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    Holocene

    3.2 (224 reviews)
    ModerateDance Clubs, Lounges
    Closed 7:00 pm - 1:00 am (Next day)

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    Recommended Reviews - Holocene

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    8/9/2023 - Puppeteers for Fears present Cthulhu, The Musical with a perfect raspberry lemon drop
    Mikhail H.

    I am not certain why I had never been to the Holocene previously. I remember it having events or shows I was into but I was grateful I got tickets in advance because it did sell out. Cthulhu, The Musical and done with puppets. The group is called Puppeteers for Fears which was a very unique experience and such fun. Having never been here I was so nervous since I am ADA and getting in and out of anything is complicated so I try to ask in advance. They just said to let them know when coming in and they would help me out. Parking around here is great and I found a great spot immediately a block from the venue. The door folks were super friendly and the second I said ADA they were ON IT... All of the staff treated me like a princess which was amazing. As someone with ADA needs, I get used to just trying to stay out of the way or not have people bouncing into me, causing me pain or inflammation. That can be very challenging, mentally and physically. They set up a chair right next to the stage, had me enter through the backstage and the manager brought me fancy drinks all night. I got a few looks when I had a fancy cocktail in one hand, my fancy fan in the other and a cozy seat and was the only person with a seat. The whole venue is really great! There are a bunch of seating spaces in the main with the stage area in it's own sort of room. I was almost surprised because it is really a nice space.

    a group of people dancing in a dance studio
    Jason V.

    I've been to Holocene three times now. Or so my wife tells me. I don't remember the second one at all. Probably the result of being blackout drunk. Actually, I think I've been pretty hammered every time I've left Holocene, so I'm surprised I remember any of my visits at all! Holocene's a weird place. It has a lot of things going for it, but many of its advantages are squandered by the people running it; particularly, the bartenders and DJs. Their respective skillsets range from eminently competent, to egregiously, laughably terrible. Let's start at the bar. On this most recent visit, we attended the Halloween night dance party, supposedly themed after the Bronze bar from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. How that theme manifested basically boiled down to blurry projections of scenes from the series playing out on the walls, and a smattering of overpriced themed cocktails that suspiciously continued to shrink over the course of the night. For example, the first Mr. Pointy drink I ordered came in a tall glass; the second in a clear, disposable, red-Solo-cup knockoff; the third, in a tiny, clear cup you'd find in the dispenser attached to your office's water cooler. Unfortunately, the price did not shrink along with the diminishing containers they were served in. Next, let's talk about the music. Having arrived shortly after the party started, most of the music was an eclectic grab bag of random tracks from the 90s; a cornucopia of dissonant genres, none of which were dance-able. I vividly recall "Trigger Happy Jack" by 90's darling of electronica, Poe, followed shortly thereafter by a remix of Cher's "Believe", and then Enya, of all fucking things. And if that's not enough aural violation for you, the music abruptly stopped (cue record scratch!) around 9:30, allowing for a local indie band to butcher several of my favorite, nostalgic rock and metal classics of the last three decades, for the next 45 minutes. My wife and I ducked out and headed over to Morrison Market, lamenting that the music we'd heard emanating from there, as we passed by on our way to enter Holocene, was light years better than what we were enduring in here. We ended up returning to finish out the night at Holocene, when the music actually became digestible to people with working ear drums, and to lose the costume contest to half-assed cosplayers gallivanting around in cheap, and questionable, Buffy-"inspired" wardrobe selections. Bleh. Look, I get it. I'm an old man playing a young man's game, holding on to the fading flower of my youth with a white-knuckled grip that is slowly choking the life out of the very thing I'm trying to preserve. It also sounds like I am relentlessly tearing Holocene down, but I promise you, I'm not. I like it here, or else I wouldn't keep coming back. But there is definitely an unhealthy, abusive, love-hate relationship between us. My feelings for Holocene are eerily similar to those I share for the Hawthorne Theater: my absolute favorite music venue, that I also hate with a fiery passion, because I know how great it *can* be. Just like Holocene. Sometimes you walk away happy, drunk, having had the time of your life. Other times, you wake up on the floor of the mosh pit, trampled half to death. The only difference between these two experiences seems to boil down to the quality of the music, the competence of the bartenders, and the presence of a DJ that has an actual ear for dance music. You know. For the dance club.

    iced out portland... jan. 18th, 2024
    Nostra D.

