told her I had to wait 30 fuckin minutes to even get water she replied "we must be busy". WHATEVER WHORE! As for Mac N Cheese, go to Delta or Voleur...or Trader Joe's frozen mac for that matter.

At the risk of sounding suburban and old, I would like to say that my husband and I had a really nice time at the Doug Fir this evening. The "tender" was wonderful and kind and there was no negative "tude", but rather a very warm and helpful demeanor that reminded us of why we love living in Portland.

I have been to doug fir three times now, and each time was awesome, I favor the spanish coffee, and I will admit My first time i ever went there the Spanish coffee was not good. I went back last night and some girl made it, wish i had her name for ya and OMG that was the best spanish I ever had, usually i have to have them put bailys in it. The food was awesome!!!! I also am a business owner, I have a Day Spa that is continually under attack, and we really are a great group of girls and the service is amazing. But all we ever hear is the bad. and I understand bad reviews, but damn WHY? Why be so negative? I know why cause the people that write in here feel that it doesn't matter and it effects no one, well it does! Also if it's not good food just stand up and say something then. Don't be a f-ing Jack-a and wait to do it in a blog. Try something new. Write something good about a company. Instead of tearing them down. Seriously!!!!! It's time people really start taking a stand for each other. PS because of personal experience I will never make my choice to go or not to go based on a review!!!! And that is being smart. Doug Fir You guys RAWK!!!

Well we agree that the patrons are self conscious - after a few minutes there I started looking around too...and fixing my hair a lot (infectious). But the wait staff was harmless, although they didn't seem to be very concerned with their jobs. However, we got our drinks promptly...and the cobbler was delicious. I'd go back just for that.

the staff is awesome. i had excellent service. the bartender serviced me 5 times later that night in fact ;>

The fir fucking rules my world. What else do you want? Ive been a blacked out, obnoxious drunk asshole there and the staff was still nice to me, " sorry guys." You have a venue downstairs, a great cheap restuarant upstairs, a cool bar, and a humongous patio with fire pits. Oh not to mention one of the only east side bars with attaractive women on any given night. whatever I think it's pretty damn cool....

I'm rather fond of the place. The music is frequently fantastic. For a while I was coming to concerts I would have gone to anywhere around once a week. Prices are very reasonable, and the happy hour burgers are awesome. The service is a little slow, though, but that was at 1 AM.

I bet nine out of ten reviews in here come from people who show up on Friday or Saturday nights and don't tip much.

I come here Sundays, Mondays or Tuesdays and tip like a mofo. The service here is the best I've experienced in any restaurant. And yes, I'm queer, to the earlier poster with allegations of homophobia. I've been coming to this restaurant consistently an average of once a week for a year. All ya gotta do is be nice, specify what you want and be willing to tip for it. If you teach them you're a tipping customer, you will leave here feeling so well taken-care-of that it's like you've been to a spa and only paid ten bucks for it (seven for your snacks and coffee or beer, three for the tip...)

I agree that weekend service is a problem, but I try not to blame the waiters. Sadly, it's plainly impossible to fit enough staff into this place to give full attention to a 300-guest show. When they bring your drink at all, they're already working impossible magic. I don't envy anyone who works here on a weekend, that's for sure. Being really nice takes time. They have that time to go around, on slow nights.

hands-down the best happy-hour burger (for $2.50!!) i have ever had. every time i've ever been to DF the service has been friendly, sexy and affordable. however, if you come to DF for nothing else than to see March Fourth, you will have done yourself a service...

I will not be back. When I was there the happy hour menu had 1 item on the menu that was not hot.....the garden salad.

I needed to ask the bartender for the change back after I ordered a brew........

I asked the bartender what kind of mushroom was in the Forest Mushroom soup...... his responce after confering with the waiter "WHITE MUSHROOMS....BIG WHITE MUSHROOMS" he left and never came back to take our order so my friend left and I then went to Jolly Roger and had great food and great service. There I will go back. The Doug Fir never...

The weirdest bar in Portland. Everyone looks at around at each other, appearing extremely self concious. Reminds me of something you might see in Los Angeles minus the rich people, movie stars, famous folks in general and talented bar/server staff.

