Wow, maybe its the irony that you see as you age but I have newfound respect for the Embers. The bad drag shows and badly dressed clientele combined with the desperate meat market vibe on the dance floor is pure comedy! Was I ever this desperate? UGH, I hope not! But if I was, I hope I provided some comic relief to those standing by and laughing at me. Seriously, this place is awesome...so tragic and bad its GOOD! Like bad fast food, you know it will make you sick, is bad for you and has no nutritional value, but it still feels good to consume!

Can I get a side of fries with my Embers please?

:)

I used to spend many an evening at Embers from about 94 thru 01, and have only occasionally dropped in since. I was a crossdresser. I met many friends there, helped other TG people with their quest, etc. I have a lot of great memories. The Chrismas decorations were awesum, same on many other hollidays. In recent years the vibe is not as good. The drag shows aren't very good. I wonder if the performing drag queens get paid at all. I do however sympathise with Embers about the rowdies causing the OLCC to close them and leave them on probation perhaps indefinitely. So now it's weak drinks, heavy security. Purses get robbed a lot there when people step out on the dance floor. It's got to be frustrating for Steve, as it is for the rest of us. I like that you can be anybody, and be comfortable there, and fun atmosphere. If they could just turn down the volume a tiny bit.

Linda is in Goldfield, Nevada, and will be 80 in October.

This place SUCKS. Just plain and simple -- it sucks. I've been in there abou 4 times in 6 years and everytime I go back it's worse than the last time. Don't waste your time when there are so many other good bars in the area.

So I hit this place up a couple times a year JUST to see if the decor/music/drag queens/bitter ugly trannie at the bar who gets offended if you invade "her" space has changed, and guess what? IT IS STILL THE SAME SHITTY BAR!

Seriously, avoid at all costs...it used to be hoppin' after the breeders found out it played decent music like 8 yrs ago, now it's just sad sad SAD! How does this joint stay open? Fucking horrible drinks, drag queens who don't know the lyrics to songs and the worst music in Portland.

If you want to go dancing, go to Holocene or Eagle on their queer nights...If you are straight and want a walk on the "Wild" side, just go to Silverado.

I have been going into Embers for a fwe years and it has gone downhill a bit. Charging 10 bucks for beads on Mardi Gras?! Give me a break. And FYI,they took out the popcorn machine. Too bad, It was pretty good.Or maybe I was too drunk?

This is the WORST place I have EVER been. Extremely out of touch.

Great service and atmosphere. Gets old if you go there too much, but now and then it is great. My only complaint is that back in 99-2001 their drag shows were much, much better. They were upbeat and wild; great performances. Now it is simply a 1 on a scale of 1-10. The shows are made up like a Broadway show and each 'skit' is drug out forever. No one wants to see Mary Poppins four times a night or listen to one clucking drag queen talk about himself for 15 minutes, step off the stage, then introduce himself as the next performer, demand clapping, then ... start talking again for another 15 minutes. What I am saying is if you are going for the drag show, don't bother. For dancing on the front side, late night, with usually no line - I say it is a 10. Open until 4, but they won't let you in after 2. Makes sense. The open-until-4 is really to let people dance and sobber up more than anything else.

I think that Embers is such a great place, I live in a little tiny town, and I came to Embers and I met my Boyfriend, so Really, I give embers a ten

I doubt very much Linda Lee will be coming back from Missouri (if she is still alive, she would have been 77 on last Columbus Day).

Embers good value,well priced drinks,Kick a$$,bar keeps,good club for all!

when is Loni and Linda lee coming back to the embers drag shows

It should be noted that the owner, Steve Suss, publicy announced in his bar at lunchtime the day after the Nov election that he voted Yes on 36 stating "his Catholic faith dictated" he do so. This from a man who has profited from the GLBT community for many years. This is the epitome of hypocrisy. Don't give this man your money!

A couple of years back, there was a big hub-bub with a bar fight involving someone who'd snuck in (and was under age).

Since then, they're pretty tight about checking ID, watch folks' drunk-level a lot tighter, have better security and close around 2:30-3 after the show out front most nights.

this place being open till 4? Everytime I go there after the bars close they aren't letting people in anymore?