I saw Punch Brothers here last Sunday (2/17). Anais Mitchell (and her friend Jefferson, his last name is escaping me at the moment) and the boys were marvelous. I can't fault them one bit. Chris Thile really loves Portland, and it was such a treat they chose to play at Port City for the last stop on their tour. I would give the actual concert itself five stars. However, this is a review of the venue.
What gets my goose about this place are two things:
- Allowing people to drink way past the point of "being drunk" and to the point where they're being obnoxious. I get it, people drink at concerts. It's not my thing but I'm not knocking people who do. However, the bar tenders need to make sure they are cutting off people when they clearly have had too much to drink. Luckily, the band was quick to play along with the loud drunk man who kept yelling random things throughout the set. My favorite part was when he decided to shout, "VACATION!" and Chris Thile goes, "I've been on vacation for 26 years!"
- Security. Â
A group of us were waiting for the band to come out after the show. We waited in the lobby area for well over half an hour. I was sitting with my mandolin case (I had brought my mandolin with me in hopes of getting Chris Thile to sign it) along with some fellow fans. We saw the band members walking up the hallway behind an area we were not allowed to go in. There were many security people milling around. Finally, after half an hour or so, one asks us who we are waiting for. We say we are there for the band. He almost laughs at us and tells us the band isn't coming out and that they are breaking everything down. WOW, THANKS! So nice of you to make us wait when you could have checked with us earlier!
It put a bit of a damper on the night because I was really hoping to talk to Chris and thank him for getting me into playing the mandolin (I wondered afterward if it would have made a difference if I specifically said I was there for Chris Thile but I doubt it).
But like I said, the concert itself was of five star quality and the guys always are on their game, no matter where they're playing.
Outside of my two criticisms, the physical venue is nice. It reminds me a bit of Bowery Ballroom as far as size is concerned and I liked that they played big band music before and in between acts. I was up front and felt close but not too close, which was also nice.
I have seen a concert here and I had my wedding here. My wedding was awesome. The staff was incredible- the space was perfect for a non traditional dancing heavy wedding and all my guests loved it. I got a sound guy & a lights guy & bar guys. I even got to dance on stage with my friends!
Working with the PCMH staff was the easiest organization I dealt with throughout the whole wedding planning process. Â Definitely consider PCMH for events - they will totally rock.
Been here a bunch of times in between stints at the Windham Correctional Center. My most recent visit was for the Dre Dog show back a few months ago. Nubes may know him better as Andre Nickatina but I'm old school.
Did some pregaming that involved some heavy weed smoking. C'mon don't judge me. It's a freaking Dre Dog show! His #1 song is called "Smoke Dope and Rap!" Anyways when we got to the door there was a line so we waited patiently to be let in. Once inside they had the standard 2 doorman formation; both taking tickets and applying bracelets to patrons that were old enough to drink. Both of my friends go in ahead of me. I give the first doorman my ID and my ticket. He proceeds to give me a bracelet and I'm in. Not so fast says doorman #2. He asks me again for my ID. Needless to say I'm well over 21 and am starting to look the part. After a thorough inspection of both me and my ID, doorman #2 removes my bracelet and marks both of my hands with HUGE X's! WTF!! I kindly ask him what has just happened and he explains that "there has been some sort of a glitch." WTF kind of response is that anyways? He must have thought I was intoxicated but I was just really high. Anyways I was allowed to stay for the show and just had my 2 friends get drinks for me at the bar. I enjoyed the show other than Portland's piss poor attitude towards Dre Dog. He finished his set and rolled off stage but the house lights weren't turned on yet. That is a clear indication from the artist that they are willing to do more songs if the crowd gets loud. Everyone in the audience did a 180 degree turn for the exit and bounced. Dre Dog gets no love from the Portland faithful.
So if your high as a kite trying to see a rap show here, my advice would be to avoid the heavyset, dumpy looking doorman and tell that bitch to kiss the rings.
I'd give the venue a 5 but the doorman a 1. Hence the deuce
Port City is pretty much your standard music venue pulling what I consider (mostly) pretty typical mediocre acts (most) of the time. That's not to say that I haven't been there and enjoyed a show, mind you.
The physical space is nice, recently renovated with tons of chairs and couches.The site is a former movie theater and sports bar, and covers three levels. The sound is decent, and most of the time there is plenty of room. The staff is decent but the beer selection kinda slim. Most shows you can come and go once stamped, and that is a big plus.
The space is decent but for the most part I find the booking pretty lacking. They do a great job supporting local artists, though. One promotion that I particularly enjoy is the 2 for Tuesday... $2 to get in and $2 drafts once you are in enjoying 2 local acts. Â
One more thing to mention is that, as of now, Port City is 21+
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