Music venue might be the best in PDX. That is, my friends, the only reason you will ever catch me there again. And, drinking beers with the music cuz can't F-up a brewski. Worth checking out one of many cool indie bands who play in the basement. Architecture is neat-o. If only the food selection was better, they didn't pretend Portland actually has good rock/indie music and staff was a bit more competent (not kiss ass, just good.). I highly doubt Modest Mouse, Dead Moon...etc(any band with any real rock cred,) would be caught dead playing in this joint. Given the hipster stink that may follow.

These asses don't want your business. The Doug Fir stupidly thinks a helmut is a weapon and won't allow you to bring it into a show. It's the Fir's policy to then store the collected helmut on the ground next to the bouncer checking ids amongst spit, spilled sodas, drunk fucks, and butts. Disgustingly ignorant assholes. My helmut cost more than most folk's outfits, and is the most important piece of safety equipment I own. Why the hell would I use it as a weapon? And I sure as hell won't hand it over to them.

I was fired up to hear a little Southern funk at a small venue. Dinner at Acadia, phenomenal. Then we arrived at the Doug Fir. The staff is mediocre at best. I truly don't care if they're rude. I'm there for the music. However, it pisses me off when my friggin ears hurt with earplugs in. Tinnitus doesn't rock. Good sound rocks. Tinnitus just sucks. Overall the place was like dating a hottie that couldn't string together enough words to complete a sentence. It's all looks and no soul.

the bathroom creeps me out. and kinda makes me want to barf. good place to see a show. bluegrass on the patio was rad. as for service... sorry guys, but i was not impressed.

my girl and i went for brunch, ok, so no drinking cept coffee, we werent rude drunks. we are always a pleasant quite couple that never makes a peep; i personally cant stand drawing attention to myself. but apparently the bartender prefers loud gross-looking septuagenarians clad in Hot Topic spats. The fat skank completely ignored us while cackling obnoxiously along with the two too old-punks sitting right next to us telegraphing what big hipster dorks they were very loud and uncomfortably. took me like ten minutes to get cream, and forget refills, that is until her friends leave and she realizes shes been tossing us off. too late for a good tip, sorry. the food, btw, sucked worse than anything you could imagine, imagine not being able to cut through french toast with a knife cos they make from crusty bread, leaving on the crusty shell - i had to trade plates with my girlfriend - and i never order *good* french toast!!!

never again, im going to see a band there next week and i am pissed about having to give them my moolah, i wont be eatin nor shall i be drinkin-

later

I am sorry to say I joined the list of people with bad experiences after my visit to DF. I went with great anticipation of a fun upscale Portland hang out. Coming from NYC to P-town is some change and I really miss the upscale club scene there. However...... Our food server almost made eye contact with us one time (smile). The rest of the time she stared at her little pal on the floor. And in between messing up our orders (very badly). She snickered about one of her other tables to a co-worker right in front of us, which made me feel uncomfortable. The food is absolutely offensive to boot. NEXT.... We went to see the music.... Okay this is even better. The bartender looks at me and says very very obnoxiously, WHAT DO YOU WANT! I respond asking what micros they carry and he said NEVERMIND, and walked off. He never came back (now I am confused) Needless to say I will not be going back again. So much for an upscale club scene in Portland. I am still searching.....

I had a great time, the band had Everyone Dancing! Sure...it was crowded because the band was g o o d!!!! The bartender on my 2nd visit, offered me a Free Refill on my Pop and he smiled! Considering the day had gone so bad earlier, going here made everything so much better I had a good time there! I would go back, definitely. It is a great venue, awesome sound in fact the best I have heard in Portland except maybe for The Schnitzer and that says a lot. I give the Doug Fir and standing applause. kathy rankin portlandblues@yahoo.com

God you bunch of whiny, bitching pussies....what is all the harping about? While the Doug Fir certainly does employ its own share of attitude behind the bar, who gives a shit? As a bartender, I can tell you that instead of wondering what the staff is doing wrong, perhaps you should start with what YOU as the customer are doing wrong. I mean seriously. We have to deal with the same sniveling bullshit that's slathered all over these ridiculous reviews on a daily basis, but with a slight kicker.....everyone is DRUNK! How rad for us. I have been to the Doug Fir, and found that while the tenders were short at first, as soon as I laid down a bit a attitude and a bit of cash, the tudes took a hike. I know someone's going to say that good service shouldn't be paid for, but I'm here to tell you that--like the gas prices--tipping aint goin anywhere. So suck it up, slip you bartender a $10, and pay attention to the vast difference to the DF demeanor. Oh yeah, and the fir is pretty tasty, too.

