Towne Lounge

BarFly's Review of Towne Lounge

It was never a secret bar, exactly. The Towne Lounge always listed its address, anyone familiar with the Matador knew the ownership was changing focus across the street, capacity crowds since the 2005 beginnings have cheered on an enviable selection of local buzz bands, and wouldn't passers-by wonder why the indie elites were strutting inside what still appears to be a mausoleum? Nevertheless, to this day, even with proper signage alongside signature green light, tourists still walk down Burnside asking directions. Please don't help them. On band nights, the crush of attractive, eclectic tastemakers teeming to watch the attractive, eclectic next big things already overwhelms, and, those increasingly rare evenings absent live music when one can appreciate the bar's quiet pleasures (a supergroup of Portland's most beloved servers tending bar, food best described as theoretical, gold-flecked ceilings and minimally elegant design reminiscent of ... a mausoleum lounge, we suppose, but one housed in the East Village), the art deco lounge can be and quiet and peaceful as … oh, you get the point. Well $4, call $5, regularly - generous pour, fresh-squeezed juices. Cover sometimes, rarely over $5.