    ...was looking forward to seeing 'plaid' last thursday night -- got an email from holocene's ticket agency 'etix' the day before reminding me that i had paid for tickets and that their was a show happening. drove 2 hours from astoria, oregon, booked a hotel nearby & paid an uber to drive over to the holocene --- where a piece of paper was taped to the door explaining that the show had been moved to 2 days later (sunday)... the holocene are the WORST communicators. i've called them in the evenings when they're open and left messages and i've emailed them with simple inquiries --- these bozo's don't give a shit. nothing... and not a simple email or notice that a show is cancelled. thanks for nothing...

    The stage featuring Kyle Craft.

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    Terrible experience and very disappointing. Space is smaller than it looks in pictures and crowd was dead. Expensive bar mid seating

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    Page 1 of 6

    Ask the Community - Holocene

    Review Highlights - Holocene

    The room that holds the stage area isn't that big, so be prepared to literally step on some toes when trying to get around.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

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    Teardrop Cocktail Lounge

    Teardrop Cocktail Lounge

    4.4
    (1k reviews)
    1.4 mi
    $$

    To speak about Teardrop Lounge, I should probably start with this:…read more Ladies and gentlemen, I present my favorite cocktail bar. Not the best -- I'm not arrogant enough to claim that. I haven't been to every cocktail bar in Portland, and saying something is the best usually says more about your lack of experience than your conviction. But favorite? That I can stand behind. And I want to get that out of the way early, because of the amount of praise I'm about to pour on this place -- fully earned, completely intentional. The biggest crime here is that I only discovered it two weeks ago, after living in Portland for a year. It had been recommended to me countless times, and I ignored it. A mistake. A painful one. But now that I've found it, I don't plan on making that mistake again. I'm not typically an Old Fashioned drinker. In fact, I usually hate them. But somewhere between curiosity and too many episodes of Mad Men, I decided to try one anyway -- fully expecting to confirm my bias. Instead, it completely flipped me. Bright, almost citrus-forward in a way that felt unusual but entirely intentional. Balanced, smooth, just enough burn to remind you what you're drinking without overwhelming it. It was the first time I actually understood the appeal. I'm pretty sure I grew a few chest hairs that night. That alone would've been impressive. But it didn't stop there. The space is beautiful -- clean, intentional, but not cold. The staff are excellent: personable, engaged, and most importantly, authentic. Not scripted, not performative. The kind of people you actually want to talk to, and hopefully, eventually be on a first-name basis with. Now, all of that gets it close to a perfect score. But what pushes it over the edge -- what makes this place stick -- is the White Russian. One of the first drinks I ever had. My dad's drink. Not because of The Big Lebowski -- that came later -- but because it's just always been his thing. And at some point, it became mine too. Typically, when bars try to "elevate" a White Russian, they ruin it. They overthink it. Swap ingredients, tweak ratios, add unnecessary flair. And more often than not, it ends in disappointment. Teardrop does the opposite. They respect it -- but refine it. The coffee liqueur actually tastes like coffee. The heavy cream is properly integrated, not just dumped on top. The vodka -- whatever they're using -- is clean, present, and perfectly measured. There's a subtle complexity to it without losing what makes the drink what it is. It's the best White Russian I've ever had. No hesitation. I've gone back twice just to make sure it wasn't a fluke. It wasn't. If someone asked me what my death row drink would be -- this specific cocktail, from this specific bar, is in the conversation. Easily. Teardrop Lounge doesn't just make great cocktails. It reminds you why cocktails matter in the first place. And that's why it's my favorite.