The bouncers were both nice. The hostess was a biotch. The bartender was saucy and gave me my drink on the house (it was my 22nd birthday). The cosmo was so so. eighty percent of the staff was zombie-like and appeared to be pretty unhappy, yeah we all have jobs too, welcome to the real world. Seriously... put on a smile and suck it up.

Great place to see a show. I love that there's no smoking. Haven't had a bad experience with server attitude. However, mediocre drinks and very self-conscious atmosphere that feels a bit odd in Portland.

Oh, the poor little smokers have to sit outside to smoke while they rant about Bush being anti-clean air. Thanks Doug Fir for putting these people outside.

I think I would rather sit around and snip hemroids off my asshole with toe nail clippers than mingle with the sorry bunch of fucks who kick it at the doug fuerer. Not to mention the seedy bunch of shoe slinging douche bags who own the place. Try as hard as you want, you cant make Portland suck. Poop heads.

the club is beautiful - it's a great place to see a band you like - but when i went in to drop off a resume i was informed by the hostess that "no one will ever just drop off a resume and get a bartending job" - ok so what.. do i have to walk on clouds or something? meanwhile there are always lines at the downstairs bar and my bloody mary upstairs tasted like shrimp cocktail

Okay headed downtown for dinner at Pazzo. (always a treat). Again made the foolish mistake of trying to go to the Doug Fir...GRRRRRRR Why did I? Why again? I will not make that mistake a 5th or 6th time (can't remember how many times I have made it before) Rude rude rude servers. Awful drinks. I DO NOT care about price. I do quite well and can afford to go anywhre I choose in Portland. Sometimes a dive sometimes a diner sometimes a classy joint. But the Doug Fir has been a constant rip off. My time energy and money just wasted. I have a friend that likes one of the bartneders so we keep getting drug in there. Never again my friends. Is it really that hard to make a dirty martini?

While the downstairs venue is nice enough and I would return a third time for a show there I can say I will not purchase anymore drinks.

Last night I ordered their Sazarac and was completely unsatisfied with the results. $8 for what might possibly have started off as a decent cocktail was ruined by the bartenders last minute addition of a handful of ice and a topping off with Seltzer water. Dumb-shit.

Been here several times and here's my view: Great venue for shows. Only holds about 300 people, and you've got a fairly good view whereveer you are. Never so crowded at concerts that you might die of 1) suffocation or 2) overheating.

In terms of the bar/restaurant, etc...Don't come here if you want a waiter to tickle your feet for you, if you catch my drift. They do their job; they aren't the fake overly-nice and backbending server/bartender types scrounging for your tip. And personally, that's fine with me. Prices are reasonable and food is quite delicious.

I always have a good, relaxing time.

This is not a bar to go and get drunk at, so don't expect that either.

I've been to the Doug Fir a lot of times in my few months in Portland and I have to say, the experience is entirely dependant on when you go. If there is a sold out show downstairs, your f*cked upstairs until the headliner starts - it's wall to wall, and there's just no way for the servers to handle it. Also, the crowd is entirely dependant on who is/is not playing. Hate post-collegiate stoners? Don't go to the DF when there's some stoner-y jam band playing. Don't like emo kids? Check the band! Want some space to yourself? Show up early, when no one is playing. You'll have the place to yourself (which is nice).

The drinks, however, are solid and strong. The Blackberry Cosmo is incredibly tasty. The bartenders seem to know what they are doing, when they aren't overwhelmed.

Finally, the one thing that is consistent and fantastic is the Buffalo burger, particularly at happy hour. It is the best burger I have had in PDX, it is huge, delicious, perfectly medium-rare, and during happy hour it is cheap as all get-out.

The first visit I was wowed by the decor and ambience. Both sleek and warm, I hoped for the best for our dinners. We sat at the bar to avoid the hour-long Friday wait, and had charming and attentive service from the bartender. He did try to get away with a minor slip-up in my meal, but removed the slip-up from the bill (as he should've). The food itself was really expensive for a puttanesca pasta and fish n' chips, but we decided we were paying for the atmosphere and great drinks. On our second visit, we were actually seated at a table, and got a little more of a feel for the pretentious vibe some reviewers have mentioned. Lots of staring and posing, but once again our service was friendly and prompt. The food this time was a real letdown, some sort of foul goat cheese-slathered salad and burger, and the damage to our wallets wasn't quite so excusable a second time. Go at least once for dinner, otherwise stick to the bar and the shows. Very cool concept, overall.

