You'd be better off staying home, playing records with some friends and some quality columbian.

I was the first person in the bar, besides a man that was sitting and reading. The first thing that I noticed, the darkness, it was very dark. Just as I started to sit down this guy at the end of the bar jumps up and says "I guess it's time to get to work". I told him to sit back down and tell me about the place, as I had just had about 10 ounces of rice wine with my dinner, and didn't want to get ham-hocked. So he told me that Dunes is the oldest independent music venue in the city of Portland, we reminisced about The Xray Cafe and numerous other old indie PTown music sites.

A younger couple entered the bar and said how proud they where at just finding the place; and it is no easy task. There signage consists of a "NO MINORS!" sicker on the wall next to the door.

Mark, the owner/operator/bartender is a true mixology maestro. He describes what he has for the evenings libations. He has invented a drink called "Crush" which consists of fresh watermelon and a perfect mix of alcohol. He had fresh mint for Mojitos, and the best sipping drink I have ever had it was a strange licorice and fresh lemon juice that was perfect (although I think that it would have been even better with half a shot of honey liquor).

The music was good. Only had time to hear Nathan Jr. He was incredible as usual.

All in all it is a very dark place where you can at any moment ask the person next to you if you could try there drink. The drinks are hand crafted and mixed for taste. It feels like a party. Like a party I would throw; except with people there having fun.

I did not say that the Dunes doesn't have a website. I said they don't have WIFI. There is a difference ;) {Sisterchristian} come to myspace and give me a holler, check out my page and feel free to decide if I have taste. I believe I do. www.myspace.com/edella I don't hide behind a masked name of an old Night Ranger song and chew people out. I also thought that the barfly user review forum was the place for the Portland drinking public to "SPEW their opinions". As far as knowing nothing about what I am saying I actually know what I like and I do believe that is what this forum is about...people writing reviews of likes and dislikes and other folks weeding through to find just the right spots to try next. Guess I am wrong when it comes to sisterchristians almighty opinion... I went back when there was no show going on to see if it was more laid back and still it was just abuzz with all sorts of irritating people who do not bathe (cough) & heavy smoke (double cough). Anyway, after 3 visits-I still think the Mock is better and on the NE side Kyle hit it on the nose The Nest is a sweet little laid back bar perfect to hang out and have a blast with pals!

Yes, Dunes does have a website. This is a very cool place. Edella's taste is only in her/his mouth. I get edgy when people spew their opinion when they have no clue what they are talking about. Dunes is fun and it is what it is. Your either get it or you don't. Good crowd, great music and friendly staff. It small cause that what makes it an intimate experience with friends, music, and new faces.

I liked the bartender. I liked the folks I was hanging out with, but the palce is cramped, stuffy and overblown with big blinking video poker in the face! @'@ I would much rather hang at the Mock it is a lot more laid back and not so uhhhhh, errrrr....STINKY! Shows at either place are a bad idea though. Too crowded and loud. Keep these little places laid back and fun. Dunes get WIFI!

This isn't a review. More like a preview. There's a good show happening at Dunes on the 26th. The Exhale and Adam Gnade. myspace.com/gnade myspace.com/theexhale

Oh, and does Dunes have a website? does anybody know?

Oh yea great place to dance your ass of at 150 degrees, while putting a ungodly amount of blowup your nose. Just don't ask why they don't sere sparks any more.

So what if it's sweaty, stinking of dance-sweat and standing room only, (forcing you to nudge your way through the stand-dancing hipsterati and the ironically clad to get yourself a drink or stand on the sofa just to get some air...)it's dark, the music is always dead on fabulous, and if you're elite enough to get the heads up on some of the goings on (or perhaps lucky enough to stumble upon the discreet location) you can brag later that your finger is on the pulse of the generation. At least in portland anyway.