    I wanted to celebrate something special, so I was looking for a nice bar when someone recommended…read morethis place. From the outside, it looks pretty unassuming, so I wasn't expecting much. But as soon as I walked in, I was pleasantly surprised. The interior is beautiful, with a stylish central bar that immediately catches your eye. Although they do serve food, I wasn't very hungry, so I decided to just enjoy a couple of drinks. There are a few dining tables inside if you're planning to have a meal as well.The bartender was incredibly friendly and took the time to chat with me after I asked for a few recommendations. The drinks were excellent, well-balanced, flavorful, and actually tasted like proper cocktails instead of just juice. They definitely didn't skimp on the alcohol either! I'm really glad I chose this place to celebrate. It ended up being the perfect spot for the occasion.

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    Custom Created cocktails by the mixologist!
    Custom Created cocktails by the mixologist!
    Filthy Vodka Martini from the local Timber Line distillery.
    Filthy Vodka Martini from the local Timber Line distillery.
    Late check out and Saturn cocktail drinks

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    Late check out and Saturn cocktail drinks
    Driftwood Room

    Driftwood Room

    4.4
    (353 reviews)
    1.6 mi
    $$

    If you're looking for quintessential speakeasy vibes, Driftwood Room is the place! Just inside…read moreHotel DeLuxe, it's never overly crowded, making it a great place to unwind or enjoy a date night! The cocktail menu is fantastic, and if you're curious about absinthe, this is one of the best places to try it. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable, sharing the history behind each pour and explaining the different varieties. I especially loved that many of the absinthes are named after famous poets and artists - it adds a fun touch to the experience. For dinner, I ordered the spaetzle, and it was delicious. I also love the vintage mirrors throughout the space, it makes the room feel large and grand. Whether you're stopping in for a classic cocktail, an absinthe experience or just enjoying the ambience, Driftwood Room is worth a visit if you're in downtown PDX!

    A proper hotel bar. I'm just bummed I didn't get to do their…read moretasting thing. Don't even get me started on the absinthe choices. We got back in to town right at the peak of the parade and lights celebration Saturday. To say it was chaotic would be an understatement. Since roads were closed, the road to my hotel was of course blocked off. So during the first go around we couldn't get to where we needed to be and went instead on a one mile circle which then led is to an area where the guy blocking the road was nice enough to let us through after we told him my hotel was where he was. What a blessing that was indeed because we found a parking spot right across from my hotel. My friend had an hour to kill before she could check in to her hotel since the road was still closed on that side. We lucked out finding two seats right at the bar as soon as you walk in. It was first come first serve and they were busy. Lots of people were trickling in from the festivities to have a drink or two. I got the cucumber cocktail. It was so good I made my friend have a sip. As what usually happens, we ended up making friends with the two ladies next to us who were parade participants representing mardi gras. The hour breezed by so quickly. It was such a fun time I completely forgot to take photos. Hotel guests get 15% off their tab.

    Photos
    Speakeasy Ambience!
    Speakeasy Ambience!
    Olives & Focaccia
    Olives & Focaccia
    Mirrors everywhere & cool driftwood sculptures

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    Mirrors everywhere & cool driftwood sculptures
    Wax Social

    Wax Social

    4.4
    (57 reviews)
    6.1 mi

    Hands down THE BEST Cocktail lounge in Portland... I've been here several times and I'm always…read moreblown away with the menu, the ambiance and the music... They have a mocktail here that I thought could not be beat.... It's absolutely incredible... I came in tonight to order my dancing Queen mocktail... They offered instead an off menu. Mocktail for me to try... All I can say is in 44 years. I've never had something so delicious and I am very well traveled!!! I can't tell you the name of it. Y'all can come in and check it out but it does how fresh watermelon in it cannot beat that on a hot summer day. I've been waiting for an establishment like this to show up on the west side for over 20 years. So happy I found Wax social.