So, I've been there a few times and I have to say that my only complaint is that the food/drinks are a little pricy. At least I think they are. Other than that, what does it matter who the people are? Everyone is complaining about this and that...just go and enjoy yourself. Don't expect to be entertained and don't expect to love everyone coming through the door. Just go, get a beer, sit down somewhere and enjoy the music and atmosphere. Don't rely on everyone else there to have a good time.

Seriously folks. It is what it is. DF is new and different. Not like the typical PDX scene. Which I think is why you would want to go there. Drinks are definitely a little more that your typical bar, but then again DF isn't trying to be your typical bar, which is why you're there, isn't it? Can't have your cake and eat it, too! If you're looking for a change of pace and lots of eye candy, DF is the place to be.

I heard all these wonderful things about this place. It is pretty...but beyong that it sucks. I thought it was the most awful group of service industry types housed in one building. I am from LA and know good clubs. Thumbs down to the Douglas Fir....

Sheesh, some harsh reviewers here. I've been to the Doug Fir three times, including once for a show. For the smokers out there, suck it up cause Oregon, like Washington just did, will be going smoke-free everywhere by 2008. It's like pissing in the public pool, ya know? Grow some and smoke your American Spirit outside.

The Doug Fir bartenders think they're hot $hit and can be rude ... they make ordinary mixed drinks. Food servers I've had no problems with. Food is slightly above average and really not that expensive, IMO. And I'm a cheap bastard. Ya gotta admit, the lighting and interior arch. is pretty cool and unique. I dig.

The sound system downstairs is VERY good. I've been to clubs in L.A., S.F., Seattle, D.C., Phoenix, N. Carolina ... and it's easily one of the best-sounding for shows. Nice, intimate atmosphere. And they've drawn some great performers -- Brendan Benson, Black Rebel, Sam Prekop, Satan's Pilgrims.

Overall, still a worthy addition to the PDX nightlife ... but far from perfect. I'd give it a 9 for music and a 6 everywhere else.

Okay, I felt compelled to leave a review. I've been to the Doug Fir once and was immediatley shown a table. Service was beyond fantastic, Our waiter sat down and chatted us up for a bit. The blackberry cosmo wasn't very cosmo-ish but it was indeed delicious. I didn't think it was horribly expensive either, I would happily put down $7 for a good drink if it means I don't have to sit in a dingy Vancouver-esque bar.

I do have two complaints though, The first is that they won't serve Long Islands, and the second is that the mirrored bathroom is a little overwhelming when you're inebriated.

My girlfriend and I discovered Doug Fir on our vacation. We showed up on a Sunday night tipped that there was a lesbian event. That event no longer exists, but we were nonetheless blown away by the atmosphere and attention to detail. We felt totally comfortable being gay even though it was a "regular" night. The next morning, we returned to try out the breakfast. The food and service were lovely.

Just combine every negative review on this site and thats my review. It is a wonder that a business like this can continue to operate. Piss on the walls.

I've been to the Doug Fir a number of times, for food, for drinks and for shows. I agree the prices aren't cheap, but the bar doesn't advertise itself that way. Yes, it's crowded on the weekends; so is every other bar in P-town! Occasionally I've gotten a little tude from a server, but that happens at most bars; servers get stressed out, have a bad night, whatever. The drinks on the cocktail menu rock. The food is ho-hum; like an overpriced diner. I don't eat here unless it's in the bar where food is cheap, and I really just want something small like the fish & chips or fries. The atmosphere & decor are unparallelled. Do not miss this bar if you come to portland; it's a must-see.

I have a love/hate relationship with the Doug Fir. Whenever I've been all jazzed to go there, I've had a SHIT-TASTIC time -- poor service, overpriced drinks, out of EVERYTHING on the menu. When I've been ho-hum about including the Doug Fir in my evening's plans, I have a freakin' rockin' time. Huh.

The Doug Fir is suffering horribly from inconsistancy. Sometimes the servers are fantastic, sometimes I want to throw battery acid in their faces. Sometimes the crowd is totally cool, sometimes it is filled to the brim with assclowns. The bouncers are alternately super cool and helpful, then sitting around flexing their muscles and waiting to be a dick to an unsuspecting customer.

Maybe they'll get it together. I hope they do, because it is a super-sweet place to see live music.

