Geno's Rock Club

I was up in the Portland area this past weekend for a little weekend getaway and did the brewery tours and brew pubs all day and wanted to find a place with some live music at night. Not being too familiar with the area I took to see what I could find online and saw a good few places, but was looking for some rock or country. I was sold on the reviews.

It was about a $20 cab ride there from our hotel in Scarborough. Living in the suburbs of Boston, I like to ride the T when possible. I only like taking taxis back after a night out when you know your gonna get it on, and don't want a long commute to kill the mood, which has happened. We each paid one way, so that was good.

Geno's is cash only, and they do have a ATM there.  I hate using any ATMs other than Bank Of America due to the fees,  which would equal the price of a drink most places.   There was a $5 cover and we went in and went right to the bar.  

I wanted to blend it at first, the crowd was a mix of hippies,  hipsters w scarfs, a few I hate the world and my parents and wear ''kill people not dope'' jackets, college kids and a few groupies,   so I ordered a PBR. Laura got a rum & coke.  

The set up is pretty neat, you walk in the club and the bar is to the right, a pool table, jukebox and Foosball table to the left, with the stage and seats straight ahead.  Pretty chill. Not a big place, but a decent intimate size.

We moved to the seating area for the show.  I had enough beer for the day and went with Three Olives Dude on the rocks, and a few Stoli Raspberry w sprite. The drinks were very strong,  I can usually put one down in a matter of minutes, so I was impressed. Each drink was around $6.50, pretty good in my book for good vodka.  The bartender was a nice older woman. Surprised there wasn't a young babe working, but I'd take a strong drink over a hot bartender any day.   On second thought...

The first band up was very good. It had a lead female singer who was very attractive and had a great voice. The rest of the band was guys in their 30's or 40's it looked like. She belted out a great Alanis Morrisette cover. The band after her, who was the headliner was OK, I was more impressed with the other band.  But still decent.

Next time I am up in the Portland area, I will be sure to check Geno's out again,  great spot, and everyone there was great.

I wanna give Geno's 5 stars. I really really do. Geno has got killer line ups (not just a rock club friends), cheap, strong drinks, and the best ladies room in town. In fact, I'd say half the time I go to Geno's I end up spending half the show in the bathroom with some of Portland's raddest ladies. But the sound system is shit, and if the band doesn't know how to work with it, or isn't heavy enough for you to not care, it can be really hard to enjoy the show. Also, it's always too cold or too hot. Some how it's still one of my favorite venues in town. Go figure.

This place is not terrible for seeing shows. I saw Bryan MacPherson at Geno's in May of last year. The sound was decent and the staff were nice enough.

If you're disabled like I am, though, you need to plan ahead before going here. The bathroom stalls aren't big enough to fit a wheelchair into. The terraced floors have steps between them, no ramps, so unless you have a friend who is willing to help you get closer to the stage, you have to watch from the very back of the room where the bar and the pool table sit. It gets loud and overcrowded.

My advice, if you live in Portland and like to go to shows, is to pester Geno's about getting accessible or talk to your favorite bands and performers about playing other places in Portland with better facilities. Personally, I recommend The Space Gallery.