    If you only hit one craft cocktail bar on your visit to Portland, make it this one…read more Wax Social is a speakeasy and vinyl listening lounge tucked inside a Best Western in the West Hills.. and I mean that in the best way possible. Super moody lighting, hundreds of framed musician photos covering every wall, warm comfortable seating, and a custom hi-fi sound system that will rearrange your expectations for what a speakeasy bar and listening lounge can be. It's a hidden gem in the most literal sense: no signage on the outside and nothing to tip you off as you enter the building. To find Wax Social you walk through the hotel lobby at 9900 SW Canyon Rd, up a staircase left of the registration desk, and look around until you find a frosted glass door marked "Listening Lounge." Open it. You'll be glad you did. Start with the cocktails. The menu is split between elevated timeless classics and original house creations, and both sections of this cocktail menu can bang. The King of Pain is rum-forward and finished with an orange coconut foam that looks as good as it tastes. The Watermelon Man showcases Japanese gin and elderflower in a refreshing and complex profile that's hard not to love. The Sweetest Taboo is a mezcal drink built around blue maize, red bell pepper, pineapple, and lime that hits that rare combination of bold and perfectly balanced. Light My Fire brings blanco tequila and Ancho Reyes together with habanero bitters for real depth. If you want to wander off-menu, they can handle that flawlessly too. Over several visits I've enjoyed a Paper Plane, Tommy's Margarita, Gimlet, Last Word, Too Soon, and others, all executed perfectly. On one visit, the guy next to me at the bar was visiting Portland from Sweden and ordered a Flip. I've been to a lot of craft cocktail bars and never heard someone order one. Clayton, one of the bartenders, didn't blink. Went right to work making a luxurious Flip from memory that the customer couldn't stop raving about. I was impressed. Clayton is also working on several rum-forward cocktails coming to the menu later this summer - I love rum drinks enough to say that sitting at the bar talking shop and the concepts he's tinkering with is worth a visit on its own. Full mocktail lineup, plus wine, bubbles, and craft beers. Now about the sound system. DJs spin all-vinyl sets of funk, soul, R&B, and deep cuts across decades on a custom hi-fi setup that sounds absolutely incredible. Even when the DJ is in full flow and the music is turned up, you can still hold an easy conversation with a group of six or eight people. I've been there with a large group in the back corner on couches and comfortable chairs and everyone kept commenting on it. The music is present and powerful and somehow never swallows the laughter and conversation happening around you. They clearly built this bar around the music. The food is a genuine surprise for a craft cocktail lounge. Think small plates/tapas in terms of dining style: you come for the drinks and next thing you know you've ordered half the menu, made a dinner of it, and somehow backed into a beautiful evening of food, drink, and music. Must-orders: ahi poke nachos, deviled eggs, braised pork gnocchi. Don't overlook the shaved asparagus and white bean salad with sherry vinaigrette, Manchego, and crispy shallots. Simple and elegant and every bit as good as the more indulgent plates. Steak bites and shrimp are worth ordering too. Bring friends so you can order more and share. Owners Sean and Travis are present most nights, greeting you at the door and checking in at your table. That care shows in everything here, including a staff that knows how to read the room. A few things worth knowing: parking is easy, the location is simple to reach from Portland or Beaverton, and the bathrooms are spotless. Open late on weekends. Whether you're planning a romantic date night in Portland, a special occasion, a group night out, or just a solo evening at the bar with someone who really knows cocktails, this is your spot. Among the best craft cocktail and listening lounge experiences in the greater Portland metro area. You've gotta check it out.

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Craft cocktail at Wax Social
    Craft cocktail at Wax Social
    Art installation at Wax Social

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    Art installation at Wax Social

    Holocene - danceclubs - Updated August 2026

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