I know it's not cool to love the Doug Fir. As far as I'm concerned that is reason alone to absolutely love it. RUDE TO THE CUSTOMER'S? The place is so packed everytime I am there I have never engaged with any of the staff... Portland's hipster/anti-hipster whack-a-doo turf war is so yesterday's potatoes. I hate most of the people in Portland but I love the Doug Fir just for exsisting. A change of pace from the neighborhood dive bar phenom is fine by me. It's beautiful. In a few years a really smart group of people will take it over and then it will be all the rage, just like every other good damn bar or restaurant in Portland...

went to the bar right before the end of happy hour. The hostess reminded us we only have 15 minutes to order if we want happy hour prices(very friendly). There were not any tables inside so we sat outside. The server was very prompt and service was friendly. We did not get any attitude from anyone. As for the other people at the bar, it didnt seem to me that the bar was full of hipsters, and even if it was,, who cares! Everyone seemed to be having a good time. We interacted with at least 4 service staff and all were friendly. I live in Seattle and would definitely come back.

I've only been to the Doug Fir twice and it was a relatively pleasant experience. I went to see a friend's band play and since it was more local bands the crowd was not snobs. It consisted mostly of Portlanders who like local/indie music. Maybe it was just the night I was there, but my martini was only $3, though it wasn't very good. As far as bouncers go, they may have the worst. The last reviewer said that bouncers usually aren't nice. However, at most places if you're cool to the bouncer they're cool to you. Not this place, you could be the most respectable upstanding citizen or a drunken maniac and they treat you the same, like shit. The basement is a good place to see a show though. The sound system is excellent and they're very professional. As far as avoiding hipsters, well, this is a hip bar so what can you expect. This is known as the cool bar to hang out in Portland so of course you're going to get that crowd.

Doug Fir rocks. It's my neighborhood bar and I go fairly often. Very cool interior, fine drinks (granted they're not bargain basement, but this place doesn't pretend to be a dive). The basement space rocks, kickass soundsystem. To the whiners: 1. bouncers are hardly ever "nice". 2. So what if it's crowded on the weekends. 90% of the bars downtown are packed on the weekends. 3. Full of snobs? Sounds like you care too much what others thingl (or you're just plain paranoid). 4. Not dirt cheap? Well, you can always go drink at the Ship Ahoy if you want dirt cheap. Have fun there, cuz I'll be at the 'Fir!!

The place is clean and nice looking the good part of the review stops here!

I tip well. I am a nice guy. I do not get drunk. I do not act like an ass. I have money and spend it freely when dining out. This place even treated me like a street bum! I read the reviews and went anyway, thinking oh so many bad reviewers had bad attitudes. Well, not the case. The staff was so rude that I felt uncomfortable. I go to nice bars/clubs all the time all over P town and San Fran. Never have a seen a more concentrated group of snots! Attitude is not cute to most customers. I will NEVER go back to the Mighty Doug Fir!

To the last reviewer. I am not as you mentioned. I can however say that I was treated so rudely that I will not go back to experience the "Doug Fir" neither will my friends. We were treated to a course in switch the price, switch the liquor brand and the bartender didn't even know how to make common drinks without looking them up, then was rude because he had to look them up. I think about 75% of the reviews on here are negative and I believe most of them are true. I had the joy of experiencing 3 rude staff members on just one trip to the "luxurious" Doug Fir. I don't think much of being treated that way when I go into a place and spend upwards of $250 for our group. To be treated like "pond scum". No thanks. Keep the Doug Fir all to yourself. I and (from what it sounds like) more than half of the Portland area don't have any use for it.

It is a pity that a person looking for information about the Douglas Fir Lounge will happen upon a list of rants written by people who fail to realize that things like "bars" and "clubs" and "eating out" all cost "money". As well as the reality that the people who work at those places take a lot of crap from drunken idiots and cheap assholes.

To be able to have an innovative establishment in your city which offers decent food, music and atmosphere will cost you "money". Judging by the prices of most places, the Doug Fir falls in to "moderate price" range. Support art, support innovation! Leave your pooh-pooh's, poor me's and non-constructive rants at home and go and have a good time.

I think this place is great. I've been there a bunch of times. Late at night, early evening and it's always been a pleasant experience. The service has always been prompt and friendly. The food has been consistently good, and very resonably priced. This is also the best place to eat after midnight because they actually serve food.

I can't tell if these folks really had a terrible experience or if they just want to encourage all the chain smoking, PBR swillin', white trash wanna be's to go back to dumpster diving behind Denny's so the rest of us can actually enjoy our Doug Fir experience.

If you're looking for Chucky, your snow-blowing strung out friend, he's probably cillin at Doug Fir. This place puts the COCK in COCAINE. Shit drinks, shit food, shit management, shit ownership.

Who in the HELL manages that place? I've never been to a place that had such poor customer relations. From the bartenders to the door staff--horrible. They forget that they are in the HOSPITALITY business. If I want to be treated like shit, I'll call an ex-girlfriend.

I can't recommend this place. Don't waste your time.

Never heard of Porkys before (N Lombard) and it looks great! Cant wait to go check it out. Why do I find all these cool things in NP 3 weeks before moving to SE?

I had the same thing said to me! I wasn't asking for a free drink either and I got the same exact line! Go to the other clubs in town to watch shows! I boycott them and all my friends bands know it! Go to; Noir Porky's Pub Portsmouth those are some that are good. BOYCOTT these jerks. They are extremely rude and snotty!

I went there to see a friends band play and it happened to be my 30something birthday. I jokingly said to the bartender that it was my birthday. Mr fuckface bartender said I should go to TGIfridays if I want a free drink. Fuck him.

So what if the Doug Fir doesnt give one dollar off a drink on your birthday why does the bartender have to be such an asshole about it? I avoid the place whenever possible. The food sucks too. Too bad they have good bands. I wont be buying drinks next show I go to though. And Ill never have people meet me there for my birthday again.

What a bunch of jerks! The staff are so rude and snotty. I want to see a menu with the correct prices. I would like to be spoken to like I am a human being not like I am a piece of trash lying in the gutter. I am a respectable looking & acting person and I was treated like a jerk should be treated. I may not be the most handsome, the richest, the most fun...blah blah blah. But I am one helluva a regular drinking eating out kinda guy. I go out at least 5 times per week. I will NEVER grace the doorstep of the Doug Fir again.

what's all this talk of wannabe hipsters? who wants to be a hipster? who wants to be a poor, psuedo-intellectual with a maxed out credit card?

Doug Fir is just fine. It is what it is. If you can't tell what you're getting yourself into before you go to a place, you shouldn't be going there.

This place is a joke. Food stinks - feels like you're getting ripped off - when they CONSTANTLY give you an old menu - and then say "oops"...and charge you more than what was original stated. Hostess was a complete bitch - we waited and waited for a seat in the restaurant - when there were booths and seats available....the cliential sucked as well - hipsters? ya, they wish - more like gresham/beaverton/vancouver night all rolled up into one.

Don't believe the hype - this place is one huge unwelcoming snot-fest.

I like almost every bar in Portland. I work for a company that requires me to attend them all for the most part. This place is the worst! The food was awful. The staff rude and bossy. The drinks were not good at all. How hard is it to make a cosmo really? No non-alcoholic beer. My gosh where did they get theie purchasing agent? I would not recommend it. All hype, no follow through!

People of Portland...you are fickle!

He's right! Give 'em hell, Quimby!

You're all whiny and weak. Things are too smoky. Things are smoky enough. Places are too cool. Places aren't cool enough. Oh God, too many hipsters! Oh God, too many suburbanites! Oh God, too many yuppies that wish they were young and cool enough to be hipsters! Oh God... and on and on and on.

Can't we all just cynically get along distastefully with others that somewhere can sing peachtree and the herb garden lack-a-daisies moaning.

Oops, lost my mind. Cheers.

love the food, cool bouncers, great shows.

Some of the best late night food in town. The prices are good too!

i went to doug fir to eat the first three visits and we always had the same waiter and he was a treat...sure he may have been gassed up on coke but we loved him and we were sober. the venue is awesome if you choose your shows wisely. the posers (hipsters?) that hang out and stare down their noses are dumb but who cares. i wish doug fir would get non alcoholic beer but i love that shows start on time and you can always depend on thw shows to be good. this is a business that will succeed and just look at all the other rock clubs in town trying their damnedest to compete ...berbati's in now nonsmoking, dante's knocked out a wall and remodelled, other clubs have pushed for earlier shows. the doug fir is a breath of fresh air to the p-town music scene...atleast for the musicians. thanks

Saw a show here for the first time this weekend. I'll go back for sure. Not only were the acoustics great, whoever was mixing the sound was sooo on top of their game! The crowd was an interesting mix of the young and the lame and some serious music folk. It would be nice to get drinks in real glass, though.

What is the big deal? Give me Dr. John's in O.C.or West Linn saloon over this over blown crapfest. I judge every bar by my favorite owner operators Doug and Mike at DJP. Super friendly people, cheap booze and beer, great burger and I'm used to having an establishment actually happy to see me. Why is a town like Portland so full of it's self? I'll take my 75 cent Busch's and $1 sliders and stay at my home bar. Doug Fir sucks.

Sure, it's overpriced, but you're paying for that snazzy architecture (I love the glass moose-head). I didn't realize that Vancouver and Beaverton residents weren't allowed at a downtown bar--how delightfully elitist of you! SHUT UP. As a music venue, it's really good--good sound, good room. Old Crow Medicine Show was great. Best thing is the no smoking policy--I can actually go to a show without ceasing to breathe. Go smoke outside, you pussies. After all, you are Oregonians. Can't you handle a little rain?

I'm sooooo done with this bar! The bouncers are cocks, the bartenders could give a shit, and the crowd is all bridge and tunnel sucks in from the 'couv and beavertron. The bands should start listening to their crowds and play elsewhere. I shouldn't have to wait in a line for a show that I HAVE A TICKET FOR! What the fuck. I'm done.

I love the way this place is decorated, really beautiful. The problems with Doug Fir are the prices, which are exhorbitant (if I want to pay $7-10 for a freaking martini, I'll go to New York...thanks anyway), and the fact that there's too little seating in the bar area. I arrived just after 5PM on a weeknight, and there was no place to sit. So, my friends and I had to move into the restaurant area, where there were about 3 screaming babies! Dear god. I go to bars to get away from that shit. Maybe after the new bar smell wears off I'll try going back.

This place sucks. I will never go back. The staff is rude. I felt discriminated against because I am a Lesbian. I used to go see Snatch (not anymore though) They treat gays fine on the gay (themed) DJ nights but then I went in to see a show. Only to be treated second rate. The whole idea behind a bar should be for all to have fun. If you will accept the money of Gay patrons on one night and then pee on them the next, I have no respect for that. Doug Fir should be boycotted by alternative lifestyles. I agree with the last reviewer. 6 months MAX!

The employees were bitter and seemed like part of their employment training was to be snotty to customers. Happy hour is not allowed in the diner part, the bar has benches, no tables to sit your drinks on. They gave us an 'old' menu with 'old' prices on it by accident and then charged us full price for our happy hour food and drinks. I thought it was a diner with a bar. From what I hear they are trying to be the coolest LA bar around. This isn't LA. This is Portland. The employees size you up when you enter and then treat you badly if they don't like your 'look'. The manager obviously had no training in customer service, neither did anyone else there for that matter. I give it 6 more months till it closes its doors. Nobody wants to pay $7-$12 for a drink or go where beer is not part of happy hour. They are the worst bar I've ever been to, ANYWHERE, and theyjust lost 10 customers who will pass the word not to go there.

Its definitely not for everyone and in some ways over the top and I can agree that the bouncers talk down to you and the vibe between people isn’t what it could be… But its beautiful- the attention to detail in the remolding is unbelievable.. I feel sexy just being inside the building, yes a superficial feeling but who cares! If you want a dive bar go to a dive bar, if you want a club go to a club but if you want to experience a building and stage with enough personality to impress any highbrow hit up the Doug.

Disco in a log cabin? Whats up with the forest service motif? Seems rather exploitative of the true Oregonian lifestyle. Not cool to mock the working class in Oregon. This place could very well have the worst service in town, over-priced drinks and "hipsters" dressed head-to-toe in Urban Outfitters. Pathetic cookie-cutters, you're far from original. Go back to LA.

big lines, snotty customers, and bouncers that like to talk down to patrons. it's crowded and the staff are stressed out. the patrons are staring at each other instead of enjoying themselves. full of wannabe hipsters. the only good things are the fires and that it's a new place to dance in PDX-

This place is a rip off. I paid $3.00 for a bottle of PBR they had no good micro's and they didn't even have any tomato juice to put in the beer. For christs sake it is a restaurant and bar. What a crock.

Fuck that, I'd rather see duggs than see a Doug. I thought the place was pretty cool. They have a kick ass stage area where bands play. It's in the basement... I saw a DJ spin there (forgot his name) but it was good shit. The food was pretty good to for a bar and the prices were pretty fair.